4 Months Deep

Still high on the fact that we are going to have a little girl, the last month has flew by. Although not really... I'm now 18 weeks along (which I'm aware is a bit more than 4 months, but pregnancy calculations are weird) and the sickness/energy level was supposed to even out. Not for this Mama. For the most part, the sickness goes in waves. One minute I'll feel fine and could eat anything (except for chicken), and the next, all I can manage is a bowl of cereal.

As with last pregnancy, I am swearing off the scale. I'm determined not to over-do it in the indulgence department with food, however. Since hardly have the energy to get us all dressed in the morning, I'm usually ready for a nap with Camden by the afternoon...which means, exercise has taken a back-seat. Yes, my friends, poor habits. Fear not, because I am doing my best and Bobby is very supportive. I'm hoping that once wedding season is over and I have my life back, I will have a bit more energy to do more of the right things.

Confession over.

My tummy is definitely growing. The picture compared with last month's is a small difference, but I certainly feel it in my clothes! The uterus has moved a bit higher, so I'm not just lower-belly anymore. About on cue with Camden's pregnancy, at just about 18 weeks, I was able to feel the baby move for the first time!! This was my favorite part about being pregnant, and I'm so excited I get to experience it all over again! They are still very small flutters, felt mainly when resting or after a meal, but miraculous nonetheless.

Nothing much more to report in the prego department this month! Thank the Lord for my good health! I have so much to be thankful for.

17 Months: "Baby" Cam

A baby no more, our little toddler is all over the place these days. I must confess that I missed his 16 month picture, so we don't have a comparison for last month. Oops! I blame Baby #2 and the fact that I could hardly wake up for the past 8 or so weeks.

Anyway, if you see Camden now, he will be most likely running... not walking... running to the nearest ball or wheel: two of his favorite things these days. He likes anything with "weeo-weeo-weeo"'s and the sight of them will surely stop him in his tracks. If another person tells me he's going to be an engineer, I think I might combust.

Bath time is extra fun these days... with all the splashing, pouring water out of the tub, bubble-blowing practice (face IN the water). The bath is his "hot pool" and he does not sit still. We've diverted to giving him baths in our big tub just to give him some extra space to "swim." Regardless, he wants to use "doap" to wash himself, and as directed, will wash any body part you name! He can also tell you every feature on your face: "eeoh-eeoh" for ear, "noooose" for nose, "eyes, "wips" for lips, and a very hard knock on your forehead to demonstrate how hard your forehead is.

Camden and Killian have become the best of friends over the past few weeks. Camden will come in our bed every morning to drink his milk and lay right next to Killian. Before he can drink his milk, he MUST have Henry (or "May-Mi," his stuffed monkey) give Killian a very chaste "kiss." Camden will stuff a variety of things down Killian's cat door in the basement. And Cam will wait for Killian by his cat door some mornings. When Killian enters through his little kitty door, he'll sit down next to Camden, and Cam will proceed to name every body part of Killian as well. Including his "toooeeesss" which are very sharp (Cam makes a surprised/scared face at this word).

I must say that this child does not stop talking. Although he isn't speaking in sentences or anything, he knows a LOT of words and says them. In the last 2 weeks or so, he's begun to put words together: mamas shoes, nice kitty, get down, milk please, etc.

Right now, he's jumping around in his room (surprisingly NOT talking to himself or Henry)... his other favorite thing to do. He can now get off the ground with both feet, which I'm told is a milestone. Either way, this boy thinks he's a frog.

In regards to his baby sister on the way (wow, I'm really going to have a second child?! Why do I still feel like I'm in high school?), he'll wave to my belly every morning and he tries to say "seeeester." He really has no clue what's going on, so it'll be interesting to see how a child so small will handle not being the only one anymore!

Here are a few pictures of our guy this past week. Can he just stop growing?!

Watching Mickey Mouse, his favorite show in the mornings after breakfast.

Eating his snack off the floor.

Buddies.

This was the cutest thing. Bobby was cutting the grass last night and Cam immediately took out his lawn mower and followed Bobby all around the yard. It was so funny.

"Weeo-weeo-weeos!"

Sometimes when I have shoots in the evenings, Bobby will watch Camden while he and his friends work out in the garage. Camden LOVES it and even tries to help with the little weights. Don't worry, a spotter is there at all times so no weights aren't dropped on little toes! He just likes to mimic Daddy.

It's a... GIRL!

We were escorted into a dark and quiet room. Camden at my side with an apple slice in each hand, and Bobby a step behind me. Candles all around, and soothing music filled the air. I saw the giant bed, and large sonogram machine right beside it. Bobby took his place in the comfortable couch next to the bed to get his first look at our second child. I always love watching his face at moments like this... moments that we will remember for all of our lives. Camden's birth was one of them. But now, we get to see our new baby, Camden's first sibling. 

A messy squirt of the warm jelly (sounds good, right?) was slathered over my burgeoning baby bump, and with a soft prod of the sonogram wand, our sweet, tiny baby was up on the screen. Magic. It always amazes me and never grows old. We explained to Camden, "Look! A new baby in Mama's tummy!" He climbs up next to me (apple slices still in hand) and puts his head on my belly... dipping his hair in the nice, warm jelly. Awesome. 

We had just eaten lunch in the car on the way up. I was pretty tired, as I always am right after lunch, and so was our sweet Little. It wasn't moving much, so we poked and rolled over from side to side... trying to get the baby to open his or her legs! After all, today was the day we were going to find out if that little baby was a boy or a girl. 

After some time, the baby was finally cooperating. I didn't think much of why it was taking so long for the sonogram technician to find the very important anatomy! I was just enjoying the show. Camden was babbling off about something, when the lady announced: 

"You can share your apple slices soon with your new baby... SISTER!" 

What?! This surprise was just as unexpected as finding out we were pregnant! A girl?! Bobby's family doesn't make girls! I always just assumed we would have another boy. But a girl?! All of a sudden, I got choked up and began to cry. I had always prayed for a girl... someone to give my doll house to, play American Girls and Barbie's with, go shopping with... and the Lord has answered my prayers. 

"I prayed for this child, and the Lord has granted me what I asked of Him." - 1 Samuel 1:27

We are feeling richly blessed around the Barrick House these days. Although we still have a ways to go, I know the time will fly by. Preparations will begin soon, but for now, we are relishing that fact that we will add a sweet baby GIRL to complete our family of FOUR. Thank you, Lord. 

Here are some pictures we got back from the sonogram. 

Proof!