What a sweet little girl!
I just thought his little outfit was hilarious. He was wanting to go out! He loves his little backpack!
We went to the zoo today and Ethan had a blast!
Look at that chunky monkey! She's really filling out now!
Ethan dancing to some music at the zoo. He actually attracted a crowd!

A friend of mine invited us to the zoo today and it was a great day! The weather was really good and Ethan really enjoyed himself.

He loves talking on the phone!
Look at that sweet smile! She's lying on the quilt a student made for her!

His two favorite foods: spaghetti and cheese!

I am now officially part-time and loving it. I've been able to keep on top of household stuff and even do some sorting and organizing! Ethan has been a good boy and is learning so much. He now nows bike and gets excited whenever he sees one. The other day, every time I said "on your mark, get set, go!" he runs around the apartment! It was too precious! Then we played peekabo with the ball. He would put it down and turn his back to it and say "where da ball?". He'd turn around and drop his jaw and gasp with a big grin and I'd say "there it is!' and then we'd do it again! I just laughed and laughed! Also, last week at church when we went to get him from child care, we were informed that he got the best dancer award! He certainly loves to dance! What a cutie!

Katelyn is also doing wonderful. God has answered my prayers with a good sleeper. Every night at 9:30 pm she gets a bath, then gets fed and rocked and then I lay her down in her bed. Most of the time, she's wide awake and just sits there quietly until she falls asleep! Ethan would never have done that! She sleeps until 1:30am or 2:00am and eats and then sleeps until 6:30am. What a great baby!

It's Been a While....

Katelyn is trying to talk to me!
Ethan enjoyed the beach!
Playing with markers (thank goodness they are washable!)
Look at that sweet smile!
This is her princess pose!

It has been busy the last few weeks, so I haven't been able to do much on the computer. Here's a bunch of pictures though! I'm back to school again, but I'm really looking forward to the school year, especially as I'm part time. Katelyn is sleeping well--often going 4-5 hours at night between feedings! What a blessing!

Grandpa doing his grandfatherly duty by feeding the baby!
Ethan is all hot and sweaty from running around tonight at the barbeque. He had a great time!
Katelyn's first water bath
Ethan's cute face!
A pic of Katelyn today looking cute!

We've all been doing very well lately. Tonight we went to a community group barbeque and had a good time. Ethan certainly enjoyed getting out of the apartment!

Going crazy taking pics of Katelyn

For more pics--see her webpage (link to the right)! : )

Some pics of my cuties

What a cutie!
That's how Daddy sleeps!
Looking cute on the quilt Grandma Mary made!

Ethan doing his favorite thing!

Finally back on the computer

Her first time in the double stroller.
Ethan driving a school bus at the mall.
Katelyn's first bottle.
Going for a walk in our double stroller.

I certainly haven't been good about getting on the computer, but I'm sure everyone understands! I can't believe it's been 3 weeks since she has been born. Time has flown! My sister moved here to Louisville and already has a job and an apartment. God is good!

Ethan has been wonderful with Katelyn. He wants to kiss her all the time. He hasn't been jealous when I've held her or nursed her and I'm so glad. He's such a good boy!

Happy 4th of July!

Here is our precious angel! :)
Our 4th of July family picture!
Look at that patriotic boy!

The last week has been a whirlwind, but wonderful. Ethan loves Katelyn and kisses her often and hasn't exhibited any signs of jealousy even when I'm holding her. It has been a little difficult with my c-section in that I'm not supposed to lift anything heavy. Ethan doesn't understand this and I find it hard not to just lift him though I know I shouldn't. I've been scolded many times by my mother-in-law! : ) The blessing is that I have had family helping out a lot--mainly Janice and my Dad--who have washed dishes, done laundry, gone to the store, and many, many other things that have made our lives easier. Thank you so much! We love you!

She's here!

