baby baby baby...20 weeks

Due Date: April 24, 2015    -    Currently 20 weeks
Fatigue - Yes, much more now, but it is mostly my fault. Staying up late online shopping  is hard to stop doing.
News: Baby is kicking regularly and my bladder has no signs of chilling out. Gracie is so amazing and so in love with her cousin Isa, I can't wait for her to meet the baby! We had our anatomy scan on Tuesday and had a great sonographer and then the doc came in and did a 4D scan too. Baby is growing right on schedule and everything looks to be normal thus far.
How's mom?: That's really a loaded question. Most people will get the "I'm good/great" answer. And in the grand scheme of things it is true, shit could be a LOT worse. But those that I know who can pretend to listen to me for at least 20 minutes will get a full blown vomit of emotions and bitching. I have diagnosed myself with situationally controlled pregnancy rage. Which has made me an angry person and very unpredictable. I cannot tell you how to make me feel better either, or when I will feel happy. The good thing is that I can put on a happy face if I am getting paid (at work... most of the time), so I have that going for me, and I do work full time so that's a lot of "smiling-ish" of Nikki.
Genetics Screening: Fetal Echo- Scheduled for Dec. 8 (all has shown the baby is fine)
Gender: IT'S A BOY! It took about 2 seconds for her to find the baby and determine gender. We are excited and now thinking of names and bedding that will match our already green nursery walls :) Sorry for the lame gender reveal, it gets even worse when you look at the below picture. There has been a balloon in our lunch room for over a week from who knows what. I thought to myself, "well, that's convenient." I think some people were disappointed I didn't make cupcakes haha. Ain't nobody got time for that. But now I can blame this crazy different pregnancy on the fact that it's a boy. That's all I really want any way... a healthy baby and someone/thing to blame everything on.

Coming up: Halloween, Gracie's 2 yr party. and then maybe a holiday post? We will see what my limited patience has in store for you all.

Baby O'Neal #2 so far....

So when I say we have been busy, this is definitely part of it, but the best part for sure! Just know that when you read this, there is no such thing as TMI, I have no filter, but if you know me you are probably not shocked by that announcement.

Due Date: April 24, 2015
Currently 16 weeks
Nausea from weeks 7-14 - Nothing a little zofran couldn't fix, college prepped me for these weeks.
Fatigue - nope, not really, if I sleep I am ok just like any other day. I guess I am just used to being tired and it doesn't really phase me anymore. Another way college helped me :)
November 8: felt baby kick...HARD
Genetics Screening: blood draws- good. Nuchal scan- I've had better. NIPT- negative. MSAFP- not back yet. Fetal Echo- Scheduled for Dec. 8 (all of this means the baby is fine. If you don't understand this, don't worry about it)
Gender: Believe it or not this is actually called an anatomy scan and the bonus is that you will find out the gender. This will take place Dec 2.

Baby is growing on schedule, and my belly is just a big as it was with Gracie. But oddly enough, not as much weight gain so far. Let's hope I can dodge that 50lb weight gain this time. Sorry for the delayed announcement, lets just blame it on that we were extremely busy :) Here is our journey so far...

After peeing on a sticks for months on end, taking taking temps, and charting my little heart out, I was pretty over it. I had a strong suspicion I was pregnant, but my body had played tricks on me every month for the last 12 months, so I wasn't getting my hopes up. I peed on a stick and went back to bed. Andrew woke me up and said "hey, you're pregnant," And I was like "um, ok, love you see you later." Not at all how I imagined it going, but is it ever with us? Gracie is going to be a rock star big sister, as long as she doesn't change in the next 6 months (we will need all the luck in the world on that one). She sings to baby, gives kisses, tells baby to wake up/go to sleep, it's all pretty freaking adorable really. She is IN LOVE with her new cousin Isa. She loves to hold her, give her the pacifier, sing songs to her and pet her head. All the practice couldn't have come at a better time! Currently this pregnancy is quite different and I am having THE HARDEST time with bladder control. I am nervous knowing it's only going to get worse. Is there a pill for that? Can a pelvic floor specialist help me while I am pregnant or do I have to wait until all the damage is done? It's not that I have to pee all the time, it's literally being able to control it. 

Just days after pregnancy was confirmed, we decided to climb Smith Rock.

5.5 weeks

10 weeks

12.5 weeks

12 weeks - I think our only bump photo together :(

13 weeks on our hike in Camas - Still hate bump photos. I feel like such a dork.

