24 Weeks

I love being pregnant. I love the kicking, the wonderment, the miracle of it all. This pregnancy has been quite different. In fact, if it were still during the time when they could not tell the sex of the baby, i would think it was a boy because of all these differences. I am so so tired. I know that this pregnancy is different because i am running after Jaely, but i am still so tired. I still cannot stand the thought of food in the evening. I make myself eat dinner because i know i should eat, but i rarely enjoy it and never feel good after it. There are still certain things that are not allowed to be made in my presence. TJ plans on making them the moment he hears i won't be home for dinner- pizza, spaghetti, tacos, lasagna. I also have consumed more Tums than i did when i was pregnant with jaely. One normally does the trick, but it is one after almost any time i eat, including a snack. I feel better in the morning, than in the evening. My skin is also different with the pregnancy. When pregnant with Jaelynne, what acne i had immediately cleared up and stayed clear. Not the case with this one. I have at least one major zit on me at all times. Yuck.

I am feeling really good. Time seems to be going so quickly. Not being able to decide on a name is driving me crazy. We have our favorites, but our favorites change daily from a list of four. Thankfully, TJ and i agree on the list of four. I am almost to the point of telling other people so they can help us decide, but then again, that could certainly add to the indecisiveness if everyone likes a different one.

My ankles haven't been swelling up like they did at the end of school. The heat, and packing up my room and standing a lot did not do well for my ankles. Lazy summers in air conditioning and drinking lots of water have helped immensely.

Jaely gives her sister lots of kisses and every name we use, she points to the baby. I would like to start getting the nursery more ready for Ollietta, but nap times are kind of crazy for jaely. I would like to move Jaely's clothes into her dresser in her room and get the 0-3 month clothes from downstairs. The only problem- jaely empties her dresser during naps and tries to dress herself and all of her friends 9stuffed animals) in various clothing. Moving more of her clothes in there would make things worse. Right now, there are only a few pairs of pants, a couple shirts and pjs.

I need to feel ready before school starts because once school starts, i am going to be way more tired and busy. And i thought i didn't have any energy now. . .

A Family of Four

Ollietta is due in exactly four months!! We are so so excited and filled with anticipation. We are excited to see what she is going to look like. Will she be born with thick hair? Will she have big feet and long fingers?

I am so excited to see Jaely be a big sister. The other day while working the nursery at church, a baby came in. I put him down in his car seat. Jaely came right over and put the binky in his mouth and said "rocka, rocka" as she rocked him gently in his car seat. It was absolutely adorable to watch her be such a nurturer. I know that won't always be the case, but i think it will be like that many times. When i think of how many times i sat down to nurse jaely and didn't have the boppy or needed a diaper or a burp rag. . . now jaely will be able to fetch those things, and probably be really excited to do it. She is such a helper when she wants to be. Hopefully the jealousy thing won't last too long.

All the Chapple girl cousins didn't have sisters and our mothers were so close. I am so glad Jaelynne will have a sister. I don't know how we will handle two kids, but people do it all the time, so i know we will be okay.

As i write this, i can feel Ollietta move around. It is the best feeling ever! Four more months. . .

Race in May

I know it was back in May, but i just had to share some of these pictures that i recently got through e-mail. It was a frigid day in May. . .we had to find our winter jackets again. My brother was running in the river run in GR and my dad, my aunt & uncle and the Ellis family went to support him. I admire my big brother so much for his determination and hard work. I could NEVER do what he did. Jaely wasn't quite herself all day. . . i think it was the cold, the crowds, and the unfamiliar place, but by the end she warmed up a bit to family.

This picture cracks me up. . . what an expression on each of their faces.

The Runner

Father and Son

we went out to eat afterward, and Jaely was definitely her entertaining self.