Making simple memories

 It was pretty darn cold on Claire's birthday!

 Celebrating a beautiful friend

 Girls' dinner out

 Someone focusing real hard on coloring

 A candid moment with my man

 Snowy face

 The face of a little gal who is rockin' the potty train

I love my little family, and I love my friends. Both bring me so much joy! I am a people's person, and get charged by being around people, more specifically friends and family. I'm expecting that after Lucy arrives there will be a period of time when I won't be able to get out and see friends as often, and I probably won't get tons of quality family time. The last few weeks, and the next few weeks, it's my goal to really soak up time with the special people in my life! It doesn't need to be anything earth shattering, just simple and special time with great people. Here are pictures of the last few weeks, and I hope to post pictures over the next few weeks before Lucy arrives!

Less than one month to go

Oh.my.word. 

Just typing the title of the blog got me a tad nervous! Of course I'm exited, thrilled, and elated, but believe me...nervous and anxious are among those feelings as well!

My due date is 2.27.13, but because Avery was so big, my doctors want to induce me at 39 wks (a week early) to help with the size of the baby. Of course I'm totally fine with that, and that would put Lucy's arrival on/around 2.20.13. Ahh!

Maybe you can blame it on the 'nesting mentality', but I've been saying no to a lot more lately, or at least trying to. I'm really trying to protect my/our calendar and if I don't say no to certain things (even the really good things in life), the next month will fly by (even faster than it naturally will) without any quality time spent with Avery and John. Saying no is hard for me, but I'm finding so much value in not running around, not being over-committed, and being a little more inward focused. Sometimes I feel selfish about it, but then I realize it's not selfish at all to want to focus on my family, and our little unit before we add another person to the mix!

There's a part of me that gets sad when I think about what Avery's life will be like in a month...very different! There's no way around it. Her life will be totally different. I know it's not a bad thing, just different. But different is usually hard at first. I hope I adjust well, too. I hope I don't lose my patience (who are we kidding?!) too much. I told John a few weeks ago that I want us both to make a concerted effort to spend quality/special time with Avery after Lucy is born. Even just a simple trip to the store, or taking her on a walk will remind her how much we love her. Ok...I'm rambling.

Please pray for me. I'm getting anxious. I'm feeling nervous. God has it all under control.

My Crowded Mind

I haven't written a blog post since NYE, so I figured I'd update those who are interested on what's been going on the last few weeks. A lot is about to come out...get ready...!

* I'm currently 34 weeks pregnant, and since my doctors are planning to induce at 39 weeks (because of how big Avery was), that means I only have 5 weeks left!

* My girlfriends threw me a small and intimate shower over the weekend at my favorite coffee shop! It was so nice to just hang out with these friends and celebrate Lucy!

* We are registering Avery for preschool over the next few weeks (she'll be starting in the fall), and it just seems unreal that our 'baby' will be in a school environment! Wasn't she just a newborn??

* My mom is in town and still has a week left here, and has doing all things helpful: cleaning, laundry, cooking, and running errands. She's learned that she must earn her keep at this house. Kidding!

* I've joined a Bible study at Peninsula Community Chapel called, 'Brave' by Angela Thomas and I'm excited about it! It meets every Thursday morning, and Avery is watched there in the childcare program.

* We started potty training Avery about 2 weeks ago, and she has been doing great! She is averaging about 1 potty accident a day. She doesn't usually tell us when she has to use the potty, we just put her on it every 45 min or so, but it's been working well!

* Lucy's nursery is almost done. We're just waiting for two things to arrive in the mail: the same pink paper lanterns we did in Avery's room, and a decal with her name and a scripture verse on it for her wall.

* I love Sweet Italiam Creme creamer. 

* I'm trying to keep life a little more on the simple side lately, in preparation for when Lucy comes. There are weeks when our schedule is jammed packed, and other weeks when we have nothing going on at all. Saying no is really hard for me (both of us, actually), so it's been a bit of a challenge.

* John has been working hard to get the new upstairs bathroom (it's going to be the girls' bathroom so we don't always have to bathe them downstairs. Our upstairs bathroom doesn't have a tub so bathing them in a shower stale would be a bit tricky) ready, and it's coming along great! We still need the sink and granite top on the vanity, and the vent fan in the ceiling, but other than that it's done! Avery took her first bath in it a few nights ago. He started the project while I was in NY visiting family almost 2 yrs ago, so it's a project we've both been itching to complete for a while now :)

* My sister is coming down this weekend for a short visit, and I'm really excited to see her! I haven't seen her since the end of July!

* My brother, and his family are coming down for a visit the end of June and we're super excited about that, too! That's a great time of year down here; not too hot and lots of fun outdoor things to do. They are bringing my niece and nephew, 4 and 6 which will be fun for Avery!!

* We took maternity pictures with the same photographer who is going to be taking Lucy's newborn pictures and we are so happy with how they came out! It was pretty cold, but that just meant we got to snuggle even closer :)

* I am so thankful that I get to stay home with Avery! She is a blast, and I can't imagine missing out on all her craziness! Although she drives me crazy some days, there are more days than not that I look at her and feel an overwhelming love towards her.

