I'd like to introduce you.....

...to Baby #2! :)

Growing up too fast

Meet Little M. He hangs out at our house three days a week while his mommy teaches first grade. We found out we were expecting again just a few weeks before I started watching him and he'll stick around until the end of March right before the next baby comes in April. We're hoping having him around will help with Emma's transition to big sister. He's a happy little guy, but keeps me on my toes most days!

 

 

Do you think Emma takes after her Mommy? I laughed out loud when I caught her "reading" to M. haha  Future teacher maybe?

 

I'm not lying when I say that she has been doing some thinking of her own about what she wants to be when she grows up. If I don't remember to push in the chair by our computer desk, she will be up on that chair and pressing buttons in a heartbeat. The other day, I walked into the room to find her pointing at the screen. I have NO idea how she pulled up the internet and pulled up this webpage. It is honestly not a webpage either Jarred or I have ever looked at. I think this is where she wants to go in about 17 years. In case you can't quite make out the page, here's a closer look....

 

Seriously?!?!?! Central Penn College? hahahahaa I was cracking up! I have no no no clue how she got this website. But it was pretty funny. Who knows...if she ends up going there, we'll definitely be able to say she's ALWAYS wanted to go there! :)

 College hunting aside, Emma is definitely turning into quite a big girl these days. Lately she's been really into "dressing up". She'll wear anything - shoes, bracelets, hats, a.n.y.t.h.i.n.g!

Daddy's farming hat and Mommy's headband as a necklace. Looking good...

Workin' it....

Lucky lady has her Grandma (aka Wadi) right next door who has a whole truck full of dress up clothes. 

Making Daddy proud with some pink cowboy boots.

Or perhaps some sassy heels?

Or how about a classic pair of deep purple pumps? I mean, come on...don't you just want to eat those thighs??! Needless to say..we've been keeping busy and having lots of fun! I love having a little girl! :)

Heard the heartbeat! :)

This morning our little family headed to the OB for my first baby appointment. We went over the usual pregnancy info (don't take these medicines, don't get these foods, etc etc) and then my midwife got out the beloved doppler. I'm 10 weeks along which is a little tiny bit early to hear the heartbeat on the doppler, but she's super good and found it pretty quickly. I had been praying for a strong, healthy heartbeat for this little one and my prayers were answered. She even said, "wow, this kid's awesome!" It was loud, loud, loud and fast! I go for an ultrasound on Monday to confirm my due date and I can't wait to see him/her for the first time! :)  Thanks so so much for all of your prayers thus far. We really do appreciate them!

A sweet, funny friend of mine shared this video via facebook and I had to share it with you guys. I thought it was appropriate for my blog since we just got the minivan recently. haha Enjoy! :)

Stink Bugs

We don't have central air in our farm house so we use window units for most of the summer. Recently, it's been so pleasant that we haven't been using the units at all and we've been sleeping with our bedroom windows open.

And if you only knew how many stink bugs have somehow managed to get themselves past the screens and into our bedroom, you'd never come visit my house.

I'm plotting my revenge on them this afternoon.

Celebrities

Recently Emma and I hit the big time. We promise not to forget all of you faithful 13 blog followers when we become rich and famous. :)

Check us out!

*The funny part is, we aren't even actually taking the class. I'm watching another little boy 3 days a week and don't have a double stroller to take both babies with me. Jarred's aunt is the instructor and she asked if we would help on the day when the news team came to film. It was pretty fun though! If you're from Lancaster and are looking for a way to get out of the house and get some exercise with your little one, let me know and I'll get the details for you!

Everything you ever wanted to know but never asked, Part 1

I am FINALLY getting around to answering all of your questions! You guys had quite a few so I'm going to split them up over 2 posts.

1. What do Jarred and I like to do on date nights?
Date nights are tough for us! Jarred gets up so early and works such a labor-intensive job that he starts to crash around 7pm. If he didn't work 7 days a week, I'd say that date days would be a better idea for us. Add Emma to the mix and it can get tricky to get away for a date night! But, every once in a while we get a chance to do something just the two of us. We used to go to Ruby Tuesdays a lot when we were dating/engaged, but these days we are a little more conscious of our budget. We love going for walks and this summer we've really enjoyed getting a babysitter for Emma and going on double dates on our boat out on the river. We love tubing, wakeboarding and just riding around!

