Surprise!

Hello blog world!  As we are winding down this Sunday night watching the Dallas Cowboys take on ...some other team... I figured I'd write an update on our life.  We found out this week that we are expecting again!  I haven't been to the doctor (and don't plan on going for a little while) but if my calculations are correct, Baby T will be due June 13, 2014.  That is one day after Jeremiah was due this year.  My guess is Baby T will come a little early like his brother did.  At least I hope he will.  I am calling "it" a "he" because we don't know the gender and I can't stand calling him an "it".  Brad and I have talked about and seriously considered not finding out the gender until I give birth.  We can be pretty impatient at times, so we'll see how that goes.  It would just give extra excitement when I actually go into labor, although I'm sure it won't distract me too much.  The thought of being in labor makes me sick, but the end product is so worth it!

I could hardly believe I was pregnant, so I took 3 tests to be sure.  They were all positive.  My mother told me yesterday that a woman is most fertile right after having a baby if she's not breastfeeding.  I guess I believe it.  ;)

The proof is in the...blue line?...

To sum it all up, we pretty much have a repeat of last year, only with a child already.  The good things about this are: 
(1) I have plenty of winter/spring pregnancy clothes
(2) If it's a boy, we have plenty of clothes, toys, etc
(3) If it's a girl, we can use Ellee's old clothes
(4) We have all the carseats, strollers, bouncers, swings, etc. so the only things we will need are diapers, an extra Bumbo, and a two-seat stroller
(5) I get to go through pregnancy again.  I get to feel the baby inside my womb moving around and growing.
(6) We have another baby to love all over.  I can hardly wait.

The "bad" things are:
(1) I get to go through pregnancy again.  I might get sick this go-round but I might not.  We'll see. 
(2) I don't like having to be near a bathroom and having to "double pee" (self-explanatory). 
(3) I also don't like gaining weight, especially when I haven't lost all the weight from the previous baby.  I am on a serious no/very low sweets diet and am exercising almost every day to try to lose as much as possible before gaining again.
(4) I have to listen to people tell me how "hard" it is having two children in diapers and how I better stop after this one because it might get even harder.  I will just say that children are a blessing and I am very thankful for this new baby.
(5) I won't be able to make my planned trip to Africa next fall to visit my sis- and bro-in-law and their kiddos because I'll have a 15-month old and a 3-month old.


I want to take a minute to recap what the past year has held for us.  God has blessed us so much and shows His faithfulness over and over again.  We were living and working in Columbia when we found out we were expecting Jeremiah.  Along the way, we wanted to move to Aiken to be close to our families.  We prayed and prayed for Him to work it out for us.  To make a long story short, He provided us with a place to live, He provided Brad and great job so I could stay at home with Jeremiah, and He has continued to meet all of our needs.  Right before I found out I was pregnant with Baby T, Brad got a huge raise at work.  God has been so good to us and we are so thankful for everything He has done!

Pause for some Jeremiah froggy cuteness

 Maw Maw and Paw Paw are here visiting this week.  We love them.

Anyway, that covers life these days.  Brad and I are spending our evenings trying to figure out what to name the baby if it's a boy (we already have a girl name).  This could be a long process...

Until next time,

Hannah Elise

4 Months of Baby Love

I can't wrap my mind around the fact that I am the mother of a four month old baby. 

He has grown so much and his little personality is developing.  He has the cutest laugh I've ever heard.  Sometimes we can really get him going and he just giggles and giggles.  I love his big open-mouthed-tongue-out smile.  He has my heart in his little hands.

He loves to bounce on my knee.  He loves when Brad flies him around like a plane.  He calls it "Jeroplane".  I love seeing them together.  Brad is a wonderful father and a great example for Jeremiah to watch and learn from. 

Jeremiah has started to grasp objects in his hands and bring them to his mouth.  He is definitely in the oral fixation stage.  He always has his hands in his mouth, which makes for a very messy baby.  When his hands are not in his mouth, he enjoys chewing on his blanket.  He still won't take a pacifier but I still try to get him to take it from time to time.  He especially likes to grab my hair and Brad's long beard...

He is such a well-mannered baby for the most part, although he has a temper that he shows from time to time.  Good thing Mommy is more stubborn than baby! 

I truly enjoy every minute I get to spend with my precious boy.  He is one of my greatest blessings.

Happy 4 month birthday son!  We love you so much!

With love,

Hannah Elise