Stewart Family Reunion

Reunion is defined as a gathering of family, relatives or associates who have been separated.  We had a house full this past weekend.  Mary and Gary came along with Matt, Kari, Ryan, Nick and baby Lucas.  We love family and we love company so the weekend was fantastic!!!   Here are a few snapshots of such fun!

Colorado Pumpking Patch was alot of fun.  The kids loved running around, petting the animals, running through mazes and climbing up hay stacks. 

We also had fun shopping and hanging out at the house.  Thanks Stewarts for such a fun weekend!!!

18 & 20 Weeks and Growing

Here is 18 weeks (the "before" shot)

Time can go by so quickly but simultaneously go so slow.  I can't believe we are already at 20 weeks but then again, why is it taking so long.  I am just ready to hold our sweet baby girl.  (And now the "current" shot)

Dear Baby,

I smile because I know you are with me

I smile because I know you can hear me

I smile because I know you are going to add so much to our family

I smile because I love you

Love,

Mommy and Daddy

Stroller

I knew coming into this whole Baby World there was going to be alot of decisions, what pediatrician, what babysitter, formula vs. breast feeding, etc.  What I failed to think of was trying to pick everything out to just support a baby.  I.e. stroller, car seat, high chair, breast pump, crib, crib bedding, baby room accessories, changing table, pack n play, diaper bag.  I mean, really, for a 7 lb baby!!!  Don't get me wrong, I LOVE SHOPPING, but I stress because I want the best.  I have the first baby "Syndrome" where I worry about safety and cuteness (I just can't help it).  I was explaining this stress to my wonderful husband and daddy to be and the response I get is "it will take like two days, what is the hurry."  I AGREE!!  But why can't I just stop worrying about not having everything.  Ugh.  Ben is very good for me in these situations.  I knew God sent him to me for a reason. 

So... just to make me feel better we went to Babies R Us and he helped me with picking out a stroller.  Thank you honey.  You made this mommy to be a bit less stressed out!!  Here is the one we are picking......

Isn't she going to be so cute in there!!!  And extra safe!!!

Our Sweet Baby Girl

I have been to our Ultrasound Department at least 5 times begging the techs to to take a peak. And the results....A baby girl!  Can you believe a Stewart is having a girl.  I know...MIRACLE!!!  haha

As you can tell this was taken in August.  The head is on the right and the feet are hiding.  This picture is actually why Ben believes we are growing an alien.  haha.  Just kidding.  We have had many U/S since and the images are much better, Dr. Hovenga just didn't print them out.   Our next U/S is specifically for measuring and seeing baby active in her warm little cocoon so we just have plenty more to post!!!

New Front Room

Look at the beautiful front room!!  We added yellow and tan to our color decor with a chair rail for some detail!  Thank you wonderful husband!!!

P.S. We also added chocolate brown to the island

Estes Park with the Benson Family

Beautiful Estes Park.  Need I say more!  Mom and Dad Benson met us at River Spruce Cottages (the cottages we had previous stayed at).  We spent both Saturday and Sunday hiking in Rocky Mountain National Park. 

Here is Saturday (Total Hike 5 miles):

Nymph Lake (the lily pads are so pretty)

Dream Lake.  This is where Ben and Dad did lots of their fly fishing, catching quite a few even.  They filled out a survey at the end for the National Park Data Collection.

Emerald Lake.  You feel so on top of the world!!

Here is Sunday (Total Hike 10 miles, and mainly up hill):

Beautiful Cub Lake

Fern Falls

Fern Lake

We had such a great time, tired legs and all!!!

16 weeks!

This little baby is trying to start and poke out!  Hopefully soon you can really see a difference!!

Love you sweet baby of ours!!

Yep, that day I hiked 10 miles in Estes Park (I swear at least 4 miles were up the mountain, I mean straight up the mountain)...16 weeks pregnant!!

You can definitely tell that the girth is increasing ;)

Rapid City Visit

Ben and I came back to Rapid City to visit our grandparents and relatives.  Ben's Grandma and Grandpa Overturf and his Aunt Joan and Uncle Randy.  My Grandma Benson also came to visit.  Being able to see family that live so far away is a such a blessing.  The visits are never long enough and the conversations (catching up) seem to never end.  Here are a couple of the pictures (I wish I would have taken more).

Nebraska / Colorado Border.  Sunset on our drive to RC.  Isn't it beautiful.  God is so good!

Ryan getting ready for his big soccer game!

Grandma and Grandpa Overturf

Aunt Joan with baby Lucas

6 Week and 12 Week Belly Shots

6 weeks is basically baseline.  Let's see how big this belly gets =)

I definitely feel myself getting "thicker" and you can sort of tell by this picture.  My pants are just tighter (which I can not stand right now) and the minute I eat I feel like the button is going to fly off the pants (literally).  The next set of pictures will come at 18 weeks then I plan to start taking them more frequently.  Right now the changes are so tiny that only I can tell the big difference. 

The joys of being pregnant are still in the distance for me.  I love the thought of a baby growing inside of me but I think the first trimester is going to make me appreciate the second trimester.  My nausea and vomiting have definitely decreased, still present, but I hoping around 14-15 weeks I start to feel even better.  All the mothers out there can vouch, I'm sure, that the other "perks" of pregnancy such as constipation, bleeding gums, bloating, itching, etc. we could all live without =)  They say around 18-20 weeks I get to start feeling baby move (MY FAVORITE and MOST EXCITING)!  All these "perks" are worth it for a healthy baby.  I just can't even wait!!  I want baby here now (I've never been good at keeping secrets, or waiting on anything.  Just ask my sister.  Every time we would buy a present for our parents, they would end up finding out in casual conversation when I began to have "word vomit.")  Thank you all for the thoughts and prayers.  Our Peanut loves all the love and attention (I can tell ;)

Family Photos

Ben and I took a cruise in the Dune Buggy today around Garden of the Gods.  Here are some of the fun pictures.

SISTER IS HERE!!!

Having my sister here for four days was just what I needed!  She makes me so happy and I absolutely love her to pieces.  She would always ask, "How is Tater Tot today?"  (Her nickname for baby Stewart).  We (including her boyfriend, Callan) had a great time shopping, going to Water World and enjoying some wakeboarding downtown.

Ben saving Keila AGAIN!!  (haha)

Ben trying to show some of his "skills"

Trying to help Keila figure out how to wakeboard

Keila agreeing, "This does sound a little tricky!"  haha (j/k)

Mary and Gary Visiting

Mary and Gary came to visit mid July for a nice weekend of shopping, golfing and relaxing.  The first day we met them up in Ft. Collins for an airplane show.  We were all slightly disappointed and the heat was absolutely unbearable (causing this 9 week pregnant lady to vomit on more than one occasion).  We were hoping for the remote control airplanes to do tricks but apparently this was not the show to see that in.  Shopping came shortly after that.  Ft. Collins has such a quaint, welcoming downtown.  Pebble stone walk ways and cute little mom and pop shops make for a very fun day.  On our way home we stopped at Loveland Shops (finding lots of good deals) and then on to CO Springs.

Golfing was in the plans for Sunday.  Our first tee time we had to cancel due to weather but were able to squeak in nine closer to home before dinner.  Fun times with wonderful family, my idea of a perfect weekend!