my boys

I'm beginning to think this second boy may be a lot like our first (which is not a bad thing at all). During our last ultrasound, baby had the hiccups; B constantly had the hiccups in utero.  Baby starts moving and shaking every night when I'm ready to go to bed; B followed the same pattern.  At 23 weeks, baby can already move my entire belly with his insanely strong kicks; B was definitely the less gentle twin.  

I am completely in love with Barnes, and I am completely in love with this new little one.  They may be totally different, which will be wonderful.  They may be carbon copies of each other, which will be wonderful.  But I can't help but notice the similarities seeming to pop up already.

And because we had such a fun trip to Nashville this holiday weekend, I have to share a few phone pics:

visiting with Aunt Rebecca--she's clearly using her teacher skills

sliding with dad

first crawfish boil

pit stop on the way home at dinosaur world

sprinkler time

We are so thankful for Andrew's job, but we don't love it when he travels.  The twins are getting old enough to really miss him...to point to our room and ask "dad?"  Luckily we often have grandparents and baby-sitters around to help, but it's still not quite the same.  After a full week without dad, a low-key weekend spent soaking up some outdoor fun was just what Barnes and Frances needed.  And when you are 20 months old, what's more fun than your first time playing in the sprinkler?

f wasn't too sure and needed a little encouragement

but she eventually decided it was fun

b jumped right in

this one has no fear

halfway

Baby boy has made it past the 20 week mark--more than half-way to the day we get to meet him!  I am beginning to feel him squirm more, which is my absolute favorite part of being pregnant.  I'm also in almost exclusively maternity clothes, which are my least favorite part of being pregnant.

Being pregnant is a bit like a running a half-marathon.  The beginning can be slow and difficult.  Then, you hit your stride, and by the half-way point (around mile 7) you feel great.  You're thinking, "I'm going to finish this thing strong.  No problem."  Somewhere around mile 10, though, fatigue kicks in.  Despite the fact that you only have a few miles left, each step seems to get harder and harder.  Finally, you see the finish line.  You push across because you absolutely have to, and crossing that line is incredible.  You are tired and weary, but you are exhilarated.

Below is a picture of our sweet little son.  We are hoping he still has around 19 weeks to grow inside, and we are doing everything we can to make sure he stays put as long as possible.

profile at 19.5 weeks

3d at 19.5 weeks.  sweet, scrawny little face