I'm going to be a Big Sister!!!

I finally get to make the most exciting announcement of my life; I am going to get a baby brother in January! Besides a momentary desire for a sister, and the omission that "chocolate is better" than a baby brother, I am beyond stoked. By the way, I only said chocolate is better because chocolate is immediate gratification, and we all know that I love anything that is immediately gratifying. In the last 4 days since I found out about my upcoming addition, I have really started contemplating my role as a big sister. I know I'll need to help feed the baby bottles before bedtime and change stinky diapers and sing to the baby. I am under the assumption that babies only cry when they poop though, - not sure where I got this idea - but I am ready to face the rude awakening. I cannot wait to be a big sister and meet my baby brother! I am now going to let Mom help me make the rest of this beyond exciting announcement.

Liv Finding Out About Her Baby Brother:

I am so, so excited to finally be able to write this blog and share our news with everyone near and dear to our hearts. We have Baby #2 on the way! Steve and I were so thrilled to find out on May 2nd, the day we got back from San Fran, that we are expecting our second little bundle of joy. The last few months have come with some challenges, seeing as we had to once again do genetic testing while hoping and praying for a healthy baby. On July 14th at 14 weeks pregnant, we found out that we are having a healthy baby boy, who is unaffected by Cystic Fibrosis. It was an emotionally overwhelming day of relief, excitement, love, and happiness. Seeing as Steve was in San Francisco when the call came in, we waited until Friday to tell Olivia together, along with Grandma and Aunt Mallory. I know we both felt like shouting it to the world, especially since many of our close friends and family still did not even know we were expecting! I was not only happy to tell Olivia so that she could be a part of this exciting time, but it was also nice to finally tell her why I have been throwing up daily, getting fat, and feeling tired. She was starting to complain about her stomach and pretend to throw up along with me - Great! I gave my 2-year-old a complex. - It was also good because she had started asking the previous week if I had a baby in my tummy. Our good friend, Allison Wheeler, is two weeks ahead of me, and Lucas, Liv's best friend as all of you know, has been talking about the baby in his mommy's tummy, so Liv started to figure it out. What can I say? She is a genius. By the way, surprisingly, I stopped throwing up the day we found out that the baby is okay, which leads me to believe that I was even more anxious and stressed about the waiting than I even realized, and I was pretty anxious and stressed, since I have been really sick. Every minute of sickness and worry is worth it though. Olivia is really excited; at first, when we told her our "surprise", she wanted a surprise she could eat, but by the next morning, it was sinking in. She woke up on Saturday and wanted to see her baby; then she said, "Awww! That's such a cute baby!" before giving my stomach an Eskimo kiss and talking about her role as a big sister. She also strictly forbade me from putting my shirt down all morning because she wanted to be able to see her baby. We are all so thrilled, and we feel so blessed that we are being given the gift of another healthy child. We are also beyond excited to be given the opportunity to raise one of each, a girl and a boy. I know Liv is going to be the best big sister, jealousy and all. Now, we get to start just enjoying this pregnancy and battling over boy names! Just so you know, Liv has decided she wants to name her brother Baby Brother (sometimes Boy) or PGo, apparently after the Throwers' dog!? Thank you to those of you who have been so supportive over the last couple of months, for I will admit that they have been some of the most difficult months, and the whole Kendig family cannot wait to introduce our little boy sometime around January 11, 2012!

The Morning After Liv Found Out:

Baby Boy:

8 Weeks

12 Weeks

Baby Boy Bump Watch 2011 - The Catch-Up Addition:

Week 6

Week 11

Week 12

& Healing Hands

Week 14

Week 15

Summer Days and Summer Nights - June

Summer, oh summer, you make it difficult to blog with your long, sunny days, pool lounging, evening activities, fun holidays, and outdoor destinations.

It is like everyone comes out of hiding when the temperatures start to rise, and I love seeing all of my friends and family on a regular basis. I'm a lucky girl, and I got to spend many days and evenings with some of my favorite people during the month of June.

