First Bath

Esther finally had her first bath.  

She hates being undressed or even having her diaper changed, so we were not looking forward to her bath (and just plain ol' tired).  We were shocked and pleased that she didn't cry the whole time.

Snow Before Frost

It is not that unusual to have snow in PA in October.  However, it is unusual to have snow in October in southeastern PA where we live...even flurries.  (It's a big state...and we used to live in northeastern PA.) 

 But all day Saturday it snowed...or at least it did in between some sleet and freezing rain.

 The kids were thrilled to see it.  

 When they awakened from their naps they were asking to go out and play.

Daddy said yes!

(He also threw a mean snowball at me...while I was standing in the doorway taking snapshots.  I guess he wanted to include me in the fun.)

Serious Esther

Thinking Esther

I have not been taking pictures, though when I am up all night with Esther I have grand thoughts of the natural lighting in her bedroom and how we could have do a little photo shoot.

But this afternoon we did try to take a few pictures.  Esther is cuter in person than in pictures...but at some point we'll capture ALL of her cuteness instead of just bits of it.

Meeting Esther

Since Esther was born early in the morning, Meghan and Evan were able to meet her the day she was born.

They were in a bit of awe.

 (My position from the hospital bed wasn't the best for capturing pictures.)

 Esther gave Meghan and Evan both a gift that they loved: Lightning McQueen and Littlest Pet Shop.

 More awe.

 And cheesey smiles.

 This is Grandpa W. holding Esther and Derek holding Evan.

We came home from the hospital Sunday at lunch time...a bit earlier than typical, but there was not any reason to stay.

We're now home and in survival mode...wishing for sleep.  Esther doesn't sleep much, especially at  night.  

It's not easy functioning off from a few minutes of sleep here and there.  (I'm thankful for the almost two hours of sleep in one stretch both Monday and Tuesday...and it was during the day.)  We're really thankful for the help of Derek's mom this week.  

(Yes, Evan had a bloody/fat lip from Friday when he fell in the toy box.)

Evan's Third Birthday

Evan is officially a big boy now!

He is three years old!

 Grandma W. made the yummy cake.

 Cake and ice cream are always a hit!

 Evan loves his new farm set, especially the tractor and baler!

Like Meghan's birthday celebration, this was fun, but simple.  Grandma W. was able to join us though!

Introducing...

Esther Carol 

born on Saturday, October 22, 2011

at 7:07 AM

7 pounds, 8 ounces

20 1/2 inches long

Meghan's Fifth Birthday

When Meghan came downstairs for breakfast, there were balloons hanging over her seat at the table.  The balloon banner was hung while she was at preschool.  She had a great day there, too.  She loved it all.

 Meghan chose her birthday dinner.  We use chocolate milk only for special occasions like birthdays.

It is no surprise that she did not want meat.  The macaroni came from a box because that is what she prefers. She loved seeing the menu that she chose posted in the kitchen.

Meghan chose a chocolate cake with chocolate frosting.  Knowing I needed to keep it simple, I chose to just use sprinkles and silver beads to decorate the cake.  (The heart has a  silver"5" in the center.  Unfortunately, the silver didn't contrast enough, but she liked it.)  She blew out the candles on the first try.  

 You know that ice cream cones resemble the Statue of Liberty's torch, right?

 Meghan and Evan know it!

 Her birthday gifts were very simple.  Her favorite was probably the small glass jar and sea shells.  She was also excited to finally have her own personalized tote bag!  Thankfully I completed it before our house was turned upside down and my sewing machine was put in the basement...with no outlet near by.

It was a simple birthday celebration with just the four of us.  Meghan was celebrated and had a great time.

Talking to the Belly

Meghan has liked to talk to the baby for a long time.  

She likes to pretend the belly button is a microphone.

 It's been more recent that Evan likes to talk to the baby, imitating Meghan, I'm sure.  He mostly just forces his face into my belly though, with minimal words.

No News

Nothing to share about the baby or just the family.  If you want to read about what happened last week, go up to "What They Say" and click.

