Secret

(can you tell i used bribery to get this picture...such a fake smile)

Guilty. For the past 2 months it really has been so hard for me to blog because I have been keeping a big secret from the blog world. It is hard to write what you really think or feel when you can't be completely honest. After taking 6 pregnancy tests all with positive results, I am happy to finally be able to officially document that The Stracener Scene will be adding a new member March 2011. We are so very excited and a little nervous too but we cannot wait to meet this new addition and to see what is in store for us. I think James is going to be a great big brother even though I don't think he quite understands exactly what it means as he likes to claim he is the little sister...(this is the usual response when we ask him if he wants a little brother or a little sister) it prompts "No I am the little sister"

So anywho, I am 13 weeks and baby strace #2 is apparently the size of a medium shrimp (not large in case you were wondering), almost through the 1st trimester thank goodness. March 4th is the official due date. Some of you may recall that James' due date was March 16th, he arrived March 20th. I am very excited about having 2 March babies. I personally think it is a great time of year for a baby to be born just before spring! It also works out perfectly that I will be going through those last few months during the dead of winter. I remember not even turning the heat on last time and sleeping without covers. I do not see how women do it during the summer. I am not sure I would survive. This pregnancy has not been too different from the first as far as sickness goes. Maybe a little more nauseous than before but the exhaustion and mood swings have kicked me in the rear. Well the exhaustion has kicked me the mood swings have probably kicked Chad a time or two. Fortunately he tries really hard to be patient and ignore half of what I say. No specific cravings just yet honestly everything sounds really good whenever I day dream about food.

Also the plan as of now is to not find out the gender this time...keeping my fingers crossed that both Chad and I can do it! I think it would be such a fun surprise for everyone and honestly we really do not care whether it is a boy or girl as long as he/she is healthy!! I know such a typical line but it is the truth! I think it would be great to have a girl and have one of each but then again I think it would be great for James to have a little brother to grow up with. Just for the record my initial feeling is boy :) Oh and we have pretty much decided on our names for each but sorry to disappoint that will also be kept a secret...

Other very random thoughts, 1) still trying to figure out why our 2 yr old LOVES the show "Minute to Win It". If you haven't seen it comes on Tuesday nights and it is great! I think James loves the excitement when the contestants win their challenges. But seriously his eyes are glued to the tv while it is on. You would think Woody or Buzz had taken over our screen. 2) James has a new phrase that makes me laugh every time he says it..."that'll be fun" Not sure where it came from (someone reminded me that I tend to say it often...i never realized). Usually he uses it to get us to do something with him. For example the other night we were on our way home from dinner and this is the convo:
James: "We go home"
Me: "yes we are going home"
Chad: "We are getting a bath when we get home"
James:  "We go home, Get bath and then go in the play room, that'll be fun!" wink wink
3) I am no longer "mommy" I have been downgraded to "mama". Out of no where just one day he started calling me Mama. A little sad about that because I know the inevitable is coming the day when I am just plain "Mom"

Congrats to all our friends who are expecting babies Jan/Feb/March 2011! James and baby strace have lots of future playmates I know they can't wait to meet!