Kid Updates

Mackenzie is excited about life. In most things we do (minus all chores) she finds a simple pleasure and satisfaction about "doing". If it involves using her hands or phsyically going somewhere..she's ready! Last week her Kindergarten teacher came to the house for our "home visit". Her teacher had nothing bad to say at all - spoke very highly of our girl! Her teacher, Mrs. A, said that M is always very helpful and kind. I'm not surprised - but glad to know she behaves the same way at school that she does at home. Mrs. A also reported that Mackenzie is in her highest reading group. M is taking off in this area! Reading up a storm and loving it! Here is a picture of Mackenzie...she made brownies for Mrs. A the day she came to our house! As you can see, she's excited about this too!

She's also just about the cutest little soccer star I've seen. Here's an "active" shot of her. She loves soccer and gets to have a good time running around!

Nathan is a dinosaur most days. His imagination is flourishing! He turns most everything into a car. I found him the other day moving his PB&J sandwhich along his plate and making the vroom noise. This boy of our's cannot sit still. He is so active, which makes each day fun! He is talking up a storm, even if most words he says are not audible to the average ear, Ryan and I know what he is saying! He plays so hard that each day he giggles with glee for naptime and bedtime! His hair has the slightest curl to it - it is adorable! His latest joy is to play in the bathroom sink. I add a little soap and his hands get clean too. ;) He'll play in there forever - just loving moving the duckies around and quacking!

Nate's newest trick to seeing on top of the counters. He always finds a way to get to where he needs to be!

Baby Girl is also doing well. (This is not the greatest pic of me, it was late and I was tired! But, you get the idea.) We heard her fabulous heartbeat yesterday - a strong 150 bpm. She is growing right on schedule with no problems! Praise the Lord for another healthy pregnancy. My due date is still the day after Thanksgiving, Nov. 28th. Maybe she'll be a week early like her brother. A pregnant mother can only hope. ;) Mackenzie said the sweetest prayer the other night, "Jesus, please help the weeks to go by faster so the baby can get here." Well put, Mackenzie! Here's a picture of me from two weeks ago - 31 weeks.

Frustration? Nah...Celebration!!

Ryan and I spent a good chunk of yesterday afternoon rearranging our son's room. His room also holds a double bed...so that our guests have somewhere to lay their heads when they visit. I was hoping to create a bit more play space for him and be able to get to his windows. (He loves to watch outside) We rearranged and then sat and stared at the mess we created; coming up with no solution! We eventually put everything back in the same place it's been in for the past two years. I guess we put it that way to begin with for a reason - it's the only way it fits!!
Mackenzie's room is in the same shape - not any room left in there for anything. Thus, we will have to remove some furniture in order to put a crib in her room for the new girl.

This leads me to my frustration...

With both of my previous babies, Ryan and I were able to create a lovely little nursery for our coming child. We had it all set up and ready for them. Clothes in the dresser, crib made, bassinet made, you get the picture. With this child it looks like we will put a crib in M's room, a dresser squeezed in the hallway, the changing table will stay in N's room, and the bassinet in our room! There is no central location for her. I have 8 weeks until my due date and I'm still trying to figure out where to gather things for her! (People who have had more than two kids are probably laughing at me, but I'm still trying to figure this thing out!!)

I thought I was okay with waiting to do most things until after she arrived. Afterall, I know that newborns don't need a whole lot of space. But, it turns out, I'd like to have the chance to prepare for her. :)

So, last night I was left with my frustrations and no solutions. Frustrated that it felt like we are trying to squeeze her in to our family. Frustrated that I can't seem to find any space for her. This was getting me nowhere, so I decided this morning to take a different slant. It's not that we're squeezing her in...it's that we all want a piece of her! There are four of us here waiting for her - four people wanting to kiss, hold, love, and take care of her! How lucky is she! She'll arrive into this world and be used to waiting in line. She'll get to spend time with her brother and sister because it will just be the way it is! No more space in the Inn. No more space for a frilly pink nursery, smelling of Drift. She'll be dragged to her sister's Soccer games and Ballet practice. She'll probably be smacked on the head by her adoring brother. But, she'll be loved!

Whether we prepare our house for her or not...she'll be here in 8 weeks. I hope she'll like it here!

Life on Tuesday

I'm sitting here on the couch by Nate. He's such a funny boy. He's pushed all the cushions off (except the one I'm sitting on). This is something that is done multiple times a day...it never gets old! He's running from end to end and crashing into me - tickling my growing belly and laughing. Oh, sweet days! Mackenzie is off on the bus on her way to Kindergarten. She asked me to drive her again today. (I did yesterday) The novelty of the bus has worn off and it now takes entirely way too long for my impatient daughter to have to sit on the bus to go to school. She'd rather the instant gratification and comfort of mom's van. It's going to be a long 13 more years of riding the bus, Mackenzie. ;)
After I put M on the bus, Nate and I have some time as just the two of us. What a treasure it is. We get to eat lunch together before he collapses for his nap. These days are numbered. In just 10 short weeks, he'll have to share most of his time with his new baby sister. It will be wonderful, I know. He's going to love having another pal around. But, in the meantime, I'll try to bottle these moments with my son.

