Telling everyone

After the shock "wore" off from our news, we decided to wait to tell everyone until after we saw the doctor.  That meant 2 1/2 weeks of keeping a secret, even from our girls (they would've told everyone).   It was both easy and hard.  It was something that we didn't really talk about much, so it wasn't in our minds much.  Sounds strange, but again, I was still dealing with the shock of it all.  I prayed a lot, thanking God for this gift and asking for help accepting His time.

So the weeks went by and on Wednesday the 23rd we had our ultrasound.  Hubby was able to go with me, I think we both needed to see that sweet heartbeat. :)  Our first appt went well.  Hubby couldn't contain the news any longer and asked that we call family.  So he called his family and I called mine.  My family was also shocked but excited. lol  We called and texted close friends.

Hubby worked late that night, so I got the girls ready for bed and then when he came home we sat down on the couch together.  We read the girls a book that big sis got when baby sis was born called "I'm a big sister".  Then daddy read a comic he drew up announcing that they would be big sisters!  Big sis asked "is this for real?" lol  She's been praying for a baby for over a year, so she's super excited! Baby sis doesn't fully understand, though she's been telling people there's a baby in mommy's belly.  So I guess she does understand.  :)

All in all, we're excited, and the shock of it all is wearing off.  It'll be interesting to see how we handle 3 kids!!!

# 3

3 weeks ago today will forever be etched in my mind.  I had been feeling sick for the past few days, and I was 5 or so days late.  That monday I was laid out on the couch.  I couldn't move, I was nauseous, dizzy and had a migraine.  I texted my husband saying that he needed to come home and handle dinner.  He asked me what was going on and I said there could only be one thing.  He stopped at the store on his way home and bought a pregnancy test.  When he arrived home, I put the test away.  He asked me if I was going to do the test that minute and I said I'd wait till the morning.  I wanted to wait because I didn't want to know the answer. lol  But he really wanted to know, and curiosity got the best of me, so I went to take the test.  I locked myself in our bathroom, and as I waited for the + sign to show or not show up I heard hubby come and sit on our bed and heard 2 cute little girls follow suit.  I had wanted that time alone, but alas, that was not so.

When a couple minutes had passed, I saw it, the + sign.  My initial thought?  Joy.  Pure joy!  I said a quick prayer thanking God, then I walked out of the bathroom.  I hid the test b/c I didn't want to tell the girls.  Hubby looked at me and said "well?"  I just looked at him and laughed.  Deep down he knew, he knew before we took the test that I was pregnant.  We just sat there in silence, with 2 little girls jumping all over the place.  It was a moment of both joy and panic.  We weren't ready for this.  We weren't planning for this.  I was in SHOCK.  Hubby was ok with it all.  The first thing he said was "well we're having a summer baby"  I was anti having another summer baby. lol

For the first 2 weeks I had mixed emotions over it all.  I was confused, in shock, happy, sad... Baby sis is such a mama's girl, and to me she's still so young.  I just didn't feel like the timing was right.  But anytime I began feeling "upset" over this news, I'd remind myself, this is GOD'S timing, not mine.  There's a reason this baby is coming now and not when we had planned.  God has a plan, and I'm fine with it. :)  Thankful for this little gift and finally feeling excited.  Excited to see what God has in store for us.

So there it is, we are expecting baby #3 to arrive early June 2014!!!  The girls are super excited!

Pedis

A few days ago big sis asked that I paint her toes.  She chose the colors. And she just loves nail stickers :)

So the following day, she requested that she paint baby sister's toes.  Now, I'd love to paint baby sister's toes, but she isn't very good at sitting still long enough for it.  So I told big sis that if she'd sit still for her, to go for it.  OH my word!  She sat still and they both loved the experience.  It was a mess, but so worth it :)

Pretty cute right!?  Love it when they get along so well!  Makes this mama's heart melt!  So thankful for these 2 sisters and thankful they are mine :)

Date Night

Saturday night my sister and I went on a date with a very special man, our dad!  We had dinner at one of his favorites, European Street Cafe, then we went to see Gravity.  It's always nice to spend some time with my daddy :)
We had a great time and we all loved the movie!  So thankful to have a dad that likes spending time with me!

