bumpdate {17 weeks}

I just realized.. I haven't said much about the new baby or my pregnancy thus far.  So here's the skinny:

I am 3 for 3 now being pregnant with a condition called Hyperemesis Gravidarum.  This condition affects less than 2% of pregnant women, but women who've had this condition in one pregnancy are more likely to have it in subsequent pregnancies.  Essentially, HG is characterized by chronic vomiting, resulting in dehydration, malnutrition, difficulty with daily activities, weight loss, and physical and emotional stress on the body.  Check, check, check, etc!

Since I've already lost more than 5% of my per-pregnancy weight, I am on a treatment plan of Zofran injections and IV therapy when needed.   Some days are better than others!  The "good" days are spent chowing down and drinking as much as I possibly can, while the bad days are usually when our house gets unbearably messy and the kids go bezerk!

He or she has measured heartbeats of 172 bpm at the sonogram, followed by 142 at my last appointment.  I'm measuring right on schedule, and right now, the baby is approximately the size of an onion.  Stay tuned :)

swimming with dolphins {cabo}

 In Cabo, James surprised Ava and I with an afternoon of swimming with dolphins.  It was just.. wow.  Everyone should experience this at least once!!!!!!!!  When we arrived, they made us take out our ponytails, jewelry.. absolutely nothing except your swimsuit could go in the very salty water with the dolphins.  Our particular dolphin was a teenage girl named Ende.  I couldn't believe how smart she was!  And how much of a personality she had.  You could talk to her like a human and she'd respond :)  I'll explain along the way..

 our first experience was a "meet your dolphin" free swim.  We were in a group of 7, plus Ava and I.  Ende wanted us to rub her belly.  Ava still liked Ende at this point.

 see.. Ava looooves Ende!

 dolphin kiss on the cheek..

 and then the dolphin got the wrong idea and tried to french kiss me..

 Ava did not like this.

 the next step was an above water ride.  you had your choice between a fast or slow ride, and you held both hands onto her dorsal fin and away you go.  

SHE WAS FAST.  

I WAS NOT PREPARED.  

KEEP YOUR MOUTH SHUT IF YOU EVER DO THIS.

DO NOT SNORT SALTY DOLPHIN WATER WHILE LAUGHING.

 Ava does not like Ende anymore.  She sees that I lied to her.. Ende DOES have teeth.  Damn.  Mommy fail!  Ende likes to pose for pictures.

The next adventure was the underwater ride.  One hand on the dorsal fin, one hand on the pectoral fin.  She does a straight dive underwater and takes you down for about 25 seconds. 

25 SECONDS IS A LONG TIME.

Ava can't do this one, because she doesn't like Ende and because she can't go underwater that long.  I got to ride twice.  Yay me!

 also, I was not prepared for the jump out of the water when we came up. ^ this is me gasping for air.

while i was underwater, ava tells our trainer (david) that it's my birthday.  everyone sings to me, including Ende.. then showers me with a water fountain :)  Ava laughs.  maybe she can like Ende once again?

 and I had to reward Ende for spitting.

next, the dolphins put on a little show.  they raced, did jumps, played with balls, etc.  I got to do the first jump, because it was my birthday.  other than that, the trainers did the commands.   Ava thinks mommy is really cool and Ende is.. okay.

 After that, Ende came up and gave the girls in our group a big splash with her fluke.  Ava thought it was hilarious and decided Ende wasn't so bad.

and we said goodbye to our new friend, and Ava rubbed her and gave her a hug.  she said "she feels smooth and rubbery!"  if you ask her if she had fun, she will say "yeah, it was SO fun, but i wouldn't do it again" :)

and daddy and buddy got their own snapshot with a dolphin, but I believe this is Richie, Ende's boyfriend.

a couple more pics..

the pictures that need no title {cabo san lucas, mexico}

I hope you enjoy these pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them.  We are soooo lucky to have such beautiful children, but also to be able to feed off their energy and experience such happiness with them each and every day.  Ok, enough of that.... enjoy!

and last, but certainly not least.. 

this picture makes me laugh, makes me sigh "awww," and makes me want to put it on a Hallmark card.  Aiden is getting some early and good practice in the art of dealing with women :)