10 cousins, 3 states, 8 days

Well Dean and I did it. Spring Break trip starting at 3:30 AM, traveling to see all his cousins in one week. It had it's ups and downs but overall was a very rewarding trip.

We started Friday of Spring break at 3:30 to be ready for our 5:30 am flight. Dean, of course, was already awake! (Little stinker) Amazingly our flights to NC went without a hitch AND Dean had his own seat for each flight! Thank goodness for flights that aren't full and Southwest's people first policy! We got to NC around noon and surprisingly neither of us was super tired!

We had a great trip in NC but boy did it go by fast! The first two days we hung out in Garner at my parent's house, visiting parks, Easter festival, Paul and Susan visiting and playing with cars. The weather was nice, not warm, but definitely not cold!

 Unfortunately our last two days in NC Dean got pretty sick :( He had few symptoms other than a runny nose, but had a fever that one day got up to 104! We took him to the clinic but they said it was just a virus and to keep him rested. (Which was hard to do with his cousin around! All he wanted to do was grab Henry's toys, say "MINE" and ride bikes!) He did ok for being so sick, but I was bummed that my family in NC got to see him at this grumpiest, clingiest, and worst. He definitely wasn't his happy go-lucky-self!

From NC Dean and I flew on Tuesday to Chicago where we met up with Mark. (Once again Dean got his own seat! This pregnant momma was thankful he didn't have to ride in my lap!) He was ECSTATIC to see Mark in Chicago, ran at him at the gate yelling "Daddy!!" I was thankful we had Mark for our 2nd leg because Dean was still feeling kind of crappy (fever down to 99) and no empty seat on a flight. In fact we didn't get ANY more empty seats, I must have been lucky!

We got to Houston Tuesday afternoon where Sarah and KK (or Kaka as Dean says) picked us up. It was nice being in Houston and getting to see all the Johnston. We hadn't seen them since the summer and they have all grown up so much! We also hadn't had a chance to see their new home since they moved from Dallas, and Dean really loved seeing his cousins (even if he didn't want to give them hugs when they wanted him to!)

We had a pretty laid back time in Houston, went for walks, hung out in the 70 degree weather outside, Easter egg hunts and lots of grilled meat (Thanks Mike!) We also got to go out one night and enjoy Tex Mex :) Once again though the trip passed quick, and when we left at 6 am everyone was sad to see us go.

Notice the raspberry on his face... he fell, A LOT

Poor Peyton He tried SOO hard

Watching Mickey "Ma" together

We got back to Minnesota Saturday around 3pm, and totally missed the 10-12 inches that Eagan got over the week. How thankful we were to have been wearing shorts! It was good to be home and we spent most of Saturday getting re-acclimated, and thankfully the house was spotless because Mark had cleaned while Dean and I were in NC!

Sunday was busy and we spent the day, Easter, with Dean visiting his last cousins in Afton at his grandparents. We had a lovely time with an Easter Egg hunt, family and dinner. But BOY were we exhausted that evening.

The Aronson Men-3 Generations

18 weeks pregnant

Needless to say Dean had his fill of cousins that week, but still seemed to want to see them once they were gone. He keeps asking for "Paul" and "Kaka" (the easiest names to say) and when we took him to Max and Marcella's house this past weekend so Mark and I could go out for my birthday (still in my 20's!) :) he was soo excited and couldn't wait to leave!

So spring has definitely been busy for us so far! We are hoping it gets warm soon, with threats of snow coming this week. We enjoyed one warm day this weekend and it was nice for my birthday weekend to get outside, see some tulips growing, start my tomato plants and vacuum the cars! I also enjoyed teaching my last OULA class before baby comes (i'm going to keep dancing, just not teaching! It's too intense). Lastly Mark and I enjoyed our yearly tradition of Pizza Luce and free dessert :) Yummy gluten free brownie with ice cream!

Birthday Breakfast

Birthday Steak

My last Oula class as an instructor Pre-baby, 20 weeks

This coming week we have our 20 week anatomy scan for baby so we are excited/anxious to see the little one moving around and maybe catch whether Dean will have a sister or brother? We shall see! Keep you posted...

A Pregnancy Update: 16 weeks

So I didn't do this much with Dean and wish I had. I read TONS of them (every week!) and I told myself "I won't be that girl!" But I love them! And I love to look back at my pregnancy and reflect so here I go! Doesn't mean I'll do this every week, but occasionally!

My Symptoms: Aside from getting tired by 9pm, and sometimes getting out of breath easier than normal, I really feel pretty normal! Nausea has been gone a while, I haven't gotten tons of headaches. Honestly this pregnancy has been a lot easier than Deans! (And maybe I"m more distracted.)

