18 & 19 weeks

18 weeks

19 weeks

I am really 19 1/2 weeks today. My appointment went well and his heartbeat sounded great. Only downside is this was my first appointment I didn't get a peek at his sweet face. I am feeling extremely thankful and blessed that all is going well.

 

Cravings: Water and smoothies

 

Sleep: Still getting up at least once to use the restroom, got a lot of rest over break

Symptoms: Terrible heartburn at least 3 times a week, back pain

Movement: Feeling lots of flutters

Maternity clothes: Not wearing them yet, hoping to make it until 20 weeks like I did with Jackson

Size of baby: Heirloom tomato, baby is about 6 1/2 inches and 8 1/2 ounces big

 

What I miss: Really not much, overall I feel great maybe just my Diet Vanilla Coke from Sonic that I would pick up on the way to school

Gender: Boy, Now to finalize a name

 

Looking forward to: My anatomy ultrasound in 1 1/2 weeks

 

Thank you for your continued prayers for me and the baby!

Ice skating

One of our last days in Wisconsin we took Jackson ice skating. Jackson's list included 3 things he wanted to do in WI: sledding, make a snowman, and ice-skating. We checked all 3 things off his list!

 

We went to the indoor hockey rink to ice-skate. All though inside, it was still freezing! Nothing like ice skating at Discovery Green on a 60 degree evening.:)

 

Jackson wasn't able to ice skate on his own at all. He enjoyed daddy pulling him around. We were able to hold his hands and ice skate with him a little bit when he got the hand of keeping his legs straight.

We were able to actually enjoy ice skating the last 10 minutes when Papa Mel was taking Jackson's ice skates.

When Brian asked Jackson how he liked ice skating and he replied, "It was better than sledding." I am glad he enjoyed it even though he wasn't too successful.

 

A few other pictures from our trip with my parents:

Mom and me after shopping! I scored some cute outfits for baby boy #2.

Breakfast with Dad

Lunch with Papa and Grandma

Wisconsin treated us well, but we are glad to be home in the somewhat warmer weather!

Reveal Party

On New Year's Eve we held a Gender Reveal Party with our families. I kept it simple with just a few decorations and the all important cake.

I made a pink and blue banner out of paint swatches and hung one above the cake and the other over the island.

Sharon made the big "girl" and "boy" banners to hang on the fire place.

We had everyone vote on what they thought Baby Hartzler was going to be.

Since Brian's sister April and her family couldn't be there we taped their guesses on to a family picture.

9 votes for girl and 11 votes for boy

Time to cut the cake!

Lots and lots of BLUE inside!

Mommy's intuition was right:)

So excited for another little boy

Boy, oh boy!

I don't think Jackson could be happier. He keeps telling everyone he is going to have a little brother!

 I am glad we decided to wait and celebrate with our families.

What a fun, fun evening! I don't think I will ever forget this New Year's Eve!

Winter Wonderland

Sunday morning we were able to go to church where we grew up going.

After church Jackson got ready to go sledding. Since we left for WI, that is all he had been talking about.

Papa and Daddy took him over to the big hill right down the street.

He had a lot of fun and went several other times during the week with Leo and Lily.

Big enough to carry his own sled.

So much fun!

The day before we left Daddy helped Jackson make his snowman.

Another thing he just had to do!

I took these pictures through the window from the warm house. The temperature one morning was -11. Brrr!

Snow angels too!

Jackson didn't mind the cold and had lots of fun in the snow. Me, on the other hand, am glad to be back in Houston!

Road Trip- Part 2 and Surprise!

We left Springfield around 7 o'clock for our final leg to Wisconsin. It was a chilly temp of 12 degrees when we left. The drive on Saturday was uneventful. We saw snow almost everywhere we looked.

At our final gas pit stop, Jackson found the perfect winter hat for Wisconsin. The closer we got to home, the more snow we saw.

As soon as we pulled into Papa Mel and Grandma Sharon's driveway, Jackson was asking if he could play in the snow. Leo hooked Jackson up with snowpants and boots, and they were out the door.

A ture winter wonderland!

A little sledding in the front yard is always fun!

But, the best part of the night was surprising my parents!

They had no clue we were coming home. So fun!

Road Trip Part 1

We hit the road around 5:30 Friday morning for Wisconsin. Brian wanted to get an early start so we could get in Springfield at a decent time. We were cruising along until we started to hear a weird noise. As Brian began pulling over our tire blew out. Thankfully, Brian knows how to change a tire and there was a Discount Tire only a hour and half down the road. They had us in and out in less than 30 minutes thanks to me calling ahead and making appointment. We are so thankful for God's protection and iPhones.

We got back on the road and tried to make up some lost time. When we stopped for lunch in Oklahoma it wasn't snowing, but when we came out we saw some snowflakes. Jackson was so excited and running around in circles.

Despite the detour, we still made it to Springfield by 5 o'clock. First, we went by our alma mater; Evangel. A quick stop just to see what the campus looked liked now.

Our next stop was Bass Pro Shops. Springfield has one of the largest Bass Pro's around. Jackson was running around squealing  about all the different animals. He saw real turtles, fish, and an alligator.

After that we headed back to the hotel to swim and relax. Jackson had a blast swimming. Too bad the water wasn't a little warmer.

We ended the evening watching Jake the Pirate and Duck Dynasty. 

11 hours down, 9 more to go!

Memorizing Scripture V2:1

 

 

 What better way to start 2013 than by committing to memorize scripture throughout the year! I am again joining up with Beth Moore's Siesta Scripture Memory Team. Click here to find out more. Let me know if you would like to do it with me. There is a celebration next January!

 

My first verse is Galatians 6:9 "Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."

 

I am hoping these verse will challenge me to be the best mom I can be while Jackson tests every button he can. I know if I continue to pray, seek God, shower him with compassion and love it will pay off.