Alexis has some news to share!!

That's right....I am

Of course, most of you reading this blog have known for a while now.
I am almost 14 weeks along,
and sharing the news in writing just somehow makes it feel "official".
We are BEYOND THRILLED for quite a number of reasons.
Perhaps most of all, we are so excited for Alexis to have a little brother/sister.

Baby Hamilton #2 is expected on (or around) Christmas Day!

Talk about an exciting holiday season. 

This pregnancy has been very different than when I was pregnant with Lexi.
Mainly because I have been sick. Very sick.
Not only have I been feeling sick, but I have been getting sick.
All over town.
We're talking outside of CrossFit, at the bagel store,
in the post office parking lot and even in a public park.
I was getting so sick at one point that my doctor actually prescribed medication.
Keeping down food and, especially, water is a must,
and thankfully this medicine works wonders.
My mother often talks about how sick she was during her pregnancy with me.
She was sick for months on end and could only eat chicken broth.
I have a feeling this is somehow her idea of revenge  :)

Not only have I been sick, but I have also been tired.
There were many nights last month where our lights were off by 9 pm.
And, I believe I started showing the very day I found out I was expecting.
Or at least it feels that way.
Vic gushed the other day that I "look pregnant."
He meant it endearingly,
but I assured him it was a compliment he could keep to himself.

I do feel as though I am finally turning the corner, though.
Finally starting to get some energy back and feel a bit more like "myself".
And, all this moaning and groaning aside,
I am actually a little bit thankful to have felt so ill.
It is usually the sign of a healthy pregnancy,
which is what we want more than anything.

As for Alexis, she alternates between kissing my belly/
pretending she has a baby growing inside her own
and informing us that she does not want a brother OR a sister.
She has always been fantastic around babies though.
She is so interested in them, so eager to help, so excited to tickle their feet and pat their heads.
And seemingly overnight, she has taken a huge interest in one of her dolls, Baby Elena.
She can now be found feeding her a bottle, tucking her in for bed and driving around town with her.
I know she will be thrilled once she becomes a big sister like many of her friends,
even if the adjustment takes a bit of getting used to.

And as for Vic and I, we are so thankful, so grateful, just downright happy.
We could not be more excited about becoming a "Family of Four"
What a blessing!

(Now, Darling Baby, if you're listening...a nausea-free second trimester would be heavenly)

Beating the heat

The red head, blonde and brunette met up for a pool/sprinkler day at the Wellen's house. 

Notice Olivia's potty in the background - all three of these ladies are now diaper free!

(Oh, and speaking of Olivia, we think she felt a little like a wrestler that afternoon - 

kept pulling her bikini top low, low, low) 

10 Years

Earlier this month, I went back here

(UVA)

for my 10 year college reunion.

After much debate, you stayed home with your dad.

I'm really not sure how 10 years have passed since I graduated,

but it sure was wonderful getting to visit my old stomping grounds

and spending the weekend with these girls

We are spread across the country these days -

from New Hampshire to Nashville, from Charlotte to California.

We don't get to see each other as often as I'd like, 

especially now that most of us have young kiddos. 

So it was all the more sweet to spend time on the Lawn,

visit the Corner, take a stroll through our old sorority house,

have a little pre-party at the Cavalier Inn, 

enjoy our Class Dinner and end the night dancing to all the college hits under a tent.

We were up early the next day - 

not something that often happened during our college years -

to celebrate Stefanie and her baby boy-to-be at the Boar's Head.

It was the perfect way to round out a wonderful weekend. 

and let's not forget Baby Boy Featherly-to-be also!

Thank you Ashleigh, not only for being part of the weekend,

but for taking a few pictures of us all on the Lawn.

And, thank you to Elizabeth's sister Julia for driving in from Richmond to capture

the shower on camera.

You are both so talented!

Oh, and before all of this happened, here's where you would have found

Elizabeth and I Friday night:

That would be The West Wing.

No cameras were allowed inside, 

but my friend's husband gave us an 

amazing tour of the West Wing, Oval Office, Situation Room,

we got to see out to the Rose Garden and the famous Collonades.

We got to stroll through the White House. 

We had credentials. 

What an experience!

What a weekend!

And...what were YOU up to during all of this, Alexis?

Well, you were pretty busy yourself. 

Your daddy took you to the pool

and the playground (along with Grandpa Tom)

and the children's museum

and treated you to ice cream

he took you to a concert at the Town Green,

he cheered you on as you rode your bike around the street,

he took you to the new Whole Foods (THREE times, I believe),

he helped you write a note to me

And, he did a darn good job of keeping this mommy connected from afar :)

In all honesty, he kept you so happy and so busy, I'm not sure you even noticed I was away.

Last Day

Alexis,

School's out for summer!
Today was your last day of preschool.
There is a BBQ party Friday to celebrate,
but today was your last day in the classroom.
It's amazing to see the changes since your very first day in September.

You were a couple months shy of 2 when the school year started,

and you were the youngest in your class.

You had just started talking a few months prior, 

and you still seemed like my "baby".

Your little legs could barely climb up the front steps of the building. 

Just look at you now:

Not only do you look older,

but you have grown so much socially and "academically" this year.

You are our little chatty Cathy.

You say hello to everyone you pass in the hallways at school.

When we get to your classroom, you and the girls often hug. 

You organize little games on the playground.

And, at pickup, you and Annie almost always run into the rec room

begging to play for just a few more minutes. 

You have such an amazing memory,

you seem to soak up everything the teachers have taught you. 

Congratulations on finishing the "Terrific Two's"!

Now...here's to Summer Camp :)

Memorial Day Weekend

Summer is almost in full swing.
This is your last week of school before camp starts up.
And the warm weather seems here to stay.
But before the "dog days" set in,
we have been having some very busy, very fun days.
It kicked off with Memorial Day weekend.
We met Tyler and his mom (who just welcomed baby Quinn!)
at the children's museum.
We love Stepping Stones!
This visit, you two spent most of your time in the play yard.
You decided to climb into this basket, and you thought it was quite funny.

Tyler thought so too. So he joined you.

Then, we visited the park.

(first order of business was some mommy-and-me ice cream)

Well, dairy free gelato in your case.

But, you seemed to enjoy it all the same.

Saturday was a BBQ party at your friend Shane's house. 

We stayed until bedtime, and the water guns were the big hit for all you kids. 

The next day, we paid a visit to see Uncle John, Aunt Kate and 

"Baby Emma" as you like to call her. 

To beat the heat, we set up the sprinkler.

You had your dad race through it with you time and time again.

You ordered him to swing you, twist you, hold you upside down,

just one more time please.

Once again, you reminded me of myself as a little girl.

He was happy to oblige though.

Emma tried getting in on the action.

None of us thought to warn her that it was quite a bit colder than her baths.

Poor thing, but she sure did look cute wearing her very first swimsuit. 

And then it was time to settle in and enjoy your Uncle's BBQ.

Keeping it real, here is a shot of you munching on ribs,

you're allowed to act like "one of the guys" from time to time, after all. 

And, to round out a wonderful weekend, the three of us hit the pool on Memorial Day.

We joined with three other families and met them there for a little swimming.

Perfect end to the start of summer!

Jump Around

It has been a long time coming, but you FINALLY learned how to jump!
All it took was a little Miralax :)

Up next...jumping into Daddy's arms at the pool this summer.