OUR little ANNOUNCEMENT

Baby #3 is due in September!



I have met with my doctors and have my pregnancy plan in place. It involves lots of "extra attention", appointments, and even weekly injections starting in 6 weeks (ouch!). This pregnancy required a huge leap of faith for us, and we certainly welcome all prayers, good thoughts, and support during this time. I'll keep you updated and informed every step along the way. Thanks everybody!

Hooray for Holden (again)!

The March of Dimes is hosting their March for Babies in April. Our family team, "Hooray for Holden", will be participating again this year. This team is in celebration of our terrific son, Holden, born 8 weeks premature. We would love for you to join our team by helping to sponsor us and/or by walking with us!

Last year, our family team was able to raise over $500 for the March of Dimes. When you walk in or donate to March for Babies, you give hope to the more than half a million babies born too soon each year. The money you raise supports programs in your community that help moms have healthy, full-term pregnancies. And it funds research to find answers to the problems that threaten our babies.

In addition to the event being a worthy cause, it is also a lot of fun! It is a family-friendly event with strollers, wagons, snow cones, and hot dogs. We would LOVE for you to join us!


Event details:

Saturday, April 24th
Nortel Networks, RTP

Walk distance - 3.1 miles
Registration time – 8:30am
Start time - 10am


If you would like to join our team as a walker, please feel free use the March for Babies website (using the directions listed below).
*Please do not think that you have to give money. Just come out and walk! The point of the event is to raise awareness of prematurity.

1. www.marchforbabies.org
2. click on "join a team" on the left side of screen
3. enter the team's name as Hooray for Holden and click the search button
4. click on the search results for Hooray for Holden
5. follow the website's directions to join our team!


If you would like to donate money to our team, you can donate directly on this blog.

On behalf of Holden and our family, thanks for your support!

Holden's picture from last year's event:

Phone Pics

While I was away in Florida with the girls, Brant was home with our boys. He really did a great job with them. He managed to get them out each day (the park, kids' museum, church), and they all had a great time. He took a few pictures of their adventures with his camera phone.

On the playground . . .






Dinner must have been delicious . . .









Before church . . .

Quinn's Room . . .

is Holden's favorite room in the house! He LOVES to play in big brother's room with all of big brother's toys. This picture was taken while Quinn was at preschool this morning . . .



*Quinn graciously lets Holden play in his room, even when he's home. Thank goodness! :-)

Girls' Getaway Weekend

Yesterday, I got home from a 4 day trip with my dear friends from college. We all met in Orlando and stayed with Melinda. Melinda and her husband Ben hosted us, and we had a fantastic time. There was a lot of laughter, food, shopping, sunshine, and fun. Thanks girls for the fabulous weekend. I already cannot wait for next year's trip! I love y'all!!!

The gang (Charity, Charlotte, me, Melinda, Donna & Maridith) . . .






Both Melinda and Donna are due in 6 weeks, Melinda with a boy and Donna with a girl. Let's call this picture: "Haden meets Liza Baker" . . .



Saturday night was Ben's birthday. We all went out to this crazy fun German restaurant for dinner. The birthday boy . . .

I Dare You

My friend, Amy L, sent me the link to this amazing video entitled "The Gift of an Ordinary Day". I encourage all of the mommies out there to take a few minutes to watch it. The author, Katrina Kenison, is reading from her book (with pictures of her 2 boys) about how quickly babies grow, time flies, and the joys of the ordinary days with our children. I DARE YOU . . . to watch it and not cry like a baby! ;-)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olSyCLJU3O0

Mr. Frosty

It snowed last weekend. Yes, more snow! But, this time was perfect. There was very little ice and no sleet. The 2 inches (or so) of snow quickly melted, and the roads stayed clear. And, the best part? It was good "packing snow" for making a snowman! Finally!

Meet Mr. Frosty (named by Quinn) . . .












We do have one more snowman in our front yard. But, by that point, no one (except Brant) was really interested in helping to make him or having their picture taken with him. In fact, he doesn't even have a name . . . poor guy!



So, here they are . . . Mr. Frosty and Mr. __________.

Happy Valentine's Day

"I'm not LION, you're great!"

This morning, Quinn had his preschool "We Love Jesus/Valentine's Day" party. In preparation for the big event, Quinn and I assembled valentines for his buddies and teachers.

Quinn decided to go with a jungle theme this year . . .



Each card came with an animal temporary tattoo . . .












And, Quinn had to try out one of the tattoos for himself . . .



Of course, Holden wanted one too. He keeps calling it a "boo-boo" not a "tattoo". I can't tell if he likes it or not! Look at this face . . .

Fun in the Bath

Aunt Brandi sent the boys a special treat . . . Crayola's Color Bath Dropz. They are little tablets that turn the water different colors. So far, the boys have taken blue, green, orange, and purple baths. Both red and yellow look a little scary/crazy to me! ;-)




Tonight's choice? Add Red . . .



and Blue . . .



The Result? Purple, kind of . . .



Then, it's time to jump in and enjoy!

Are you ready for some football?

Before leaving for the Chelfs' annual Super Bowl party, I got a few cute pictures of the boys all decked out and ready for some football . . .








Super Bowl XLIV
New Orleans Saints 31
Indianapolis Colts 17

Gone Fishing

Holden is really enjoying puzzles these days. His favorite one? A fish puzzle complete with magnets and a fishing pole (from Target, of course!). This one usually keeps him busy for a little while! ;-)







I love how he has the fishing pole in one hand and Spinosaurus (his favorite dinosaur) in the other. Why? He is afraid that if he puts it down Quinn will take it! ;-)

Printing Practice

Quinn's preschool teacher, Ms. Stacey, told me about these great alphabet dry erase sheets and markers at Target for $1. *Don't you just love Target's $1 bargain section?!? I bought one last week, and Quinn and I have had a little "school time" at home. This sheet kept him busy for about 30 minutes (yay!), and he was so proud of his work (double yay!).









Snow Update:
Most of the snow has melted, and the roads in our area are in great shape. I have my fingers crossed that Quinn's preschool is open tomorrow. As much as we have all enjoyed this time together (these past five days have been fun . . . but LONG!), I know that he is ready to spend time with someone other than his family! ;-)