The "I'm Pregnant!" Post

Baby #3, here we come!

It's hard to believe that I'm old enough to have children- let alone three of them.  We are both excited and a little anxious thinking about being a family of 5.  I'm sure it will bring on a lot of changes, but I'm excited to see how a new little one will fit into our family.

As of today, I am 13 weeks and at the beginning of my second trimester.  This pregnancy has pretty much kicked my butt so far.  A few complications, serious fatigue, and morning sickness have made me a couch parent the last couple of months and I'm so excited to be entering the second trimester and hopefully gaining more energy and less nausea filled days.  It seems that no matter how well you think you remember how miserable that first trimester is- you don't.

Pregnancy amnesia is a real thing.


The kids weren't quite as excited as we thought they'd be.  Well, that's not true.  Annie is excited.  She hopes it's a girl and has come up with names such as "I love you", "Baby Polka Dot", "Baby Sparkly".  All tempting names, but I think we might go a different direction.

Will flat out told us that I wasn't actually pregnant, and that he is NOT excited for a baby.  Spoiled much?  Probably.  He talks about the baby a little more kindly now and has even suggested the name "Ryland" for a boy- although it's not awful, I don't think he realizes that his Dad will have nothing to do with a name that is remotely "made up."  Hello?  His name is Will and his sister's name is Annie- the two most common names in the English language practically.

I do love being pregnant- in spite of its challenges.  I feel its a real blessing to get to carry a child.  There are so many that don't have this opportunity in this life, so I don't take it for granted.  Thinking about the baby's heart beating, and fingernails forming, and nerves firing is all so miraculous.  Each day brings a new step and I love reading all about it and soaking it up.  I'm in no rush for April 5th (the due date) to get here.  Time will pass so quickly so I want to just enjoy every moment and each new milestone.

That being said- Dallas can't wait to find out the sex of the baby, so we're probably going to be headed to Fetal Fotos in a few weeks to find out early.  Stay tuned!  If I were a gambling woman I'd bet my bank account that it was a boy, but we shall see....

For now, here is Three's first baby picture at 8 weeks- cutest gummy bear you've ever seen, right?

We announced the news to our families by giving this card to Will at his birthday party.  It felt so great to get the news out!  Not only because it's such a big part of our lives that we felt like we were "hiding" from everyone, but also because now people didn't wonder why I have a pot gut all of a sudden :).

The last two weeks I've been able to get back to running and it feels wonderful!  Mileage is low and pace is slow, but it feels great to hit the road a few times a week.  Hopefully the rumors are true that an active pregnancy makes for an easier labor.

Six = Ninjago Obsessed

Will turned six on Saturday- that means that his digits have moved to the other hand.  What?!  I don't know how this keeps happening.  My kids are not very good listeners when I tell them to stop growing up.

Will is obsessed with all things Ninjago (a line of Lego brand toys), so it was no surprise that for his first real friend birthday party he wanted a Ninjago party.  But where does that leave me?  I'm not crafty or creative when it comes to this stuff!

I'll tell you where it left me.... with Google.

I found a gold mine of stuff and started working away.  And when I say work, I mean it!  I hand made Chinese lanterns, folded 30 Oragami ninja stars (that took 4 minutes a piece- yes I timed myself), made his birthday banner, party invitations, ten individually crafted Ninja headbands for each party guest, blew up 60 balloons, made two trays of kid friendly "sushi", designed game boards and Ninja codes....  Thank goodness Dallas gladly volunteered to head up the Ninja Training Obstacle Course.  Needless to say, Dallas did more dishes this week than he has completed in our entire marriage, and I haven't done laundry in ten days.

Seriously.  I need a nap.

It was all worth it on party day!  Will had a perma-smile and the kids all had the greatest time at the party.  When the family showed up that evening it was relaxing and fun and we genuinely had the greatest time together.

Happy Birthday my little Ninja!

 The Ninjas:  (Top) Julian Thomas, Beckham Carter, Lauren Hansen, Will, Tyler Hansen
(bottom) Annie, Alex Hansen, Ayden Sparks, Tobin Thomas

 Will is such a good boy and is a really big helper for me.  He is the best big brother and is always including Annie when he's playing with his friends.  He is still a wonderful artist, but has been spending most of his time building with legos lately.  Will loves kindergarten so much- I don't think he's stopped smiling since his first day.  He is a great reader and really enjoys learning.  We are so proud of him.

Things They Say

The kids love to watch "A Baby Story" with me.  The other day after a particularly painful delivery, Will says, "I'm so glad I never have to go through that."

That other member of our family...

Poor Scooter.

He's largely ignored at our house, unfortunately.  Six years ago he was my baby and I'd carry him around and take him everywhere with me.  Then I had Will, and I learned that a dog doesn't even compare to a human.  It's just the way it is.

We do love Scooter, though.  He's a good dog and doesn't cause many problems.  He has a tendency to wander, but I've stopped looking for him because he always comes back.  Scooter is my nap time partner in crime, and when I'm feeling sad he's the best little snuggler.

Plus, he's super fun to have around sometimes- like when you are playing Build-A-Bear with Annie.

Things They Say

Annie:  Mom, are you going to get Barbies for Christmas?
Me:  I don't want Barbies for Christmas!  You want Barbies for Christmas.  Or do you want princesses?
Annie:  I want babies!  Real babies!  And YOU have to sleep with them!!!!
Will:  Annie, Santa can't make babies.
Annie:  Yes he can!  He can sew them.

Welcome to the first day of the rest of your life... or at least until you're old like Dad.

Kindergarten!  Woah.  Will started his first year of official school on Tuesday, September 4th.  He is in Mrs. Stanley's afternoon class at Old Mill.

The day he started school, Will was so excited.  He picked out his clothes, and wore his backpack for at least an hour before he had to leave.  Before we dropped him off Dallas gave him a Father's Blessing.  It was really sweet and during the blessing Will started to cry.  We gave him a hug and asked if he was okay and he said, "My eyes just keep watering!"

He was a brave boy.

He's been able to go for a couple of days now and is loving it!  I asked him what he learned yesterday and he said, "We don't learn anything, we just play the whole time."  Now THAT is how kindergarten is supposed to be!

We're so grateful he has such a fun and kind teacher and that one of his buddies Beckham is in his class.  It has helped his (and MY) anxiety a lot.

Yesterday on the way back from school Will and Beckham were asking each other if they had girlfriends.  Girlfriends?!  What the crap?!  They can't be starting this talk already.  I'd rather have them continue potty talk than girlfriend talk.

Annie and I are having "Mommy and Annie Preschool".  Since things didn't work out with regulations from the city for me to open my own preschool, I decided to just spend the time with my sweet girl at home.  However, when Annie woke up on Tuesday and realized that she wasn't going to a real preschool- whoa nelly!- the girl was ticked!  She threw screaming fits for most of the day.

Thankfully yesterday we got to go to story hour at the library and she could have fun with Miss Sally.  She loved it and part way through looked at me and said, "Mom, I don't need to sit with you any more.  I'm going to go sit with the kids."  She got up and sat on the blankets with the rest of the crew.

Next week when we get started on our own little preschool activities, I think she'll warm up to the idea.  For now, we're really enjoying our reading time in the green recliner when Will heads off to school.