GPS Adventure in DC

We have been depending on our GPS since moving to the DC area, but we have developed a love/hate relationship with it. Today our GPS brought us on an unplanned adventure to downtown DC, further defining our love/hate relationship with this thing.
We are still visiting churches and wanted to visit one a little further away this week. As always, Jon got all the necessary info in order to navigate to the church. To make a long story short- our GPS ended up taking us into DC (nowhere near the church) due to the complicated HOV lanes. By the time we were down there, to turn back would have meant to miss the first half of the service, and not worth even going at that point. It was a beautiful day, so instead of turning around and going home we decided to spend the afternoon in the city. It was Hannah's and James' first time there and our first time since moving down three months ago. We weren't sure when we were going to end up venturing into the capital with the two kids, and we would have never driven in by choice. So, our disappointment in missing church.. Again... turned into a really enjoyable and relaxing day for us. It was especially neat to visit the War Memorials right after Veterans day.
 So, could it be that our GPS may have a bit of a mind of it's own, knew we needed to do something nice as a family, and this was the only way to get us to visit the capital right now? I suppose we'll keep using it, but hopefully from now on it will cooperate at least while we're trying to go to church.

Where Did the Time Go- Hannah 2 years and James 1 month

Everyone always says how kids grow so fast. And when they are young that is soo true and clear. They go through stages so quickly. The parts of the stage you don't particularly like you are consoled by the fact that the stage will probably end soon. And the parts of the stage you love can bring tears to your eyes when it is over. Then there are the parts you don't even notice until they are over. At the same time you look forward to the future stages.  It makes me not want to miss one second of their life. Having children has brought about the most mixed emotions in me. It is interesting to think that this is how God feels about us too.

So, Hannah turned two around the same time that James was one month old. I don't remember when Hannah grew up, but she really is not a baby anymore. I can talk to her and she really understands me. And she can talk back and I usually understand her. She loves life which for her is Mommy, Daddy, now James, and all the others who she knows love her. She enjoys the simple things- eating breakfast in the morning while watching her videos, walking around the house pushing her shopping cart, going to the playground, and licking her lolly pops. I learn a lot from her about how to enjoy life. She is a very special little girl and I can't believe that we have been privileged to be entrusted with her care.

Two goals for Hannah's next year:

1) Potty Training

2) Getting rid of the pacifier at night

(Neither of which I am looking forward to!)

I love my sweet baby James. And he is very sweet. He is such a flexible baby and I am starting to see a very determined nature as well. He holds his head up very well and he has already learned to turn over from tummy to back. He prefers to stand up rather than be held in a cradle hold. I do love the baby stage, but I am really looking forward to the stages to come and getting to know him as a little person better. I have often felt guilty that I do not hold him as much as I held Hannah. I have remedied that by carrying him around in the front carrier as often as he needs. He goes in it with us to the playground and the store and sometimes even around the house. He usually sleeps in it till I take him out. He is not old enough to play with yet, but we all look forward to that as well. Especially Hannah!

Two Goals for James' next month:

1) Sleeping longer stretches at night

2) Smiling

(Both of which I am looking forward to!)

Adjusting to life with two has been challenging at times. I think one of the hardest things is not being able to go out as easily. But I am starting to find little ways to “get out” during the day. The playgrounds within walking distance are working for now, while it’s not too cold yet. Hannah has started a gymnastics class which I participate in with her. My sister and I get together frequently which really helps! And we are starting to go to our playgroup again. Some days when we have no plans and I feel the need to get out I put them both in the car, and go to the drive through at McDonalds for a coffee, then maybe the bank or some other small errand to justify going outJ They both seem to enjoy the outing too. We always look forward to Daddy coming home at night. That is the biggest highlight of the day!
So, all is well in the Duncan house. And we are very happy!

