Almost Time

I feel like this pregnancy has flown by and we're totally not prepared for this little girl to arrive very shortly. I'm now 38 weeks and 2cm dilated. I asked our doc if we can schedule an induction since we're so far from the hospital and I'm concerned about making it there in time or her coming on a day when B is in OC working and me being here by myself etc, etc. Doc says we can schedule it at 39 weeks which is next Tuesday. SO, she could potentially come as early as next week unless she decides to come on her own before then! Crazy! Her nursery hasn't been worked on other than being painted, a rug, and the furniture from A's room. I just washed her clothes but not her bedding, heck, I don't even have bedding, and I just packed her bag and A's bag. Bri and I haven't even packed our hospital bags yet and her carseat is still sitting in the living room rather than in the actual car. Hmm, I really need to get on it huh?!

At this point in my pregnancy, I've gained about 35lbs (which seems absolutely mortifying in comparison) but I feel good. I didn't have any of the "issues" I had the first time around (gestational diabetes, low amniotic fluid) which has been a relief and a blessing! I most definitely feel baby girl kicking and moving since my placenta isn't in the front this time...even B has been able to feel her all the time which has been fun since he only felt A move like once or twice. Anayah seems to grasp the idea that she's getting a baby sister and seems excited about it more now that my belly is totally obvious but I don't know how much she truly understands what having a baby sister really entails! I suppose we'll find out very shortly! I just keep praying that they will really bond and get along and be the best of friends. 

I think I'm ready. I've been anxious and worried that I won't know how to be the same type of mom to a second child now that my time will need to be shared or my attention won't always be focused only on her. I've struggled with trying to figure out how I'll be able to love another person as much as I love now, but I know it will just happen. I know that people do it all the time, I know I'm not alone in feeling this way. I think I'm just being paranoid. Arrive soon, little girl, we can't wait to meet you!

The pictures posted our from our recent maternity session. I'll post a few more soon but you can also check out the album here. A big thank you to Jessica for taking them and doing a fabulous job!

A Baby Sprinkle

Last weekend one of my bestest friends threw us a baby sprinkle to celebrate this new little girl that will be joining us very soon. With it being our second daughter, a traditional baby "shower" wasn't necessary as we will be using a lot of the same gear, clothing, furniture, etc. so it was just a small "sprinkle" instead. That didn't mean it was any less fancy though! For those that know Erika, you know she loves throwing parties and she's really good at it! Everything was beautiful and matched baby's nursery so well. I didn't bring my camera so here are some shots of the day that I stole borrowed from Carrie.

 Every center piece was a different cute outfit for baby girl:

Games & favors

Of course we had "sprinkles" cupcakes!

 

 My lovely guests:

It was so special to have so many friends and family members all together to celebrate this memorable time in our lives. Thank you Erika for such a wonderful sprinkle and thank you to Mindy and Carrie who also helped out a ton in order to make this day so special for us. We are beyond blessed to have you all in our lives and I can't wait for our newest little blessing to meet you!!
xoxo

Friday Favorite

Hope you have a great weekend, even with all the rain!!

Happy Friday
♥

The Great Park

Today we spent the morning at The Great Park in Irvine with our good friends Carrie and Marisa and their kiddos. It's not often that we all get together so when we do it must be documented on film. Sadly, I didn't get a shot of the newest member of the gang, but you can always check out her newborn session on the photography blog. The rest of the kiddos were running around, playing with the balls, exploring the caves, and going down the slides. Unfortunately the carousel doesn't run during the week but of course they were running it for "training purposes" and it was hard to explain to the little ones why it was in fact running, but they couldn't go on it.

Despite the fact that they couldn't ride the carousel, the kiddos seemed to have a good time and it was great to catch up with old friends. And just for fun, here is the last group shot I have of all of them together...right after Soren was born.

Then

Now

Soon we'll have to do another one when baby sister arrives. 

Friday Favorite

Yes, it's been a while. Yes, I know I haven't done a very good job of keeping updated with this second pregnancy. Yes, I'm fully aware that the baby is due in approximately 6 weeks and I have very little to show for it. Yes, I'm working on it. For now here is my Friday Favorite...

Happy Friday!
♥

Peeking In On You

On Sunday we took a family outing to get a 3D/4D ultrasound done of baby girl. Brian has been itching to get one done since we did one last time with A. I think he secretly wanted to confirm (again) that it really is a girl in there hehe. Yes it's still a girl, by the way!

Anyway, baby girl was taking a nap or just being shy because at first all we got was her profile. If she did turn toward us it was with her hand in front of her face or in her mouth and we couldn't get a good look. I turned and poked at her, I drank cold water, I walked around in order to get her to move. Oh and move she did but with her hand in front of her face the whole time. Apparently she really didn't want her picture taken. Ummm do I really have another diva on my hands?! After 15 -20 minutes the ultrasound tech was about to call it a day and just have us come back another time, she even said, "guess you'll just have to come back another day and we can try again." Wouldn't you know the second she said that, baby girl decided to move her hand away and look at the camera?! I swear she is laughing at us in this picture

Here she is about to move her arm back in front of her face. She gave us a small window of opportunity to capture as many pictures as we could then she was back to snuggling with her cord and the wall of my uterus. Good times.

Anayah was so funny. She was NOT thrilled about a stranger touching my belly and kept telling the ultrasound tech she couldn't touch baby sishter. She was even less thrilled when she used the wand on my belly. A kept telling her "no scratching baby sishter." It was so sweet and funny at the same time.

It's so crazy to me how much these pictures look just like A's pictures! I can't wait to meet you sweet girl and kiss those cheeks! We love you and are excited for your arrival!!

Family Pictures

I posted a few weeks ago on the photography blog about Jessica doing our family photos this year as part of a photo swap and I promised to show you our pictures once I got them back and ordered Christmas cards. Well finally I get to share them here! You may have already seen them on facebook but it's ok, you can look at them again :)

We had a really fun time even though this momma was stressed that A's pants were dirty after about 5 minutes...oh well, thank goodness for Photoshop! Jess did a fabulous job keeping up with a toddler who doesn't keep still while managing to capture her actually smiling at the camera instead of ignoring it like she does to me most days.

I love the spirit of these pictures, the playfulness and character in each and every one. Thank you Jess for taking the time to create memories that I will always cherish. I love them all and can't wait to have you shoot us again! Here are the favorites from the day that aren't on our Christmas cards or being given as gifts HAHA!!

Love them.