New Year = New Addition

Rob and I could not be more excited to share the news that we are expecting baby #2! I really wanted to make it through week 12 before sharing the news but we are just too excited..not to mention since this is #2 by 12 weeks I'll probably be showing a little.

As most people know, we experienced infertility with Abigail...so we feel extra extra blessed to be expecting this addition! We have not taken one second of it for granted!!!!!

The picture at the top is from the ultrasound at 6 weeks. We were even able to hear a heartbeat then (115 beats a minute).

My due date is August 7th...but as you know, my babies like to come early! A lot of people have been asking what they will do differently with this pregnancy. I am going to be monitored closely by maternal fetal specialists at Central Dupage Hospital in addition to my regular doctors. I go to the hospital to meet the doctors at the end of the month to learn if I need to have a surgery to stitch my cervix close. I feel mixed on this...I don't want surgery but it would be comforting to know my cervix is closed, especially when I get around 25 weeks. I also will be going in once a week for progesterone shots. But as I said earlier, we know how blessed we are for this pregnancy-my doctor wasn't sure it would ever happen-so bring on whatever you need! My doctor is hoping I can avoid bedrest by just keeping my activity level down. Bedrest will be really difficult this time cause of Abigail, but I'll do whatever it takes. I'm just hoping if I do go on bedrest, it's at home, not the hospital.

My good friend Anna who I met in the NICU is expecting her second baby in April and she already made it two weeks past when Cally was born, so she gives me hope. Also, Kristine (a friend we met through our neighbors) had a very very early preemie with her 1st daughter and made it 37 weeks with her 2nd daughter so that makes me feel good..but she had 12 weeks of bedrest (3 in the hospital)...I give her so much credit!

Abigail is very excited to be a big sister...or at least she wears the shirt well! We think she is going to do great. I have been holding her babydoll like a baby to prepare her-today she took the baby from me and slammed it into the fireplace, so I guess we'll keep working at it! :) But we have a long time (let's hope) to get her ready. If this baby is patient, the kids will be 20 months apart..perfect!

I'll post belly pics (with a shirt, sorry but no one is seeing the stomach) but right now I look the same as after Thanksgiving dinner...surely nothing to look at! I have to post about our New Years and other events...but today we'll let Our Little Sunshine have the spotlight!!!!!

Dear Sunshine,

Mommy and daddy love you so much already! Mommy can't wait for you to start kicking her...your sister was a great kicker so we think you will too! When you are born, you will have a big sister who will teach you the ropes and give you lots of kisses...she'll also read to you a lot because she loves books! You will also have a puppy Kramer to play with. We have been reading books to you already and letting you listen to Abigail's favorite music with her...we hope you enjoy it! If not, kick me! Keep growing big and strong...Mommy will do everything she can to help you! We can't wait to meet you...but we want to you stay inside where it's warm until at least you are 36 weeks old, okay? Mommy and Daddy want you to know that you already make us happy everyday, like sunshine! We'll see you in 31 weeks!

Love,

Mommy, Daddy, Abigail, and Kramer