5 Months Today...10~27~12 Here We Come!

Yesterday, I took all three kiddos with me to a follow-up ultrasound. I had an ultrasound around 18 weeks, but the ultrasound tech was unable to get a good picture of the baby's heart due to her position. So, I gathered the troop yesterday and we headed in for another look!

The ultrasound tech was really impressed with the kids (which might have offered some timely encouragement for this mama)....Adalyn only screamed twice (what?!), and as soon as she did, Luke jumped up right away to get her a snack. She told Luke he was going to be a really good big brother, and I assured him afterwards that he already is. :) 

Both Luke and Ellie really enjoyed seeing their baby sister moving all around and her little heart beating fast. We got a really good picture of her profile, and the kids were able to see her head, nose and chin. I tried to post a picture of her, but it keeps posting sideways and I can't figure out how to fix it. Boo. But her heart looks good! I asked the tech if she would be allowed to tell me if anything looked concerning, and she assured me that if she was concerned at all she would have just said, "The doctor will be calling you!" But instead, she was very positive and said everything looked great. Praise God!

Sometimes I still can't believe that we're going to be a family of six in a few short months, but I'm very excited! I am really looking forward to the newborn coos, snuggles and kisses. Even though some days will be very challenging (sleep deprivation anyone?), I picture the family God has blessed us with, and I feel very rich. Rich in the things that really matter. It couldn't be more true that all good things come from our Father. :)

Summer Fun #3

Adalyn's first visit to the Easton splash park

Just last summer Ellie was not as willing to get wet. She's gotten more brave!

Adalyn was a hoot! She would get sprayed right in the face, shake it off, and go back for more! It was hilarious!

Look at Addie's smile...and Luke's awesome pose!

Our three munchkins.

Twinsies.

This girl kept close watch over Addie for quite some time....I think she doubted my ability to watch Addie and snap pictures :)

Luke kept watch over Addie, too.

I love this picture and it drives me nuts at the same time. Ellie not wanting to give a genuine smile, even though she's a happy girl. Adalyn and her wild hair, which is actually quite reflective of her personality. And Luke, smiling with an underbite that he doesn't have. :)

Luke and Ellie enjoying their new slip-n-slide.

She loves the water!

Ellie, Luke and cousin Jack taking turns on the slip-n-slide.

Ellie, Adalyn and cousin Grace sharing the itsy, bitsy pool :)

This girl has no limits.

Summer Fun #2

I made Luke and Ellie go outside and play in the rain and puddles...after only a few minutes, Luke wanted to come inside because he said his feet were getting dirty. I told him his feet weren't dirty enough and to get back outside :)

Luke warmed up to the idea. :)



I can't lie, I felt like an awesome mom on this day. I let them paint inside....in the carpeted dining room. And there were no spills! Victory!

Adalyn is thinking, "This is so fun! Let's keep bouncing!"

"No, wait a minute, this is not how I wanted it to go!"

"Finally, they've realized who's in charge!"

Summer Fun #1

Well, I've tried twice to post an entry with a bunch of pictures from the last month or two, and both times I think I completely overwhelmed my computer or something. So instead of one big post, I'll do a few separate ones in honor of all the fun we've had so far.

I realize summer just technically began last week, but when it's 80 degrees in late April and early May, it's summer in my book! I'll let the pictures (and captions) do the talking...

Dan's 2nd half marathon, Cap City on May 5th. He didn't do as well as he would have liked, but hey, he ran 13.1 miles!

Dan around mile 9

We have a swingset! I've been wanting one since we moved into our house 3 years ago, but they're so expensive! When our neighbors (and friends) were packing up to move to Indiana, they sold this one to us at rock bottom price. Woohoo!

This is the same boy who used to be SO cautious. Ever since he learned how to pump his legs, his swinging has no limits. :)

Quality time. *Side note: several weeks after this picture was taken, Adalyn climbed right up that slide and sat in the play house. That girl has no fear!

Beautiful girl.

Dear Ellie

Happy 4th birthday to our sweet Ellie Belle!

Ellie~
I love being your mama, sweet girl. You are so beautiful, inside and out. I love the freckles perfectly splashed over your nose and under each eye. I love how you help me pick out my clothes and jewelry and tell me, "I love you even when you don't wear a dress, mommy." Phew! I love how you enjoy letting your daddy do your hair and nails (it melts his heart!). I love how well you use language...your pronunciation and use of words is amazing!

I love how eclectic your personality is. You are rough and tumble sometimes...driving your car up the curb and laughing hysterically about it--and freaking out your big brother as he sits in the passenger seat! You are also very sensitive and fragile, always saying that the pit of your day (pit=least favorite part, peak=favorite part) was getting a boo boo. At times, you are incredibly shy. At your first gymnastics class you were literally frozen in place by your introversion. And other times you are very talkative, quite easily keeping pace with your extroverted big brother. One of my favorite things about you is that you love playing outside, getting dirty and sometimes bruised, in pretty dresses and nice shoes. There's something really charming to me about taking you to church in a pretty dress and tattered and dirty dress shoes. :) 

I love you Ellie, and it has been an incredible and blessed journey being your mother. I look forward to continuing to watch you grow and learn. Prayerfully, you will grow into a young lady who trusts Christ and loves Him with all your heart, mind, soul and strength.
~your mama

We celebrated Ellie's birthday party at Highbanks Park

I LOVE this picture of her. Her expression is classic Ellie. Beside her is her friend Eisley--they have become good friends and they're cute to watch together.

Mimi and Meemaw with their grandkiddos

all SIX of us!

Our Little Climber

"Will someone PLEASE feed me?"

Adalyn has been climbing on everything, A LOT. Dan found her standing on the dining room table a few days ago. I really wish he'd gotten a picture of her mischief. I am convinced that she will be our first child to have a broken bone. Of course, I hope I'm wrong and none of them ever have a broken bone....but I think Adalyn likes to keep us on our toes. ;)

Like Mother, Like Daughter

No, we do not have a mouse in our house. We have Adalyn. How did she know that after chewing through (and eating) paper, she would get to something so tasty? Smart girl.