How do I pick up blogging after not doing it in so long? At least it hasn't been a full year, and honestly, I don't know if I'd say I'm "picking it up" again. We'll see. I think the most exciting thing going on right now is that we are expecting baby #3, due October 3rd. We are excited. I'm 15 weeks, and nausea is finally feeling like it's starting to let up, just in time for exhaustion to set it. But it's been going well, and I'm excited to see how this baby changes the dynamic of our family.
William and Ann both had birthdays in the last few months. I have to say, there is not much I love more than seeing them feel special and loved, and that is what we make birthdays about. We did a small birthday party for William, with two cute friends in our building and his cousin Thomas. William wanted a "knights" party, so we decorated our own shields, and slayed the ferocious green "dragons" that were floating around the room. I thought this would be fun, but I didn't realize that it would be as big of a hit as it was! Nothing beats a boy with a sword. Here are 3 of the brave knights.
William also requested a white cake with white frosting and white ice cream. We were going for simple, and he was in on it, although I splurged a little bit and got a fun-fetti white cake. He was so happy with my art skills. A sword. Perfect for this little knight.
William is growing up so much. He can sit and play with Legos for an hour, building creative cars for his guys, and putting them in his own little world. He loves good-guy/bad-guy scenarios. He loves asking us to tell "Once upon a time" stories about him and his friends and their adventures, and quite often ends up telling us his own stories, which are pretty impressive. I love listening to him talk as he makes connections about things in the world. He's an explorer!
Annie keeps him on his toes, too. She loves him so much. Maybe too much? She'll do anything to get his attention, including torturing him. She knows just what toys to touch to make him scream, and loves to push his buttons. But she adores him, and tries to be like him in so many ways. I love those moments when they play together in the other room. Sometimes I'll turn on the baby monitor just to listen, knowing that the second I go in, it'll all be over.
We are also excited to welcome a cousin into the family, Baby Jeffrey. Annie also adores him, and it's so sweet to watch her with him. When ever we talk about him, she says "kisses!" The first time she held him she couldn't stop kissing his sweet little cheeks. It makes me excited to see her take on the roll of big sister.
Ann's birthday was an even lower-key event than William's, but we spoiled her non the less. Thoughtful William, when given the opportunity to choose a present for her, chose this stroller, and she loves it. Like on William's birthday, we filled the day full of little things we knew she'd love. She was queen of the day, and quite enjoyed it. Grandma and Grandpa Tyler stopped by to wish her Happy Birthday (she shares a birthday with my dad), and brought her a cute little balance bike, perfect for her size. It hasn't taken her long to be brave on it. I love watching her try new things because she sees William doing it! Overall, these two were spoiled rotten by their grandparents, aunts, uncles, cousins and friends! They are two sweet kids, and even though it's exhausting, I can't imagine anything else I'd enjoy more than being their mom!
