Isabelle has something to share with you.....

Our sweet little Isabelle has something to share with you. 

Need a clue?  It's written all over her shirt.

"Look whooo's going to be a Big Sister...Isabelle!"

We are so happy to announce that we are expecting baby #2!!!  The official due date given is April 9th!  Which means I am just over 7 weeks pregnant now.  We couldn't be more excited to add another member to our family.  So far, Isabelle seems very excited about becoming a big sister and talks about the baby constantly.  When I told her the first thing she said was that she didn't want the baby to take her Elly. :)  I explained that Elly will always be hers and she can pick out a new little blanket friend for the baby. :)  Isabelle is also 110% convinced that we are having a girl.  She has made it very clear she wants a sister, and only a sister.  Only time will tell.....and yes we will be finding out the gender when the time comes!

It seems like when you tell people you are pregnant so many questions come up, so I thought I would just write down a few facts so far regarding this pregnancy.  Plus it will be nice to have to look back on someday....

• Food just doesn't sound good.  I am constantly trying to think of what even sounds good to eat.  Some days are better then others, but nothing tastes good or sounds good.  I do have to be careful with what I eat since I am slightly anemic, but we are hoping the prenatal vitamins and all the iron in those will help also.

• Fortunately I have not thrown up or been too queasy.  I never threw up with Isabelle, just felt nauseous at the beginning, so I am hoping that continues through this baby!

• I am getting up 3-4 times a night already to go to the bathroom.....not fun....but I know it tapers off in the second trimester....before picking right back up in the third!

• Exhaustion.  All day.  All hours.  Sleep sounds amazing at any given time.

• I will be having another c-section.  It makes it so much easier knowing that it will be scheduled at a specific day and time and I do not have to worry or think about going through labor.  Plus I have the world's best doctor who I have been going to for 9 years.  I trust him with my life and feel 120% confident in his care over me and the baby, as I did with Isabelle.  The only downfall I have with a c-section is having to stay an extra night in the hospital.  But I have heard you can check out a day early if you are feeling okay, which is what I plan to do if they let me!

• Fun news is that my sister is pregnant too with her third child.  It is so nice to go through this with her!  And the crazy thing......her due date is April 9th also.  Yes, the exact same due date!  My parents are definitely hoping for different delivery dates! :)

I had my first ultrasound today and doctor appointment due to lots of cramping I had been having.  Turns out everything is just fine. :)  The babies heart beat came in at 159 bpm.   Hearing the heartbeat really made this all seem so real finally.  I know I have been pregnant but I haven't "felt" pregnant and it hasn't consumed my thoughts 24/7 like it did when I was pregnant with Isabelle.  I know this is because I am preoccupied with taking care of Isabelle all day and the only "alone" time I have to really sit and think about it is at night....and then I am going straight to bed!

But hearing the babies little heartbeat brought tears of happiness to me, and I am so excited for this addition to our family.  Up until today I thought we were having a boy, but the second I heard the heartbeat I was convinced it is a girl.  I am not sure why...but I guess we will find out if mother's instinct is right!

Here is a first picture of our little miracle.  The head is on the top right of the image in the black.  As the ultrasound lady put it today....it is like a little teddy graham right now. :)

We go back to the doctor on Sept 10th and are looking forward to hearing the heartbeat again then!  I remember with Isabelle it was truly the best sound in the world and so reassuring to know that everything was okay.

One of the biggest things Kevin and I are looking forward too (besides being parents to another angel) is for Isabelle to be a big sister.  She is going to be the best big sister and it melts my heart when she will randomly come up to me and kiss my stomach or hug me and say "Me love mommy.  Me love baby".  I am so excited for her to be a big sister.

Well, this post ended up much longer then I anticipated.....so with this exciting news....I am off to bed!