Siblings

Steve and I are so excited to share with you all that Baby #3 is a little Girl!

 Baby Girl is growing strong and healthy, and we can't believe that she will be arriving in just 10 short weeks!  Besides the normal aches and pains of pregnancy, I am doing very well!  The doctor told me that baby is sitting breech currently, but that she has plenty of time to move.  My doctor did mention that because she is breech, it has contributed to my heartburn, though, since baby is sitting so high in my belly!  Just like Joelle, I am carrying this baby very high and just in front.  Jonas, on the other hand, sat very low, and seemed to wrap around my entire belly.  I tend to get a lot of shocked looks as I turn around in the grocery store, with explanations that I just don't look pregnant from the back and that I startled them when I turned around!  It just makes me smile!  At 30 weeks pregnant, I definitely feel pregnant, and definitely look pregnant! 

Jonas has been particularly enjoying this phase of pregnancy.  He often tells me that my belly is huge, and is very curious to know how the baby eats right now.  He has felt the baby kick many times, but just this morning, he finally connected the movement to the baby!  He had crawled up onto our bed this morning, excited to tell me how much he loved the baby, and had leaned in to give my belly a big hug - all the while talking - when baby girl gave a nice big kick right into his chest!  He stopped, in the middle of his sentence (something that doesn't happen often!) and looked at me, kinda confused, so I told him that it wasn't me and that it was the baby!  He just giggled and smiled and hugged my belly even more!  It was very special to see him experience that! 

We have been prepping Joelle for becoming a big sister, and I think she is just starting to understand the basics of what is to come!  She often rubs my belly, saying "baby", but doesn't like to say "baby sister", like I try to prompt her to do.  I think it will be a bit of a transition for her, understanding that she isn't the littlest, but I think she will do well!  We just moved her up to her big girl toddler bed, and already I have seen a change in attitude from her!  She wants to be a big girl, and she is excited to grow up, just like big brother!  Just like big brother, Joelle loves to give my belly kisses and hugs!  We are so very excited for Joelle to have a sister! 


Is this not the sweetest thing you have ever seen in your life? 



Yes, some of you may be rolling your eyes at another picture of my adorable children, but seriously, they are just so darn cute, it's hard to not show off some of the sweeter moments that they have! 

The past few months have been challenging, but have been so incredible wonderful as well!  Jonas and Joelle have been learning to play together, and have really become the best of friends!  Lately, in the mornings, they check to see if the other is awake, and then find some toys to play with together!  It has been particularly wonderful for me to get a few more minutes of sleep!  Just like any siblings, they fight and argue, and I'm sure that I am only seeing the beginnings of this, but it warms my heart to hear them tell each other "I Love You" or to see Joelle run over to Jonas waiting for a hug. 

About a month or so ago, we were really having trouble with Jonas at night time.  We came to the realization that he was a bit lonely at night, alone in his room, so we decided to try room sharing for him and Joelle.  It has made a huge difference in how they play together, and how they interact overall!  They love to spend time together, and somehow the 'cool-ness' of sharing a room, just the two of them, really makes them enjoy their time together more!  As a mom, watching your children play together nicely is the best gift they could ever give you! 

And since no post would be complete without a ridiculous amount of pictures of my kids, here you go!!  Enjoy! 

 Jonas really enjoys having his picture taken lately!  Joelle, well, let's just say she has been a bit cranky when I pull the camera out!  Maybe next time I get some pictures, she will cooperate more!!

Pumpkin Picking!

We had a great time this past weekend taking the kids to their first Pumpkin Patch!  Two of my sisters, Alyssa and Sammy, and Sammy's boyfriend Matt, were down visiting, so we thought it would be a fun adventure for the morning!  It was cold and a bit rainy, but we had a blast!  Jonas and Joelle both picked out tiny little palm sized pumpkins!  They were absolutely adorable and the kids had so much fun! 

 

Photos are great!

3 is a good number

 

Steve and I are so excited to announce that our Third Baby

will be joining our family sometime this January!!

 



 

 

 

Jonas and Joelle are so excited to welcome a little baby brother or baby sister this winter, and Steve and I couldn't be more thrilled to grow our family into 5! 

 

This little girl gets to be a big sister!



And this little boy is convinced he is getting a baby brother!

Please join with us as we celebrate this new little life!  18 weeks down, 22 to go!

How can you be 3?

My Little Jonas Malachi

It seems like just a short time ago I was holding you in my arms for the very first time, and now you are 3 years old!  It just doesn't seem possible!  You have grown so much over this past year, and it makes me incredibly proud to see you become a sweet little boy.  But there will always be a part of my heart that misses the just-born-tiny-little-baby Jonas, and the just-learning-to-crawl Jonas, and the singing-all-of-the-wrong-words-to-the-song Jonas.  This new Big-Boy-Jonas is just that, it's new! You have changed from a little baby to a toddler and now into a young boy!  My, how time flies! 

Over the past year, I have watched you learn new things, like how to ride a tricycle and how to use the potty, but I have also watched you grow on the inside too.  I have watched you struggle to understand why we have to say "no" sometimes, and why you have to share your toys, but there is nothing that makes me more proud than to see you overcome that natural reaction to be angry or to be mean.  It makes me so happy to see you share and play nicely with your sister and to watch you listen to mommy and daddy without complaining.  I know these things take time to learn, and we will try to be patient with you as best we can!  You know, mom and dad make mistakes too sometimes!  Jonas, we pray that you will continue to struggle against your sin nature, and fight to be the little boy that God wants you to be; the little boy that we love to see shine through you.  We pray that you will continue to learn about God and all of the amazing things he has done in our lives and in this world.  I love to see the spark in your eyes when we talk about the amazing things that He has done!  I pray that the Holy Spirit will continue to guide you down the path toward Salvation and that some day you will fully understand the Love that God has for you! 

Jonas, the joy that we see and experience from you every day is such a blessing in our lives!  Even on the rainiest of days, like today, you find a way to be happy and you bring that joy into our home.  Thank you for your incredible smile.  So many times I have had a rough morning, and your smile is what wakes me up and reminds me of God's love for us.  It is my little reminder to be happy too!  Don't ever let that joy escape you.  Hold onto it tight and let it shine like you so often do. 

I know that in the years to come, you will continue to change and grow and learn new things.  Always remember that your dad and I love you and we are so proud of you.  You are an incredible little boy and we can't wait to see you grow over this next year! 

We love you Jonas!





Pictures of Jonas from 2-3 years old