Katelyn Perri was born on Monday, June 26th at Baptist East Hospital. She weighed 6 pounds 11 oz and was 20 inches long. She is a sweet little girl and right now likes to sleep alot. I will try to put more pictures on soon! : )

5 days and counting!

Ethan playing with Grandpa!
What a cutie!
38 weeks

First I want to thank all of you who have left comments lately! It's such an encouragement to know that somebody is actually looking at this page! : )

My Dad came on Sunday night after a long drive (he got stuck in traffic for 3 hours an hour outside of Louisville!). Ethan started laughing the moment he saw him--he knew play time was just moments away! Ethan has had lots of fun with him!

Tracy had his birthday yesterday and we had a good time. We went and got pizza (Fat Jimmy's--yum yum) and then Grandpa stayed at home with Ethan while Tracy and I went to see X-Men 3. We joked that we felt so young being out late like that! hahaha

I had my final doctor's appointment yesterday and I still haven't dilated anymore. I got to finalize some details that I had questions about for next week. I can't believe that it is only 5 days until she's here in my arms!

Tonight we took Ethan swimming and he had a great time! He's such a good boy! : )

When is she coming?

I had another doctor's appointment yesterday. I had cramping all day yesterday (some of it pretty painful) and I was convinced this meant I had dilated some. Of course it didn't, though! I'm still 1 cm dilated. This time, however, she felt Katelyn's head and commented that she is very low. This certainly wasn't new information for me because I have felt the pressure of her head. Last night, she seemed especially low and must be pressing on my nerves, because I had shooting pains down my legs all night. I was a bit miserable last night and Tracy got me pillows to elevate my aching legs!

Even though I'm ready to get her out, it looks like she may make it to c-section day. I know it's better for her and family if she hangs in there, so I think I'll tolerate it :)! My next (and last!!) doctor's appointment is Monday (Tracy's b-day) and then it's just one week until our little girl is here! I can't believe it!

Ethan doesn't really know what's about to happen, though we've been talking to him about it. He'll say baby when we point to my belly and will kiss it and lay his head on it. However, he also says baby when he sees Daddy's belly!

Ethan has been a good boy as usual with nothing too exciting happening lately. However, he has been hating getting up in the morning. I think he's ready for a summer break too!

Weekend Update

He's playing with his favorite toy now--his train set. He's so cute when he says choo choo! And you just gotta love that hair--I couldn't get it down all day!!

Here's my big belly at 36 1/2 weeks. It looks like I've got a basketball in there!

Ethan did this last week at church--his first art/craft project. We're not sure exactly what it is, but we're very proud of it and have it placed on the frig!

Things have been pretty good this weekend. Tracy had to work a lot so Ethan and I played. Friday night we just stayed at home and Saturday Ethan and I went for a walk. The walk nearly killed me in my big belly state so I might not try that one again! Saturday night we had some friends over who had a double stroller that was given to them by a couple who went on the mission field. Their job was to find someone to give it to and we are those people! It's a great stroller and we're excited since double strollers are expensive. Tracy is going to take it work and clean it really well since it has been stored in a basement and garage for a while.

Today we went to church in the morning (instead of evening) since we were going to a birthday party in the evening. Ethan was pretty good during the service (since it was a new place we didn't put him in child care) but Daddy finally took him in the foyer when Ethan started distracting all the other people in our row with his cuteness! We all took an afternoon nap and Ethan woke up a little grumpy. We think he's getting some more teeth in because he's been sucking on his fingers and drooling a lot. We then went to the birthday party at the Italian restaurant (it was for Tracy's boss' wife) and Ethan was such a good boy. He ate spaghetti for dinner and as usual he ate it with his fingers and made quite a mess. He started to get sleepy towards the end of the evening and was a little fussy, but everyone commented on what a good boy he was and that he was "a doll!" Even two other kids wanted to play with him all evening!