2. Do I help in the barn?
ha. No. :)
I am a suburban-raised girl who used to complain about the smell when my brothers would come in from playing outside. I've come a long way, but not THAT far! :) Actually there's not much that I could do to help. There are 3  full time employees on the farm and they handle everything...milking, field-work, manure hauling. I'd most likely just be in the way. We ride along in the tractor if Jarred is working long hours hauling manure. We've watched him pull a calf out and Emma and I like to go help Daddy feed the calves. Their little barn is right behind our house and she loves to walk around and let them lick her fingers. Other than that, we stay out of the way!

3. Do I have any new hobbies?
I have been working on knitting a baby blanket for about 6 months and I'm no where close to finishing. I thought knitting would be fun but it takes WAY too much focus for me and I mess up a lot! Maybe by the time the next baby is born, I'll be done. Maybe. On our trip to Missouri, my sister-in-law and I bought some cross stitch patterns and I've been working on that. I can't say I'm much better at that. I've sewn the fabric to my pants four times already! I just got summoned for jury duty in October so I might take along my new hobbies then to work on them while I sit around. Or maybe I'll just bring some books. Reading is much easier for me! haha

4. Why did we pick the name Emma?
There isn't really a very cool story other than the fact that we really liked the name Emma. Jarred had a great Aunt Emma and I had a great aunt Mary Emma so we thought it was sort of neat that it was on both sides of our families. Primarily, we just liked it. Her full name is Emma Faith VP. Any suggestions for baby number two's name? I'm thinking it's a boy, but we'll find out in a few months for sure!

5. What has been my favorite age/stage so far?
This is so funny...we keep saying ok, this is the best age and then she'll grow a little more and start doing something new and then we'll say now this is the best age! There are such special aspects to every age. That newborn-ness when you just sit and stare at her all day long. The first time she slept through the night. Those first smiles and coos. The first wobbly steps. The first time she said momma. Every age is awesome! Looking back I wish I would have soaked in each moment more instead of looking ahead to the next thing.

Alright, that's about half of them so I'll stop there for today. Stay tuned for finding out how Jarred and I met, my favorite meal to cook, renovation updates and a few more! :)

Not Me...

In case you thought we had a perfect, white picket fenced kind of life....

-My daughter has not discovered her nose and does not spend most of her day with her finger up in it.

-I did not lock my keys, phone, and child in the van at Turkey Hill and then proceed to the people at the cash register what I did. No, not me. I'd simply ask to use the phone without going into details about what a negligent mother I am.

-The littlest VP does not have a fat lip from falling off a chair. I am always right behind her ready to catch her if she would stumble.

-I did not buy premade, boxed, only add milk kind of dinners this week at the grocery store. I always make a delicious, homemade dinner for my hardworking husband. Nausea and vomitting do not stop me!

-I do not eat chicken noodle soup, easy mac, or anything else that may sound good to my queasy stomach at breakfast time. I eat very nutritiously.

-I did not hope that I wouldn't be as sick with this pregnancy as I was with Emma and then when I was feeling good, I didn't ask my friends to pray that I'd feel sick again just for reassurance that everything was okay with the baby. No way, I don't ever struggle with fear.

:) Hope ya'll had a great Labor Day weekend! I'm working on answering all of your questions and should get a post out with the answers sometime soon this week!

Weekend Recap

First of all, thank you for all of your sweet comments and congratulations! We are really excited and appreciate all of your prayers! I will definitely keep you updated through the pregnancy with belly shots and fun things, but at this point there's not much to talk about other than nausea! :)

We flew to Branson, Missouri this past weekend for Jarred's cousin's wedding. It was a whirlwind weekend, but lots of fun to be with family!

On the plane to Branson! Emma was a GREAT little traveler!

Kicking back on the plane with Dad watching the Wiggles and having snacks. She was such a quiet little traveler that the older couple in front of us asked if she had slept the whole trip (not a wink!)

D and G got married in the coolest chapel in the woods. It was completely glass with really cool intricate woodwork...very hard to describe, but beautiful! The ceremony was at 6pm so the light streamed through the chapel as the sun set. Gorgeous!

The VP girls at the wedding

 Jarred and I. His aunt arranged for a babysitter for all of the kiddos so we were able to have a night out together. So fun!

 and just for fun, my little monkey back at home. Seriously, what kid does this? We have our hands full that's for sure. And for the record, it doesn't tip, but we aren't encouraging this behavior. :)