the greatest show on earth...

So the whole downloading thing is still not working and I'm really bummed because I wanted to post some pictures of our exciting weekend. We got to go to the circus!! I have never been before so Brian surprised me and bought tickets for Saturday. What a sweet guy :)!! I think I enjoyed it just as much as Duncan. We were able to go early and walk around with the elephants, horses, zebras, and tigers. It was amazing to be so close to the elephants. I could have just stood there and stared at them. They are truly incredible.

After that we made our way into the main arena. There we watched one of the elephants come out and paint a picture. The girl, who I am guessing is the main elephant handler, was telling us that she is a fourth generation circus performer and has been around elephants her entire life. Clowns were all around us. I kept getting sprayed with a water gun by one of the clowns while we were watching the artistic elephant.


They cleared out the ring and the show began! It was so entertaining. Brian said it seemed so much smaller than he remembered from when he was a kid. I wonder if it is any smaller... or maybe he just got bigger. hehe! Out of all the acts, I really enjoyed the tight rope people and the elephant acts. I didn't realize that elephants were so flexible... for lack of a better word. I have only seen them standing around, but they were sitting on stools and climbing all over each other.

I still can't get over how expensive it was! The cotton candy was $12!!!! I mean it came with a pointy hat and all but that is excessive. I wanted to get Duncan something , so they were selling these fancy flash light things so we bought that and it was $22. Absolutely crazy!!!! Anyway, it was so much fun and of course Fiona was perfect. She really liked all the lights :).

Thank you my dear husband for a truly remarkable weekend!!! What an awesome memory for our little family :)

On Sunday I opened at Starbucks so we couldn't go to church. When I got off, we did a ton of yard work and got all the beds ready for some planting. I can't wait to plant some flowers!!. Duncan had a blast finding all the bugs and worms, and helping collect sticks and things. Boy was he dirty last night!



Fiona has her 6 month checkup tomorrow. I am looking forward to finding out how big she is :) My chunky girl! I am so grateful for this little girl. I can't believe how much I love her. I know this sounds silly, but before I had Fiona, I was concerned about loving another child as much as I loved Duncan. But it is so neat how you really can love all your children with THAT kind of love. What special love that is... it really makes me understand a little better how much our heavenly Father loves us. It seems so much more real now that I have children.

As soon as I am able I will post pictures from the circus and from Easter :)



The picture of Fiona is from a few minutes ago from my phone and this picture of Duncan is a few months old, but I love it because he looks like such a little boy.

First food!

Here is Fiona's first time eating rice cereal. She definitely gagged on the first few bites but then she had the hang of it. I don't think she loved it though. She still won't take a bottle, so I am probably going to try a sippy cup sometime soon. I can't believe she is six months old.

I am going to have to have to upload all my pictures onto an external hard drive, because the startup disk on BOTH of my computers in now full. This is preventing me from uploading any new pictures. So hopefully soon I will have the problem remedied.

Yesterday, I had a temperature of 102.6. I have no idea what was going on. It definitely was not a pleasant day! Luckily, Duncan and Fiona couldn't have behaved any better and they let me just rest... except for the occasional potty run with Duncan. I am feeling much better today. I am just a little weak and I still have a scratchy throat. Thank the Lord!

I think that Duncan is now potty trained!! Woohoo! He hasn't had an accident for two weeks now... including night time and naps! He is so sweet, and growing up so fast.

For about a year now I have been wanting and praying for a bike trailer for the kids to ride in... so this past Saturday Brian found one on Craigslist for only $20!!! He called the guy within 30 minutes of him posting it and was able to pick it up that morning. God is good! It looks practically new! When Brian picked it up the guy told him three people called asking for it immediately after Brian. I am so excited! We will have lots of fun with it this summer.

refreshed

This morning has been so calm and enjoyable. I have worked the past two mornings, and so I am really treasuring this time to be home with my children. The fog has cleared, the sun is shining, and it is going to be a good day!

My little lady is 5 1/2 months old. I can't believe how fast it has gone by. Fiona is a joy. She is now trying to sit up, and does really well. Last night was the first time she sat up by herself for a while. After a few minutes she got excited then tipped over... silly girl. I absolutely love watching Fiona and Duncan together. She is mesmerized by her big brother. When we are driving around, Duncan explains what is going on to her and points out all the trucks, bridges, and sounds around us. Every morning he runs into to see her and greets her with a hug and kiss. He gets so excited to see her. I love it.

