Remember how I said it's hard to convince the girls to leave their "kids" at home when we are going somewhere? A lot of the time, I give in and end up with extra bags and babies in every arm, but on this particular morning taking the babies to our large playdate wasn't an option.
I thought I would be in the clear when I told them the babies had to stay home because I was ready with a great plan. I had the perfect idea. Daddy could babysit while he worked from home.
With that, Abby's eyes welled up with tears.
"I don't want to leave them with Daddy. He doesn't really take care of them. The last time he said he was babysitting, I came home and the babies were all sitting in the same exact places in his office. They need their mommy!"
At this point, Joe joined the conversation and I gave him my best "you better convince the girls that you will babysit their dolls because we are going to be late" face.
He assured Abby and Ella that he would take care of Amelia and Lily.
"Will you make sure they eat lunch?"
"Yes!"
"Will you make sure they play with toys and comfort them if they cry?"
"I promise!"
Then, the girls and I headed out the door. Joe went back to work with two babies under his arms in full blown grandpa mode and I was reminded of why I married this guy.
Over the course of the day, my phone was buzzing with photo updates for the girls. You couldn't peel the smiles off their faces. To say they felt loved and cared for by their daddy is an understatement.
Abby's response: "Mommy, you have to tell Daddy I'm really impressed!"
We've been busy preparing for baby girl's arrival around here!
Step 1: Changing Abby's room into the Big Sister room.
We said goodbye to the baby pink we painted the room when Abby was 18 months old and said hello to a pretty gray that would serve as the perfect backdrop for all the bold, big girl colors in the shared space. Joe worked hard for a few nights after work to get it all done for his girls.
Step 2: Operation big girl room in full effect.
We filled the room with lots of purple, teal and touches of pink. The girls have been loving all things Paris, so I used that as my inspiration! Target didn't disappoint. I found really cute Parisian pillows, an Eiffel tower lamp and the perfect wall hanging. We plan on turning the beds into bunk beds in a few months, but this works as our set up for now!
The look on the girls faces when they saw their room for the first time made every minute of the planning and hard work worth it.
Step 3: Moving the girls in for their first night together.
While the girls were excited to sleep together in their new room, the first night wasn't easy for Ella. As she was trying to fall asleep, she started crying that she didn't want to give her room to the baby. She didn't want her toddler bed to be turned into a crib. It was her room and her bed. She didn't want a big girl room. I rubbed her back as she started letting go. It was bittersweet to watch my sweet girl grieve the reality of not being the baby anymore. We were preparing for the baby in more ways than one that night. It was the only night she cried about it. Now, a few weeks later, the girls are settling into a new bedtime routine and I feel good about the way they have transitioned.
I had the girls' vanity set up nicely. The frame slightly turned in on the left and the clock was slightly turned in on the right. When Abby came in the room she walked right over to her clock and arranged it as it is below. When I walked over and fixed it, she was quick to correct its crookedness again and arrange it evenly with the corner of the vanity edge. She couldn't understand why I wouldn't put it straight and left the room to tell her daddy how I wouldn't stop arranging the alarm clock the wrong way. This was so funny to us because Joe's family will tell story after story from his childhood about how Joe's brothers loved to drive him nuts by sneaking into his room when he wasn't home and rearranging things on his nightstand (like his alarm clock). Joe was known for the same need for things to be just so.
Step 4: Decorating the walls.
Little by little, I gathered and collected pieces for the girls' walls. I found the flower canvas in the clearance section at Hobby Lobby and thought it would be perfect. I painted the large letters for above their beds. I ordered the canvas of the girls over a year ago and had it stored away waiting for the right space. I needed one more print to fill a frame for the gallery wall I was going to hang over Ella's bed. One of the girls' favorite French phrases (learned in their American Girl movie) is "Je ne sais quoi". It means "a quality that can not be described or named easily". Abby and Ella tend to use the phrase when referring to something they are cooking or eating to describe the special something they are tasting. So, you can imagine how perfect it was when I found this print on Pinterest.
#gallerywallcomplete
The balloon photo says, "He hears our prayers".
Step 5: Time to get baby girl's room ready!
With the big girls all set up and transitioned in their new room, it was time to paint again. Joe painted the bright blue in the baby's room a very muted and neutral light green. Our plan is to keep it simple and sweet with soft greens and pinks. We have just a few more things to do before our littlest lady's arrival!
Coming soon: elephants on the wall over the crib
Baby "J" got her own painted letter too!
It's getting real! In less than six weeks, I will be rocking our little girl, the same way I rocked our two big girls, right there in that chair. My heart is full. AND my pre baby to do list is shrinking! :)
For a week in July, the girls spent their mornings at Vacation Bible School. This was Ella's first year and she was beyond excited to join her sister and go to "school". As I packed the girls' little backpacks, I could hear Abby in the other room telling her sister everything she should know for her first day of camp.
