Daddy, Mommy and Joshua's Day of Fun!

We took Joshua for a little day of fun to the Aquarium.  Daddy took the day off work and it was just the three of us while Aunt Anna came over and played with Kayla. 

He was so excited to go.  It was the cutest thing hearing him talk about going to the aquarium and seeing dolphins.  He was really set on seeing dolphins and I couldn't bring myself to tell him that there wouldn't be any.  When we got there he kept saying he wanted to see the dolphins first.  He quickly forgot about dolphins once he saw all the huge fish tanks with hundreds of fish bigger than him swimming around. 

He asked Daddy to put him in the tank.

There were no dolphins but the sharks were just as neat. 

Probably one of all of our favorite exhibits. 

Too busy looking at the sharks to pose for a picture.

Trying to touch some stingrays.  Once they would swim over to him

he would quickly pull his hand out of the water.

 

We decided to do the whole shebang and eat at the aquarium's restaurant.  Our buzzer went off right as we were done walking through the aquarium, perfect timing! 

The restaurant was really neat because it had huge tanks with fish and stingrays by the tables.

Dishing himself up some butter for his bread.

Daniel gave him the large toothpick that came with his sandwich

and that is how he ate all his mac and cheese. 

 

We asked him what his favorite part was and he said, "the escalators!"  All that money and the escalators were his favorite part!!!  Sheesh, we could have taken him to the Super Target to ride the escalators for free :)  He did redeem himself though when right after we got into the car he exclaimed, "That was fun!!!" 

 

Yes it sure was a fun day had by all.  

And SOLD!

Yes, that is right, we sold our house!  Ever since finding out we were expecting baby number 3 we decided we wanted to get a house with 4 bedrooms and a basement to accommodate our growing family and all the stuff babies come with. 

We spent a few weeks looking at houses and finally found a great one that we love and will be perfect with for our little family.  Our offer was contingent on selling our current home within one week.  It was a little nerve wracking but the market here is so hot that my FIL, who happens to be our realtor, was certain it wouldn't take long to sell at all. 

Our house went on the market late Thursday evening with showings starting Saturday and by Friday evening we already had a full price offer!  We had a couple showings scheduled for Saturday and by Saturday night we were under contract with an offer that was $2,000 above our asking price!  What a relief that it sold so fast and we got more than we were hoping to get!  I am so relieved that I wont have to worry about keeping the house clean 24/7 with 2 kids and worry about leaving on a moments notice for showings.  God is good! 

We close the end of April.

Moving is always bitter sweet for me.  I am always so excited to make our knew house a home but always sad to leave our current home where we have made so many memories. 

It will be hard to leave this house remembering all the sweet memories that were made with our kids.  I remember exactly where I was when I found out I was pregnant with each baby, I remember where Joshua first stood up by himself and walked, I remember where it was in the house that Kayla first smiled, and where she first pulled herself up.  We have shared many laughs with friends and family here in this home.

Yes, moving is hard but it is also exciting to know that we will build new memories in the new home. 

Now, on to the packing...

Learning to Eat with a Fork

We knew it was time to start letting Kayla practice eating with utensils when she started grabbing the spoon from our hand and almost refusing to let us feed her.  Then one night she wouldn't feed herself with her hands like she normally does.  Instead she kept trying to eat off her tray like a dog, to no avail of course. Silly girly. 

She doesn't have the proper dexterity to get the food on to her fork yet but once its put on there for her she has no problem bringing the fork to her mouth to get the food off. 

 

 

 

 

Baby #3: First Trimester Recap

With all three pregnancies I knew I was pregnant before I tested.  I just felt a little off.  With this one I picked up a test while grocery shopping.  When we got home I ran in the house, took the test, unloaded the kids then ran in to read my results, heart pounding.  When I saw the two lines I couldn't stop laughing.  Even though we were trying I still couldn't believe it had happened so fast.  I immediately called Daniel at work.  He too was shocked and happy all at once.  After the laughter a wave of panic set in, "THREE KIDS?!  The 2 youngest 18 months apart?  How will I do this?"  I sent a text to one of my best friends who has 4 kids.  She helped settle my nerves.  I can do this.  I am not the only who has had 3 kids so close in age.  Joshua and Kayla are 22 months apart and I really like that age gap.  We haven't encountered any major issues with it so what is a gap that is 4 months closer?  I know, it largely depends on the personalities of each child but we got this! 

