Sunday, August 25, 2013

Date Nights!

Another great thing about being in North Carolina - DATE NIGHTS!  My parents and sister basically take over care of the kids and want Kris and I to go away!  Well maybe not completely, but they definitely encourage us to go out and enjoy time together which is not something we do enough! 

This time we were able to go out two nights in a row!  The first night we went to a movie and to an early dinner.  
 
It was so nice to be able to get away just the two of us and not worry about leaving John Thomas behind.  He always does great with sitters, but there is just something about knowing he is with family that makes me at ease.  Plus, knowing he has a great time!  While we were gone, they took the boys to eat and to ride Go-Karts.  John Thomas even got to ride!
The next night, we went to Boone with my best friend, Heather and her husband to have dinner and see The Band Perry.  We had a blast!  
I always cherish time with Heather!  We have been best friends since we were 15 and even though we live across the country from each other we still talk several times a week and anytime we are together we pick up right where we left off.  I am grateful to have that kind of friend! 
 The weather was really crazy, so we came prepared with the only two ponchos for sale at Walmart, size Youth!  Well not long after we were there, it came a huge storm and everyone had to evacuate the stadium and find shelter under the concourse.  Thankfully, Patrick had a huge tarp that we all huddled under to stay "dry" even though we were all soaking wet! 
After what seemed like forever, we were allowed back into the stadium for the concert.  They were one of the best shows we have ever seen!  Heather got this shot from our seats during the concert:
 

Thank you Mom and Dad, and Allie, for making sure Kris and I take time to enjoy each other!  We are grateful for you! 

Friday, August 23, 2013

20 Week Pregnancy Survey

20 Week Pregnancy Survey 

How Far Along: 20 weeks

Size of baby: A melon! (
Average size:  6.5 inches, 10.6 oz.)

Total Weight Gain/Loss: 5 lbs this month
! (13 total)

Maternity Clothes: Oh yes, still wearing some larger size regular clothes, but those days are drawing close to an end!  

Gender: Sweet baby GIRL! Ruby Caroline


Movement: She is a mover and a shaker!  I am feeling movement all the time, especially right after I eat and at night and in the mornings.  When we were having our 20 week sono, she was going crazy doing flips!


What I miss: Running. Without a doubt.  Kris and my doctor cornered me at my appointment and put an end to it.  I am now walking and doing the elliptical in place of running, but it just isn't the same as getting up early to meet all my friends and chatting! A few of the girls have graciously offered to walk with me in the evenings and I am SO thankful for that time of fellowship!


Sleep: Pretty good.  I had a lot of crazy dreams this month, but those have slowed down a little! 

Symptoms: This month has been mostly symptom free!

Cravings: All food!  Especially sweets!

Best Moment this week (month): Sharing the news about our baby GIRL with family and friends!  We were pretty sneaky and hid it for a few days, but it was priceless to be able to see the reactions from friends and Kris' family.  Since it wasn't possible for my family to be here, they found out a little earlier over the phone!


What we are looking forward to: Starting on the nursery and shopping for sweet girl clothes!



Belly at 20.5 weeks!

Wednesday, August 21, 2013

Announcing... RCG

Well it is official!  We are having a little GIRL!!  I don't know that anyone is more surprised than Kris and myself!  


 The whole way to our appointment, I kept saying, "You know, I am really just more of a boy mom, I don't really know what to do with a girl." Well, surprise, looks like I am a girl mom, and I will have to figure it out! :)

We are very excited (and nervous) about having a baby girl this time.  Our family is now 50/50, two boys and two girls!  I am already busy planning a girl nursery and looking at bows and dresses!  Overwhelming would be a good word to describe this girl thing!  

The sonogram proved that we are growing a healthy, (and big) baby girl who is measuring about a week ahead of schedule!

Her name will be Ruby Caroline Goggans.  It was an easy one, as it was the same girl name we had chosen for John Thomas if he had been a she!  Ruby comes from the nickname my Dad had for me growing up, as well as Karson's middle name is "Jewel", Caroline is a combination of Kris' Gran Gran, "Carol" and North Carolina!

We are thankful for a healthy pregnancy and now a new baby girl!

Saturday, August 17, 2013

18 Month Update

Our little man turned 18 months old at the beginning of August!  He seems so much "older" these days and really brings the saying "time flies" to a new meaning for us! 

In his Big Brother shirt at the airport heading to Papa and Nana's house!
Some of his favorite things:
  • playing in the water
  • being around people
  • talking... oh the talking he does!  It is constant!
  • playing with his farm toys and tools
  • reading
  • wrestling
  • "crashing" after riding on Daddy's back down the stairs
  • being chased
  • swings and slides
  • dancing and singing
  • any of his "shows" on the Ipad, Phone or TV
  • he loves bats and balls and frequently finds Koen's metal bats and brings them through the doggie door into the house
  • gets super excited to go check the mail
  • he likes to play hide and seek, but doesn't really get the hide part :)