Couldn't hide the bump... 14 weeks at Wish Ball

Expect more posts to come with updates. Next one that is being drafted is Pumpkin Patch, Halloween, and Gracie's 2nd Birthday. I just need all the pics from everybody...

Summer 2014

Summer Highlights

• Ali is having a girl, she won't tell us the name, she is Due October 25, or any second
• I did stitch fix and blue apron. I am obsessed with BOTH of them!
• STITCH FIX referral link (use it!):  https://www.stitchfix.com/referral/3735775  ready the FAQ...if you hate shopping, don't have time or don't know what the cool kids are wearing these days then this is for you.
• BLUE APRON: Saves me time and an exhausting trip to the grocery store. We get to eat fancy and relatively healthy meals that are portioned perfectly for out appetite. It's not a huge money saver but worth my sanity.

•  4th of July
•  Gracie loves fireworks and the neighbors' coolers (because there is an abundance of ice)
  
  
  
  
• Girls weekend
• Amazeballs. I freaking LOVE Boise! and my girls too of course... I brought Gracie (our first flight alone which went pretty good) and she had a great time with her new buddy Kenna (which she came home and named her doll after her). We ditched the kids a few times (thanks to Carson and daycare), took the boat out, had a fabulous lakefront dinner and tons of laughs.
  
• Bridge Pedal 2014
• Gracie went with Andrew this year for a 30+ mile ride on most of Portland's bridges. She LOVED it and Andrew can't wait to take her out more!
  
  
  
  
• O'Neal/King Wedding 
• Andrew's sister, Lindsey got married!!! I was MOH, Andrew was groomsman and Gracie was FG. We had a blast, the ceremony/reception was perfect and so special and the photos turned out AMAZING (Thanks to Courtney! courtneyz.com). Welcome to the family Andrew (2)!
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Make a Wish
• Andrew and I have a new wish to grant! Make a Wish will be sending the most amazing family to Disney's Aulani Resort in Hawaii the first week in November. I am so excited for them, meeting these awesome kids and their super neat families might be the best part of this whole gig.I will write a MAW post at a later time when I have more pictures and I get the ok to publicize them.
• Barre3
• Ali and I have found a new love (and a Sunday morning outlet). Great workout. Cool people. Low impact. Lots of shakes and sweats. Obsessed!
• Karli left us :(
• She is officially in San Diego with Dustin and the dogs. They seem to be pretty settled in, they are working and hoping to get residency so when they enroll in school it will be more cost effective :)
  
  
  
  
• Bend/Smith Rock
• WOW, what a cool weekend we had there! Got to see the Kittelson's, climbed Smith Rock and got some pretty amazing pictures! I will only post a few, I put lots more on Facebook. I had no idea how big it was or how pretty it was going to be. We fell in love with outdoor climbing, but it is really hard to do when you don't climb very often and are as inexperienced/limited in abilities as we are. We had a guide with us this time which made a world of difference. Definitely going to try and do this more often.
• So there's one more picture, but I will save it for the next post. The blog is back on in full force, so expect many more updates!

Super O'Neal's

This is for sure our busy time of year, actually, I could probably say that for every week. Getting ready to go out of town was quite an experience.
I used to look at my coworkers (particularly Monica and Marcie) and I would tell myself "they are so crazy, how do they get all this stuff done in one day? they do laundry and workout in the morning before work, run errands during lunch hour (and the list goes on...), I would never"
Well folks, looks like they showed me the ways of the world. I am now that person. To be able to fit everything in I have been getting up at an ungodly hour to do a workout, throw a load of laundry in, or put away dishes. If the workout doesn't happen in the morning, then I go on a run at lunch or do a Jillian with the girls in the vault at work. all phone calls are done during my commute or while i am doing a craft project at the lunch hour. When I get home it is dinner (all prepped and shopping done on Sunday), clean up, and deal with whatever Gracie has in store for us.

And then there was Mexico!
FLIGHTS: 1st one was miserable for everyone within 5 rows of us. As long as G could have her own seat, she did great. Her tactic was to charm everyone before she came unglued, that way they wouldn't give us "the look." We don't plan on going back to Cancun, probably ever, solely because it sucks getting there.
RESORT: Gorgeous. HUGE. Lots of wildlife. Gracie loved the kids club pool and the night time shows (shows were so terrible, but she couldn't look away). Room was big, clean and good location. Drinks were a little watered down, so my order was "margarita and a shot of tequila por favor" almost every time. Food was good, dinners were the best! G was eating fajitas with peppers and onions, quesadillas, spicy enchiladas, a shit ton of ice cream and ridiculous amounts of juice.
EXCURSIONS: Snorkeling, Andrew and Pat went to swim with the whale sharks, we went parasailing, and we all went to Xel Ha which is a natural water park. google pictures, its pretty neat and SUPER kid friendly. Gracie took a nap on the lazy river, Andrew cliff jumped, there was napping, snorkeling, list of eating, tons of wildlife and zip lines.

