The newest addition is a...

GIRL!

Originally our ultrasound was scheduled for Sept 28th, but after some bloodwork came back showing us that we were at high risk for spina bifida or some other sort of bodily opening the date of the ultrasound was bumped up. Praise God that from the pictures that were taken, there were no signs of spina bifida (exposed spine), gastroschisis (hole in tummy), cleft palate, cleft lip or other "holes" in her body. We know that God has all the days of this little girls' life in His hands and we continue to trust in His sovereignty.

Profile pictureHer footLove that she's lady like already with her legs crossed

And best of all....a healthy spine.

First Day of 4K

Ever since his summer school session Clayton has been talking about 4K at Willow and how he gets to go this year. Yesterday we met his new teacher, Mrs. Hoffa, dropped off school supplies, took school pictures and he did a little craft project with his teacher while I filled out some paperwork. Turns out he's in the same room this year as his four week mini-session this summer to "Get Set for 4K" - that helps for sure.

Clayton was ready to go this morning. He wanted me to take his first day picture on every boulder in the front garden. "Just one more mom" and at the end he said, "Okay, mom let me look at those and see how I did." He proudly walked down to the bus stop hand in hand with Brooke and got on the bus no problem. I just picked him up from the bus stop and he told me about his day. I asked if he wanted to do it again tomorrow. "Yeah, mom, that was AWESOME!" I'm so thankful his first experience with school was a positive one.


The CREW. I love how they all insist on holding hands to cross the street together.

Lincoln is ready to go too! He's funny with taking his backpack down to the bus with the kids. All day long if you ask him where Brooke or Clayton is he'll say, "BUS!" My pediatrician brought up the fact that in their little heads Brooke and Clayton are probably riding around on the bus all day. He sees them get on and then they magically reappear at the end of the day from the bus. I had never thought about it that way, but so true.

First Day of First Grade

Brooke was very excited to start her first day of 1st grade. Highlights of anticipation were that they get morning recess, their own lockers and desks, and are responsible for walking to the bathroom without a teacher! She made sure that I was prepared to have her journal ready to go on the kitchen table for her to record her day. Turns out Mrs. Mayer is super nice and she had a great day! BUT, it was just like a practice day. Friday, would be more like a "real" day. My baby is growing up. I'm not sad about it...I'm so excited to watch her experience this next year and all the learning, academically and socially, that it will bring.

And little Lincoln started preschool on Tuesday. He'll go two mornings a week. Originally it was so I could volunteer at Brooke and Clayton's school...pregnancy changed those plans and it'll just be a great time for him to play and learn while mommy gets prepared for bedrest.

Choo, choo! Lincoln's TWO.

Lincoln is TWO. Wow did that go fast! This little boy is just so much fun. He loves to laugh and play games. Somehow peek-a-boo is still the funniest game ever.

He wants to do everything that big brother and sister do...and usually does pretty well at it.

I love that he can identify each person's shoes and take them to them when it's time to go. He also enjoys walking around in any shoe that is not his own because they are much easier to get on and off.

He LOVES his daddy and Brooke. Every morning when I go to get him he asks "Dada go?" I tell him he's at work. "Brooke go?" She's usually in the other room waiting for this cue to come in and greet him.

He's usually a great listener and has been able to be stroller free much more often than I remember the other two.

I don't think he's ever thrown a tantrum about having to sit in a shopping cart.

He's very social and gets big smiles from saying "hi" and "bye" to everyone. If the car next to us in the parking lot is pulling out, he's waving and saying "bye."

The theme for his birthday required no thought - this little boy LOVES trains or "choochoos" as he calls them.

Brooke and Clayton were a little bummed to find out that Lincoln could blow the candles out all by himself this year. In fact, all left over cake we ate needed a round of candles in it.

We ran a few errands at the end of the day and in the backseat we could hear Brooke telling Clayton that he was going to need to be nice to Lincoln tomorrow because he would have a terrible day. Clayton asked why and Brooke responded ever so seriously, "Because Clayton, he's two and they are called TERRIBLE TWOS!"

Okauchee Lake 2011

One of our favorite things to do over the summer is spend time on Okauchee Lake with Grandma Denyse and Grandpa Mark.I think this was the first year that Brooke wasn't sitting in grandpa's lap to drive.Brooke & Clayton loved driving to the middle of the lake and jumping off the pontoon this year.Lincoln preferred shore...the water wasn't quite as warm as his bath. He had no issues wearing the life jacket as he lounged.Catch and release of the babies still appeases...

I don't think they know there are any other options.

After MUCH convincing, Clayton decided to brave the tube again this year.
We saved left over bread in the freezer all winter for these ducks.
Daddy's new toy - Happy Birthday!

Brooke really wants to learn to paddle so she can have her own kayak.Clayton REALLY wanted to take the squirt gun and play.

Lincoln wasn't quite sure, but wasn't screaming either.A bit too chilly for his liking.

State Fair 2011 - TAKE 2

Apparently I was wrong about the "see you next year part" for the State Fair. Brooke and Clayton didn't feel that the whirlwind of a morning was quite sufficient and when they found out Grandma Nancy was taking Uncle Kenny...we tagged along.

More BIG slide.

More cream puffs.Brooke has been trying to talk Clayton into this for a couple years now. As we walked by he announced that he wanted to do that now. (Brooke went on the 1st visit.)Clayton also decided he is NOT a fan of roller coasters.

Upgrading

Last night Lincoln requested to go to sleep in his big bed and not the crib. This was after I had removed him from pretending to sleep and snore in Brooke's bed. He snuggled with 30 of his favorite books and never got out of his bed. Previously when he's crawled into that bed, I shut the door and he's opening it after about 13 seconds, with a big "HI!"

It's a little bittersweet. I was wondering if he'd start to transition to his toddler bed so that we can move him to Clayton's bottom bunk before baby arrives. Clayton's already thrilled that when he turns FIVE he can sleep on the top bunk and is ready for baby Lincoln to take the space on the bottom. Baby will need the nursery and since we've managed this far without two cribs, Lincoln's back-up plan was a pack 'n play in Clayton's room.