Obsessed with ducks!

Mckell is obsessed with ducks and it finally felt warm outside so we went to the duck pond. She was in heaven the whole time throwing bread to the ducks and eating it herself, blowing them kisses, and making 'quack' noises.

Our valentine's was low key this year because we both had lots of homework, but Courtland did get me roses and my favorite candy. I got Courtland a new wedding ring (he lost his over a year ago). And we went to dinner at Pizza Pie Cafe- the place we thought would be the least crowded. (almost 28 weeks)

Poor little thang...

I swear Mckell has been sick since before Christmas and hasn't really gotten better. Over the Christmas break she had the flu twice followed by ear infections. Then the day after she finished her antibiotics she got a bad cold- runny nose and bad cough thing with diarrhea followed with throwing up for a few days. Then constipated. Which brings me to last week- She's had a fever on and off since last Monday and the diarrhea returned (which makes for TONS of blowouts and laundry). So I took her to the doctor last Friday and he didn't really say much. All the while she refuses to eat- literally, not even treats. And Sunday she some how woke up with pink eye even though I haven't taken her out. So we went to the doctor again and found out she also has ear infections- again! Poor girl! She just can't seem to get better but it doesn't seem to slow her down too much- she still runs and plays but has had much more snuggle time with mom and dad.

Mckell is getting smarter and learning new things everyday which is so fun to watch. Some of her most used words are 'hel peas' (help please), 'cracka' (cracker), 'coo-kie', book, eat, 'thans' (thanks), mine, baby, elmo, 'belly butt' (belly button), 'bah bah' (bottle- I know! I'm weaning her off still, she still has one at bedtime, ops), 'na night', dance, and many more. She will pretty much say anything you tell her to or at least try to. She loves looking at books and pointing to things saying what they are. My favorite is when I say, "Do you want to sing" and she says "a, b, c" to start singing the alphabet. She also loves doing the itsy bitsy spider and just singing and dancing in general. Another thing I love is when when she tells me she's ready for bed or her nap (the girl still takes two naps a day and sleeps 12 hours at night). She'll get her blanket and baby and say 'bah bah na night.' What parent wouldn't love this?! She is so much fun at this age and I can't believe how big she's getting. Sometimes I just look at her and wonder how she's gotten so big because I still think of her as my little baby. Now if only we could get her all healthy again....

Our baby loves to cheese it!

I finally cut Mckell's bangs because they were getting ridiculous. They look pretty choppy but I did the best I could with this little wiggle worm.

Mckell loves to say 'cheese' and show off her growing number of teeth- notice the huge gap between her front teeth, I've heard that's actually a good thing? Makes for straighter teeth or something? Anyway, she currently has her 4 front teeth with two molars coming in on top and 3 front teeth with the other one and two molars on bottom coming in and the girl likes to use them. She'll out of no where come up and just bite you as hard as she can- and it HURTS! Who knew such a little thing could draw blood and how do you teach a 17 month old not to bite?

Mckell wearing daddy's hat

love the after pony hair

And my 27 week picture update (8lbs gained)- for some reason it's not as fun to take 'belly' pictures the second time around- especially when people tell you you're bigger than with the first. Seriously people?! No girl wants to hear that- just always tell her she looks good and you'll be much better off.

Mckell's 15 month check up stats

Courtland is figuring out Mckell's new 'big girl' carseat in the background. We finally got her a convertible carseat to ride forward in even though she's still a little under 20lbs- we caved! And she's much happier in the car now, loving that she can see us and out the windows.

Mckell's 15 month check up stats:
weight: 19lbs 11oz, 8%
Height: 30.5", 53.3%
head circumference: 18", 46.5%

What happens when you're pregnant...

When you're pregnant, you make crazy decisions- it's what I call 'pregnancy brain'.

How long my hair.... was

BEFORE

AFTER... darker and all chopped off! Thanks Ali- love it!

My first belly picture (funny how you take tons of them with your first and avoid it with the next).

23 weeks and 3lbs gained

2nd instance of 'pregnancy brain'... I ran into my mom's parked car while parking- driving forward- PATHETIC!! There are no words but plain stupidity!

This one, not my fault. I got rear-ended on my way to school. When it rains, it pours.

Christmas at the Rabe's

We opened more presents at my parent's house- we were spoiled by both our families.

Mckell with her cell phone, necklaces, and purse- pretty cute.

Mckell and Graham playing on the stairs. Mckell loved following him, but mostly Sophie around. It was fun to watch her interact with her cousins.

Playing in the dirt, that's my child.

Running wild!

Courtland and Blake getting heated in settlers, we played lots of settlers and monopoly over the break.

Loves snuggling with her baby.

Christmas morning at the Astill's

We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas morning at the Astill's. We had a great time playing games, eating yummy food, and just hanging out. Thanks Astill's!!

Astill Christmas Party

This is as far as we made it to Courtland's mom's side Christmas party. I took this picture minutes before Mckell threw up all over her and the car- not fun!

Mckell was sick most of Christmas break. She got the flu, then ear infections, and she was getting 5 new teeth (two of which were molars), so it made for a little bit of an ornery Christmas. Luckily, Mckell is pretty good when it comes to being sick, at least during the day- nights not so fun.

We're excited to announce...........

We are expecting a

BOY

May 5 (hopefully sooner) 2011!

This pregnancy thus far has been extremely challenging- probably getting me back for bragging about how much I liked being pregnant with Mckell and couldn't wait to be pregnant again! I can definitely say, I do NOT like being pregnant this time around but it will all be worth it in the end. I've probably been a lot more sick and had more problems just due to being busier and more stressed with Courtland and I both going to school full time and taking care of kell. I've had to go to hospital twice for dehydration and had a streak of an ongoing headache/migraine and throwing up at least 5 times a day, EVERYDAY for a month straight. And the same about every other day before and after that month- but I'm overly ecstatic to say I haven't puked in over a week now (about time since I'm now 20 weeks!), so I'm crossing my fingers! The only benefit to keeping food down is I haven't gained but lost 5 lbs- so not worth it though! I'm sure the lbs will be packing on soon with the way I've been eating and having lots of cravings.

The semester is almost over (thank goodness) and we both have one final to go and then we're home free and excited to relax and enjoy the holiday break!

Can you believe how big she's getting! She is so full of personality, I just love it!

I've been able to get a pony in her hair for a while now but I've finally figured out how to get her to let me put one in and I love it.

Family Pictures

My sweet friend from high school took some family photos and Mckell's one year old pics towards the end of October. She did a great job even though Mckell was not a happy girl when we did the family ones. So we decided to try another day for the ones of just her and she was in a much better mode.

I just can't get enough of her dark brown eyes! They are such a surprise to me considering I have blue and Courtland has hazel (mostly blue) eyes. We're not sure where she gets the dark brown from because never side has anyone with brown eyes.

Mckell is getting so big- it's especially weird to see her tiny little body up and walking around now. She was half walking for a long time but just after she turned 13 months, she began to full on walk. She insists on eating everything we are eating and wants to do it by herself (which makes for much messier meal times).

Her favorite words right now are duck and no. She loves that she can boss Lucy around and constantly tells her no! She is still a super star sleeper, sleeping about 12 hours a night and takes two naps a day that are two hours each- sometimes even longer!

Her cute personality is shinning through and I can tell she's got all her mom's sass- I'm in definite trouble! I guess that's what you call pay back right mom?! ha

This new little baby coming in May is sure going to give her a run for her money when she's no longer the center of attention and has to split between her and her sibling.