When We Become 4...

So, I'd be dishonest if I said I'm not nervous about bringing baby #2 into this world.  I was really pulling for today because I thought it would be fun to have a little birthday buddy, especially if this baby is a girl.  Can you imagine the birthday mani/pedi's for years to come?

Anyway, I'm nervous.  People do this all the time and it's totally normal.  It's just that our family doesn't do this all the time.  We've been a family of 3 almost as long as a family of 2.

Rory was born just 5 days shy of our 5th wedding anniversary.  (Oh gracious, look how young we look!)

Rory will be 3 months shy of 5 when his little brother or sister comes.

We have a good system going here and we've had 5 years to perfect it.  I've jokingly told people this little one is going to rock Rory's world but I think it's going to rock ours just as much!  (In a grand and wonderful way!)

Rory is nearly independent with most basic things.  He can go to the bathroom by himself.  I've strategically placed healthy snacks and drinks where he can get to them on his own.  With Josh's work schedule we are quite independent.  If we want to go do something the two of us load up in the car and go.  We are done with sippy cups, diapers, formula, etc and now we are starting back at square one.  Our original intention was not to space our children so far apart but then life happens and you have to go with it.  I've heard from LOTS of mothers that the 5 year age gap is wonderful, though.  I'll keep you posted. :)

Please don't mistake me--we are beyond thrilled about this new arrival and would not have it any other way.  I'm just nervous about the logistics.  How does 1 mom get 2 kids in the car?  How does 1 mom take a shower with 2 kids to keep an eye on?  How does 1 mom go grocery shopping with 2 kids in the cart?  How does....my list could really go on and on.  It must be possible because parents do it with 2 and then go on to have 3 or 4.

Just in pregnancy alone quite a bit has changed in 5 years.  I've been doing "kick counts" which is essentially making sure the baby moves at least 10 times in a one hour period twice a day.  It's fun--I've really gotten to know the movements of this little one and I may have another soccer player on my hands!  I don't remember doing that before though.  The vitamins are different.  Recommended vaccines are different.  Lunch meat has now been added to the list of things you aren't "supposed" to eat.  (**Do you know how bad I want a turkey sandwich?**)  BUT, babies are still the same, right?!?!

For now, I think it's one of those things that you can't know until you experience it.  As first time moms, of course, we hear all the advice from moms who have "been there done that."  While we, the first time moms, take it to heart it's not really something you can fully understand until that baby is in your arms.   With Rory I was afraid he wouldn't like us or his living accommodations.  I was afraid he would be bored and not have any fun with me and Josh.  Irrational fears, yes, but, hey, first time moms think of these things.  In the end, he loves us, loves his room, his family and appears to be having a grand time at life!   It must be the same way with baby #2.

Moms keep saying--you never think you can love the second baby like your first but then when the baby gets here, you just do.  It's something right now I can't begin to wrap my brain around but in the days ahead I will.  Our family will be growing by one but our love is going to multiply!  Oh, what an adventure this will be!  So, Josh and I are trying are best to push the nerves and anxious energy aside and get ready for this new chapter in life.

Back on the Grid!

Well, well, well....a lot has happened in the last 6 months so I kind of fell off the blogging/journaling grid.  I'm back now--all is well.  Not that anything bad happened just busy with lots of life and things kept breaking around our house.

So, since June...let me see.  The biggest and most exciting news is we found out that we are expecting baby #2!  We are thrilled to say the least.  I found out in early July after a week of church camp.  I was SO tired all week and figured I was recovering from strep throat.  Turns out bambino was already on board!  At this point, baby could and may be here any day.  My official due date is March 9th but I am oh, so ready!  We chose not to find out if we are having a boy or girl so the excitement of not knowing is what is keeping me going this last little bit.  38 weeks and counting....  I never think I look tired until I see myself in a picture.  Haha!

We went to Disney with my family in September--it was awesome!  It was beyond thrilling to see Rory so excited at the rides and characters.  He loved the nighttime parade--actually, he loved everything and so did we.  It was a blast and we will go back in 4 years or so when baby is old enough to enjoy it.  Rory said his favorite ride was Splash Mountain--he wasn't afraid at all!

In other news, I had been working 2 part time jobs and am now just working 1.  I (meaning Josh and I both) panicked about it at first but I really think it was the best thing.  God knows what He is doing and I'm thankful for that!  I love spending my mornings with Rory, dropping him off and picking him up from preschool....I've been able to sign up to help with parties and field trips in his classroom.  So much fun and something I thought I would never be able to do.  He still thinks it's cool for me to be around so I need to take advantage of this while I can.

So, the real reason I haven't blogged in oh, 6 months?  Our computer broke!  Ah!!  Yes, it took us 6 months+ to replace it but now with phones and iPads you can do almost anything.  BUT, I do all of our record keeping in Excel so I was getting desperate for an adequate replacement.  Our dryer broke and cars kept needing fixing so we had to divert computer funds elsewhere.  We bit the bullet and invested the funds.  Hopefully, this computer will last another 9 years like our old one did! : )

Hope all is well with you and yours--and I'm glad to be back to blogging!