Happy New Year! - From Hannah

To all my friends who know how to read already I wanted to wish you a Happy New Year! Needless to say I didn't make it until midnight but I did make it until almost 8:30! That's a really late night for me you know.
Tonight was a special night for me. Mommy and Daddy invited my friend Molly and her parents over for dinner. Mommy made a special eggplant parm that Daddy claims he only gets about ever 4 years and Daddy made an awesome cheesecake that he only makes when Mommy is pregnant! It was "delicious"!
"Charen" brought Daddy's favorite spinach dip and all of us ate really well. Did you know that eggplant actually tastes good? Who would have though!
Molly and I had a great time playing after dinner. It was nice to have a friend to run around with and burn off all the calories and energy from the chocolate. Molly and I gave one another lots of hugs and love to ring in the new year in style. It had been a big year for both of us. We both turned 1, learned to walk, learned to talk, and were celebrating the last year we would be only children. Both Mommies and Daddies were excited for all that the new year holds for our families and enjoyed the time to actually talk to each other since we are such big girls now and can play on our own!
By the end of the night we were exhausted. We laid on the floor and just stared at Daddy and the camera. We were overtired and I had a major meltdown. Boy is staying up late fun for Mom and Dad.When Molly left, I tried to go to sleep on the floor in the family room I was so tired. Mommy finally put me to bed. There have been fireworks going off all night here and I'm so tired even that isn't causing me to get up. Hope you guys all enjoy your midnight.... I'm enjoying my sleep. Hope Mommy and Daddy aren't crazy enough to stay up because 8am comes early!

I'm David....

As most of you know we have a dvd player in our car. Normally it's use has been reserved for long trips of over an hour during which it keeps Hannah's attention and the peace while I am driving. Recently, I have noticed (with all the small stops for Christmas) that Hannah is becoming more difficult to get into her car seat...especially after the 4th or 5th stop. With my ever expanding belly and the stress of her fighting me while other people wait for our parking spot I have given in to the fight..... she will get in if I turn on the "tb". So it is done!
I have justified it's use by letting her watch Veggie Tales.... at least it is a positive show right? Well it is official... my daughter is a Veggie Tales addict. She now knows all the words to the opening song and asks for the "mato and cumber". The only draw back of the dvd player that we have is it starts every time from the begining, and while she doesn't care it is driving me NUTS! Today though my nutty factor turned into pure laughter. Jeff and I were out shopping for some last minute gifts and the David and Golith show came on. (This is her all time favorite.) Hannah then proceeded to exclaim in a very loud and clear voice.... "My name is David... and I have lots of brothers!" We couldn't stop laughing. A complete sentence, perfect!
Guess it's time for a new dvd, huh?

Jeff's Job Update

Jeff called home about 10 minutes ago and I had to blog quickly to ask for some prayers. His current boss told him today that the new job did in fact call today for a reference. YEAH!!!! We of course think this is a great sign! Please take a minute to pray that he would hear soon about the job. The cut off for his 30 day period to not have to start a new semester at school is tomorrow. We are hoping to hear quickly... although know it is unlikely and there is a potential that he may have to start the new semester. We are looking forward to the potential of a New Year bringing him a new job and our family new challenges as we navigate living in a small home with a toddler, a new born, and Daddy working at home..... but it is a challenge that we really would like to embrace!

Baby update: Drew is moving more and more! He is alot stronger than Hannah was at this stage. Jeff has yet to feel him since he doesn't cooperate but you can start to see my stomach moving so it's only a matter of time. 21 weeks down!

Hannah ism of the day: Before breakfast today when I asked her if she wanted to say the blessing she said "Yes, thank you Jesus and penguins" Not sure what the penguins have to do with Jesus... but in her world they are related!

Craig's List Rocks!

So I am now an avid Craig's List junkie! I just bought the best double stroller ever for less than 1/2 the price. Since we got pregnant Jeff and I have been looking at the Graco Quattro Tour Due stroller. It is basically the same stroller that we have now but for 2. It retails for $250 plus shipping. I was able to purchase it through Craig's List for $140! It was used about once/twice. The wheels look dirty but the seats are perfect and there was even the crinkly paper inside one of the sunshades that leads me to believe it was never even opened up. Best yet... she delivered it right to my door!! How awesome!!

