Ready or Not......

....Baby #2 is on its way! Yup you heard right. We are expecting another little addition to the family. I am 12 weeks along. With a due date of February 5th...which just happen's to be the same day as my wonderful dad's birthday.

I remember a few day's after Hannah was born Jake asked, "When can we have another??". To which I replied "I'm thinking 1 is plenty". Having a newborn is hard physically, mentally, and emotionally. Sleep deprivation pretty much defines life those first couple of month's.

But once that little newborn becomes a toddler, you start to forget all those trial's and just reflect on the good things. Like the first time the little princess smiled at you, or started using her hand's to reach, or the first time she slept through the night, or that first little laugh that melted our heart's to pieces. I can't wait for those things to happen all over again. And to meet this little boy/girl for the first time and fall head over heal's in an instant.

There have been a few differences in pregnancies thus far. Morning sickness never really made an appearance when I was pregnant with Hannah. This one is a horse of a different color. It has been all day sickness with an emphasis in the afternoon and evening. Saltine cracker's quickly became my best friend. Now that I'm getting closer to the 2nd trimester I'm starting to get my energy back and I'm feeling a lot less nauseous.

Back when I was 9 week's pregnant I had my first doctor appointment and we got our first pictures of the little munchkin. It was so neat seeing his/her little heart beating strong and fast, and to see those little arm's flailing. We couldn't be happier.



And to keep with tradition here is Baby #2 Bump at 12 Weeks

Buster

This adorable stuffed animal that Hannah is playing with is Buster (aka "Bubba").

Buster is Hannah's comfort object. She takes him e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e. Today I learned something new about Buster. This cute little stuffed dog is absolutely vital for Hannah to fall asleep.

Buster was in dire need of a wash and when she shoved him down by her dirty diaper in the middle of a diaper change I decided that no time was better than now. So I gave her a baby as a Buster replacement when I put her down for her nap.

Bad idea mom.

She played with baby for an hour in her crib. Apparently baby = playtime. She finally did fall asleep, but for a while there things were looking pretty hopeless. From now on Buster will A) stay off the changing table and B) never be washed when Hannah is going down for naptime/bedtime.

I have another realization to share. We need to invest in a back-up Buster.

"Come what may, and love it"

Remember how yesterday was mine and Jake's Anniversary? Well, it kinda didn't turn out as planned. I shall give you 2 scenarios, and you take a guess which one really happened...

Scenario 1: Jake comes home from work at his usual time. He bring's home hand picked flower's and a sweet card. We BBQ steak, chicken, and veggies and eat in the backyard. We watch Hannah play in the sprinkler's and then go out for ice cream. After ice cream I take Jake to Lowe's (because he loves that store and we never go). When at Lowe's I surprise him by letting him pick out whatever wood and supplies he need's to build us something for our home (because he has always wanted to).

Scenario 2: Jake comes home from work at 4:30 sick and in pain. I give him time to rest and get him things he need's. He wasn't able to move from the couch until late in the evening. Hannah is out of sight for a few minutes and when she return's she hand's her dad a big wad of wet tissue. I go to the bathroom only to find the trash bin empty and the toilet bowl full to the rim with soiled soaking tissue. I put my gloves on and spend the evening picking out trash from the toilet, washing off the floor, and scrubbing down our little girl. Hannah and I walk to the store and on our way home stop for a snow cone which end's up spilling on my cell phone and damages it. Jake and I have a hard time falling asleep and don't get to sleep until the wee hours of the morning.

Which one did you pick?

Answer: Scenario 2

Needless to say it wasn't a great day. The day I pictured didn't happen. The celebration I hoped for turned into a normal day in the life of a young family. Jake is feeling much better today and I have managed to keep Hannah occupied so that another "incident" hasn't taken place. Yay.

As the day unfolded there were times I wanted to cry...I know pity poor me. But I realized how much I have to be greatful for. And if yesterday was the worst day ever, I still have it pretty good. There are mom's out there who go without eating to make sure their children have enough to eat, or husband's who go to war and have to leave their families, or homes where abuse and neglect take place, the list goes on and on...I have a lot to be thankful for.

I was talking to my mom on the phone yesterday about all that was happening and she pointed out that she was glad I was laughing. Laughing is so much easier than crying. If you want to read a great talk on overcoming adversity go here and read Elder Wirthlin's talk titled "Come What May, and Love it". It is a talk that has stuck with me over the year's. I am so thankful to be a member of this church and to have modern day revelation that seem's to be instructions directed right at me.

4 Year's and Counting

4 year's ago today Jake and I were married in the Oakland California Temple. What a perfect and special day it was. A great beginning to a wonderful marriage. I didn't think it was possible to love Jake more than I did that day, but I do.

Watching him become a father multiplied my love by about 9434789 times. He does so much for our family and still has the endless energy to play with our girl until bedtime. When he is home and Hannah has a dirty diaper he immediately changes it without being asked and even without a second thought. When he serves her, he is serving me. When he does the dishes he is pretty much winning over my heart all over again.

Yup, Hannah and I are lucky girls. He not only expresses love through service but verbally too. "I Love You" is definitely the most common phrase used in our house. I love that.

Thank you for 4 wonderful year's Jake! I can't wait to see how much more I will love you next year.