People have started trying to touch my belly, so I guess that means I'm really showing now. It's funny to see the comparison of me with Dean at 14 weeks and this baby at 14 weeks.

Weight:I have gained about 8-9 pounds. More than I'd like, but I'm right on track with where I was with Dean. I'll be happy if I stay under 40 pounds again (even though it took a good year to get it all off!)

Gender: We will find out Early April! I'm excited! And yes WE WILL tell you :) Just not baby names! (Which we haven't even started to think about!)

Maternity Clothes: Yes.... for a while now. Pants were the first thing to go. Luckily I have some maternity pants that are smaller, and some that are bigger. I don't fit into the big ones (luckily!) Shirts I can wear some of my own, and some maternity. Really I'm in the weird in between stage where nothing fits and I look kind of funny no matter what I wear!

Movement: I think I may have felt some flutters, but it's so hard to tell at this point. With Dean I didn't feel movement for a LONG time because my placenta was in front. I'm hoping this baby is different!

Sleep:A few weeks ago was having a lot of hip pain, played around with pillows and I think I have it figure out! They tell you not to fall asleep on your back because it cuts off blood supply, so occasionally I wake up on my back in a fright! But really enjoying sleep :) Usually sleep from 9-7pm, and I feel rested! I know I will not get to enjoy that soon.

Cravings: Salty stuff, and icecream. Surprisingly I don't want a lot of sweet stuff! I'm also hungry ALL the time... making it difficult to not eat everything in sight! Happily all my aversions (chocolate, spinach, cheese) are pretty much gone!

What I Miss: I don't know... I really like being pregnant. I know that sounds annoying, but I do! Especially 2nd trimester!

Best Moment(s) of the Week: Dean showing what a good brother he'd be by practicing with his new baby doll! He loves her, always wants to tell her bye, and hello and hug her, and feed her her bottle.  Also walking with Julie, Judah and Dean on a beautiful 60 degree day in MN March, I'll take it!

 

Questions/Concerns: I have my next doctors appointment Monday! Just want to hear that heartbeat and make sure everything is normal :)

Goals for the Week: I dropped my fitness classes down from 5 a week to 4 a week. And it is GLORIOUS! I will go down to 3 mid-April, and then hopefully keep teaching as long as I can!

Looking back:I can't believe my baby is becoming a little boy! Just in time thankfully :) Still loves flannel. He's such a little man!

And the Family Keeps Growing!

Well most of you know by now, but we are expecting baby Number 2 sometime the end of August (or early September if this one is anything like Dean!) It's funny how quickly this pregnancy has gone by already! We found out just before Christmas we were pregnant and told family right away even though it was really early. I think Mark and I hate to get excited too soon, and we feel like we've been so lucky when it comes to pregnancy, that we never really let ourselves get super excited, until recently! I'm now into my second trimester, really starting to show, and getting excited! I think more than anything Mark and I are excited for Dean to have a new baby brother or sister. Neither of us has a preference for gender (though I would love a girl someday) I love the idea of two brothers close in age! But Paul and I were super close and we are a boy and a girl, as are Anne and Mark! So we are just hoping for a healthy baby! We will find out around my birthday what the gender is.

Our first pregnancy selfie together (notice Dean below.) About 12 weeks

1st New baby purchase-a changing table. Green or pink what will it be?

Dean's Big Boy room-Not yet sleeping here, 12 Weeks pregnant Dressed

Mark's Birthday Party

Only took pictures of the kids :)

We're happy that now I'm into the second trimester and most signs of nausea and tiredness are improving. I feel silly saying it though, because this pregnancy was SO Much easier than last. I was definitely tired, but I still kept teaching, teaching fitness and being a mommy to Dean. I made meals most evenings (unheard of first pregnancy!) And aside from chocolate, spinach and cheese I was able to eat all things! I'm now able to eat almost everything (though chocolate still doesn't sound good :( Sad!

Although we've gotten to enjoy some last snowy days and sledding, Springtime is just around the corner and we're excited to spend half in NC and half in Texas with Mark's sister Sarah and the Johnston family! Yesterday was 60 degrees and today is cold and snowy.... but we really can't complain! It's been a very mild winter, and in the 10 day forecast we see 40s and 50s, I'll take it! Dean is happy to finally get to play outside and not have snow everywhere! He'll be happy when he can take his favorite thing, CARS, outside!

Enjoying Pancake breakfast...Dean and I ate the whole thing

St. Paul Winter Festival

Hockey Day MN

Dressed Up for Valentine's Day

His Favorite Thing CARS