So far, so good

This summer is going too fast, as it always does...

Cecilia Ryan Dillon joined our family June 7, 2013 at 3:28 pm via c-section. She was a teeny girl at only 5 lb 6 oz and 18 inches long. BUT that was almost 8 weeks ago and now she's humongous!  She's about 9lbs now and has actual rolls on those little thighs. She's even rocking a double chin. Cece has such a calm and sweet personality; she's really been no trouble so far. I say "so far" because I feel like our luck is bound to run out. Right now we're enjoying our sleep (and that's all I'm going to say about that!)

Over 4th of July Henry and Mark went to Bass Lake to have fun with the Dillons. Henry had a great time with his cousins, aunts, uncles, grandparents, and great-grandparents but I don't think he even missed his mama. While they were gone Cece and I had some really relaxing time to ourselves: lots of snuggles, long walks, and even a pedicure (for me of course!). A few weeks later we all headed to Michigan to see family and friends. Sean and Josh were visiting from Colorado and they were such a help with the kids. Sean changed diapers and Josh read books and they both played croquette and in the sandbox with Henry. It was so much fun!

We are looking forward to having some visitors here soon!  

Almost there(turn, baby, turn!)

With baby girl's due date a mere 17 days away we are all getting a little anxious! Every day Henry asks when the baby is coming out (if I only knew!!!) Mark and I are both excited to see her but we know the reality of the exhaustion that comes with taking care of a newborn. We are realists and know it will be hard. At least we have a little experience and a lot more confidence in our parenting skills this time around! There is the added challenge of the baby being breech. She's been head up for a couple weeks now and I've been trying all sorts of interesting things to get her to flip. There's the chiropractor (who is also doing acupuncture) and I've been burning moxibustion sticks near my pinky toes---google it--basically its a big cigar type thing that smells like a certain illegal substance when burned. Hopefully something will work. We aren't sure if she's turned or not and even the doctor can't say for sure. She said (and I quote) "sometimes their butts are just as hard as their heads". We'll have a final ultrasound on June 7 and I guess we'll know for sure then. Until then I get to drag Henry to appointments 3 times a week!

Last weekend we had our last hurrah trip before baby. We made the rounds to Ohio, Pennsylvania (for Matt and Danielle's wedding!), and finally to Michigan. It was a lot of time in the car especially with an almost full grown baby sitting on all my organs, but it was worth it to visit everybody! Henry had a blast with his cousins, as always. Plus he got to see all his grandparents and great-grandparents in one weekend. It was a really quick trip covering 3 states in 4 days but fun nonetheless! If the baby is as good a traveler as her big brother then we'll be making a trip to Michigan in July when Sean and Josh are in town. Hopefully she'll get to meet more family then as well!

32 weeks

Despite illness, flat tires, and a lack of preparation, we survived our move!! We are mostly unpacked and the greatest news is that Henry loves his "new house"! His sleep hasn't suffered which was a concern with the transition. We have great windows for looking at trucks (and a block from a fire station which is good and bad). He also loves our large deck. Unfortunately we've had quite a bit of rain and he can't always play outside.

Last weekend we went to Cleveland to celebrate Brennan's 6 th birthday and have a bridal shower for Danielle. It was great seeing everyone and Henry had a blast with his cousins! Shannon and Marilyn also threw a sprinkle for me and the baby. It was such a nice surprise!

This week Henry had his first dental check-up (other than the time he went in October when he banged his teeth in). He was such a good little patient. I was shocked that he let the hygienist clean his teeth and even floss them.

Next weekend we're headed to Florida for a wedding and hopefully lots of sunshine!

30 weeks pregnant and MOVING DAY is here!

It's been a very busy month, getting ready to move by slowly packing everything. Maybe too slowly... We are moving at 8 tomorrow morning and as I look around at our home I am scared. Very scared. Random boxes, toys, garbage, and toys (yes toys deserves a second mention) as far as the eye can see! Oh well, somehow it always gets done right?

Today I'm 30 weeks pregnant with baby girl. Below is a side by side of 28 weeks with Henry (left) and 28 weeks with baby girl (right). I felt so much bigger this time but they're pretty comparable. Looks like we're going to have another peanut!

Henry met the Easter bunny a few weeks ago and he didn't cry! He did tell me, "I scared" repeatedly as we waited in line, though. He's also been sick this week--a double ear infection! He's finally feeling a bit better but he is extra clingy and cuddly which is making packing that much more of a challenge.

Tomorrow is the big day. Although I'm not thrilled at the prospect of unpacking all of this stuff it will be fun to get Henry's and baby's rooms looking all cute!