Gracie says "gracias" now, which melts my heart. She has grown so much in the last few weeks we look at her sometimes and barely recognize her! AND on Sunday I heard the toilet lid lift up so I went running to see what the monster had done. She had her pants off and trying to get her diaper off, she said "help" and then climbed up to the potty all by herself. After a few minutes she got off and had peed all over the seat! She is so interested in potty training that I don't think we are ready! She is 20 months this weekend and is more willful than ever. I am going to get some pull ups this weekend, just to have or try. I just don't know how this is supposed to work when she is still in a crib and our schedules are so crazy and inconsistent. We are definitely in a weird transition with her.

WHAT ELSE?: Ali is having a girl!! One of my besties Lindsey M is having a girl!! Lindsey O is getting married in less than a month and the bachelorette is TOMORROW! Shari and Wayne Erickson had their wedding at my parents house. Trueblood is back on. We are treating like 8000 patients at work (more accurately ~100) which is exhausting no matter who you ask. Annual girls weekend is coming up (yay for Boise this year), Andrew is riding in STP again this year.

Ok, so I will muster up some pictures from long ago...

These are a FEW of her stuffed animals that she sleeps with. It's getting out of control.

Potty time!

Look at those toes! 

Just a snooze on the lazy river, NBD

My little fishies

LOVED the birds "peep peep peep"

Gracie at the swim up bar "want JUUUUICE peeease, gracias"

cold BEER

Gracies first boom boom shot (shirley temple, slammed on the table so it fizzes)

This is how Gracie vacations, seriously, such a diva

Parasailing!! I had no idea we were going to get that high!

Whale Shark!

Thanksgiving in May

I figured since we are half way to thanksgiving that we should stop, check ourselves, and give a little thanks. Sometimes I get carried away with the negative that I forget that there are WAY more positive things that I could focus on. I had a very trying week and refocusing on the positive got me through it. Maybe we will take it to the next level and make a turkey and the whole bit, then I won't have to cook for a week either. Here are some of mine positives:

Healthy family

Supportive friends/coworkers

Patient husband

That I get to be a mom

I can finally fit into a bikini again - much thanks to Andrew, baby boot camp, Advocare (Aubri), my coworkers and family. It really did take all those people to make me motivated and do the unthinkable: run and wear a bikini again. 

Vacation time (from work) and that I actually get to take vacations

Marcie - she is my team lead at work. she puts up with so much of my crap and scheduling nightmares. Without her I would be a hot mess.
The Ellen show. She makes me LOL every episode. I only have 122 left on my DVR...

Now write down 10 of yours (I stopped at 8 because I think you get the point). Just do it, trust me.

Life update:
-Andrew and I are officially a wish granting team for Make A Wish and have a meeting with our first wish kid in a few weeks. 

-Picture overload is coming soon. I figured something is better than nothing at this point.

-Gracie went to her first official show today, Sesame Street Live - total success. Haven't mentioned this yet about G but I am so proud that she is bottle (at 12 mo) and pacifier (at 17 mo) free. She also got her first iPad the other day. I know that it is ridiculous but our flight  to mexico is getting closer and if I have to listen to her scream for Dora and Boots for 4 hours straight I am going to lose my shit real fast. Her new thing is playing with my hair, feeding her CPK, and being affectionate (unless she is ready for bed, then she will smack you in the face). 

-Mexico countdown... 26 days!
- still no bun in oven. So to keep positive I wrote this post, bought a bikini at target, and got a GIANT bottle of costco wine. 

Let's get you up to Speed

Truths: I am a terrible blogger. I don't have much free time. I will try my hardest to make our personal lives more public (you're welcome). More pictures on next post.

