Can't WAIT!

I can't wait for Annabelle.  Now, every single thing I do I have her in mind, but I think in January I might cry because I will have a tiny hand to hold to show me why I do/live/work for her and Sarah.  I hope she is not as handy as her Mom though.

Settled into Delaware

Well, we're officially residents of Delaware and as of this afternoon, everything has settled into a normal routine.  In the span of a few days (during the drive to Delaware and after), my car and Brandon's car decided to completely fail.  That was not fun!  We were about 3 hours from Delaware when a belt came loose in my car and thank goodness for AAA - they towed us and tightened the belt in about 30 minutes at a cost of $30.  This was all with a car full of animals, so thankfully it went quickly.  Then we picked Brandon's car up from a friend's house and about a mile from her house his car died.  So we had it towed to a shop and resigned ourselves to one car for the week.  So finally, after all the fixing and wondering if we were in the market for a new car, we got Brandon's car back Monday and my car (after another problem) back today.  Yay for two working cars!

As we acquaint ourselves with Wilmington, I have been touring and evaluating local daycares and preschools in preparation for our baby girl.  I found one I love (Brandon has yet to see it) and of course there isn't an opening until June!  But I'm sure it will work itself out and I have a few more places to see in the mean time.  I can honestly say it is bittersweet knowing I will have to hand off my baby to others for even just a short time, but I love my job and a happy mom makes a happy child.

Brandon loves his work environment and I am adjusting to him having coffee every morning (much more "awake" than me).  Thankfully our workplaces are about 5 minutes apart, so we are able to have lunch every day before I go to work and then Brandon stops by the Y to work out after work.  All in all, things are relatively quiet and normal.  I can't wait to meet our beautiful baby in a few short months and welcome her into our lives.  I hope she knows how loved she is already!

Packing, packing, packing!

The one thing about moving is you really start to understand how much stuff you have!  We have been packing (although slowly) for four days and we are still not finished!  Pregnant packing is definitely less fun, that's for sure...but we're getting it done!.

In less than a week (four days to be exact), we'll be permanent Delaware residents!  Brandon and I are both excited and anxious to start the next phase of our lives.  Lots of change, lots of new things...going to be an exciting year!

One Week

Less than one week before we start our lives in Delaware. We had a wonderful baby shower with our family and friends last night. Who knew there was a such a thing as a baby spa? We are blessed with wonderful family and friends. How did we get so lucky? Karma and the golden rule.....

Let's keep the ball rolling.

-Dad to be

Letter to our family & friends

Family & Friends,

After a long couple of weeks of thought, lists and decision making, Brandon and I have made the decision to accept a job offered to me in Wilmington, Delaware.  I have accepted the role of Assistant Competitive Aquatic Director with Brandywine YMCA in Wilmington.  It is a huge step in my career and a giant leap for our growing family as well.  Brandon is excited about the opportunity to work close to three major cities (Philadelphia, Baltimore, & New York) and he has a great couple of leads already to work with when we move.  I am excited about working in a role that is everything I want in a coaching position and more (and a female head coach helps!)

We will be traveling to Wilmington this weekend to look at potential apartments and for Brandon to check out the area.  We appreciate all the support we have received from all of you in this process and we'll let you know more details as we get closer to the move.

Facts about Wilmington, Delaware

Love,

Brandon, Sarah, & Baby Hammer

Vacation and girls!

Well we just got back from Hilton Head last week and it was a fantastic vacation! We spent a lot of time with family and enjoyed the beach.  Our first full day in Hilton Head we were able to compete in a triathlon on the beach and we had an absolute blast!  I did the ocean swim as part of a relay with Brandon and his brother Matt and although it was a lot harder than the river swim of my first tri, coming out of the water as the second female was really exciting! Triathlons are something I can't wait to get into once the baby is born.

In other big news, we found out we are having a girl!  I am excited and so is Brandon (I think he's a little nervous too!) It means lots of pink and a very athletic girl :)  I am starting to feel lots of movement every day, which is one of the coolest things I've ever experienced.  She likes to kick and move around - she was very active during the ultrasound.  So everything is great and we're blessed to have a healthy pregnancy thus far.

Hopefully we'll have some other big news to share next week.  Enjoy the end of summer!

To drug or not to drug??

So we just got home from our second lamaze class and spent two hours talking about c-sections and epidurals.  Did you know that no matter if you get a walking epidural or more medication you cannot walk around?  That stinks!  It seriously makes me think about drugs.  I want to say I can make it through the pain...but we shall see!

In other news, we leave for a much needed vacay this Friday!  Woot!  11 hours of driving (more like 12) will be very much worth it when we are able to relax on the sunny beaches of Hilton Head!  That is, after another triathlon on Saturday :)

Just have to make it through this week of work!  Have a sunny week!