20 weeks and 19 months

We say it constantly, but time flies by!  I am half way through my pregnancy.  HALF WAY!  It seemed like forever to get here with Connor, but life with a 19 month old seems to make the days zoom by.  Here is a quick update in the life of our busy household!  *Disclaimer: it may not be so quick!*

Pregnancy:
On Tuesday, I went in for my 20 week appointment.  I've gained 7 pounds now since the beginning of my pregnancy-I was concerned I may not be eating enough, but she says all is fine and that I should be gaining about a pound a week from here on out.  She got the heartbeat after this baby girl bounced around my belly for a minute.  She moves ALL. THE. TIME.  Seriously-Ryan felt her for the first time about a week and half ago.  After breakfast yesterday (blueberry pancakes-apparently, she's a fan!) I had Ryan put his hand on by belly and she gave him a huge kick!  It freaked him out how strong she is already.  I told him that's exactly what I feel literally all day long.  I swear she's just swimming from one end to the other and bouncing off the walls.  Let's hope she gets it all out now and is nice and calm when she joins our family in a few months!! 
I had my ultrasound at 18 weeks, which hasn't given the uterus much time to grow.  Therefore, my placenta was just a little too close for comfort to the cervix.  Not a big deal from what the ultrasound tech said, but my Dr. wants me to go back on the 22nd just to make sure it's moved a safe distance away.  If not, it'll be some rest for me because of a little previa.  I'm not worried about it-I'm just excited to see our baby girl again!!!  What luck!
Nesting is in full swing already.  I think that's due to the fact that I know how fast the days are moving by.  I put my poor husband to work this weekend rearranging the house.  We switched our living rooms (again!) and moved the sectional back into our living room for more seating space.  Connor is sitting on the couch with us more, and our little couch wasn't cutting it.  So, when we have 4 of us that want sprawling out space, we'll have it!  Not to mention the visitors that will come meet our baby girl!  Then, Ryan gave up his office and moved the computer and all that comes with it into our other living room.  It actually looks pretty good!  Next to that room is a small carpeted dining room which never gets used.  That is now a play area for Connor, and hides all of his toys nicely when people come in the door.  Now all I have to do is finish cleaning out the office and guest room, and start buying some furniture to put in her room.  Goal: get it done before school starts again!
I'm very lucky to be feeling so good.  My appetite is back to great, and I'm eating a lot of small meals throughout the day.  Since Connor wants what I have, it's a good reminder to choose some healthier snacks.  My energy is back, and I'm still sleeping great.  I know I have to savor this-in another month or two, my stomach whill shrink and I'll be peeing every hour through the night! :)

Connor:
I could go on and on about my little man.  It could be the pregnancy emotions, but let's face it: I'm a cryer anyway!  For the past 19 months, it's just been the two of us, and I'm about to change all that!  So, I'm trying so hard every day to make sure we are making the best memories together.  I know he won't remember, but I still feel the need.  Here are some of the things I don't want to forget at this age!
*his "shake" game-he shakes his head til he's dizzy, then I shake mine to tickle his face and kiss him all over.  He giggles like crazy!  I love it!
*playing chase around the house with Ryan.  He grabs my hand and we have to go find him.  Ryan will jump out and scare him, and we go running laughing around the corner to find him again.  (on this note: how he LOVES when Ryan comes home.  It's automatic wrestle time-these two are best buds-it's amazing to watch)
*kisses-only for the people he knows well.  So far-me, Ryan, Nana, and his sitter Rachel.  Sometimes, if he's in a really good mood, other people will.  He even gave Aunt Jennie kisses when she was in town.
*his love of the darn DVD player.  I'm not sure other kids his age know how to work the DVD player as well as he does.  And I swear it's not because he sits in front of the tv all day!  He just loves to press the button, take out the DVD, and push it back in.  This happens OVER AND OVER.  My mom brought over her old dvd player just so he doesn't wear ours out.  Best toy ever.
*he brings his shoes whenever he wants to go outside, which is often.  I laugh every time because he brings them, sits down, and sticks one foot up in the air.  You can't resist kissing his little fat feet.
*his friendship with Sammi, our dog.  He goes up to her, and whacks her three times on the back.  Sammi loves it because she's getting attention.  They also both love bubbles equally right now...and water.  They'll be good friends! 
*his OCD with having doors shut.  If it's the refrigerator, drawer, or doors in the house, he has to shut them.  It's cute, but sometimes I get slammed with the refrigerator door if I"m not paying attention!
*He knows I kiss him all over right before I get him out of the carseat.  As soon as I open the door, he gets a big grin on his face and prepares himself for our kissing game.
*At naptime or bedtime, when I say "Let's go nite-nite", he grabs my hand and his blankie, and we walk to bed.  On the tile, we have to pick up our right leg and stomp, but that stops when we hit the carpet.  Then we read two books (after he's opened and shut the door a few times), and off to dreamland he goes.
*Our sneak peak before bed-Ryan and I sneak in, give him a little rub on the back or kiss on the head, comment on how huge he looks and how peaceful he sleeps all snuggled with his blankie.
*His love of starbucks...well the cups anyway!  I'm threatening to get him his own because he loves drinking out of my reusable cup so much!

I know there's a million more things, but these are part of our every day routine.  I know that changes so often, so although it may seem so common now, I know that in 6 months I'll look back and miss it.

I'm also hoping that between now and then, this boy TALKS!!!  He is so stinkin smart.  He knows absolutely everything you are saying, to the point where you almost have to spell it out if you don't want him to understand.  Yet, he's not speaking.  He makes noises, he babbles, he follows your verbal directions, etc.  But he just refuses to speak.  I repeat all the things I want him to say-just one word or two word phrases, and nothing.  I know this is the difference between boys and girls, and in children in general, but holy moly, I need him to start talking.  We are  getting frustrated with each other because he knows what he wants, and most of the time I do too (which is why I think he's gotten away with not talking for so long in the first place), but we can only go so far without some verbal communication.  I hope it comes soon!!

Other than that, we are heading to Montana in 3 weeks, and I can't wait!  Connor is going to love it there this year, and I can't wait for Ryan and I to be able to spend the whole day outside exploring with him.  Last year in Montana he started crawling and pulling himself up, so who knows-maybe he'll learn to talk with all the family chatter around him!

Sorry for the long update-I know it's been awhile!