He plays outside in the water every day with "Ne Ne" (Stephanie)
Developmentally:
  • he is still "counting" and knows lots of numbers, but not necessarily in order
  • uses all his signs, but now combines them with words most of the time
  • talks, ALL THE TIME, lots of words and phrases we can understand and lots that we cannot!  Some of our favorites to hear him say are: "I don't know" "Seriously" "Peace" "Gone Gone"
  • he will follow directions if we ask him to put something back, bring an item, close this, etc. etc. 
  • he has started to ask to go "pee pee" mainly because of watching Daddy, but will go outside if we ask him to the majority of the time.  He tries every time, but doesn't always need to go.  I did buy him a stand up potty, but right now it is more fun to carry it around than to actually use it. There have been a few mornings recently that he will go all morning without wetting his diaper (even through nap) and get up and go pee pee outside.
  • loves to hear the ABC song, and will shout out random letters
  • loves animals, can identify and make the sounds of most
    Nana came to stay with us for a week and we took a trip to the bookstore for some reading!
    My sister in law let us borrow this baby to help with the new REAL baby on the way, the first day John Thomas stole his paci, poked him in the eye and bit his head...
Things I don't want to forget:
  • he loves everyone and will talk to pretty much anyone we come across
  • he loves to go to church and will say "funnnn"
  • if there is anyone that walks out of the room he calls for them until he knows where they are or he comes back
  • he asks for his brother, Koen, no less than 100 times per day and anytime we ask him if he is ready to go he gets excited and says, "Bubba!"
  • any piece of paper he finds that is on or near the floor is "tash" (trash)
  • when he hears a dog bark he takes his finger and points very seriously and tells them "no, no, no!"
  • A few things we aren't as excited about, but I still don't want to forget, his word of choice is "no" regardless if he means no or yes, the answer is no.  He gets very territorial of his toys and things when others are around and does use the word "mine" a lot.  We are working on these.
  • If we ask him where, Bubba, Ne Ne, etc are he will say, "I dunno" or "Gone Gone"
  •  lots of times when he is in trouble with us, he will call for the other one, or his "Ne Ne"
  • if we ask him if he wants to get a spanking he quickly responds, "No"
  • he has so many facial expressions, and uses them daily!
  • any blanket, towel, piece of fabric etc. is a "lovey" and needs to be held
  • he will come up behind us and hug our neck, or walk up and hug our legs and sway back and forth saying "My Baaabayyy"

He was so proud of himself for picking this flower for me and came running inside saying "Momma, Momma" - melts my heart.
Eating:
Still a great eater.  I think with his growing slowing down, he seems to eat a little less, but still eats more than us some days!  Still 3 meals, with two snacks, water and breast milk in a sippy to drink. Still loves carbs and any fruits! 
Snack time by the pool with Nana.
Sleep: 
So far he is still taking two naps a day, with his morning nap being the best.  I keep waiting for him to drop it, but he always wants to go down! One nap at 10:00 am and one usually around 2:30 or 3:00 depending on how long his morning nap was.  He still sleeps around 10-11 hours at night, from around 9:00 until 7:30 ish. 
Lots of times if I work late in the afternoons he helps himself to my desk drawers and finds random things, this day he found headphones :)
Stats:
At his 18 month visit he weighed 26 lbs (50%) and was 32 inches tall (15%).  
While shopping in NC with Nana and Aunt Allie he grabbed onto this pink blanket and would not put it back! Maybe he is trying to tell us something about the new baby??
Clothes:
Mostly 18 month clothes and size 5 shoes.   We are still using cloth diapers and size 5 disposables.

I say every stage is my favorite, and this is no exception.  I love that he can communicate with us and is learning so much every day!  Seeing him grow and mature is such a blessing to us as parents!  We are very proud of his little bubbly personality and sweet spirit! We love you, sweet boy!

Thursday, August 15, 2013

Papa and Nana's House

This post contains random photos of a couple of evenings at my parents' house.  We enjoyed MUCH cooler weather, so we spent lots of time outside watching the kids play. 

Every afternoon John Thomas had to go outside with Papa and he went straight to the garage and wanted a cucumber which he would carry around and eat on.  See below him holding it in his hand.
 Poking Papa through the chair!

 John Thomas LOVES my parents' dogs, Ruger and Harley, but especially Ruger.  I think he feels sorry for him because he is so unfortunate looking :)
 He found this paint roller in my Dad's garage and was thrilled that Papa put a real roller on the end of it so he could "roll" the driveway!
 My mom and sister have the most beautiful flowers, I admire them everytime we are home!  I want to believe mine would be this gorgeous too, if we didn't have 100 degree summers with no rain!
 Takin a nude spin on the bike with Nana's help!
 This kid LOVES the water hose and would play for hours with it if we would let him!
 John Thomas and Koen taking a spin on the four wheeler!
Thank you, Papa and Nana for making our trip so much fun!

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

John Thomas and NC Friends

While in North Carolina we always try to get all of the kids together to play.  I grew up with the kids of my parents friends, and I am happy we all have children pretty close in age! 

My mom had so many new fun toys for John Thomas (and Koen) to play with!

John Thomas giving Campbell a ride n the trailer:
 Checking out the big wheel with brother:

 Miss Penley and John Thomas patiently waiting on their ice cream!
 Sweet Carson:
 Campbell trying to take Carson for a ride:
 Koen, Penley and John Thomas enjoying a lunch break by the pool:

I am grateful for friends and family that no matter the distance, always make time for us when we are home!