A known and unknown 2013

As tomorrow starts 2013, there are so many things that my mind has been pondering. What will 2013 bring?

In some ways, I know what 2013 will bring: a new baby, potty training Avery, pre-school in the fall for Avery, new recipes, new movies to be seen, and the list goes on.

But then there are so many things that are unknown, and for someone like me, that can be scary! I'm a planner, an organizer, and a structured person. Will Lucy be a difficult baby? Will Avery adjust well to the transition of bringing a baby into the house? Will I be disciplined in working out? What home improvement projects will be next on the list? What trips will we take in 2013? How much poop will I scrub out of the carpet?

What do I want out of 2013? If I could give it one tag line; what would it be?? I'd say this should be my 2013 verse:

Psalm 32:8 “I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will counsel you and watch over you."

What more could a wife, mother, friend, daughter want?! I recognize my weaknesses, my insecurities, and my short comings...they are numerous! The verse above assures me that I can say goodbye to those things, and hello to strong and capable leader who will watch over me as I walk into the unknown of 2013. Thank goodness for that.

Our Eve and Day

Merry Christmas!!

I had a no fun Christmas Eve and took a fall off the front steps on my way to the car. I fell strategically on all four so I wouldn't fall on my back (which is already a mess) or my belly (because of being pregnant) and I fell on my hands and knees. My hands are totally fine, but my right knee got banged up and is very sore, and my left ankle is pretty badly sprained and swollen. I iced/elevated/compressed it on/off yesterday and I think that helped a little bit. I wasn't able to go to our Christmas Eve service, which really bummed me out (probably the first time ever that I haven't been to a Christmas Eve service!), and I couldn't make the french toast strata last night to serve this morning because I can barely put any weight on my foot and standing for that long would have made things worse. I was pretty miserable last night, but reminded myself a few times that Mary had it waaay worse traveling pregnant on a camel!

I woke up with a little less discomfort this morning, and we had a great morning opening presents with Avery and our NY family via Facetime! Avery is over the moon with her new toys, and now we're watching the old school Grinch...for the 451 this season! She loves this movie! I made a Christmas dinner (ham, mashed potatoes, corn and biscuits) and then made a new dessert (open face blueberry-blackberry pie) for us. My foot and knee were in pretty bad shape after standing and walking...nay...hobbling around the kitchen, but it was worth it because the food was oh so yummy! We were able to Skype with John's family around dinner time, and Avery opened a few more gifts from them. We had the whole day to ourselves; just the 3 of us and I must say, it was lovely! I'm a super outgoing and social person 99.9% of the time, but it was so nice to spend the day at home with no agenda, rush, or plans. Avery has gone to bed, and John and I are enjoying some quiet time on the couch.

I hope you have a restful Christmas, full of joy and peace. From our family to yours...Merry Christmas!

A different look...

I don't know what to say. My mind has been consumed this weekend over the killings that happened at Sandy Hook Elementary on Friday. I can't stop thinking about it. Having being a teacher for many years, and now a mom; I really cannot imagine going through that tragedy!

Someone posted an article on Facebook that I really liked, and summed up my feelings well. There is no need for us to go all political right now, and there's no need for us to throw our opinions at each other regarding the tragedy. Instead, just be quiet and pray. It is so much more powerful.

http://www.patheos.com/blogs/paperbacktheology/2012/12/it-was-an-act-of-madness.html

Following suit

 Here is Lucy at 28 wks

 Lucy again at 28 wks

 Avery at 31 wks

All of a sudden I wanted to see Lucy. This may sound weird, but sometimes I don't feel as 'connected' or even as cognoscente of my pregnancy with her as I did to Avery when I was pregnant with her. I just don't have the time to relish every kick, play music on my belly for her to listen to, fill out my pregnancy journal, and so on. I'm sure it's because I am chasing after a 2 yr old and this time of the year is crazy anyway without the added stress of parenting. Life is a tad busier this time around.

I told John a few days ago that I wanted to do one of those 4D ultrasounds, and was surprised that they had openings this week, so we went this evening after John got off work. The experience was different from when we went with Avery, because John was wrestling her to stay somewhat still and well-behaved and not tear the place down. She is currently obsessed with babies, and when she saw Lucy on the screen, but couldn't touch her; it sent her into a wild rampage. Funny, but not really :( When we had our ultrasound with Avery, we were all adults in the room and had 30 min of uninterrupted amazement.

Lucy is just beautiful! I know I'm partial, and of course any mother would say that, but at 7 months gestation, she looks so perfect and healthy! She has the same Dorr nose as Avery, but her lips don't look as full as Avery's did on her 4D ultrasound. She was a mix of super active, and super relaxed. Precious! I cannot wait to meet this sweet little girl. She is constantly moving, and I am always telling myself to soak up all the kicks and wiggles in my belly, because I know I will miss them after giving birth.

Lucy has done a good job of following suit and looking just as cute as her big sister!