We had Joshua share the news with our family.  He so sweetly told them, "Kayla is going to be a big sister!" 

This pregnancy has been very similar to my last two.  Nauseous and no energy.  I haven't had any major food aversions with this one though which is goo because I am hungry, a lot!  I don't remember being this hungry with the last two pregnancy but I am still nursing Kayla so I am sure that is why I am doubly hungry.  As I enter into my 2nd trimester I am starting to feel better, thank you Jesus!  Trying to keep up with a toddler and almost 1 year old is exhausting enough!

We talk to Kayla about her new role coming up but of course she has no idea... yet anyway.  Joshua on the other hand is happy knowing another baby will be joining the family.  He randomly tells me things like, "When the new baby comes Kayla can sleep in her crib and the new baby can sleep in the pack and play."  Or while driving he said, "When the new baby comes Mommy can sit there, Daddy there (pointing to where we all sit in the car), Kayla in her seat, and I will sit here and hold the baby."  I love that he is thinking through all the logistics. 

Please join us in praying for the health of this little one, a healthy pregnancy, and smooth transition for Joshua and Kayla (Daniel and me as well) as we head into this new season. 

How do I get into this Bathtub?

 

 

"Oohh a bathtub.  I like bathtubs."

 

"Let's see, how can I get in here?"

 

"I know, I will climb in!"

Kayla's 11 Month Update

It is hard to believe that we are only 1 short month away from our baby girl turning one.  She is the sweetest girl ever and is adored oh so much!

Here is what she is up to at 11 months old...

*Some words she tries to mimic are baby, doggie, and ruff ruff.  She also will look for certain items when asked... ("Where is the ball?")

*When I ask her, "Where's Daddy?" She scans the room until she finds her Daddy and then smiles
the sweetest smile at him.

*She likes to use her index finger to point to things.

*Long gone are the days when she didn't mind Joshua taking a toy from her. 

*She loves to be chased!  When she wants to be chased she will crawl away from you and then look over her shoulder at you like, "Come get me."  Then when we get on our hands and knees to crawl after her she takes off as fast she can laughing and shaking her head no.  It's so hilarious!

*She loves being outside.  She crawls all over the place exploring.  When playing outside she can always be found with wood chips, leaves or grass in her mouth. 

*She signs all done and more but I am certain she doesn't know what they mean yet.  The other day I was cleaning out her nose which is her least favorite thing.  She cried and cried until I was done.  Once I stopped she signed more. 

*We are starting to set up boundaries and teach her the word, "No" when she gets into something she isn't suppose to.  She sure has shaking her head no down. sometimes she will crawl towards something she isn't suppose to get into as she is shaking her head no.   Or right before she touches something that is off limits I will say her name and she will stop, look at me, shake her head and then crawl away.  Joshua asks, "Why are you telling Kayla no?"  And now he tells people, "Kayla is learning what no means." 

*She really likes dogs and cats.  One day we went to Petsmart to look at all the animals.  When we were looking at the cats she was smiling from ear to ear and literally shaking with excitement lunging towards them.

* She continues to be a great eater eating mostly finger foods now.  She loves feeding herself and I don't think she has rejected anything yet. Once I was feeding her puree food and she saw some finger foods I was going to give to her afterwards and she all of a sudden stopped eating the purees because she wanted the real food.  Sometimes when she finishes the food on her tray she starts eating out of her bib. 

 

*She now sleeps with a white polar bear stuffed animal that Omah gave her for her  baby dedication.  It all started one night when Daniel was getting her ready for bed.  She was playing with this bear that is bigger than she is.  She would cry something fierce whenever we took it away.  She even held on to it when I nursed her right before bed.  We decided to let her sleep with it.  The next morning when I got her up she was so tickled to have it in her crib.  She was so cute sitting in her crib just holding on to it.  As cute as it was I just couldn't see myself carting around that huge bear so I gave her the smaller one.  It is so cute to see her cuddled up with it at night.  If its already laying n her crib when I lay her down she goes right go it and lays her head on it like a pillow.  When I hand it to her before bed she gets a big smile and lunges for it.  So sweet. 

Holding the giant bear.

 

Sweet snuggles.

 

Kayla's first bike ride.   

 

 

Look at that pitiful face.  She was not a fan of her helmet. 

 

I love how Joshua is holding on to her. 

 

My helper. 

First time to pull herself up.   

 

Happy 11 Month B-day to our sweet snuggle bug!