It won't be like this for long...

Hmmmm....I seem to find myself saying this often these days, "it won't be like this for long..."

Sometimes for the better, and sometimes in a sad sorrowful way!

I heard this song, and dang it Darius Rucker, y'all know I had tears!

I thought it when I took Griffin to the first day of his gymnastics class this week and noted that this will probably be the last session we start as next year it will be time for preschool. We've both enjoyed a year of "jump jump" into the foam pit and time for mommy to have a mommy date with her friends...or just herself!

I think it everytime I notice that I am getting, yet again, a little bigger in the belly. Not uncomfortable yet, but I am not going to lie, I hate it that I am expanding in every way possible. Wheel me right out of the hospital to weight watchers Ryan:)! And seriously, could I feel any less sexy in fold down maternity underwear.

I think it when Griff & I drive past his soon to be preschool and know that in 6 months we will be on there schedule and when he starts school this year, he won't stop until he moves out someday, so I have a little time left to enjoy lazy days with him and nothing to do.

On that note, lazy days of just Griffin & I are coming to an end too. Come July 14th, WELCOME baby Eccleston, see ya "just the two of us"! I can't imagine when all my attention, love....focus splits from just him to be shared with another one...but before I know it, that will be what we have to and want to do.

Life seems to be an endless circle of HELLOS and GOODBYES and sometimes adjusting to each one and then letting it go seems overwhelming. Parenthood for me, amplifies this process and in some ways makes it go faster. Luckily every stage has it's bad (like mutant pregancy feet, up every 2 hours in the night, the fear of potty training and tantrums) BUT I have found in my life and especially in my time as a parent that the really great things about each phase (like feeling the kicks in my belly, hearing "wove you mommy" and holding chubby little fingers) out weigh the bad during the phase and are the things I get to take with me down the road. There seems to always be something ahead to look forward to and enjoy along the way. So, I hesitantly say...wait, I mean, I SAY...bring it on. I can't afford to spend another moment dwelling on what will be gone, or worrying about adjusting to what's ahead because I don't want to miss right now, and who would want to miss this very informational constuction demo that is taking place in their backyard as we speak........

...and baby makes 3, BOYS that is!!

Well friends, I am now entering into a world full of boys since baby #2 is most definitely a B.O.Y, no if ands or buts:)! He gave us a clear shot....

As always, Monday was nerve wrecking, exciting, and amazing to see the little tiny person living in my tummy. I layed down on the table and the tech got going right away checking out the heart, brain and all the other major organs which all seem to be there and in the right place. Then she moved her wand down just as I looked over at the screen and she asked if I for sure wanted to know the sex. Well, I had already seen the above image and yelled out boy! All I could do is just laugh. Neither of my boys have been shy in the ultra sound about revealing their sex. Griffin gave us the same shot! We laughed more as she finished up the ultrasound and the tension seemed to melt away as she kept checking off the things that looked good on the screen! The doctor even walked into the room looking at the pic of the spine and told what a beautiful one he has, which is something that diabetics worry about! Here are the rest of my son's pictures....he has such a cute profile and I can't wait for him to be snuggled in this little ball in my arms!

His little piggies,
sweet face,
and tiny (for now!!)

9 oz body!

Such a blessing of a day to get such great news that the baby is looking and growing right on track. Ryan and I are both amazed that we are going to have 2 boys to love, raise and chase relentlessly after. We both took the rest of the day to adjust to the way our family is going to look. We both would still love to add a little girl to our mix, but we know that having a set of brothers is going to be an experience like no other and we can't wait to watch these boys grow together. It's going to be a wild ride.

As we speak, Griffin and I are having Movie Morning Wednesday and watching his absolute favorite movie, Cars, which he could talk about for hours on end and does! I am thinking about how many more times the boys and I will watch this movie (their equivalent to the great Little Mermaid of my time:)!!) and play trucks, choo choos, jump through puddles and stomp in the snow. Luckily for me, I spent most of my early life being a tom boy and playing basketball so I am ready to get dirty with my boys and see what kind of shenanigans they come up with. There will be many I am sure of it! For me now, I have 3 precious boys in my life and I am blessed beyond my wildest dreams by each one.

He does have a name too, but writing it here makes it seem so official, so we are going to call him it for a while at home before we announce it! We are pretty darn sure though...it fits him already:)! I have a c-section all scheduled for mid July, and I can't wait to post the first pics of my sweet new babe then!

On another note, Ryan's cousin Melissa is having surgery on Friday so we want to send up prayers for her as she prepares and undergoes the procedure! We love you Melissa!

we can't wait!

When I was single and in college I wasn't necessarily thinking when I met guys about how good they would one day be able to pretend to be a horsey or if they could come up with a voice for each animal while reading the book "Duck on a Bike". I always knew that I wanted kids, so I knew that I wanted to marry someone who shared that desire...and I have found that actually becoming a parent and sharing that responsibility with someone is different then just helping me babysit for a few hours.

