Anna's Monthly Growth Pictures - 1 Week

I've seen several people take these pictures where the baby is compared with the same object to show her monthly growth. So, I decided to take montly pictures of Anna with Piglet. Here's Anna at 1 week, and I will post new pictures of her with Piglet each month.

Easter Weekend 2010

Easter began on Good Friday when Grandma Bonnie brought over goodies from the Easter Bunny, so AJ could make a "bunny nest." The fun continued on Saturday at the Sauer's with a 70+ egg-hunt for 3 kids.

Still searching...

and buckets are FULL!

AJ and Heidi checking out their loot! (Oops! Forgot to turn this one.) AJ was all business once I told him that he could have some candy once he dumped out all of his eggs.

Wheelbarrows and wagons full of Easter goodies. Daddy on Easter morning with the 2 best gifts the Easter bunny could bring. Anna is also showing off her own Easter bunny.

On to more Easter fun at Aunt Ruth's house where Anna got to meet her great aunts and uncles. Here she is with Larry and Barbie.

Great anut Beth

Great uncle Mark

Anna with Mark, Connie and Emma.

Isn't this just precious... Emma with her newest cousin (sleeping soundly).

Great aunt Ruth and of course Grandma.

After last year's massive egg fight, the chaos just had to be repeated. Only this time, it had to be in an enclosed space.

AJ's favorite part of the day was always having someone to kick the ball with and tackle. The kid was covered in dirt and grass from head to toe while loving every minute of it!

AJ Turns 3

For AJ's 3rd birthday, Brian and I took him out for the day to spend some quality time with just him before Anna arrived. We had planned on taking him ice skating (you know, to get him ready to become a great hockey player), but considering he had spent the day before doubled over with belly pains, a hign fever, and getting chest x-rays (ended up being just a quick, but wicked virus) we decided to take it a little easier.

It was Steak n Shake for lunch since you get to put stickers on a cool, classic car.

And of course, get a big milkshake.

We also went to Toys R Us to pick out his birthday present... a bike. I had planned on taking pictures of AJ picking out his bike, but we had a little bit of drama when trying to get AJ to hold still long enough to check what bike height he needed and it all became a bit overwhelming. However, he made it out with a smile on his face and even loves wearing his bike helmet.We're still working on the pedaling, but he loves getting on it.

The next day we celebrated with the family, and AJ sat on Uncle Eric's lap the whole time he opened presents.

New trucks of course...

and lots of new games to play outside this summer.

Birthday pizza with cousins Heidi and Ryan. AJ's cake... he picked out chocolate cake with chocolate icing and funfetti sprinkles (the boy likes chocolate).

Yes, he sang Happy Birthday to himself (so cute)!

1,2,3... BLOW!

AJ even experienced the joy of licking the candles!

After pizza and cake the games began... a little soccer, sandbox of course (hmm... I wonder how 4 of them will fit in here next year),

and T-ball (when he actually pays attention he can hit the ball across the yard, and he has since learned how to hold the bat with both hands).

At the end of the day, he was such a happy guy that he smiled nice with both mommy

and Daddy.

HAPPY 3RD BIRTHDAY AJ! WE LOVE YOU SO MUCH!!!!!

As the Belly Grows... Week 33

The progression... I am now 33 weeks and hoping I only have about 5 more to go (I am counting on this little girl coming early like AJ). Everything always looks and sounds good at the doctor's. I have been measuring a little big, but the doc has assured me that I am still in the normal range for this point in my pregnancy. I am all baby, having only gained about 13 pounds. I am tired with pregnancy brain, sleeping on the couch, getting weird back pains like I did with AJ, and have now gained a few LOVELY varicose vains right in my groin. I am more than ready to be done and meet our little girl!

Painting

AJ has been fascinated with the painting of Anna's room. As you can see from the pictures, he helped Daddy touch-up the room. I will post room pics in a couple of weeks once we get the furniture put back and some finishing touches done!

Will the Snow Ever Stop?!

The snow has been non-stop this month. I don't ever remember having this much snow to play in when I was a kid, and luckily I was able to make it out a few times with AJ. We built a snowman one day (from which I had to promptly go in and take a nap), and the other days I just watched AJ as he ran around with Nuge, falling in the snow and making snow angels.

I tried to get AJ to pose BESIDE the snowman, but he had other ideas...
He really just loved diving in it. Nuge enjoyed it too!

A previous start to a snowman that AJ enjoyed climbing over.

"AJ's Anna"

Just wanted to post a cute story about AJ and his baby sister to-be. AJ now claims that Anna is in HIS belly, and shows you too! We talk about Anna quite a bit now, and he asks almost daily about when she is coming. He remembers going to the doctor with me last month to check on Anna, and going to Home Depot to get the paint for her room (he points it out when we pass it on the freeway). He is going to be such a GREAT, BIG brother!

Poop Reward/Picture/Friends

AJ FINALLY POOPED IN THE POTTY!!!!! YEA!!!!!! Of course he did it at the babysitter's last Tuesday, but we have had two more successful potty poops this weekend! Emily said his eyes became wide with surprise when he heard the first plop, and when she asked him if he was done he said no and continued with two more plops. We all made quite the HUGE deal out of it. Here's AJ showing off the truck he got to pick out at the store for pooping in the potty. One night when AJ was working at his easel, he announced that he was going to make a circle and then he said he was going to make eyes (which he did). I then asked him if he could make a nose (he did), a mouth (he did), and arms (once again he did). He also added some legs at the bottom. I have no idea where he learned to do this! This kid's amazing!

One of my best friends just had her second baby, so AJ and I went to visit a couple weeks ago. Here's little baby Gavin, and such a cutie he is! Congratulations Amanda, Ryan and big sister Natalie.

AJ with his buddy Natalie. They used to see each other at the babysitter's, but now Natalie is in Kindgarten.

Week 27 for Baby Girl Sauer

Just wanted to post an updated belly picture. Here I am at 27 weeks - 10 weeks after the first picture I posted. She's sticking out like a ball now, and moving like crazy. Brian actually got to feel her for the first time tonight.

Cute story: This morning, AJ asked Brian where mommy and his baby sister were. Brian told him "at work," to which AJ replied, "I want to go work too." Brian then explained that she had to go with me since she was still in the belly just like he did when he was in the belly. This seemed to satisfy AJ. He's starting to ask more about her, espeically since 2 of his friends have very recently acquired new siblings.