Sunday, January 31, 2010

Keri and Doug's Baby Shower

We had a baby shower for Keri and Doug (AJ's brother and sister-in-law) this weekend and had such a great turnout of friends and family. They got lots of great gifts to get them started and we are all so excited to meet the newest Hoellrich addition in the next 6 weeks.
The cake. It was amazingly good.
Before everyone got there. Sure hope its a girl because there is alot of pink!

The proud parents-to-be
Party's getting started
Opening presents
The baby's first Harley outfit.
Never a real party unless someones losing money in poker.

Friday, January 29, 2010

Hard questions asked by curious kids

I knew with this pregnancy alot of questions were going to be asked by the girls and I mentally tried preparing myself (or so I thought) to answer them. Yesterday, while Rae was at preschool, she found out that her friend's mom had just had a baby. I guess he told her all about what happened and how the baby was born (C-section) which led Raegan to ask this first question when she got home from preschool. "Mom, will the baby have to be cut out of your stomach?" The expression of her face was pure terror. After a few stutters on my part (it really came out of the blue) I told her that I hoped not and that I could have this baby the same way I had them, but that it was always a possibility. That led to the next question, "Well, how did we come out if they didn't cut your stomach?" Oh geez! Deep breath. Really how much do you tell a 5 and 3 year old? So I explained that there was a tunnel called the birth canal that the baby has to travel down and when they get to the end of the "tunnel" then the baby will be out. Thank God this seemed to pacify them and they left it at that. However, I'm already preparing myself for when one of them asks, "But where does the baby come out of?" I haven't figured out what I'll say, but at least I won't be taken by surprise.

I will have to say that this pregnancy has been alot of fun seeing it through the eyes of two young girls. They are thrilled to be having another sister/brother and have their own little quirks with my belly. Raegan likes to lay next to my stomach and talk to the baby and Jordyn likes to see my belly button (wonder if thats where she thinks the baby comes out of) and poke my belly. They both keep asking when the baby will start kicking and I can't wait to see their expressions when that does finally start happening.

Playing with Legos

Raegan got her first Lego set for Christmas from her Aunt Missy and I don't know who has more fun with it, me, Jordyn or Raegan. I remember playing with Legos for hours with my sister and brother when we were kids. Rainy days always brought out the big bin of Legos. Unfortunately, the Legos have also brought on ALOT of fighting between the girls so AJ is picking up another box of Legos today. This is what I created for the girls this morning and I can't help but be a little (okay, alot) excited for the new box to get here this afternoon. Sometimes it's just fun to be a kid again.

Monday, January 25, 2010

12 Weeks

We are very excited that I have finally hit the 12 week mark! There is a calm feeling that comes with being out of the 1st trimester. Also helps that for the last 2 days I have been feeling great and all the nausea has disappeared (sure hoping it stays that way). Starting to get a little pooch on me but I think that's the fun part! Funny how quick the belly starts to show as each kid comes along. I plan on posting every 4 weeks how the baby and me are growing. Raegan is my personal photographer and loves to take pictures. Its hard to get the camera out of her hand once I let her have it.

Sunday, January 24, 2010

Trip to Kalahari Waterpark

We went to Kalahari in Sandusky, OH this weekend with all of AJ's family. We stayed in a huge condo and had a blast playing at the waterpark, arcade, and many other fun things. Our girls had such a great time and wore us out! We can't wait to go back and do it all over again.
This was one of Raegan and Jordyn's favorite play spots.

Jordyn hanging out with the gorilla.



Playing in the wave pool with Devin
Raegan jumping the waves
Devin, Raegan, Jordyn and Maddie

Devin surfing in the wave pool

Wednesday, January 20, 2010

A Healthy 3 Year Old

Jordyn had her 3 year check-up this morning. Everything went really well. She was able to answer all the questions the doctor asked her and sat very still while they did all her vitals. Raegan got to listen to her own heart and check out Jordyn's ears and Jordyn got to do the same to Raegan. The girls LOVE to pretend they are doctors at home so they thought this was really cool. It's such a nice experience when the doctors and nurses are so amazing with kids. I feel very lucky that we were able to find such a great pediatrican. Jordyn's got to go back and have blood work done to check for her iron and also do a urine sample since diabetes run in our family. AJ takes care of the blood work because if you know me then you know the site of blood has a tendency to make me pass out. LOL! Here are her stats...
Weight - 31.6 lbs
Height - 37 inches

Tuesday, January 19, 2010

San Diego Trip Part 1

We arrived to San Diego Thursday afternoon and that night we went out for Liz's bachelorette party. It was incredibly fun and we laughed our butts off. Nothing like a few "sneaky peeks" to get the night started. (Only the girls from the party will really understand that!)

