Halloween 2008

It's a BOY!!!

Ryan and I are so excited to say that we will be having a little boy this coming April. As you could imagine Ryan is a proud man, and finally the numbers will even out in this house. It is great to know that we will be able to experience being parents to both genders already with just two. We plan on having more, but it's in the bank now! We can't seem to think of many names at all...we need help! The dilema: Allen is such a common last name. Solution: we need something unique, but not weird. Any suggestions??? Our little guy seems to be doing well from what it looks like, I have another ultrasound in two days at my regular doctors office so I'll get to peek inside again!

While we visited family in California this last week, my sister Jennette and I took a couple hours to our-pregnant-selves, and went to find out together what we would be having. Jennette was up first. While the ultrasound tech was making small talk with her, she casually asked about her son Ethan and said that he would be happy. "why is that?"..."becuase you're having another boy!". We were both so excited! Her little one was so cute and active. When it was my turn, it didn't take long at all for the technician to figure it out, "you're having a boy too!"...two boys in our girl-ruled family, just like that! Ironically the two cousins were in the exact same postition, and a strange one at that. We are all so excited to meet these little studs in 20 weeks!

YES on California's Prop 8

I know I live in Georgia, but I'm still a registered voter in California, it's home! Tuesday November 4 is election day and there are some really important offices and propositions to be voted on. Proposition 8 is big deal...protecting traditional marriage between a man and a woman, in which I believe strongly in. Follow this link for more information and some questions you may have never thought of http://hubpages.com/hub/My-Questions-About-Prop-8-In-California and http://hubpages.com/hub/Truth-About-Same-Sex-Marriage-Equal-Rights-Children go check it out and let others know about it! Both these blogs have great information and will help you get the facts for making the right desicion this election. And GO VOTE, if I live in GA and already mailed mine in...you can make it to your polling place on Tuesday! Yes on 8.

A year already?

I feel like such and old lady when I say this but..."they" grow up so fast. I can't believe how much Skylee has changed and grown! These pictures are from our pumpkin patch outting last year in Rohnert Park, CA. It really does seem like just yesterday, and tomorrow we are going to hunt for a nice pumpkin patch around here!
Today we went to the only costume store around, no luck. The goal is that Skylee will be a witch, but we have found that her head is kinda big :) so finding a hat that fits has already proven to be a challenge! She of course was drawn to all the princess costumes, but I'm not giving in just yet. There will be plenty of years to come when she won't settle for anything less than fairies, princesses, and cheerleaders. This year, I can still get away with being a little more "Halloween-like".

Chubby little Skylee
Anything she could get her hands on!I love pumpkins

A Little Late...

Even though these ultrasound pictures are 3 weeks old, and the baby is much different now...I figured it was about time I posted them at least for those that would like to see. The baby is doing really well from what we can tell at this point. In all these pictures, he/she had it's little legs curled up and arms tucked in. I didn't even hear the nurse pushing a button to take the pictures, so I didn't think I was going to get any, until the very end they handed me 5! I wish I could have requested what shots to take, but that will be at my discresion once the baby is born I guess :)

11.4 weeks along
All this work for someone so tiny :)

I really like my doctor so far Dr. Eva DiLorenzo. I guess with Skylee I didn't really know what to expect from a OB so I just went along with everything. Now I know that I could have been in much better care, and I feel that way now with this female doctor. During the ultrasound she predicted that it was a boy from the looks of it at that point! She felt pretty confident, but at only 11 weeks along, there's no telling for sure!

I keep dreaming up what it's really going to be like when I've got 2 little ones. 2 girls, or 1 boy 1 girl to even the numbers in the house? Both possibilities get me really excited about our growing family. I remember like it was yesterday playing with my best friends and neighbors Holli and Brittany Watkins, what our future families would be like... who would we marry? how many kids would we have? what would all their names be? how many boys/girls? Where would we live? The list goes on and on, and I'm sure this is what most little girls daydream about.

It's an amazing thing to see my life unfold. I never thought that I would be a "military wife". Even after marrying Ryan, I NEVER thought he would join the military. It's been such a blessing though. We've moved a lot, seen different places, and I think all of our kids will be born in different states. Who knows? Skylee is the best, she has already taught me so much in the almost 2 years since she came into this world. What a blessing it is to have children! I'm sure this one on the way will bring just as much joy into all our lives...I can't wait to see this one! I have a doctor's appointment on Tuesday, then the next one in Nov. we'll find out the sex for sure! We'll keep you posted.

P.S. I know my last post was a pity party...just so you know I'm doing fine. Pregnancy isn't an easy thing for me, like most, but I'm hanging in there. Ryan is my hero. He takes care of me, Skylee, the house, shopping...and working as usual. I'm close to my 15 week mark, so I'm crossing my fingers that this too shall pass...SOON!

Oh Pregnancy...

