Expecting the Unexpected

Today marks the first day of my second trimester.  Yes, if you haven't heard yet, we are expecting another new little bundle of joy.  I'm still not sure how this happened.  Well, I know how it happens but I don't know how it happened to us.  It actually took me three weeks before I even took a pregnancy test because I really thought it was an impossibility.  But, sure enough, I had two very positive pregnancy tests.

I spontaneously decided to take a pregnancy test on a morning when Ben was leaving for a business trip.  So, I called him and asked him if he wanted to meet for lunch before his flight took off.  I sprang the news on him while driving to the restaurant.  He didn't believe me when I told him.  But when I broke down crying he then knew that I was serious.  He was sitting there grinning from ear to ear and I was balling my eyes out.

Honestly I'm pretty excited now that I've had time to process it.  My concerns were rather vain and pathetic.  For instance, one of the things I kept thinking after I took the test was that I'm never going to be skinny again.  I had a very hard time losing weight after Jax, well, actually I never did lose the weight.  So, that's been frustrating.  Also, I'm a person that really likes my sleep.  Jax still gets up for night feedings, pregnancy is exhausting, and I'm very anemic.  So that was a major concern.  I'm just worried about the logistics of it all, too - having space, money, time and energy for each child.

However, I'm pretty at peace with it all now.  Life always seems to work out when we just try our best and let God handle the rest.  Interestingly, this has been by far the easiest pregnancy.  And, I'm adjusting to my new weight and size, although it's not fun it does make me really determined to lose the weight after this next baby is born.  So, I'll just have to be patient with myself.  As for Sadie and Jax - I think they'll be elated to have a new playmate.  It will be a hard and tiring few years for Ben and me, but I'm sure the kids will love the excitement of having a new sibling.  Surely women have endured things much more difficult than this but I'm not exactly a super mom or anything.  It will be a challenge, but we'll do our best to enjoy the chaos ;)

So we are expecting the unexpected, but excited and anxious to meet this new baby.  If anyone wants to offer any prayers on my behalf they would be much appreciated.

Watching Jax Explore

Sadie Turns Three

My once little baby turned the big number 3 yesterday.  Although, when asked she still insists that she is two.  She already is refusing to admit her real age.

This year she really understood and was looking forward to her birthday.  Ben and I stayed up late the night before decorating the house and assembling presents.  She was sure excited when she woke up the next morning to see the house and open her presents.

Jax took off with one of her presents.  Sadie was not happy! 

She requested pizza for dinner and ice cream for dessert.  My kind of gal!  However, she was full of cheese by dinner time and never ate a bite of pizza.  It was difficult and stressful to make that pizza too, because Jax was teething and fussy all day.  Oh well.  She somehow managed to save room for ice cream, though.  Interesting how that works, no?

Little Jax partied too hard and never made it to cake time.

She absolutely loved opening presents!  She has played with her baby, stroller, kitchen, and shopping cart all day today.  If Jax gets near it she gets very mad at him.  I'm starting to see a little sibling mischief in our future.

So, there you have it.  My little, adorable three year old.  I'm pretty sure she's practically perfect in every way.  We just love, love, love her!

Sunset

One evening when Matt was visiting we visited the beach for sunset.  I love sunset!  Truly, it is the most wonderful time of the day, I think.

It's strange to me that when I'm inside sunset is the most stressful time of the day - the kids are getting tired and fussy, I'm stressed about getting dinner ready, and I'm anxious for Ben to get home.  However, I've discovered that if I take the kids on a walk or outback to play about that time everything feels so much more peaceful and happy and calm.  It's really such a relaxing and beautiful time of day to be outside!  I'm a much happier person when I remember to look up from the chaos of the day and enjoy the sunset each night.

Anyways, we went to the beach for sunset....these are my pictures from the night.

Jax is learning to sit up.  Isn't he so cute?

Christy holds baby Jax so I can take some pictures.

My mom searching for shells.

Sadie shown above smiling for the camera.  A little cheesy but I'll take what I can get :)

Matt and Christy with Jax watching the sunset. 

A Birthday Party

Kimmy and Christy both have birthday's in mid-January so we tend to celebrate them in early January before they leave for school.  This year I hosted the event.  The meal included Chicken Pillows (a strange name, if you ask me), Glazed Carrots, and Almond yumminess Broccoli with some delicious cream sauce over the top.  Also, we had a delicious (if I do say so myself) ice cream cake for dessert.

Christy opens her card from my parents and discovers they are buying her a sewing machine.  She was very excited!

Sadie shows Ben that she has a hangnail.  Ben reacts with surprise.

Christy blows out her candles.  She is the big 2 -3!

All the kids wanted a turn blowing out the candles, too.  

Joseph kept sucking in instead of blowing out the candle.  It was ever so cute!

New Years Eve

New Year's Eve we had a wonderful kick-back day with my family.  In the early afternoon we went to Adrenalina for some in-door surfing.  Well, Ben, Joseph, Kimmy, and Christy all did the surfing.  I sat out this time but have hopes of trying it one day.

Kimmy's stellar skills displayed above.  

Little Joe shown above riding a wave.

That evening we met back at my parents' house for some homemade pizza, snacks, and games. 

Also, Christy's 'special friend' came to visit from Utah.  His name was Matt and he was very nice and very tall (6 feet 5 inches).

Christy and Matt cleaning up the dishes at 11PM.

Quick family picture (minus Jax) before we left.

New Year's kiss :)