IT’S A BOY!!!

Two weeks ago John and I found out together that our fourth baby is a beautiful baby boy!  All the old wives tales were wrong as was my own intuition (which has been off every single pregnancy).  I remember swearing Isla was a boy the day we walked in to discover a daughter would be our first born.  Then with Leo, our surprise, I just knew I’d be having another girl.  When I was pregnant with Palmer, I didn’t even have time to guess because at our 12 week ultrasound we were told he was most likely a boy.  This time all I want to eat is chocolate and all the other “girly” symptoms I have too so I was pleasantly surprised when our ultrasound tech., Pam, said, “do you see that?”  John saw right away and said, “Oh, my gosh!  3 boys!” I was like, “no way!”  A part of me was sad in that moment because I knew Isla would be my only girl and she wouldn’t get to experience a sister but all that went away in a split second when I saw our little baby boy and how absolutely precious and healthy he is.  He is measuring 3 days ahead and at 19 weeks was weighing 10 oz.  His little heart rate was 142 bpm.  I know that John and I are so very blessed in the fact that we are super fertile and have had happy and healthy babies.  I can’t thank God enough for that.  The fact that I get to be a mom to 4 precious babies is beyond anything I could have ever dreamed.  We are over the moon! 

After leaving the Dr. office John and I went and bought 3 blue balloons to take to Isla, Leo, and Palmer as a way to tell them that a baby brother was on the way.  Isla’s reaction was priceless and totally unexpected.  A part of me thought she wanted a sister to dance and play dress up with but boy was I wrong.  We walked into her pre-k class holding the blue balloon and she looked up from the dress up center, spotted the blue balloon, and ran over yelling as happy and loudly as she could, “IT’S A BOY!!!”  Tears filled my eyes with happiness.  One of the best moments ever!  Her teacher, Mrs. Mary, was crying because she was so happy for Isla.  Apparently Isla had been praying the whole 19 weeks for another brother and told Mrs. Mary that in the morning.  Our little Isla is ecstatic and she will definitely remain Mommy and Daddy’s princess forever.  Leo and Palmer were excited too but I think they were more excited about the blue balloons.  I have around 18 weeks left in this pregnancy and pray that everything continues to go well and that little boy keeps growing strong and healthy.  We can’t wait to meet our little Turkey, whose due date would literally be Thanksgiving Day!  Fitting since we have SOOOOO very much to be thankful for!

Phone Photos

I always forget I take pictures on my phone.  They need a place to go so here they are…

Isla’s ballet/tap recital was downtown at the Times Union Center.  The theme was Barbie and she definitely looked like a little Barbie doll.  It brought tears to my eyes seeing her dance away on stage.  She did great and knew every move by heart.  We love our tiny dancer.

John and I took Leo out for his special night the other week.  He didn’t want to go out to eat so we went straight to the Book Store where he mostly just played with all the toys for sale.  His favorite thing in the world are “tiny toys” and found a whole display of tiny toys begging to be played with.  It was so cute to be able to hear his sweet little voice without Isla speaking out for him or Palmer screaming beside him.  Leo is definitely our sensitive, independent, sweet heart and you could tell this alone time with Mommy and Daddy meant the world to him and it meant even more to us. 

I find them purely angelic when they are sleeping.  I always stare at my babies and wonder what they must be dreaming of.  They are so young and innocent and I pray that they have peaceful dreams forever. 

That’s all for now.

Summer so far

We are loving the summer time!  Pools, Beach, Afternoons in the front yard playing in the hose, weekends inside to escape the heat, and just being together.  That’s what the summer time is all about and it’s been great so far!

Isla is a mermaid, Leo is the next Ryan Lochte, and Palmer is on his way to being Michael Phelps…He started the summer off by graduating from swim lessons. 

We’ve made forts in the living room, snuggled up under sleeping bags, read books, and watched movies while nibbling on popcorn. 

Let me just say that any reservations that I had about moving away from the beach to Nocatee were completely erased the second we stepped foot in the Nocatee Splash Park.  Awesome doesn’t even begin to describe it.  There is so much to do there and I know many of our kids’ childhood memories will be made here.   There is a kid splash section with small slides, water fountains, a zero entry section, and more, then there are 2 really big waterslides for older kids and us adults as well, and don’t forget about the lazy river you can float down on Nocatee inner tubes. The pool is even incredible!  I really feel like I’m on vacation every time we go there, which has been every weekend this summer. 

At the end of April we made another trip down to Orlando with some friends of ours and their two kids, Riley and Trent.  Riley is Isla’s best friend and has been since they were 2 years old.  It was Riley’s birthday so we celebrated the weekend at my parents’ timeshare.  One day we played at the pool and the next day we partied at The Magic Kingdom.  Just the day before our little Palmer turned one so his celebration was extended as well.  He cracks me up because the boy LOVES to eat.  He’s constantly nibbling on something…and he also loves his naps.

John and Drake even had fun in a little cup speed stacking competition.  Drake beat out everyone! 

I think we are VIP at Disney World now.  We go all the time but we never get sick of it.  It really is just such a happy place. 

Trent, Leo, Isla, and Riley watching the Parade…

The girls were so excited to ride Splash Mountain.  It’s Isla’s new favorite ride. 

The end of the school year meant my little girl was graduating from Pre-K.  I broke down the night before when I was writing in her card.  I really can’t believe this is the end of her years at Palms Preschool.  She has grown and learned so much and I couldn’t be happier with the education she has received at Palms.  Our little 2 year old, chubby cheeked baby has come along way since her first day of school when I picked her up with tear soaked cheeks.  Isla has grown into a beautiful and lively little girl and we are so proud of her!  Congratulations angel heart!

Now it’s off to make some more summer memories…