Siesta Key, Florida - Thanksgiving

We are back from the most amazing vacation to Siesta Key!  The weather was just beautiful, Lucy adored every minute of the water and sand, and it was nice to spend relaxing time with family. Mimi and Papa, Jay, The Peshke Family, The Burrow Family all joined us on this trip.  Due to the quantity of pictures, and my inability to not share 1,000, this post will have to be in two parts!

Siesta Key - Part 1

We stayed in a condo with the Burrow family.  Saying the girls had a good time is quite the understatement.

Mornings included jumping on the king size bed at 7:30 am...


Sprout, Elmo, and cuddling...



We would then head to the beach for the morning.  Usually this was about 8:30am - 11:30am when the girls were starving and tired. We would head back to the condo for lunch and a nap.  Then it was back to the beach for the afternoon. The beach was a blast and the water and sand were all the entertainment needed.











The wagon was perfect to lug the girls to and from the beach each day!


Check this girl out!  She was in her hay-day with Daddy and the ocean.



Mimi and Papa were quite the hit as well.  All the grandbabies would shout "Mimi, Papa!" as they walked down the boardwalk.  They were like the celebrities on our beach!


Lucy could get Papa to do anything she dreamed, as she learned to grab his hand a lead him to the ocean. HA!






Oh, don't you worry.  If Lucy didn't get her way, she would let us all know!

Yes, that is a tantrum "face in the sand-style!"  She had by-passers on the beach stopping to "awwwww!" her! She's just a tad dramatic.

In the evenings, before dinner we would head back to the beach for the sunset.  The PRETTIEST time on the beach.  The light was just beautiful, almost surreal, and we would all try to capture it on film!






We got smart and brought along bribes....a.k.a. cookies!

Lucy will do anything for a cookie!



Lucy adores her older cousin, Ellie.  And wanted to do whatever she was doing....


This ends Part 1!

Part 2 coming soon...

Almost 17 weeks...

It is hard to believe that I am already in my second trimester and starting my 17th week of pregnancy. Pregnancy #2 has been much different than #1 because I am so busy. No longer do I spend my days and evenings day-dreaming of paint colors and bedding. Instead, it seems my days are full of work, dinner, evening routine, etc until I pass out in bed at night. I wouldn't change a thing even if I could, but I do need to make an effort to slow down and document this pregnancy when I can.

We are just as excited and anxious for the arrival of a healthy baby this spring. We wonder often what baby #2 will look like, will it be a boy or girl, what will Lucy think, when will the baby arrive. When we were in Siesta Key last week, Denny and I went out to dinner one night, and spent the entire evening discussing our new baby. Names was the main topic of conversation. We are not set on any names yet but we came up with some we both really liked. It is fun to imagine another beautiful newborn arriving this spring.

Baby #2, Mommy and Daddy love you so much. We cannot wait to meet you. I felt you for the first time 2 weeks ago and it was the best feeling of my life. The smallest flitter and movement from you brings a smile to my face. We pray for your health each and every day and talk about you constantly.

 I love you,
Mommy

Exciting News! Baby #2!

We are so excited to share with everyone that we are expecting Baby #2! I am due May 8th, 2012!

Here is our very first ultrasound of our newest addition.

This ultrasound was taken at 9 weeks and then baby was just 2.33 cm long. The "x" on the ultrasound mark the baby from head to bottom. Baby #2 was resting upside-down this day. Our little "kidney bean!"

On Denny's 30th birthday we were lucky to get another ultrasound of Baby #2!

In this ultrasound you will see a side profile of the baby's face, the baby's arm and hand, and leg and foot. Our little baby was active this day and even did a few jumps for us. What a great experience for Denny on his 30th birthday - seeing his healthy Baby #2!

We are thrilled to be adding another child to our family. What a gift for Miss Lucy! Lucy will turn 2 in February and Baby #2 will join our family in May. We aren't making bets yet on BOY or GIRL but we will find out gender the week before Christmas.

***Side Note: Now you understand the large gap in blogging the past 3 months. I have been sick, REALLY SICK, and lucky to be making it through each day. I am finally turning the corner, feeling like myself again, and so excited to share the news with everyone.

Out Dated Events

Toledo Zoo
Quite a while back we went to the Toledo Zoo with The Burrow Gang and Mimi and Papa! The girls had a blast running around like crazy and seeing all the animals.

We started the day with the must-have elephant statue pictures...



It was a beautiful fall day and Lucy just wanted to run.....

...and it is even more fun when Papa will chase you!


This picture captures that wild exploring that day...


We all enjoyed exploring that day. Lucy found ropes, shadows, hair bows, and looking upside-down!




HAHA!

We even got to see Lucas, the baby elephant!


The girls with Papa and Mimi!


Lucy's first trip to the Toledo Zoo!



Family Fall Festival
We stumbled upon a church Fall Festival last weekend. Lucy was in awe of the Bounce House activities but just wanted to check them out...


She wasn't so sure about them at first. But minutes later....


She was screaming in delight!

Then for the big slide. She doesn't have much fear and said, "Daddy go!"

So they climbed up and got ready to slide down.


Weeeeeee!





What fun! Luckily, Daddy was a good sport and there wasn't a line so Lucy could go over and over and over again!

Happy Fall!