Less than a month left...

      With less than a month left in a year that has been life changing, literally. It has made me look back. From January this year has been on super speed. Lime turned one, as we celebrated with friends as close as family and our blood family I couldn't help but wonder where we would be celebrating his second birthday and if he would have a little brother or sister there. A few months earlier my husband put in his “wish list” of sorts, all the places we wanted to go, topping the list Hawaii, North Carolina and other East Coast places to be within driving distances, and then there was Oregon.

      Knowing we should find out soon, made me fantasize about living in all the other places. The tropical seasons, living in a bathing suit, shorts, and tank tops, expanding my flip flop selection (those who know me, know I LOVE my flops), or would it be family dinners every week and free babysitting, with monthly weekend trips to see my family who live two hours from our new station, would it stay the same with bi monthly trips home and lots of family visits, or would we have rainy over cast weather and really let my hippie flag fly?

      Shortly after Lime’s first birthday we found out two semi-unexpected things. First, we found out that we would be having a baby before the year ended. A baby even when “trying” is always unexpected, at least for me. I know I was in denial before I found out I was pregnant. After having a miscarriage before I was pregnant with Lime, I didn't want to believe that I was actually pregnant again. Baby girl, though planned decided to happen sooner than expected who wants to move (no matter the distance) 5 almost 6 months pregnant? Second we found out that our new home would be Oregon, a place that I have always wanted to live, I couldn't believe it. I was in heaven, having another baby and later to find out that my bug as my father-in-law said, was my sweet baby girl. I didn't think of the hassles of moving, let alone driving cross country, yes driving.

      The drive wasn't nearly as bad as I expected. I thought the worst, I would be sick the whole time, too tired to drive, gain my whole pregnancy weight, end up harming my husband and leaving Lime in Utah. None of that happened though, close to leaving Lime with a close friend, but luckily she wasn't home and he ended up staying with us. (Only joking!). Our drive out was actually very pleasant, my husband talked about when his family drove out to move to Washington (I married an Army brat); I was amazed by each different state. Not driving anywhere west of Indiana, I was in somewhat of a shock, and I think Lime knew we were getting ready for an adventure and was just as excited as we were. It was a great family bonding time and even though I don’t want to move back to the East Coast for a long time, I am excited to drive back with Baby girl in tow.

      After we settled in, we were hit with some big exciting news; we were going to be an Aunt and Uncle! again. We have been blessed to have a sweet nephew from my brother and Sister-in-Law. We have been waiting almost pushing my Brother-in-law and his wife to have a baby. We want all the cousins to be close in age. After almost a year of “It’s your turn.” And “When are you going to have a baby?” My BIL called to share the news, and less than two weeks after bringing Baby girl home, we were able to Skype and she her off, see the baby bump, and one of the most exciting parts finding out that the new “bug” is going to be a girl!  

      I think I have the simplest pregnancies in the entire world, I am blissfully unaware of the problems I really have. With each pregnancy I have had gestational diabetes, each of my kiddos have tried to make their grand entrance at 34 weeks. Baby girl made it her mission to make her entrance before 40 weeks.  After a month and half of twice weekly non stress test and bed rest for almost two weeks and as much rest as possible for the rest of my pregnancy, Baby girl made her grand entrance at 37 weeks.

      Everyone says that a year changes everything. Most of the time, there are small changes sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse. This year has been full of life changing moments. I am so excited to see what next year bring for my sweet family. Maybe a news of another niece or nephew ( hint hint) or having our best friends move out here (shameless plug-I will explain later), I can say I am positive that nothing will top this year with all of the life changing moments.