Hello 3rd Trimester!

27 weeks: that means 3rd trimester! Uncharted territory! Two thirds of the way there...we are on the downhill slide now! Can't wait for June to get here so we can meet this busy, active little girl!

"Babymoon" in Mexico

Brent and I made our annual trip to Mexico recently...our last vacation before Baby Girl Hansen arrives! We stayed at Marival Resort, the site of our timeshare in Puerto Vallarta. The weather was beautiful, the food was great (especially the desserts!), and we had a nice relaxing time! We had fun, but it was great to come home too. We're hoping to take Baby Girl for her first trip to Mexico about two years from now; Marival is very kid-friendly, which is great! Here are a few pictures from the trip!



Headed out for dinner:

24 and a half weeks:

Last full day on the beach:

Relaxing:

Cabanas for beachside massages:

Virgin Margarita for the not-so-virgin Mama:

Beautiful sunset:

Another day at the beach:

Sierra Madre mountains:

One of three pools:

Does "Bump" still apply?!

Here are a couple of pictures of the "baby bump" from last week before leaving for Mexico (almost 24 weeks). I think in the week that has elapsed, the term "bump" is no longer applicable...I'm feeling pretty big these days!!! Baby Girl and I got a another great report at our 24 week appointment last week, which I just can't get enough of! Another positive (or negative): I've only gained 7 lbs so far. Most likely due to the nausea/vomiting of the first almost 20 weeks of my pregnancy and my food aversions. I was worried Baby wasn't getting enough nutrients, but Dr. Weidner said she is just the right size, so I feel better. I always imagined I would gain about 50 lbs when I was pregnant, but I guess there's still a long way to go! ;)

Mexico pictures coming soon! We had a great time, but it's great to be home!!!

Those crazy kids!

Here are a few recent pictures of our nieces and nephew. When I look at these four adorable kids, I can't help but wonder what (or should I say who?) Baby Girl Hansen will look like. Will she look like the Tooley girls, or maybe like Livie?! Can't wait to find out!

Livie helping Grandpa Dave with his computer...so helpful!



Future soccer star?!



Preston playing basketball




Hanging with Kaitlyn and Kamryn at the game

Grieving and Believing

I know I'm no expert on grief and loss, but I have had my share of loss in my life. In times of grief and loss, I am left devastated, hopeless, and angry with God. Why do terrible things have to happen to good people? Why would God put someone through something so horrible? It's something I'm not sure I'll ever understand. Several events have happened recently to remind me how powerful devastating loss can be, and how uplifting prayers and faith can be.

Last Friday, a brave young man lost his battle with cancer. Mark Strong from Oakland graduated with my brother Zach (meaning he was only 27), and he had been battling cancer for several years. I didn't know Mark well, but his struggle and his loss has touched me. He was a kind and brave person who didn't deserve to die, and didn't deserve to suffer in pain for so many years.

That same night, Lisa Robinson died suddenly and unexpectedly of an apparent heart attack. Lisa Robinson is the mother of Kansas basketball player Thomas Robinson. Thomas, 19 years old and a college sophomore, has endured more loss in the last month than anyone I've known. His maternal grandmother died in late December, his maternal grandfather died two weeks ago, and he lost his mother (who was only 43) unexpectedly a week ago. T-Rob heard the news of his mother's death by phone call from his 7 year old sister in Washington DC. These two young people lost the three people who have raised them in less than a month.

Both of these tragedies have touched me, evoked many tears, and weighed on my mind for the last week (and not just because I'm an emotional, pregnant basketcase). The amount of grief and loss that Mark's friends and family, as well as Thomas and Jayla Robinson, are feeling must be unreal. How could God allow someone so young and good to suffer from such a horrible disease, and be taken from the world far too soon? How could God allow Thomas and his sister to lose the three most important people in their lives, at such a young age and in such a short time? How can they possibly get through such devastation, hopelessness, and loss? Faith. Family. Friends. Mark had so many people who loved him, and I hope all his friends and family can lean on each other and their faith in God to get through this difficult time. Thomas is a part of wonderful and supportive extended family at KU, and the outpouring of support from the community and university has been overwhelming.

At times like these, I don't understand. When I lost my three babies, I didn't understand. I may never understand, but maybe I'm not meant to understand. Faith is believing in God, believing in something we can't see, something bigger than ourselves. Faith and God's will have gotten me to this point in my life, and in June we will finally (God willing) welcome a healthy baby of our own. While I will never understand and never forget, I have found peace. I hope and pray that faith will carry Mark's family and friends and Thomas and Jayla Robinson through this difficult time. May God's grace and the power of prayer lift them up, and in time I hope they too will find peace.

Room to Grow!

One of the most fun things about being pregnant: buying a bunch of new maternity clothes! They are definitely becoming "a must"...this growing belly can no longer be contained! ;) It took me the longest time to find some things that I like, but I finally did. I've been having fun picking things out and waiting for them to arrive in the mail...it's like a kid waiting for Christmas! My inspiration for a lot of the clothes is our upcoming trip to Mexico; I can't wait! We leave on the 10th, just a little over 2 weeks from now!!! I now have a new cute maternity swimsuit, a bunch of cute dresses, and a whole lot more. My favorite stores: Motherhood, Gap, Old Navy, and Target of course. Can't wait to wear them all...and luckily, there is still room to grow!

Baby Girl Hansen in action

Here is the ultrasound video of Baby Girl Hansen! You can all see for yourselves how active this little peanut is. Notice how she keeps her right hand up by her face, and at one point looks like she's trying to suck on her thumb! You can also see her heartbeat fluttering, which is amazing. A little over a minute into it, you catch a glimpse of her long legs and her feet, which are almost constantly kicking her mama! ;) Hope you all enjoy it (and can distinguish what you're looking at...Brent had trouble at times!) and find it as amazing as we do!