Hello, Second Trimester!

Dear Littlest One,

Thanks to your brother and sister, mommy has been without a computer for the last few weeks. My phone really doesn't lend itself to blogging, so I don't have letters for you for those weeks. BUT daddy got us all fixed up with a new laptop and I'm happy to tell you what we've been up to! We hear that you're the size of a Shrimp this week, which is incredible. I sometimes forget I'm even pregnant (except for when I don't feel well... then I remember!). I still don't have what feels like a baby belly, but my clothes aren't fitting well anymore, and my jeans haven't been buttoned in weeks. We got to see more pictures of you at an ultrasound a few weeks ago. You were moving like crazy, waving your arms and kicking. You are such a person, even so little!  I can't wait to see how you wiggle yourself into our lives. It's funny to think about what our family will look like next year. When Emma was born, we couldn't imagine life any different, and then Jack came along and we don't know what we did without him! You're going to change us again, and it will be wonderful. Emma loves asking if you're coming out yet. She can't wait to meet you! Mommy started running again this week, and I hope I can keep it up. It's getting cold, so I might need to run on Mom Mom's treadmill instead of outside, but I'm determined to stay healthy for you! Happy 13th week, little one.

xoxo,
Mommy

{ten weeks already!}

Dear Littlest One,

We got to see you for the first time this week! Daddy and I both went to my first appointment and we got to see you and hear your heartbeat on an ultrasound. You were moving like crazy, waving your little arms and legs. It made my heart so glad to see you strong and healthy! Mommy is feeling much better these days, but I'm still very tired all the time. I think that has more to do with the fact that Jack has given up his trend of sleeping through the night, though. He's been waking me up at midnight almost every night this week... what's with that silly big brother of yours? Emma is as excited as ever to meet you. I didn't think she would really understand when we told her there was a baby in my belly, but she definitely does. She loved the ultrasound picture and any time she sees a newborn baby she asks if ours can be just like that one. She's gotten to see lots of newborn pictures lately thanks to so many of our friends having babies this month! We can't wait for it to be our turn :)

xoxo,
Mommy

the littlest one

Dear Littlest One,

We were so surprised a few weeks ago when the pregnancy test daddy made me take was positive! I didn't think I was pregnant, but daddy was pretty sure I was. Turns out he was right! I was pretty sick for a few weeks afterward, and very very tired, but with lots of help (especially from daddy and Aunt Jen!) I was able to keep my chin up and press on. Emma is very excited to meet you, and she's pretty sure you are a girl. Every time we ask, she says she's going to have a baby sister. Jack doesn't know about you yet, but we know he'll be excited once you get here. He loves baby Owen and gets so excited every time he comes over. I can't wait for him to meet you for the first time! You're 9 weeks new, and growing like crazy. Stay cozy in there, and feel free to take up lots of room. Mommy's ready to look pregnant instead of just lumpy!

xoxo,

Mommy

hello there!

Photo Credit Alyssa Bouma

Whew... with two little ones running around (well, one is running... Jack is still crawling at the moment!) my blog has really been put no the back burner. I would say that I'm sorry about that, but I'm not! These days you're more likely to find me quieting a fussy baby doll (while Emma "nurses" another fussy doll), playing peek a boo with my son, watering our new tree, making home cooked meals, or loving on my little ones than sitting on my computer, blogging. Don't get me wrong - I miss it sometimes! I miss being able to share fun finds with you (heck, I miss getting a chance to find those interesting things to share with you!), and I miss sharing pictures of pretty houses with you. But I know that someday my babies will be grown and I'll have all the time in the world to blog. For now, I'm going to try and pop in every once in a while like I have been. If things get quiet around here, just picture me laying on the floor laughing hysterically in a pile of children and know that all is well!

{recently}

My, what a busy May it's been! Here's a little peek at what we've been up to...

Headed to Idaho!

One of our favorite places in the world :)

Pancakes! Elephant? I think?

This happened a lot on our trip...

Emma with her sweet friend, Darcy

Lots of hubby time!

He's a sweetie!

Loving on Dad

New suburban for me!!

I made this cake for my Hubby's Aunt...

... it took a while, but I love how it turned out!

I love that little lady (even when she's screaming from her room like right now).

{Ahoy, it's a Boy}

Jen posted about the baby shower my Mom and I threw for her on Saturday. She took all the photos (except for the one of her opening gifts - it was the one photo I was able to snap while trying to wrangle both my kiddos!). I made the cakes and decorations, and my Mom did all the food!

Be sure to check out Jen's blog for more photos!

{have a good day}

Love this from Design Darling, especially since it's all stuff that I can do as a stay at home mom :)

{face lift}

Whew.... life is so much crazier with 2 kids than it was with just 1! I'm afraid the blog is the first thing to be put on hold when things get busy, but that's how it is. Hopefully I'll get back into the swing of things soon and get to posting more :) For now, enjoy the new look!

{all emma}

I love that little girl.

{seriously cute}

{images via}

How adorable are these cross stitch portraits from Martha Stewart? I saw them on Design Editor this morning and can't stop thinking about them! I've done cross stitch a few times and would love to try this. I think I just might have found my next crafting project....

{some little things}

 Jack cracks me up in his pack and play. He loves it (he'll hang out in there for 20 minutes before he gets bored - Emma only lasted about 30 seconds when she was his age!) Here he's trying to lick the mesh.

Spring is here (or is it summer? it sure feels like it!). These beauties bloomed in my back yard this week. I love fresh flowers, especially free ones!

I found Emma in Jack's bouncer the other day. She looks so innocent, and I'm still not sure how she got in there by herself. She's going to be an acrobat some day!

Jack's been moving like crazy, and had just bumped his head on the coffee table in the top photo. He's playing safe and sound in his pack n play in the second. I think he's adorable in both :)

I got bored on Monday and decided to bake a cake. I think it turned out pretty cute (and it tasted good, too)!

Bran doesn't like having his photo taken, but he gave in for a shot with me and Jack. We went to DC with Bran's best friend (and one of my best friends, too) and his new girlfriend. We have a great time hanging out with them!

{linking up with Lindsay over at Hello Hue!}

{spring, sweet paul style}

{images via}

Happy first day of spring! March is giving us all it's got today with dark skies and moody winds, but I'm staying cheerful thanks to the Spring issue of Sweet Paul magazine. You should definitely check it out!

{for Lisa}

Jack is getting so big - he scoots everywhere now!

Emma loves helping Daddy work on his truck. The tires are just about as big as her!

Emma with her first cousins, once removed (thanks to Valerie for helping me figure out that one!)

Bananas are a favorite.

Free Pancake Day at Ihop - Emma ate all THREE of her pancakes before I even knew what was going on. I would have taken one (or two!) away if I knew what she was doing! But she didn't seem to get a tummy ache so I guess it was ok!

They hold hands all the time and neither of them minds it. It's really sweet, especially when they hold hands in the car. Jack will be fussing, and Emma will hold his hand and calm him down. They love each other more than I realized two babies could.

She's a goober and I love her.