Krista bought Liz her first shot and in doing so all the other girls had to take one too.


The beach right by our hotel
The view from our hotel balcony. It was so beautiful and felt great to be in the warm sun for a few days.

San Diego Trip Part 2

Greg and Liz's wedding took place at the Quail Botanical Gardens. It was very beautiful and fit them to a "t". The ceremony was so unique and had so many of us in tears. It was so wonderful to see them get married!

Liz was such a gorgeous bride.
The happy couple! Could they look any happier?
The siblings. Such a great weekend to visit with my sister and brother and so much other family and friends. It was a great vacation!


Sunset from the restaurant where the reception was held. Breathtaking views!

Yup, a wedding cake topper with two surfers. Loved it. :)


The couples first dance as husband and wife.

Monday, January 11, 2010

Jordyn's Birthday Party

We celebrated Jordyn's birthday a little early because we'll be in San Diego over her real birthday next week. She loves Tinkerbell so pretty much everything was based around that. From her cake to many of her presents. We always thought she would be our little tomboy because she's such a tough little cookie and didn't show much interest in dolls and other "girly things", but she's proved us wrong and is just as girly as her sister and loves to wear her jewelry and high heels. We had a great time eating cake and ice cream and opening presents with family.

Getting ready to blow out her candles!


Jordyn and her cousin, Ashley, look so much alike.
Trying to help her open her presents without making her think we were "helping". She was determined to do it all on her own.

Thursday, January 7, 2010

And Baby Makes THREE!!

Well, it looks like we have once again been blessed with another addition to our little family of four. AJ and I have been praying/trying for another baby since this last summer. Our prayers have been answered. We are expecting another little bundle of joy sometime around the beginning of August. We are SO EXCITED!!! People often give you mixed reactions when you tell them you are having a third child. Like maybe I've grown a second head or something, that's how crazy they must think we are. But in reality this is something I have known that would happen and that I wanted since Jordyn was 3 weeks old.

During one late night feeding, I was sitting there just loving everything about holding my new child when AJ walked out to see how everything was going and if I needed something. It was then that I told him, "AJ, we aren't done yet. We are still missing a little piece of our family." He smiled and nicely said, "Jess, you're exhausted and you don't know what you're saying." Then he kissed me and Jordyn and went back to bed. Little did we know exactly 4 weeks later our lives would be turned upside down. AJ was hit head on by a semi while he was driving to a worksite early one morning. All our future plans were put on hold as me, our 2 year old and 7 week old waited to see if he would make it through the next few days. Then began the extensive physical therapy and many continuing surgeries. But AJ is an incredibly determined, stubborn and mentally/physically strong human being. Needless to say, he worked his butt off to try become the father and husband he was before the accident. Granted, his body will never be the same but he is alive and just as fun as he was before.

To us, this baby is another way he is being healed. We are having the baby that we almost never had the chance too. Our little family almost lost AJ that March morning, but we were given a second chance and so was he. We don't take that lightly and there are many nights that I lay in bed listening to him breath knowing that I almost lost that simple pleasure. This baby proves that no matter what hardships life throws at you, as long as you stick together, love eachother and have faith that God works in VERY mysterious ways but with an important purpose behind it, you can make it through anything. His accident strengthened our marriage, our families and our belief that things happen for a reason even when it doesn't make sense at the time.
I feel truly blessed to have my husband, my two daughters and the tiny baby growing inside of me. I really feel that these last three years have finally come full circle and we are now moving forward and not looking back. 2010 is going to be an amazing year!!!!

2nd Annual Christmas Party

Last year we started a tradition that all four families of our close group of friends would get together and celebrate Christmas. We do a gift exchange with the kids, make a delicious dinner and have fun watching the kids hangout together and of course have fun laughing with eachother. It is an amazing group of people and the kids have more fun together every year. Can't wait for the next celebration!

That time of year again

This past week both the girls and AJ have had colds and spent much of the week on the couch snuggled up together. They are finally starting to feel better, but now it seems like I've caught the cold too. Tis the season!

Photo-op with my girls