summertime

37.5 weeks

Getting close! I feel like 38 weeks is my due date, I always feel like that! Come on, little Buddy, come soon!

Will and Daddy

Will has always had a good time with his Daddy. But these past few weeks he is EATING UP playing with Todd, and "helping" him. I think he has realized that he and Todd are the BOYS!! He likes to follow Todd along taking the trash out, grilling, using a hammer, working in the yard. He loves, loves, LOVES to be chased and tickled. The laughter is unreal! And he likes to do things to get Daddy's attention, too! Here are some recent photos of my boys.

Happy Father's Day!

First of all, here's a shout out to my own dear Daddy, with whom I have so many wonderful memories, and with whom I continue to make memories! I remember him rubbing my legs at night when I had growing pains, making up adventure stories to tell to me, taking me hiking and looking for mountain lion tracks, building an aluminum can crusher for a science fair project, teaching me the value of being a hard worker, together with my mom showing me what hospitality looks like, walking me down the aisle on my wedding day, loving God in front of me...I love you, Dad! And my father-in-law, who helped make my amazing husband who he is, and who has always welcomed me into the family with open arms! I am so thankful for both of these men.

And now MY husband, the father of my children! He is the perfect daddy for Eleanor and Will. He shows them unconditional love, makes the best choices for them, talks to them about Christ, plays with them, makes them laugh (and laugh and laugh and laugh!)... These last few weeks especially I have enjoyed watching the three of them at the heights of good play.

Here are some pictures of Eleanor and her Daddy. The second one is of Todd making his own Father's Day dinner (his choice, I promise!)...it was amazing! He was in true "Grillmaster" form - beer-can chicken, grilled zucchini, even grilled pineapple and ice cream for dessert! The next photo is of Eleanor giving Todd a Father's Day card. This is what she directed me - all on her own - to write on the inside:
"I like you to play with me, Daddy! Hi Daddy! I like you to color. Thank you for getting ice cream with me. Will you watch a movie with me when you get home? Thank you for getting me a bike! I love you!"

How SWEET is that?!

Pictures of Will next...

just the two of us (and baby in my belly)

A couple of weekends ago my mom came over and Todd and I actually went somewhere, just us, for 24 hours!! It was amazing! We had a ton of fun downtown in our own fab city, eating our hearts out, strolling around, seeing a movie (Star Trek - I loved it! Although NO pregnant woman should have to watch the first 10 minutes), enjoying a wonderful B & B, even stopping by a church related party! It was so good for us. I did call 4 times to check on the kids, and talk to them, and I even felt teary at night knowing I couldn't give them a hug and a kiss...but they were in good hands! I loved hanging out with my husband!

last of the gymnastics pictures

notice will getting in on the action?! he has even learned to do somersaults by himself after watching sister!

more pictures...

...because i KNOW you all want more! *grin*

Our little gymnast!

For Eleanor's birthday in March my parents bought her a series of gymnastics lessons. She has had SO much fun doing them over the past 9 weeks or so! And I have had a lot of fun watching her interact with the other kids; listen well to her teachers and follow directions; use her imagination (which can be quite vivid!); and learn to forward roll, backwards roll, monkey jump, donkey kick, swing on the bars, and walk on the balance beam with the best of 'em! *grin* Her little class was seriously so much fun to watch. She recently had her show week, the end of the semester of classes. She came out and stood bravely in front of everyone and said her name and did her favorite trick (monkey jump - you'll see it in one of the pictures!), and the show began! At the end there was a little ceremony with music and the kids got medals and it was SO CUTE I can't even tell you. I was one proud mommy! The instructor told the kids to smile when they got up on the podium, and she pointed to her mouth to show them...so in the picture, you can see Eleanor pointing at her mouth, just as demonstrated!

silly kids

Eleanor's funny phrase of the day, drinking her chocolate milk: "Mommy, this looks like poop, but it sure tastes good!"

Will's new word of the day, looking up in the grocery store: "PEPSI!"

1st visit to the dentist!

Eleanor has been looking forward to this day for weeks! She did so well doing everything the hygienist told her, like opening her mouth like an alligator and "kissing Mr. Thirsty" (the straw-like sucker-outer....what is that thing really called anyway??). And of course she was thrilled to get a new pink toothbrush and a toy from the treasure chest. I was proud of her! Will watched and ate a pop-tart...wonder what the dentist was thinking about HIS teeth?!