Baby K #3: It's a GIRL!

We had our big ultrasound today. Everything is healthy, normal and baby girl-ish! She was squirmy, turned a 180 during the ultrasound, and kept swatting the umbilical cord out of her face, but we got a good peek at Baby Girl Beauty #2. The due date remains the same (Jul 11th).

When asked who was in Mommy's belly over the last few months, A always "predicted" it was another sister for him. That being said, he wants to name the new baby "Thomas". Mmm. No.

Austin, TX

Before Baby #3 arrives, making airplane travel a real challenge, we thought we would take a trip to Austin to see old friends and meet all the new babies that have arrived since we moved in May 2006. It was great being in our home away from home. It was nice being warm for a change, too. Lots of thanks to Paul, Shannon, Jack and Nicole for hosting the get-togethers.



On the plane, watching "Cars"





Queso, the party dog




The Kretzings and the Stewarts


C, too little to play in the moonbounce


The Hudsons, the hosts of the 1st big get-together




Nicole and Kate, 7 months old



Byron making his famous jambalaya for the party




C and Gabriella


Ava and A, the Exersaucer is always a hit for kids who have well outgrown it



The Williams, the hosts of the 2nd big get-together


Ryan and A

Misc. January

C is 14 months old.


Order in a preschooler's world


Caught! This can't be good.


It was in the 20s this day as evidenced by their rosy cheeks.


Fiercely concentrating on an old Fisher-Price puzzle we found in the garage

Ms. Pacman

She has her hands. She can use a fork and spoon with moderate success. Still, C likes to try out other avenues to get food into her mouth.

Jammin'

Every night around 7pm in our house, there seems to be an unfair shift in energy between the parents and the children. We are usually exhausted (notice M covered up, "resting" in the bed), while the kids are all fired up and ready to go. Thankfully, this last-minute energy burn gets them ready for bedtime.

Our Thoughtful Little Boy

Tonight at dinner, Steve kind of rushed through saying grace because the kids had already started eating, but we still wanted to give thanks. He asked for the usual blessings and was about to end with an "Amen" when Andrew piped in with "...and for the baby in Mommy's belly". Steve and I just smiled at each other, with our hearts full. Our sweet little A, so thoughtful; his thoughtfulness reminding us to not be so rushed in our giving of thanks.

Christmas 2008

Merry Christmas!




All A wanted for Christmas was a roundhouse for his trains. We were also introduced to our first remote-controlled toy this year, which not only scares the animals but C too.




Can you kazoo?


Our tough little guy - no smiling when riding his "motorcycle".


It's difficult to tell from this angle, but C is carrying the ball with her teeth. She wants to be just like our dog Cassie, I suppose.

Happy 1st Birthday, C!

Ah, the Say-Cheese smile of two years olds.


It snowed on C's bday!

Boxed In

Not content with my answer of "No, we're not going to blow up any balloons with the helium tank right now," A proceeded to take the tank out of the box and create his own entertainment.

2nd Child, 1st Steps

Today C took her first steps!

Her Brother, Her Rock

Halloween 2008

Our community trick-or-treats on a scheduled day. This year, it was Thursday the 30th.


Our little Steelers cheerleader


It took a lot of coaxing to get A to wear this "smock", but once he had it on and once people started saying, "Hey! It's Thomas the Train!", he was all about wearing it. This was also his first year in a cumbersome Halloween costume: This wasn't a stepping-up-on-the-curb-friendly outfit.


A and his friend Sophia




Our last stop was at Nana's house, where the kids like to sing (and play!) along with her at the piano.

Fall Foliage 2008

I had raked up most of the leaves already, but this blustery day provided us with more dropped leaves and Fall color. I love Fall!



A (2.5 yrs), C (11 months)