We’re adding another little pumpkin to our family…
PinI am thrilled to share the news that our family is growing. For those of you who have been following me for years, you know the journey to get here has been long and full of surprises. Life didn’t follow my original plans, but it turned out so much better. We are so ready to welcome this baby into the world.
It’s a boy!
Baby Boy LeBlanc is due on Easter Sunday (April 9th). We found out the gender through NIPT testing a couple weeks ago (tests all came back normal, thankfully). The girl genes run strong in my family, and I was convinced I’d be a girl mom forever, so we were all a little surprised. Esmé really wanted a little sister and part of me is sad she’ll never get to experience that sister bond (this baby is our last). But how fun to have one of each! We are so grateful.
PinHow is this pregnancy?
Pregnancy #2 definitely hit harder than the first. The nausea was constant for weeks, strong food aversions and exhaustion like no other. Thankfully I’m on the other side of it now in the second trimester, although my energy is still very low and it’s hard to get as much done. I feel like I’m six months pregnant already!
What does big sister think?
Esmé has been involved in this pregnancy since day one. She was with us when we saw the pregnancy test, she came to the first ultrasound and we read weekly baby growth updates together as a family every Sunday. She got a few Big Sister books for her birthday and memorized one front to back after a week. She proudly tells others “there’s a baby in mama’s belly!” I can’t wait to see her step into and thrive in her new role.
PinPlans for the kids rooms?
I’m designing a very fun and custom (think built-in castle bed/playhouse) Big Girl room upstairs for Esmé. It’s going to take a while to build, and we’ll get started on that early next year.
As for the nursery… to be honest, I was kinda hoping for a girl so I wouldn’t have to redo it, ha! I poured my heart into this space and it would break my heart a little to change it. Also, I don’t know where we’ll find the time. I’ll probably just end up painting over the pink and calling it a day. Sorry, baby boy!
PinWhat about the houses/projects/blog?
There’s a huge sense of urgency to finish the Hacienda Hideaway before baby comes. This renovation has taken much longer than anticipated already, and I have limited time/energy to help Lucas with the bigger projects. There will be late nights and many weekend hours to get it all done. This also means we’re most likely putting off our own laundry room remodel once again.
After the baby is born, we’ll probably slow down on projects temporarily but we’re not going to stop. I didn’t stop when Esmé was born because I needed the creative outlet for my sanity, and I can’t imagine this time will be different.
I can promise you that the blog isn’t going anywhere anytime soon, nor is my Instagram, though it may quiet down for a bit. We plan on finding another property to renovate as soon as we have the energy!
PinThank you all for continuing to be a part of our journey. We appreciate the love and support, and can’t wait to see what this next chapter holds as a family of four. ♡ ♡ ♡ ♡
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Christina says
Thrilled for you. Congratulations. I wish I could PM you- Maybe there is a way, but I act like I’m 90 Years old with tech and cannot figure it out. I waited long enough that hopefully none of your other readers will see this…
I’m THRILLED for your baby news. Congratulations. We don’t know each other so I’m probably overstepping my bounds, for which, I do ask your forgiveness. But as a much older mom with much older kids, I wish I had more children. Seeing my kids’ relationships is the greatest gift of my life. I’m dead within 50 years, and most likely sooner than later. But they are so close and so strong and I am so glad that they will have each other. But I wish I gave them more siblings. We do have some biological and some adopted (domestic and abroad), and yet, I know they would love more. Never at the time (pregnancy/c-sections) would I say I was ready for more and my husband respected me completely, but always later I was ready. And then I was infertile.
My two sisters are nurses. Both have said that the only regret they hear, and it is frequent, is that on the deathbed, their patients say they wish they had more children. My older sister is the head of Hospice in her entire region (multiple states)…she sees a lot of death. I can only imagine b/c I wish I had more already.
