the many faces...

having some fun with the camera...here are some of the many faces of Sydney and Miles :)

what we're eating this week..

Miles will be 6 weeks on Wednesday and he's doing really well! Here's the cutie pie....

And we're getting back into the normal swing of things...even though our normal looks much different than pre-Miles days :) I've enjoyed having a bit more of a predictable week so I can try some new recipes and some old favorites. Here's what we're eating this week....

Monday: Shredded Chicken Tacos
Tuesday: Sloppy Joe's
Wednesday: Creamy Ravioli
Thursday: Pork Tenderloin and baked sweet potatoes
Friday: Teriyaki Chicken over rice
Saturday: Taco Soup

preggo update

Well, I am starting to feel incredibly pregnant (i.e. LARGE!) :) I'll be 36 weeks on Saturday and our little guy will be here in just a few short weeks!! Last week when I went to the doctor he was still in breech position, which at this point it's getting less and less likely that he'll turn :( We're looking at a possible C-section at around 39 weeks, which I'm not thrilled about but I know that God is in control. So, please pray with us that he'll turn!! I can't believe the time is almost here, we are so excited to meet him!!

Here's a belly update :) . . . . . .

and here are a few more pics from this week...

fun in the laundry basket

 

family self portrait :)

finger painting!

i've got nesting fever!

Wow, do I feel pregnant...physically, emotionally, mentally. We've got less than 8 weeks to go but for some reason my prego brain thinks he's coming next week and I have had a ridiculous need to get his room and things ready, like right now :). SO, we've spent the last couple weekends slowly getting things together, buying clothes we didn't have, starting to stock up on diapers and such, and trying to make his room a home! I do have to say, it made things very real for us seeing all the baby stuff out....he'll be here before we know it and we are so excited!!

we tried to add some color to the walls since we can't paint

I liked this idea so this is my version :)

and I also found this idea and adapted it. the flags
will say his name once we decide which one he will have :)

and I found this idea and thought it would be a fun thing
to add to the baby's room...there is a small star sticker at
the city of each of our birth places :)

and here's a little update on the growing belly....

a belated birthday post...

Since we were traveling over Sydney's birthday I haven't had a chance to sit and reflect (on here anyway) on the fact that she is now four years old. Honestly, it just blows my mind...where does time go??

I have to say that I have really enjoyed this year with Sydney. Of course it had it's challenges of gaps in communication/understanding, testing boundaries, and the like. But maybe because this was my first year of being a stay at home mom, as I look back it was good year :). I love being able to watch Sydney learn and grow each day and am blessed to be able to be at home with her.

Now...on to the four year old...Sydney is just precious. She really is! She has such a tender heart. She shows genuine concern when someone is hurting. She wants to be helpful. She cares about what is going on around her. She is hilarious and says and does things that have us laughing constantly. She remembers the smallest details of the strangest things. She has a wild imagination and is always coming up with something to play that is so elaborate and creative. She loves music and can pretty much memorize a melody and lyrics after hearing something only a couple times. She loves to draw and color. She is SO shy (which we're working on) and avoids even eye contact with strangers which can make meeting anyone new a HUGE challenge. She loves her family and talks about everyone often. I have no doubt she will be an amazing big sister to her little brother. She is patient and flexible which I know is not typical of a 4 year old, but is a quality I cherish, praise her for, and thank the Lord for. She is full of love, tells Josh and I that she loves us several times a day....and I will never get sick of hearing that nor will I take it for granted because I know she won't always say it so often. And my favorite quality of our little girl is that she knows Jesus loves her, and she loves him....and she believes that he actually lives inside her heart (literally in her chest) which I think is such a beautiful example of faith like a child :)
I cannot imagine life without you, Sydney. You are such a wonderful daughter with a beautiful heart and I cannot wait to see what God does in and through your life. We are so lucky to have you.

getting back into the swing of things...

We had a great time seeing family and celebrating the holidays and are slowly adjusting to being home. The trip definitely took it's toll on this pregnant lady and poor Sydney came down with a cold and fever almost immediately when we got home. So, the week has been spent seeing doctors (chiropractor, my regular check up, and for Syd) and slowly unpacking and hopefully soon some undecorating of the Christmas tree :) On the pregnancy front, the baby is doing well, growth and heart rate were right on target and his growth is definitely slowing my pace! Just over 9 weeks to go...how is that possible?? it's going so fast!!
Below are some pics of our time. Unfortunately, my camera was having flash issues or something in PA so I don't have very many pics there :(

Christmas at Grandpa Jeff and Grandma Di's on Christmas Eve

and birthday celebration (with Grandpa and Great Grandma)

with cousins on Christmas Eve

Christmas morning at Gigi's...she got a barbie car :)

uncle PC's finger puppet

chillin with Aunt Holly

with Uncle Shaun and Aunt Holly

Sydney and her Nana made the gingerbread house from Uncle Rich

No trip to Gigi's house is complete without a
dance party with uncle PC (aka Nick) in the kitchen

of all the choices at a party store, Sydney wanted a "Cars"
birthday cake :)

hard to believe our little girl is 4!!



opening gifts at Grandma and Papa's in PA

playing dress up with cousin Quinten

family visit...

My mom, grandma, and brother visited this weekend and although the visit went by way too fast, we had a great time!! Here are a few photos from their time here...

Syd and her Gigi

Syd and her uncle PC (aka Nick)

 

Sydney and her Nana

and now some Christmas tree pics...

 

funny faces

Josh was the photographer for the other pics, so here he is with my bro

a fun photo shoot

and then Sydney got a hold of the camera when we were done ;)

Christmas Ornaments

Sydney and I had a great time yesterday making Christmas ornaments! Below are pictures of the fun we had making Cinnamon Applesauce Ornaments and Salt Dough Ornaments......

She did such a good job, I hardly had to help
her at all!

And to continue the homemade Christmas fun, here are pics of the Sweater Stockings I made for us this year....

Now I just need to find the motivation to make the last one for the baby so I don't have to worry about making it next year :). Once we decide on a name for the baby I'm going to get some kind of letter ornament on each of them.

In the next couple weeks I'm going to try and conquer making homemade goodies and candies with lots of new recipes I haven't tried before...we'll see how that goes :)