Banks is going to be a BIG BROTHER!

Patrick and I decided back in the fall that we were starting to feel ready to expand our family again. Banks brings us so much joy and fills our hearts and home with so much love that we couldn't help but want to expand that love even more. So, on the Sunday after Christmas (12/27/15), after a wonderful holiday celebration and spending the weekend in Elliott, I took a positive pregnancy test! What a special time to find out we are expecting. As I've said before, Christmas has always been one of my favorite times of the year, and it was even more fun this year with Banks. He was able to understand a little more what was going on, and he even did a little better with sitting on Santa's lap. My parents came over to our house on Christmas Eve, and we started the tradition of baking cookies for Santa (and to share with family). We spent Christmas morning at home (Santa brought Banks a Jeep!), and then went and had lunch with my family. Then we headed to Elliott where Banks enjoyed some time with his cousins (and Nannie, Pops, and Shannon and Allison).

So after such an already magical time, it was the perfect ending to find out we had another sweet blessing on the way. Just like with Banks, we were very excited and wanted to share with our parents and immediate families soon. I told "Aunt Cece" by having Banks tell her "big brudder." Then, when I was about 6 weeks, we told my parents by putting Banks in a shirt that said, "Long live the BRO code." It took them both a minute for it to sink in but of course they were elated. Then, we talked Patrick's parents into coming up the next weekend and Patrick came up with the idea of getting pink and blue paint samples and asking them which one they thought would look best in the extra bedroom. Their response was also priceless. Then we called Shannon and Allison to tell them. We are so lucky to have so much support and so many people who are excited for us!

I had to wait until I was 8 weeks pregnant for my first doctors appointment, which was on 2/2/16. We got to hear and see a nice, strong heartbeat. There's nothing else like hearing that sound! We also got to see our little bean on the ultrasound. The official due date is September 8, 2016. Banks and his sibling will be 2 years and 9 months apart, which I think is good timing.

Banks still says, "no," when I ask him if he wants a baby, but I think he is really going to love having a sibling! We get to find out in March if it's a boy or girl.

As far as me and the pregnancy, I have to say it's been a little more bumpy of a ride this time. I've started showing much sooner, but I've also felt so exhausted and a little sick at times. I've still been fortunate that I haven't actually "gotten sick" with either pregnancy, but I've definitely had some days that I thought I was going to this time. With Banks I was able to prop my feet up every day after work, so I think some of the exhaustion may be coming from having a toddler to chase around while growing a human! Hard work! I'm getting close to the end of my first trimester, so hopefully all will be smooth after that. I am ready for that second trimester boost of energy so I can get some nesting done!