With two girls at camp from 9-12 each morning, I had some rare free time on my hands. It was a treat for me to spend a few mornings reading and writing at Starbucks, running errands and even a morning getting a pedicure with my mom. Random side note: As I enjoyed my time in Starbucks this week, I was reminded of how much I love cheese danishes. They bring back all kinds of happy childhood memories.
In case you thought I was completely kid free this week, Abby made sure I took my grandparent responsibilities seriously. It was my job to take care of Amelia while Abby was away.
Abby and the rest of the school age kids gave a presentation on Thursday night. They sang songs and shared what they were learning about God throughout the week. Unfortunately, Abby was standing behind kids who were taller than her and we had a hard time getting a clear picture or video of the little show. Any that we did have were accidentally erased from Joe's phone before I got a hold of them. Ella's preschool presentation was the next morning. Most of her photos and videos were also erased, but we did get a couple.
As a mom, it is such a gift to have my girls come home each day excited to tell me all about what they are learning. I love knowing that they are learning valuable truths about the Lord as the Bible stories and songs come alive for them. We are still singing the songs that Abby learned during her first year at VBS.
We've been enjoying lots of swim playdates with friends.
They don't want to wear their nightgowns. They want to wear their special new t-shirts from Aunt Ayash.
Coping with the newness of bedtime without a pa-pa hasn't been the smoothest transition. One of the things that helped Ella fall asleep each night at the beginning was when I rocked her in the rocking chair. A definite silver lining to the first two weeks of pa-pa withdrawal. I love rocking my babies any chance I get.
I'm not sure where we were headed, but Ella insisted on her Supergirl hat and cape.
Ella enjoyed a few days of dance camp with her baby ballerina friends.
While Ella was at camp, Abby and I had some special time together. One morning, we made a stop at Starbucks for a treat and Abby asked for a "grownup" drink. She tried her first mini Vanilla Bean Frappacino. She had her purse on her shoulder, Starbucks cup in hand and pushed her stroller through the parking lot like a pro.
She has such a little mommy heart and I love watching her take care of her babies. A lot of times that means I am going to the grocery store with multiple children and diaper bags AND that I am often referred to as Grandma, but it's hard to say no when you see her strong desire to be a mommy to her dolls. How can you tell her to leave her "kids" in the car? They are her "kids"! :)
Summer.
While I was upstairs getting some things done one morning, Abby ran up to tell me I needed to come down to hear Ella singing and playing the piano.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=59Nr5-yP9Xw
This was the first year that Abby went off on her own to write in my birthday card. She knew what she wanted to say and she knew how to say it. My precious girl didn't really understand why I started crying (happy tears) as I read it.
We enjoyed a summer morning at the movies with friends, the Uhls.
Abby has been reading a lot. Ollie is happy to listen to as many bedtime stories as she wants to read him, as long as he can lay as close to her as possible.
Another Lego set complete.
It's always a fun surprise when your friend has pony rides at her birthday party!
When Uncle Cory calls the night before and says he is coming for lunch and to take the girls to the movies = free babysitting and date night!
Evidence of the post movie sugar rush...
Lily was here to visit for a week. Look at these two.
Who needs personal space?! Two girls, two dogs and a moving baby bump. I might not be able to breathe, but I love my people.
In July, we headed to Fort Collins, Colorado for our biannual ministry conference. We love this trip so much and look forward to it every two years. This was our first time attending as as family of four. The last time we were there, Abby was 18 months old and it was one of the best summers we've ever had. As we prepared for the trip, we were eagerly anticipating all the ways God would meet us and minister to our hearts during the conference. The atmosphere is always so challenging and refreshing. We spent our days rejoicing in the work that God is doing around the world, while resetting our focus on the purpose and mission of the ministry He called us to. We were refreshed and recharged by the Gospel and the time we spent in God's presence and among some of our dearest friends.
I looked over at Ella multiple times during this trip and realized what a big girl she is now! We traveled through the airports without a stroller for the first time in five and a half years. :)
After an early morning, Abby fell asleep during the last twenty minutes of our flight.
The girls were so excited by the same things that Joe and I found exhausting about the day of travel. Abby kept talking about how much fun it was that they started the morning in a car, went on two airplanes, took a train through the airport to the baggage terminal, then a bus to the rental car building and finally a rental car to our hotel! Quite the adventure.
We made it!
On our first night, we kicked off the conference with the street fair and carnival. The girls had a great time on the rides and we had fun hugging lots of friends that we hadn't seen in a while. I just kept watching them on the rides and thinking this is what happiness is. This is their childhood. :)
We met up with our good friends, the Swansons, and reintroduced our girls to each other. Four years ago, when were in Colorado for the summer, we shared an apartment with our friends. At the time, their oldest daughter was nine months old and Abby was 18 months old. Now, they both have little sisters who are weeks apart. It was fun to see them spend time together all week and really connect as little buddies.
four year flashback
The altitude really got to Abby in the first few days while we were there. She was struggling with fatigue and by mid morning felt like she couldn't walk anywhere. The girls and I took a break in the grass while Joe went to get the car. I was pretty desperate to stop the whining and encouraged Abby to try to find something else to think about as she laid on my legs.