Duncan is in the process of potty training. He is doing remarkably well! He has been dry for five days now (not including sleep). I started about two weeks ago and after a week of numerous accidents, and going to sit on the potty every 15 minutes I was ready to give up. So I had some errands to run, and I put his diaper on him and thought I would just have to try again in a few weeks. We were in a store and he told me he had to go. I was a bit surprised, because not only had he not told me about needing to go before, but he had never actually gone on a big potty. So I ran him to the bathroom and he went!! I was shocked! Ever since then I think he has had one accident. I am not setting the timer anymore, and he tells me when he needs to go. He has pooped on the potty several times, but that is the thing we are still working on. He isn't to keen on pulling his pants up or down and so he needs help, but I figured that he will start doing that soon enough. I will worry about night time in a little while. :) I am so proud of my big boy!

He is singing his ABC's really well too. He sometimes gets to "Q" and starts over, but I think he is getting the hang of it. He is like a little sponge. He repeats everything! Hearing thoughts and his interpretation of the world is so dear. I wish I could think of an example right now... oh well. He is also going through a stage where things are "scary" or he is "afraid". It is sad to see him afraid of things. I try to be reassuring and explain what is going on to make situations understandable. Hopefully it is a short lived stage. I am really looking forward to the warmer weather. I think he is getting bored just staying indoors... I think we all are.

This past Saturday, I went to a breakfast for moms with young children at the church. It was wonderful. I felt refreshed, and left feeling more hopeful. Joanna did a wonderful job sharing her experiences and feelings as a mom, and as a result I felt as though a burden was lifted off my shoulders. She pinpointed what so many moms are feeling... the feeling of inadequacy as a mom and as a homemaker. I loved hearing that doing the small things we do as moms are glorifying to God. I am so grateful for that time and the food was delicious.

I will post pictures later...

Apple

Yesterday I was feeding the baby, and Duncan was drawing on his Magna Doodle quietly on the floor. All of a sudden he jumps up and says "Momma, look an apple!" And this is what he held up...




I was pretty impressed :) But that doesn't take much! haha! Pretty good for a two year old.

Snow...

It finally snowed. The funny thing is, for the schools, Monday was the makeup day for the previous "snow" day. The thing is it snowed on the makeup day and did not do anything on the actual snow day! Ha! Silly weather people :) Duncan loved playing in it, even if it was just a dusting. As soon as he got up, I bundled him up and we ran around for a while before it melted away. He was chilly when we came in so he cuddled up under his blanket while I made oatmeal. Such a cozy morning.

Bathtime with her big brother!

Fiona absolutely LOVES taking a bath with Duncan. From the second her feet hit the water she is all smiles and giggles. She kicks like crazy. She is so yummy. Duncan likes helping to wash her hair. Every single night Duncan wants to take a bath with "Fona" (which is what he now calls her). It is definitely an arm workout after a bit. Look at that bottom... don't you just want to pinch it :) hehe!

Valentines Day

So on Valentines, I had the idea of making heart shaped pancakes for breakfast. Easy enough, right? I had watched this video on some website on some specialty pancakes and they used a cookie cutter after they cooked them. I thought why waste the excess pancake? Why not just pour the batter right into the cookie cutter. Now I am sure there is a way to do this, I just don't have all the proper tools. So things were fine until it came time to flip the pancake. Not so easy as I imagined. Ha! My cookie cutter was pretty small so I just ended up making three to put on top of everyones plate. Live and learn... it was the thought that counted. Then after breakfast, Fiona and I went to Katy's baby shower. That was lovely. Katy is so beautiful with her little bump! I can't wait to see that little baby! After Duncan's nap we headed down to the beach to have dinner at Chris and Christy's house. It was so special. We had the much anticipated rockfish and it was delicious! Christy had the table set so beautifully. It was quite elegant. I wish I had taken a picture before we ate. Duncan had such a fun time with his cousins. They were all exhausted by the end of the night. What a wonderful Valentines day! And to make it even more special, my husband gave me the most dear card. He made it. It is beautiful. He is so talented. I will have to scan it in here so I can show it off. He is soooo thoughtful!

Mommy moments...

I am sitting here on the couch holding my little girl... and she is fast asleep. I love this. How precious moments like these are. I try to put her in her bed most of the time , but I indulge occasionally.:) She is not going to be this tiny for very long. These are the moments that I will treasure always. She is so peaceful... so relaxed... so beautiful. It doesn't get much better than this!

Our January...