I, of course, spent many days with my man Lucas. A couple of more notable days included:
An afternoon of crib jumping, lunch sharing, bed cuddling, TV watching craziness at his house,...

as well as another afternoon of crib jumping, baby hugging, parachute hiding, playroom trashing, music making, movie watching chaos at mi casa!

Aunt Stephanie, Harper, Grandma, and Aunt Mallory took a whole Friday off just to hang with me this month. We went to Jim 'n' Nick's for some mouth-watering cheesy biscuits, and Harper definitely liked them too, before Harper and I modeled the new tank tops Grandma got for us. The modeling session did get a little crazy with smooches, eye poking, and acrobatics! We then introduced Harper to the pool; it was her very first time, and although she didn't crack much of a smile, she loved it! It looks like Aunt Steph is going to have to break down, get a bathing suit, and face her nemesis, the sun. After some Cinco's takeout, Harper and I enjoyed our first bath together; at least, we enjoyed it until Baby Harper decided to poop in the bathtub. You can't blame her, for she is just a baby, and in her defense, it was the tiniest poop ever. We all jumped out and cleaned the tub before getting right back in to finish our bath fun. She didn't even mind when I dumped an entire cup of water in her face; that's my brave cousin! It is never a boring day with the fam.

Day with Harper - making a free slideshow

Grandma was my exclusive Beauty and the Beast-in-bed guest one evening while Mom and Dad went out to dinner. By the way, the wolves in that movie are more than a little scary; thank goodness, Grandma kept me safe.

Aunt Mallory again joined us one afternoon for some pool antics and old school candy sharing. Mal and I did our own interpretation of Lady and the Tramp with the dots that Grandma got for me last month. There is nothing wrong with a silly, laid back Saturday with Dad, Mom, and Aunt Mal.

As another June treat, the rents and I spent an evening at the Germanys'. McKenzie is crawling, and she had a blast chasing me. We spent some girl time in her crib, and I even helped give her a bath and get her ready for bed. I did greatly enjoy trying all of her huge bows! Mom, why don't I have any huge, head-sized bows!? I feel to deprived! McKenzie was so sweet to share all of her toys. After she headed to bed, I got to watch a little Cars with the grown ups before making my way home to bed. Thanks for a fun evening, Mrs. Teri, Mr. Justin, and Kenzie! 

Speaking of special people, June also included a day just for Daddy! We spent Father's Day relaxing, just like Daddy requested. I gave him some fun gifts of me for his new big office; he got promoted to COO last month! Go, Daddy! We had lunch at Taco Mac, where I gave him another gift of wing sauce all over his clothes; that's my special way of saying, "I love you, Dad, and I show my love by crawling all over you!" He should take it as the most sincere compliment; plus, Mommy got the stains out, so all is well. Later, we hit up the pool and made a special surf and turf dinner with Daddy. Happy Father's Day, Daddy; I love you more than I can say! Oh, and I am very proud of your Muddy Buddy race participation! Whose Daddy is skinny and fit? My Daddy!










June is also a month for creating. Mom and I made my very first fort, which has been a rainy day, and sometimes sunny evening, staple ever since. My garden is looking fabulous, and the Mickey Mouse green beans that I chose, planted, and picked were pretty good, at least the time that Mom didn't burn them. Apparently, super fresh green beans cook a little faster than store bought ones - stange, huh!? We will be tasting my broccoli for the first time tonight - yum! The peppers and tomatoes are flowing over; I lost my peas to the sun; the birds have been stealing my blueberries before I can even get them off the bush; Daddy and I have been fighting off the caterpillars, and we are still waiting on the cucumbers, pumpkins, carrots, and several more yummy veggies to mature. I did make a beautiful frog windchime for my garden; maybe, he will scare off the birds and caterpillars.

