Books!

Anna Kate LOVES books! (Especially pulling them off shelves)

Ready for the beach!!

Me and My Baby Girl

I am so often behind the camera, that it is rare for me to get a picture with my children. My sister and mom captured these of me and AK last weekend.

Since returning from Missouri, Anna Kate has had a harder time getting to sleep. She has always been so easy to just lay down and leave to fall asleep on her own. Over the weekend, she got into the habit of having me or J hold her until she fell asleep.

First, this seemed like a setback. I kept thinking, I sure hope she gets back into good sleep habits before a new baby comes. But, last night, I was rocking her to sleep - something I never had to do until this week - and it just hit me that even though there will be a new baby soon, right now Anna Kate IS my baby.

So, I just rocked, and rocked, and rocked. And smelled her little baby head, and rubbed her little baby back. And just tried to soak it all in.

Little Stinker

This little stinker requires constant monitoring. We call her "The Destroyer" or just "Danger" because she isn't happy unless she is doing something dangerous or tearing something up! She still doesn't walk, but she sure can climb and loves to see what new things she can stand on.

Her new trick - standing on top of the coffee table :)

Last Graduation

This past weekend we traveled to Missouri to celebrate Timmy's graduation from the University of Missouri with my family. We packed a lot into 4 days, so here are some of the pictures to capture the weekend.

Trip spent a lot of time fishing while we were there. First he went with his Cappy to the creek behind our house.

 Then, on Saturday he went with with J and Cappy to a friend's house with a lake. That's where he caught his first fish! According to Cappy, it is family tradition to kiss your first fish. Trip was hesitant, but finally gave in.

His favorite part of the day was the huge tree swing. J said he was so brave and loved going really high in the air. I love these pictures ... his face looks like pure joy.

And, of course, the reason for the weekend was my baby brother. Here is Tim all grown up in his suit and graduation gear.

(The proud parents)

(The "kids")

Trip was in charge of carrying the cupcakes. He was very proud of this task and very careful with them for the entire hour before Tim's graduation dinner. Just as we walked in to the restaurant, his foot caught on a rug and he went tumbling with the cupcakes. He was so upset because he had taken this job so seriously. It was such a sweet but sad moment watching my "big boy" experience what was I'm sure to him a big disappointment. 

It was so much fun to catch up with my big brother, Matt, who moved to California almost a year ago. The last time we saw him was at Trett's graduation last May. As we all "grow up" and spread out, it seems like the little time we spend together only gets sweeter.

We were also able to have lots of fun wedding talk as BOTH of my sisters have gotten engaged in the past couple of months! Now we just need to convince them to have babies right away so our kids can have some cousins to play with!!

The last night some of the kids were able to share a yummy dinner with our parents at Cooper's Landing. If you are ever around Columbia, Missouri, this place is not to be missed. Mostly for the people watching, but also because the Thai food was great and the view of the river was perfect.

Although the 4 plane rides were not exactly smooth with my busy, climbing, wild one-year-old (She was literally pulling the seat back and cushion off of the chair, but that is another story for another time)... The weekend was a lot of fun. We are counting down the days to August when we can see my family again in Colorado!

Congratulations Timmy! Go Tigers!

Did I forget to mention?

We're having baby #3!!

I kept waiting for the perfect way to announce it -- Ok, that's not true, time has just flown by taking care of my 3 and 1 year olds that posting it on the blog kept falling off of my To-Do list.

Poor third child.

We are due at the end of September with another little BOY! (No name picked yet)

We are all thrilled and it is really fun because Trip really gets it that he has a baby brother. He already kisses my belly and tells me that he loves his baby brother. This baby will be 18 months younger than Anna Kate, which I know will be a challenge, but we are excited that all of these kiddos will be so close in age.

It is hard to believe I am already 20 weeks. This pregnancy has been the easiest of the three. Maybe because I am so distracted. Maybe because the Lord knew that I would already have my hands full!

ballerina beach baby

 

 

Anna Kate was modeling her new ballerina bathing suit for me. Even in the 18 month size, it is a little snug. But I can't get enough of those chubby baby arms and legs! This summer should be interesting with this little one and her fair skin. I call her my vampire baby because she is so pale!

By the way, Trip is going through a "I refuse to have my picture taken" stage. So, this little bathing beauty has been my muse. This is the best I could get from him ...