If we're being mathematically correct - I am officially in my 3rd trimester!

And I'll be finishing the trimester out alone as Natalie had her little bubs this week :) We knew Arabelle would make an early appearance as Natalie has had numerous prenatal issues which started with her going into pre term labor at about 29 weeks. She's been on bedrest since we got back from Mexico, so an early, healthy baby has been a relief for them. Lil Arabelle is truly adorable - and TINY!! When you hold her you can barely believe her size!

This week kicked off ALOT of braxton hicks contractions. Round ligament pain is also at a new level. Although with little Declan measuring the size of a lettuce head, I'm not surprised my abdominal muscles are protesting - they're stretching out to max capacity. . .and then hello, he grows a little more and I'm reminded of the incredible design of our bodies. I believe Arabelle's arrival has given us a new realization that we're having a baby!  (coz you know, this belly wasn't a big enough reminder :) )
We've been in the festive mood over here. . .Christmas music playing each evening to the sparkle of the Christmas tree. The house smells of cinnamon and apples, and I'm keeping the hot chocolate industry in business. Ever since Chloe and I celebrated our birthday's she'd found a new love for saying "happy birthday". We're using this to our advantage given the season, so we're teaching her all about Jesus and his birthday. She is soaking it up like a little sponge! I was reading her the story of Mary and Joseph at nap time yesterday and we were having a very in depth discussion over the donkey that carried Mary (she loves animals remember). . .much to my amazement, on the way to school this morning Chloe had a sudden light bulb moment where she remembered the donkey, so we talked about the donkey all the way to school. He is becoming a very famous donkey in the Addington household.

Before we sign off on week 26, here is a little snap shot of Arabelle when she was only a few hours old. . .so much beauty in a new life!