Sweet Sammies!

I have been loving this cooler weather and spending as much time as possible outside.  Rhy is such an active little girl and is always ready for an activity. 

 

Last week Rhy and I had a fun little outing to Sweet Sammies…we love it!  They have fresh baked cookies and tons of ice cream flavors.  You chose your cookies and your ice cream and then they put them together to make one fabulous ice cream sandwich.   My little pumpkin devoured our ice cream sandwich pretty fast and then went to work on her sugar cookies…there is no question that she has a serious sweet tooth.  I guess she comes by it honestly. 

Anyway, we were so excited that Lauren, Charlie and Annie were able to join us.  Charlie is Rhyan’s best friend and she loves when they get to play.  She was also beyond thrilled to see precious Annie.  I had no idea just how much she adores babies until Annie was born.  All she wants to do is look, kiss and hug on her.  It is the cutest thing!  I guess she is ready to take on her role as big sister! xoxo

Baby Llewellyn

We are absolutely thrilled to be expecting our second baby GIRL! Rhyan has brought us more joy than we have ever known and we can't wait to have all the happiness doubled. I think our fabulous doctor said it perfectly...."Girls Rule!" xoxo

The Perfect Pair...

Wow....we have had a very exciting month that has been overflowing with blessings. I am beginning to feel much better and seem to have gained some control over what I like to call the "Great Sickness." Rhy has even stopped pretending to throw up! Yay! We will find out in about two weeks if the baby is a boy or a girl. I am thrilled to know which direction I will be heading with the nursery and if the Braaten Girl Trend will be broken.  

One BIG EVENT that also happened this month is that my precious sister Logan got ENGAGED!!!! Her sweet boyfriend Taylor pulled off the perfect proposal and gave her the ring of her dreams. Logan was in Carmel for work and had been there for about two months. A few days before she was heading back to the heat of Texas sweet Tay-Tay surprised her on the beach with a gorgeous rose gold engagement ring. She was completely shocked and thrilled to pieces. Logan came home from Carmel the Friday after her Tuesday engagement and could not wait to show us all her ring and celebrate. She was highly disappointed because we were all very busy and couldn't get together. What she didn't realize is that the reason we were all so busy was that we were putting the final touches on her surprise engagement party. The party went off without and hitch and was a huge success. The theme for the party was The Perfect Pair, which of course describes Logan and Taylor exactly.

The Perfect Pair...Logan and Taylor

Cookies made to look like Logan's ring

Cookies with their married monogram

Cupcakes and a new Erin Condren wedding planner

One of the wine bars

 Video slideshow that Chloe made for Logan and Taylor

Waiting for them to arrive

 The cutest party guest of all!

 Cheese

 Molly and Brad came all the way from Stillwater!

Practicing to be a big sister!

 

Congratulations Logan and Taylor!  We are absolutely thrilled for you and can't wait until October 2012!  Love you both!!!

Back to Blogging!

When I pulled up my blog today it literally took me 3 tries to get the right password. I was also shocked to see that it really had been 2 full months since my last entry. I really doubt anyone has been heartbroken over this, but still I am so sorry to be such a slacker...life has just been crazy lately. Rhy Pie is keeping us very busy and we are loving every minute of it. We have also had one major curve ball that has kept me pretty much in a state of shock!

Can you believe it?!?!? I am officially 12 1/2 weeks along and in my second trimester. WOW!!! Our plan was to wait until Rhy Pie was 3 and then start working on number 2....clearly that was not God's plan. I am so very thankful for the many blessings in my life and this little bundle of news has just sent me over the moon. I will be the first to admit that I was scared to death for the first 8 weeks.

How could I be a good mother to more than one little baby?
Would I be able to give each of my babies the time they deserve?
Would I lose my MIND?

These were a few of the many questions that I was dealing with constantly. And yes, I know....I am a little dramatic. To top it off on the exact day I hit 6 weeks the Great Sickness returned. As some of you know I was really sick with Rhy. I was even throwing up in the delivery room. It was awful, but I was able to lay around and focus totally on myself. This time has been a completely different experience. While the sickness is every bit as bad, if not worse, I can't focus totally on myself. All of my focus is on the 20 month old angel who doesn't understand why Mommy spends all her time in the bathroom. I hit a whole new low when I found my little darling in the bathroom pretending to throw-up. She even went as far as to look over at me and say, "I ok Mommy!" I am happy to say that I feel like I finally have things a little under control. While I am still sick as a dog we have managed to get back to a semi-normal routine and Rhy has suddenly developed this adoration for any and every baby. She wants to feed, dress, kiss, and love on her babies all the time! It melts my heart!

We have now heard the heartbeat and seen our precious baby kicking and squirming all over the place. I was absolutely amazed at the sight of our little miracle. God's plan is so much better than mine and I can't wait until February!

xoxo