Soaking her up

We had a doctor's appointment today and found out that there's a good chance we'll be inducing on May 9th! So exciting! I was hoping for this but now it is suddenly feeling soooooo soon and I am even more nostalgic now about our little family of 3 turning into one of 4. Mainly, I can't believe this will be my last week a half alone ever with my sweet girl. I've been trying to take advantage of every day with her and soak up every minute. We've been going to her music class, baking, making trips to the library and playground, lots of snuggling and reading, and this week she and I had a mommy-daughter date to the zoo. It was a humid and rainy day and I probably had no business walking my huge self around the zoo with a toddler, but I was just happy to be there with her.

Peering in at the goats

Playing on the spider's web

On the pony ride (this was her face the whole time). :)

The Giraffes

Helping me bake some blueberry muffins

Today Saylor is sick, complete with a cough, runny nose and fever. Of course this meant she had trouble napping, so I ended up going in a laying down with her. I am typically a stickler for her nap/my alone time and very very rarely do I do this. But today, it was fitting and I was so thankful for that sweet time with her. I couldn't sleep because my mind was racing with everything that needs to be done before his arrival. But for almost an hour and half I got to hold my little girl and rub her back and pray for her and watch her sleep peacefully (well, minus the congested breathing and coughing). Still and peaceful is not really her mode of operation these days, so I enjoyed every minute of it! :)

I kept thinking about how it was HER arrival we were eagerly anticipating just TWO years ago, and now she is so grown up: talking in sentences, sharing her own opinion, always being curious silly and making us laugh, surprising us with the things she remembers and how quickly she learns.

At one point as she was snuggled onto my chest and baby boy was kicking around inside me, I realized I was actually "holding" both my sweet kiddos. Wow! I am truly so thankful to be their mom, and thankful for quiet and still moments like we had today to reflect and remember.

Easter 2011

Happy Easter!

Family picture at church

Standing by her favorite statue

Easter Brunch

Hunting for eggs

And coloring some

Reading the Easter story

Christ the Lord is risen today! Alleluia!

Saylor Says

Lately:

- To the clerk while we were in the drive through lane at the pharmacy: "Hey lady! Hey lady! (Becoming more insistent). "I want some more goldfish please?"

- To her friend Gavin who was over playing: "Hey Gavin come see my poo-poo in the potty!" (Really, she'll say this to anyone who happens to be over after she finishes her deed.

- After flushing the potty, and with great exclamation: "Oh, oh! Bye-bye poo-poo! Poo-poo is going back home!"

- To Pop-Pop on the phone: "Pop-pop, what you do today?" "Pop-pop, what you wearing?"

- In her car seat, after deciding to pour some of her milk out onto her leg: "Bad decision, Saylor!"

- When Nona asked her who she saw at school: "Audrey, Brody, William, Cate, Katelin, all my peoples!"

- When asked if she wanted to pray: "No, Jesus wants to watch Science Kid!" (her favorite TV show).

She has also been giving most of her stickers (still giving those for every time she pees in the potty) to baby brother. So by the end of the day my stomach is covered in butterfly stickers under my shirt!

Sprinkle

Some of my sweet friends took me to dinner a couple weeks ago to celebrate our upcoming baby boy! I had such a good time and felt so loved and celebrated that they did this for us.

A sweet ribbon circle with notes from everyone

Flowers

Cupcakes!

The sweet friends who planned the fun night: Mare, Lauren, and Laura

Mare got some PJ's for baby and big sister - so cute!

Oh the pregnancy picture. Don't think I have posted any this time around...maybe because I know how hard it is for that cute bump to really go away when it's all over - ha! This was at 32 weeks and he's definitely bigger now at 35!

Washing and putting away some of his gifts - this makes me SO EXCITED for him to be here!!!!

Thank you to my sweet friends in Dallas who helped me celebrate with a fun night - I love you!

Preparing for Easter...

Today I am thankful for this reminder!

Nursery

I went neutral with the nursery when I was expecting with Saylor in hopes that one day that would pay off - and it did! (Just call me practical like that). All I had to do this time around was change the pink accents to blue - but the bedding, glider, curtains, etc. all stayed the same. Now the room is almost ready - just a few more little things to do.

Here's a picture from the door way

The crib (complete with bite marks from big sister)

The changing table, lamp (the do-it yourself kind from Joanne's) and frame

This is my favorite part of the room. When Saylor was born, my great aunt sent her this book. I had never heard of it, but immediately LOVED it and Saylor has loved it too. I think the illustrations in it are just gorgeous and really wanted to incorporate them somehow into his room. So I just tore them out and added them to this frame that we've had for years. I love the way it turned out!

A closer view of one of the pictures

I like it when decorating is simple and inexpensive! ;) Now we just need our little guy to make the whole thing complete!

Update

We've now been at the potty training thing for over a week...the verdict? It's going awesome for pee and not so awesome for poo. I will just leave it at that and spare you all the messy details. :) Sweet girl is trying so hard and she really is doing great. I'm thankful that we started now, because this would be very hard to do while nursing a newborn all day!

In other news, Saylor got a new hairdo today! I'm still adjusting but I think it's pretty cute. :)

Love this girl, can't believe how quickly she is growing up!

Salmon

Is seriously this girl's favorite food!