Mama's fun :)

A few weeks ago I went on a sewing craze.  I have all this fabric sitting here that I've bought for other projects that never got done... I just went out yesterday and bought some more fabric, on sale, to make some more outfits :)  I LOVE sewing for them.  For so many reasons; I enjoy sewing, it relaxes me, it saves us money b/c most of the time I can make something cheaper than buying, I love seeing them wear something I made, they love it when I make them something. :)

When does a busy mom of 2 sew?  I leave my stuff all set up on the dining table.  I steal minutes here and there when they're happily playing, during nap times and after they go to bed.  Even if I sew for 1 hour a day, it is something.  Normally it'll take me about a week to finish 2 dresses and such.  Only because I don't rush and again, working a little each day.  Sometimes I can work more in 1 day and get most, if not all of 1 dress done in 1 day.  It varies.  lol  I don't like taking time away from the girls to sew...

Here's my pretty baby in her newest outfit from mama.  I LOVE the ruffle shorts :)  With a matching bow of course! Love the applique on this.  

 Sissy got one too! 

 Another one I made.  I had fabric sitting at home that I found and whipped this up.  I LOVE how it came out and the girls were so excited to wear spider dresses :)  So thankful to get to make cute stuff for them! 

It's hard to explain it, but I just feel so happy and fulfilled to make them their clothes.  And they seriously get so excited when they see me sewing for them.  I truly feel blessed to be able to do this!

My crazy ramblings about my soon to be 5 year old!

1 month from yesterday, my princess, my firstborn, the beautiful girl that made me a mommy, will be 5.  How is that EVEN possible!?  I am struggling with it.  I always struggle with her birthdays, it's always a reminder of how fast time goes by.
I still remember her birth as if it were yesterday.  I remember the sleepless nights.  The desire to never put her down.  Loving getting her dressed.  I remember our first holidays as a family of 3.  It feels like it was just yesterday.  And yet, here we are, with the years quickly rolling by and this child growing like a weed!

Her birthdays are always hard on me.  I get so sad that she's getting older and looking at all her baby pictures brings me to a sobbing mess.  How did it go so fast?  I look at her pictures and memories start flooding.  I wish I could go back.  I wish I could have her be my baby again.  Sadness fills me because that will never happen.  All I have are memories, pictures and videos.  And then I remind myself,  I have her here.  Healthy and active and driving me crazy at times! lol  And then I say a prayer, thanking God for another year with her.  Thanking Him for blessing me with this super active, super hyper, super creative baby girl!  So I go from mourning the fact that she's no longer a baby, to being thankful that she IS in fact growing up.  Then I begin to worry.  Am I raising her right?  Is she going to grow up to be a godly woman?  Will she make the right decisions?  What will she choose as her profession?  Who will she marry?  I begin to freak out about her driving, about her wedding day, about her leaving me.  Yes, I am a worrier and I stress over stupid stuff. lol  But I love my girl, and for now I will enjoy the minutes and days I have with her.  Thankfully I have an awesome God who has Her life in His hands and already planned out.  I don't have to worry!  But I'm still working on that ;)

When she was about 5 weeks old we ventured out, just the 2 of us, for the first time.  We met auntie at Target (where we took this picture).  I loved showing her off to the world.  She still loves Target :)

 Exactly 4 years ago at 11 months old.  I mean, seriously, look at how gorgeous she is!  I look at her now, and this is what I see.  This beautiful baby who is learning how to walk and talk... Oh how I love her!!!!  

As for now, I will enjoy having a 4 year old for another month, then celebrate her 5th birthday and be thankful for another year.  I am blessed.  It's been a wonderful filled 5 years :)

10 years in 10 pictures...

