Ella Starts Pre-School

I thought today would be a good day to update the blog.

Today marks a BIG day for Ella.  She started Pre-School this morning at Spanish Schoolhouse!  How is it possible that she is old enough to start school? Where did my baby go?  

Last night as I was putting her to bed, I got teary eyed thinking about her starting school (blame it on the pregnancy hormones 😏). Then when I was talking to Collin about it, he brought up the fact that close to 4 years ago we didn't even know if we would have one to be able to send to school. Much less another one on the way.  

Back in February when everyone was registering their kids for school, we really didn't know where we would be.  I am so glad that we got to stay here and know that we will be here for probably another 3 years maybe longer.  The Spanish Schoolhouse has a great program and I think she will like it.  It is really convenient to our house, which is an added bonus.  

So how did the 1st day go...well she was fine until she thought that Boots was going to have to stay in her nap mat. We retrieved Boots and went on into the classroom.  She was fine until her daddy went to hug her and tell her bye.  She threw her arms around him and cried.  And that's when mama lost it.   She turned away and wiped her tears as she was running off to play.  Let's just hope she stayed that way.  I did call and check on her and they said she was perfectly fine.  I guess we will see at 2:00!

This is a strange feeling for mom.  I guess its terrible to admit that this is the first time Ella has ever been dropped off somewhere to stay without Collin or myself.  Yes, she has stayed with my parents and babysitters but that has always been in the comfort of her home.  It's a strange feeling when you leave your child somewhere.  It was also weird walking back into the house without her.  I can't tell you the last time I was home all alone.  Poor Sunny paced around for a little bit looking for her.  I assured him she was coming back.  

I can't wait to go get her to see how she did and how her day was.  Trust me I am going to like the 5 hour break 2 days a week, but it might take some adjusting!  I can't wait to get things done around here that I can't seem to get done with a 2.5 year old.  

In other news...I reached the 23 week mark on Sunday.  It's hard to believe that I only have about 4 months left.  Part of me wants it to go by fast and part of me wants to soak in all the alone time with Ella.  I think she is getting excited about baby sister.  I also try not to think about all that is coming up around the time this one is due.  Looks like she will be an end of November or early December baby.  That means...Christmas is going to have to go up before Thanksgiving or it might not get done! So we will have Thanksgiving, a baby, a 3rd birthday and then Christmas!  Do we have great timing or what???  

Until next time....

SURPRISE It's a GIRL!

If you are here then you have read our news on Facebook!
SURPRISE....WE ARE PREGNANT!

I thought it was only appropriate to announce this on Father's Day!  I am also entering 15 weeks.

I am sure everyone is curious for the details.
So here goes...

To say we were shocked when we found out Easter weekend is an understatement.  I never in a million years expected it.  We were out of town for Easter and came home a day early because Ella was sick. I am not sure why I decided to take a test, but I did.  When the line came up I thought I had the test upside down (LOL) because the pregnancy line came up before the other line.  Collin was cooking breakfast and I went running in the kitchen.  If I had taken the test the day before, I would have believed it was an April Fool's joke.  

After our last round of IVF in November, we were done.  Over the 4 months that followed, I had come to terms with Ella being an only child.  Honestly I was fine.  I even told someone about a month before we found out that I believe God had taken the desire of having another child out of my heart.

I had said many times if it happens it happens, but I am not going to seek it out with anymore fertility treatments.  I also really didn't think I could handle 2 kids (still up in the air about that one).  I stayed in shock for awhile.  I hate to say (given our history) that it has taken me awhile to wrap my brain around this.  You come to terms with one thing and then surprise!   I guess God has a sense of humor considering tomorrow I turn 40.  #40andpregnant

I honestly didn't believe it-then the sickness hit.  For about 13 1/2 weeks, I was so sick.  I don't remember it being that bad with Ella.  As I enter 15 weeks today, the sickness is finally letting up.  I will say that Daddy has had to pull a lot of my weight around the house.  He has been a champ!

So this is where it gets weird.  We found out on April 2nd that we were pregnant.  3 years ago on April 3rd we did the egg retrieval for Ella.  This pregnancy and Ella's pregnancy are about 3 weeks apart.  We first heard this baby's heartbeat on May 3rd.  We first heard Ella's heartbeat on May 4th. How did we manage that?  2 December babies.  When we were doing IVF after Ella we both were like we don't want another December baby. Well guess what...I am due December 9th!

We did the genetic testing again with this baby.  Collin was out of town when we got the results.  The company actually emailed them to me before my Dr. called.  I knew better than to open them because it would show the gender.  The nurse called at 4:20 on Friday afternoon (of Memorial Day weekend) to let me know that the results were all fine.  By that time it was too late to go pick up the results to be able to do a gender reveal.  So....those results sat in my email box and Collin's email box ALL WEEKEND and neither one of us peeked!

He got his brother (since they were together) to look at the results and write down the gender so we could get some balloons for Ella to open.  We had plans to do it Monday and take pictures of us opening the box, but Ella got hit with the stomach virus.

We couldn't wait any longer so we improvised.  Ella in her peppa pjs and all-at least they were pink and blue.   I actually think they turned out really cute! It was a special moment for just the 3 of us.

I was really shocked that it was a girl.  I just knew it was going to be a boy.  We honestly didn't care...we want a healthy baby with 10 fingers and 10 toes and a SLEEPER!!!

We have been talking to Ella a little bit about being a sister.   One day before we found out I asked her if she wanted a baby brother or baby sister and she said....
Baby Sister!  She has no clue what that means!  I am trying to soak in all the last moments with her as an only child.    

This pregnancy has been harder to keep a secret that Ella's was.  I guess because we have so many friends here in Rockwall.  I was so sick, I couldn't keep it a secret from people I saw or talked to everyday.  We decided to share with close friends and family.  We have been so open about our journey that I knew I would share this one no matter what.

Before we found out we were pregnant we were trying to plan a trip for my 40th birthday and one for us (since we haven't been anywhere since Ella was born).  Once we found out were pregnant some of the places were taken off the table because of Zika. We decided on Bermuda!  So for the next 5 days we will be soaking in the beautiful beach and sunshine.  I try not to think about the fact that I am turning 40 and pregnant.  I know that it is 100% a blessing and one that we are extremely happy for. We never thought this would happen.  We knew there was a chance, but with our history didn't think it would happen.

We have already been asked if we could please name this little girl before she was born LOL.  I will say this...we will try!

Thanks to everyone who has followed our journey and has been there through it all. Obviously there was more to come.  To the people who have encouraged me over the last 15 weeks...I am not sure I would have made it without it.  We still have awhile to go, but this little girl is loved already.  We can't wait to share more with everyone.

Oh!  I forgot some other GREAT news!  As we found out we were pregnant, Collin got a promotion!  We also found out that we will be staying in the Dallas area for a few more years!!!

Now I am going to enjoy some much needed R&R with the best husband and daddy there is!

Happy Father's Day x 2!!!