Happy Valentine's Day! Here's in hopes that you were all able to spend some quality time with the ones you love today!! Nothing much to report on here....more excitement will come on Friday as it's finally the week of the big ultrasound!! Tuesday marks 18 weeks of pregnancy and things are going well. I feel good and baby is growing and seems to be feeling good as well, judging from the increased activity that's been going on. Shirts are getting tighter and everything seems shorter lately but I'm still happy to say that I can continue wearing my own pants! :)

I had a good talk with Lydia (who's almost 3 1/2) last Sunday night about the baby and our adventure. It's been quite rewarding and actually kind of fun to talk to her about it every day. I've had a lot of people ask how I told her so I thought I'd share. The conversation started out about her and when she was younger, we wanted to have another baby and thought that she would like to be a big sister....so we had Brennan. Then I talked about Dan & Roz, wanting to have another baby and a brother or sister for Aidan. I explained to her that Roz couldn't grow a baby in her tummy again so we're going to do something really special and grow their baby in Mommy's tummy. We talked about going to the Dr and the Dr putting their teeny tiny baby in my tummy and that it's going to stay in here until it gets big enough to be born, then it will go back home with Dan, Roz and Aidan. We talked about when the baby's born, Aidan's going to be a big brother and that their family is all so excited to have another baby.

A couple days after, she asked me why Roz couldn't have this baby in her tummy. To keep it understandable for a 3-year old, I simply told her that Roz's tummy is broken and that it doesn't work to grow babies anymore. I think that made the entire picture complete for her as she clearly finds enjoyment telling people that her mommy has a baby in her tummy, and that it's Roz and Dan's. She quickly relays that Roz's tummy is broken so their baby is growing in Mommy's tummy until it gets big enough to go back home. She's also asked nearly every day since the discussion if the baby's still in my tummy and talks about needing to be careful and that we have to take good care of it for Roz and Dan.

It's a heartwarming conversation to have with her and she makes it simple, like it should be. Since last May, one of the most thought of topics and most frequently asked question has been, what are you going to tell Lydia and how do you think she's going to take this? I've always said that I didn't think it will be an issue at all and I honestly felt that it won't be anything difficult for her to deal with it. It's turned out to be all of that and more. We have continued being supported (both the Huneke's and us) by all of our amazing friends, families, co-workers, pastors, church families, acquaintances and more! If you're reading this, you're one of those wonderful people in our lives - thank you for making this be so simple, thank you for your support! I know I can say from the bottom of Roz's heart and mine, it continues to be so appreciated and so amazing! God bless!!