Baby Brother for Annie!

We (well those of us who weren’t sickly) got together Friday night to find out whether Annie was getting a Baby Sister or a Baby Brother.  She was pretty convinced it was going to be a Baby Brother, and she was right!!!  We couldn’t be more excited for Smith, Kelsey, and Annie, and we are pretty pumped to be getting a sweet baby boy cousin to love on!

Cole and Jordan had to do facetime for the big reveal, but Hayes was in the middle of it all!  He even needed to pose between the pink and blue balloons like he saw Kelsey, Smith, and Annie do.  Such a funny boy!

   

And… our 19 & 38 week picture from Taste of Harding Saturday night!  A pregnant girl’s dream come true! ;)

Sweet Moments

We have had a rough week… Jordan ran fever for about 24 hours which wasn’t too bad since it was so short-lived.  However, Cole started running fever the next day and had it for 4 days straight.  I was starting to think it would never go away!  I know a fever isn’t the end of the world, but, besides the fact that I could have a newborn at just about any point, they just felt so puny and pitiful. For example… this never happens!  The last two times she has sweetly fallen asleep on me she has ended up sick… stomach bug once and fever virus next.

 

So we have spent a lot of time snuggling, resting, and trying to get well (or stay well!).  But at least we did have a few times where we had some happies!  I ordered some Choose901 shirts a while back and had to pick them up last Friday.  Cole’s shirt didn’t come in on time so they gave us a complimentary headband.  He couldn’t have been more excited!  And Jordan was pretty pumped when she found it actually not on Cole’s head for a second so that she got to wear it for a minute.  Can you tell she put it on all by herself?

 

Hayes was pretty much over our trip by the time we made it downtown to get the shirts and back, but, for some reason, Hayes thought this was hilarious…

By yesterday, Cole was finally starting to feel more like himself so we made up for missing “Zoo Day” at school last week.  Cole had told me Tuesday that he HAD to go on Friday because it was Zoo Day.  Of course we missed it because of his fever, and he was SO disappointed.  He said “But it only happens once a year!”  I promised to email “Miss” Emily to see if there were any activities we could do at home.  She sweetly sent a worksheet, some animal activity cards, a website to check out, and the idea to build our own zoo.  The kids loved them all.  Thankful for a sweet teacher who took some extra time to cheer up a sick boy and help out a momma with stir crazy kids!

The worksheet had them color several zoo animals and pick which they would like to bring home and tell why.  Jordan decided on a monkey because they are so cute.  Cole wanted to bring home a lion because they are tough.  They loved using our animals to create a zoo.  We had an African area, a water area, a farm area, and a forest area.  They did a great job figuring out which animals went where.  The website was kids.sandiegozoo.org if anyone is interested in checking it out, and the kids loved watching animal videos and learning about different animals.  Here are some pictures and videos from our animal activity card game…

“Slink like a cheetah”

“Stomping like an elephant”

“Long neck like a Giraffe”

“Bounding like a gazelle”

“Bury your head like an ostrich”

“Roaring like a lion”

Even though it was near impossible, I really did try to keep the kids as separated as possible while they were sick.  Yesterday and last night, you could tell they had really missed each other!  At one point last night, Cole got a toy dropped on his foot.  While Dr. Daddy checked it out, Hayes and Jordan were quick to help console their buddy.  I thought it was so sweet (as you will hear on video :/ ) the way they loved on him.

It’s blurry, but I still have to use it because they were so happy to be rolling around on the floor together!

 

Also, I finally caught Jordan in the mood to sing me a couple of her sweet school songs.  I LOVE her little voice, her animated face, how proud she is… everything about these!

Cole is staying home one more day just to make sure that we don’t share this lovely bug with any school friends.  I told him in the car after dropping off Jordan that I was excited to have day with my boys.  He of course quickly corrected me by telling me it was just a half day, but he went on to sweetly say “And I’m gonna help with Hayes.  Like if you want a nap and he doesn’t need one, I can let him watch some shows or help him upstairs to play.”  I told him he was so sweet, such a good helper, and then I asked if he would even change a poopoo diaper.  He quickly said “Uh, no way!  I would have to wake you up for that!”  Haha.  He really has been so sweet this morning with Hayes though, and I can tell that Hayes is loving all the attention from his big brother!

After Jordan’s half day, we are hoping Daddy gets home a little early to have a fun family afternoon!  Maybe a real zoo day???

Enjoying Day to Day!

I will admit, I’m feeling pregnant.  Haha.  I told Murray that I think my body is just tired of my doing this to it, but unfortunately Kyndall seems pretty happy staying put in there.  I honestly can’t complain because I know that I have it better than a LOT of people.  For one- just being blessed with 3 kiddos and another one on the way is amazing.  And secondly- I really don’t feel that bad most of the time.  That being said, it is hard not to get anxious at this point.  I want to hold her, see her, watch my big 3 with her.  I also am trying to remember that this is the last time I will be pregnant, feel those crazy moves inside, and have the excitement of what all is happening/about to happen.  And I know life changes a lot for Cole, Jordan, and Hayes- especially sweet Baby Hayes.  So… trying to enjoy these days of waiting and not wish them away!  Luckily my other 3 keep me pretty busy… and happy!

