24 weeks, last time.

Here's what I looked like with Cooper at 24 weeks. I promised Cooper he could take a picture of me today at 24(ish) weeks for Juliet. I am considerably larger in the thigh and arm department with Juliet than I was with Cooper. So much so, that Cooper's 24 week pic was in a swimsuit at the beach. Whoa. Who is this woman?

More to come.

Juliet Lightner Hejl

That's the name, don't wear it out!

We love it. Girly, cute, unique but not crazy. Luke's middle name is Lightner, so we felt the need to keep it in there somewhere.

Here's what Cooper thinks of it:

San Antonio Vacation

We had an amazing time over spring break in San Antonio for our first true family vacation. The Marriott Riverwalk is a great place to stay - super convenient, and an indoor/outdoor pool for the Coopster. Ask Cooper what his favorite part of the trip was, and he won't tell you Sea World, the zoo, children's museum, or the food ... he will say "the hotel pool." If we had only known!

Other than the crowds, it was a perfect time away to rejuvenate as a family. I highly recommend it!

Baby girl no-name, 20 weeks

Nope, we haven't thought of a name yet. But, soon. Luke and I had a hard time agreeing on Cooper, so I believe this one will be even harder. We're getting more and more excited. I bought a sleeper and two cute outfits today at Target so I could get a bit more comfy with the whole pink thing. I'm not a very pink type of person, but I'm working on it!

Definitely a girl!



Here's a pic taken by Cooper with my rather large camera. Guess this is how he sees things, at 20 weeks.



I will post soon about our family trip to San Antonio, and some other funny pics of Cooper. In the meantime, we'll think of a name...

It's a GIRL!

We can't believe it! Luke, Cooper and I are super pumped about this. I think I'm a little bit in shock still, since I was prepping myself for another boy. It will be a blast. Now, lots to do ... pick a name, room, clothes, yikes!

I'll post the ultrasound pics asap, and a pic of me at 20 weeks.

Tomorrow's the big day!

We find out boy or girl tomorrow morning. I'll post as soon as I can. I'm thinking boy, Luke doesn't know at all and Cooper predicts girl. We shall see.

Oh, and I'm 19 weeks. I'll post a 20-weeker next week!

Everything about both of my pregnancies can be explained by Chipotle.

A lot of you know of my love of Chipotle. I eat there at least once a week, sometimes twice, just because I love it and I feel semi-okay about what they serve there as not being WAY too bad for me. Whether that's really true, who knows.

What I do know is that at 17 weeks of this pregnancy, I crave Chipotle and could eat it every day. However, I cannot finish an entire burrito bowl because I think the baby is already doing that taking-up-too-much-room thing on my stomach. When I was 17 weeks pregnant with Cooper, I had an aversion to Chipotle and the black beans they serve, and couldn't even stand the thought of it until much later in my pregnancy. But, once I was ready to eat there again, I could scarf the whole bowl down and wanted some more. Ah, Chipotle.

You can see here that I was about the same size with Cooper, only way more buff and tan, and younger of course. All in all, I feel much better now than I did a few weeks ago. Eating isn't consuming my life as much, as far as what sounds good or bad. I know ... it's hard to believe that I can care more about food than I do now.

The baby is definitely moving around here and there, which is lots of fun. I'll try and not give this baby the shaft and put up more side pics of me on the blog. We find out on March 30th if it's a girl or boy, so we're super excited. We haven't done a single thing to the nursery nor have we thought of any names. It all boils down to this one glad day!

Oh, and Cooper is doing great. He really thinks he's getting a new sister, so we'll see if he's right. I need to take more pictures of him. Anyway, off to naptime.

Haley Clarke Price

She's waving at me! Haley was born at 7:40 p.m. on Feb. 10, weighing in at a whopping six pounds. Mom and baby are fine, but mom could use a little strength and energy. Hopefully things will quickly get better. Yay! Here's mommy holding her.


Here's the new Aunt Sara!

Random - Christmas pics

Here are a few memorable moments from the holidays. Enjoy!

The Wattersons stopped by on their way home from Houston. Cooper and Chase = BFF.

Santa gift - acclaimed "car transporter."

At the Martins.

Mom and Coop's annual gingerbread house. Again, ate most of it.


Cousins at the Trail of Lights.

The tree.

Making cookies at the Hejls.

Preschool party.

Eleven weeks on baby dos.

I'm here, blog readers. I'm about to pass out for the night, but I thought I'd squeeze this in.

I still haven't posted about Christmas, which I will. Later. It's sad how behind I am.

Luke and I went to the doctor today for our first real checkup with Dr. Winn. (Love her, BTW.) I'm 11 weeks along with baby #2 and all looks well. Even got to see the baby wiggling around a little bit, which was really cool. I go back in four weeks.

