Pregnant!

We're so happy to share that we're going to be adding one more McLean to our clan! The time is flying by, and in just three more months our little BOY will be here! It's seems so right that we'll have our two older girls and our two younger boys. Ian is going to love having a little brother to play with as he grows up. 

It will be interesting to give birth here in the U.S. after my experience delivering Ian in France (which was pretty fantastic). Already I'm noticing that there are a lot more doctor visits here but way fewer blood tests. In France you go to the doctor once a month right up until you go into labor - unless there are complications, of course. Here, it's once a month at the beginning, and then it jumps to twice a month in the last trimester and then EVERY WEEK for the last month. That seems like a lot after my last pregnancy, but when in Rome (er, America)...

I'm carrying this baby so differently than I did Ian. Ian was spread out wide across the front of me; this little one is sticking straight out in front. Plus, I have to admit that I've gained a little bit more weight this time around. I blame the availability of food in the U.S. In France it's pretty hard to find food between lunch and dinner (after 3pm and before 7pm) unless you're right in the ​city.

The girls are excited to meet their new baby brother, and it seems like Ian even kind of gets it. He's been practicing taking care of his doll, and he likes to pull my shirt up, point at my belly and say "Baby" repeatedly. He also hugs and kisses my belly - it's almost too adorable. We got him the book "I am a Big Brother", and he loves reading it with us. We talk about all the things he can do to help with the baby. I can't wait to see them together!
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We announced the news to our families on Easter. We weren't able to travel to Illinois to be with everyone, so we did it through Facetime by showing them our colored eggs:

I'm sure the coming weeks will fly by, and before we know it, we'll be welcoming our new little squish. In the meantime, though, I'm just trying to survive summer in the south - it is seriously hot here! I'm going to savor these last three months of being pregnant. In spite of all the discomforts and inconveniences, it's such a magical time of wonder and anticipation, and there's nothing quite like feeling a baby moving inside you. I'm not sure how I'll manage the newborn phase while taking care of an almost two year old, but people do it all the time, so I'm sure I'll figure it out. Any tips on managing two under two would be greatly appreciated!