Adding an Addition!

What a pleasant surprise!

We are having another GIRL! (More bows and chunky necklaces).

After years of infertility and many IVF cycles, my body decided to 'work' on it's own.

We are excited and thrilled for this special addition to our family.  I am currently 18 weeks along.  We have told close family and friends, but this is our first 'public' posting.

 

We waited until I was at least 12 weeks along before we told the kids.  Matthew was very happy when we surprised him with the news.  We had been praying as a family for another baby.  He wanted another baby sister.  When asked why he wanted another sister instead of a baby brother, he responded, "because Kate's so cute, I want another cute sister like her."  Melted my heart.  He is such a sweet big brother!  Kate was oblivious to the news as she's 2 yrs old and doesn't comprehend it yet.  We've been pointing to mommy's belly and telling her baby is in there.  Now when I ask her 'where's the baby?', she points to my belly.  It'll be interesting to see how she will react when the baby comes.  She's currently in the 'mine' stage.  Everything is hers. She walks around and points at things and says, 'mine' over and over.  Her world will surely be rocked by a new baby.   

We found out the gender at our 16 week ultrasound.  I wanted to find a special way to tell the kids so we bought cupcakes and put pink frosting in the middle.  Matthew was excited when he bit into his cupcake and saw pink frosting.  Kate just wanted to eat her cupcake. 

 

We took pictures on Sunday with their pumpkins and of course the 'baby' pumpkin.  Whenever Kate walks outside now and sees the pumpkins, she points to the baby pumpkin and says 'baby'.  Then she points to her pumpkin and says 'mine'. 

What a blessing it is to be able to add this addition to our family come February.  We continue to pray that the baby will grow and be healthy and strong. My heart is full and I count my blessings every day. 

The Start of Apple Picking Season

The start of our apple picking season started a few weeks ago.  We picked Golden Delicious Apples and they were crisp and yummy!  I've been eating 2-3 apples a day.  We will be back in a few weeks to pick Fuji and Granny Smith apples (to make Caramel apples). 

One of the highlights of the Fall season!

Is this really my baby??  Where has the time gone?? 

She's such a big 2 yr old.

My kiddos are certainly the apples of my eyes!

Philadelphia Temple

We had the opportunity to tour the Philadelphia LDS temple a few weeks ago before it was dedicated.  I love being inside the temple.  It's a place of peace and love and where I feel the spirit. 

I was excited for the kids to see the inside of the temple.  Upon seeing the baptismal font, Kate says 'pool'.  Thankfully she didn't jump in.  Matthew's interest quickly faded too.  Oh well, they're 2 and 5, I didn't expect them to be engaging the whole time.  But I'm glad we still took them and I pray that later when they are much older and return to the temple, they will have a much more spiritual experience. 

Families are Forever.

We are grateful for family that lives close to the Philly temple so we can come back and visit more often.  The kids had fun with cousins who showered them with love. 

We took this after the tour and the kids were done and the hot weather didn't help.

I'm grateful for temples and for my family. 

K I N D E R G A R T E N

I've dreaded this day for so long!

My first born started kindergarten on August 17th.  It was a bitter sweet day.  I never  understood why mom's got so emotional when their kids started school and then I found myself in that situation and all the emotions of that day came flooding out. 

He was so excited to start kindergarten and take the bus!  He goes to before and after school care at the daycare center that he's been attending for the last few years. I was more nervous for him than he was!  He told his daycare teacher, 'my mom's going to cry when I get on the bus.'  He was right.  My mama heart couldn't take it and I did lose it a bit (well, maybe a lot). Steve worked from home that day so we could see him off together (and to console me). 

Here he is getting on the bus.  He looked so happy and excited for his new adventure!

He survived his first day of kindergarten and I did too.  I was SO excited to pick him up and hear all about his day.

It's been a little over a month since school has started and he's been doing really well.  He still enjoys it and I still miss him all day.  I love hearing about his day (even when I ask how his day was and his response is 'good').

I am so proud of him and how much he has grown.  I look forward to many more milestones ahead.  He makes being a mama such a joy.