Never Grow Up

Oh, sweet girl. I can't help but wish this every time that I see you discover something new or say a new phrase that blows me away. I love that you're growing and learning, but I don't want you to grow up. You'll never know how much I cherish those moments when I lie down in your bed at night and you grab my cheeks and plant the biggest kiss on me and say, "I love you so much." You'll never know how much I love walking in the door when your Daddy has picked you up in the afternoon and you run to me with arms outstretched only to give the biggest, tightest, arms-and-legs-wrapped-tightly-around-me hug. You seem to know when I need a big hug or kiss, and you always have one ready just when I need them most. You are definitely a Momma's girl right now, and, while it's challenging at times, it's still simply blissful.

You are going to be such a wonderful big sister. You get so excited to see the "babies" at daycare, immediately giving them a hug or patting them on the back when they cry or asking to give them "sugars." You are so sweet and tenderhearted - you definitely know how to melt your Momma & Daddy's hearts.



So while I want you to grow and learn and live, I still hope you never grow up. You'll always be my baby, sweet girl. I love you.

Baby R2: 16 Weeks

It feels great to finally share our exciting news with our little world!

So far, this pregnancy has been very similar to my first with the sweet girl. I'm feeling pretty much normal now, which is a very welcome blessing. I was nauseous from about week 7 to 10, but I was pleasantly surprised that it went away faster than it did the first time around. My weight isn't taking off quite as fast as it did with M, but I blame the weight gain with her on the 3-4 nights a week I spent in grad classes, eating the McDonalds Student Special A for dinner. ;) I was craving pickles, pickled okra, salt & vinegar chips, and anything else sour there for a few weeks in the beginning, but my appetite and cravings are back to normal now, too. I still have yet to shake the "first trimester" fatigue, but I think it's going to be impossible seeing that I live with a very active 2-year old. ;) I'm already experiencing some growing pains, and I'm also already feeling the baby move at random points in the day!

So far, I've had two ultrasounds, with more planned. Heartbeat has been 178 (@ 9 weeks), 167 (@ 12 weeks) and in the 150s (@ 16 weeks). Baby R2 has been measuring on target at each appointment, and, according to babycenter.com, is now about the size of an avocado.

Baby R2 at 12 weeks


The belly has definitely grown faster this time around. I'm not huge (or even noticeable to some people), but I can definitely tell a difference. I couldn't button my work pants by about 7 weeks this time, so I've been rocking the bella band for quite a while. I've also been sporting maternity clothes here and there since week 13 (quite a difference from last time when I first wore them at 20 weeks!)!

Baby R2 & Mommy @ 16 weeks; 8/16/11


We are so blessed and so excited to meet this little one in just five months!

Friday Favorites

Here are just a few of my favorite iphone photos from this week. :)
Happy Friday!

Baby R2: 14 Weeks

Oh, this kid cracks me up. She decided to be in my weekly belly picture, and she posed all by herself.

Week 14, 7/29/11

At the Lake

A few weekends ago while Daddy was in class, the sweet girl and I headed to Mom & Mike's for the weekend. Their church had this particular Sunday's service at the lakeside park, so we took the best and easiest route there...across the lake on the boat! After church was over, we (swim) suited up and hopped back in the boat for a few hours in the sun and an afternoon swim. It was a lot of fun to hang with the family, and the girl loved being out in the water!





Opa should have never showed her the horn!

Brownie lips!




We can't wait to go back!

Our First Rangers Game

July 27, 2011

Our first Rangers game...










...as a family of four!!

We're proud to announce that our newest little fan will join Team Rodriguez around January 27, 2012!

Surfside 2011

We took our second annual trip to Surfside Beach on the Texas coast the week of July 4. We had a fun week with the entire family, and the sweet girl absolutely LOVED it. We spent pretty much all day every day on the beach digging holes in the sand, filling them with water or sitting in them, catching shrimp and crabs, "jumping" waves, riding the boogie board, soaking up the rays and just relaxing. Anthony even caught a small hammerhead shark while fishing! Here are just a few of our pictures, put together in a video, of course. :)

Surfside Beach 2011 from amanda rodriguez on Vimeo.

And now, the countdown to next summer's beach trip begins!