Tank's one year photoshoot!

13 months!

Twelve months ended with a bang!!! Clapping, dancing, high-fives, drinking through a straw, climbing up the slide, and up and down the stairs-hands and feet style!


Tank loves Dada's hats. He signs and says hat and wants to wear them all! He has been mimicking me with the broom and using the wipes to clean up! Such a smart cookie!! He is getting on and off the couch on his own. We go to the park a lot and is now going down the slide sitting up, facing forward! He pretends he is on the phone and talks to the phones or remotes in his baby babbles!!! Cracks me up!

We went to Tank's first Hampden-Sydney homecoming game. Tank met the mascot, Tiger! It was quite a hot day even though the skies look like it would storm any second. Aunt Kristin and Uncle Pat brought along Gus. Tank got a good ride on Gus' back!! We had a grand time!

It was also Homecoming weekend at the Oakwood Church. Tank stayed home to nap during the service, but we made it in time for lunch! It was fun to see Theo and Meriwyn!

Aunt Trysta came to our house once last time before leaving for Germany. She and Tank played hard with the water hose!! He loved every second of it! We joined them at Lisa's house for a final goodbye dinner.

Tank loved eating his first waffle!!

Our neighbor's son also came over and played in the Garden cottage. It is fun to watch them interact with one another!

Baby T

We are very excited to be expecting Baby T who will be arriving at the end of January!!!! The whole experience has been so wonderful so far.

Knowing we want more kids we didn't hold back! Tank is completely worth the three years we knew we wanted him, and this pregnancy time was on our side! We found out I was pregnant around my ten year college reunion weekend- May 20th! I called to have my blood work done right away and the result was Yes, I am VERY pregnant!! Even though this is my second time I thought this couldn't be this easy!! After much excitement from us both we took several weeks to let it sink in, just us!! I had the first ultrasound June 30th at 10 weeks along and the baby is very healthy!! The doc could hardly get the measurements on the screen because it was so wiggly!! She said, "You'll have your hands full!!" Along with much congratulations and excitement for us!

The quickening started Aug. 22nd in the pm. I was 17 weeks along.

At 23 weeks along, I am feeling great!! It was fun to take some belly shots with my SIL, Emilee, who is expecting early December. At my appt. this time, I have reached the weight I started my pregnancy at with Tank! Half way there!!!

My glucose drink went well. I forgot how disgusting it was getting down. I have lost two pounds but am up 22 lbs. total so far! A little indigestion at night but sleeping well and minimal times to the restroom on most occasions! I look forward to our next appt. Nov. 14th! I will be scheduling a c-section during the week in case I don't go into labor myself again. Vbac is an option for me so only time will tell.

C-section is scheduled with the same doctor for January 23rd. The baby is doing well with a heart beat rate of 155. The gender is still a surprise, even though the drs use the pronoun "he" a couple appts. now. I am still being optimistic. Nov. 14, 29 wks along and +25 lbs. My hips have been caused me some pain during the night while I sleep. The baby is moving a lot, but NOT kicking me in the lower right rib like Tank did! Now that Christmas is a few weeks away and I am scheduled to have an appt. every two weeks we are getting last minute things ready and we are very excited!!

36 weeks and counting!!! This baby loves to stretch its arms and legs through my sides, sometimes painful!! Still no rib kicking. The trip to IL and back went very smoothly. Baby is doing great! I asked for another ultrasound, but no luck. Tank is getting excited to become a big brother. He pats my belly and says "baba" (baby) I gained 6 lbs. over Christmas!

37 week appointment went great. Heart rate 155. I talked with the doctor about the c-section date. Everything is still planned for January 23rd. Lost one pound!

38 week appointment: no progress of dialation or effacement, no contractions. I am not sure why the nurse was surprised I haven't had any Braxton Hicks! Nothing happened with Tank either so we continue with the plan on the 23rd. I have gained 35 lbs so far. Tank pats my belly and leans on it! He even tried to kiss it! We took some great family pictures at home! Stayed the same weight! I had a really bad acid reflux night. My throat burned for quite some time. I was coughing so bad stuff came up. It was awful. The past two nights no problems thankfully!

39 wk appointment went well. Still no progression. The baby is predicted not to be as big as Tank. I am keeping the 23rd C-section date even though my mind is toying with me. We are very excited. Chip is counting down the days until the baby as well as when he'll get a break from work! Tank has been especially clingy, saying mama, dada all the time!!! He says it repeatedly like its the only words out of 20+ he knows! LOL I awake frequently at night so I think I wouldn't be able to wait another week or two to see if my body will go into labor. If I did there is still no guarantee that I won't have a c-section because then the baby will be huge! My mom is flying in this Saturday and everything is set and in its place so that is a bit of a relief!! Keep you posted!!