Long time due....

I know I have been horrible about posting but I can honestly say that life right now is not what I expected it to be. Dustin and I welcomed the newest member of our family on September 2nd. Allie Katherine Knuth was born and 3:17pm and weighed in at 7 pounds 8 ounces. It could a lot of coaxing to get her out. Like Julia, I was induced. Except this time it took much longer. In fact, the nurses thought for sure I was going to be a C-section (they didn't share that info with me till the end). Allie was healthy for the most part. The doctor picked up on a heart murmur right away so she had to have an EKG and some other tests ran. She also wasn't gaining weight so we spent the first two weeks going in for weight checks. Good news....she has majorally surpassed her birth weight and the doctor no longer hears the murmur. She will have another EKG done in 2 months just to be sure the hole closed up.

It has been a major adjustment having a newborn AND a toddler in the house. I try and give Jules as much attention as she got before but that just isn't possible. There are days when I truly think she is crazy but I have to remind myself she isn't even 2 yet! She loves her sister and always wants to help. She still doesn't get the idea that "sister" is fragile and she can't lay on her but we will get there.

Since Jules needs constant stimulation, we are out and about all the time. Allie has already had her first zoo trip, Apple festival, orchard picking, pumpkin patch, and trip up North experience. She really is an easy baby - maybe easier than Julia was (knock on wood). She transitioned to her crib easy and doesn't need to be swaddled anymore. I go back to work next week so we will see how that transition and routine work.

Even though life is super stressful, I love every minute of it. Julia tells us she loves us all the time and loves to give Allie kisses. As crazy as she can be, she is such a love bug. Makes me sad to go back to work so soon. As soon as I have some free time, I will get some new pictures up. This weekend is supposed to be nice so I will get the girls outside and get some new ones. Hope everything is great with everyone!!

Life without a pacifer

My goals this summer were to get Julia off the bottle and the pacifier. The summer started rough with no bottle but it took a good 2 weeks solid and her telling her bottles nigh-night to get her transitioned. This week however I jumped feet first into getting her off the pacifier. To make matters worse she is getting a mouth full of teeth. I only have 7 weeks left till this baby is supposed to be here and I will NOT have two babies in binks. I first tried it with her nap and it went beautifully. I try and tell myself it was because she didn't really need it but I think her being half asleep had something to do with it. I was brave that night and tried her first bedtime without it - not so good. She cried for almost 45 minutes and got out of bed about 20 times. Dustin retired to the garage and I was left to try and not give in. Eventually she fell asleep. The next night went better but naptime was hard. Today for nap, she got out of bed three times and on the 3rd time walked into the living room and told me she loved me. I think she is trying to butter me up but little does she know that I am really not that nice. Took about 10 minutes but she has been asleep now for 2 hours!! It's nice not having to go in there at 2 in the morning and search high and low for a pacifier or try and clean it when it drops on the floor in a restaurant.

It has been a challenge but I think we may have it licked. All the pacifiers were thrown out today - can't have her finding one by accident. I am a little nervous to see what happens when we bring home the baby with a pacifier and when it starts bottles but I will jump that hurdle when it comes. Life without a pacifier has been good!

Let the fun begin

Seeing as though this baby will make its entrance in less than 2 months, we thought we should get started on redoing the room. With Julia, we were completly done at this point. We still don't even have a name picked out. It'll all come together I am sure. Dustin is doing the same thing to this room as Jules - new windows, closet organizer, doors, floors, paint, trim, and who knows what else. Here are pics of the floor getting started!!

He started sanding the floors. You can see on the outside what has been sanded compared to the old ones. If you have seen Jules, you'll know why I am excited to have them done.
Dustin sanding the floors in the small closet!
I will add more pics as the process continues! Window gets picked up today.

1st Carnival of the Summer

The McGowan's invited us to the Ephiphany Carnival last weekend for the First Carnival of the Summer and ironically, Julia's first carnival ever. It was a hot day but the kids enjoyed themselves. The girls got to ride the cars and merry go round while Zach enjoyed his big kid rides. We finished off the day by getting our faces painted by the Zoo Lady and heading over for an exciting (and expensive) camel ride. Dustin took one for the team by going on with her. I love using the "I'm pregnant" excuse to get out of things like this!!

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This has been the summer of baby dolls. The girls can't get enough of their babies and strollers. I had the bright idea to bring the girls out on the trail and let them push their strollers while Zach rode his bike. Needless to say it was before nap time. Kate was a little mom and did wonderful...my munchin on the other hand is definately not ready to be a big sister. She would push the stroller off the side of the trail as she ran to look at something else or tip over the stroller and laugh. We are in for it I think.

