2012: A Year in Review (January through June)

What an exciting year!  We began 2012 by announcing to the masses (via Facebook, naturally) that we were expecting, and the year ended with Henry celebrating his 6 month birthday!  A look back at some of the highlights from the first half of the year:

January

On January 8th, I announced our pregnancy to the Facebook-world.  We had shared the news with our families over the holidays, and I sent an email to close friends in late December 2011.

Shortly after the big announcement, I got really sick with a sinus infection.  I reluctantly took an antibiotic (afraid of its impact on the baby), which cleared it up.  I missed a week of work in order to recuperate.

Our travel system (stroller and car seat) arrived, and we test drove it with Rowan as passenger.  She was glad that a baby was on the way to take over that role.

Finally starting to show!

Wearing the Bella Band so I could stay out of maternity jeans!

February
  
On February 13, we found out Beansprout was (is) a little boy!  Mark was so excited that he high-fived the waiter at Rasika.

Mark and I headed to the Tabard Inn for a Valentine's Day celebration.  We enjoyed a delicious dinner and then stayed at the inn.  The hotel is very old and full of narrow staircases and hallways.  It was a fun getaway!

March
  
In March, I attended Emily's baby shower in Raleigh.  Harper and Henry "met" for the first time in utero!

We spent lots of time searching for our next home.  We wanted a single family home with a fenced yard, wood floors, and near a Metro.  We found it! 

April
  
In April, we celebrated Mark's birthday by walking around Georgetown and getting dinner there.

I had my 28-week ultrasound, where we saw Henry's adorable profile!  It really does look like a face he makes often.

May
  
In May, my uncle Tom took maternity pictures for us, and we revealed to him Henry's full name.  He kept it a secret so we could reveal it upon Henry's birth!

I also celebrated the first of two baby showers.  This one was given to me by my aunt Lois, and it was held at Lois and Tom's house on a beautiful sunny afternoon.

At the end of the month, we moved to our current home!  The move went smoothly, considering that I was 35 weeks pregnant.  We unpacked in record time, so everything would be in its place when the baby arrived.


June

My aunt Missy threw my second baby shower.  I received lots of books, diapers, and bottles, all very useful items.

I was looking large and in charge!  Mark and I took a couple of Lamaze classes to prepare for what I hoped would be a natural childbirth (best laid plans...)
 

I took my last weekly pregnancy picture.

 
And on Tuesday, June 26, after 27 hours of labor, Henry Cole arrived and changed our lives for the better!

Heading to the hospital after my water broke!

So tiny in his car seat for his trip home.