THREE weeks to deliverance

so...most of you know that we are expecting again...baby number two! well, i'm embarrassed to say (and you can see for yourself) that i haven't done any blogging this time. no updates on how i'm feeling, how she's developing, ultrasound pictures, nothing. i feel like a terrible mother! or, at least one who is favoring one child over the other. so, here is my attempt to make up for the 37 weeks that have already gone by. yup, you read it correctly. we're about 3 weeks away from our due date of april 13!

i had awful morning sickness in the beginning; and i'm not talking just feeling nauseous, but actually throwing up. it was extremely difficult because i had just started working part-time again and also had to take care of lucas. the nausea and vomiting didn't subside until just after my first trimester. i was elated when that happened. i started showing from the very beginning, at just about 9-10 weeks. my swelling is much milder this time, and i seem to have gained a little less weight than the first time. the biggest difference between this pregnancy and the first one is the way i'm carrying the baby. with this one, my belly sticks straight out. everyone comments on how i'm just "all out in front." i even got that comment from my doctor.

after my first trimester, things went back to normal. i was busy taking care of lucas and did not resume working because i didn't really want to. i felt a little guilty that i only had a few more months to spend with lucas one-on-one, so i made sure to give him my full attention until the second baby came. my energy level went back up during my second trimester, which was wonderful. about 2 weeks ago, allan and i went on a weekend getaway to seattle, sans lucas. it was the first time we left him behind, but our good friends took great care of him and he had so much fun with his buddy, carter, that we didn't worry one bit. lately, i've just been feeling achy and a little swollen, which is not much to complain about since i should only have to endure it for a few more weeks (maybe less).

this past week, TWO baby showers were thrown for me. one was from my group of friends in my JOY Bible study group. they wanted to surprise me, but i had scheduled a doctor's appointment on the same day and time as the shower. so, they had to tell me about it to make sure i made it to my own shower. the second baby shower was thrown for me by my friend, shannon. she and a few other of my girlfriends and i went to get our nails done first (what a treat!) and then we joined the others at olive garden for a very special time. i felt so honored. thank you to all my wonderful friends for honoring me and my baby girl in such a special way (twice!).

we are due in 3 weeks and we are VERY excited to meet our baby girl. lucas loves his baby sister already. his favorite thing to do is to lift up my shirt and put his face against my belly, giving his baby sister hugs and kisses. so we know he is excited to meet her as well. we can't wait to share the wonderful news with you all when the time comes. thanks to everyone for your continued love, support, and encouragement!

.: special dates :.

august 1, 2006 - found out that we were pregnant with baby #2
september 18, 2006 - ultrasound no.1 to confirm that we were pregnant...everything looked great
october 26, 2006 - felt the baby move for the first time
november 16, 2006 - ultrasound no.2...it's a GIRL
february 4, 2007 - started working on the baby's room
march 15, 2007 - ultrasound no.6...found out that she weighed about 5 lbs, 15 ounces and progressing just perfectly
march 20, 2007 - a surprise baby shower...a lot of fun!
march 22, 2007 - i am (only) 1 cm dilated
march 23, 2007 - baby shower with my girlfriends...i am set...thank you all!

.: some pictures of me :.
(me at 11, 19, 30, 30,30, 33 and 33 weeks)

.: baby's room :.
(the last photo is a blanket i knit for my baby girl)