We're Happy to Announce...

...that Baby #3 is on his/her way!

I am 13 weeks along....due somewhere between December 31st and January 5th. So, maybe we'll have a Christmas baby, or a New Year's baby....no matter what, it is going to be COLD! After having 2 babies born in the heat of August, I'll have to pack that hospital bag a little differently than I have had to in the past. Kris is secretly (okay, not so secretly!) hoping for this baby to arrive before the end of the year for tax and insurance purposes. =) We'll see!

So far everything has been going well, and the baby seems to be healthy. I have had a handful of doctor's appointments, and a few ultrasounds and the baby has been growing well and has a strong heartbeat. We feel very blessed to be adding another child to our family.

We just told Caleb the special news this morning after my recent doctor's appointment, and he seems really excited. I would imagine that this whole pregnancy thing is a bit hard for a 2 1/2 year old to grasp. While he knows that there is a baby in my tummy, he doesn't understand why he can't just see the baby! I told him that he could talk to the baby, and gently pat my tummy, so he has been doing a decent amount of that today. =) When we asked Caleb if he wanted another baby sister, or a baby brother, he said that he wanted another baby sister just like Meredith...how sweet is that?

In honor of making our news more public, we put special shirts on the kids today!


An attempt at a picture of the 2 of them together...hmmm, what's it going to be like to add a 3rd into the mix here? =)


And, our first belly shot this time around...
13 weeks


Here's a brief description of what is happening with the little one, thanks to babycenter.com...

Fingerprints have formed on your baby's tiny fingertips, her veins and organs are clearly visible through her still-thin skin, and her body is starting to catch up with her head — which makes up just a third of her body size now. If you're having a girl, she now has more than 2 million eggs in her ovaries. Your baby is almost 3 inches long (the size of a medium shrimp) and weighs nearly an ounce.

It is so so amazing to know how intricately created this little baby is. Reading these updates, hearing a heartbeat, and seeing a little baby on an ultrasound never seizes to astound me.

God is Awesome.

Smiles

VBS in Review!

So, Caleb had a very successful week at VBS. I am so proud of him. This was his first "school" experience, and I couldn't be more pleased. He cried when I left the first day, but that was it. He has been very brave and very obedient. This was our first experience with this church (it's not our home church), and I feel very blessed.

Before leaving for day #5!


To follow up on the "goals" I set for the week (outlined in this post), here we go..

1. Caleb learns more about Jesus.
I would like to think that he did! He had the opportunity to hear a lot of Bible stories, and be reminded of things like "God's Word is true" and "God's Word is life-changing". He has learned some new songs (I have too!) and had the opportunity to bring in items for the church's food pantry each day, along with a daily offering. He came home each day with a letter for us that highlighted what they learned that day. He also came home every day with a very cool craft that he had worked on.

2. Caleb becomes more familiar with a classroom setting, so he is ready for preschool in 2 months (ahhh!). **While he attends Sunday School regularly, preschool is a whole different ballgame!**
At one point this week, Caleb's VBS teacher (who is going to be his preschool teacher) told me that he is totally ready for preschool. This was so wonderful to hear. Caleb has a late summer birthday, so he will most likely be one of the youngest (if not the youngest) child in his class. For the past few months, I have felt pretty confident that Caleb will be ready, but it felt great to have that affirmed by his soon-to-be teacher.

3. Caleb develops a good relationship with his VBS teacher, who will also be his preschool teacher.
I am so thankful that both Caleb and I had the opportunity to meet and get to know Mrs. H (last name not included for privacy!). I think she's great, and Caleb seems to think she is great as well. I am excited for Caleb's preschool experience!

4. Mommy learns to "let go" a little bit.....sniff, sniff.
One morning this week, before VBS officially started for the day, I went to take Caleb to the bathroom. I started to go in with him in case he needed help, but Mrs. H. told me to just let him go in by himself, that he would do just fine. So I did. I stood outside while my little boy managed it all on his own. His shorts were on a little crooked when he came out, but that's okay. =) I know he was proud, because I heard him yell "Mommy, I did it!" as I was waiting outside. He has been potty-trained for a while, but we usually help with the little things, like getting pants up and down, etc. So, to know that he can do it all by himself made me so happy....if not a little sad, because it is hard, after all, to "let go."

Meredith Today

She loves this little chair...


Applying (eating?) her lipstick...


She loves to climb up on anything she can find...


Bubbles!


Daddy!


Weeeee!


Bottoms Up!

VBS

***UPDATE: Day 1 went well!***

Today was Caleb's 1st day at Vacation Bible School. Because his birthday is late in the summer, and he isn't officially "3" yet, he didn't meet the age requirements for the VBS program at Harvest (our church). I looked into the VBS program at the church where he'll be attending preschool this Fall and technically, he is not old enough for this one either, but they made an exception, and said it was okay to bring him, since he is potty-trained.

So, off we went this morning...to a new place, with lots of new faces. I was a little nervous, and I think Caleb was too.

Thankfully, everyone was so nice and welcoming, and I was very thankful to see 2 familiar faces - a former student of mine and her mom!

Parents were welcome to stay for the first part - the introduction and the opening lesson. "Pastor" ( as all the kids call him) was dressed like a pirate to go along with the "High Seas Expedition" theme for the week. While Caleb was obviously a little apprehensive, he did a wonderful job sitting through the lesson and listening (at least I think he was listening) to Pastor talk to the kids about what a "miracle" is.

We left after the kids went to their classrooms for more learning, crafts, games, etc!

There are a few things that I really hope come from this week:

1. Caleb learns more about Jesus.

2. Caleb becomes more familiar with a classroom setting, so he is ready for preschool in 2 months (ahhh!). **While he attends Sunday School regularly, preschool is a whole different ballgame!**

3. Caleb develops a good relationship with his VBS teacher, who will also be his preschool teacher.

4. Mommy learns to "let go" a little bit.....sniff, sniff.

Waiting for everything to start...he loves his name tag!


Listening to Pastor speak...


Pastor...

Dad's Day 2010

I am so thankful for all the dads in our life....my father, my father-in-law, and of course, my wonderful husband who is an amazing daddy to our little ones! Kris is such a patient, loving, intentional father and takes his role as a dad very seriously. He is so great at seizing "teachable moments" to point the kids (especially Caleb at this point) to God's Word. I love him so much and can't imagine being a Mom without him as my partner in parenting!

Pancake breakfast before church!


Attempting a photo before church....not so successful...


And, later in the day...a bit more successful (with the Father's Day card Caleb picked out)!


And, a few of my favorite photos of Kris with the kiddos...

With C and M (both just a few days old)...


And, more recently...