Life has been crazy busy for the last several months…and filled with a lot of changes in our family. First and foremost, the most exciting change is that we are getting ready to welcome a baby girl in just a few months! Little sister will be making her debut in late October or early November. Alannah is very excited to be a big sister! She was overjoyed when we found it that it is a girl. I think she would have cried if it would have been a boy. We are all very excited.
It’s hard to believe that it has been six years since I was pregnant with Alannah. Being the sentimental sap that I am anyway, this pregnancy has reminded me more of how quickly Alannah has grown up and how I wish I could turn her into a little baby again. We have gone through all of Alannah’s baby clothes (because I am a hoarder and couldn’t part with the majority of them) and I can remember every outfit and a time when she wore everything. Why does time have to go by so fast? Sigh. My first baby is off to kindergarten in a little over a week. It’s so crazy. I am having a bit of a hard time with it (not letting her know of course). I realize it’s just kindergarten, but I feel like she is off to college already. I am excited for her at the same time though. I know my little smarty pants will excel in school. She says she is excited and nervous (she is SO my child). This year is full of exciting changes for her. In addition to turning 5, starting kindergarten, and becoming a big sister, Alannah will be starting soccer in August. She is so active and expressed an interest in soccer, so we signed her up. Recently, she has also started sleeping in her room every night, which has been a big challenge for us. We have the sleep fairy to thank for this. She is still doing gymnastics and still loving it.
We’ve been keeping busy this summer. In addition to getting ready for baby, we’ve been trying to do lots of fun stuff before Alannah starts school and making sure we enjoy our last few months as a family of three (bittersweet). We’ve gone to the beach a few times, we went to Disneyland before it got too hot and before my belly got to big, and we took a trip to San Diego and brought our niece along. The girls are 18-months apart and had a blast. I thought it would give me a taste of what it’s like having two kids…which is definitely did. We still have a few more things to check off of our summer bucket list, but we’re making progress…and more importantly, making memories.
What else is new? I started a new job in January. I am working part-time now which I love. It was hard to leave my old job as I love most of the people I worked with, but it was time. Working part-time has allowed me to spend more quality time with my family. I’m hoping to be able to volunteer in Alannah’s classroom once she starts school and be as involved as I can. I like that I will be home shortly after she gets out of school to help with homework and spend extra time with her…and soon, her little sister.
That’s been our life in a nutshell over the past few months. We are still missing my dad very much, but I know he is still with us in spirit. The saying is true, that is does get a little easier with time. The missing him never goes away, but we are slowly learning that life returns to a new normal. And it has taught us to embrace life a little more and be thankful for today. I know the next few months will fly by and the baby will be here before we know it. I am not one who enjoys pregnancy, but I’m trying to embrace it and enjoy it (as much as I can) because this will be our last. Stay tuned!
