Life doesn't wait.

The past few months have been a whirlwind. I have barely had time to sit down at the end of the day let alone journal, blog, or even catch up with friends!

Well, life doesn't wait. It just keeps going, and I've just been hanging on for the ride.

This pregnancy has been quite hard. I was sick for 17 weeks, and once I began to feel better I was bigger and the back pain, ligament pain, and heartburn kicked in. Although I had morning sickness and all the "usual" pregnancy symptoms with Calvin, this pregnancy has taken it to a whole other level. Chasing around a 2 year old while pregnant does not allow much time to put your feet up and rest, either.

We found out we were having a girl on February 7, 2013! I knew something was different about this pregnancy, but I've always heard 2nd ones are harder than the 1st. I was just SURE that we would have nothing but boys! I'd only looked at boy names, and hadn't even dared to venture into the pink side of the clothing stores. Well, we were just blown away by our ultrasound when the tech said "Looks like girl stuff!" I went to the bathroom and cried afterwards: relief that the baby was healthy, and just joy that God is blessing us with a girl to add to our family.

The baby moves all the time, and she is healthy as can be. Mom? Well...let's just say I don't really have a pregnancy "glow" this time around. Two hospital trips so far, lots of prescriptions, one upper respitory infection, the stomach flu, all while working full time and regular family responsibilites. Did I mention I've been traveling to Indy each month for Supervisor workshops? My maternity leave will be well earned, my friends.

But I am endlessly grateful to be pregnant, to be having another baby, and we are all so excited to meet this little girl. Calvin knows it's his baby sister and says that Mommy has a baby girl in her belly. He is learning lullabies, and likes to sing "Rockabye baby" and "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star". He is also learning "Jesus Loves Me". He's continuing to amaze us with new phrases, silly dances, and I love our conversations. His imagination is WILD and VIVID, and he tells us some pretty intersesting stories. He regularly rides rocket ships, has an irrational fear of alligators (who I have to tell to go away and ask their Mommies to pick them up), he finds Pumas (yes, as in mountain lions) in our home, and when he pretends to be Buzz Lightyear he takes it very, very seriously. He now tells us "I'm just pretending, Mommy" as if we are so silly to believe him sometimes. He talks to his toys, plays so well, and loves to just be a boy. He went through a very rough stage where everything was "I don't wanna". Tantrums, crying, meltdowns...UGH! It was not fun. He's gotten better the past few weeks and I think my sweet boy is back.

Last night, for example I said "Calvin,  you're my sweet boy". He says "Mommy, you're my good girl" and hugged me so tight.

He loves to pray and read the Bible, and loves church. His heart is so tender and precious, and makes up for all the times that he's bad. Because trust me, he definitely has his moments! We now count to 3, have time outs, and remove toys for punishment. Potty training is going well, but going number 2 is not on his agenda. We will wait for him to be ready. :) Sticker charts have been working, and he loves to put the sticker on the chart himself.

Calvin has been weaned for a long while now, and he did it on his own timing. Child led weaning really does work, and kids do not nurse until they're teens. I feel like this is too personal of a journey for me to be detailed about, but it was a slow, gradual process with hardly any tears. Well, maybe some for me. Just like with everything I've tried to do with parenting, I followed my instincts and his cues, and he really is a healthy, well attached, social, happy little guy.

The theme of this pregnancy and the past few months really has been for me to let go. Let go of the fact that I haven't had time to detail every minute of this pregnancy, let go of the crazy piles of laundry, the lack of baby stuff (even though I'm in my 3rd trimester now...holy cow), and let go of the fact that I simply cannot do everything. I have had to force myself to let go of to do lists, cleaning, and even work, and just, well, rest.

The current kicking in my belly is the best reminder of what is important...

Here are some of my pregnancy must haves for anyone who cares or needs to buy a gift for a pregnant Mama!

Bio Oil- sold at Walgreens and Target. It's to prevent and treat stretchmarks, scars, imperfections, etc. I used it while pregnant with Calvin and am using it now. It's expensive, but a little goes a long way and it lasts for a long time. It's amazing!

Belly Band- Target. It's a stretchy band that goes over your current clothes so you can wear them unbuttoned and save lots of money on maternity pants. It provides extra support too.

Maternity Camisole-Spend the 20 bucks. I wear it every day, and got mine, at yep, you guessed it: Target.