It May Not Be Father's Day...

But, this Daddy deserves to read this Mama's thoughts now not later.  

I just love watching you parent!  It's one thing to love someone, even marry someone, but to parent with a person has got to be the truest test a relationship can endure.  I feel so lucky to be taking on the job of raising our children with you.  You are the very best Daddy I've ever seen.  :-)  Of course we don't always see eye to eye on every parenting decision, but I know our babies are in the best of hands when they are with you.

I'm thinking these things after watching you and AB tonight.  I'm being the tired pregnant Mommy whose back hurts and blah, blah blah.  I know you're tired too after working hard all day, but when AB asked you to play 'babies' you didn't even hesitate.  Outside in the backyard the two of you went with your baby-dolls in hand.  I watched from the kitchen window while you played babies.  Then you were playing with Sahara by clapping your hands, as she would sprint around the yard.  I'm not sure if you could see Annabelle while you were playing but she was emulating each move you made.  It was like watching a mini me in action.  I turned away to do a few things until I heard AB's infectious giggle.  Seriously, there is no greater sound in the world.  She was being tossed this way and that over your head... Upside down and back upright again.  How wonderful to have your very own jungle-gym!  The kicker though was watching you come inside with her.  She was walking right beside you, beaming from ear to ear.  You placed your hand on top of her head, ruffling her hair a bit as you smiled big as well.  You were both talking and smiling... Nothing makes my heart soar more than a sight like that.

Nick, I just love taking this ride with you.  You are truly the best father I could have imagined for our children.  You not only understand the importance of FUN but the importance of being a parent.  Not just the fun stuff, all the real stuff too.

Love you!

Last Day of School

What a great start to Annabelle's educational career.  At BEARS Preschool this year AB has been given the greatest gift you can give... The love of learning.  Under the direction of Mrs. English and Mrs. Gavin she's grown as a learner and a person (not to mention the noticeable four inches in height!)  

Dear AB Marie,

     You just finished your first year of Preschool and your daddy and I could not be more proud of you.  You learned some very important lessons this year at BEARS Preschool in the AM Koala Class.  You learned: How to try new things, make new friends, walk in a line, take turns, sit on the rug for circle time, clean up, hug a friend who is sad, know when to leave a friend alone when they need space, listen to your friend's words, and of course, you worked hard to listen and follow directions.  

    You made new friends... And through those new friendships you helped Mommy make some new friends too!  You've grown, baby girl, in more ways than can ever be measured. 

You've just started your very first summer break and I know within a few days you're going to be asking me if you can go to school!  

           My wish for you, as you grow, is that that excitement for a school day continues.  

Love you, Love-bug!  Great work this year!

You and your wonderful teachers, Mrs. English and Mrs. Gavin on the last day of school. 

You and your classmates!  

It's a Baby Boy!!!

20 Weeks Pregnant!

Today we went to the Doctor to see the baby who has been hiding out in Mommy's tummy!

Annabelle has been excited about her "baby sister" who has been growing inside.  She was a bit shell shocked when the Ultra Sound tech. told her it was a baby brother!!!  After the shock wore off you could see and hear how excited she was!  Annabelle was in charge of calling her Grandparents to tell them the news!  It went something like this:

AB: There is a baby brother in Mommy's belly!

He's a wiggle worm baby brother!

It was fun to have her there to share in the excitement!

 Baby Boy's Leg!

 And.... The Telling Photo.  Perspective: Pretend baby boy is sitting in a chair and you are under the chair looking up...  Got it?  Yeah...It's hard!

 Stomping on Mommy! Little Foot.

Looking out at you!  

From AB To Her Baby Brother:

Mommy's having a baby,

what does that make me?

A big Sister for all to see!

Cute, little baby

so tiny and so sweet,

being a Big Sister's going to be so NEAT!

There's a lot of things I can do,

I know mommy needs me to,

be a Big Girl and help her out.

That's what being a Big Sister is all about!

Today's The Big Day!!!

We go to the doctor at 5pm today!  Annabelle is excited to take a peek of the baby growing inside her Mommy's belly!  She is still determined to have a baby sister, but she'll be a great big sister regardless!

Last night at dinner I was howling with laughter at this exchange!

Me: Annabelle if you eat the rest of your strawberries and stretch really big in the morning you may grow an inch!

AB: I am going to start stretching right after dinner because I want to grow up fast.  I want to grow up so I can have a baby in my belly.

Nick: (covering his face with his hand and groans)

AB: (rubbing Nick's arm) It's ok Daddy, when I grow up I will never change my name...

Nick: (groaning again, face still covered) Oh, great so you'll be an unwed mother... 

AB: (seeing Daddy was bothered by all of this and trying her best to make the situation better) Daddy don't worry, I will live here with you forever! (LOL- I'm almost falling out of my chair at this point.

Nick: Unwed, pregnant and living at home...  Can this get any better?

(Yes, it did...)

AB: Babies are hard work!  I won't be able to go to school.  I will have to stay home all day and take care of my baby!  

(Yep, tears are filling my eyes...Can this be any funnier!  She's saying all the right stuff to make her Daddy crazy and doesn't even know it!  HYSTERICAL!!!)

Nick: Unwed, pregnant, living at home and a drop out.  All of my dreams for you are coming true!

I just love listening to all the things she has to say.  As a four year old you must do a lot of thinking.  Fortunately for us, our four year old LOVES to talk and spill all of those thoughts!

Check back tomorrow to see how AB plans to spread the news!!!

Getting Excited to Find Out!!!

We are all really excited for next Thursday!!!  We find out if baby number two is a boy or girl. I wish I could say I'm having a feeling one way or another but I'm really not!  I was sure Annabelle was a boy, so I'm not so sure that my instincts are worth my attention any-who.  This pregnancy has been EXACTLY the same as my first, other than one thing.  This little one's heart-rate has been much lower than AB's was.  It's been right around 140 the past two check ups.  Boy? Well, that's what they say, but it's certainly not the rule.  I've had two different picture clients the last two weeks who have two girls.  One said the pregnancies were the same expect for heart-rate and they had two girls.  The other said her pregnancies were TOTALLY different and she had two girls.  SOOOOO>>>> We'll have to wait and see!  The first, went so far to say that the heart-rates matched her girl's temperament's.  The high heart-rate is her 'higher maintance' kiddo and the low heart-rate is her 'easy going kid'.  Interesting...  Annabelle's heart-rate was around 165 the whole time, and she's got some spunk!  SOOOOO>>>>> We'll have to wait and see!  LOL- - - I will certainly post as soon as we find out.  Along with new Ultra Sound pictures!  May 10th!  Mark your calendars!!!