Our 2014 addition will be...

A GIRL

Three little girls will rock our world--in all the good ways.

We really are thrilled and aren't too surprised. At an 11 week ultrasound the tech couldn't tell for certain the baby's gender, but she guessed a girl.

Matt, I'm sure can handle it--as was evident yesterday at the doctor's office where he didn't bat an eye at Kaitlyn's request and wore girly sunglasses (for a little bit).

Skylie's Birthday Recap

In August Skylie turned four-years-old.

She'd told me for months that she wanted a giant birthday party and gave specifics about what she wanted to do at her party: have pizza and a movie night with cake, popcorn, presents, and a pinata. Her simple requests were easily granted!

Skylie's birthday fell on a Saturday that Matt worked, so one of my friends and I took our kids to a play area to fill the morning.

Party time came in the evening. Even though Skylie wanted to have "lots and lots of friends" at her party I insisted we keep it small and only invite her Primary class, her cousin, and Matt's co-worker's daughter. Though simple, the party was a hit.

Before preschool the day before Skylie's birthday: Taking mini donuts to her class made Skylie's day.

Playing in a nearby play area with one of her best buds

Breaking a pinata at the birthday bash

Playing the classic game of eating donuts without using hands

Zoned into a movie to finish off the party

Happy birthday, Skylie!

A Few More Random Videos

Kaitlyn's Birthday Recap

Kaitlyn turned two the end of July, and we celebrated in low-key style. Doing only the bare minimum became my creed this summer during the early months of pregnancy. Even so, the birthday girl seemed thrilled.

Friends of Skylie's and Kaitlyn's came over in the morning for a play date. 

In the evening we took the kids to Chick-Fil-A for dinner and to play in the play area.

 Opening presents and eating birthday cake completed the night.

Notice Kaitlyn's fashion statement? Tank top over a hoodie? Yes please, for the birthday girl.

Dirt dessert served as the birthday cake, per Skylie's  and Kaitlyn's obsession with bugs. Skylie calls it "worm cake."

Grandma and Grandpa will probably be the only people who care to watch this eight minute video. This is the kids opening a package from Grandma. 

Kaitlyn: Two-Years-Old

Playing in our little backyard pool on her birthday

Dear Kaitlyn,

Happy birthday! We love having you in our family. You bring a spunky and independent personality, which I love.

You are the classic two-year-old, encompassing the typical traits of a mini-person who wants to do everything! Unfortunately, you don't always have the patience or ability to do things on your own--which at times reeks havoc on my eardrums. :)

One of your striking traits is how much of a daddy's girl you are. You are his shadow whenever he's around and will often push me away and add "No!" if I try to steal you from his clutches. You toddle to the garage door and gleefully announce, "Daddy's home!" when you hear him arrive.

You are fearless. Recently we vacationed at Myrtle Beach, and you raced into the waves time and time again, almost getting carried away. At an attraction with inflated bounce toys, you didn't think twice about climbing 20-foot ladders to slide down slides.

An older man at the beach remarked that you "were a joy to watch and seemed like one of the most contented toddlers" he'd ever seen. He told Daddy that he'd noticed that all day long you only cried once--when Dad left.

You're saying lots of sentences, which we can usually understand.

Once, Skylie asked me to act like a baby, so I began acting like you sometimes do--"Waaah! Waah! Mine! Mine!" I whined. You (who had been playing on your own) turned, pointed at me, and sternly rebuked, "Nice, Mommy!"

Complete role reversal in action. :)

The cutest thing you do is exclaim, "happy face" and squish your cheeks together with your hands making a cheesy grin. I also love that every time I pick you up to carry you down stairs you exclaim, "Wheee!"

At two-years-old:

• You love puzzles, babies, strollers, sand, Dora, Elmo, dogs, cats, elephants, eating, picking out your clothes, bike rides, wearing dresses, and refusing to wear actual pajamas to bed.
• You dislike being told "no," sharing, and being bothered when you want to be by yourself.

We love you more than ever and are excited to see what the coming year brings for you.

Love,
Mom