The "Surprise"

Well, I hinted at a surprise a while ago, although by now, all 4 of my blog readers know the big news! :)

We are expecting McBaby #2! Due March 17 (St. Patrick's Day!) although the last measurements indicated March 12... we'll see.

We are very excited of course, and a little nervous about this new adventure. (Will we ever sleep again? How do you get 2 kids on the same nap schedule?)

So far everything looks great. I'm 15 weeks along today and thankfully past most of the nausea and exhaustion! I've had 2 ultrasounds already (I'm considered "Advanced Maternal Age") and the little guy/girl is jumping and rolling and growing like crazy!

Hopefully we'll find out the sex in about 5 weeks, and then the great name debate can really begin! I love thinking about names and so far have lots of favorites. I'd like it to be kind of old fashioned (like Amelia), possibly Irish, and not too weird, but not too common either.

Here is my favorite photo of the little jumping bean at 12 weeks waving hello. We'll keep you posted as the weeks go by!

First Day of Pre-Preschool!

Amelia started her two mornings a week preschool program last week! It seems a little funny to call it "preschool" already, but she calls it school and she is enjoying it so far! There have been no tears, and she will talk non-stop for about 5 minutes when I pick her up, describing her day. I only understand about 1/3 of what she says, but so far I've heard about the potty, a birthday party, toys and a teacher fixing her shoe :) So cute! The time apart is weird, but nice for both of us I think. I'm able to go to the gym and take a long shower without feeling guilty! Today I vacuumed the entire house (glamorous, I know) without Amelia screaming and crying because she's terrified of the vacuum.

I hope she continues to like school and make friends and love her teachers! I'll keep you posted.

Here are a few photos from her first day.

Cheesing it up at the front door.

You want me to go WHERE?

It was a rainy day and she LOVES this umbrella from Maddie :)

Oh, they have toys and other kids here... Hmmm, might be ok!

Photo Overload

Hat time
Fun in Grandma W's pool

I want her hair!!

Stylin' in the rain boots

These are a few photos from the "tumblers" class Mia took this summer. She LOVED it and learend a lot of skills. I blame this class for the crib scaling issues we are having lately :)

Playing in the water with Ben

This is my backyard. I wish. Beautiful Norfolk Botanical Gardens.

Pretty little Swallowtail in the Lantana

Me and Shana in front of the roses we pruned in February!

TGIS (September)

September is my all time favorite month, followed closely by October, and then maybe May. I used to be a summer girl, but in my old age I have grown tired of the heat and bugs and feeling like I am cooped up inside. Jeez, I sound just like my Dad ! :)

Anyway, I am so excited that the weather is a bit cooler, I've had windows open all week and we've been taking more walks to the playground again. A few tidbits from our lives this past week or so:

1) Amelia can get out of the crib. This is not good. We put her down for a nap today, after a gorgeous beach morning (guaranteed nap activity, right??) and sat on the couch to relax. Two minutes later we were greeted by our daughter with a guilty smile on her face. After a few more tries, we gave up and she had no nap. Tonight at bedtime, she tried it once, but was so tired that after our second goodnight attempt, she crashed. We are now frantically searching the Internet for crib tents and other options. Not ready for the big girl bed just yet!

2) Amelia starts PRESCHOOL on Thursday! Yikes! It is really just 2 mornings a week but she will be with lots of other kids in a school environment. I have mixed feelings about this. I think she will really like it, but I know I will cry like a baby the first time I leave her. On the other hand, I'll have 6 HOURS a week of "free time"! What should I do??

3) We are still being kind of lazy and inconsistent with potty training, but as anyone with young children knows, there is rarely any "alone" time in the bathroom for the adults in the house. I can tell that some of the potty training is sticking because when I am finished in the bathroom, Amelia heaps praise on me like "Good girl Mommy! I am SO proud of you"! It is so funny and maybe a little embarrassing!

That's about all for now. We hope to enjoy this long weekend and spend time doing some yard work, and hanging out with friends. Again, photos are coming... Some nice ones of a trip to the Botanical Gardens and Butterfly House and maybe even a surprise :)

Happy Labor Day and Welcome September!