Much Happening

Well, there is a lot going on around here and it has been keeping us all busy.

Annelise is doing well. She will be 16 months next week, but still doesn't weigh 20lbs. At this rate she will be 5 years old by the time she can face forward in her carseat. Besides that, she is doing very well. She is very happy and is always trying to say new words. She is also enjoying bathtime (finally!) as long as she doesn't know she is getting cleaned while playing in the water.

John's parents came to town for a short visit. It seemed like they left as soon as they arrived. It was nice having them here and Annelise certainly enjoyed all of the attention!

I had an ultrasound a week ago and there was no mistaking the sex of our next child. Annelise will have a little brother sometime in early March! (It would be interesting if he was born on Feb. 29th.) His name is Caleb and we are very excited. I come from a family of all girls so this will be a new experience for me. It makes me nervous, but also excited.

The week before the ultrasound I received a call and found out that one of my family members is getting married. This was a bit of a surprise considering I didn't know she was dating anyone, but it let to a fun surprise that weekend with the family.

And finally, John and I will be celebrating our birthdays, anniversary, honeymoon, and inbetween babies on a cruise in November. We are very excited about the chance to take a vacation together and can't wait for all the fun and food aboard the ship. (I am especially looking forward to the food.) We are going on a 7 day/8 night Carnival cruise to the Carribean where we will stop in Puerto Rico, St. Thomas and St. Maarten. Everything worked out very well. Instead of going straight home and back to work, we will spend the week after the cruise with my family for Thanksgiving. Annelise will be staying with my parents while we are away. It will be strange to be away from her.

So that is our life until December (when more fun begins!) No wonder this pregnancy is flying by.

A Bit Late

I have been thinking about when to write about this and as time goes by, it just gets a little more awkward. Now it seems that I am a bit late in giving out this information. It is better late than never.

If everything goes as planned, some time in early March we will become a family of 4 (not including pets of course). We found out the day before Annelise's birthday that we will be having another baby.

Although we are very excited, I am very exhausted. It is easier to be home this time around, rather than at work, but Annelise keeps me busy when she is awake (which is most of the time.) I am very thankful for our kitties who keep her entertained about half of the time. She LOVES the kitties.

I am about 15 weeks pregnant and just started the 2nd trimester. The due date is somewhere around March 8th. It is going much better this time around. I haven't been very sick this time, just extremely tired and quite hungry.

I guess we will find out in about 5 weeks whether it is a boy or a girl. I would like for it to be a surprise, but John wants to know.

Here are 2 photos. One John took while hiking with Annelise and Terra. The other was taken early September and is a 4 generation photo with my grandmother, mother, me and Annelise. It is a little fuzzy and Annelise is blocking her face, but it is the best one I have.

Changes

It is amazing how much babies change in a year. Annelise is becoming more and more exciting every day. She always has new tricks. Since she started walking a few weeks ago, she hasn't stopped. If she isn't sleeping or eating, she is walking. She loves the garbage cans and the cat food and water. I think she tried a piece of Friskies from the bowl and enjoyed it. She keeps going back for more. I am trying to find a new solution for those things, but I haven't come up with one yet.

She isn't taking her naps as well as she used to. She very often cries for a while before taking her naps now. My mother suggested giving her a toy or a book. That does help. I really need those breaks during nap time. I am not ready to give them up yet, and she is still a baby and needs her sleep!

Getting into the kitchen cabinets is a favorite activity for Annelise. She climbs in and plays around with the pots and pans.
She "knocks" on the door if I am in a room and the door is closed. She has started singing to songs.

We have been deciding on a church and are eager to get involved. Unfortunately, the 2 we have been looking at don't seem to have any group for mothers. I was really looking forward to getting involved in something like that. It would be great for Annelise and me.

Peru's Earthquake

For those who don't know, my dad is from Peru. He grew up in and around Lima. We still have family there, mainly his cousins and aunt and uncles, but still family. After the recent earthquake he did hear that all of his family was safe. Unfortunately, that wasn't the case for many people. Praise God that more weren't hurt. Here is a link to some photos that someone sent to my dad. Numbers 11-20 are repeats. It is amazing how quickly our lives can be turned upside down. Only the Lord knows what will happen tomorrow.
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