The Blog Gets a Name Change

As you can see when you open up the blog, we've done a little redesign to make room for baby #2! At 14 weeks along, we decided it was time to update the blog and let our blogstalkers in on our big surprise! Baby McCarthy #2 is due to make an appearance 6 months from today and we couldn't be more excited!

Not too much news going on with Baby #2. I haven't been sick, only very tired, but I sometimes think that had more to do with a teething 1 year old than with the pregnancy. My pants are growing tighter by the day and unlike my last pregnancy when I wanted to start wearing maternity clothes as soon as possible, this time I'm refusing until I absolutely can't fit into normal clothes anymore!

We've had two ultrasounds of Baby #2 since finding out about our expected arrival. The first in November and then again last week. Interestingly, John and I both said (independent of each other I might add) from the beginning that we thought June 28th was the day, but the first due date we were given was July 2nd. Still, John and I thought June 28th. At last week's ultrasound, the baby measured at a June 28th due date! Just like with Reagan's due date which was 11/11/07, I'm already tired of people commenting on the gimicky due date and possibility of a July 4th birth, so John and I are saying June 28th is now d-day. June 28th also happens to be my Auntie Phyllis' birthday which makes it even more special for us to have that as our due date.

Here are some of the images from last week's ultrasound. I'm always amazed at how much you can see. Baby #2 did make John and I quite nervous that our already active little girl is going to be joined by an already active new baby. This little one didn't stop moving the entire ultrasound.

This picture is a little scary. It's the baby looking straight at us.

I thought this one looked a little bit like Reagan's 20 week ultrasound already. We'll see in 6 months how much they look alike. I'm pulling for brown eyes this time!

Here's the baby from head to toe.

Christmas 2008

Our first Christmas activity was to celebrate Christmas with the Lehmans. Since Hanukkah had not begun yet, we decided to share some of our traditions with our great friends. We brought over a little tree, lights, ornaments and some presents. It wasn't anything fancy, we had pizza delivered, but Christmas rules still applied - all the post-dinner clean up had to be complete before any gifts could be opened.

One Tuesday, we went down to Madelia to celebrate Christmas with "Grandma Great" Etter. She was in great spirits and it was good to spend time with her, and a few aunts and cousins that stopped by.

On Christmas Eve, we spent the evening at Jim and Jan's house (along with Uncle Frank, Auntie Phyllis, Carrie and Mark. We had a great evening. In an effort to actually take advantage of digital photo technologies, we let Jan take the photos with a promise that she'd email them to us. We don't have any for the blog just yet.

When we got home, we had to put a treat out for Santa Claus. In an effort to make our house a memorable stop for Santa (and possibly bribe him to leave great gifts for Reagan), we set out a beer and pretzels along with a note that read: "Dear Santa, I know all the other kids leave out cookies and milk for you. All that sugar and lactose will probably upset your tummy, so I thought you might enjoy the beer and pretzels. Love, Reagan." Reagan was surprisingly happy for getting woken up after a few hours of sleep and then making the trek home.

On Christmas Morning, Reagan was really excited to get to the gifts.

Here is her favorite present (currently). A Dirt Devil Junior vacuum. Lindsay and I were hoping that it actually worked. It doesn't. I guess we shouldn't have expected too much for $15. Nonetheless, it has already provided several hours of entertainment.

More gift opening. Reagan got a "Cookies for Santa" plate from Papa and Grandma. I know for sure that we'll have to put out an explanatory note for Santa again next year.

After the gift opening extravaganza, I made Christmas pancakes. Here are two of my better efforts - a wreath and a snow man. I tried a few Christmas trees but the didn't quite turn out as good as I imagined. Next year, I'll have to try to add a gingerbread man to my repertoire.

Reagan enjoyed them. I don't think she even noticed that they were shaped or colored.

Then, we returned to enjoy (1) new toys and (2) a nap. Guess who enjoyed which one...

Two Santas?

Yes, we took Reagan to not one, but two Santas this year. As wonderful as the Dayton's display is (I will forever call it that), they leave a lot to be desired when it comes to Santa's area. Really, all they can come up with is a blue wall? I find that hard to believe.

This years theme was a Macy's original "A Day in the Life of an Elf."

Reagan liked the puppies the best, followed by the things that moved.

Checking Santa out . . .

He must not have passed the stranger test.

We tried again tonight at Ridgedale. Much better background, but way creepier Santa. Even I was a little afraid. I'm pretty sure this Santa had no front teeth. Eek. He wasn't even wearing the traditional Santa outfit. Instead, he had on red sweatpants. Obviously, Reagan did not enjoy his company. If anyone comes across a decent Santa, let me know for next year. I won't torture her again this year.

After our run in with Santa, all Reagan wanted to do was push the stroller herself. She literally pushed the stroller all the way across the mall, only to stop briefly to wave at passersby and to take a look at Build-A-Bear.

Crazy December

We're in the midst of our craziest month of the year, which I'm sure many people can identify with us on that one. John and I both celebrated our 28th birthdays this past weekend, so just as the birthday festivities are ending, the Christmas celebrations are just beginning.

I'm just going to do a quick update with some pictures from the last three weeks that I thought were funny. Reagan is growing funnier by the day (as long as she has a decent nap) and I spent much of my day laughing at her today. It was even hard to keep a straight face when she started throwing food on the floor, but her face was so cute!

My decided to try some of my old dresses on Reagan. I wore the plaid one on my first birthday (I think that was what I was told). Obviously, Reagan is a bit taller than I was! The white one couldn't even be buttoned.

Reagan got her first sled for her birthday, so I figured she would need a snowsuit if we were going to use it this year. Here she is trying it on. She was a little like a turtle flipped on its back when she would fall over.

Watching Daddy put lights on our deck (completion date TBD).

So happy in her footie pajamas, except we have to keep her slippers on while she walking around. The legs are a little long still and the feet keep slipping off. The slippers are the only thing that keep them secure so she doesn't slip all over the floors.

We tried Stella's footie pajamas on too.

But the minute she heard the garage door open, she knew John was home and bolted from the chair just as I snapped the picture.