Weeks six through about nine were touch and go as far as sickness goes - some MAJOR bloating, "evening" sickness, and heartburn set in during that time. Now, everything seems to be getting better each day. I just can't let myself get hungry at all, or it's all over. It's weird to say, but it gets annoying having to eat something all of the time since I love to eat so much. Nothing really sounds good, so it's like force feeding. But again, I'm not complaining. Bring it on, baby #2. Maternity pants are not far away.

My pregnancy with Cooper started out nothing like this. Maybe it's because I'm older, or maybe it's a girl??? We will find that out the end of March. Here's the second baby pic. The first one is much smaller.

Love of Reading

All I have to do when I'm down is look at this picture and die laughing. Sums up my boys.

Finally.

Says it all. We are all SUPER excited, and cannot be more thankful to God for the long-awaited blessing coming our way in August. Coop's world is about to be rocked!

Things I want to remember

Happy New Year to everyone! I've resolved to blog more this year, just when I think of things. Big or small entries, etc.

Here is an update on Cooper. He went to his three-year appt. a while ago, and he weighs about 36 pounds and is 38.5 inches tall. 90th percentile on height, and about 70th on weight, which is normal for his height. He comprehends, learns, draws and converses at a four year-old level, which is not surprising. He might as well be 16 if you ask me. Still very opinionated, strong-willed and independent. Love him.

Words he can now recognize and spell:
IKEA (lol)
AT&T (the phones)
Lock and unlock (the car keys)
Sara
Luke
Cooper
Hejl

He can write the "C-O-O" in his name, but "P-E-R" is pretty hard.

Fave songs:
"Free Fallin'" Tom Petty
"I'm Yours" Jason Mraz
"Hot and Cold" Katy Perry (yeah, I know, but it's catchy)
"All Wrapped Up, All Tied Up" (tangled up in God ...)
"Sweet" No Doubt (that's a longtime fave song, also dubbed the "Weee-oooo" song)

He's a cutie! I'll post Christmas stuff later. I need to post some cute pics.

Merry (Late) Christmas!

"The Shack"

I just finished reading this book in only three nights, and man, what a story! If you haven't read this book, Christian or non-Christian, read it. I really don't read religious fiction at all. It wasn't the best book of all time, but it made me think, cry, brood with anger, laugh, and calm down a bit. I'm still human and I don't understand everything, but this book made me understand even less and believe even more.

Some people loved it. Some people hated it. You who've read it: What do you think?

2008 Best Christmas Songs

I know, I haven't been the best blogger lately. But, we've been a little busy here at the Hejl household. Thanksgiving was good and full of food as always. Luke took a trip to Big Bend to hike with some buddies and had a blast. I went to Cleburne for my little sister's baby shower. She got some major loot!

Last year, I created a best/worst list of Christmas songs and singers thereof. This year, I've enjoyed TWO different Christmas music stations that have allowed me to branch out in my Christmas music discoveries - SIRIUS "Holly" station and of course, Majic 95.5 here in Austin. Cooper has learned quite a few songs this year from me listening to the radio. His favorite as of yet is Wonderful Christmastime by Paul McCartney and Wings. Man, this is MY child.

2008 faves:
- Winter Wonderland - Eurythmics (I love Annie Lennox)
- Merry Christmas, Baby - The Beach Boys
- Rudolph, The Red-Nosed Reindeer - Jack Johnson
- Someday at Christmas - Jackson 5 (one with the biggest political statement, but a good one)
- Step Into Christmas - Elton John
- Little Drummer Boy/Peace on Earth - David Bowie and Bing Crosby
- Somethin' About Christmastime - Bryan Adams
- Christmas Wrapping - The Waitresses
- Rockin' Around the Christmas Tree - Brenda Lee (a classic)

Most overplayed:
- Do You Hear What I Hear? - Whitney Houston (I mean, I'm nothing if not a fan, but seriously this one is on all of the time.)
- Last Christmas - George Michael (oh dear)

Most depressing songs, other than last year's Another Auld Lang Syne by Dan Fogelberg:
- Where Are You Christmas? - Faith Hill (ugh)
- I'll Be Home for Christmas - Josh Groban (With the military messages within the song. Heavens.)
- Christmas Shoes - not sure, but whoever it is, it's so cheesy, it's sob-worthy)

I'm sure I'll think of more soon. Hope everyone's having a great holiday so far!

Card Sale at PCC

Another card plug: Order your holiday photo cards today and get FREE SHIPPING and 15% off from Photo Card Cafe'. Just today though, so jump right on in. :)

Train

A couple of weeks ago, Cooper and I rode the Zilker Train in Austin with our friends, Charis and Colt. It was LOTS of fun. Such an Austinish thing to do. These guys are great buds.

ACUer in the making

A couple of weeks ago, we ventured out to Abilene for the homecoming festivities. It was great to see people from times of "yore" (Friends reference) and eat some awesome food. A couple of the better pictures ...

Homage to Daddy.

PCC Plug

Take a look at our latest blog entry at Photo Card Cafe'. The holidays are already here, so order early if you can!