It's a...

GIRL!! We are all thrilled. I was sure it was a girl and Ryan thought it was a boy. So, he's still shaking his head in awe a little bit. Mackenzie is super excited and ready for the baby girl to get here NOW. Nate has no idea what is going on, but was a bit concerned as to what everyone was doing to his momma. She looked perfect in the sonogram. She weighs 14 oz, we saw blood pumping through all 4 chambers of the heart and 3 chambers of the umbilical cord. We saw kidneys, bladder, brain, stomach, spine with every vertebrae. The tech said that she looked beautiful. We think so too! What a joy it was to get a glimpse of her moving around! We can't wait to hold her in our arms.

Big Day tomorrow!

Tomorrow we have our ultrasound where we'll get to see our baby! We are thrilled! Of course, we're also curious to see whether we'll be having another boy or another girl! Mackenzie is dying for a sister but always finishes with saying she'll be fine with another brother. Nate is too young to know what is going on in his little world. He will be overwhelmed when Nov gets here and he has to compete for attention. :)
We are so curious to know this little one that will be joining us soon. We love this baby so much already. It's exciting to think of growing our family with another and seeing what great things this new child will bring to us!
Stay tuned.....

18 Months!

Yesterday was Nate's 1/2 Birthday. Silly, I know...but I'm always looking for a way to celebrate! My mom once said that all kids under 6 should celebrate 1/2 birthdays, especially when their birthday falls right after christmas! (Sorry Nate!)
So, yesterday Nate turned 18 months! This is one of my favorite ages! He is so fun and so funny! He is trying so hard to talk and most of the time really thinks that he IS talking and holding a conversation with you through his babbles. But, he's still a little baby. Yesterday, as he ran through the yard pushing his bubble blower lawn mower he stopped to run over and kiss me. Ahhh...sweet moments.
Here's some things I know and love about Nate:
-has 12 teeth - - 4 on top, 4 on bottom, 4 molars
-LOVES food and takes it seriously
-Still LOVES hair - a weird fettish. Now loves to pull his big sister's hair.
-very independent
-very funny. feeds off of our laughter
-enjoys wrestling on all 4's and making the "grrrr" face.
-likes to make animal noises...especially the dinosaur.
-so cuddly
-needs noise and distraction to sleep
-is quite particular and won't rest until his point is made
-has the cutest little red hair curls growing in the back.

I'm sure I could keep going. It is so fun to have a son. I love him so much and love watching him grow!!!!
Happy 1/2 Birthday Nate!!

What are they teaching her at VBS?!?!!!

Mackenzie has been going to VBS this week. Since we just returned from a 2 week trip where she basically got to stay up as late as she wanted...she's also having trouble going to sleep at night. I'm talking A LOT of trouble. I guess during these hours that she's spending awake in her bed, she's left thinking. So, tonight, Ryan goes in there for the bajillionth time and tells her to close her eyes and think or pray or something. Her response was "Or praise God, right Dad?" "Sure, Kenz", dad replies. Sweet Kenzie says, "Praising God is just like praying, except it's in Spanish."

How to explain...

This morning my 4 1/2 yr old daughter and I were having oatmeal together. It was a beautiful morning and the boys were still sleeping which made it a quiet house. Mackenzie and I were talking about God and how much He loves her. This led to talking about Jesus also and I began telling her how Jesus was a carpenter while he was here on earth. One thing led to another and before I knew it I was trying to explain to her that God, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are three separate beings. (thinking about the Trinity here) She gave me a sly, out of one eye kind of look and said, "So, God and Jesus are two separate people?" I replied, "Yes." She said, "Okay, because the other day Dad told me that they are the same."
Ugh. Try explaining the Trinity to a 4 year old. Not easy.

one more thing...

I forgot to mention another great part of Disney. I got a lot of time with my Mom! Since Nathan and I couldn't go on half the rides, she hung back with us the majority of the time. What a treat to get to take things slow and spend time with her. She was a great partner and help to me. Thanks Mom!

Disney World through the eyes of a 4 year old

The first week of June my parents took my family to Florida to go to Disney. It was sort of a retirement gift from my parents, but mainly a great excuse for them to pretend we were all young again and take us on all the fun rides. Or maybe it was because they wanted to see their 4 year old granddaughter's eyes light up when she met the princesses. Something they could never have afforded for their own daughters at that age. Either way it was FUN! We had a blast. Each day was full running non-stop. We went to one of the parks for 6 days straight! Crazy when you are toting around a 16 month old and a pregnant woman who is feeling quite sick still. But we made it and had fun the whole way! Some of my favorite highlights:

-the light parade and fireworks show at the Magic Kingdom. Mackenzie was in awe (as were the rest of us) when Tinkerbell flew from the top of the castle across the park on a wire!! Too cool!!
-riding rides with my partner...Nate...any ride I could go on (while being pregnant) he could go on too!
-Hearing about Mackenzie riding roller coasters - hands high in the air and laughing!
-eating hot dogs with my sisters, mom, and kids at "Kacey's Grill" on main street.
-nursing Nate in the Baby Station and watching him fall fast asleep; only to remain that way for the next 2 hours as we strolled the park.
-meeting all the princesses, pooh, tigger, and of course Mickey and Minnie. Mackenzie loved getting them to "sign in" in her autograph book.
-riding "Dumbo the flying elephant" at midnight with my mom and kids. Truly Magical.
-Watching Dad buy Mackenzie a huge round lollipop at the Confection Shop. Just like he did for me when we spent a day at Disney Land when I was 4.
-waking each morning only to slather sunscreen on 9 people. We didn't mind being a bit greasy.
-sleeping 9 people in a tight space.
And my number one moment...
-Watching Mackenzie get turned into a princess...literally. She was dressed like Belle, head to toe. Complete with make-up, nail polish, and a gorgeous hair-do. Let me note that she kept that hair up for 48 hours...not wanting to take it down. She told me she wanted to leave her hair like that "forever". She is such a diva.

Okay, so I can't possibly remember it all. But those are some highlights! I can't wait to go back!

We also got to go to the beach in FL! What a treat! Mackenzie loved swimming in it. Nathan loved fishing with his little pole...standing at the water's edge was all he needed! We got kicked out a bit early due to rain, but it was so much fun. I'm thinking a beach vacation should be in my future.

I haven't downloaded vacation pics yet, but when I do...I'll post a few of my faves.