The last stretch home

It's official- less than a month from our due date. Only four weeks remaining on this journey. It really has gone by fast and I think these last fees weeks will go by quickly- probably too quickly! We are getting very ready to meet our little girl and hold her in our arms. Even Grace mentions her baby sister once in awhile. The anticipation and excitement is starting to build so that has been fun. We think we've settled on a name but we won't commit until we meet her. She deserves some face time before we brand her for life. 

Last week I pulled a stomach muscle that was pretty painful but it seems to be healing well. Lifting Grace is becoming a little challenging but I don't it won't be much longer until will start to feel better. All in all I am actually functioning better than I was at the end with Grace so I am grateful for that. Work has not become a struggle and I hope I can keep that up for at least the next three weeks. 

I am starting to feel like a time bomb but that is to be expected and will only increase in the weeks ahead. Hopefully when I do go into labor it will be drama free- and preferably not at work! 

I'm ready to endure this small last stretch before our adorable family of three turns into a family of four! 

Happy Easter!

What a wonderful day! There is no better day than Easter to reflect on our blessings. Today our Lord rose from the dead to promise us eternal life in Heaven. There is no better news than that! What a glorious time to celebrate. 

We had a very busy Easter morning and afternoon. We attended a beautiful church service this morning which is always a joy. Grace looked especially cute in her purple and white dress- which she promptly declared as a "pretty dress" the moment she had it on. If I haven't said it before- she is ALL GIRL. I love it. After church we had lunch with the family at Nate's parents house. She always has a good time playing with her cousins. Especially now that the weather is better and she gets to play outside. After we got home we gave her her Easter basket which she quickly tore into a piece of chocolate. Last year she wasn't really sure about all of it but this year she was well aware of what lie behind that wrapper. It's fun to watch her eyes light up as she grasps more concepts and understanding the world around her. 

All in all it was a great Easter for our family. Now comes the big push until our little family of three becomes a family of four! 

35 Weeks!

35 weeks already! It all seems to be going by faster and faster! I feel like I'm in a blur of trying to get things done for her arrival and also spending good time with Grace before she's a big sister. It's still so surreal that I can't believe in a few short weeks we will be a family of four! 

Unless baby comes early, in four weeks I'll be done working full time as we wait for our little girl's arrival. It seems so far away and yet so close all at the same time! This evening I did the last load of baby laundry (I hope!) and now I just need to finishe organizing it. Next weekend we'll grab the last of the baby items from storage to prep. It's really all coming together and by the end of next weekend we should be ready- or as ready as anyone can be! 

I'm also ready for nice weather, long walks and sweet precious time with my girls. I want to hold her in my arms and enjoy every second possible during one of the most beautiful times of the year. Spring is a time if birth and re-rebirth- how wonderful to bring a new life into this world at the most magnificent time. 

42 days to go!

34 weeks down, 6 more to go. It's so close yet seems so far away! We are getting very excited around here to meet the baby sister. We have been talking a lot to Grace about sharing her room, her being a big helper/big sister and where her little sister is. It's going to be a big adjustment but I'm sure she'll do fine. 

Last weekend I got a lot accomplished by organizing Graces closet and sorting baby clothes. We are just about ready! 

Recently this little lady has been sitting on my bladder. It makes life interesting and I suppose it could be worse. The aches and pains of the third trimester have shown their heads but I know I only have to hang in there a short while longer! 

Our weather is measurably better and I'm hoping soon to be able to spend more time outside with Grace before we become a family of four! ❤️ 

The Birthday Weekend (a little late)

I can't believe our baby turned two on March 21! It seems just yesterday we brought her home. I have so greatly enjoyed the last two years caring for, loving and getting to know my sweet girl. She brightens every day our lives. I am amazed at how much she makes me laugh with her silly games and funny conversation. Her language skills are wonderful and it's such a joy to teach her new things everyday. 

For her special day we had a lot planned. It started with breakfast at Deboers with Granny and Boppie followed by some play time at their house while we had a Dr appointment for our expected baby girl. We had cupcakes, sang happy birthday and opened presents with them before we came home for lunch and a nap. 

The birthday evening was dinner out at Applebee's with my Aunt Deb and cousin Sarah who came all the way from Bay City to help up celebrate. After dinner we did cake and presents just the three of us. It was special as it was her last birthday as an only child! 

Saturday morning we took her to the hotel with my aunt and cousin to go swimming. She wanted no part of the pool and it was short lived. We came back to our house for presents and play time before they had to head back across the state. In the afternoon we planned on taking her to see a dinosaur exhibit but the wait was too long, so instead we went to the zoo. It was chilly but we bundled up to see penguins, monkey's, a mountain lion and lots of other animals. The three of us had such a good time and it was the highlight of the weekend. 

                         Penguins! 

             Look at the fish daddy! 

               At the Monkey House 

It wasn't a conventional birthday but it was perfect for us and I wouldn't have had it any other way. 

Happy 2nd Birthday to our giggly, smart and beautiful baby girl. 

Only 7 weeks less....

33 weeks already! The weeks keep going by faster and faster. As the weeks seem to speed up so does my mind! There is so much to do and I just want to get it all done. I know I will because that's how I work, but it is still a stress. This weekend I am hoping to get the girls room organized and maybe even go through some baby clothes! How fun! 

Baby girl has been moving around a lot the past few days and I'm wondering where the rest of her is going to fit for the next 6-7 weeks! It's not too painful yet, but she does seem to be putting some pressure on my right ribs which is pretty uncomfortable. I am however grateful that sleep is still my friend. I have not been losing much sleep and am therefore able to function at a pretty high level. 

We continue to wait for the weather to improve which seems like a never ending battle. I am truly hopeful that by the time this nugget shows up we will have good weather on a regular basis! 

49 days or less hopefully we will have a beautiful baby girl, summer like weather and love exploding everywhere! ❤️