I guess its time to update, haven't had as much chance to get on here as I'd like. Evie is almost 4 months old now (how time flies!) and Will and Wyatt turned two in October. Wyatt just knocked his front tooth out and had to get both front teeth pulled. The boys also had their first trip to the barber last week. Evie is the best baby ever, good eater and sleeper. She weighs around 16 lb. She just started laughing a couple days ago and seems amused with her brothers. The boys LOVE their little sister and giver her kisses as often as they can. We had a fun Thanksgiving with our family and look forward to going to Cincinnati for Christmas. Hopefully I will post pictures of all this soon. Until then, enjoy these few pictures of Evie:)
Hello everyone! It's been a while since I've updated the blog and now that Evie is almost one month old, it's about time I get on it! More frequent blog updates are certainly in order now that the fatigue and drama of pregnancy is passed!
Evelyn Claire was born August 11, 2011 in Sebring, Fl. She was 7 lb., 14 oz. and 20 inches long! As you can see, she has a full head of dark hair... almost more than her (nearly) two-year old brothers have. So far she has been a dream. She sleeps and sleeps and has given us no trouble as far as temperament or feeding issues go. She tolerates her brothers' noise extremely well, and also their well-meaning attempts to include her in their play. The boys don't quite understand her yet. I even found pieces of peanut butter and jelly sandwich in her pack-n-play the other day. She had peanut butter on her cheek. "Thank you for sharing your sandwich, Will" I said, "but Evie isn't hungry. And we don't put things in her pack-n-play." It wasn't the first time he's tried to put things in there with her. Wyatt is very sweet with her and seems to understand the concept of "gentle" a little better than Will does. Whenever Wyatt sees Evie he comes over and leans his head to the side, smiles really sweetly and says,"Baby". Then he gives her kisses.
We can't quite decide who Evie looks like. She does have blue eyes so far and definitely inherited the Bone toes....aka "nanner toes". In any case, she's adorable and we are having so much fun with her. What a blessing!
It's been about three weeks since we arrived in Sebring and I think things are off to a great start! Wyatt and Will couldn't be happier getting to play outside so much. They're getting to play in the dirt, help pick fresh vegetables, see all kinds of tractors and trucks around the farm, and take several gator rides a day! (for you who don't know, a gator is a john deere vehicle that is kind of a cross between a golf cart, four wheeler and small truck). They get to see cows, squirrels, cranes, lizards and alligators every day. They'll probably be a little sad when we actually get moved into our own place here soon, but I won't mind sending them out often to their grandparents' house to play. I imagine it will be a favorite place of theirs.
Happy Mother's Day to all you mothers out there, especially to my own Mom and Jason's Mom. You're the best! I have a whole new appreciation for the hard work that moms do now that I'm a mother too. NEVER had a clue until I experienced it myself. Mothering is HARD WORK that takes a lot of patience, love, fortitude... and singing and praying. Of course, it's also a high and worthy calling and I wouldn't give it up for the world!
On that subject, we found out a few days ago that we're having a GIRL!!! Evelyn Claire is due to arrive August 28 and so far she's looking healthy and strong, praise God. We are so thankful for all our many blessings. Life is so good because of Him.
Jason has started work and is getting right into the swing of things. He's working at the hardware store owned by my parents and also doing some work on the farm as they're currently in the process of harvesting and shipping watermelons. He's been fishing just about every evening he's not working and I can't help but think he's reliving some of his childhood days, when he used to spend hours on the Louisiana bayou catching fish.
We're hoping to be moved into our own place by the end of this month. The search for a church home is also under way and we are confident God will guide us to our place among this wonderful community of believers that exists here in the Sebring area.
Last but certainly not the least, we have a new sister-in-law! My brother, Brian, and his beloved Amanda were married early last month. I couldn't have picked a better wife for him myself. They are perfect together and we are so happy for them. Amanda is fitting in just fine and right away it feels like she's been a member of the family forever. We love her!
I'll try to keep this updated more often. Enjoy the video and Happy Mother's Day!!!
Discovering Puddles
Brian and Amanda
Amanda with my Dad and the boys
Jason and one of his fish
Daddy's little helpers/first visit to the hardware store
After posting the previous video (below), my Dad made it clear that he was not happy that I took the toy from Will. So this is for you, Dad, to prove that Will did in fact, have plenty of time with the toy. Don't let his moping fool you, he's not been mistreated.
So as most of our family & friends now know, we are expecting our 3rd little blessing August 27. That is the reason I have not kept up with the blog lately. I'm 17 weeks along now, and we will definitely opt to find out the sex at our appointment a month from now. I'm starting to think it is another boy but no one agrees with me! Jason and both my sisters are certain we are getting a little girl. We'll see!
We are wrapping up our affairs in Cincinnati in preparation for our move to Sebring, Florida on April 11. We are excited about what the future holds for us but we have a lot to miss here in Cincinnati!!
Will & Wyatt are 17 months old now and what can I say? VERY active and strong-willed (especially Will, aptly named). I was reading a book on parenting that was comparing your toddler's temperament/activity level to a traveler: most children's temperaments can be categorized as either "sightseers", "explorers" or "trailblazers". Of course ours boys, being identical, happen to fall into the same high energy category of "trailblazers". They like to explore constantly, and if there isn't a clear path to where they want to go, they invent one. Today I spent what felt like almost the entire day taking one toddler off the dining table only to turn around and find the other one there. The moment I got him down, here the other one goes climbing up the chair to get on the table. And don't think I didn't discipline them every single time, I did! It just didn't seem to have any effect on these two stubborn little boys. Non-stop, these two. At least they nap well. We all do:)
As you can see, the boys were SO happy to finally get some time outside yesterday when the weather warmed up. (Will in brown, Wyatt in yellow)
Will
Wyatt
Mischief in action (Will in brown)
It's about time you guys start pitching in around here!
Will, Daddy's little helper
Is this not the sweetest thing? They were determined to both sit in the diaper box despite the tight squeeze. "This is nothing, Mom. We once spent 9 months like this!"
Will, looking ever so much like his Daddy.
Wyatt and that thumb! It goes in his mouth whenever he doesn't get his way or he's tired.
Crazy, I know. Will and Wyatt turned 15 mo. old this week, just days after we found out we are pregnant for the second time:) We're looking forward for our first ultrasound to confirm there's just one in there! I'm about 7 weeks along and should be due around Sept. 2. So far I'm feeling pretty good compared to the first time around. I have slight nausea all the time but it's very slight and I don't even notice it if I'm busy, which I usually am. But I'm VERY tired and already looking pregnant:( Sometime in April we should find out whether we're having a son or daughter. At that point we will start thinking about names. The move to Sebring is still in the works, and if all goes as planned we should be on our way down there towards the end of February. I can't wait to be near my mom & sister and enjoying all their help with the boys!
Wyatt and Will are very active. They've recently discovered a talent for climbing and are now playing on the couches and trying to climb out of their cribs. When Will is told "No" he now shakes his finger back and forth and says, with a very serious face, "Na Na Na!" Wyatt is displaying a blossoming temper, flailing his arms around when he doesn't get his way and roaming around the room to find things to hit and bang on. Uh oh! So we certainly have our work cut out for us but I think 2011 is going to be a very fun and exciting year. By the time our next little one arrives, the boys should be almost ready for potty training and will hopefully be able to use more words when communicating with us.
We spent Christmas with my family in Sebring and had so much fun. I won't post too many pics of that since Meredith has some on her blog. I'll post more pictures as soon as I have a little more time!
