Our 2014 addition will be...

A GIRL

Three little girls will rock our world--in all the good ways.

We really are thrilled and aren't too surprised. At an 11 week ultrasound the tech couldn't tell for certain the baby's gender, but she guessed a girl.

Matt, I'm sure can handle it--as was evident yesterday at the doctor's office where he didn't bat an eye at Kaitlyn's request and wore girly sunglasses (for a little bit).

Skylie's Birthday Recap

In August Skylie turned four-years-old.

She'd told me for months that she wanted a giant birthday party and gave specifics about what she wanted to do at her party: have pizza and a movie night with cake, popcorn, presents, and a pinata. Her simple requests were easily granted!

Skylie's birthday fell on a Saturday that Matt worked, so one of my friends and I took our kids to a play area to fill the morning.

Party time came in the evening. Even though Skylie wanted to have "lots and lots of friends" at her party I insisted we keep it small and only invite her Primary class, her cousin, and Matt's co-worker's daughter. Though simple, the party was a hit.

Before preschool the day before Skylie's birthday: Taking mini donuts to her class made Skylie's day.

Playing in a nearby play area with one of her best buds

Breaking a pinata at the birthday bash

Playing the classic game of eating donuts without using hands

Zoned into a movie to finish off the party

Happy birthday, Skylie!

A Few More Random Videos

Kaitlyn's Birthday Recap

Kaitlyn turned two the end of July, and we celebrated in low-key style. Doing only the bare minimum became my creed this summer during the early months of pregnancy. Even so, the birthday girl seemed thrilled.

Friends of Skylie's and Kaitlyn's came over in the morning for a play date. 

In the evening we took the kids to Chick-Fil-A for dinner and to play in the play area.

 Opening presents and eating birthday cake completed the night.

Notice Kaitlyn's fashion statement? Tank top over a hoodie? Yes please, for the birthday girl.

Dirt dessert served as the birthday cake, per Skylie's  and Kaitlyn's obsession with bugs. Skylie calls it "worm cake."

Grandma and Grandpa will probably be the only people who care to watch this eight minute video. This is the kids opening a package from Grandma. 

Kaitlyn: Two-Years-Old

Playing in our little backyard pool on her birthday

Dear Kaitlyn,

Happy birthday! We love having you in our family. You bring a spunky and independent personality, which I love.

You are the classic two-year-old, encompassing the typical traits of a mini-person who wants to do everything! Unfortunately, you don't always have the patience or ability to do things on your own--which at times reeks havoc on my eardrums. :)

One of your striking traits is how much of a daddy's girl you are. You are his shadow whenever he's around and will often push me away and add "No!" if I try to steal you from his clutches. You toddle to the garage door and gleefully announce, "Daddy's home!" when you hear him arrive.

You are fearless. Recently we vacationed at Myrtle Beach, and you raced into the waves time and time again, almost getting carried away. At an attraction with inflated bounce toys, you didn't think twice about climbing 20-foot ladders to slide down slides.

An older man at the beach remarked that you "were a joy to watch and seemed like one of the most contented toddlers" he'd ever seen. He told Daddy that he'd noticed that all day long you only cried once--when Dad left.

You're saying lots of sentences, which we can usually understand.

Once, Skylie asked me to act like a baby, so I began acting like you sometimes do--"Waaah! Waah! Mine! Mine!" I whined. You (who had been playing on your own) turned, pointed at me, and sternly rebuked, "Nice, Mommy!"

Complete role reversal in action. :)

The cutest thing you do is exclaim, "happy face" and squish your cheeks together with your hands making a cheesy grin. I also love that every time I pick you up to carry you down stairs you exclaim, "Wheee!"

At two-years-old:

• You love puzzles, babies, strollers, sand, Dora, Elmo, dogs, cats, elephants, eating, picking out your clothes, bike rides, wearing dresses, and refusing to wear actual pajamas to bed.
• You dislike being told "no," sharing, and being bothered when you want to be by yourself.

We love you more than ever and are excited to see what the coming year brings for you.

Love,
Mom

Coming Soon...

Baby #3

Due: February 22, 2014

We are thrilled with the addition to our family! And I am glad to be out of the first trimester and am beginning to feel human, again. Compared to some women my pregnancies are a piece of cake, so I really can't complain. Even so, this time around has kicked my trash compared to my previous pregnancies. Thankfully, my energy and settled stomach are making their appearance again!

Skylie is especially intrigued with the prospect of a new baby. She thinks it's hilarious that the baby is naked inside me and claims that:

• The baby will be a boy and have blue eyes, blond hair, and black skin.
• "You guys will just take care of Kaitlyn, and I'll take care of the baby."
• The baby "will talk like my friend Siler. Not like Kaitlyn. He's just say 'hey do you wanna pway wif me?' not 'goo-loo-gaa' like Kaitlyn talks."