(6.5 months pregnant with Skylee,

but this is the best picture to show how I feel :)

Ryan has been gone for two whole weeks, and I've been on the couch for two whole weeks. I obviously have a lot of time on my hands and I can't help but think of pregnancy, it rules my life right now. I just can't figure out why pregnancy has to be so hard for some, and not for others? The only conclusion I've come up with is...the harder the pregnancy, the better the kid? I had a tough pregnancy with Skylee, and she is the sweetest little girl. I'm hoping that because this pregnancy is turning out to be the same, that I have another angel on the way.

This pregnancy was really different at first, I had no symptoms until about 2 weeks ago. With Skylee I had symptoms before I even found out I was pregnant with her. There is nothing like it when Skylee comes over to where I am, wraps her little arms around my neck, gives me a big kiss, and says "I love you mommy". I doesn't make all my aches and nausea go away, but it's a great reminder of why I wanted another one, not to mention it melts my heart. Skylee is my littlest bestest friend, she knows how to make me laugh and she is great company to have around.

Not having Ryan around has been a challenge. Most days I don't even feel like I'm capable of taking care of myself, let alone little Skylee. He went on a military assignment with the Brazilian military to Key West, Panama, Coracao, and now he's stuck in Puerto Rico. He was supposed to be home today, but good old Hurricane Hannah is holding him up. If the weather clears up, he'll be home on Thursday, I'm crossing my fingers! The time away has really made me realize how much I rely on him. Ryan is a great husband and daddy!

This time around, as sick as I've gotten, I have a completely different perspective, I know what blessings are in store and I have a better idea of what to expect. I know I have to do my part, therefore I'll be begging my OB/GYN for the same presription that I took with Skylee! I'm going to try to get in this week, but I'll for sure have an ultrasound picture in 3 weeks. I'll keep you posted :)

Really???

8 people think I'm having a boy already? I think I know who the lone girl voter is...Ryan said he was going to vote girl just to be different. Maybe people really think I'm having a boy? Or, maybe people see that other people think I"m having a boy and don't want to feel like their going to be wrong? We would like a boy, but does it really matter, no! A girl would be totally fun and I would instantly feel like a pro! A little boy would be something totally new, and a nice way to insure that we at least will have one of each gender! So, tell me what you think. For those of you that have voted, why a boy? We have a few months to go until we find out, so we'll see. I should be going in for my first appt. an a couple weeks. I'm excited to get that first ultrasound to see the little baby! We'll keep you posted!

Dress Up

Skylee has found a new hobbie...she LOVES to dress up. If it's not in real "dress up" attire, it's anything she can find. I must say, she has somewhat of a good sense of style, she knows how to layer well :) Usually if she's being quiet back in her room these days, I can safely assume that she is getting dressed, undressed, then dressed again. It's so fun as she changes clothes/costumes, she acts like whatever it is she is wearing. Enjoy a few of the pictures I've snapped lately...

All by herself

Cinderella on her horse

Ballerina

Fairy- she insisted on the sunglasses!

"I'm gunna get you!"

Lion

Unicorn

Tinker Bell

Our Exciting News!

While we were away from Ryan I found out that I am pregnant! I didn't want to break the news over the phone, but I knew I couldn't wait a week and a half to tell him in person. Skylee and I went to the store in Park City Ut and bought supplies to send hime this little package. We sent a baby bottle with "Sugar Babies" inside, along with the positive pregnancy test.

Ryan recieved the box Thursday afternoon and called me after double checking online that two lines meant it ws really positive.

Allen Baby #2 is due April 12, 2009! It seems an eternity away from now, but we are so happy!

Playing Catch Up

It's been a while since the last string of posts. Ironically, all the last posts were of our trip out to California, and these new ones are similar. Just when we thought we were done traveling for a while, Skylee and I had the opportunity to fly back out to CA to go on a road trip with my mom, dad, and brother Alton to Park City for a family reunion. We made a little vacation out of all the driving. The family reunion was great. It was so much fun seeing my aunts, uncles, cousins and their kids, and Grandma Skaggs! Skylee had a lot for fun with her second cousins Hallie and Anne! After the reunion ended our group spent some time near Salt Lake for a few days. Skylee and I visited Temple Square and had a great time visiting more with family there. Thanks Uncle Rich, Aunt Nancy, Kayla and Lauren for letting us stay in your beautiful home! We made a few stops along our trip back home to Mirror Lake, Provo Falls, and Cedar Breaks (breifly). It was a great trip! The few days we were in CA during our trip, we finally got to see Uncle Ryan (my brother), Laura/John and their little girls. We had a nice visit at Grandma Allen's house where Aunt Lynn, and the girls were there. I do regret that my camera's batteries were dead so I didn't get pictures while I was there, but I'll post those soon. By coincidence we were able to attend Carder Lloyds baby blessing, it was great to see and visit with Holli/Jake and family. A very special thanks to my parents for making the entire trip possible. We love you!