Baby Girl Blair

We are overjoyed to be expecting a baby  GIRL!  What great news! 

Here are pictures of our wee little one at just 9 weeks.

 

She has grown so much since our first ultrasound in September.

Baby Girl at exactly 20 weeks.

                        

                            

                                                  

She certainly wasn’t being shy

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Baby Blair #2 is on the way...

That's right! We are so happy to share our news that Baby Blair #2 is on the way and due April 10, 2012. The baby is doing great and really starting to grow! I'm currently 15 weeks and finally starting to feel back in the land of the living. Ever since I started back to school, the week after our wonderful beach trip, I've been sick. Needless to say, with a 2-year old, a demanding teaching job, and 2 classes, my plate has been very full. I'm so thankful for all the help Price and my family provide. I was sick with a tummy bug a couple weeks ago and it was wonderful that Brantley could stay with my parents while I recovered!

As much as I tend to complain about things, especially when I'm feeling sick, I am happy to have such a life full of challenges. I'm glad I can sit in a graduate education class and discuss ways I can make a difference in kids' lives. I'm glad I work with so many sweet children all day long, even if they are full of germs and mostly misbehave. And I'm the most thankful for a busy, busy 2-year old miracle we call Big B, who has changed my life for the better and made me want to go on this amazing motherhood journey all over again. Life would seem pretty boring otherwise, right? I mean, what was life like before all this craziness? :)

I'll post pictures of our 9-week sonogram soon and a few belly pictures for you.

Happy weekend to all!

Big B, 27 months old

Blanderson Beach Vacation, August 2011

At long last, I find the time to post pictures of our fun beach trip to cap off a great summer! Highlights from the trip include a trip to the aquarium, watching Brantley amuse himself for long lengths of time in the sand, and spending relaxing time with our families. It felt great to be back on the Crystal Coast and sink our toes in the North Carolina sand and spend as much time as possible in the water. Enjoy the pictures....and stay tuned for some exciting news from the Lynchburg Blairs (sorry for the cliffhanger)!

Calling Dr. Anderson

Brantley's Baptism Weekend

What a difference a year makes

Beabo & Brantley last Easter. We sure missed having Miss Beabo here this year!




Look how much Big B has grown!

Spring & Easter 2011

The Big Bopper

Brantley turned 1.5 years old a couple weeks ago! We are amazed how fast our little man is growing. Price and I had a discussion last night that we think B has entered the "terrible two's!" In many ways, I am happy with that. We are lucky to be able to focus solely on him right now and hopefully we can get this stage done and move on :) That's not to say that for every frustration, we don't have many more special moments with him. He continues to be the sweetest boy ever, so caring and loving, and he has such a big heart. He is talking more and more and he understands everything! He can blow his nose in a tissue and knows how to go throw it away in the trash can. He reads all the time and loves making connections with things in his books: if he sees a ladybug, he wants to go find other ladybugs in the house or in other books. He can kick a ball, jump, and loves doing the downward dog yoga position to make you laugh. I continue to feel so blessed to be raising a little boy and motherhood/parenthood is simply: the best journey ever. As a random stranger we passed on the Black Water Creek trail last weekend said, when Brantley was throwing a bit of a fit: "I remember that phase...and you will miss it!" Every moment of this challenging stage is worth remembering!

So, here are Brantley's BIG boy stats from his 18 month checkup:

33 lbs and 35 inches long

WOW!

Enjoy these recent pictures!

Strike a pose!

Brantley's favorite hat, handmade by our friend Cathy!

Looking deceitfully happy...this walk was a challenge!

A stoic pose

Ready to go jogging with Mama!

Did you know?

A recent email from Isis Parenting (in Boston) just boosted my spirits today. If you are a working Mom, like me, and in need of something to make your busy life feel more worthwhile, read the following:

Balancing family and work can be exhausting and challenging, but it seems to have long-term benefits for mothers.

Busy moms do better?

A research study published in 2006 found that women who juggle a career, marriage, and parenthood tend to be healthier than homemakers, single mothers, and childless women. A team of researchers analyzed self-reported health records of more than 2000 women provided first at age 26 and later at age 54. The analysis showed that homemakers were more likely to report poor health, followed by single mothers and women without children. Homemakers also reported the highest rate of obesity, while women who were mothers, wives, and employees reported the lowest.

Keep in mind, however, that large studies of population groups, known as epidemiologic research, draw large conclusions. While this study, like others of its kind, reveals a broad trend, individual women may find that their own lives contradict the statistics: many women who are able to choose not to work outside their homes report good health and do not suffer from obesity. On the other hand, women who are concerned that being employed while mothering small children may be too stressful can be encouraged by the results that show, on average, juggling the two seems to help keep women active and in good health.


More about Isis Parenting can be found here: http://www.facebook.com/IsisParentingInc

Holiday Post #2

The weekend before Christmas, we headed to D.C. for a special friend's wedding. This was our first weekend away from Brantley, ever, and it was wonderful! Brantley had a great weekend with his Grammy, so we could rest assured he was in good hands. The wedding was beautiful and definitely put us in the Christmas spirit. Enjoy the fun pictures below...and behold the black-tie attire. We rarely get this dressed up! :)

Katie & Slade Broom

Enjoying ourselves at the reception

Such a great couple!

Price and Scott...some things never change and I love that!

Brothers

The guys with Greg Broom

Matt & Jess

Jesse & Sarah

Jordan & Price (yes, this is a Chi Psi reunion)

Haugen & Slade

Christmas tree at the Willard Hotel

Old Ebbitt Grille

Holdiay Post #1

Our holiday photo fest begins with the Blanderson Thanksgiving! Many of us were under-the-weather....Raine's finger, my cold, Brantley's cough, Mom's last weekend before knee surgery....you get the point. Nonetheless, we had a great feast on North Princeton Circle.

Helping decorate for Christmas!

Peek-a-boo!

Blowing you a kiss <3

On a quest to find the ever-elusive-Hitch

Whoa! He DOES exist :)

Looks innocent, but don't be fooled!

All smiles

Brantley can sign "holiday"