Meghan and Evan seem excited for the baby.  More and more all the time.  Tomorrow is also Meghan's birthday.  I am making her basic cake today-from a box.  Unfortunately, I don't have the air in my lungs to blow balloons, so hopefully we have time to do that tonight after the children are in bed.

Sleepy

Not much happening here.  That means no baby.

(However we did have some false labor that took us to the hospital in the wee hours of Thursday.  I had been having contractions for hours and they did get a bit stronger...after making some humbling calls at 4 AM, we went to the hospital.  Though I am fully effaced and the baby is all the way down, I was only dilated 3 cm.  Walking for 1 1/2 hours was not helpful, just tiring and painful.  So we came home.)

Meghan has always slept and napped in bed, other than the occasional nap on the bedroom floor or car seat.  Since she was less than six months old she only slept in her crib-never in our arms or on the couch.  (The only exception was about a year ago when she was sick and she napped on the couch.)

Thursday after school, she needed to go upstairs for some quiet time.  She chose the baby's room instead of her own...and promptly fell asleep.

Since beginning all-day (8:30-3) preschool three days a week this year, she often naps after school.  Though Derek is not home until 4:30, she has fallen asleep cuddling with him on the couch multiple times, as well as in her bedroom.

Evan is not the sleeper she is.  He often skips naps, though he will rest for a couple of hours in his bedroom.  By rest, I mean remove all the books from his bookshelf, one at a time for full reading enjoyment, and play with his cars.  

Even as a baby, he didn't nap well.  He was probably 3 months old before he would nap for more than 5-10 minutes at a time.  As you might imagine, he was an unhappy baby until he began napping for real.

I'm hoping baby #3 is a sleeper!

Big Belly

Meghan has been very proud of her giant belly drawings of me.  She has also drawn a picture where the belly took up the whole doodler board, with just a tiny head on top.   She mentioned something about waddling like a penguin when she drew that picture.  What a funny girl. 

Below, you can see Meghan's giant belly.  Evan also enjoys showing off his big belly, too.

No baby yet.  I'm hopeful that the baby will not be a full week late like Meghan and Evan.  We've narrowed down the baby names to one boy and two girls' names...but no middle names yet.  We have childcare lined up and some bags packed.  That's about as ready as we'll be. 

What They Say: September

(At a Big KMart store, looking at the sign...referring to the size of the letter.)
Evan: That's a BIG K!

Meghan: I'm shivering like an ice cube in the snow.


Meghan: Can I call you Ma?
Mom: Do you mean like in The Little House on the Prairie?
Meghan: Yes, like Laura and Mary call their mom.
(Later she asked me if she could call Daddy Pa.  I don't think he'll like the idea so much.  I don't care.)

Meghan: Your belly button looks like a nose.  (to Mom....and it does.)

Evan: Woa!  Look at that rain, Mom!  Can we play in the mud?


Meghan speaking about memories: I have two collections: one up in my brain and one in my treasure box.

Note to self: When Evan says at the table, "I want big shoes." It is actually, "I want to be excused."

Photos in the Park 2011

Saturday morning while Derek was reffing flag football for the children's sports program at church, I took the children to the local park.  This is rare (a couple times a year, at most), though the county park is only a couple of miles away.  It was a total surprise to the children, but Meghan guessed our destination after I told her we were going on a Nature Adventure.  

To keep the children engaged and happy, part of the Nature Adventure was collecting a few pine cones and acorns.  We decided to leave the scat we found there.  (I did ask a park ranger if we could collect a few items.)

Now, these photos are nothing compared to the actual  family photo shoot we did with my friend last October.  Derek thought it best for us to not do that again because 1) I'm huge and pregnant OR 2) We have a newborn baby...

So these photos are my consolation prize.  Of the 76 photographs, these are really the only ones that turned out-with some editing.  And really, as you can see, I wasn't too discriminate in saying which ones were good.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Then we played.

FYI: Evan was not particularly cooperative.  He had many sour looks, crossed arms, and such.  However, he was happy to be the Statue of Liberty.  The photo of Meghan (by herself) with an arm in the air is a pose, not Lady Liberty.