We are so excited to meet our little boy.

This blog is soon to convert to Aragorn and Annada’s website, so I’ve decided they are already going to start sharing space. I know how quickly my memories of being pregnant with Annada faded, so I want to take a moment to write out what I am remembering now – the wonderful, strange and even rough.

1) My stomach clicks. Really. I checked in with my midwife about it and she doesn’t know why. I looked online and the best answer I could find is that Aragorn may be pushing out a rib and it clicks when it rubs the one next to it. It’s pretty loud, but doesn’t hurt.

2) Aragorn loves to kick when I lay down. Annada likes to lay against me when I am singing to her at night, so he kicks her in the back. She smiles and says he is saying hello. Marc likes to watch my belly jump around. He smiles too, already proud of his little boy. I love it.

3) Marc named Aragorn Marc Vergo. I named Annada Marie Vergo. (We both love the names.) Aragorn is the ranger-to-be-king in the Lord of the Rings. Tolkien made up the name. It roughly translates, “Priestly King.”

4) Overall, I feel great. Sometimes though my lower back swells and even bruises. It seems to happen on weeks my belly grows a lot (which is this month – no growth from week 20-36. 8 cm in the last 3 weeks!).

5) When I picture Aragorn, he has startling blue eyes. I’m curious to see what color his eyes really are.

6) Annada is convinced Aragorn is going to “fall out” in the night. Then she will hear him cry (because I will sleep through the event) and come get him and take him to her room where he will join the 30+ animals and baby dolls in bed with her (she calls it her nursery. The dolphin and caterpillar watch the babies for her when she is at school). She is particularly excited about potty training Aragorn.

7) I was so sick the first 4 months (like 7-8 times a day, some days I couldn’t keep water down). And I still feel nauseous until about 2 pm each day. But I haven’t actually been sick since the end of the 4th month. So I just ignore it and eat anyway. I would guess it has to be part of why I’ve had a hard time gaining weight, though.

8) I have had contractions about 1-2 times an hour since 28 weeks. I was the same with Annada. I’m curious to see if I have another fast labor. (Annada was less than 2 hours from start to finish.) Or as Taylor says, “I either have the longest labor or the shortest – depends on how you want to count it.”

9) About 2 weeks ago I had contractions about 6 minutes apart for 4 hours in the night. They were strong enough I couldn’t sleep but not nearly as strong as when Annada was born. So we stayed home. But I was SOOOO happy. Beforehand I didn’t know how I would react when labor started. But when I thought I might be meeting Aragorn that night I woke up and literally danced for a few minutes at 1 am. The rush didn’t wear off until the next night – I was totally awake and excited about how real everything was all day.

10) I admit, it is hard to believe I could love someone as much as Annada. I can only imagine it must be amazing.

A new braid Marc is learning.

Marc and Annada have a new hobby – hair braiding. They love to watch YouTube videos on different types of braids and then Marc tries them on Annada. He is getting really good. I get compliments on her hair all the time, but the truth is, Marc does her hair more often than I do.

This is all part of the “Marc-is-my-hero” aspect of pregnancy. Back in those first months when I felt AWFUL Marc started getting up with Annada, bringing me something small to eat and letting me ease into the day. Somewhere along the way he decided his part in helping Aragorn grow is to get up with Annada and let me get up slowly. I am incredibly grateful. Marc is a great dad.

Annada and Daddy have an elaborate breakfast game. Daddy asks the animals to guard Annada’s food. Then they fall asleep and Annada gobbles up the meal. When Marc looks back he and the animals act astonished the food is gone. Annada laughs and laughs and laughs.

Cooking food for me and the babies.

Annada spent about 2 hours caring for the babies and cooking them lunch. She is ALL about babies right now. And she is 100% convinced Aragorn is coming tomorrow. She’s right about so many things, it is unnerving. We will see…

After Peanuts Playhouse closed, Annada and I got treats at Sonic and sat outside to talk while we drank them. Annada is such a joy to be around.

Saturday Aunt Debbie took Annada strawberry picking. We just finished the last strawberries today. They were so good!

Annada had a blast. When she got home Saturday evening she prayed that Aunt Debbie would “make a good choice and have another sleepover soon.” I am so grateful for friends who love on our daughter.

Annada and Aunt Debbie

After strawberry picking, Annada and Aunt Debbie took a picnic to the playground.

It’s more fun with your hands up!

Annada ran in her first 5K today with Daddy. When I picked them up she looked exhausted. But Annada told me she wants to do it again with me.

Ready to go!

It sounds like a success – she alternated running at full speed with riding on Daddy’s back. And she raced another little girl (a couple years older). Just when Annada caught the girl, she looked over to celebrate and… wham! She ran into a tree.

She skinned her knee. It was well worth it though, because security was high at the race (due to Boston) and a police woman fixed Annada up with a bandaid and a Care Bear. It’s a stuffed green Care Bear. And it was clearly worth the pain.

Plus Annada got a cookie in her sandwich box afterward (this girl LOVES sugar – just look at her eyes). I think she’s sold on 5Ks :).

4 years old

3 months old