Small Getaway

Brent and I really wanted to get away for a weekend trip this summer before the busyness of fall sets in but we really didn't want to spend much money :) So we devised a plan where Blake spent last Thursday night at my mom's house and then spent Friday night at Brent's parents house so we could take a full day trip. Brent and I drove down to the Outer Banks on Friday and enjoyed a beautiful relaxing day on the beach. It was so much fun just to be together without worrying about keeping up with a 2 yr old. We ended the night with a very yummy seafood dinner before driving home. On Sat. morning we were able to work in the nursery getting some things cleaned up. It was such a refreshing 40(ish) hours...toddler free. Of course we love our little man but Brent and I really needed the time to recharge and have fun together. I have a feeling once the fall hits we will be in full swing until baby arrives :)

Thanks Aunt Lori!

Aunt Lori was nice enough to send Blake a present from her classroom in Roanoke. I guess they were replacing some items so this Sesame Street play mat was being taken out and Aunt Lori thought of how much Blake would love playing with it. Boy was she right...we play with it everyday and Blake loves driving all of his cars on it :) It is so cute to see him pretending with the cars. Thanks Aunt Lori! We love you!

Blake driving his cars! (Millie likes playing with too)

Busch Gardens

Last Friday Blake and I had the opportunity to go to Busch Gardens with my family since they had a free ticket :) It has been years since I have been and this was Blake's first trip. To say he had a blast would be an understatement! First, he was with his Annie so that made the day great from the beginning. Second, in the new Sesame Street area Blake got to meet all his favorite characters while playing in the spray park. Lastly, (definitely Brent's son) Blake LOVED riding all the rides and didn't seem scared at all. It was such a fun filled day and I know we will be going back in the coming years :)

First Ride of the day (Bobble, Blake, Anna, U. Joe, Erin)

Blake had a smile on his face the whole time!

Riding the whirly ride with MawMaw, U. Joe, Erin & Anna

Smile Cookie Monster :)

One ride Mommy could ride with Blake!

Having fun in the spray park!

Watching the Elmo show while having a snack

Anna, Me & Blake on the flying machine

Blake & Anna on the swings. They rode this ride a couple of times!

Bumper cars! HILARIOUS to watch toddlers/kids try to drive

Anna steering the flying dragon while Blake holds on for dear life!

The Ladybug ride!

Mommy & Blake

All tuckered out!

Halfway there!

So today I am officially 21 wks but I forgot to post my picture last week so here I am with baby girl at 20 wks. I am feeling great right now. I am still very comfortable and not feeling very preggo but I did have a growth spurt this last week so I know this is the calm before the storm :) hahaha! Brent and I are still working on her name so if you were wondering we haven't announced it just yet but probably will be soon!

Big Changes

Well these past 3 weeks have held a lot of changes in the Nieter household. Apparently Blake decided he wanted to grow up a little faster than Mommy was anticipating. About 3 weeks ago Blake started telling me that he had to go pee pee on the potty. Personally I was not thrilled about the thought of running to the bathroom every 10 min. and all the training that comes with it. However, I didn't want to sell Blake short if he really was ready to potty train so we started the process. Wouldn't you know it, our little man took to it very quickly. He currently is wearing big boy underwear and staying dry. We are amazed and so thankful for this blessing. I know for a fact it is nothing I did but Blake just made up his mind and was ready. I keep preparing myself for a relapse at some point but until then I will just enjoy these moments :)

Another big change for Blake was that this weekend we converted his crib into his toddler bed. He has seen the railing in his room and kept asking for his big bed so we decided to try it. Again, Blake seems to have grasped onto this excitement and loves sleeping in this big boy bed. Last night, he fell out of it for the first time because of pushing on the railing so we are going to construct it a little better tonight but so far so good with him staying in it at night!
I just cannot believe that my little boy is growing up so fast. I am happy because obviously with our little girl coming this winter I want Blake to be more independent and progressing in his development but I am sad to see my baby boy growing up so fast. They really are tiny only for a moment. I find myself hugging him a little tighter and holding him a little longer while I can because who knows what tomorrow will bring and before I know it he will be grown!

We're having a....

GIRL!!! The ultrasound today went great. There was no doubt she was a little girl and everything is measuring right on. She was pretty mellow during the scan so we are hoping this is an indication of her personality :) Brent and I are so excited and Blake loves watching the baby on the DVD they gave us of her!

July 4th

We had a blast this July 4th. Blake being a little older made it so much more fun. We had our annual cookout at the Nieter's pool and then we took Blake to his first fireworks. We weren't sure how it would go but it was so much fun! Blake absolutely loved them. He kept calling them "booms" and pointed at each one naming the colors he saw. He stayed up the whole way home talking about it. Brent and I talked about how much more fun all these events are now that we can celebrate and enjoy them with Blake. It allows us to be kids again :)

Waiting for the fireworks!

Brent and me

Blake & Mommy watching the fireworks!