A quick update on life with us :)

I have been really bad about keeping up with this lately, and it is my bedtime...but here is a quick update! :)

We have been staying busy with life in general as of late. This Memorial Day weekend was so nice in that we had no major plans, but just stayed around town. Charis and Nate were in town this weekend, so we went to dinner with them which is always fun! It is so nice to have a sister who is married to do double dates with now!!! :)

We also worked on tearing down our old deck, as building a new deck is our project for the summer. Once Austin and Nate tore it down, I was mortified that we hadn't done it sooner. Most of the wood was rotten, and on top of that the posts were buried in the ground all of 3 in...rather than 3 feet!!! Thank the Lord no one has died on our deck. Austin is going a bit overboard now and building a deck that can withstand about 100 people on it...so deck parties here we come!! :)

We also took Keira to the zoo for a bit. She is an absolute joy anymore, and SO GROWN UP!! She insisted on seeing the "monkeys" which are her favorite (thanks to Curious George). She looked through every single window in the monkey area, and that process took an hour, so that was about the only place we made it that day. She also saw the train go around and around while we ate lunch and she thought that was the coolest thing! She would stand up and holler "CHOO CHOO!" while giving a little pageant style wave to all the passengers.

We also had a bonfire with friends, and Keira thought that "camping" was so fun!!! She loves being outdoors and loved being able to run around outside, play in the sand, and make marshmallows. I can't wait to hopefully go camping more this summer!

In other news:

On the pregnancy front: for the "most" part I am feeling so much better this time around! I am hardly ever throwing up thanks to my miracle drug ZOFRAN! I am so thankful for my new doctor and that he prescribed that to me, it is a life saver! :)

I am still really tired, and I can tell I am hormonal as I get really down in the dumps if we don't get out of the house and do things. After being home for about a day with no activities one day last week, I had convinced myself that I had no friends, and nothing fun to do with Keira, LOL. A little extreme, I know. I then decided we were going to get out and about with friends. We ended up having 3 separate playdates to the park, outside, etc. the next day. We both had a great time...her playing with friends and being outside, and me having the opportunity to chat with other good Christian friends, who are such an encouragement to me. God knows just what I need, even when I am crazy and hormonal! :)

Keira continues to be little Miss Independent. She now has to let the dog out in the mornings, make her own juice, pick her own outfit out, etc. It is taking us INCREASINGLY longer to get out the door in the morning. However, she is the most fun right now!! She is always talking a mile a minute, and has no problem telling her opinion. If I am laying around, she will come over to me with her big eyes, and say, "You ok mom? You not feel good??" Her and I are both enjoying me being home more...it is GREAT!! :)

Well my summary has gotten quite long, good night friends! :)

First Appointment for Baby #2!- this was written a week ago. :)

So today I went to the doctor for the first time. I switched doctors and REALLY like my new one! He prescribed some medicine for nausea (I now have about 6 different ones sitting on my counter) and also took my blood in preparation for my trip to Europe (as a measles epidemic is apparently raging over there).

I honestly haven't been that excited about this pregnancy yet. Maybe it is the fact that I was totally surprised, or that it is the second, or that I am dreadfully sick. However, I was really hoping I would become more excited like I was with Keira. That is what made those 40 weeks bearable!

However, when I saw the tiny blob on the ultrasound screen I began to get excited. I am only about 7 weeks along, so you couldn't make out anything yet. However, the heart was already beating at a very strong 120 beats per minute. I think it is amazing how early their little heart starts beating!!! I looked up an average heartbeat for this stage is between 90-110 bpm. I am hoping since this one's is high it is another GIRL! :) It was so cool to hear the loud "DA-DUM, DA-DUM" of the heartbeat!

So all in all things are good. I have been miserably sick thus far, but am hoping the new meds will start working. I have been somewhat depressed, but I know that is just because I have been feeling so cruddy that I can't be my active self. I just keep reminding myself that this is a blessing and the not so enjoyable aspects will pass!! (hopefully by 15 weeks) :)

A Whirlwind of Emotions- This was written a little over a month ago when I first found out I was pregnant!

So...it hasn't hit me yet. But I think it is starting to.

Bombshell:
Today I found out I was pregnant...and thus far the process is so much different than it was with Keira.

With Keira we were trying, (although we did get pregnant first time). With Keira, as soon as we started trying, I thought I was pregnant the whole time. I took a pregnancy test two days before my period. It came back very faint. I then took one the next day and it was stronger. I know this is going to sound funny, but with Keira I knew from the point of conception that I was pregnant.

With this one: We were not trying to get pregnant. I have been going back/forth with wanting another one for awhile, but we kept having things that we were waiting for:
1) Our cruise
2) Germany

Germany is coming up in June...so we were planning to "think" about trying after that, and I figured I would get pregnant towards the end of summer, hopefully when things would be slowing down a bit.