Tomorrow night we are going to pick up what will be Drew's nursery bedding. It is the same sort of deal. It has curtains, changing pads, 3 sheets, bumper, bedskirt, 2 wall pictures, mobile, and lamp shade for $125! What in the world!?! Most of the pieces are pottery barn to boot.

I might just become an addict. Lucky for Jeff there isn't much that we need for this baby or he would really be in trouble.

Here's a sneak peak at the new nursery!

What is life without a scare here and there?

So the last couple of days have been a little tense around the Page household. Last night I started to spot slightly. It was right before Jeff was to leave for work and I wasn't sure exactly what to do. So we both prayed about it and hoped for the best as he left for work and I put Hannah down. Things seemed to even out and throughout the evening God was good enough to bless me with being able to feel Drew move on multiple occasions.
This morning I was ecstatic that the bleeding had stopped and I was feeling good. Hannah and I went to a friends house for lunch.... and darn if it didn't start again. Luckily, this friend is a mom and pregnant herself and she was very comforting in helping me to decide to push the drs to have me come in and get checked out. (Especially since I felt a little crampy.) Jeff was close to her house and he was able to leave work and pick us up.
After a few long hours, an internal exam, and a meltdown by Hannah we were totally cleared. The midwife doesn't know what caused it and saw no signs of trauma or changes in the cervix. So once again we are free and clear..... guess that boys are just a little more dramatic than girls. Hopefully we won't have to see anyone again until New Year's Eve at our next scheduled appointment.

So to sum up we have a scare monthly:

Sept- baby wasn't big enough
Oct- Couldn't find the heartbeat
Nov- I had high blood pressure
Dec- spotting for no reason

I can barely wait to see what January holds for us!

Think BLUE!

It's a boy!!!
Andrew "Drew" Neill Page

So it is official... Hannah is going to have a little brother. Jeff and I went to the dr today for the ultrasound and were pleased to hear that we will be having a little boy. As most of you know we were a little partial to having another girl; but, how good God is. As soon as we both heard the news it was like it was the perfect thing. Our hearts are so fickle! We can hardly wait to meet our son. Jeff is excited about buy him his first State basketball jersey and I am excited about getting to decorate a new nursery. Hannah will have to learn the word brother now since she has been saying sister ... but she already says Drew like a pro!
At the appointment after the ultrasound they said that all the measurements looked good and the move of our due date was a good decision as Drew (like Hannah) is still measuring a bit small by dates. The other good news of the day was that since they are keeping me on my blood pressure medicine (that was great today) we would get an additional ultrasound between 28-32 weeks to measure the weight of the baby. We are always excited for another oppurtunity to see what's going on inside!
Pictures to come soon!

Hannah comment of the day

So as most of you know Jeff and I love mexican food. Hannah may be worse than us though. She actually will ask for it some days and is certain to eat when we go for mexican no matter when she ate last. Tonight we went out with some friends and their daughter for dinner at the mexican restaurant near our house. When we pulled into the parking lot Hannah said the following:

"MMM, chicky, beans, and rice. That makes me happy!"

I know-- kind of advanced for a 20 month old but if you know her you know that she does speak in sentences these days. I wasn't so impressed by the fact she spoke so clearly but that she spoke so candidly about her likes and her recognition of this restaurant. Oh the things that this next year will hold!

Christmas Pics

We had our family Christmas pictures taken over the weekend. Hannah as usual was a complete ham. She didn't want to do anything the photographer had in mind and she refused to keep her tongue in her mouth. They turned out cute non the less. It's hard to believe that next year we will have to get 2 babies to cooperate. Family photos may become more scarce. I'm not sure my nerves can handle the drama of Hannah plus another one!

Thursday is the big ultrasound. Be sure to keep looking for the update on "who" will be the newest member of our family. Hannah claims it's a sister.... any guesses?