A happy time

So, Jon and I decided to have some little family/maternity pictures taken a few weeks ago. At the time, I would have rather had a fork stuck in my eye than have photos taken of myself, but Jon kept telling me I would regret it if I didn't have any pictures of this really amazing time in our lives and eventually, I agreed.

My vain, girly mind could point out all kinds of flaws and unflattering features, but my better side is prevailing and saying these are beautiful. They really are. This has been an incredible blessing in our family to have this opportunity to be pregnant and with a sweet baby girl. I really can't think of what else I could ask for in life besides for her to be healthy. It seems like an impossible thing to have TWO perfect, healthy kids, a boy and a girl, but it seems to happen a lot so hopefully that is a blessing we will know :)

Anyway, I love how these turned out. Jen Herem did a fabulous job in less than ideal conditions. Being a photographer myself, I knew I was asking a difficult thing to shoot inside in such a small space with less than ideal lighting, but she made it happen! I really wanted these done at home to make them feel very comfortable and natural, and I think that's just what we got. I am happy we did it.

I love it. I love this incredible little space of time in my life. I love my absolutely wonderful husband, my perfect, adorable little toddler, my big, round belly, the sweet but wildly active baby girl inside, and the family we are together. Life is good.

How does he know??

I have the greatest little boy on the planet.

How did I ever become so blessed to be his Mommy?? I think I will wonder that for all eternity.

I am just in awe at the heart my little man has. He is two. He is wild and crazy and throws tantrums and fits and gets into trouble, but at the same time, he is SO incredibly in tune to his Momma's feelings lately.

I have been sick a couple of times in the last couple of months. Once with a yucky cold, and just yesterday/today with some awful stomach bug. It's really tough being sick when you are pregnant and especially when your hubby isn't home and your family lives far away. Thank heavens for my friends... I honestly do not know what I would do without the incredible friends and neighbors I have here. I rely on them SO much and every single time I am in need of help, someone is there. I am so so lucky.
Anyway, though, Ollie. In the midst of his wild 2-year-oldness, each time I have become sick, he has instantly gone on his best and most adorable behavior. He knows. He knows I am sick, he knows I need him to be good, and he does it. He seriously does. He is patient and happy helps me more than he understands and I just don't know how he knows to do that?!

Example #2.
A couple weeks ago, my good friend and I were sitting on the floor at my house, having a very sad cry over some really awful trials she was facing in her life. We were both so sad, and Ollie saw. He walked up to me, looking very concerned, and I said "It's ok buddy, Momma is just sad, it's ok" and without missing a beat he said "uck?" (hug in Ollie language) and walked right up to me giving me a great big hug followed by a great big kiss. He then immediately turned to my friend and did the very same thing. No prompting, no asking, he just did it.
He just knew.
I don't think there is any better medicine on the earth.

That's how I know my little boy has an exceptional heart. I hope he reads this some day when he is older and realizes how much it meant to me that he did that.


In other, less sappy news, Ollie has graduated to his new big boy bed! I can't even tell you how shocked I am at how well he transitioned. He was busting out of his crib about 10 times a night and so I couldn't even imagine what he would do with a bed that was EASY to get out of, but it seems that the freedom was just what he wanted. He still gets out of bed almost nightly, but FAR less than with his crib. He loves his bed! Even when he falls out of it at night, he still wants his bed and wants nothing to do with a crib.
What a BIG boy he is! I'm so proud :)

excuse the poor quality pictures... they are from my phone :)