Clare is going to be a big sister!!!!!

I have been waiting for so long to finally write this post!! LD and I found out February 12th that we are going to have another baby. We are so excited and feel so blessed that God has granted our desire for a baby. We kept it a secret from everyone until we heard the heartbeat a few weeks ago, and then told family and friends. I am due October 23rd which makes me 9 weeks today. I had a few weeks of nausea, but no getting sick (thank goodness) and lots of sleepiness. But already I feel my energy coming back and no more nausea. So far, in both pregnancies I have had the first trimester pretty easy, so hopefully that continues.

We have told Clare about her new sibling, but of course she doesn't really get it yet. When I put her clothes on her after a bath she always kicks her feet just being excited and I started telling her that she couldn't kick because of the baby in my belly. So now when she kicks her feet she looks at me, touches her own tummy and says "baby." Not quite...but close.

We are so happy to add to our family, but know many challenges and much exhaustion lie ahead of us. Please pray for our little peanut as he/she continues to grow. Yes, we will find out the sex, I am not good with being patient and, being type A I need to have the plans in order :)

Schedule change...a big deal!!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a schedule person. I am extremely type A and like to know what is going to happen throughout the day when I wake up in the morning. This was really encouraged when I was a nanny for 4 children under the age of 3 and their mother was an incredible scheduler. Poor Clare doesn't have much hope to be free spirited and laid back, but we shall see!

Anyway, I have been waiting til about 18 months, which is the suggested time to drop the morning nap. Clare would only sleep for 30-40 minutes in the morning and then play for a while in her bed. A few weeks ago she would only sleep 30-40 minutes in the afternoon as well and I thought "it is time!" I've actually been really excited about dropping this nap because it gives us so much more freedom in the day, but after 18 months of having a morning nap it really does mean she is growing up!!

Day one was not the most pleasant. We spent time at the park, she was overly sleepy and spent time with a babysitter...not a great equation. But the last two days have been great. She has been a happy camper all morning, so hopefully this will continue and this little shift in her rigid schedule will pass quickly.

The other new fun thing Clare is into is her "baby." She only has one baby doll and its called "Little Mommy." Her Grammie got it for her last Christmas and yes its a little bit creepy, kind of like Kid Sister was when we were little (mind you, I had a Kid Sister doll and loved her..I also had My Buddy). Little Mommy goes with us everywhere. Clare is usually carrying her by her hair running to her next activity. She talks in jibber-jabber to her with a real word slipping in every now and again so you have an idea about what they are discussing. Clare also loves to take her dolls clothes off to "change her diaper" and put her in the high chair for "nummies." Yesterday I caught her asking her doll "Daba Daba (long pause) Baumee??" Translation: So do you love Yo Gabba Gabba, or Barney??" Poor Clare is so desperate for someone other than mommy to play with!