bella's got some news.

yep. it's true. our little miss is going to be a big sister sometime around april 27th :) it's been a little tough for me to blog lately without spilling the beans that i am with child, not to mention making excuses as to why i've been slacking in craft projects, cooking and other noteworthy blog-items of interest. but now you know, blog friends, now you know :)

so now that the news is out, let me process this pregnancy thus far. i'm ten weeks along, and we go for our first ultrasound next friday! this time around has been quite a bit different than when i was growing bella in my belly :) speaking of belly, last time i didn't wear maternity clothes until at least twenty weeks... this time? wearing maternity jeans at about eight. yeah, i guess its true what everyone says: you show a lot faster the second time around! i haven't been as nauseous as i was with bel, morning sickness really only lasted about two to three weeks this time with no major food aversions other than mushrooms (which i had with bella) and eggs (also had with bel). i couldn't stand the smell of coffee or grilled chicken a couple of weeks ago, and while i'm certainly not pining away for any grilled chicken, i have managed to eat chicken just fine this time around, while last time it took me until the third trimester to be able to handle it. aaaaand i'm back into the swing of coffee which i have missed. decaf, of course.

i've had most of the same cravings as i had last time... so far, they are as follows:

-chocolate milk

-cereal

-cheese everything

-taco bell (seven layer burritos to be exact)

-grapes

-watermelon

-cinnamon everything

-mexican, chinese and italian... apparently this wee one does not discriminate and is rather culturally diverse in terms of taste

i am due a month apart from my sister, who is also pregnant again... so there will be cousins even closer in age in round two... so fun :)

we could not be more excited about growing our family and bella being able to be a big sister; she's so into babies right now, which is *perfect timing*! can't wait to see what god has in store for us on this journey... and i am vowing to completely embrace it, fully love this baby as it grows in me and savor every moment, without fear or reservation. when i was pregnant with bella, i struggled alot with fear. i think i tried to protect myself too much thinking "what if something happens? what if something goes wrong?" that i didn't fully allow myself to enjoy my pregnancy as much as i could have.

i don't want to do that this time.

{sweet little baby, we are SO excited to meet you! we know god has special plans for your life, whatever those may be. daddy&i put our hands on my belly every night and pray for you... for your growth & development, your health, your life and what you will become... we can't wait to be your parents! and your sister? she's so excited to meet you... even if she doesn't know it yet :) we love you!}