And her name will be.....

ISABELLA JANE! We are so excited that Isaiah will have a little sister. He has already named her "baby bewwa". It's the sweetest thing when he says it. Melts my heart. The story behind the name: Mike is a big Jimi Hendrix fan and as long as I have known him to talk about the names of our future children he has always said he wanted to name his daughter Isabella (a classic JH song). How fitting since the name Isabella means "A Father's Joy". I can't think of a more perfect name for a Daddy to choose for his daughter. The name Jane carries so much meaning in my life. Most importantly it is my mom's middle name. I am so thankful for my mom and the mother she was to me. She has always been on my side and walked alongside me through some of my hardest times. I know that she has always been faithful to pray for me and I know she already prays for our sweet Isabella Jane. There is also another Jane in my life who has had a huge impact on me. When I was in 8th grade she became by cheer coach and over the years I became closer to her family as I had a pretty steady job source in babysitting. When I was in college they adopted their youngest son and I started spending lots more time with them. I have always admired her as a mother but more importantly as a Christian. She has the kind of faith most people pray to have. I have seen her persevere through some hard times and she always has a faith that seems unbreakable. (and once I married Mike, the family I had grown so close to became my family by marriage since Mike and Joe are 2nd cousins) I cannot think of two more faithful prayer warriors for our little girl to share a name with. When I found out I was pregnant Mike told me that he wanted a name that meant "sent from God". For a boy that name was Jeremiah (we both thought our little she was going to be a little he). Guess what the name Jane means? Sent from God! Isaiah and Isabella will also share the same initials. IJD I am so excited to watch Isabella grow in her walk with her heavenly father. I hope she always knows she is her earthly father's joy as well as her heavenly Father's joy! What a gift.

Summer Vacation

This summer we packed up and drove down to St. George Island where we spent a few days with the Half Dozen plus three! It was so great getting to spend time with some of our favorite people even if it was a little crazy with an almost 3 year old, almost 2 year old and a 4 month old who got an ear infection. We built sand castles, splashed in the water, ate some yummy food, went crabbing, had a campfire on the beach, got some sweet baby snuggles, napped on the beach and just had some good ol' fashioned fun!

On Thursday morning our little family of three packed up and headed over to Panama City. We found a great little room on the beach and spent the days and nights making memories with Isaiah. We built more sand castles, had water gun fights, swam, flew a kite, rode go carts, splurged on ice cream and had a yummy dinner at the famous Captain Anderson's!

I must say our little adventure to PCB will always hold a special place in my heart. It was so nice to get alone with my boys and enjoy a few days together before our sweet Isabella joins the family.

16 weeks and a surprise!

I had an ultrasound last week. When we went in the tech was making small talk with us. "Do you have other kids at home? Do you work?" She also was telling us about a wreck she had been in and then casually asked if we were going to find out the gender. I told her I would have to because I am such a planner I have to have everything ready for the baby. I thought it was just a general question. NOPE! About 10 minutes in to the ultrasound she finished telling us about the kidneys and then came the words, "IT'S A GIRL!" I seriously almost fell off the table. I am such a planner and I was not planning on knowing the gender for four more weeks. We are so excited to venture in to the world of all things girl! I have already been shopping and bought our sweet girl some clothes. I must say, shopping for a little girl is much more exciting than for a boy. Mike has no idea what he is in for. Love his little heart. hahahaha!

And then there were four!

Isaiah is so excited to let everyone know he is going to be a BIG BROTHER! Mommy and Daddy are pretty excited, too! I feel like Mike already has a special bond to this baby for many reasons. Baby D2 is due on his birthday, January 29! The night before I found out I was pregnant he dreamed I was pregnant. It was totally off my radar, I was not thinking I was prego AT ALL! And most importantly, Mike prayed and prayed for this baby. This is one of his most attractive character traits to me. When I ask him to pray for something he is so faithful to follow through. This pregnancy is already SO different than my first. To say I have had morning sickness would be an understatement. I have had morning, afternoon and evening sickness. I have tried a couple of meds that have had some very unfavorable side effects. I am also completely exhausted. Poor Isaiah has been spending lots of time with his friends Nick Jr and Disney Jr. (i know, great parenting but it's all about survival these days) My pants are already getting tight, too! This did not happen for quite a while with Isaiah! All that being said, I know that it's all worth it and I cannot wait to meet this sweet gift from God.

Welcome to the family D2! Your big brother, Daddy and Mommy are praying for your health every day. We love you.