HA! That is what happens when you plan huh? I hadn't even thought about being pregnant until about the past week or so. My boobs have been KILLING me, and I have been so irritable, for no reason at all. Not jumping down people's throats, but wanting to...you know those days where it takes every fiber of your being to be civil. That is normally not me, but was the past couple of days. I also was SO tired, for no reason at all. However, I normally get those symptoms before my period starts, about a week before, so I didn't think much of it. When I really started wondering was when I was late. I didn't realize that until last night. This morning I got up and thought, hmmm...should be starting today or tomorrow. Then I looked, and I was about 3 days late. Today was my day to go into the office, so I had to pack up Keira and head on in. However, all I could think about all morning was what if??? I have thought this before and it is always wrong. Finally, I couldn't handle the suspense anymore. I left and went to Walmart, and picked up a test. I went back to work, and took the test in the bathroom....once again WAY different than with Keira. With Keira we bought the test together, I took it at home, and we both watched it until the two little pink lines showed up. This time, I took the test by myself, and watched with shaky hands to see the result....I don't know why I was so nervous, but it is just so exciting and nerve-racking to see what the result is!!! Instantly, two pink lines showed up!! No doubts this time. I am DEFINITELY pregnant.

Now my emotions are going up and down. I am so excited, and yet scared at the same time. With Keira I was so sick, and I am not sure how that will go this time around. I leave for a week in one day, and I really with I could celebrate this with Austin more.

I have been "wanting" to have another baby...however when it actually happens I don't feel prepared. I have a million thoughts going through my head of, "What about work, what about Germany, what about this/that"....but at the end of the day, I know that the Bible says, "Do not worry" and I also know this is all in God's plan...and consequently...I AM ECSTATIC!!!!


On the plus side, I just ran the due date, and it should be 20 days before Keira's...which means they will be in the same season...if it is a girl, they can re-use clothes! :)


I cannot WAIT to go home and tell Austin!!!!

My Energy has disappeared

I am warning you all...I am not in the greatest mood. I have been feeling cruddy for about the past week, and this makes me depressed. I am normally a very energetic, go getter type of person. For the past week I have hardly had the gumption to get off the couch.

I told Austin that the maid was slacking. My laundry that was all caught up is starting to pile up, Keira room looks like a torndao passed through etc. Today I wanted to hit the library with Keira, run errands, and get caught up on work. What did I do? Did the bare minimum for work, and called it good.

So...I realize I am complaining, but sharing my frustration does make me feel better. :) I am just praying that my energy comes back soon, so that I can go back to taking keira places, meeting with friends, and all around enjoying life! :)

Resurrection Sunday!!!

We have had a whirlwind of a weekend with activities and family..but it has been great! 

Yesterday we had a baby shower at church, I went shopping with Charis (which was great, as we don't get to spend alot of time together) Yesterday was the last day that NY&Co. was open at Shadow Lake=JACKPOT!!! Charis and I got some really cute career clothes for cheap! Everything was $3.99. :) Then all of us girls and some friends went to see "Soul Surfer"...I think we all bawled our eyes out,  but it was fun to chat over appetizers and then go to see a movie together as none of us do that on a normal basis. 

We then spent the evening preparing for today, as it was jam packed full of activities. 

Austin had hid Keira's basket in our closet last night, as he had always grown up with the basket of goodies hidden. She found it quickly once we told her to look for a "pink basket". We then bribed her into getting ready for church quickly by saying she could have a chocolate egg if she was good. If it weren't for the fact that bribery catches up with you, we might do that everyday! She was sooo good at getting ready this morning! I snapped a few quick pictures before church, as I figured I wanted some photos while the outfit was still intact. :) 

We then headed to the Resurrection Breakfast at church. I LOVE this event each year! Although it is WAY too early I love to go as it is a great time to reflect on Jesus rising from the grave early in the morning!! HE IS ALIVE, and I am so thankful for that! If he were not, he would not truly be GOD! Keira thought it was fun as she got to have juice and chocolate donuts. :) 

We then went to church service after that. It was PACKED today! All 4 of my grandparents came into town, which I love! It reminds me of growing up when they would all come into town for Easter. My dad had a great sermon which was challenging to Christians, and also had a great Gospel message in it for anyone who was not saved! During church Keira went to "Toddler Time" which is like Children's Church. One of the boys had brought LIVE CHICKS, and she thought that was the coolest thing ever! She also made a pop-up Easter card, and had lots more candy (you can see that is a recurring theme!!)

After church we went to my parents for our annual Easter dinner. It is so fun to get together now, as we are not all in town all the time. We had a total of 15 family members there, so it was a great time of catching up with Grandparents, siblings, etc. Mom made a HUGE honey baked ham with the bone in...she was a HIT with everyone! :) 

This evening we headed to my in-laws for a dinner with that side of the family, and an Easter egg hunt for Keira and her cousin Kensley, who is 18 months old. Austin's side of the family is WAY different than mine, but we have a great time as well. We had fun just catching up (Kensley's mom is expecting again, so she was fun to catch up with) and the girls were adorable looking for eggs. It was nice just having two and having them both be little. They would sometimes walk right over an egg, then see it and both going running for it...missing 5 others right it front of them. Keira started saying all their colors as she picked them up. "Red, Pink, Blue, Lellow...etc". 

