Don't You Just Love Life?

I do. I really do. And I love the life of our baby BOY! growing inside me. He's already won us over with his shy gesture of covering his face with his hand, with how he drank the amniotic fluid (that was amazing to see happen), with his cute button nose and full lips, and with his fetal position making his cute little bottom stick out. How fun it is to say "he"! Brendon is beyond thrilled and is already making plans for father/son outings and mentioned to me how neat it is to have a child that is the same gender and will go through the same things he did. MD is getting excited with questions such as "is brother in there?" Although, she gets mixed up between the three bumps on the front of my body and asks, pointing to each bump, "is baby in there?" which makes me laugh every time. I am happy that he is healthy and three days ahead of schedule. We celebrated with ice cream then swimming, and spent post-dinner discussing possible names. Life is good.

What's The New Ratio?

Right now, Brendon is outnumbered, but contentedly so. Two to one. Tomorrow we find out what the new ratio will be and we can't wait! I have a hunch it's a boy and Brendon is trying to stay neutral.

Girl or boy we'll be ecstatic!

The Power is in Our Reaction

MD, SOON TO BE A BIG SISTER

My mind has been contentedly busy with the thoughts of baby #2 to come. I'm grateful for this pregnant body and it's unending supply of reminders to be prepared, both mentally and physically. The whole process is phenomenal and fascinating. The first time around I didn't feel as prepared but I happily worried every belly-inch of the way. It's different now, I trust my instincts (so many reasons for that) and my body. Confidence feels good, really good. There is confidence in my being a mother and in being part of the creative process of another human being. But, if there is anything I've learned from these past two years of motherhood it would be that despite my efforts to make-things-just-right-according-to-Ann, LIFE HAPPENS. And it's a good thing, equally the good and the bad. President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said it well: "It is your reaction to adversity [and I would also insert prosperity], not the adversity [or prosperity] itself, that determines how your life's story will develop." The power is in our reaction. "Come what may, and love it".

I'm (Ann) Jonesing for:

A freshly crushed lime in a beverage. It's my latest pregnancy craving and I think I enjoy squeezing it just as much as drinking it. Let's see if I can make you crave it too. It is quite a show--the juice sprays, speckling the sides of the glass as it runs down to meet the fizzing bubbles. And with one gentle tap of my finger it bounces below the barrier of ice to ensure lasting full flavor. A flavor that tartly tingles and softly satiates. Come on over and we'll cheer a glass or two together.

A Journal Entry and The Reason for My Favorite Easter

I loved telling Brendon. He is very subtle in his expressions unless you know him the way I do. Oh, the way he looked at me this weekend. His eyes tell me a thousand things at once. He makes me melt, he makes me feel cherished. I can tell he senses this same holiness that I do. And I love that about him. I love how, once we knew, all the pragmatic worries dissolved. We simply feel blessed and know it is right. Heavenly Father has always been generous in his timing with us and we feel completely confident that this is no different. We told family right away--I have no patience when it comes to sharing good news.

As a vessel to protect and nourish this new life, I feel the sacredness of its responsibility. It is a holy feeling to hold life within and I find and feel it expanding to greater vessels such as relationships and our home. This Easter weekend has been memorable--the exciting discovery of knowing another spirit is on its way to our family.