its a...

Girl! We were so blessed and excited to find out Tuesday that we 've got a healthy baby girl on the way! I asked the technician if she looked like she was average size, and so far so good. To be honest, I think that size is my number one concern when I think about her (i know that there are a lot more important things to be worried about) but oh well. I don't have huge hopes of her being a lot smaller than Henry (10 pounds 10 ounces), but I'm hoping/praying for her to be at least a little smaller. The doctor told me the only thing I could do was to watch my weight. Does how much weight you gain have a huge impact on how big your baby is? I didn't gain a ton of weight with Henry and he was still so big.

We have very few names in the mix, so it wil be interesting to see when we actually come up with one:) We've been terrible at taking pictures, so I'll post one of a place I'd like to be right now...



p.s. I have nothing against big babies (actually they are awesome), just not birthing them!

20 weeks

This past week I hit the 20 week mark! I'd say I'm "halfway through," but can you really say that when you didn't know you were pregnant for 1/4 of it?! We find out in two weeks what we are having! Besides being a little sleepy, I feel great and am thankful.

We really haven't had a lot going on (no worries though. I just bought a phone that is supposed to "unleash my social life!") Watch out world.



We've been sick, but I think that 75% of families are sick this time of year anyway. I feel like our day is spent trying to just fill it so that Henry and I don't go stir crazy and we don't spend half the day watching Mickey Mouse.




Overall, I'm thankful that it has been a mild winter thus far. I'm already getting spring fever (yikes), but want to be content with what season we are in now (even if that means a LOT of time inside)!

Geaux Tigers!

We've had a week to detox from Christmas/New years, and it has been surprisingly warm! The darkness of winter is hard on me, so I've been seeing this week as a complete blessing from the Lord. We even got out yesterday for a bike ride (which we normally would not have been able to in January without freezing) and was reminded again why we don't bike ride often! Ha, it is so hilly here, that I was exhausted only after going a little while. Well, at least we tried! We want Henry to grow up in an active home, so we might have to be a little more creative with our outings, or I might just have to get into better shape:)

We have some students coming over tonight for the National Championship. I've missed having consistent interaction with students, so it will be a good way to get to know some new people and hang out. We've having chili, but maybe Cajun would have been more appropriate! Geaux Tigers!

a shameless plug

Katie, my sister in law gave me a "Mama bird's nest" necklace for Christmas (that she made) and I think that it is such a cute idea! She just started an etsy account that you should check out. Message me if you are interested and I'll send you the info!


My mom's necklace (there are three of us)



Katie's necklace (she has a two year old and is pregnant)



Speaking of that two year old, here are some super cute pictures of Henry and his cousin...






(don't let the hugs, smiles, etc. fool you, they had their fare share of spats too!)

christmas with a 18 month old

Normally we don't decorate for Christmas. With three families to visit and our time off before Christmas (we have Christmas conference for students soon after the 25th), we've never been around long enough to really go through the "trouble." This year, however, I really wanted to do something! Our "something" was an artificial tree that we placed on a side table so that the stinker (aka Henry) could not get to it as easily. We taught him to wave at the tree versus touch it, which has worked on our parents big trees as well!




We've already been to Hank's two families, where Henry LOVED the commotion and activity with his three cousins! South Carolina is where we currently are and are awaiting the rest of the family to get in to town.



(can you tell Henry was excited?!)

where did October go?

I realize that it is the middle of November and it's a little late to be asking that question. I'm slowing coming out of the first trimester hole, and am a little shocked that Thanksgiving is NEXT week. Yep, you read that right, we are pregnant again (yay!!) We started it off with Henry and I getting a stomach virus which then lead straight into morning sickness. Hank has been awesome and has served us well, but I'm ready to get back to "normal!" All I know is that things are a lot different this time around. I have plans to be in my pregnancy jeans WAY earlier than last time not because they are super comfy but because I'm going to NEED to! I guess your body just knows what to do?

We are currently at a Crusade staff conference in Alexandria, VA. (currently, Hank is at the conference and I'm in our hotel room while Henry sleeps) I've never been here, so I'm looking forward to seeing some of the city during our free time. We're then headed to Greenville, NC and Raleigh to celebrate Thanksgiving with Hank's family.

Here are a few pictures of Henry the past month. We were able to see my dear friend, Dena on Halloween. Her cute son Luke (the lion) and Henry had a fun time roaming around in their costumes.




We've been letting Henry play outside in the morning with his Pj s on, which he certainly doesn't mind one bit!

boys

I grew up with two brothers, so you would think that I would have been prepared/informed about little boys. Sometimes I just have to stop and stare at Henry in amazement as I realize just how differently we were created. I saw a link on facebook that said this



and thought "what a true statement!" Henry is definitely a dirt loving, noise making, active machine! I took a few pictures yesterday of some of Henry's favorite things to do inside (of course this doesn't even touch on the stick eating, playing in the dirt, etc. that are outside)!







I have however, decided that I want to encourage his loud, adventurous spirit and truly give him the freedom to be a boy. Hank and I have been reading Wild Things: The Art of Nurturing Boys and I would HIGHLY recommend it. Anyone else have a good "boy" book?!



I'm so thankful for this little boy and look forward to experiencing his physical, emotional, and spiritual grow!