Today I am guest posting over at Life, Love and Mommyhood for her "Thankful Thursday" series. Please head over and check out her wonderful blog! ______

I've always loved Thanksgiving. The mashed potatoes and gravy made from turkey giblets. The sweet potato casserole with marshmallows on top. Even cranberry, which has never been my particular favorite, tastes good to me on Thanksgiving.

The only thing I don't like about this holiday where we gather together with family, eat lots of food, and give thanks for the things we usually take for granted, is that it happens once a year.

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Just over a year ago I gave birth to a baby boy. The most amazing thing happened when I saw his face for the first time... I was overwhelmed with thankfulness. He was alive, he was breathing, he was looking up at me with the most beautiful dark eyes. He was, in every way, perfect.

I enjoyed 24 hours of this complete bliss before being blindsided with the news that there was something wrong with my precious little boy's heart. After seeing a pediatric heart specialist, we were told that he was born with two holes in his heart. One was small and they believed it would eventually close on it's own, but the other was large and we were told would need surgery to fix in as little as 6-8 weeks.

I left the hospital room and took the elevator down two stories. Holding my 5 day old, 8 pound little bundle of cuteness - I cried the whole way. In that moment, my thankfulness was shattered.

(continue reading the rest of this post over at Life, Love and Mommyhood) 

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(Sorry for the cheesy pose. I am seriously not good at this! Ha!)

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 21 weeks, 1 day Size of baby: size of a banana (That's one of Micah's new words this week too!) Total Weight Gain/Loss: + 10lbs. Maternity Clothes: Wearing mostly maternity jeans, leggings/jeggings, dresses, loose fitting tops and maternity tops. Gender: A sweet little girl! Hannah Leigh Robinson Movement: I am finally feeling her move everyday! It took a little longer this time because of the position of my placenta (gross medical word, I know) but those rolls and kicks are coming in strong now! I smiled the other day when I first felt her roll around with my hand on top of my belly, it's such a miracle to know a little life is growing inside of you! Just as much amazed the second time around. Sleep: Sleep has been great! I really am surprised at how much the growing belly hasn't really been affecting me this time around. Not sure if it's because I was pregnant so recently that it's not as uncomfortable. Not quite sure, but not complaining. :) Cravings: I don't know exactly why, but I could eat Firehouse subs everyday (we actually ate it two days in a row this week). And I don't think this has anything to do with pregnancy, but the Halloween candy we have leftover has been irresistible. Especially Hershey's chocolate with almonds. Okay, I better stop now. Symptoms: I have been feeling great this pregnancy. The heartburn/reflux that I had with Micah, is basically non-existent. No more heart palpitations (praise the Lord!) The only real issue I am having right now is sinus problems. Sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose. Not sure if it's the weather/allergies or what. I've read about pregnancy rhinitis and I think I may be suffering through a little of that. Best Moment this week: Feeling Hannah wiggle around in my tummy while listening to music. :)

// Previous updates on baby Hannah: 18 weeks14 weeks

// Read what was going on when I was pregnant with Micah around this week.

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We have already made it to the halfway point in this pregnancy! Can you believe it? 

I looked at Josh the other day and said, "Well, we have four months left." He didn't look up from his computer and just said, "Oh, you've been pregnant four months? Yeah..."I said, "No, Josh, we have four months left until Hannah's due date." He looked up this time. Eyes wide.

Time has flown. And we really haven't done much to prepare for our little girl's arrival.

Speaking of that, we are still trying to figure out the rooming situation for both babies. To share a room or not to share a room, that is the question? Do any of you moms with close babies have some advice about this?

Micah has one of those cribs that converts to a toddler bed and then full size bed, so he will be set for awhile. We'll need to get another crib for Hannah eventually, but we were thinking she would sleep in our room in the pack 'n play (like Micah did) until the first 3 months (or until she is sleeping through the night). After that, we are not sure what to do. We love hosting guests and family, so having a spare bedroom is important to us. Right now we have three bedrooms and a den that is being used as an office and our music room. It could technically be converted into a bedroom, but the door is see-through, so we'd need to get a new one (or put up a curtain).

If Hannah came today, we may not know where she'd sleep... but at least girl would be stylin'!  I went through all of the bags that were given to us, and there are some CUTE cute outfits in there! Baby girl clothes are so foreign to me, but I had fun sifting through polka-dotted leggings and dresses. Still so amazed and blessed by God's provision in our lives!

As for doctor updates, we are scheduled for appointments next Thursday and Friday. Thursday is just a monthly check-up with my obgyn, and Friday we are having another ultrasound done at Shands. I also should get my AFP blood test results back from the doctor sometime next week, but not sure what day. Please be in prayer for us as doctors tests and visits are always a time of increased stress and worry. Especially be in prayer for our little Hannah, that she will continue growing strong every day. Thank you all so much!

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Oh hey! Have you missed me around here?

After blogging for 31 days straight, missing a day or two feels weird. I told you I was never good at this before, but now that I've gotten into the habit of blogging daily, I kinda want to.

Weird, right?

Well, anyway. I thought I would at least drop in and show you a cute photo of my little guy on Halloween. He and his little friend, Tripp, actually wore the same costume (totally not planned!). His mom came over and saw Micah's costume on the table, and said "No way! Tripp is going to be the same thing!" So of course, we had to get them together to "Trick or Treat" and take cute pictures. :)

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It was fun!

Lately, I have been feeling very "mom-ish."  Almost every picture in my phone is of my child. I have a weekly babysitter. I pack sippy cups and snacks before I even pick out my clothes in the morning. I blog during naptime (and we're officially down to only one nap a day). Welcome to my life.

But I am a proud mama. And I am so thankful to be in this season of life.

Even more, I am SO looking forward to the holidays this year! I think this one will be the best yet. :)