My Guy

Ryan turned 30 this week...this is a pic of us on our way out the door for our Date Night! We shared a wonderful dinner - without the kids - and enjoyed each other's company. What a treat! I met Ryan right before his 18th birthday. I've seen many sides of this man...watched him grow from a long haired, retainer-wearing teenager....to a love-struck 21 yr old when we got married....to a cautious, adoring 25 yr old first-time father....to a confident, loving 30 yr old. God has blessed Ryan. God has blessed me. I really enjoy this guy.

Giuseppe's Italian - yum.

We even spent some time playing cards and drinking Hot Apple Cider at Starbucks.

The family birthday party. The kids LOVED this and Ryan enjoyed his cake! Sadly, we only had pink candles in the cupboard...and definetly NOT 30 of them.

The boy still takes his food seriously. Enjoying every bite!

Overcast

The weather is a bit dreary. There is no sunshine today and I find myself feeling a bit overcast myself. Luckily, I made a homemade Italian Cream Cake for Ryan's birthday...surely that will cheer me up tonight. :) Mackenzie is planning to decorate the house for him after school. Hmmm....this could be dangerous!

So here's to the leaves changing colors in Fall...I can't wait to see them...they will add color to my day.

August Excitement!

The Sugar Cookie Cake!

Nana and Pops at Red Robin...accompanied by the "appropriate" sundae with NO whip cream.

Birthday Breakfast!

Nate likes Chuck E. Cheese too!

Posing with Chuck himself!

Here's the Castle Cake...and the 5 year old!

A Sassy Kindergartener

Play-Do fun on the first day! Love that the teacher had this ready for the kids...made it very welcoming!

This is what Nate likes to do while M is at school...Dino Fun!

Life in the fast lane...

This week has been a whirlwind! Our daughter turned the big "5" this week. That's right folks, a whole handful!! (She's more than a handful to take care of, that's for sure.) I feel like we have made the ultimate big deal about this birthday! We have never made a huge deal about birthdays - usually it is a "make a cake, call a couple friends over to enjoy it with us" kind of affair. But, I decided that 5 was a good age to do things up. It began last week when my parents and sister came to town - specifically by M's request! They took her school shopping, letting her pick out clothes, try them on, bought them for her.
Sunday we had a family party with them, complete with a homemade sugar cookie cake. fun!
Monday the 'rents took us out to Red Robin so that the wait-staff would sing to our 5 year old. She was SO excited about this. However, when the ice cream came out with a huge dollup of cool whip on top, Mackenzie could hardly hold her tears in! (Not a good thing!) She eventually let them loose, and we eventually ordered another cup of ice cream with just sprinkles!
Tuesday was her actual birthday. The fam headed out of town and Ryan had to work late. So...me being the amazing mom that I am, took both kids to Chuck E. Cheese's. It was two hours that felt like about ten. But well worth the smiles.
Today, Friday, I brought in Fun-fetti cupcakes that M and I made together for her Kindergarten class. She loved this and was so excited to see Nate and I walk through the doors! I loved that moment too, as I saw her little hand shoot up to wave to me from the carpet on the floor!
Before bed tonight we stuffed Goody Bags for her Princess Party on Sunday. We are "puttin' on the ritz." So we hope. We have big things planned, including a Castle Cake. Wish me luck people as I bravely try to assemble the Castle tomorrow night. :)

Mackenzie also started Kindergarten on Wednesday! Talk about an emotional week! She loves her school. She went there for Preschool last year, so is very familiar with how things work there. She already adores her teacher. I asked her what her favorite thing about her first day was and she said that it was seeing her teacher! She rode the bus to school today and did fine. I sensed a little bit of hesitation from her as the bus pulled up....but it quickly faded. She didn't even wave to me out the window...something she did for at least the first half of the year last year! She has become very grown up this month. She is becoming a girl. I'm very proud of her - she's energetic, fun-loving, a go-getter. So brave, ambitious, with a spark of a dare-devil! She's compassionate (very!), nurturing, and caring. Somehow she's reverted back to being a momma's girl lately. This doesn't happen often, but I love it. This morning she just sat with me and wanted to hug on me. She's in touch with her emotions - telling us when things make her "frustrated!" She's a teacher - she loves to teach Nate anything at all. Even how to hang his towel up after bathtime. :)

So, all this birthday stuff is definetly worth it. This girl ranks high on my list of priorities. Yep, she's pretty much the coolest friend I have.