Olson Visit

To say that Hannah is having fun with her cousins is probably an understatement. She is LOVING having Lanie and Macy around to play with. They are graciously joining in. This morning they were having a balloon parade around the house. It was very cute.

The Olsons arrived on Thursday night after a 13 hour drive from DC through New York City... well, they saw NYC skyline from a distance as they crawled along 95. I confess I didn't envy them that trip. On Friday we walked around Gloucester and then enjoyed the Horribles parade yesterday evening. Our friends Craig, Susan and Christopher, and Pastor Jim and Donna joined us for the parade. It was a lot of fun. Hannah and Christopher were not too sure about the loud firetrucks, police cars and ambulances, but Hannah loved seeing Elmo, Pooh and Thomas the Tank Engine. She is still asking to see Thomas again today. Unfortunately, the Gloucester fireworks were cancelled last night, supposedly due to the weather, but it actually turned out to be a really nice evening. We are going to brave the crowds and head to Salem on the train to try to catch those fireworks tonight.

Today we spent the morning at Good Harbor Beach. It was the first time Lanie and Macy were at the beach and I think I can safely say they loved it. Of course, our little water and sand bug loved it too and it was fun seeing all three girls playing in the sand in water.

Now it is family nap time before catching the train. I hope to post some pictures of all the fun we are having. Happy 4th of July!

Pregnancy and Birth Blessing Bracelet

My friend Amanda just sent me a picture of the bracelet she created with the beads from my blessing party a couple weeks ago. I'm very excited about it. It will be the first item into my hospital bag as we prepare for Baby Grover's arrival. Less than 2 months to go according to my "official" due date, although I'm trying not to get too fixated on the actual date.

Thanks Amanda and thanks again to everyone who contributed.

A Great Week with Family

Nana, Poppi, Jon and Mo all headed home yesterday and just about broke my little girl's heart. We dropped Jon and Mo off at the airport and Hannah burst into tears. She wanted to go with them or for them to stay with her. Her tears brought my own tears. The tears were a testimony to the fact we had a great week and didn't want it to end. Thanks, family, for making the journey to Gloucester. You made a little girl and her parents very happy.

See our picasa link for more pictures of the week.

Two years ago at this time...

...my little girl was almost 2 days old! Today she has learned to climb out of her crib. Can that really be?!?!? Every once in a while I can see that infant girl in my daughter's eyes, but more and more I see Hannah.

One year ago she was making consonant noises and sounds. Now she is asking questions and carrying on conversations. Last week we were eating dinner together and she turned to Daryl and asked, "How was work?" Daryl responded, "It was ok. How was home?" "Pretty fine," Hannah answered. We just had to chuckle. She is listening to our conversation and jumping right in.

I hope to post more pictures of this week with Nana, Poppi, Uncle Jon and Aunt Mo as well as pictures of Hannah's birthday day. We had a great day... perfect weather! Originally I had planned to do a larger party, but it was too hard to narrow the guest list, so we had a family party (which we rarely get to do) with one of Hannah's little friends. That wired her enough, I think:-)! So, be on the lookout for pictures soon!

Birthday pictures...

A Special Blessing

Today my mom and sister-in-law surprised me with a pregnancy blessing party. I don't know if that was the official term, but that is what I am calling it. While my mom was in Pennsylvania last weekend, she asked my aunts, girl cousins, and grandmothers to select a bead from the collection my mom had and write a special word of blessing or encouragement for me. Today mom and Maureen gathered several of my friends from here and surprised me at my favorite Tea Shop where my friends added their beads and blessings to the collection. My friend Amanda is going to create a bracelet or necklace with the beads for me to have as a reminder of the love and encouragement surrounding me going into the birth of my second baby.

It was such an incredible blessing to be surrounded by many of the women I love in my life. I had NO IDEA that my mom and Maureen were planning this. Thank you to everyone who touched my life in this way. It meant so much to me.

I really needed to hear all the words that were shared. I especially needed to hear that I really will love this baby as much as I love my little Hannah. I have no idea who this little one will be, but I look forward to meeting him or her.

Thank you to everyone who contributed to my special day!

Mommy, I'm Nighted!

We have moved into a new toddler phase in this house... taking clothes off and believe me Hannah is very good at it, all the way down to and including her diaper. A couple weeks ago I went into her room during the time she was "suppose" to be napping. She had her shirt off and a big smile on her face. "Mommy, I'm nighted!" Naked, sweet girl, but very cute.

The other day she was pushing Daryl's t-shirt up and saying, "Daddy's nighted!"

Today's nap time took the cake. I peeked into her room to see if she was sleeping. She had everything from her crib out on the floor, including her clothes and diaper! She was truly nighted today. The experts say I should celebrate her ability. I'm afraid I worry more about the mess that could result.

We are looking forward to a visit from my family starting on Saturday. Jon and Maureen will be flying in then and my parents will arrive on Tuesday. Wednesday we will have a family celebration for Hannah's birthday. Can my baby be 2 already?!?!

Beach Season 2009 Begins!

This past week has been BEAUTIFUL, perfect weather for the beach and we definitely have a little water/sand bug. For those of you who live in the south, you may not think much of it, but up here the water is a "warm" 53 degrees!!!! Whenever I put my feet in, my ankles ACHE!!! Hannah, on the other hand, will stand, run AND sit in the water. It is a sad time for her when it is time to go.

We started the beach season with a day at Good Harbor beach with our friends Gabriela and Mariana. Mariana is about 3 months younger than Hannah. Gabriela is expecting their second child just about a month before our little Grover is due. It was a really nice morning and we look forward to other beach days with them and some of our other mom and baby friends in the area.


Baby Grover continues to be an active little baby. Today I felt like I was going to have bruises on the inside of my uterus from his/her kicks and rolling. Whenever I make a noise like "ohh, ouch" Hannah is asking "What happened?" (This has been her latest question for everything!) My midwife put in a vote for a boy as the baby's heart rate was below 140. However, I've been told by several ladies in the church that I'm carrying a girl. So bottom line... I might be having a boy and I might be having a girl. Any votes?

And here is the first picture challenge. What do you think Hannah was pretending in these pictures? They actually go together.



Hannah was having a birthday picnic with her animals. There is a little blue birthday cake and the swim diaper on Hannah's head is a birthday hat:-). It was very cute!