Next time won't you sing with me!

Today Eloise was playing in her room when I heard say, "Yaaaayy!" and start clapping to herself.

I walked in and asked, "What did you do?" and she replied, "ABC song!"

I asked, "Oh yeah? Can you sing it for Mommy?" to which she sang...

She must have been practicing with her Gran and Papa! Makes me so proud! Gosh, I love this sweet girl.

Oh my heart! Another girl!

So pretty much from day one, I was set that this second baby would for sure be a boy. I had even more terrible "morning" (aka All. Damn. Day.) sickness, terrible skin and just felt terribly different from what I remember with Eloise. I even had my sister do her famous voo-doo magic trick on me at Christmas time and it revealed 'boy'. I'll be honest, I was just slightly disappointed since I had my heart set on having two girls. Now, don't gasp too loudly at that honesty. Boys are great. But something in my heart wanted 'sisters'.

I slowly came around and was excited about going the boy route. Though I didn't buy anything yet, I had a bedroom theme set, a name ready and even sorted through my nephew's clothes to get my stash ready.

For this gender reveal, we did it a little differently. Justin and I had the nurse put "girl" or "boy" in an envelope during our ultrasound appointment so it would be a surprise for everyone! Most importantly, what we did see was one healthy baby. And cute, too.

Really, I wasn't too anxious to find out, because in my mind, we would see blue. We got cupcakes to celebrate and went to the party outlet store and had them secretly fill a big box with either blue or pink balloons that Eloise could open. Again, the picture in my head was blue balloons floating out of that box. Here's what went down...

Those pink balloons floated around our apartment for a few days and each time I thought, "I can't believe they are PINK!" I was so, so excited! Justin was in the same boat. He thought boy as well. I think he's excited to have another little girl to hold, though.

Eloise got the "I'm a Big Sister" book. Now, one of her favorites.

Still thinking blue at this point...

PINK?????!!!!!

So. Excited!

My girls. 

Let's celebrate!

Yum. 

The second child...

Something I need to say to you first is that you, my child, are so loved. I love this part of getting to know you. Carrying you at all times, feeling you kick and dance in my belly. The wonder of what you'll look like. Three more months and we'll get to meet face to face, God help us to continue to be healthy.

Now that you know a glimpse of how much I love you, time for an apology. 27 weeks along and this is the first belly picture I've taken. Blog posts are few and far between. Please don't hold that against me some day.

You have an amazing big sister, I'm sure being able to hear sound now, you've met her. She is so excited to meet you as well, though I'm sure she's not quite sure what that really means. She takes up lots of Mommy's time these days, but I pray that you are growing and learning from all the fun we have and all the books we read. Though I may not snap a photo or write it down, I think of you all the time. Bedtime around our home is very special, when I get to sit with your sister in her bed and read her bedtime stories, I like to picture that you are listening with us. We are all sharing the same story together. I can't wait till you meet your big sister.

What a wonderful and awesome experience you've already given to me. Mommy is so excited to have another baby girl to bless our lives. The bond of daughters and sisters is something I've always dreamed of having for myself one day. You get to be a part of this! Oh, the fun we will have! I love you sweet baby of mine.

"I be two!!"

Our Eloise Margaret turned two last week. It's weird that time seems to be going so fast, but at the same time it feels like she has been a part of our lives forever. What an incredible human being we have in our midst. A lover of life the second her feet hit the floor in the morning. Our smart, cheesy-grinned girl brings so much joy and love to this family and we had a blast celebrating her birthday. My darling Miss Eloise, Mama and Dada love you so, so much. Hugs. 

Eloise's special birthday cereal. She loves marshmallows and  since her birthday is on St. Patrick's Day, found it fitting to have Lucky Charms. 

A birthday party brought to you by the letter 'E' and the number '2'!

Determined little birthday girl. 

So. Many. Presents!

It's hard to share on your birthday.

Henry enjoying his Elmo cookie!

Can you tell me how to get, how to get to Sesame Street?

Papa and Eloise. 

Uncle Mitch and Dolly.

Cheesy-grin Eloise with GiGi. 

Eloise was at Grandma and Papa's house for her "real" birthday. Two candles in her pancakes, she felt so special. 

Happy birthday, my sweet, sweet Eloise. Gosh I love your face. xoxoxo