I didn’t hear them for a while the other day and started worrying what they were getting into.  Turns out, they were just getting into my bed!  Cole knows how to turn the tv on and what channel PBS is so he had gotten everyone tucked in and settled watching Daniel Tiger.  Sweet, sweet!

 

Cole and Jordan were so excited because their school raised enough money in their fundraiser to earn a visit from Tony Allen!  They are both big Grizz fans! Even more exciting, they got to wear their Grizz gear!

Hasn’t this pretty weather lately just put you in the best mood?!?!  I know it has our family.  We have played outside so much we already have tan lines!  We love riding bikes, going on walks, playing ball, looking for worms… you name it!  If it’s something outside, we are probably doing it.

 

Cole drew me this sweet picture of our family.  Apparently Hayes still crawls, but look at Kyndall in her carseat.  :)

 

Neesha came over for a movie night, and everyone had popcorn!  We love Aunt Neesha!  She is too fun!

 

We also all got a spring haircut.  Even Jordan got a sweet trim, and she was so proud!

Today was “W” day for show and tell, and Daddy had the great idea of taking worms!  She was seriously so pumped… her teachers maybe not so much.  Haha.

Jordan’s class also led chapel, and I loved watching her.  She even got to pick out a song.  She chose “I’m Bubbling!”  Here are a few pictures of her doing motions to “My God is So BIG!”, “Jesus Loves Me” (without the me’s), and “I’m All Wrapped Up!”

 

It was fun to sit behind Cole and watch him checking out what Jordan was doing.  Proud big brother!

  

Thankful for these sweet babies… even if I am excited to add one more to the mix! ;)

Hoppin’ Down the Bunny Trail

We had a lot of fun with the kids leading up to Easter this year.  We were able to go to our church Easter Egg Hunt, school Easter Hat Parade and hunt, do Easter crafts, and spend some nice time as a family talking about the hope of new life that we have thanks to Jesus. 

Last weekend was the church Eggstravaganza, and the people who organized it way outdid themselves!  Face-painting, petting zoo, train and pony rides, games, egg hunting, and, of course, the Easter Bunny!  We had the perfect weather, and our kids were some of the first there and some of the VERY last to leave!

Hayes was not scared of the Easter Bunny AT ALL.  He loved it!  He loves animals in general so I guess I shouldn’t be surprised.  All the kids loved the petting zoo, but Hayes was out of his skin excited… especially about the pony ride!  Cole just kept saying “This is AWESOME!”

Lined up and ready to hunt with their big buddies Nora and Ethan!

 

Hayes even really got into picking up the eggs and putting them in his basket!  To say these kiddos racked up would be an understatement!  Look at those cute smiles!

  

Taking a spin on Thomas the Train…

Daddy challenged Cole and Jordan to an egg race.  They concentrated very hard on the way down, but they held their eggs and sprinted back to make sure that Daddy didn’t win!

 

Face painting was winding down by the time we made it to that station, but Murray and our sweet friend Randi stepped up and gave the kids some amazing artwork on their faces!  Jordan wanted to be a kitty cat, and Cole wanted a spider and a monkey…

   

Two more… Jordan loves Millie!  This is Nora and Ethan’s little sister, and Jordan’s fun friend!

And finally, how big is this guy?!?! Just running around with all the big kids.  Crazy, crazy!

Next up… school Easter Hat Parade and egg hunt.  We were sent a note asking for us to help our kids decorate an Easter hat for the Hat Parade at school this past Thursday.  I wasn’t totally thrilled because I didn’t really know what to do, but luckily, a simple idea came to me Thursday morning.  My kids may not have had the best hats, but they thought they were great and wore them proudly!

After they paraded through the halls for all the older kid classes and parents, they headed outside for an egg hunt. 

 

Hayes was a good sport…

 

Jordan’s class… smiles and silly faces!

 

Cole’s class…

Our crew with the Easter Bunny!

  

Hopping on to Easter Weekend…

We had a really nice weekend.  Pretty weather, lots of down time together, great services at church helping focus our minds, Easter Bunny, family meals, etc. 

Friday night, we went to a Good Friday Night of Praise at church.  To say that it was moving would be an understatement.  The kids really enjoyed it too, and it brought up some interesting questions and discussions with them.  Thankful to have such talented leaders who can prepare such a wonderful event.

The kids did a lot of Easter crafts Saturday morning.  The kids really took their time and did a great job!  Even Hayes got to paint.  He was so excited!

We spent a lot of time that afternoon outside talking about how Easter is all about Jesus coming back to life to give us eternal life.  We looked around for signs of new life emerging just like Jesus emerged from the tomb! 

Sunday, we woke up to some Easter Bunny surprises to celebrate Jesus coming back to life!

We put on our Easter best and headed to church for a great lesson about how the resurrection gives us courage to take risks in this life because there is nothing that can happen if we are serving God that the resurrection can’t heal, redeem, or restore.  After church, we met all my family for lunch.  The Easter Bunny had even left eggs for us to hunt at Nonny and Poppy’s house!    

And just for fun… check out my Easter Egg!  37 weeks!