Baby #2

We are more than thrilled to announce baby #2, expected to arrive around Oct. 1st, 2014! Josh and I had toyed with when to start trying for baby #2. Josh is currently in the process of applying and waiting to hear from MBA programs for grad school. If he gets into a place of choice, he will start this fall. Our #1 choice is BYU. But their program is very rigorous (you aren't even allowed to work during the program). And because of that, we thought it would be smart to go ahead and have the second baby the summer before he, potentially, started the program. And since we got pregnant so quickly with Elliott (first shot), we didn't start trying until late July. We didn't want Elliott and this baby to be too close in age. But alas, we didn't get pregnant right away like we did with Elliott. After about 7 months of unsuccessful attempts, we finally made it happen. I feel ungrateful saying that because I know, personally, many girls who would kill to get pregnant in seven short months. And I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each of us. But our trials are so individual, and for me, 7 months felt like a really long time. And I felt the stress adding because not only did our two best friends here in Provo get pregnant during that time when we were trying, but our window to have the baby before school in the fall was slipping away. But we kept trying. I got back from WA in January and we found out later that month that it had finally worked. We couldn't be happier! Of course, we did miss that window, so if Josh is in school it will just be all that more exciting and stressful. :) But I really do know Heavenly Father has a reason for everything and we have already been witness to a few reasons why it was better to get pregnant a few months later. Thank goodness someone knows us better than we do and can help us with our plans. ;)

My first appointment was towards the end of February. Josh couldn't get work off, so I dropped Elliott off with Jenn and I went by myself. It was weird going by myself. Josh was at every appointment for Elliott. But his job is far more demanding now. With Elliott, we just heard the heartbeat at the first appointment but this time they did an ultrasound. They said that they like making sure that the baby is on track for growth and that there is in fact only 1 baby. I was so sad Josh missed it! Of course you couldn't really make out a baby at this point, it was more like a blob. But, still exciting. 

The baby is growing and developing right on track. We got to hear the heartbeat yesterday (Josh was able to go to this appointment!) which is always so reassuring and then Elliott got to share the news with the world. 

I am now 12.5 weeks. My morning sickness is starting to taper off and I'm feeling good otherwise. My first trimester symptoms (besides the nausea) were far less this time than with Elliott. I remember feeling completely crazy with her. We're planning on doing a gender check sometime in the middle of April. Of course, I can't wait for that. 

Other than that, all is well on the Titus front. I have a sweet toddler and a little growing belly. Who couldn't be happy?!

FYI: I've had so many compliments on the picture of Elliott with the sign. Don't be fooled, that stinker almost had me in tears over this photo shoot. I swear. Photographing an 18 month old is miserable.  All she wanted to do was kick the sign over or throw it.

throwing the sign

she refused to look at the camera

then she found some ants on this tree stump. they were far more interesting.

then we discovered the swing. i propped the sign up on her feet...and she just kicked it over. again and again.

that's when i found a giant rock, propped it up and finally got some good ones. phew. 

what a ham.

after about 5 pictures, she was done. 

then she found the neighborhood cat, Onsie. Not much makes her happier.

And there's our little bean. you can see some little rib lines and a separation between the head and body...and that's about it. so cute. :)

a YEAR & a HALF

I can't believe our sweet girl is 18 months old. Where did our baby go? I know, I know, I always say that. But seriously. It's nuts. 

At 18 months Elliott can say probably around 60-70 words. We stopped keeping track around 16 months and she was saying nearly 40. She copies most everything we say. She can walk, run, jump, climb on just about anything, and walk backwards. She loves water. She is most definitely a water baby. Not only does she love bath time, she loves the swimming pool. She will dive under the water with no hesitation. She loves it. 

She is a serious mama's girl but loves to see daddy when he is home. She is constantly watching everything we are doing and copies every little action we make. She is a pretty picky eater and tends to prefer oatmeal and yogurt over anything else. But she definitely does not look underfed. 

She is just over 25 pounds and 32 inches tall. She's a little growing girl. She makes our lives so exciting. She keeps us on our toes and is constantly surprising us with new things. She is also a master at throwing a tantrum and fake crying. She thinks she knows how to get her way. :)

We love you Elliott! 

[These pictures are from her actual (non-existent) half-birthday and the rest of the month of February as well]

Don't mind the lack of furniture in her room...we had a run in with bed bugs. Just...don't go there. Ugh.

Some sweet ones from V-Day

And of course, some adorable tub shots.

Mouthful of water? Gross. 

This girl is just too much.