So - you found me in week 32. I've just been taking it easy, growing a baby, raising another, while keeping hubs alive and happy as well. Although it's probably more like, the hubs has been pulling double shift ensuring the housekeeping, dinner, baby, wife, dogs and general business all stays afloat, while I diligently ensure our baby boy receives his nutrients :)

Weight gain seems to have sped up at a rapid pace. With 50% more blood volume, a baby who's nearly 4lbs, and a few extra pounds here and there, I have gained a total of 19lbs at this point. My jeans that fit ok with just a belly band, are too snug. Time to go up a size. Although, like I've said in the past - stretchy pants - that is the answer...for everything.

This week Declan officially has hair! (and a full set of finger nails and toe nails). Chloe is Jon's clone. . .only a few weeks now before we find out if Jon's genes win again, or if the lil guy at least PARTIALLY look like his mamma! Although I'm rather partial to my sweet husbands looks, so a household of children that look like him is fine with me :)

Declan has alot of followers so I wanted to share his "Blessing Sprinkle" with you. If you'd like to join in, please send me a message and I'll give you mailing details.

Thanks for checking in - week 33, here we come. . .

One winter week down. One more week living in what seems like a dormant world. Winter does have it's beauty, but that's mostly when there is a soft blanket of fresh snow covering the brown crunchy world. We are still waiting for that first real good snow. In the meantime, we are just wrapping up week 31 of this expansion project. Declan is almost at his birth length! He has also done alot of growing this week - especially in the last 2 days. I'd imagine that would be the reasoning for the returned lower back pain. In fact, back pain is a complete understatement. Although my current state of agony is probably due to me getting all OCD over my kitchen floor last night...I was on my hands and knees scrubbing every last inch.

So today, instead of going crazy-pregnant-woman on all the other floors in my house, I did this. . .
. . .I thanked Jesus for my built in tummy table as I sipped hot chocolate.

My prego app made the first mention of The Hospital Bag. Time to begin pondering that, apparently. On one side I'm like, absolutely coz lets get this baby here already!!! Then I wonder how the heck time has flown so quickly that we are ALREADY talking about the hospital bag. The next month is the final prep - bags will be packed, carseat installed, Chloe plans made.

Until then, I will continue to grow this little dude, while adjusting to the fact that we finally conquered one child and now #2 is almost baked :) I have a huge respect for parents with multiple kiddies. . .teach me that juggle I want to shout!  How do you put them both down for naps, which one goes first? How do you stop a newborn from waking the other child? Should I go ahead and buy shares in Pampers given I'll have TWO kids in diapers at the same time?  Oh the questions, I have many.

If you want to pass on some advice, you know where to find me!

We have hit the big THREE - 0 folks!

My constant companion has been pulling what feels like all nighters with me - when you're along for the ride you have no choice, right? Chloe has been sick. We're in the process of ruling out allergies, and currently we're down to two: gluten and lactose. This has meant long days, and long nights in our little household. Declan agrees. As soon as we both settle for the night, we're awoken to celebrate more moonlight.

In the midst of this, Declan has learned to wiggle more. My tummy appears to have a constant rolling rhythm at times. And to think he has to more than double his current weight...I'm hoping double, but more than double is a scary thought!

We woke to a valley overcome by fog and rain today. One of those mornings when you're almost sure it's 2 hours earlier than what it is. The morning rain became an all day rain - and an all day fog. I watched the steady, constant down pour outside my office window. . .the sound of rain only interrupted by the sounds of my office space - a ringing phone, a quiet email chime. The rain really is a beautiful thing when you stop to appreciate it. Like all things. Motherhood is incredible, being a wife is an amazing experience too. Throughout the day my mind kept returning to something I'd read a few days ago that had a huge impact on me - simply because of the reality of it. I'd like to share it with you as most can probably relate:

Twenty Fifteen. Welcome. Been thinking of all the unknowns, ambitions, and firsts to come with this new year. Some exciting dreams and plans for this year - one being welcoming a sweet new babe to our family. Looking forward to the day we lay our eyes on this sweet child for the first time. Overwhelmed by the thought of how our lives are going to change. We had a warm spell on Sunday so Jon and I took Chloe outside to enjoy the mild winter day. As she was running around and enjoying the cool sunshine I realized that it's true - the greatest gift you can give your child is a sibling. She needs a playmate. It's time.

Week 29 was visited by a shorter than normal work week. Declan and I also had a doctor's appointment - he is perfect, and measuring around 3lbs at a best guess. He continues to hiccup like crazy, move like a wild boy, and wake up in the middle of the night at the slightest sound. This morning we beat the sun up - by many hours! It was one of those early mornings where you can choose to moan about the blackness outside your window, or embrace the early morning rambunctious 2 year old who despite her insistence of doing acrobatics across the bed, she'll still find a moment to be calm and quietly snuggle up close.

It's Monday. Got a head start on the week. This means we are headed in the right direction, right? I know for sure that it means it will be early to bed tonight! Frigid temps are visiting us - in fact the cold weather blew in with a vengeance late yesterday afternoon. January, you're here for sure, and lucky for us, we have winter woolies to combat your winter bite.

Enjoy the week!