What you've missed:

• Post partum - I know I promised an honest and gross post, but I am so over this. To sum it up... It wasn't as bad as I thought, some parts healed quicker than others, I still cross my legs when I sneeze or cough and my bladder also hates it when I run too fast.
• Spike died - SUPER sad, Mia still asks for him (and we show her the urn on the mantle). Barney is thriving.
• We had our 5 year anniversary - We are hoping the next 5 years will be smoother (fingers crossed, thumbs tucked)
• Lindsey (Andrew's sister) got engaged. Wedding: July 19. I am MOH, Andrew is groomsman, Gracie Flower Girl. 
• Ali is pregnant, Due Date: October 25
• Karli is likely moving to San Diego, going to school and working there :(
• My mom had crazy health stuff going on. All of which was very confusing and difficult to diagnose. Good news is she is much better and it sounds like the docs have a good handle on it. (Confession: didn't know there were bile ducts in your liver)
• Andrew works for Brown and Brown/Beecher Carlson now. He likes it. He was in Rotary, now he's not. He is a Wish Granter for Make-A-Wish and on their Junior Board. Also on Friends of the Children's Junior Board. He still bikes (now with Gracie).
• Gracie is a year and a half! She is incredibly adorable. Drools a TON, loves kitties, puppies, babies, Dora, books, graham crackers and sleeping in. Videos of Mia are the only thing that can snap her out of a tantrum or melt down. She is talking, running, biking, dancing, counting (kinda) and wearing us down. 
• We have a very packed summer this year. Next most exciting thing is Mexico with Andrew's parents and Gracie. 
• ME: Still working full time. I wish there was a shift that was Mon, Wed, Thurs 10-3 with a 90 min lunch. I would take it in a heartbeat. I turn 30 in November so I have been trying to figure out what I want to do for that. Lately my goals have been basic: work out, eat healthy, rock climb more, be nicer. Make A Wish training to become a wish granter starts tomorrow for me! And to answer the dreaded questions I am asked daily...

Questions you are asking me:

• When are you having another/Are you pregnant?  no, I am not pregnant. We hope our family grows soon though :)
• How is Gracie?  Perfectly fine, probably cuter than most kids if you were wondering. She is 18 months old (see above)
• Next Vacation?  Mexico (Riviera Maya) in June with Andrew's parents. Yes Gracie is going. Andrew and I are trying to do an adventurous quick trip, just the 2 of us in August, any ideas?
• Are you moving? No, not any time soon. we thought about it and decided to wait. I am still unfortunately addicted to Zillow :(
• Why don't you update your blog more? Because I'm lazy, when I'm not being lazy I am far too busy.

Ya, we had a baby, She is 1...year old

Gracie has been an AMAZING baby. There has been so much that has happened in our live since my last post. I will make separate posts for each agenda item in our lives. Coming up: Nikki and Andrew updates, Dog updates, vacations, Nikki's honest first year of postpartum crap.

But for now you get to find out everything you ever wanted to know about Gracie JO.

Nick names: Gracie JO, Girl, Monster, Noodle, Noodle Bug, Noodle Bear, Sweet Potato Pie, Princess Pie, Chick, Chicken Noodle, Chicken Little, Pumpkin Fritter, Turd, Turd Magurd, Turd Bucket, Poop Factory. Sometimes we call her Gracie...
Hair: LIGHT brown, and some red. Auntie Lindsey trimmed it last weekend for the first time
Eyes: mostly brown, kinda hazel
Skin: softest skin I've ever felt.
Physique: Huge belly, tiny hips, no butt. Still in size 2 diapers, but we are moving to 3's any day.
Food: Still nursing, ya I am as shocked as you are. She eats just about everything, when she's in the mood. She hates bananas.
Teeth: 2 bottom and 3 top. She had the bottom 2 for so long and now it is like there is one a day!
Daycare: She is at a home daycare with her favorite cousin, Mia! Nana (my mom) watches the girls once a week. It is such a great set up!
Favorite past time: swimming/bath time, Playing with "Bia" (Mia Bedia), picking her nose, reading books, rough housing with dogs and dad, feeding Barney, being naked, climbing.
Fav Toy: Stuffed animals, obnoxious talking bear
Tricks: Yoga while latched on to me. Prefers to get her diaper changed while upside down or standing. Loves going under water. Climbing. Motor boat sound with her mouth. Dog whisperer.

Accomplishments: She has learned so much very quickly! Rolling over (2 mo), crawling (6 mo), Standing (7 mo), walking (9 mo), airplane trips, sharing, baby yoga, climb, she can run away really fast, she can your phone ANYWHERE, go under water.

what we hope to accomplish next: We are practicing walking in boots, saying words, manners, and her make up application skills (she loves it, just a little sloppy).

She has survived bronchitis, UTI, fever seizure, hand foot mouth disease, several colds, brutal teething symptoms, and a weird yellow toe nail thing. She is one tough cookie and I can't believe she's all mine!

Newborn

1 month

2 months

3 months

4 months

5 months = jcp pic

6 months

7 months

8 months

9 months

10 months

11 months

1 year!

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