Kaitlyn's Pre-K Graduation

Preschool ✔️

5 year old shots ✔️

Pre-K graduation ✔️

Kaitlyn is ready for kindergarten.

The last two years have been so beneficial for Kaitlyn.  She has learned so much more than just letters and numbers.  Honestly, I could have (and did) taught her all of the that.  What I couldn't teach her was how grow socially without me and how to make friends.  Before preschool, she was completely attached to me.  I could hardly go anywhere without her crying.  Preschool helped her to gain independence and grow into a confident and (very) social little girl (who sometimes still needs her mommy).  She is so excited for what the future holds.  She is constantly reminding us that she will be in kindergarten, will be riding the bus, and will be able to do all kids of things that Madi cannot.  

So, here's to the start of an exciting new adventure!  But, first let's enjoy one last summer before you are officially a kindergarten.  I love you Kaitlyn and am so proud of everything that you have accomplished!

3 1/2 years olds

4 1/2 years old

4 1/2 years old

5 1/2 years old

 She has grown so much physically, emotionally, and academically.  

Before graduation pictures 

I hope that they always love each other this much!

Sorry, Kaitlyn.  I couldn't leave out little sister.

Graduation!

Oh, Madi.  She insisted on being in the picture, but then refused to smile.

Flowers and a cake from Grandma Kathy

8 months with Baby K #3

Kaitlyn's preschool graduation was yesterday and David has less than a week left of school.  This means two things: summer is almost here and so is baby boy.  I'm not completely over being pregnant yet.  However, I would like a few of the unpleasant pregnancy symptoms to go away.  My body handles being pregnant pretty well so I hate to complain too much and I know it could always be worse.  I am finding it harder and harder to do the things I need to do and chasing kids isn't making it any easier.  Who would have thought that running a daycare while pregnant would be so hard?  Not me.  I was sure that being a chemist would be harder.  At least, with this job I can sit when I need to.   I'm grateful that the weather is finally nice enough to let the kids play outside more and I can sit and relax.

This week, both my mom and David had surgery.  I'm a little nervous about having both of them out of commission for the next few weeks. My mom has been so helpful with daycare and doctors appointments.  She won't be able to drive for at least three weeks and David has a 20 pound weight restriction for four weeks.  I have a feeling that this month will be worse than the last in more ways than one.  

How Far Along: 35 weeks and 4 days

Size of Baby: Coconut or a bag of chips

Gender:  Boy!!

Weight Gain:  24 pounds.  

Food Cravings: Cherry donuts from Lamars.  That's all I wanted for Mothers's Day.

Food Aversions: Mushrooms.  I wasn't sure what made me sick the first time I made them.  I made them again the next week and was even sicker.   

Movements: He is almost always moving, especially in the evening.  It's uncomfortable about half the time.

Sleep: I am still waking up every couple of hours, sometimes every hour throughout the night.  Most nights I have to get up and walk around due to back pain, round ligament pain, or acid reflux.

Other Pregnancy Symptoms:  My energy has taken a dive.  Everything makes me tired.  It doesn't help that I'm not sleeping well.  I still have terrible acid reflux all day and night. I've been dealing with Braxton Hicks contractions for a few weeks, but now I have them all the time.

What I Miss:  Sleeping through the night and my energy

Best Moment:  Finishing the nursery, baby shower, and celebrating Mother's Day with everyone.

Worst Moment:  It always makes me worry a little when someone is under anesthesia. I'm glad David and my mom's surgeries are over. 

What I'm Looking Forward To:  The girls have a dance recital the weekend before I'm due.  This is Kaitlyn's second year and Madi's first.  It would be much easier to still be pregnant for this.  Of course, I'm most excited about meeting our little guy!

Showered with Love

A couple weekends ago, baby boy was showered with love by friends and family.  Since this is my third (and last) baby, I don't need much baby gear.  However, almost everything else is either pink or purple.

The shower was held at my mom's house and was fairly simple, just like I wanted.  She decorated with things that he will need.  Clothes, books, and toys. We had a light lunch and some blue cupcakes.

Kaitlyn and Madi were really excited for the shower.  Much to my surprise, they were not upset that the gifts were not for them.  They are both excited for their brother to get here.  I'm hoping that their excitement continues once he arrives.

The girls opened all of the gifts.

My sister in law, Jillian, Mom, and me.

We are seven weeks apart.  Boy/ girl cousins

I think it's safe to say that he is one lucky and loved little boy.
Thank you all so much!!

Easter Weekend 2017

I'm only a week late posting this, but here is a recap of our Easter week.  Most of it has been written since last Monday.  I just never could get it finished.  Here's a recap of our Easter week.  
We actually started the weekend before Easter with an egg hunt at Liberty Hospital (our local hospital).  We missed Madi's age group, so she hunted with Kaitlyn.  There was a an ambulance, police car, fire truck, and lots of other activities.  This was their first public egg hunt and they had so much fun!  We will definitely try to make it next year.

Madi's first time seeing the Easter Bunny.

Wednesday evening. my mom came over and we colored Easter eggs.  This is a tradition that has only been skipped one time that I can remember.  My mom can only remember skipping one year too.  

She said that she liked hard boiled eggs.

She decided that she didn't.

