Anticipation...

Anticipation, anxiety, excitement, fatigue, wonder, blessed...so many emotions are going through me all at once right now. It is very surreal to walk around & think, "is my water going to break while I am here at Costco," or "am I going to start having major contractions while I am driving in the rain today." Knowing that your life will change forever at any moment is an interesting way to live your daily life.

I have not posted much this past year, & I do miss it. For those who are not aware, I am coming up on my last week of my second pregnancy. I am technically due next Tuesday, December 15th, although I could go into labor any day now (what a strange thought). We are expecting our second baby girl & we will be naming her when we meet her; & then introducing her to our family & friends by name at that time.

My pregnancy has overall been a very pleasant one & I am feel so blessed to be able to say that. The biggest difference between this one & my first is that I seem to be more exhausted. However, that could have something to do with having a very active almost 3 year old at home this time. :-)

(I just love this picture...

my handsome husband & beautiful daughter Riley)

Riley seems to be very happy & excited about having a baby sister, although we have been telling her for so long now, I am not sure if she believes that she is really coming. The arrival of her baby sister coupled with Christmas this year has made for one very exciting holiday season already, & neither are even here yet! Riley loves the Christmas lights & trees she is seeing everywhere & birthdays. There are so many family birthdays during this season for us that I think she now relates the two. The neat thing is that she knows how to sing "Happy Birthday" & she will get to sing it to her baby sister very soon. (She is also very excited for the birthday cake that goes along with the upcoming birthdays.)

How to be a mother of two? How to be a good mother of two? Those are the kinds of questions & thoughts racing through my head with every little task I do, action I take, thought I have, & moment with my family. I do have peace with those questions, most of the time. I feel very blessed, though, to have an amazing husband who loves his daughter(s) & me so unconditionally & truly wants to be apart of our lives. I am also very thankful for parents (on both sides) who desire to be a part of my new growing family's life. They take joy in spending time with each & every one of us, together or separately. I am grateful for having brothers & sisters-in-law who love us & our kids beyond measure. God has also blessed us with an incredible church & network of friends as well, who will not let us fail & will continue to support us through love, friendship, accountability, food, fellowship, prayer, guidance, humor, transparency, etc. Thank you to all of you who have become such integral parts of our lives. Thank you to all of you who will be part of my girls' lives. They say "it takes a village"...& I am so thankful we have one.

Millsy 3...Soon-to-be 4!