New Year - New Adventures

Happy 2010 everyone!

I have decided to try a different, shorter format to updating my blog. No more long posts catching up for weeks or months of not posting. I figure this may help me to have time to post more often.

So, here it goes:

As you all know Madalin Grace was born November 25th and she has fit right it making our transition from a family of 3 to 4 smooth and easy. She is a sweet baby girl and has a great calm temperment. She has been eating and sleeping well and she is growing fast.

Her big sister loves her so much and even now (6+ weeks later) Caralin still gets excied to see her after she wakes up from a nap, like she's been away on vacation or something. Too cute. Here's my girls:

10 weeks left!

Wow! Only 10 weeks till we meet our new little girl. There are so many things we still need to do to prepare for number 2. We will be moving into our own place finally (not staying with family anymore) on the 1st of October. I am so excited about what God has in store for us in this next chapter of our life. Please continue to pray for our family.
Caralin is excited to meet her new baby sister. She says "she will be here in just a minute" and as funny as that sounds I have a feeling that is exactly what it will feel like! She is going to be a great big sister! More soon...

Ready for Fall

Hi all,
Trying to keep on top of everything has been making me a little crazy lately. Baby belly is getting bigger! I don't think there is anymore room for her to grow and I still have a little over 2 and a half months to go! I know the time is just going to fly by. I am a little nervous about having two but everyone tells me it works out just fine. We still haven't decided on a name, hopefully it will come to us soon. I don't want to bring home a "Baby Girl Hastings".
Caralin is sick today with stomach flu so we have spent the morning on the couch watching movies. Poor baby! This is the first stomach flu we have gone through with her... it's not fun. At least she tells me when her tummy is hurting so I can grab the bucket. Caralin has been saying the funniest things lately like "Mom, I have a question to you.", and "My last name is Caralin Kay Hastings", and she will tell you a secret which is really cute. She is also becoming more and more of a daddy's girl, wanting him to do everything with her. This is a good thing because I'll definately need more help when the new baby is here.
This summer she has become a great little swimmer. She will even practice swimming to me without a vest or arm floaties. Hopefully next year she'll be doing it all by herself. The summer has been fun but we have had some HOT, HOT weather here the last couple weeks. We are really looking forward to the chilly Fall. My favorite time of year. Starting to think about costumes for Halloween, my baby shower, birthday's, Thanksgiving, THE NEW BABY, a trip to Disneyland, and Christmas! That is just an abreviated list too.... many other things going on the next few months. So I should have more posts to update you. Take Care.

It's a GIRL!

Well we found out last week that we are having another girl! I am so excited. I really wanted another girl. I think I am still in shock that it is really true. I have been thinking about it all week. It is going to be so much fun with two little girls! Daddy is truely out numbered now! I wonder if she will look just like her sister? Caralin is so excited that she is going to be a big sister and every once-in-awhile she'll say "mama guess what? I'm gonna have a baby sister!" Very cute. Now comes the tough part... finding the perfect name. I'm sure it will come to us just like Caralin did. Can't wait to meet her. Here is just a quick pic from the Dr. office of Caralin after she saw her baby sister.

Summer.

Well I better keep updating my blog or everyone will boycott and stop checking it. It has been a little crazy adjusting to life after our move, but we are getting there. I have been feeling much better, so I have had a lot of energy to do fun things with Caralin lately which has kept us pretty busy. We have a new play group with some friends from church and both Caralin and I enjoy spending time with them. We have also had our usual treks to Zoo, beach, and Sea World which are also fun but I feel so blessed God brought these new friends into our life. They are GREAT! And speaking of great friends, Christen and Isaac and coming to SD in a little over a week! I can't wait to see them. We get to spend the whole day together. I wish they could stay longer, but I'll take what I can get.

I have been feeling baby kicks more and more which has been really exciting (that is my favorite part). On Monday we find out the sex of the baby! I can't wait! I will be happy either way, but am kind of hoping for another girl. We'll see... I have been taking a few pics here and there this summer so I thought I would share. I'll add more as I get them. Enjoy!

Prima Ballerina

Just an update... I thought Retrievers and Friends were going to be able to take the dogs this weekend but looks like there wern't enough adoptions to make space for my boys. This is okay with me because it allows Caralin and I to get a little more time with them before they go.

I have actually been pretty busy with work this last couple of weeks, I thought I wouldn't be since this is the last week of school, but I'll take it. I am hoping to find a child to watch over the summer to help with the loss of income, we'll see.

Still feeling really tired and, unfortunately, sick sometimes. This pregnancy sure is different than Caralin. We will find out the sex of the baby in about 7 weeks! I can't wait to find out. It will be my only ultrasound so lets hope baby doesn't have it's legs crossed.

I did a little photo shoot with Caralin yesterday in her adorable tutu. I hope you enjoy the pictures. Take Care.

Sollo, No Strollo

Hi everyone! I hope you are all having a good week so far. I am enjoying my mommy-daughter time immensely, but have been putting off packing our house. We are moving at the end of the month but there is a lot to do and most of it is going into storage for now so I need to get to work.
I am sad to announce that we are giving our dogs up for adoption. It has been a difficult decision because they have been with us for so long, but it will be better for them to be where they can have more attention and care. The company helping us is wonderful, they screen the adopting families and take great care of the dogs. It is sad, but for the best. They will be picking them up on Saturday so pray for me that I don't break down in tears.
Caralin and I had a fun trip to the zoo today. Our first time without the stroller. I just packed a backpack and she walked holding my hand. It was great. I have been looking forward to the time when I don't have to drag a stroller around with me everywhere. I better enjoy these "sollo, no strollo" outings while I can because come Dec. they will be gone for a while. The zoo just opened their new Elephant Odyssey exhibit. It was awesome. It took us 2 hours just to walk through and then have lunch! Great way to kill a few hours. Another reason to love the zoo.