Two Valentine's are better than One!

Three years ago almost to this exact date (2-15-13) I spent the morning packing our bags to spend the weekend in Collinsville at a hotel with our family. This also happened to be the day I found out I was pregnant with our first child aka Ms. Lainey Nicole. It was extremely early and absolutely difficult to not want to tell our family all weekend. Now today as it is time to pack our bags and prepare for another fun weekend at the very same hotel I am making a new memory. Our family is excited to share with everyone that I am expecting our second child. Baby Simpson will be making his/her arrival approx. August 19th 2016. I am currently 13 weeks and officially in the 2nd trimester. Woo Hoo! Time is definitely flying. Since Lainey repeats everything and most of our family did not know our news until 11 weeks we avoided talking about it in front of her. Now I have been talking often about baby and reinforcing that she will be getting a sibling. She has already declared whether boy or girl the name will be Bon Jovi. Last Friday she acknowledged on her own that a baby was in Mommy's belly and that she also had one in her belly. I have a feeling she is going to be an awesome big sister!

I first realized I was pregnant on Dec 9th (again extremely early). It would've been great fun to share our news at Christmas but it just wasn't time yet. We did share the news with my Mom, sister, and my closest coworkers. I know it may sound strange not telling all of our family but yet telling work people. You have to understand when working in the radiology department this is just the way it goes. We did things exactly the same way as when I was pregnant the first go around. Thank you to everyone that was respectful and kept our news quiet until we were ready to share.

 I am feeling great. In the beginning I was extremely tired and mainly just felt icky when getting up early for work on the weekends. (which is at 3 am) Lack of sleep does not agree in the early weeks. I do not remember being this exhausted the first time around but also did not have a toddler to take care of either. For a few weeks felt constantly bloated pretty much like I had eaten ten pies in a row. I'm not really even craving sweets though mainly carbs. Have not thrown up to date & I had a great pregnancy the first time so hoping this one stays on track too. I have continued to work out every Friday at Design Fitness and once the weather is better I look forward to taking walks. For weeks I haven't been able to bring myself to get up at 5 am for the morning classes on Tue & Thursday but hoping soon I am back to it.

I am seeing Sylvia the midwife that delivered Lainey and have already seen her for two appointments. She has switched medical groups so now having everything done through Memorial Hospital in Belleville. I had my dating ultrasound and all was well. It's a wonderful thing to see that fast beating heart beat. Looking forward to finding out the sex and then I can start planning things. If it's a girl then we are set and if it's a boy then let the buying begin!! We also need to figure out what we will be doing for a bedroom situation. Hopefully we are going to get a portion of the basement fixed up in the next 6 months. The computer room will be moved downstairs and spare room will be open upstairs. As long as I deliver on schedule then it will work out that I will be on maternity leave for my brother's wedding which is taking place in Las Vegas. Flying with an almost 3 year old and 6 week old should be interesting. I am just so happy that our planning worked out and I won't be 9 months pregnant and I'm able to attend. I can just see it now two adorable kiddos decked out in wedding attire. Maybe two little dresses maybe a little dress & baby tuxedo. Can't wait!!!

Baby Simpson will be grandchild # 2 for my side of the family and #15 on the Simpson side. I think between Jefferson and Simpson families their are currently 4 other pregnant cousins. Babies, Babies, and more babies!!!! The year is still young so that list will hopefully grow too. Overall we are all excited for our growing family and I look forward to sharing the journey.