I'm 37 weeks tomorrow which means Katelyn is now full term! Yeah! No more worrying about a premie! My next doctor's appointment is on Wednesday and we'll find out then if she's coming at 38 or 39 weeks! I can't believe we're so close to the end of this pregnancy already. It has certainly a good pregnancy--I haven't had many of the symptoms I had with Ethan like carpal tunnel! However, last night I woke up at 4:30am wide awake! I guess I better get used to waking up in the night again!

Nothing new!

Good news! I am now 36 weeks and off of the medicine. I feel great and cramping has been minimal. I had my doctor's appointment yesterday and no further dilation has occured, her heart rate was great and I'm measuring perfect. I've even stopped gaining weight which has been a bit of a relief since I was gaining in leaps and bounds most of the pregnancy. I've gained about 25 pounds so far which is a healthy weight gain. She is still moving consistently (especially when I talk to her or play music) but seems pretty relaxed. My stomach still contorts in to weird shapes, but at least she's not rolling all over the place! : )
So it's now three weeks until she's here!

Ethan is doing wonderful. Tracy and I just adore this little man and he brings us so much joy. He's very entertaining to say the least. Every where I take him people comment on how good he is. Of course, he can still wear me out! He got a hair cut again on Saturday, but he wiggled too much and it was kind of a waste of money. Last night, Tracy got out his clippers and had a go at it. He did pretty good though it was hard pinning Ethan down. Afterwards, Tracy let him play with the shaver (he couldn't turn it on) and Ethan pretended to shave his own head and Daddy's head. It was too cute!

A look at Katelyn

These are Katelyn's ultrasound pictures from today (there are more on her website). Isn't she a cutie? I love those chubby cheeks! They are estimating her weight to be about 5 pounds 7 oz right now, which is a good healthy weight. She has dropped in to my pelvis (so that's why I have to pee all the time) and I've actually started dilating. My doctor thinks she may try to come early and that we might have to do the c-section a week earlier (on Tracy's birthday!). I have another appointment on Monday (which is when I am done with my medicine) since I've moved to the weekly and she's going to keep an eye on my dilation. I just want her to be healthy! I am glad to hear she already weighs around 5 1/2 pounds now because that means even if she came now, she'd probably be fine! It was so exciting to see her again and see how much she has changed from her last ultrasound!

Boys will be boys!

Ethan likes to get in to mischief and, as always, he's got his trusty cell phone in his hand!
Ethan is trying to get his book out of the diaper bag. He certainly loves his books!
Daddy and Ethan dancing in the kitchen. Aren't they hilarious?

Tracy had to work today again, so it was just Ethan and me. However, when Daddy got home, Ethan certainly had fun with him! He's such a sweet little boy!

No, that isn't a pacifier--it's a plastic tree! He's still getting teeth in and loves to bite stuff! That's not exactly how that table is supposed to work, but Ethan is enjoying himself! : )

School is finally out! Whoohoo! It's been a long week and I still have tons to do, but it's nice to have a school year behind me. On the last day I had several students give me gifts for Katelyn, which meant so much. In fact, one of them made a quilt for her! Isn't that wonderful? I'll have to take a picture of it and put it on the blog. Yesterday was also a month to the day when Katelyn is coming! We are both so excited, but it also seems a bit unreal! I am looking forward to not having a huge belly and being so uncomfortable all the time.

Ethan and I had fun today, but Tracy had to work so we missed him. We played around at home for a while and then I took him swimming. I thought Tracy was getting off work and would be able to meet us at the pool, but at the last minute he got called in to another job. Ethan certainly enjoys swimming more with Daddy (I'm a little limited in my actions!) and it was hard trying to get in and out of the pool with him. I think next time I will make sure Tracy is with us!

Ethan did something cute this afternoon. After I put him down for his nap, I checked on him using the video monitor and he was just talking and moving around! It made me laugh because usually he just conks right out. I fell asleep too (I've learned finally to sleep when he sleeps).

I hope everyone is having a good Memorial weekend. I hope to do a barbeque some time, but it's hard to know with Tracy's crazy schedule!