I thought I would post a few pictures to show what we've been up to lately. I've been trying to spend as much time with Lynny doing fun, quality activities before I'm too big/tired/busy to spend time with her. Bringin a new baby into the house is going to change a LOT!

We like to sit and count goldfish crackers before we eat them. Lynny's a big fan of goldfish. (This was taken on her birthday, so she's wearing her new birthday outfit. You can't tell, but it has a little cupcake on the shirt and pants.)

When she wakes up from her naps we'll sit and try to cuddle for a little bit (Lynny's never been much of a cuddler, but she's getting better). She usually just starts hamming it up and making us laugh. She scruntches up her nose and laughes.

Lynny has always loved going outside, so when we combined lunch time with outside time, she was sold. We usually go on one or two picnis a week--in the big grassy area of our complex--and Lynny adores it. We sit on a blanket and I pack sandwiches for both of us, and a big container of grapes for us to share. She's funny about tupperware containers though: she has to put the lid on the container between each bite. And she loves trying to switch the lids. I love watching her learn.

Our new apatment complex has a little play area with a few swings. I'm so glad they have one with a basket seat, because swinging is one of Lynny's favorite things to do.

And I've had a few requests for a belly shot, so here's me at eight weeks and again today at my inlaws at twelve weeks. I feel like I've suddenly popped. But I'm only going to get bigger.

All about our one year-old, and other big news

Lynny turns one on Friday, so I thought I would go ahead and talk about what an amazing year this has been. We're so proud of Lynny and the growth she's made.

She's still stubbornly not walking alone, but travels pretty well holding onto one or two hands. And she sleeps and naps like a champ--unswaddled, which was actually quite a hurdle for her. And she's sooo vocal. She says Mama and Dada, outside (when she wants to go out, usually while pounding on the front door), uh-oh, up, itsy-bitsy (which is usually accompanied by her touching her pointer to her thumb, and starting to make "aahh" sounds, like she's singing), hi and bye, and a few more I can't think of right now.

And her biggest accomplishment lately is that she will fold her arms for prayers. She only holds it for a few seconds before she tires of it, and she's not always consistent, but we're pretty proud.

And in addition to how much she's grown, we're really happy with how we've been raising her. I've pretty much met all of my goals for her first year, which makes me happy.

First, I had an all-natural birth, despite an unsupportive doctor who barely showed up in time for the actual event! Second, I made all of Lynny's baby food from scratch--a lot from Daniel's parents completely organic garden--except for her oatmeal (which is slightly beyond my capacity) and while we were traveling. And third, I've nursed her for her whole first year of life--something that was very important to us. Unfortunately, though, she started weaning herself about eight weeks ago--showing no interest at naptimes and such--so I took the hint and worked with her on it. We're now down to one nursing a day, right before bed. Even that one has gotten shorter, though, as she seems to need it only as a matter of routine.

But even though I'd love to keep nursing her as long as possible, weening is kind of important now for one very important reason: I'm pregnant!

That's right, we're expecting a new baby, due January 8th! And we're ecstatic! I'm a little over eleven weeks along now, and after my very positive first appointment yesterday we're making the grand announcement. Our parents and a few close friends have known since the end of April, but now everyone can know! We decided not to wait until I was four months along to share the news this time.

I'm going to a midwife practice this time around--as I said, I had a less than impressive experience with a doctor last time--and they're all very supportive of my desires to go natural again. I'm still delivering in a hospital though, so my dad doesn't have to worry about weird home-birth stories and such. Plus, we feel it's just a little bit safer. Just a little...

The actual pregnancy this time has been about the same as it was with Lynny. Pregnancy seems to be pretty easy on me. I'm still dead tired all the time, but I haven't really been sick. Just like last time, I was queasy for about a week, around six weeks, but that's been it. And just like the books say, I'm showing earlier than I did last time. I didn't start showing until about 18 weeks with Lynny, but I've already got a tiny little pooch forming this time. My pants are a little more snug, and I'm tugging at my shirts more and more.

So there you go! That's our big news! We're so excited to share it.