I can't believe it is already February! Fiona will be four months on the 9th. We have been busy this month. Mostly working and recovering after two weeks of having a sick house! The transition back to work has been easier than I imagined. Haha! That's how it generally is... I build it up in my head then God, in his grace, works it all out seamlessly. Not to say it hasn't been challenging. Thanks to my dear mother!!! She watches the little ones at my house and I could not ask for a better situation. She loves them so dearly. I know that they are in very capable hands. My little Duncan is so talkative these days. He just goes on and on in these conversations. They are hilarious. It is super fun to hear what is going on in his head. He LOVES animals and trains. He continues to be an amazing big brother. He is so affectionate and loves to go in with me every morning to see her wake up. He gets super excited and says "Good morning Baby Fi!" My dear little boy. And my little lady is growing everyday. She is still so good natured and content. She loves to be a part of things. She likes to sit up. If she is lying down she lifts her head like she is trying to sit... it is funny. Here are some pictures from this past month...



Here is the most awesome stroller ever! I love it! This was Fiona's first time sitting in it like a big girl! We went to the Zoo with Daddy soon after Christmas on one of those pretty days. The stroller is compatible with her carseat so it usually just pops right in.







my girl and her bows






Looking at her big brother...



Duncan and his cousin Henry at Claire's 4th Birthday Party


Hanging out with Daddy



Loving the exersaucer!


My sick kiddos... aren't they sad!



Duncan's first self portrait! Ha!

Have a holly jolly Christmas!!!!

Merry Christmas!!!
Have a wonderful and relaxing day! :)

It's almost Christmas...

This was taken at the Chesapeake Christmas Parade. It was actually a lot of fun. I don't think I have ever been to a Christmas Parade so I didn't realize how loud and long it would be. Duncan loved seeing all the emergency vehicles and lights. He was truly amazed. I think Fiona enjoyed it as well. :) She was wide awake just taking it all in.

I am super close to being completely done with my shopping. Just one thing to pick up tomorrow. Every year I tell myself that I will have it all done by the beginning of December and for some reason I am still finishing up at the last minute. Oh well! Maybe next year.

The little ones are doing so well. I am a blessed woman. Duncan has adjusted very well to filling up those big brother shoes. He is very caring and thrives on being helpful... i.e. getting diapers, throwing things away, turning off the tree when we are leaving, ect. He gets upset if she is crying. He will tell me over and over "Mom, baby... crying." As I try to appease Fiona I am reassuring him again and again that she is ok. He has a tender little heart. Fiona is such a joy. I cannot imagine a better baby. She has nestled her way into our little family. She is an amazing baby. She has slept through the night since she was 5 weeks old. She goes to sleep about 9:30 or 10 and sleeps till 6:30 or 7 in the morning. I know with a baby everything come and goes in stages, and so I am waiting for it to change. While enjoying every minute. :) She is very smiley and has started cooing and talking all the time. It is so fun to see her little personality come through. Transitioning from being a tiny little helpless baby to a happy spunky sweet little girl is incredible to watch.I can't believe she is almost 3 months old!!



I have loved being home with my children. I am going back to work next week. I am dreading it. On one side, I am grateful to be able to have a job that is so flexible and provides insurance to employees who only work for 20 hours. I am an assistant manager and have completed all my training to be a store manager and have just been waiting for an available store. But now that Fiona is here, I am stepping down, and am transferring to a store that is super close to our house (I could walk if I wanted to)! We have our family insurance through Starbucks and so that is why I have to return to work. On the other side, everything in me wants to stay home with my kids. Brian would love for me to be able to stay home as well, but this is where we are right now. This is going to have be something I have to totally trust God in. I feel kind of frantic when I think about balancing work, home, and my family. If you think to pray for me I would truly appreciate it!

I am sorry for not being more diligent in my posting. I am always checking on other people. I am really going to be better :). I hope and pray this Christmas finds you among friends and family and that you will genuinely feel God's pleasure and love in your life. Merry Christmas!!

My babies...

I took this with my camera phone earlier this afternoon. My little Fiona is three weeks old today! She is such a pleasant baby... very easy going like her brother. She is becoming more alert everyday. It is so fun to watch how Duncan is with her. I couldn' t ask for a sweeter boy. I am really loving being home with my little ones. Now I am off to feed baby Fi...

Our little lady is here!!!

We are so happy to announce the littlest addition to our family...

Fiona Ruth
7lbs 12oz
20 inches
She was born on October 9th, 2008 at 5:16pm

She is doing so well. Everything went well and we are thrilled to have her here.




Her proud big brother! He was so cute with her. He calls her Baby Fi



She looks so much like Duncan. Although, her hair is a bit more brown.










Our little family of four! I can't believe I have two children. God is so good!