Here's my belly in all it's not-so-hot glory. This picture was taken last Sunday at thirteen weeks. I just looked back at my blog and found what my stomach looked like at this same time with Kaitlyn's and Skylie's pregnancy. It was a bit depressing, but because I know most of you are moms too, I'll share. Here's the link. Good thing pregnancy can be used as the excuse for literally anything!

Our Trip to the Windy City

Matt attended a conference in Chicago last week, so the girls and I tagged along. I've visited Chi-Town three times previously, but never before have I seen the city quite through the eyes of a one and a three-year-old. It did not disappoint, and Skylie claimed she wanted to "stay there forever"!

I was pleasantly surprised at all the help I got wrangling my two crazies--a definite bonus considering meetings filled all of Matt's days and some of his evenings.

If you're thinking about a family vacation to Chicago, I'd give it two thumbs up. We easily filled our days with activities without spending a dime. Except on food, of course, and the bus fare to the zoo.

TUESDAY:
All morning in Millennium Park we checked out:

• the monuments
• creepy art
• the bean
• the family activity center
• a symphony's rehearsal
• the gardens

This may be my favorite picture of the entire trip. Love my smiling girl running around a fountain with the buildings of Chicago in the background.

The famous bean in Millennium Park

Art Institute of Chicago Children's Area
By a happy accident, we wandered across a bridge and found ourselves at the Art Institute. Hot temperatures enticed me to check into the amenities. The museum not only has a family area, but it's no cost. This place entertained my kids for over an hour while we cooled off before making our way back to the hotel.
Garrett Popcorn
Kaitlyn fell asleep on the walk, so I seized the opportunity to pick up some Garrett's Popcorn. Skylie and Kaitlyn (okay, Matt and I, too) relished downing that sweet and salty goodness while we watched T.V. Skylie referred to the caramel popcorn as the "really tasty kind". 

Michigan Avenue's Favorite Stores
Michigan Avenue (aka the Magnificent Mile) is one of my favorite places in Chicago! The cool stores, the buzz, the excitement--it's truly an experience. Coming from a girl that doesn't love to shop, that says a lot about this shopping central!

We hit four stores Tuesday evening. Matt joined us for a while before heading to his dinner appointment.

• The American Girl Place
• The Lego Store
• Hershey's (free chocolates are given out)
• Ghirardelli Chocolate Co. (also a complimentary chocolate, here)

Skylie would have been content feeding pigeons all day, every day. After window shopping she spent at least half an hour feeding the pigeons bread with an old man. And yes, my daughters did roam Chicago mostly bare foot, despite my attempts to keep shoes on them.

Watching shows way past bedtime

WEDNESDAY
Lincoln Park Zoo and Farm-in-the-Zoo

Riding the bus to the zoo thrilled Skylie and Kaitlyn! First we visited the Farm-in-the-Zoo where the kids pet goats, watched cows get milked, and looked at baby chicks.

We eventually made our way to the zoo. While watching the water fowl, Skylie announced that she wanted to be a duck, and that "maybe we can ask Heavenly Father to turn me into one."

Visiting a city that's famous for it's food, Matt made sure that we dined well. Wednesday night our family went out for deep dish Chicago-style pizza at Lou Malnati's Pizzeria, a local favorite, Matt heard. It tasted great, minus the skimpy amount of sauce. Though I still prefer Giordano's when it comes to deep-dish.

Thursday

• Navy Pier
• hotel swimming
• COSI for dinner (comparable to Panera)
• Playing at Crown Fountain

Above: At the indoor gardens in Navy Pier
Love Skylie in these two pictures--so characteristic of my silly, goofy daughter

At Navy Pier

Crown Fountain in Millennium Park

I have video of the kids playing at Crown Fountain, pictured above. But the video's on my phone, and it's being funky right now. 

Playing here seemed to be the highlight of the trip for both Skylie and Kaitlyn. Kaitlyn raced into the action without hesitation or concern regarding the whereabouts of her parents. She even came back and gave Skylie a shove on the back, in an attempt to coax her into the water. (Kaitlyn's independence keeps me on my toes. Sometimes I wish she'd be just a little more timid!) In time, Skylie splashed and played to her heart's content, as well.

Friday

• Hotel swimming
• Big and Little's for lunch, a restaurant featured on Diners, Dine-Ins, and Dives

Matt got the soft shell crab po'boy. I ordered a fish taco. Both Matt and I were a little underwhelmed about our entree. But I love me some good fries, and these ones tasted oh so good. Mmm, yum.