Ama Lea (Austin's mom) got both of the girls Easter baskets. Keira loves to play on the "rocks" at their house. When she says "rocks" she actually means the floor of their shower, which is a pebble bottom. It is the funniest thing, she will play in there forever! So, that was the logical place to hide the baskets. As soon as Ama Lea said she had a surprise on the "rocks" Keira took off for the shower! In her basket she got a "GOOORGE" monkey that makes noises, and some new movies, "Goorge (Curious George), Bonnie (Barney), and Caillou". Those were her favorites out of all the loot she got. :) Kensley is crazy about Elmo, so her whole basket was Elmo themed. At the end of all the festivities Keira wanted to "Help" so she and Papa Teve did all the dishes, so cute!!!

It was a great end to a busy day, celebrating first Christ's death on the cross for our sin's, and next his resurrection from the grave"

My facebook status (that I stole from someone else) sums up Easter perfectly: 

"Easter is not about a cute little bunny that gives you candy, in fact its much better. It's about a Savior who suffered a horrible death for my sins died came back to life and ascended to heaven so someday I can share eternal life with my father who loves me more than anyone ever could. Thank you God for sending your son Jesus Christ to die for my sins."

---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Ellie Diehm <elliediehm@gmail.com>
Date: Sun, Apr 24, 2011 at 11:14 PM
Subject: 18 pictures for you
To: ellie.diehm@powerdnn.com


You have been sent 18 pictures.


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I am Leading a Double Life

Hello Friends!
I have been meaning to post each evening, but have been too tired after a full day. Right now Keira is napping, so I am taking the opportunity to post quick! :)

We are getting into a new routine this week with me being at the office every other day, and then home on Tues/ Thurs. It is definitely a change of pace for us! You will laugh, but I almost feel like I did when I was on maternity leave...everything is a bit out of the norm, we are trying to establish a schedule, and it will take a bit for things to settle down. I am really enjoying the new schedule, but it is stressful for me, just because it is different. I am establishing new routines, finding out what is expected of me, and learning a new job.

It is a weird feeling for me because I feel like I have a "normal" life every other day- when I get up, put on a business outfit, grab my coffee, drop Keira off, and head to the office. That is our routine, and I have it down so well. I like being home, but the "being a business woman" one day, and the "being a sweat pant wearing mom" the next day is going to take some getting used to for it to feel "normal".

I learned after about a day of being home that I NEED to have a schedule! Otherwise I end up wasting alot of time. I am naturally someone who loves to have a gameplan, but can roll with the punches and be flexible, as long as I had a plan to start out with.
SO...that is what we have been doing. I have been making a schedule each evening before bed of things that need done, activities, and work for the next day. Then I try to loosely hold to that schedule. It helps out so much, and makes for a much more productive day, and a calmer/happier mommy!

Our typical schedule is shaping up like this:

8:00/8:30-Get up and get going for the day. Keira eat breakfast and watch Curious George while I do devos and check work email for anything that has come in overnight (as I usually check it right before bed).

I usually try to plan a morning activity to motivate us to get up and going. It also gets us out of the house, we get to see friends, and do new things! This week we went to the Bounce House with friends. Keira had a great time playing with her playmates, and I had a great time chatting and spending time with a close Christian friend who is such an encouragement to me!

I plan to do trips to the library, zoo, Omaha Children's Museum, park, and friends houses. I usually try to plan our outings for the week by Sunday, so that we have it planned out in advance.

Then usually after our morning activity we do a quick lunch. Keira then naps from around 2:00-5:00 and I usually do work for my actual job while she sleeps. It allows me to catch up on stuff that at the office I get interrupted too much to focus on.

Austin is usually home by 5 and we make dinner, and do whatever activity we have planned for the evening!

Thus far I am REALLY enjoying being "home" because we are not just sitting at home, but rather doing things with others. I do have less time than I thought I would though, as I am usually doing a Keira activity, or working from home. That is ok though. Austin and I both agree that I am staying home more not to be caught up on all the chores, but to spend quality time with Keira, so that is really what I am focusing on....although that mountain of clean laundry in my family room REALLY does need to get folded (one of these days!)

Today we tried multi-tasking a bit: I spent the morning around the house, playing with Keira and doing housework. I then had a business lunch, and then went back and picked Keira up for naptime. It worked very well, I liked having a bit of both worlds in one day. :)

Tonight we are planning to make Easter Egg Rice Krispy Treats. I will let you know how they turn out, I think it will be a fun activity to do with Keira and Austin...we all really like to cook/bake together, so it should be a good family evening. :)

My Mini- Me

Well...this is what Keira looked like this morning. ADORABLE! She insisted on wearing her hat to show "Ama Nane"

First though, she wanted to put her shoes on "my a self" Not only did she need to put them on herself, she wanted me to leave the room. With attitude that is hilarious she sweeps her hand and says, "Go Away Mom, Go Away" She then follows me to shut the door so I can't be in her "Woom". I wait about 30 seconds and then knock...as I am ALREADY running late, like always. I crack open the door and she says, "HANG ON mom! 2 minutes" all the while having the attitude of a 16 year old cheerleader and raising her fingers to show me what "2 minutes" means, with huge eyes that show she is "serious".

Wow. My mini-me has arrived. :)