Its a . . . GIRL!

(I realized that the first post i had up with the US pics, I neglected to remove some personal information on the photos, so i have to repost - sorry to those who had already commented!)

 

So, I feel the need to announce to everyone that we are expecting! I keep assuming that everyone knows, but then people keep coming up to me bravely and very curiously asking why my stomach is suddenly looking very well rounded. So, there you are - we're pregnant. The due date is June 29 and we are so excited! We went in for our routine midway ultrasound and found out that we are most likely going to be having a GIRL! Very exciting. We were discussing what we might name our new baby and when Bryce asked Lucy if we should name her Lucy2, she very matter-of-factly informed him, "No, Dad, her name is Dora." Well, although we aren't sure what we are going to name the baby to come, we are both pretty certain that Dora is not going to be it. We'll have to break it to Lucy gently!

 

New Look

So, I'm experimenting with a new blog look. Be patient with me as I try new ones out! (I'm sure bryce won't like this one!)

Mom and Dad Visit

 

So I have totally neglected to post anything about Mom and Dad's visit here! We had such a great time with them while they were here! It had been over a year since we had seen them, so it was about time to get together! Caleb and Lucy couldn't get enough. James acted like a 2-year old most of the time, but talks about them all the time now! We pretty much just hung out in Blacksburg doing the everyday things that we do. We did venture out to a fantastic seafood place (Poor Billy's - highly recomended!) here on our date night, as well as taking a short trip down to the Biltmore! Can't wait until they come back again!!

 

So, I loved the Biltmore so much that I had to take Bryce, Mom and Dad, and yes, even the kids, back to see it. The kids loved exploring the "castle," and although our potty break took like 39 minutes, they did really well while touring the house. The weather was great, so they loved galavanting all over the extensive gardens and courtyard. I think their highlight was the poppers that we bought them at the gift shop! We are all curious to see what it looks like in the spring and summer, so we might need to take another trip down there!

 

The kids were WAY excited about staying in a hotel! They had a great time swimming with Bryce, running "quietly" through the halls, jumping on the beds, eating the free popcorn and hot cocoa, and staying up way too late!

 

My Valentine

1. Do you have any nicknames for each other? Bryceeeee, Babe, Honey

2. How long have you been together? 8 years

3. Who eats more? Me, for sure!

4. Who said I Love You first? I think he did - but I was thinking it first.

5. Favorite Vacation together? I think that would have to be Florida. We did so much and had such a great time - 6 years later we talk about it all the time still.

6. Who sings better? Ummm, let me see, isn't it obvious? Bryce!

7. Who is smarter? Depends . . .

8. Who does the laundry? Me

9. Who does the dishes? Mostly me, but he's a good help when I ask.

10. Who sleeps on the right side of the bed? Me

11. Who pays the bills? Its split.

12. Who mows the lawn? The weeds, more like it - The management!

13. Who cooks dinner? I do.

14. Who drives when you are together? Me because otherwise I'll get carsick

15. Who is more stubborn? I'm never stubborn . . .

16. Who is the first to admit they are wrong? Always me!

17. Whose parents do you see the most? We try to see both sets as much as we can.

18. Who kissed whom first? He kissed me first.

19. Who proposed? Bryce, of course, At the Garden Restaurant, SLC, February 26, 2000.

20. What was your first date? We watched a movie at my apartment. Real exciting, I know.

21. Who has more friends? We have a lot of friends together.

22. Who has more siblings? 5 for Bryce, 4 for me.

23. What do you love most about your Valentine? I love how we have so many similar interests. We love to explore together and try new things. We both love kids (especially ours), and its just nice to be together. Love you Babe!

Lucy's 4th Birthday

First Day of Febuary

The first day of Febuary brought us a wintery suprise! We woke up to the first big ice storm of the season. We've seen a few of these in our life, but we are still uterly amazed at how every tiny detail is absolutely layered with ice. The kids enjoyed eating icicles off the car and Caleb's bike. We love watching the wild Blue Jays and Cardinals feast on our neighbors wild bird seed. Even in the icey cold weather!!

 

 

And it only took me 10 minutes to chizzle the ice of the car before we could get the door open!

 

No More Naps?

So James has recently decided that he is "too big" to take naps. Every time we are home and it is nap time, he absolutely refuses to lie down and rest. He'll get up and play trains or just sit and whine, or sneak out of his room and sit at the top of the stairs. So, wondering if it might just be time to give them up, I decided to give it a couple of days to see how it went. Here is a picture of James day 1 of no nap around 5:30 pm at the dinner table.

 

And here is day two of mommy giving in to no naps around 5:45pm (supposed to be watching a movie).

 

As you can see, I don't think he's QUITE ready yet. What do you think?