My Birthday and Our Big Announcement!

All of our families were able to come in town for Memorial Day, which is always extra fun for me when my birthday falls on or around Memorial Day.  This year was even more exciting because we had a huge announcement for our families!  I got the whole thing on video but have never learned how to download it to the computer.  I will work on that.  But in case you haven’t heard, Haidyn is going to be a…
Jonathan and I are over the moon.  We had really hoped to have more kids - we both absolutely love being parents - and would have loved for it to happen without all the doctors, tests, medications, shots, etc. that we needed with Haidyn.  And it did.  And we were shocked.  Still are.  But loving the idea of having another amazing little miracle join our family!  Apparently we got pregnant right after my Corpus Christi trip, so I think Tippi Toes has brought some awesome luck to our family! 
We had everyone over for a bar-b-que the weekend of Memorial Day.  Jonathan gathered everyone in the kitchen and told them that he and Haidyn were going to get my birthday present.  At this point I was sure everyone had figured us out (we’d only been keeping the secret for 3 whole weeks!), especially since I remembered to get out the video camera and I never remember to do that.  Jonathan changed Haidyn into her "Big Sister" shirt that we'd been saving and let her walk out into the kitchen where everyone was waiting.  Apparently they were all clueless and their reactions were priceless.  My sister was the first to figure it out and shouted, “Are you pregnant?!?” Then Judy cried, Mike clapped, my dad grinned from ear-to-ear, and Sarah & Dave were super excited.  It was a great moment and a memory I hope to have forever. 

We spent the rest of the afternoon eating and having a great time watching the kids play.  There’s nothing better than time with family!  I feel so blessed to be part of such an amazing one.  Fun with bubbles!  Sweet Simone…she’ll be able to join the action soon!  A toast to baby Teal #2! Nothing like a Blue Bell ice cream cone So glad SES and Bampa brought those from Oklahoma Sharing a bite with Savta And a kiss Love that little messy face and chubby cheeks! Water table fun Haidyn with Aunt SES Rub-a-dub-dub three monkeys in a tub! Samuel’s enjoying himself… …but Haidyn’s not so sure about this deal Bampa teaches her all the important things.  Like how to shoot a water gun. On my birthday I got to enjoy a very special lunch date with my hot hubby and darling little girl.  I like to think she’s saying, “Happy birthday, mom!”  Only really Jonathan taught her to say, “Go Royals!”  Go figure. The best gift in the whole world is being a mom to this little pumpkin AND knowing we get to do it all again!

May

We actually stayed in town for the month of May, and it was a nice change of pace.  We’ve really enjoyed the beautiful weather and the beginning of summer.  I had the most wonderful Mother’s Day with my two favorite people…

My view at brunch…love Waiting for our tropical sno.  Isn’t Mother’s Day the perfect time to try a sno cone for the first time?!? Mmmm…I think she likes it This might be my most favorite card ever

 Playing at the park after sno cones Trying the big slide with daddyLove my little family!

We’re having lots of fun in the backyard…

 This water table brings hours and hours of entertainment My little helper  This girl LOVES to swing.  And I love the look on her face! She “hides” from us and we say, “Where’d she go?”  Then she pops her eyes open and puts out her arms like, “Ta Da!  Here I am!”  It’s so funny. More popsicles

April

April was another busy month around here!  After we returned from Kansas City, I left the next Tuesday to go to Corpus Christi.  It was my first official business trip EVER!  I headed to Corpus Christi to visit two friends from college and to see their amazing business, Tippi Toes Dance Company, for myself.  Sarah started Tippi Toes when we were in college, and her sister Megan joined her a few years later.  In the past few years they have begun franchising.  I found out about it when Sarah mailed me two Tippi Toes CDs for Haidyn to dance to.  Jonathan and I had been considering this business venture since December and were finally ready to make a real decision.  The last important piece for me was going to Corpus to see the company in action with my own two eyes.  And I was sold.

So…Jonathan and I are now proud owners of Tippi Toes St. Louis!  I am so incredibly excited and nervous and overwhelmed and excited!  It has been a total “God thing” as evidenced by all of the pieces falling into place the way they have.  I feel so blessed to be part of an amazing company whose whole mission is to bring joy to children through dance!  I couldn’t be happier!  I only took one picture of my trip (so sad!)…

Our view from dinner on my last night in Corpus

But I’ve been shamelessly plugging Tippi Toes around town with my own free advertisement…

Cookie picnic at the park (in Tippi Toes gear) 

After I returned we (Jonathan, Judy, Sarah and I) participated in the Go! St. Louis Half Marathon.  Jonathan ran with a relay from his work and the three of us were *supposed* to be walking the half marathon.  Once the marathon started, Judy and Sarah both wanted to run some of it, so I agreed.  Not because I enjoy running in any way (because I DON’T) but mostly because I didn’t want to get lost in the huge sea of 16,000 people that were there.  I ran about 5 miles, which is really good for me, then did okay walking until about mile 8.  At that point I was done.  I didn’t want to walk anymore.  I wanted to be doing anything in the world besides the half marathon.  My head was pounding, I was starving, my feet hurt, I was a mess.  Outwardly I kept trying to be positive, but all I could think about was how to find an escape route.  Knowing my lack of directional sense and the fact that we were in downtown St. Louis, I figured my options were to finish the race or get lost/robbed/killed in the Lou.  I finished.  But I wasn’t happy.  And I proceeded to puke my guts out once we got in the car.  At least I learned some things about myself that day:  1.  I am NOT in shape  2.  I do NOT like marathons, half or otherwise  3.  I’m not nearly as positive as I make myself out to be, especially when I’m hungry  4. Me and that pineapple goo I ate in hopes of filling my stomach at mile 8 do not get along  5.  I really prefer a Starbucks mocha and cuddling on the couch with my daughter over any form of exercise…I’ll stop there.

Later that week (after I got over hating the half marathon) we joined our friends Ava and Keren at the Botanical Gardens.

 Looking out of the beehive Enjoying a snack in the tree house Why do you think our moms put us in a log?  Weird. My cutie pie is getting so big!

We’ve really enjoyed playing outside this month.

 Haidyn discovered the joys of taking her baby for a walk Playing in her new playhousePopsicles are a big deal around here 

And we’ve started playing dress up.

 Putting hats on with Keller Sporting her bunny ears And (much to my dismay) she’s starting to have an opinion about what she wants to wear.  Those ruby red shoes are “it.”  It’s getting more and more difficult to find outfits to match…