That's when she spotted this little ladybug in the grass right by her face. It was a really cute moment that turned her mood around instantly...until she had to get up and walk to the car! :)
While Ella waited, she pretended to be Julie Andrews and swung around the trees singing "the hills are alive with the sound of music...".
Abby needed lots of rest, so that night I stayed back at the hotel with her while Joe and Ella attended an event. Abby and I made a special night of it with a movie and popcorn date.
We started our day by taking the girls with us to the beginning of the morning meeting where they could experience the amazing atmosphere and a time of worship. As we drove to campus each morning, they would ask if we were going to the "service" to spend time praising Jesus.
Ella: "Let's go Abby! We are going to praise Jesus!"
It is such an honor to be in this place and worship Jesus. I get goosebumps every time as I think this has to be a glimpse of what heaven must be like. God's presence in the room was so evident.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o7DB65outXw
After lunch each day, looked a lot like this. The girls and I rested and then enjoyed the hotel pool, while Joe went back to campus for meetings.
It's a lot of fun walking into a Starbucks and running into a bunch of people I love in one place. We are normally spread all over the country and then for ten days we live together in the same zip code bumping into each other left and right. It's the best! In other news, Abby was pretty excited for her first Starbucks name cup.
Another flashback to four years ago in Fort Collins. That was then with our friends, the Grays, and their daughter Katie.
And this year...
Since we couldn't be with Papa for his birthday, we sent him a message on his birthday complete with a beautiful mountain backdrop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POvcYUleUCA
I love how nearly every store front and restaurant in Fort Collins looks like this. This place is just gorgeous.
We enjoyed lots of time at the splash park...
...and our hotel pool.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RqjUiOHJFSg
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bytLMd3FMgQ
29 week belly shot!
Our friends, the Newalls, offered to take the girls for the evening, so we could have a date night. The girls love Ms. Anne and Mr. David and couldn't wait for us to leave. Joe and I had a great night downtown walking around, laughing a lot and having dinner together. As we walked around Old Town, Joe saw a gift for me that he just couldn't resist. How do you like my new magnet? Pregnancy hormones and mood swings are real, especially with only 11 weeks to go. Good thing I was in an upswing when he jokingly handed me this. :) I'm thankful that this guy loves me through them! We laughed and laughed through the whole date.
When we arrived to pick up the girls, no one was ready for them to leave, so they sent us back out. Joe and I went for a walk at the flower gardens up the street.
There's nothing like spending time with friends who not only know you well, but who've helped you get to know yourself during some of the most important years of your life. Friends who have not only been invested in your marriage and family from the very beginning, but were invested in your lives as individuals...friends who were a part of helping us decide whether or not we should even date! Spending time with the Iamaio's is always like a breath of fresh air and watching our kids play together is the best! We got ice cream and caught up, while the kids ran around taking lots of pictures.
I used to babysit Hayden when he was a baby and Hannah was only about two months old at our wedding!
The girls love spending time with Mrs. Joanie and seeing all the pictures of her grand kids.
One of the interesting parts of our trips was that all four of us slept in the same king size bed. It's definitely not the norm for us, which actually made it extra sweet. There was something sentimental about being together in the bed for some of our last weeks as a family of four. The girls' positions when we woke every morning were hilarious. The whole bed could be empty and they were as close to each other as possible.
with the Swanson girls
After lots of meals in restaurants this week, it felt like a mom win when I listed off Abby's menu options and she chose a salad for lunch!
One of the girls' favorite activities during our stay was riding the elevators. They took turns each time deciding who would press which button. It only ended in an argument a handful of times. They had a pretty well managed button pushing system.
We found this at a little store in Fort Collins and it brought Joe and I right back to our childhood. We got the girls two for the plane right home and they immediately worked together to figure out how to make Papa.
On our last day of the conference, the girls and I took some pictures around campus. Everyone needs a pic with the CSU ram.
I'm pretty sure these two couldn't love each other any more than they do!
One night at dinner in our hotel, a fellow Cru staffer came over and started chatting with us about our girls and our littlest girl on the way. The next morning at breakfast, she found Joe and gave him these booties that she had made for us. It was the sweetest.
our sweet family
After ten days in Colorado, we headed home ready to process everything we learned and put our feet on the ground in a lot of ways, both personally and in ministry. Also, my biological clock was telling me it was time to start preparing for baby girl's arrival. The whole plane ride home I made "nesting" lists of all the things that have to get done before our girl arrives. She will be here in no time!