To top off an exciting month of June, I discovered the awesome, and close, Warbington Farm. The farm just opened about 5 months ago, and they have so many fun activities and events. I made it to the farm twice during the month of June. The first time, Lucas, Parker, Grayson, and I attended the Warbington Farm's weekly 'Hey' Ride Story Time. We got to ride behind the tractor and feed the cows, who came running down the hill as soon as they saw us coming. Lucas was not a fan of the cows, but Parker and I were enthralled. Then we rode around the farm and stopped off for a quick story time under the trees. Of course, the ride included some shenanigans and love, and story time allowed us to shake our piggy tails and stomp our hooves. I must admit that I was just as entertained by my water bottle and spray fan. After story time, we took time out for some crafts and to eat lunch before I got to ride my 2nd pony ever! I had a little trouble staying in the middle this time, so the farmer had to hold me on as I hung off to the side. Before we left, we got to feed the goats, who were a bit aggressive and almost took out Parker and Grayson. Lucas dumped out all of his fed right away, so I shared mine with him because, like Mrs. Allison said, "[I] am such a good friend". Mommy tried to free the goat, whose neck seemed trapped, but the freeing of the goat backfired a bit when he came after us. It was hot, but I must say that I am a fan of the farm.

Later in the month, Lucas and I returned to the farm for another 'Hey' Ride Story Time. This time, we actually got to fill up cups and feed the cows from the side of the cart. Lucas was not afraid this time; although, we did almost get trampled by a bunch of older kids. How rude! We also got to pretend to plant seeds during this story time to prepare us for our next, exciting activity. We got to plant our own pumpkin seeds! I put my name on top of my pumpkin seeds, and the farm is going to e-mail us pictures as my pumpkin grows. Then in October, I get to go back and pick my very own pumpkin. It is so exciting! I am an excellent pumpkin-planter! Before we left, we fed the pony, but I adamantly refused to hug him, as did Lucas. We aren't stupid; that horse looks kind of scary. Lucas and I are both thinking about having our birthday parties at the farm, and we will definitely be going back soon!

Little Tidbits:
I can talk, and I know it! I can go 30 minutes or more without even taking a breath sometimes. Mom has taken to calling Grandma and letting me talk to Grandma on longer car rides so that she can let her brain rest for a minute. I can't believe that she is not beyond interested in my every question, comment, and conversation. Plus, I have totally learned the word "why"! I don't care if it makes sense within the context or not; I want to know why everything! Mom wishes she could jot down my every hilarious statement, comment, and question, for I am a regular comedian, and I love to entertain, even when I don't know that I am entertaining. Also, I must admit that I am S-A-S-S-Y! I especially love to give Mom a bit of attitude; I listen, but only after I get my point/opinion across sometimes with arms crossed for emphasis.

I still love my Imagination Movers...and dancing...and my tutu!  I now like to throw some of Barenaked Ladies' kids' album in there once in awhile as well.

I am getting sneaky too. I have started getting out of bed and quietly playing around my room after Mom closes the door for nap. I still can't figure out how she knows every time; I think she has my room tapped. Anyways, as soon as I hear her coming, I run to my bed, jump in, cover myself back up, and close my eyes. I am a master of deceit!

I have a self-proclaimed trashcan obsession; I talk about trashcans, trash men, trash trucks, and the dump way more than I would like to admit. Plus, I refuse to go within 100 feet of a trashcan without dramatically holding my nose and encouraging all those around me to do the same. Garbage is stinky! Trash woman is definitely not in my future!

Just FYI, do NOT call me a baby! I will let you know that I am Livie and I am BIG girl!

One last note, I have finally gone totally under water, willingly, so I am now allowed to go down the big slide at the pool all by myself. It's a big slide too, and I'm not scared at all! I'll go backwards, forwards, sitting up, laying down, any way! Just the other day, I even asked Mom and Dad to stop catching me at the bottom. I am such a daredevil! I've even had parents of kids twice my age point me out to try and convince their own kids to go. I do like my "gobbles" though.