These Little Moments...

Ever since we found out that Gracie would be a big sister, it's been extremely important to me that she feel like a player in this new "game". From doctor visits to ultrasounds, nursery planning to picking out baby boy clothes, I've made sure she's been a part of it all. She may not grow up remembering the day she got to find her baby brother's heartbeat with a doppler (and the doctor's help) at a routine visit, or care much about the outfit she chose for his first weeks with us, but these little moments mean so much to me, and this mommy won't ever forget. I recently bought letters that will adorn our baby's wall, while also announcing that his name is "ETHAN". Gracie joined me at Lowe's, a sham from his bedding set in hand, and helped me find the perfect baby blue paint color for these letters. Honestly, she came home with mint green, fuchsia, and brown paint samples, but it was having her helping hands that mattered. Yesterday ev...

Last night, Sean and I heard a tiny voice over the baby monitor calling for "Daddy". I think we both immediately knew that something was not right. Sean was able to briefly get Gracie back to sleep, but she was up again and this time with a fever. The rest of those early morning hours came and went with little rest for any of us. Since my mom and sister had been planning on joining us for church this morning, Sean decided that he would stay home with Gracie and I would still go. I hated leaving my daughter and husband behind on Mother's Day, but I was so glad that I still went with Mom and Ashley. Ethan was entertaining during the church service. He seems to really get going during the singing! Gracie did seem to feel a little better when we returned home, but she was exhausted and not quite herself. Either way, I have really enjoyed this day. I hosted a Mother's Day brunch for my mother and sister, then we spent some time outside with the little ones. I'm so th...

This is one of my favorite weekends of the year. It's time to celebrate mothers for all the love they give, advice they share, and guidance they provide. There have been sacrifices and heartbreak along the way, disappointment at times, but always  hope . Even I, a newcomer to motherhood, understand the hope we cling to as we watch our sweet babies grow. This beautiful woman gave me life, encouraged me to dream, prayed and hoped for the very best for my future. Sometimes I wonder how it feels to be a mother to two adult women with babies of their own. I wonder how I will ever be able to let go of Gracie enough to let her soar, but I know that somehow, I will. In the meantime, I will try to be the kind of mother that I've been blessed with. She's a constant source of encouragement and support, the first person I call when I'm searching for advice, and she's always willing to listen to me vent my frustrations when necessary. She's strong and full of life, ha...

My 33 week appointment went well Thursday afternoon! The doctor told us that Ethan is head down (which I would have guessed by the tiny bottom and feet I often feel above my belly button) and we're measuring right at 33 weeks. He also mentioned that all of my numbers (blood pressure, weight) are looking good as well. I'm now scheduled for appointments every two weeks, and in just a month, I'll be visiting weekly as the countdown really begins... I am still feeling well for the most part, but I am so tired. Being in my third trimester and caring for Gracie all day makes for an exhausting combination. I'm up at least three times per night rearranging, checking the clock, and praying for a couple more hours of sleep. My hips are achy and it's tough finding a comfortable position now. There's lots of tossing and turning going on these days, but I've been expecting this. Ethan is still as active as ever! At this point, my little man is enjoying eve...

I began my blogging journey when Gracie was just 14 months old. I immediately loved how simple it became to share a little piece of her with our family and friends, especially the more distant relatives who wanted so badly to watch our baby girl grow. Looking back, and it's almost been 2 years, I am so very thankful that I have recorded so much of her day-to-day life in pictures and words. I have blogged about more than I ever would have written in a baby book or added to a scrapbook page. Blogging works for me. I enjoy typing out my thoughts, or the simple details of our day, and sharing them. It can take as little as 5 minutes to bring her adventures and personality to life for our loved ones to enjoy. Over 365 days have come and gone since Day One of Gracie's blog. So much has changed and continues to change for our family. As we prepare to welcome Baby Ethan to our hearts and home, now seems like an appropriate time to start fresh with a new blog, one focused on our fam...