Big Party & Big News

Last weekend we celebrated Anna's 2nd birthday in South Bend with lots of our family and friends. We rented a picnic pavilion at St. Pat's Park and had a great time! The weather was a little cool, but warm in the sun. We shared hot food and drinks and a yummy birthday cake. Anna enjoyed her party and really enjoyed seeing everyone. Opening presents was her favorite part. She kept saying, "New present?!" The party was a hit and it was worth all the planning, decorating, and cooking. We thank our family and friends so very much for coming out to wish Anna a happy birthday. Brent and I certainly think she is something to celebrate!


At the party, Brent and I shared some big news with our family and friends. We are expecting Baby Hartsell #2 in May! I am pregnant and due May 3oth! It was so special for Brent and I to tell the big group at the party. It is very rare (almost never) that so many of our friends and family from both sides are all together. So while celebrating Anna's 2nd year, we announced the coming of our 2nd baby. We have been blessed with a new little life to anticipate and dream about!

I spoke to many other family members and close friends on the phone after the party to further share the news. Everyone is very excited and happy for us. It's fun this time to think of Anna as a big sister! Maybe the baby will be another little girl or maybe a little baby boy this time? We will all have to wait till May...we won't find out what the baby is...we waited with Anna and it was such a special moment to find out that she was a girl in the delivery room. Just like we felt with Anna, whether the baby is a girl or a boy, a healthy baby is our only wish.

I am starting the 8th week of pregnancy. I have been feeling pretty well overall, but a little green-around-the-gills the past few days. It is fun to go back and read my first few posts on the blog to remember how I was feeling with Anna. So far, I think I feel much the same. Maybe a little "greener" this time? Thank goodness for 7-UP. To the inventor, I am forever indebted to you!

I started my blog back in 2008 to share my thoughts and feelings during my first pregnancy. We were living in Florida then and it was a nice way to share long distance with my family and friends. Now we're in Michigan and still long distance, just not nearly as far! And here, we feel at home. In our first little house, with our first darling little girl, and expecting our second little miracle. How blessed we are. And so thankful. Stay tuned...a brand new chapter for the Hartsells had begun!

I will end this post the same way that I ended my very first post. Thank you, Lord Jesus for this gift.