Please….Hold off on anything permanent. You will be so surprised at what your daughter does, and it is good for her, to help out…. Clasping seatbelts, tieing shoes, etc. I once woke at 2 AM to my oldest, a 4-year-old boy, holding my 1-year-old across his lap while watching Tom and Jerry in the middle of the night. My husband was in veterinary school and I was managing our housing complex, tutoring English to foreign students/wives and somehow I managed to sleep through the cries of my baby needing a diaper change/nursing in the night. My son woke, changed his brother’s diaper (albeit not well), and put his thumb in his mouth until he fell asleep! My breast was always the pacifier! I share this only to say, being a sibling is so good for your children, and it really is the greatest gift you can give.
And if it is “too late,” I know two different men who had reversals. But please….take your time. I also have a dear girlfriend/hygienist who lost one of her two children in a tragic asthma attack. Nothing replaces a lost child, but crud happens. She always says that despite her crippling pregnancy sickness, she wishes she had more b/c her daughter has to be the son/daughter/athlete/scholar/ and feels the burden to take care of her and her husband in later years. She feels she cannot leave home, etc.
But God bless your family. You are so blessed. Enjoy your children. My youngest is now almost 17. I still have the college students and the post-grads (two married couples and a baby)- friends of my own children joining us every Thanksgiving. It is a gift to make ALL THAT FOOD. And it is so enjoyable to see them all interact as adults.
Kelly says
I’m so happy for you and your family. I have a very similar experience with girl genes and wanting my baby girl to have a little sister like I did. And we were so surprised when our son was born. I am so blessed we had a son even though I wanted our daughter to have a sister. You are blessed. God bless you and your growing family.
Megan says
Congratulations! 1 of my greatest regrets is I didn’t have a third baby. My whole family says it lol but at the time it was like THERE IS NO WAY.
(My daughter was going through chemo, which left her with special needs) you will be astounded by the bond between u and your son. It is so special. Quite unexpected for me lol
Maria says
This is wonderful news! So happy for you and your beautiful family Jenna. Blessings!
Julie says
My husband was hoping for a second girl and while all I truly cared about was a healthy baby, I realized I was a little disappointed when we heard our second was a boy. But I wouldn’t have it any other way. My kids are both not stereotypical of their genders (my daughter is super active; my son is more sensitive and the snuggler…) and the dynamic between the two is so great to watch, especially when they were little little. (They’re in the thick of sibling bickering age now, but it still has many shining moments!) Also, growing up as the older sister to a brother was a lot of fun, too.
Barbara Dale says
Your creation is outstanding and beautiful and another one in the making.
Jenna Sheets says
Yay! So happy for you guys! I’ve loved following along on your journey. 😊
Kimberly Hieber says
Hooray- congratulation to all three of you, what terrific news.
Heather says
Congrats! How wonderful! You wait, you have no idea of the bond between a Mother and son, or the awesome friendship a sister and brother can have! We have one of each as well. You are very, very blessed! ❤️
Jenna Sue says
Thank you Heather! That makes me so happy to hear! I know it will be special ❤️
Dolores says
Congratulations! I look forward to watching your babies grow up, and see all of your exciting, creative renovations!
Agnes says
I am so happy for you! I love watching my older daughter develop her relationship with her younger brother. 🥰
May I ask where your gorgeous dress is from? It Is so perfect!
Jenna Sue says
Thanks Agnes! The dress is from Primark in Ireland last year.
Julie says
Congrats! It’s fun to see the dynamics of a boy and a girl. I can imagine you can do something really creative to the pink nursery, like add more green to make it feel masculine and timeless even with the pink. How’s that for a creative challenge!
Suzi says
Congratulations to all of you! A special sister/brother bond is forming already and it is wonderful to watch unfold. My brother, thirteen months younger than me, is so special to me and we are now in our sixties and still talk and laugh til 2 in the morning every time we get together! Can’t wait to see your new lil punkin!
Jenna Sue says
Aww I love hearing that! ♡♡
Andrea says
Oh Jenna! Congratulations to you and Lucas and Esme! I have been following since your first Florida home a decade ago. I am so happy for you. I totally understand slowing down as we just welcomed our FIFTH baby a few weeks ago. They are so fun! Enjoy every moment.
Jenna Sue says
Congratulations Andrea!
Joan says
Lovely room for baby, and yes, just paint over the pink, add monkeys swinging from
the vines you’ll all be happy. You, and hubby, do beautiful work, but take a break, you will be busy.