Baby #3 is a...

On November 10th we found out that we're expecting baby #3! With the girls I had taken the pregnancy test and then told Matt that I was pregnant. This time I did it a little differently. When we woke up I told Matt that I thought I needed to take a test. He was a little surprised but said "Well, go take it!" I went to the guest bathroom, leaving all lights off between our room and there. I took the test in the dark, not wanting to see the results before Matt. Then I took it back to our room and made him look at it first. He said, "Are you sure you didn't look at this? It's positive." We were both surprised but so excited. We've always wanted three children but didn't expect to get pregnant again so easily. Baby #3 will be here in July and we actually found out on Wednesday, February 11th, that it's a.... BOY!!!!

Having a boy already feels like a whole new world. I went shopping for the first time in the baby boy section (for my own children at least) and found a few cute things in blue. Another first has been looking at bedding and room decor for boys. I'm also rethinking how we'll decorate the playroom in the new house, it can't just be dress up and tea parties anymore! I know that these are only the beginning of many "firsts" with a boy. We can't wait to meet Owen Matthew!

Cute profile picture with his hand by his face

Proof that he's a BOY!

Christmas 2014

So now that Valentine's Day is over it's only appropriate that I post pictures from Christmas, right?!? We had so much fun with the girls this Christmas. They were both so excited about decorating the tree, singing Christmas songs, reading Bible verses from an Advent paper chain every day in December, wrapping presents, opening presents and spending time with family. It is so much fun to see the awe and wonder in your children's eyes at Christmas. This year we had several Christmas celebrations. Ellis was in her first Christmas program at school and it went pretty much as expected. She stood on stage, didn't sing a note (despite the fact that she's still singing all the songs at home in February), and once she spotted us she proceeded to make silly faces and stick her tongue out the entire time! Oh well, she has several years of school programs in her future, so for the first one we'll count it as a success!

The weekend before Christmas my parents stopped through on their way to Iowa. They got the girls a red rider wagon and it was definitely a hit! We spent Christmas Eve & Christmas day at home, just the four of us. Then the weekend after Christmas we went to Kansas City to spend time with Matt's family. We enjoyed wonderful food (thanks to Adrienned & Mike for being such great hosts!) and lots of family time. On Friday night we had Christmas dinner with the Goerings, Rob & Kaye, Great Grandma Boore and Steve. On Saturday we did a little swimming at the hotel pool and that afternoon the adult girls headed to IKEA while the guys watched the kiddos. IKEA was massive and a great experience! That evening we bundled up and headed down to the Plaza to see the lights. Sunday we went to church, listened to Mike preach and all ate lunch together before heading home. Overall we had a great Christmas. I only wish that I would've taken a few more family pictures (us four, girls with grandparents, whole family shots, etc) but I've decided with two this little it's hard to man the camera when schedules are off, naps have been missed and presents are involved! I hope you all had a Merry Christmas too!

Our Christmas Card announcing Baby #3

Ellis at her program. She was so lucky that MiMi, Poppa, Uncle Brandon & Mariah 

came to watch her!

Nora running around before Ellis' program

Matt & I ready for an "Ugly Christmas Sweater" Party

Ellis wanted a "pretty" bow like mommy. It's definitely cuter on her!

Decorating the tree!

Putting on her ornaments!

Nora's helping too!

Getting ready to open Christmas Eve Jammies!

First thing Christmas morning. Ellis had been up for a while 

but poor Nora had just gotten out of bed!

Before opening presents on Christmas day

Family picture at Adrienne & Mike's

Great Grandma with 4 of her great grands!

Someone was a little sleepy

She was a water bug!

Everyone loved swimming!

Out to eat on the Plaza

I think she stayed warm!

At lunch on Sunday

Fall 2014

We've had a beautiful fall so far and we've been having a lot of fun with the girls. We've gotten to play outside, ride bikes, and spend some time down on the square. The first weekend in October we went to Kansas City for Graham's birthday. We went to the zoo and then to Adrienne & Mike's house for his party. We had a great time and can't wait to go back!

Mid-October the girls went to Conway for 6 nights and Matt & I had a "stay-cation" at home. We missed them but it was great to go out on several dates, sleep through the night uninterrupted and sleep in! We had a great time but were glad to have the girls back. I also had a 2 week break from work in October (I love the year round school calendar!). The first week I did things around the house and the second week Nora had surgery for tubes, a tongue clip and her upper lip released. She's healing well and is getting back to her normal happy (and now loud) self! Here's a ton of pictures, enjoy!

Playing in the fountain on the Bentonville Square

Enjoying the sunshine

Riding Bikes

Graham's Birthday!

MiMi & Poppa with all their grands

At MiMi & Poppa's house

Swinging with Aiden at Grandma & Grandpa's house

Playing at the Wonder Place in Little Rock. Grandpa & Grandma took them & everyone loved it!

Fishing with Aiden at the Wonder Place

Headed home from Conway with stuffed animals from Poppa's pharmacy

Nora picked out her penguin. She shook her head "no" to several animals before shaking her head "yes" for the penguin.

Early morning waiting for Nora's surgery

A few days after surgery, feeling pretty good & walking everywhere!

Pumpkin patch at school

Nora also got a pumpkin & painted hers at school

Pretty princess for Halloween. Ms. Judy at school painted Ellis' face. Ellis LOVED her tiara!

"Rock Chalk!"

Our big walker!

Making brownies with mommy

I think she liked the batter, ha!

Matt & I out on a date

I took Ellis to Toy Land on the square yesterday afternoon. She got a few free toys and really liked taking her picture with all of the characters they had set up!

Playing at the library this morning

Seriously working on a puzzle