Family updates {a growing belly and a skier}

Well we've had some exciting things going on in our little family.  The first and most exciting thing is we are expecting baby #2 due the end of August.  I think I was aiming for more of a September/October baby, but end of August is fine with me!  I will live in Maxi skirts and flip flops.  We just found out today that a little girl will be joining our family!  We are thrilled that we will have one of each.  In the beginning I just kept referring to the baby as a boy and thinking boy, but I never had a strong feeling either way.  But a few days ago when we would ask Henry he would always say girl.  He never said boy.  And not that he actually knows what a boy and girl even are, but it made me wonder if I was in fact having a girl.  And here we are with a girl.  Henry knew!  

Back in February after a nice snowstorm we built a snowman family, complete with a little baby!  

Henry giving the baby a kiss

Lately he is loving baby dolls.  He found this one at my sisters house and he would hold it and rock it.  He just started saying the word "baby" and now he points to my stomach and says "baby".  But he also points to his stomach and Clark's stomach and says "baby".  We will see his reaction when there is an actual real baby in the house.  

We are so excited and feeling blessed to be having another healthy baby.  I know friends and family that struggle to have children or have healthy full term babies and so I feel extra amazed at the miracle of birth.  It really feels like a miracle when so many struggle with infertility.  I hope I don't take it for granted or ever seem ungrateful.  Luckily my pregnancies have all been great with not much sickness.  So I really do feel so blessed.  

Another fun and exciting thing was Henry going skiing for his first time and LOVING it.  I kept my expectations low thinking he would cry and be a little nervous.  But I was wrong.  He was constantly saying "down" and pointing in the direction he wanted to go.  He cried when he wasn't skiing down the hill.  Of course Clark was a proud Dad.  I'm glad Henry's first time was at Beaver Mountain where I learned to ski.  It was a nice day and not too hot or cold.  Perfect spring skiing day.  

Riding the 'magic carpet' up the bunny hill.  Henry doesn't seem to impressed. 

Saying "cheese" for the camera.  Ready to go down the hill for his first time

Like a pro

Taking a turn skiing with Papa Bill

Family photo (if you look close you can see my belly that's not quite round yet, but maybe just looks like I'm carrying extra weight.)

I didn't even bring my skis thinking it would be harder for me to bend down with Henry that long, and he usually wants Clark to help him since he loves his Dad.  And I really thought he would last 10 min.  So when he was loving it, I wished I had brought my skis and skied down with him at least once.  But I was happy to watch and snap pictures.  

Here he is with Auntie Katie.  He seriously wanted her to take him down two different times. Katie was a pro skiing with a munchkin between her legs.  

He warmed up to the magic carpet.  

 Clark is still working at coaching a U-17 club team in the evenings.  We are busy with games and tournaments most weekends but by May he will be done.  Then we can get back to house work before the baby comes at the end of the summer.  Henry is almost 2 and has been talking more and more each day.  He says some funny things.  My favorites are "cheese taco" "ball in hole" or "shoot ball" when he is playing basketball and "baby" and "please".