Our Easter weekend started off with a trip to the doctors office for Kaitlyn.  She had complained a couple it times that her throat hurt and since she had strep throat just two weeks ago, we wanted to make sure it was gone.  To our surprise (and her doctor's), she tested positive for strep again.  So for the second time in three weeks, she is on an antibiotic.  We really thought that we would have to cancel some of our weekend plans.  We tried to make her rest, but that was pretty much impossible.  She kept telling us that her throat didn't hurt, so we went ahead with our plans.  Weirdest case of strep I've ever encountered.

Saturday afternoon we headed to my mom's house for their second annual nest hunt.  Instead of looking for eggs, the girls searched the house for the contents of their Easter baskets from Gram and Papa Chuck.  It took Madi a few minutes to get into it, but once she did there was no stopping her.  They had a lot of fun and were on a major sugar high.

After a late lunch we headed home in hopes of relaxing, but there was just too much excitement in the air.  Just before bed, Kaitlyn wanted to leave some carrots and notes for the Easter bunny.  Bedtime was much easier than expected.  We may have told them that he wouldn't come if they got out bed.

As soon as their alarm clock turned green, the girls were up checking out their Easter baskets.  I wish I could have caught it on video.  They were so happy with what was in them.  By the time I made it to the living room, they had pretty much gone through everything.  Of course, I had them go through them again so that I could snap some pictures.

After a quick breakfast, I headed to church while the girls stayed home with David and watched their new movies.  They normally go to church with me, but I knew it would be crazy there and they had been sick.  We thought it would be best for them to rest a little before heading to David's parents house that afternoon.

As soon as we got to my in laws house, the girls and their cousin started looking for eggs.  Shortly after that they opened their baskets from Grandma Kathy and Papa Dave.  The rest of the day was filled with eating, playing outside, eating more candy, and watching a movie.

She's becoming a pro at egg hunting.

Easter baskets at Grandma Kathy and Papa Dave's house.

Madi playing with her cousin Ava.

Kaitlyn and Noah

7 Months Pregnant with Baby K #3

Easter is over, which means that we have officially celebrated our last holiday as a family of four.  It also means that we will be meeting this little guy in just two short months.  Some days, nine weeks seems like an eternity and then others it seems like the blink of an eye.  Before we know it school will be over for Kaitlyn and David and it will be baby month.  
I'm starting to feel a little more ready about meeting our baby boy.  My pre baby check list is getting smaller and I finally found someone to help out with daycare once he's here.  This is a HUGE relief!  It was a little harder than I thought it would be to find a teenager willing to help and I was starting to get a little worried.

How Far Along: 31 weeks and 2 days

Size of Baby: Pineapple

Gender:  Boy!!

Weight Gain:  I was up 19 pounds at my last appointment, but haven't stepped on a scale since then.  The battery in our scale in dead.  My guess is that I've gained about 23 pounds.  I'll find out next Wednesday at my appointment.

Food Cravings: BBQ chips.  I hate to admit this, but I've been eating almost a bag a week for the last several weeks.  I've also wanted barbecue food, which I almost never want.  David is enjoying this craving and hopes that it continues once baby boy is here.

Food Aversions: None

Movements: He is almost always moving, especially after I eat, in the evening, and at bedtime.  His movements are getting much stronger and are slightly uncomfortable at times.  Both of the girls and several of the daycare kids have felt him move.  David finds it kind of creepy, so he doesn't like to feel him.  He was the same way with the girls.  I finally convinced him to feel him a couple weeks ago.

Sleep: I am still waking up every couple of hours, sometimes every hour throughout the night.  Most nights I have to get up and walk around due to back pain, round ligament pain, or acid reflux.

Other Pregnancy Symptoms:  My energy has taken a dive.  Everything makes me tired.  It doesn't help that I'm not sleeping well.  I still have terrible acid reflux all day and night.  Lately, my back and legs have started to ache.

What I Miss:  Sleeping through the night, walking up the stairs without getting winded, and feeling normal after eating.

Best Moment:  Watch the girls get excited about Easter

Worst Moment:  Realizing that I couldn't make the trip to my dad's house a couple weeks ago.  I was really looking forward to seeing everyone and the girls have been begging to go to their house.  I can no longer ride in the car for very long without becoming uncomfortable.  That paired with my lack of energy and not sleeping well made me realize that I will be staying in town for the remainder of this pregnancy.

What I'm Looking Forward To:  My mom and mother in law are throwing me a baby shower at the end of the month.  The girls and I are excited for it.  I'm also looking forward to finishing the nursery.  It is really starting to come together.

Easter Baskets 2017

Last year, I ordered baskets and personalized liners from Pottery Barn Kids for both girls.  I ordered the liners way before Easter and was sure that I'd be able to find baskets for them somewhere other than Pottery Barn.  I looked everywhere, in store and online, and found nothing.  So I had these cute liners and no baskets.  

The baskets finally went on sale Easter weekend, but of course the size I needed was out of stock.  I thought for sure  that I'd have to pay full price for them this year, but just a couple days later they were back in stock.  When they arrived, they were much bigger than I expected them to be.   

Since we have giant baskets, I tried really hard to keep the contents pretty simple.  We have enough junk toys around the house, so I tried to only include things that they really wanted or that I would buy anyway.

Here's what they're getting:

Rain boats (in pink), gardening gloves, gardening tools, mermaid swim suit, movie (Trolls for Madi and Moana for Kaitlyn), My Little Pony Necklace, and a couple peeps. 

I really hated to put too much candy in their baskets since that's primarily what is inside the Easter eggs.

Kaitlyn said it was the best Easter and I think I'd have to agree!