Goodbye 2012.

Another year has come and gone. I can't believe this time last year I was absolutely huge and about ready to burst. I look back at the pictures and cringe; I was so exhausted and ready to give birth. And now here we are, with another baby on the way and a extremely active 11 month old who keeps us on our tippy toes. December completely got away from me this year. I was so immersed in trying to finish my most challenging semester to date, consumed with celebrating birthdays and other family/friend festivities all while trying to keep my cookies down, literally. All in all I believe Karson's first Christmas was a success; I know it was very trying for both Kurt and myself. We really just went overboard with trying to be the best party hosts and attempting to make lasting memories for Karson. I believe we were successful and it was worth it to see our family together. Next year I promised Kurt not as much running around. This promise should be easy since my job won't allow me to have another Christmas off for three years. (Could be a blessing or a curse, depends how you look at it). Unfortunately, my first trimester pukes decided to hit me in the middle of the Christmas holiday. I wasn't able to partake in the annual food feast; I couldn't even stomach the majority of the smells. Kurt and I were surprised how fast it actually happened. Guess the oven was pre-heated still. We thought we would at least get through the holidays. The big man upstairs has different plans for the Mundell clan. Regardless, I put a smile on and we got through the holidays and I am counting down the days until the second trimester. (And for those of you who are thinking, I hate to tell her but she might be sick the entire pregnancy, curse you)! Karson wouldn't mind, he thinks the sound I make while getting sick is absolutely hysterical. Glad someone is smiling. Minus the sickness, we are ecstatic to be adding another little monster to the family. What a wild ride this is gonna be. 

When we found out this time we were pregnant, it was after taking about four tests. Kurt swore up and down I was pregnant. I didn't believe it, things hadn't gotten back on schedule and I could have just been late. So I decided to take a test, and then another and another. All came back negative and I kept telling Kurt, "I told you so, you don't know what you are talking about." At the same time I was battling a mysterious fat bulge that had taken residence on my abdomen. My pants were tighter and my skinny jeans were not looking skinny. Even my wonderful mother told me on numerous occasions, "tuck your pooch in, your fat is hanging over your pants." One morning, Karson woke me up by doing his usual pushups on my stomach, except this time he missed and 22 lbs landed directly onto my chest, I just about died and did everything to fight my reflexes of throwing him off of me. Okay, by this time maybe I was thinking I might be pregnant. It was just too early to tell. Finally, I stopped buying the tests and decided to let time take its course. I waited about a week and on a Friday evening I decided to try it again, it was positive and I was still sort of shocked. I walked out of the bathroom and the boys were sitting in the bed, Karson immediately smiled, he must have known (or he was just smiling because I came out of the door, he loves when people come out of doors or showers). 

The next day I was scheming of a way to tell my mom. I was so freaked out when I found out I was pregnant with Karson I called her right away on the phone and screamed I was pregnant. She was the one who said I was in the first place and that I should take a test. Mother knows best. This time around, she had her suspicions; I couldn't hide the belly bulge. Karson and I went shopping with my close friends Saturday morning and I was on the hunt for a big brother shirt. I dragged the girls and Karson all around the mall on this mission, except I didn't want to tell them what I was looking for; I wanted to surprise them too. Finally we made it into Old Navy and there was our needle in a haystack. I learned that they don't have big brother shirts in Karson's size. Guess not enough people are crazy to have kids that close in age. Regardless, I held up the girls to show the shirt and both of them just looked at me. Blank. Eventually with a little explanation they got it. That night we had plans for a work Christmas party and decided to drop Karson off to my mom's with his new shirt on. After about ten minutes of her fluttering around, she came into the living room and without hesitation wanted to know why Karson did not have his bib on (this kid STILL drools like crazy). She got it pretty fast, C-pops though took a long time. We shared the news with our immediate family and decided to sit on it to share with everyone for a bit longer. 

Of course we had to have a scary moment (wouldn't be us if not). One night I was getting dressed for work, the boys were sleeping. I went to the bathroom and when I got up there was blood, not a lot but enough to be scared. I woke Kurt up and told him, I knew it wasn't good. Kurt was surprisingly very calm. I went to work that night scared to death that the worst was happening. I of course googled too much information and completely freaked myself out. I made it through the night, no more blood. I had cramping, which was new to me, but it eventually subsided. We made it to the doctor and got the confirmation. She ordered a sonogram to check on the status. As of 12/20 we saw our baby and heard his/her heartbeat. It was a completely different sensation than Karson. With him I had no idea what I was getting myself into, I felt no connection as a mother. This time I know what it feels like to be a mom, the most challenging and rewarding experience in life. I fell in love in that moment with a baby who was no bigger than one centimeter and that love grows every day. 219 days to go, but who is counting?

I don't normally make New Year resolutions, but last year I made a a plan to make this blog and continue with it throughout the year. Success! Karson's resolution is to sleep in his crib by himself. My resolution is to not give into him. I need strength and the grace of God. Lord help us all. Cheers to another year of learning and growing. 

Cheese Face!