Abby was convinced our baby was a boy and Ella was hoping our baby was a girl. When we asked Ella why she wanted a baby sister, she told us it was because she doesn't have a little sister. We reminded her that she didn't have a little brother either, to which she responded, "Yes I do! Osiser (Oliver) is my brother!" Both girls were counting down the days until the big reveal.
The morning of the ultrasound, Abby had school, so Ella came with us to our doctor's appointment. Abby had a turn to go to an ultrasound with us when we saw Ella for the first time, so it was Ella's turn to see her baby brother or sister for the first time.
Ella waited patiently by looking at pictures on Daddy's phone.
Mommy! They just called your name! It's our turn.
We were thrilled to see our beautiful and healthy growing baby pop up on the screen. It was fun to help Ella understand that the movement on the screen was our little baby moving in my belly. It didn't take long for the tech to determine, we are having another baby girl! Three little girls! What a sweet blessing.
Can you tell how excited Ella is that it really is a baby sister?
We told Abby before she left for school that at pickup she would come around the corner and be surprised with colored balloons to tell her if she was having a baby brother or sister. She even wore her big sister shirt to school and told her whole class about the big announcement. Abby wasn't the only preschooler walking down the hall looking for balloons! Even though Abby was hoping to see some blue, she was excited to hear about her new baby sister. Her logical response, "No big deal guys, I'm sure God will put a baby brother in mommy's belly when it's time for our next baby". Hang on there, girl!
It's fun to start dreaming about what life with three little ladies will be like. We can't wait to meet our littlest girl!
Both girls take celebrating very seriously. Mother's Day was extra special this year because of all the quality time we had together as a family and the girls' hearts behind making sure I knew how loved I was.
I was invited to Abby's classroom for a special Mother's Day celebration. The kids served us muffins and juice. Abby gave me a sunflower and answered this questionnaire about me. This girl really didn't have any silly answers. She knows her mommy so well because she is constantly asking questions to learn more about people. :) The best part is that she wrote that my favorite song is "Choo-chee Buttercup", the song I made up and have been singing to her since she was a baby.
On Saturday morning, my family left together on a special Mother's Day mission that left me at home in complete silence for couple of hours. That restful time was a big gift for me by itself, but then Joe sent me this picture. My little workers were busy at Lowes making flower pots and buying flowers for me.
We spent the rest of the weekend out in the backyard together doing lots of planting and playing. It was perfectly refreshing weekend with my loves. There is no greater Mother's Day gift than having these girls call me mommy. I wouldn't trade a minute of it.
practicing their field hockey
Later in the week, we took a day trip to celebrate Mother's Day with Grandma. We went out for pizza and did a little shopping, then we spent the rest of the afternoon at Papa's house and the park. The girls were especially excited about the new playground that was recently put up in the park at the end of Papa's street. It was a beautiful day to play!
album cover?
fascinated with Papa's beard
A Dairy Queen stop for a blizzard seemed like the perfect final stop of our day. Few things say the start of spring or feels like home more than this spot.
Catching up on some life snapshots from April and May...
When I was growing up, we only took school pictures in the fall. Abby took fall and spring pictures this year. I was amazed at how much she had grown when comparing the two. What a precious little Pre-K student.
The first signs of Spring brought us lots of joy as we broke free from the house for the first time in months. To say it was a long winter is an understatement. The sunshine on our faces has never felt so good.
I love Saturday mornings when we are all out in the yard together getting it cleaned up. Not to mention, the girls are actually old enough to help! :) Say hello to Daddy's little stick collectors.
one of my favorite kitchen helpers
pretzel date with Mommy
coloring at her new desk from Ms. Megan
loving their finished Lego product and the fun Lego subscription they have through pley.com
I took Ella for her first haircut! She felt like such a big girl in the salon chair and did a great job.
Loving their new 'dos.
I took a Saturday to drive to Boston to spend the day with Chrissy, Terry and their new baby, Devon. From 7th grade friendship to new babies...the sweetness of these moments are not lost on me. I love being able to celebrate life together and being moms together too!
In other news, I think our little boy is doing a great job bonding with our third baby girl. This is how he spends most evenings. I can't help but wonder where I will fit our new baby when she arrives since Oliver thinks this is exclusively his spot. :)
We got word that Food Network's, Guy Fieri, had one of his food trucks on a nearby campus. One night, Joe took Ella to check it out and bring the back some goodies. Ella felt pretty special riding to campus with Daddy in her jammies.
Ella is not the only one going on special dates with Daddy. Before his trip out of town, Joe needed to go pick up a new pair of dress pants at the mall. He invited Abby along for a date and her much needed fashion advice! Halfway through their trip, I got this picture. While walking through the girls' department, Abby saw a princess nightgown that she just "had to have". She even insisted that she had to try it on in the fitting room like a big girl. It didn't take much to for Daddy to come home with his dress pants and two matching nightgowns for his little ladies.
I'd say they feel pretty lovely in their new nightgowns.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o4hYudSlWRM
When Abby was at school, Ella asked me if she could make a picture for her best friend. When I asked about her picture, she told me it was a picture of two sisters (Abby & Ella) standing outside under the apple tree.
Then, she signed her name on the back! :)
The many faces of springtime!
Abby had a blast with her school friends at Hailie's birthday party at the rollerskating rink. Abby was not a fan of rollerskating and wanted the skates off as soon as she put them on. We practiced for a while to see if she would get the hang of it and feel comfortable enough to get out into the rink, but it was a no go! I'm pretty sure Abby is not a fan when she does not feel she can gain control of the situation, so wobbly roller skates were not for her. She did have a great time visiting with friends and dancing away at the dance party afterward!
For the first time, I was just a mom standing on the sidelines getting a glimpse into the future.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=im_sdGsh-94
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hho7m1gzEfc
When I went in to check on them during quiet play time, I found Ella fast asleep next to her sister.
Uncle Cory came for a visit. He needs some ladies to go shopping with him for new clothes and the three of us were more than willing to help! Ella and Abby were positioned right outside of the fitting room ready with their "thumbs up" and "thumbs down". Then, Uncle Cory took us out for ice cream.
My baby
We are getting ready for someone to turn three around here in just a few short months. Don't you know? It's almost G-I.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3L_gLqDlRPY
Abby is surprising us daily with her new reading vocabulary and her ability to finish entire books without any help! Hearing her read books is like music to my ears.
