It's A Girl!

Well... we've known our little angel is a girl for some time now, but I had the ultrasound tech check one more time during our level two ultrasound today. We are definitely still having a girl and we got some really awesome shots of her little body! I know she looks a little bumpy in the Ultrasound photos, but you can still see her little nose and mouth very well. All of her parts and organs seemed to be perfect, and we are so thankful!

I am just beginning my sixth month of this pregnancy and it feels as though time is flying by. Reality is starting to set in now. You would think I would be totally prepared for bringing a new life into the world; as this is our third child. I must admit that I have been somewhat lost in a blissful state of ignorance. For one thing, I sleep very well now. My children are past the age of consistent night waking, although we have the occassional nightmare or night-time potty break. They are very early risers, so we don't sleep in much, but I typically sleep through the night, which is every mommy's dream. I know sleep deprivation, I promise. I need no reminders. Unfortunately, I was reminded of that knowledge during today's very active ultrasound. She doesn't seem any less active than my other two little rambunctious angels.

The other item today's ultrasound brought to my remembrance was the complete and utter miracle that is parenthood. (Forgive me as I try to put this into words...) As intimidating and overwhelming as motherhood can be, I am intensely thankful for this gift from God. I am completely in awe that He is entrusting another of His precious children into our care. As I looked at her sweet face on the monitor today, I thought of how much closer I feel to my Father in Heaven because I know what it is to love another being so fully. I truly believe that we can come to understand Him and His plan (if even by a miniscule fraction) more deeply by partaking of the bittersweet (but ultimately glorious) blessing of parenting a child. I am so amazed by His plan- by His mercy- and by this precious life living within me.

Happy Valentine's Day!

I worked really hard to try and get some pictures of my sweeties on Valentine's Day.... Daphne was less than cooperative, which is sort of a personality trait for her. This is a picture of us in my classroom after all my little preschoolers went home for the day. She loves to come to my classroom and play.... Here we are at the Sand & Water Table and I am trying very hard to get her to smile. I am actually only including this photo so you can see the cuteness that is Daphne in pigtails. When I was pregnant with her I imagined a little girl with brown hair and brown eyes... Needless to say I was a little surprised by her cotton top! Every day, at least once, I turn around from doing laundry or cooking dinner or ready a storybook and my breath is taken away by the sight of her blonde curls and hazel eyes- I can't imagine our little girl any other way!
This is Isaac with his very meticulously decorated Valentine Box. I spent much of the last two weeks helping my kiddos write names on envelopes and decorate various odds and ends, which gave a whole new feel to Valentine's Day this year. It was a little exhausting, but fun and memorable! Isaac was very careful as he decorated this box. I brought home lots of die cuts, stickers, glitter glue, and markers, sort of expecting to see something the "glitter monster vomited out of his mouth" (Thanks, Matt Mulkey!). But then I was reminded of my sons need for order and symmetry. If I had gotten a complete shot, you would see that Isaac had to have one of each decoration on each side of the box. One cupid, one large heart, one flower sticker, one circle sticker, and one carefully- drawn heart in each corner. He was so cute!! I don't think he'll be a creative artist, but maybe an architect or something..... time will tell.

Happy 6th Birthday, Isaac!

Here is my six year old boy! (Note the cupcakes in the shape of a six.) We celebrated at home on Sunday afternoon and he was so excited. All he wanted on Saturday was to go to Sonic for dinner, and so we did. As we left, he said, " That was the best birthday ever!" I guess he just needs a corn dog to be happy. It says a lot about his sweet character- Isaac is so easy going and easy to please. We did inform him that he would actually have a cake and presents the next day! Isaac and a chocolatey Daphne!
Isaac's cousin, Corbin has his birthday the day before Isaac, so we celebrate their birthdays together- and they certainly don't mind. Corbin generally refers to Isaac as his "best buddy" and they were so great about sharing turns and sharing the spotlight.

Snow Snow Snow

You know, I really do love where I live the great majority of the time. But not in February. I have yet to enjoy a February in the last seven years. December? What's better than a white Christmas? Spring? Glorious- "You fill up my senses like a mountain in Springtime". Summer? Flies by too quickly- Autmun? Gorgeous and Breathtaking. There is a certain melancholy that comes over me every February, and here it is again. You never know how snow swamped you are until you find yourself literally giddy over 45 (count 'em) degrees. Today and yesterday were in the upper forties and I felt like singing Rocky Mountain High as I drove home. Tomorrow it is supposed to snow again- but Ienjoyed the break- and seeing my driveway again. Anyhow- here is a picture of me- now five months along I guess. Note the scene out the window. Early in January, my wonderful friend Carole and her family visited us. It was so great to be with her and Daphne LOVED fussing over Baby Hunter. Here they are together. Hunter didn't love the snow much either, I might add. Aren't they cute?