Oct 3rd 2003 my life changed forever.  Hubby and I began dating and thus began our journey to our happily ever after!  We had both just turned 21.  We had big plans and hopes for our future.  Neither of us had dated anyone before, we were both waiting for our spouses.  When we began dating, we knew (after months and months of prayer) that we would one day be married.  At last, my prince charming had found me :)  We dated long distance for almost 2 years.  Talk about HARD!  But I know that it really made our relationship strong.  

On July 26th 2004 my prince charming asked me to be his wife.  We were at the beach at sunset.  It was beautiful and perfect.  I couldn't wait to be his wife forever!!!!  Our engagement lasted 14 months, as we were still long distance and we still both had to graduate college first.  

September 24th 2005, our wedding day at last!  One of the best days of our lives.  So blessed and so thankful to be his wife.  He is amazing and makes me a better person.  I still can't believe that God blessed me with this man.  He is just super awesome!

Our first few years of marriage came with a few trials.  Searching for jobs, searching and buying our first home, and more.  We both learned so much about each other, and about God these first few years.  We've been blessed and I'm so thankful God has planned our lives and continues to take care of us.  

 We waited about 2 1/2 years after marriage to start a family.  God blessed us quickly with pregnancy.  We found out we were expecting our first blessing on March 3rd.  We were beyond excited.  We both really hoped for a girl, and when we found out we would be seeing a LOT of pink in our future, we both floated out of that doctor's office.   We had an amazing pregnancy, this would be the first grandchild on hubby's side, and second (first girl) on my side.  Everyone was super excited!!!  

On November 3rd 2008 our lives were forever changed in ways I didn't know was possible.  Our princess arrived, and made us parents.  We both fell in love instantly.  From the beginning we knew she was super special.  We also knew she'd keep us on our toes at all times. :)  She was the light of our lives and I struggled to not have her at my side at all times.  Daddy and I would fight over who would get to hold her. lol  I'll never forget our first christmas together, she was 7 weeks old and cried all night on Christmas eve.  We took turns rocking her and being with her.  I remember feeling so helpless and clueless.  Being a first time parent had it's challenges, but I have an amazing partner to help me.  This man is an amazing father, our girls are so blessed! 

As our princess grew up, we took many Disney trips and just had so much fun with her.  At first, I thought I could never love any child as much as I loved her.  I just couldn't imagine it...  She gave us so much joy and I didn't know that I'd be able to "split" my love with someone else.  I loved motherhood and felt like the "luckiest" woman alive to have such a beautiful and amazing daughter.  

When she was about 18 months old we decided it was "time" to make her a big sister... 

It took us longer this time around, but when big sis was 2, we found out we were expecting (Dec 9th 2010).  On March 3rd we found out that we would have another baby girl.  I was so excited!!! I loved the idea of 2 sisters and couldn't wait for the day they'd meet.  9 long months went by and on Aug 3rd 2011 we welcomed our second blessing.  We both fell in love with her right away, and once again our lives were changed, for the better.  I looked at her and told her that we had waited so long for her.  I couldn't believe we had lived this whole time without her.  She completed our family and we were all in love! 

 Having 2 little girls was both fun and challenging.  In a lot of ways we had to learn how to be parents of a newborn all over again.  And as exhausted as we both were, we were so happy with our family of 4!  The first year with 2 was hard on us, mainly b/c baby sis never slept!  But of course it was all worth it! We were so happy with our blessings and it's just awesome to watch them grow together.  We've been parents of 2 for 2 years and it's just been crazy fun!  It's so interesting to watch how much the girls love each other.  Baby sis longs to do everything big sis does.  I love watching them play together.

Here we are 10/2013.  We've been together for 10 years.  In 10 years God's shown us SO much and given us so much.  10 years ago when we started dating did I ever think this is where we'd be?  Nope, not at all!  But I'm so thankful God has carried out His perfect plan and blessed us the way He has.  I wouldn't have it any other way.  So thankful for my super amazing partner in life.  So thankful for 2 princesses, they've taught us both so much!  I cannot wait for the next 10+10+10+10+10+10+10+10+10... years together!!!