Meet Our Son

                  Sunday morning, September 19th I felt the need to do a large grocery shopping trip. I never shop on Sundays and certainly not during church. But I felt like this may be my last opportunity. So, I put Hannah in the car and we were off. Shortly after getting home I started feeling like today may be the day. My contractions, although painless, were getting stronger and closer together. I rushed around the house trying to get everything done that I needed. Hannah went with the flow as she usually does, not realizing that her baby brother would be born that night. I informed Jon that he should plan to not work the next three days.
                 As we approached the evening the contractions were still progressing. I called my sister and we decided that she should probably come and stay the night here so we could leave whenever we needed to. She got here around 9:30pm and by then my contractions were the kind that you really need to focus on your breathing to get through the pain (all you moms know what I mean.) But still only 7-10 minutes apart. My wise younger sister, who had been through labor more recently than me, advised me to call my Dr. anyway since they were so strong. The Dr. got right back to me and we were out of the house by 10:00pm. The car ride was not too bad, no DC traffic (God answered my prayers that I would not go into labor during rush hour:)
                We parked in the garage and I was able to walk to registration. This is the only part of my experience at the hospital that made me mad. They had me standing at the desk and slowly printed off all the forms for me to sign which took about 15 minutes. I had two strong contractions while standing there, but was able to get through them ok. Once we finally got upstairs I was at 5 cm and put right into a delivery room. It was not a busy night and my nurse was so attentive and wonderful. They started the process for the epidural right away since my contractions were right on top of each other by that point and I was at 7 cm. Once that kicked in I felt great and was able to have nice conversations with Jon and the nurses- all of whom commented on how I was a different person after the epidual, whatever that means????
                From there things progressed pretty quickly. I was soon at 10 cm and ready for the pushing. This started at 1:30am and ended at 2:04 on Sept. 20 when James Robert Duncan came into the world with relative ease. He was crying right away and earned a 9 for his Apgar test. Then I asked to spend some time alone with him and Jon so I could try to start nursing him. To our amazement he nursed well for about 40 minutes within the first hour of his life. This is when I knew he would be a better eater than our dear Hannah:) He's been doing great very since. Our hospital stay was good and we were ready to leave by Tuesday evening.

               I can't believe he is almost a week old now. He is doing very well at home and we are all enjoying getting to know his little personality already. He's laid back and happy as long as his needs are met. Hannah is in love with him and wants to hold  him as often as possible. We feel so blessed to have a healthy girl and boy. And to have had such wonderful labor and delivery experiences. I went in expecting anything with no real birth plan. I remember praying, when I was getting really uncomfortable, that God would give me the strength to get through to the end which He did in more ways than one. Jon was wonderful as always and such a great support. A special thanks to my parents  and sister who helped watch Hannah while we were in the hospital and once we got out.

               So, this is the last of our "new" things. New house, new job, and new child. Thank you Lord for all things new and old and in all this- You stay the same.

Dear Baby,

I have been thinking about you a lot lately. You are very active and making sure I don't forget you are there. I see that you already realize you will be competing a bit for my attention. You are my second child. And my experience being pregnant with you has been completely different from that with Hannah. You see, Hannah has been my baby for the past two years. And it has not yet hit me that she is not a baby anymore and you will be here any day now. Throughout my pregnancy with you I have still been most focused on her and even coveting the rest of the time I have with her alone before you come. It's hard to imagine loving another child as much as I love her. But, I have no doubt that I will love you equally. God has given you to us to love and care for. You are going to be the perfect addition to our family. Hannah will love having another to play with and grow with, laugh and cry with. You will grow to be best friends and the bond of a sibling is tighter than with any other friend.
So, even though she doesn't quite understand it yet, Hannah is preparing for your arrival. She is learning to take care of babies using her dolls and her cousin Evie (who she is finding is becoming too big to hold like a baby.) She has just given up her car seat and bed for you and is now in a "big girl" car seat and a "big girl" bed. She is learning to do more things on her own so I can take care of you better. The one thing she will not and should not grow out of is cuddling with her Mommy and Daddy. You will now join us in that. We will do everything together now. And although I, as your Mommy, do not yet know how I am going to be all that I want to be for both of you, I know that it is a good thing for both of you to learn to be selfless and giving. I pray that your Daddy and I can teach you this: God has made you and loves you just as you are. And He desires that you follow Him all the days of your life, for "He has shown you what is good... To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8
I love you and can't wait to meet you,
Your Mommy

All Things New

               So, I decided that the best time to create a new blog is when our life is defined by newness; new home, new job (for Jon), new location, and new baby (on the way). We have been praying for a change for awhile; Jon for a full time/ steady job, and me for the opportunity to stay home with our children instead of working three days a week (which I have done since Hannah was three months.) I greatly respect all working Moms and I'm glad I had the opportunity to be one (even if only part time.) I just found it wasn't for me. I felt like I wasn't able to be the mom and wife I wanted to be. On my days off I was often busy toting Hannah around on lots of errands and doing house work all day. I was ALWAYS too tired to make a real dinner (not being much of a cook anyways). I found myself wanting to get involved in some activities with Hannah, but just not having the time or energy. So, as you would guess, when the opportunity came up for me to stay home, I took it! And I find that I really love it!! I love the freedom to make plans and take care of my family while Jon works a very busy teaching job. So, to all of you working moms and stay at home moms out there- God Bless you. Both are honorable and neither is easy. But, if you are a working mom and desire to work less, pray that the Lord will open a door for you to stay at home more. He didn't open that door for me right away (it took about 20 months), but He provided a way and I am so thankful!
             So, here my family starts a new journey. This blog is to preserve our memories and I plan to make a book of them someday for the kids. I also hope to keep family and friends informed on our big life events and interesting experiences. Thanks for joining us in our journey! We love you