Florida, snow men, and the end of the 2nd trimester

We had a wonderful (warm) trip to Florida last month. It was sunny the whole time and Henry really enjoyed the pool and the beach. He had a great time jumping in from the side of the pool doing "belly poppers" over and over again. He also got to visit the Naples Zoo with grandma and grandpa--we loved the monkey island boat tour and alligator feeding. Even though our time in Florida was wonderful, Henry has just as much fun in the snow! He loves getting all bundled up and running in the snow. He likes to make snowballs for Gracie to chase and he demands, "build snowman daddy!" We have built a lot of snowmen this winter... When the cold is too much to handle we love our favorite indoor spots. Below see a picture of Henry and Mark with a snake. Henry had a great time grabbing the poor little guy's tail. He also got to hold a turtle. Turtles are his favorite animal (for the moment) so we spend a lot of time at the zoo and nature museum.

Baby girl seems to be doing well too. Her latest ultrasound picture is below (24.5 weeks). We'll have at least one more ultrasound before she's born to monitor her growth. So far the doctor thinks she's going to be small but appears very healthy and normal. We love feeling her kick and squirm throughout the day! Henry is very excited about his baby sister. If you ask where his baby sister is he'll point to his belly and say "baby sister in here!" It's so sweet but I'm afraid he doesn't quite comprehend that she'll be staying with us for good!

Our final bit of news is we are moving next month! We are really going to love having a third bedroom :-)

It's (gonna be) a GIRL! ... And a trip to the ER for Henry.

We were thrilled to find out that baby Dillon is a girl. I was 100% thrilled and Mark slightly thrilled. For some reason he's nervous that she'll have him wrapped around her little finger... I can't imagine! Regardless, this was very exciting news because I always wanted a girl and, well, we have a couple boxes of pink girls stuff from when we were told Henry was a girl. :-) This lucky lady already has two handmade quilts, a knit sweater and hat (thanks, Grandma!), and a knit dress from aunt Carol. She also has all of her room decor including a dust ruffle and curtains made by grandma. I'm glad grandma has those projects out of the way so she can focus on making more things for her first granddaughter. And of course we are not at all annoyed by everyone's hilarious question, "Are you SURE this time!?!?" Where is the "sarcasm" font when you need it? For all of you doubters, we will be having at least three more ultrasounds to monitor growth so we can continue to check for boy parts!

In other news, yesterday Henry started potty training. It was going really well until he fell backward off the arm of the couch and through our glass end table. It was one of the scariest moments of both of our lives--I do not recommend seeing your naked 2 year old lying in a pile of glass shards covered in blood. Thankfully he's fine. He had to have a few larger lacerations glued together and he went home covered in band aids but it could've been much worse. Tempered glass creates very large, pointy glass shards, FYI. As I stood there trying to mop off some of the blood from his head, face, and back, my mind went blank. I had to call Mark because I couldn't think of where the ER is. The blank moments were followed by very clear, sensible thoughts, such as, put clean clothes in the diaper bag... Bring a snack, it might be awhile... By the time we arrived his hands were completely red with blood and he had blood running down his hair and face. His shirt was soaked through in many spots. He had calmed down and the nurses joked about how stoic he was even though he looked like he'd just committed murder.

Needless to say, yesterday was very stressful. Mark was very smart and brought me flowers. Hopefully nothing exciting happens for at least 48 hours.

Check out the pictures--obviously two are ultrasounds. There's the picture of the broken table, and two of Henry in his Toy Story underwear! PS Mark was upset I didn't snap a photo of his son covered in blood. You'll have to use your imaginations.

2 years old and Baby #2 on the way!

Henry had the best 2nd birthday a little boy could ever ask for!  And... it went on and on.... Maybe one of the only perks of being far from friends and family.  Henry received gifts in the mail all of December.  Oh, and throw in Christmas and this little kid was opening presents nonstop.  We had so much fun celebrating at his TWO birthday parties, one with his little buddies in Chicago, and another with his family and friends in Michigan.  The theme for both parties was construction because Henry is really into trucks and tools!

Henry is keeping plenty busy this winter. We recently started gymnastics and Henry's continuing his swim lessons. He still loves hanging out with his little buddies at weekly play dates. We hardly miss playing at the park. Just kidding--we miss it.

In other news, we are excited (and NOT AT ALL NERVOUS) that we'll be having an addition to the family in June.  We are 18 weeks into this pregnancy (only 22 to go....) and things are going very well.  Last week I started feeling the baby move.  It's still nothing that an outsider can feel, but I'm sure that will happen soon enough.  On Tuesday we have an ultrasound to check out the baby's anatomy.  We are hoping we'll get a good look at the goods and will have an ACCURATE prediction of baby's gender!  I think it's a girl and Mark thinks it's a boy.  I guess we'll know in about 90 hours... not that I'm counting.  Don't worry--I'll keep you posted, as I'm certain each and every one of you is on the edge of your seat!

Ok here are a ton of pictures. The one of me in black is 17 weeks pregnant. (Mark said "stick out your stomach!")