Christmas Eve: No Words Needed...

Santa Clause: The Sequel!

For the past three years we have taken E up to J's work to see Santa. The same Santa each year. He's gotten a complex because of how scared E is of the Jolly Old Man!

Well, this year was a SUCCESS! She was still scared and did not sit in his lap, but due to a bribe of a candy cane, she did stand in front of him.

Gaining weight...or not!

For the past two years, gaining weight has been a big deal in this house. Not for me (I've never had a problem gaining weight before) but for little E. She eats a lot - A LOT! But, she also runs around like a crazy kid so the calories just burn themselves off. When you get her dressed, and can see her little ribs sticking out, you can't help but want to give her an oreo or something.

I've been trying to find high calorie, but healthy foods for her to eat. She eats a lot of organic chicken nuggets, beef (no nitrate) hot dogs, mac n cheese, etc but will also eat anything we eat. Last night we discovered she has a love for frito chili pie! Gotta love our little Texan!

So, it should not have come as a surprise that during the one time in my life that I SHOULD be gaining weight, I can't. I'm four months pg and should have gained five pounds by now. All I've done is lose 10 pounds. I can't gain weight for anything. I am showing and the baby has a healthy heartbeat and I do eat, but no weight gain.

The doctor was a little concerned, but when I explained I went from eating the not so healthiest of diets to a much better one, he understood. I have a family history of no weight gain during pregnancies, but it doesn't seem normal. What also isn't normal is my inability to eat anything sweet. I'm normally a chocoholic and can't even stand the smell of chocolate right now!

Happy Holidays everyone!

My next post will include SUCCESSFUL photos of E with Santa. Way better than the last two years!

PS Sorry the photo is so blurry. J took it and isn't that great at photography! This picture is two weeks old, but I don't look much different.

Second trimester!

Today I am officially 14 weeks. That means I'm leaving that pesky first trimester behind (and hopefully most of the sickness) and on to the second trimester. I had a doctor's appt yesterday and while listening to the heartbeat, the baby kicked. I didn't feel it, but you could tell the baby put a lot of effort into it!

Yes, I think we have another soccer player on our hands - just like Daddy.

E is excited and now is asking Santa for a baby brother or sister. Unfortunately, she'll have to wait six month after Christmas for her gift, so hopefully she won't be too dissapointed. She also wants a baby doll, so she'll get one of those instead!!!

Oh, and here's a photo of E from her grandparents day last month. I love her little glasses and how crooked they are!

So, it's been a while.

I know it's been a while since I posted but I have a very good reason why. I've been pretty sick for the past three months. It all started October 2nd, when I got the phone call I'd been hoping to receive. I was picking E up from preschool when my dr called to tell me that the tests did show a positive.

Positive what you ask? Well, E is going to be a big sister. The baby is due June 10, 2009. I feel comfortable enough to announce this because we're finally at the 13 week mark and my doctor feels that we are as out of the "clear" of anything bad happening as we will be throughout the rest of the pregnancy. I know anything can happen, but the chances are small and don't change from now until 40 weeks.

We are over the moon happy and all E wants to talk about is a baby brother or baby sister! We know it'll be a challenge with a 3 year old and an infant, but we can't wait. We know how blessed we are and are appreciating every moment of this precious gift that has been given to us.

For those wondering, yes we are still in line to adopt from China. The wait is so long that we don't anticipate this child affecting our adoption at all. We do, however, anticipate stopping at three children. Well, J does...I'm not so sure - but shhh, don't tell him!

Anyway, this news has filled our house with joy, but it's been tempered by the knowledge that so many of my friends are still waiting for their child from China. My heart aches for everyone out there waiting to see their beautiful little one. Hugs to you all.

Two years ago today...

Two years ago today we left our house knowing that the next time we were home our lives would be completely changed.

Armed with two very packed suitcases, we were nervous, excited and very ready to leave for our trip to China. We had half a dozen pictures of the one person who had become the focus of our lives for months and months. We were about to become parents. It was a very long hard journey, so much so that it seemed like a little 27 hour trip wouldn't be that big of a deal at all.

I have such a hard time believing it's been two years and at the same time it feels like she's been a part of our family for a lifetime. She is the most special little girl in the world and I know how blessed I am to be her mama.

It's beginning to look a lot like...fall???

We spent the morning at a Pumpkin Patch even though it got close to 90 degrees outside today. E loved every second of it!

I played with the pictures so I'll post the straight out of the camera shots and the photoshopped result.

And another...

I have lots more, but I'll stick with these for now!