Finished!

I just finished the last of all my purchasing/making/wrapping Christmas gifts for this year. Except for a few baked goods I like to give each year, I am done. I've always like shopping early, but this year is unusually early due to the expected exhaustion of new motherhood once again. I enjoy going out during the holidays and the crowds don't bother me much, I just don't want to shop in the crowds... I'd rather sit back and enjoy the decorations, events, & people all while contently sipping my coffee/eggnog knowing no stress awaits me come end of December.

Merry Christmas in September! :)

Next year I hope to have a more 'homemade' Christmas... which probably means I'll need to start even earlier than I did this year. I enjoy the creative art of 'homemade' more and more these days... sentimental as it may be.

Diaper Cake

Ella & I had a delightful & generous baby shower today at church. Silly me didn't have my camera, but once I got home I had to snap a pic of this creative little gift. It is receiving blankets wrapped around diapers with little shoes as the 'cake' topper & on the back, it is held together with little hair bows. Adorable! Thanks Kim!

Pregnancy Update 35 weeks

We scheduled Ella's arrival for October 22nd. I love fall, so this is just another reason to celebrate the season!

Week 35 is always such a milestone for me since this is the week, during Ali's pregnancy, that she was born. Although it is early and Ali was unusually healthy, I feel almost relief that we've made it this far. It is also a good reminder to have everything ready for baby by now ;) All I have left on my 5 page 'to do' list (which started out several months ago - quite extensive) is make and freeze about a dozen meals,

PICK A MIDDLE NAME for dear Ella (suggestions welcome),

and do a good house cleaning right before going to the hospital.

Here we are... just 4 weeks to go until she arrives. Dan wanted to take a few pictures of my growing Ella belly and the kids jumped right in.

After seeing these two little guys beside me, it makes me so very excited to meet the little personality that awaits us.

We are blessed.

First Day of Fall

Here are our two crows in honor of the beginning of fall. The theme today at the library was scarecrows... and this was our craft. I thought it was a really good idea because with a little planning, it was a good 'level' craft for both a 2 year old and 4 year old.

Enjoying the yummy popcorn snack that Ms. Connie (the Story Time Lady) put inside our craft today!

A Princess & A Pirate

We went to a princess/pirate birthday party a couple of weeks ago for our friend Kierstyn. The kids had a super time, especially since they got to wear costumes to the party. We had no trouble finding a princess dress, but luckily we already had a pirate costume too.

Ali won 'pin the princess on the castle' and got a fun goodie bag.

For Ella

The kids wanted to decorate the wall behind Ella's crib... this is what they came up with.

Finally... a Day to Remember!

Having trouble getting this pic to move down to the party, but here is Ben's best friend Lincoln, and Ali watching Ben blow out the candles!

We started Ben's day at Lakeland Fun Center.

See what I mean? He looks more and more like a boy to me these days.

Later that evening, we had pizza & cake complete with a song, candles, presents, and most importantly family & friends!

He was looking forward (we practiced) to the blowing out of the candles so much, that as soon as I lit them, he blew them out... we relit and sang, then he blew them out again.
I love this pic, because it shows us holding hands. I'm not so much of a hand holder, but this little guy reaches over to hold my hand several times a day. Such a sweet boy.

I think he liked the bear cake with coconut pecan icing (closest thing to 'fur' I could think of).

And here is our tradition - homemade birthday cake. It was a lot of fun and very easy to make.

A 2 Year Birthday

It's been two years since little Ben was welcomed in our our hearts and family. I can't believe it. He is such a joy to me. I can't think of words that describe what I feel when I look at him. He has a heart of gold and is the most caring two year old I've ever met. He is momma's helper and always in a rush to be involved with whatever dad is doing. This month I have caught myself in seemingly endless gazes at him as I watch the 'baby' fall off and the boy rush in, in almost surprising haste. I guess it is appropriate now that a new baby will join us next month. But still, it is magical to watch and be apart of.

Heavy Hearted.

We have no celebratory pics to post, no cake, no present, nothing. Our home has been under siege as the flu (so they are calling it) has attacked everyone but Ben. (I guess that is a pretty good birthday gift). Anyway, all the planning that was done will have to find its place on a better day when we can all hold our heads up to sing a joyful "Happy Birthday" to our Benjamin.

Nevertheless, I couldn't let the day pass without marking this wonderful day down in our 'scrapbook' of sorts... hopefully to post a continuation of this day and all it means to us shortly.

We love you Benjamin!