Becoming Griffin's mom & dad has been a journey for us. Those months before he came were spent thinking, talking, worrying, wondering...in anticipation for him! Since the night we found out we were pregnant we've been on a lot of highs as a couple...but that also comes with a lot of lows. It's hard to collaborate ideas, choices, feelings, opinions and backgrounds all together into one parenting model. We haven't quite perfected things either, but I guess you never really do right??? Isn't that the glory in living and learning! Thankfully, because of the awesome God we both know and love, instead of falling apart in the early days of no sleep, figuring out how to feed him, when it's ok for him to nap...and the cursed adventure of putting together all of the baby gear we continued to fall more in love with each other. A joint interest in this little life that God helped us create together made us see yet another reason to feel blessed that we were lead to each other.

It hasn't been easy, but worth it...for sure! Last night as I sat in G's room and watched the boys do their bed time routine I couldn't help but love both of them a little more. The best sound in our house is the two of them laughing together...playing cars, wrestling, or making weird faces at each other that makes them both crack up! Ryan does this hilariously ridiculous pony shake when he's giving Griffin a ride and his voices for the cat and the horse in one of Griff's favorite books makes me dye laughing, which in turn gets Griffin cracking up. After I kissed little man nigh night and walked out while the boys started their prayers, I couldn't help but think about all the things that we will laugh about with this next baby and how blessed I am to be doing this with someone who is so good at reading good night stories. Becoming a family has it's fair share of difficulties and heartbreaks and all of those things have only lead us to this point, where we can say we are more than thrilled to add to our family and share bed time rituals and funny voices and the idea of family with someone else. Although I am sure it will just as full of worry, doubt and frustration...we can't wait!

That all being said (sorry if I am getting sappy on you:)!) baby # 2 is scheduled to have an ultrasound on Monday! I am so excited I could burst. In less than a week we will get to see our little peanut again bouncing around inside of me, amazing that they can do it, really! We are just busting to know boy or girl too, and hopefully the baby will cooperate enough for us to find out! We have names pretty much narrowed down either way and as Ryan is anticipating, I can't wait to get the nursery all put together for Griffin's little brother or sister! We were excitedly out preparing/anticipating in baby gap this weekend, wondering which swimsuit we will be picking up for our new family member so we can all head up to the lake house after their arrival!!?? Aren't both ridiculously tiny and cute!?? We'll keep you posted...do you think PINK or BLUE?

In conclusion, no I didn't have try outs for pony rides and story time when I was dating, but thankfully God says that he knitted me together and has plans for my life. Those perfect plans included Ryan, Griffin, Maci (although depending on the day Ryan may or may not agree) and now this new little one who is already a boy or a girl created to fit right into our little family.

"I will give thanks to the Lord with all my heart, I will tell of all the great things You have done. I will be glad and full of joy because of You. I will sing praise to Your name, O Most High."

Psalm 9:1-2

Happy Heart Day!

Happy Valentines all:)! Hope you have an extra sweet day full of love!

This is our Valentine to you...

I wish I could make the song from Plain White T's play first, but I haven't figured that out yet...

soooo you can go over to the side and click on 1,2,3,4 and give it a listen! It goes with our Valentine!

Hugs & Kisses

Ryan, Abbi, Griffin, Baby E...and of coarse Miss Maci

How February became our month....

Once upon a time, long ago (but not too long ago:)!) 4 young Nebraskans fell in love and got married (not all with each other...but to their respective mate) in the winter time.

(Harry & Lori, February 16th, 30 years) (Wayne & Suzi, January 7th, 33 years)

A few years passed and the same year both of them had a baby, the same month 6 days apart.

Ryan, born on February 14th

Abbi, born 2 weeks late (I know none of you are surprised...see I started out late!)

on February 20th

Both were very happy 1st born babies...

...and eventually got lots of siblings to keep us (and our moms) very busy!

Both had lots to keep them busy growing up like friends, church stuff, sports....

(playing basketball & football)

...and our grown up families

...at this point, Abbi had driven past the interstate exit to Ryan's house on the way to see her grandparents millions of times but never knew it and in the year 2000 both decided to go to college at the University of Nebraska in Lincoln.

Abbi, with Andy dressed to go to a football game

Ryan with his sisters and friends dressed and ready for the game as the actual mascot!

...and I am sure it is not hard to guess what happens in the story now...

After 19 February's apart, we spent the next 4 deciding that the rest of our family pictures & birthday's would be spent together...

at a dance in college

our wedding, May 05

the fam now, still growing:)

So I have now put you through a brief family history all to say that February at our house is a big month of celebrating and being thankful for all the little ways God tied our stories together so that we could always eat cake and valentines candy together! Happy Birthday to my big Valentine...and to my 2 little Valentines, I am so blessed to share the rest of my life and love with you!

xoxo

Thanks God!

G's surgery went so smooth, we're at home and he's doing well! They had such an awesome staff at the hospital and we felt like he was treated with the best TLC! Thanks for the prayers everyone, it's awesome for it to be over!

Another prayer request...for G this time:)

Hey guys...

I am posting this in not too much notice, but tomorrow, early in the am Griffin is having surgery to have his tonsils and adenoids removed...ahhhh! They have to put him completely under and it will take about 45 minutes! This is a very routine surgery and it's a great hospital with a great doctor, so we feel good about it, but it's still my baby! Please pray for the doctors and staff involved, that Griffin handles everything good and that Ryan and I can stay peaceful as it's being done! Thanks so much! Love you!