The Final Days

There's something to be said about feeling content. Feeling content where we are at in life, feeling content professionally, and feeling content with myself. It's a good feeling. It brings comfort. It allows me to worry less (which is still a lot since I am a worry wart at heart) and it allows me to sit back and enjoy. We've enjoyed tailgates and cool nights. I've gotten lots of first grade hugs and 2 year old cuddles at night. Doug and I even had the chance to spend a Sunday cleaning, going out for breakfast, and enjoying each others company.

But something I learned in school is that there's also something to be said about discontent. About the feeling that something isn't right, that something needs to change. The only way things can get better or life can evolve is for something to change.

Boys and girls...change is a comin'!! We are so ready to welcome this little girl into the world. The house is ready, we have a name, and Jani is elated to become a big sister. I'm not quite there yet at school, but I know by the end of the week I'll be there. I'm not sure I've quite wrapped my head around the fact that we are going from a family of three to a family of four but I am so excited to do so. I came to the realization that I just haven't documented this pregnancy as well as I did Jani's. I convinced Doug to get behind the camera and try to get some belly pics. We also conned a good friend into taking some of the three of us. Now she can officially come. The belly has been documented. Commence Operation Baby #2 :)

Jani's Year 2 Photo Book

Click here to view this photo book larger

Shutterfly offers exclusive photobook layouts so you can make your book just the way you want.

2 Years Later...

Changing Seasons

We've entered another "season" in our life. Doug and I have often said that fall does not begin on September 21. It begins the day school starts. The day our schedule comes back into our daily lives. The day Jani heads back to daycare. The day that utter chaos takes over! We both knew this fall would start out challenging, and probably continue to be challenging until football was over....and the challenge has begun. But we're trying to embrace it, trying to embrace these last few weeks as just the three of us. Fall is truly our favorite time of year so it makes it a little easier.

The last time I was pregnant, I was a reading teacher. The demands of the job are much different. Your daily schedule as a reading teacher looks completely different than that of a classroom teacher. I am finding out that my body does not enjoy this. My nights are spent dealing with swollen feet/hands and contractions. My days aren't bad but I can tell that it is much more difficult for me to get around, to get things set up, and to tolerate the behaviors that challenge me. We're at a point that there is about 5-6 weeks before we meet this baby. I'm starting to want to see her. I am wondering what she'll look like...wondering if she's going to look and act like Jani. If we could decide on a name, I'd be a very happy camper :)

Doug's football season has been more challenging this year. His staff wasn't assembled until the last minute and that put a lot of stress on him as the head coach. We both love football and both love being involved in it, but sometimes this stress just doesn't seem worth it. He's back at teaching, he has his two favorite classes to teach this year and will hopefully be able to settle into his schedule before the baby comes.

Jani is elated to be a big sister. She constantly kisses my belly, talks to it, sings to it...she's embracing this role already and we love seeing this in her. We got her registered for dance and she can't wait. She keeps asking if it's time to go to dance class and we have to tell her she's got awhile to wait. We hope it's a nice distraction once baby gets here and something special for just her to do.

Unfortunately, my camera was dropped and is currently in the shop. I feel lost. I hate not having it with me and I feel like I'm missing part of our lives! A belly picture will be first on my list when it is back in my hands!!

Sweet Summertime!

The time is going too fast. Way too fast. It's what we say every single summer. The days seem long at times (a 2 year old's attitude can definitely make some days feel like an eternity!) but when I look at the calendar, time is slowly slipping away. I hate that it's happening because our days as a family of three are numbered. I'm shocked that we are already at week 28 and I feel like we just found out I was expecting!

In baby news, the nursery is coming along. My dad and Doug created an amazing closet that is allowing me to get a little more organized...something I seriously struggle with. I've enjoyed getting out all of Jani's old baby things, washing them, and getting them folded in the drawers. Seeing how small they are gets my excited but also has me completely terrified to have an infant in the house!! The only thing I wish we could figure out is this child's name! We're having a really hard time getting that narrowed down...

In Jani news, she continues to be a typical two year old. Happy go lucky one minute, completely crazy and psychotic the next! She can go from angel to devil in a matter of seconds. But we're having fun watching her and learning from her along the way. She's quite the conversationalist, loves talking to anyone she can get in contact with, and has had a serious love for board games lately. We are trying to expand our collection because Candy Land and Cootie can get old after about 100 plays!

As for Doug and I, he kept busy in June with a class and turning 30!! and Jani and I had fun swimming, going to Kindermusik, and supervising the Reading Clinic for a week. This month we get to go on family vacation, celebrate my birthday, and take a little trip to Omaha. We're pretty excited to travel as a family and make some memories before baby comes!

We had a mini photo session with her after church since it's been so long since we've taken her picture. Doug teased that he's amazed I even want to take her picture anymore because every time we try it goes the same way...Jani and I arguing and me not getting what I want! But we got a couple we can frame...until next time :)

Our Summer Bucket List

I was inspired at our small group tonight to make a summer bucket list. Doug claims we don't need one...that we do fun things all the time. But I think if I write things down I will have to stick to it. It also keeps us motivated to do more than the normal "fun" things we always do. So here goes...this may get adapted as I come up with ideas. Consider this draft #1.

1. Make play-doh.
2. Make sidewalk chalk.
3. Have a water balloon fight.
4. Go paint pottery.
5. Mommy-Jani date.
6. Daddy-Jani date.
7. Watch fireworks.
8. Go to a parade that actually throws out candy.
9. Go fishing.
10. Go on the canoes with Gma and Gpa.
11. Tye-dye shirts.
12. Fly a kite.
13. Go to the zoo.
14. Stay at a hotel.
15. See a movie in the theater.
16. Shaving cream fun.
17. Catch fireflies with Gma's nets.
18. Slumber party in the living room.
19. Wash the car by hand.
20. Go on a picnic.
21. Run through the sprinklers.
22. Bake cupcakes.
23. Turn our slide into a water slide.