Memorial Day Weekend

Dustin had a 3 day weekend this past weekend so we thought we'd make the best of it and enjoy some much needed outdoor family time. We spent the weekend at the park, pool, graduation parties, parades, and just being outside. I think Jules really enjoyed herself. Monday was really rainy so after the parade we all took long much needed naps. It was a great way to start the summer!!

Things are once again going to start to get crazy. I start summer school on Thursday (yuck) and Jules starts swimming lessons next week. That should be interesting to watch. I'll add more pictures later but enjoy these.

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Pool time!

Julia spent the hot Sunday playing in her new pool, water table, and flower power sprinkler. And when I say she played IN the water table, I mean she climbed in it. Julia is going to be a mountain climber I think. She loves to climb on everything regardless of how high it is or what it is. She climbs in and out of her bed, the window, the pool, her picnic bench, and now the water table. She has no fear.

Grandpa Peggy and Tom came over for BBQ and to help Julia break out the pool. I think she thinks its a giant bath tub. Swim lessons start in 2 weeks and I was afraid she wouldn't do well with the cold water. Sadly, I have been mistaken. Dustin filled the entire pool up with cold hose water and while he was getting buckets of warm water to be nice, she jumped right in and lasted about an hour. She is my water baby!

First Zoo Trip of the Summer

This weekend, Dustin and I took Jules to the Miller Park Zoo after having a picnic in the park. It was the perfect afternoon for it! It is amazing how much Julia has changed from interacting with us at the zoo last summer to this summer. Her favorite animals were the sea lions (she threw them kisses) and then chasing the pink flamingo. We plan to visit the Peoria Zoo, St. Louis Zoo, and the Brookfield Zoo as long as it isn't too hot!

After the zoo, we took Julia to Target and let her pick out a new pool. I think it may have been more for me but whatever makes her happy :)

An update...finally!

Cheese! Look's like it's time for an update!

I figured that since our last post was when Julia was 11 months and she is a growing 16 month old, it was time to make a post. It's amazing how life gets so busy. Here goes...an update!!

Happy Birthday! Julia turned one in December. She celebrated with family and friends at the YMCA in Bloomington. We had a ladybug theme since it seems everyone calls her ladybug. I of course made the awesome decision to get her a red smash cake. Thank God for Tide because those were some stains!! Julia really seemed to enjoy herself except for the flu that suddenly came on - at her party! I guess it makes for a memorable occasion.

Milestones She started walking shortly after her 13 month birthday and has since started running. She has quite a large vocabulary and know exactly when to use it when she wants something. Her favorite words are "bye", "Bailey" and my favorite "tummy". We swear she has an imaginary friend named Bobby because she walks around the house yelling for him.

Hip Update We got the awesome news that she no longer needs to wear her hip brace. The dysplasia isn't completly corrected but the doctor is confident that with her walking, it will help the hips gets stronger. We go back in October for another check. Hopefully she doesn't go backwards. The doctor did point out another problem however. Her left foot slightly turns in. He had a really big name which I can't even begin to remember. All in all, he thinks she will grow out of it. Again, we will know more in October.

Kindermusik, Swimming and more Julia starts swim lessons in the summer. I signed her up for the Normal Parks and Rec program and Normal West. We'll see how she does. I am hoping she views it like a big bath tub and jumps right in!! She is still attending Kindermusik regularly and loves it!! We are debating whether or not to enroll her in the summer program. One more semester though and she's done...can't have two in class.

Big news!! Dustin and I found out New Year's that we are expecting baby #2. I am currently 19 weeks along and feeling bigger than ever. Good news though is this pregnancy is much different than with Jules. I haven't gained as much weight but I was really sick for the first 13 weeks. Jeans no longer fit - darn! The babies heartrate is much lower than what Jules was - boy maybe??? We have the option to find out next week to sex of the baby but we are determined to be surprised.

19 weeks and only 5 pounds gained!! I think I was already at like 15 with Julia!

Garage Update (afterall, it has only been a year) Dustin has finally finished the garage and my car can finally have a home. It look great. The hard work really paid off. Next task- the baby's room. After doing Julia's though, he should be a pro.

There, I did it. The update has been completed. I will try and post more often. Julia loves spending time outside so I am sure that we will have lots of things to talk about. Enjoy some pictures!!Easter 2010

Egg hunt at Jen's with Kate

Hanging with mom and dad! She's getting big!!