Girls Will Be Outnumbered

So yesterday was our big day! In the morning, I had asked Taylor on two different occasions what she would prefer, a sister or a brother. He response both times was "Grandpa." Little did she know what was coming her way.

The ultrasound was great...very long and exhaustive. They checked and double checked everything, and the baby is completely healthy. Praise God! Pretty early on in the ultrasound, it was evident we were having a boy. Our well-endowed son was showing himself off to the world. I said "oh, it's a boy isn't it?" and the ultrasound tech confirmed not once or twice but three times!

I was in shock (I'm still in shock) as I had a maternal instinct it was a girl. Boy, was I off. So now we can't use our girl name Brooklyn and have to agree on a boy's name. Hank and I have different names that we like, but the top two so far are Asher and Ryland. I love Ashton too but I'm alone on that one. So this baby might be unnamed until we see him for ourselves and can agree on the name. Until then, we'll practice calling him different names to see which one sticks.

Landon's First Haircut

Landon isn't quite one yet, but he was starting to look like a little old man. And since we have his one-year-old photos and Taylor's two-year-old photos planned for tomorrow, I thought he was due for a haircut...his very first. Taylor really didn't mind when she had her haircuts, but Landon didn't really enjoy his. When had to keep him occupied with holding the digital camera. It seemed to work!

Of course I kept a few of the scrap pieces of hair. His color is definitely more blond than Taylor. I will scrapbook the photos and his hair hopefully tonight. I love his new cut...I asked for a faux-hawk, and that's we he got!

A Day in the Park

A week ago, I took the kids to the park where we met up with Joanna and her twins Kat and Brody. Joanna, a freelance photographer, takes the best photos and here are some of my favorites from our playtime. Joanna was actually trying to take Taylor's 2 year photos, but it didn't really seem to work out. All Taylor wanted to do was play with her buddies. Can't say I blame her....

First Day of School

Today was Taylor's first day of Montessori school. She's in a toddler class with other 2 year olds and will attend a total of 6 hours a week. I was a bit bummed this morning as I was getting her dressed because I knew today would be a big day, and that I would be at work and unable to drop Taylor off at her new school and watch her experience a new environment. I didn't think she would be sad to say goodbye, but Hank said she was a little scared when the teacher walked her away to her class.

Taylor is experiencing a once-in-a-lifetime adventure. She has been given a chance to develop new skills and learn in a non-traditional setting. Her mind right now is like a giant sponge. Everyday she increases her vocabulary, and it stuns me how a little person can comprehend so much.

I asked Hank to take a photo of Taylor at school, and he took the one of her walking away with her teacher. It brings tears to my eyes to see my baby girl grow up. Of course I am happy, but it's a slap of reality that we only have her for a short amount of time before she is grown and on her own. We love you Taylor!

On the Move

Landon is officially on the move. He started crawling last night. This morning I took the kids to the park where we met up with friends Joanna, Kat & Brody. While I was running over to help Taylor with something, Landon had quickly managed to crawl from a "safe" area to the sand and was about to take a big bite before I caught him. We eventually headed to the local pizza joint for a quick, yummy lunch before heading home.

The park in our community is fantastic. Joanna and I are going to try to take the kids to the park once a week and meet for a picnic while the weather is still beautiful. I'm already dreading the summer heat and being stuck indoors since I won't be able to take two little ones to the pool by myself.

Taylor received a star today for going pee pee on the potty. I get so excited for her that she starts to laugh and must wonder about me. She cracks me up because today she was cheering me on when it was my turn to go potty.

I will be packing up the kids and dropping them off at grandma and grandpa's house for the weekend. Tomorrow Hank and I celebrate our 11-year wedding anniversary and we're going to spend the weekend together without the kids. Kind of excited, kind of sad. We both love these little breaks, but we don't feel complete either without them around. And that's probably a good thing!

New Ride

Yeah! We finally have our new family car. It is wonderful and provides lots of space for the kids. Hank drove home with it early Monday evening. I wanted to drive it so bad so we went for a family drive. We are so thankful that the Lord helped us find this great van. We prayed for it specifically, and we got what we asked for -- a cheap van in excellent condition. Anyway, here are a few pics of us going for the first ride.

A cute story from this morning. I woke up with Taylor standing 5 inches away from my head saying "hot dog mommy." She was wearing her normal pj's and a big pink summer hat that has a bigger rim to block the shade. Hank and I looked at her and chuckled to ourselves because she was so cute. No she wasn't asking for me to make her a hot dog for breakfast; she wanted me to eat her pretend hot dog that she had prepared for me along with all the other plastic food she managed to bring in our room. Kids are so precious!

Our Week

I can't believe how little I have blogged lately. My online scrapbook makes it appear that not much is happening in our lives, but that's not the case at all. This past week was sort of a whirlwind of activities from Hank quickly, unexpectedly selling his truck to setting us on a fast search for our new family car -- a minivan. Never thought I would see the day where I would be driving a minivan, but that day has arrived and I am actually quite excited about it. Hopefully we'll pick up our new "ride" tomorrow.

My grandma from Canada was here to spend a week with the kids and she helped us out big time from cleaning my blinds to watching the kids. It's hard to believe she is almost 80 and still up and at it!

Today was a family day and we spent lots of time outside. Both kids love it in the backyard. We're letting them stay out there as much as possible because very soon it will be too hot and they'll be stuck inside.

Today, March 1, we started a new potty chart for Taylor. Every day she does her thing in the potty, she'll get a sticker for her chart. Wish us luck on this one. So far, Taylor likes to go potty on the grass the best. My Opa would be so proud of her. However, little ladies can't continue to do their thing on the grass for too long!