It's A.........

GIRL!!!!!!!!

And she has a name:

Eleanor Jane

And most importantly, she is healthy. We feel so blessed.

What I'm Loving Lately

The boys finally feeling better after a week of sickness. Although, today Hampton got a fever again. Morning cuteness and finally being able to break out the jon jons and sandals.

Jumping on the bed!

Being able to play outside finally and 70-80 degree weather. We were actually warm yesterday!

Discovering sidewalk chalk and loving it.

Hampton "accidentally" discovering peanut butter as Everett, while in the double stroller, handed him the rest of his sandwich. So much waiting for his first peanut butter experience until 2. Thankfully he did not have any kind of reaction.

I am just loving my boys! I am also loving feeling baby #3's movements. We're excited for Tuesday because hopefully we'll find out who this baby is!

Update on Sick Day

Everett has done really well lately in learning to share with Hampton- in fact, today he shared his pink eye! Poor Hampton contracted Ev's pink eye in both eyes along with the virus/cold/flu stuff to follow. Now I have two sick babies. I knew later today Everett really was not feeling well (other than the fact that he told me) when I took them outside for a few minutes for some fresh air and he just laid in my lap and kept asking me to sing him "Rock-a-bye-baby." Another day at home tomorrow to rest and re cooperate. Praying for a night of full sleep.

Sick Day

Everett was sick yesterday and got progressively worse. Eric took him last night to the pediatrician's night clinic. Turns out he has an ear infection (explains the recurrent fever), pink eye in both eyes, and a cold. Treatment involves antibiotics and eyes drops. Even though he was sick this morning, it wasn't going to keep him down! Everett kept talking about his experience last night. He told me, "That was a good doctor. I opened my mouth and said ahhhh. He looked in my eyes. He looked in my ears." Thankfully Hampton hasn't gotten sick-yet.

Everett had fun this morning reading books, playing with PlayDoh, learning to cut with scissors, and pasting pictures from magazines on to construction paper.

He has to miss preschool this week and we missed MOPS this morning. But it has given that much more quality time together. Plus, I love how he just wants to snuggle.

Ages and Stages

I was looking through some old pictures of the babies last Spring. I can't believe a year has already passed. My big boy Everett will be turning 3 soon and I could just cry over how time has flown. Each stage of babyhood/childhood comes with its own set of challenges. Now Everett has grown to be more independent, however with that independence comes his will. Every day I feel like I am constantly on him about listening/obedience/sharing etc. It wears me out. However, I often see glimmers of "wow he gets it" or something clicks. His teacher in preschool reported to me a couple of weeks ago how he is so well behaved and obedient. That is one of the best compliments I have ever received! This stage is also very fun. I have "conversations" with Everett now and it is so fun to hear his thoughts. This is him around this time last year..... And my Hampton. He has entered such a fun stage! He is doing so many "big boy" things now like crawling around really fast, cruising furniture, clapping, waving bye-bye, and he already says several words. I remember this time last year feeling so frustrated. Hampton wasn't the easiest newborn and I thought, "well this is it." Now he is such a chubby, content, and very affectionate baby. What a great addition to our family.

There are many, many days I am running on very low energy and I am so tired. Being pregnant is most likely the culprit, but it is also chasing after a 1 and 2 year old. Yesterday I was waiting at the OB office for my 16-wk check-up and I was thinking about this upcoming September when our next babe is due. I hate to admit it, but I almost panicked. Newborns are hard. And I will have 3 kids 3 and under. However, everything is just a season. My goal this time around is to really try to enjoy that stage of life because it passes so quickly. Really, that is my goal for all these stages. I "Google" just about anything and whenever I look up something medical, a website with the header "Relax-we have the answers you need" always pops up. That is what the Lord is always telling me- I have the answers you need. The best comfort I find is in knowing He knows my anxiety. He offers the best help and comfort I could ever find. The best gift I can give my children is to push all worry aside, rest in Him, and truly enjoy them. Children are a blessing from the Lord.

Pizza and Trains

The boys' Gigi (Eric's mom) came to visit this weekend. I worked Saturday/Sunday. They got to spend some great quality time together. Eric even got to finally clean out our garage and it looks so good. On Saturday evening we all went out for pizza and then went to Barnes and Noble to play with the trains. Hampton charmed an older couple at the table near us. I eventually just turned his high chair around and he practically ate supper with them! Everett loves pizza! He also loves his Gigi! And trains! Needless to say it was a good night for our Everett.

Today's Gonna be a Good Day

Today I fought all day between "Wow this day is really rough" and "Today's gonna be a good day." I think the latter won, but it was difficult. Hampton for a good five days now has decided that 6 am is his new wake-up time. We used to count on at least 7 am, and sometimes later. 6 am is not working for us! I was at least happy for the beautiful weather today. I finally got to dress them in some Spring clothes.

This morning Maggie unexpectedly had to go to the vet. I dropped Ev off at preschool and then got Mags. She is going to be okay- she has to have surgery next week to repair a hernia, but nothing huge. When I got home I got to spend some time with just Hampton. I skipped his morning nap today praying that might fix the early morning wake-up. We'll see. I then picked up Everett at noon, but he was having way too much fun and threw the tantrum of his lifetime about leaving. We were almost home when he announced "nigh nigh" was still at school. I turned around and went back to preschool only to discover (after I had gotten them out of their car seats) that he had just thrown him in the way back of our van. Once again, "Today's gonna be a good day......." During nap I cleaned the house like a mad woman instead of resting....tomorrow I think I'll rest. After nap however our "big" activity was playing outside with the water table.....

Pure joy on their faces......

I am with them on the happiness of Spring thing. I was lovin' it as well. 75 degree weather and feeling the sunshine on your face after Winter is pure bliss.

They both have such fair skin. I had to put a hat on Hampton.

I love this picture. It looks like Everett is communicating to Hampton, "Isn't this great!?!"

I love our mountain views. Unfortunately it disappears during the Spring and Summer as the leaves come in. However it faithfully returns in the Fall.

After dinner the boys took a bath, watched a short video, and then collapsed into bed. They were wore out. I am about to do the same. Praying tomorrow morning that Hampton wakes up later. But even if he doesn't, it still can be a good day.....