The Circus and Baby Shower

This take two at life has turned out to be a pretty amazing chance. Our family continues to grow and change each day as we learn more about God and how to be a good servant, as we learn what it means to love each other with kindness and compassion, as we learn to talk through the stuff that so often gets buried under the shield of "business". We are still an active family, I don't think that will change. However there is something slower about our activities, its not a rush to get somewhere and we just enjoy the experience more. We take the time to count each blessing from waking up in the morning, to giving Grace hugs, to having nice clothes to wear, to friendships, to laughter. Strange as it sounds... my husbands affairs taught me to live. I mean really live. They taught me to enjoy the moment. They showed me how to be a better version of myself then I was before or then I ever thought I could be. My husband's unfaithfulness saved my life and gave me a deep relationship with God, one that I would have given anything for.

This past weekend we took Grace to the CIRCUS! We saw tigers, elephants, bunnies, dogs and horses too. We saw people spinning, clowns juggling and dancers on stage. Grace sat with her eyes glued to the stage in amazement. Oh and one hand in the popcorn bowl. hehe

When we asked her about her favorite part she said it was the elephants. She wants to sit on top of them like the dancing girls did. I think she would look great up there, although I would miss her terribly if she ran off and joined the Ringling Brothers Circus!

The  next day was my baby sprinkle for Isaac. God has been so amazing to put a great group of women in my life during this transitional stage of figuring out who I am in God's community and who we are as a family. I have been truly blessed by each of the women who attended the sprinkle and am excited to have them in our lives as we begin this chapter of being a family of 4.

My friend Jessica threw the baby shower and we used my parents house as the venue. Jessica did an amazing job. Everything looked so cute and all Isaac. He is my little airplane boy, we have airplanes everywhere in my room and on all of his things, so I loved the touch of planes and flying. Thank you Jessica!

Enjoying some food before the games. We had so much fun playing the games Jessica picked out. Guessing how many candies were in the bottle, trying to identify baby food and coming up with creative A-Z boy names.

Yes - there is Isaac popping out. I am at 33 weeks 2 days in these pictures.

Again I am just feeling incredible blessed these days. Thank you to all those who came out and enjoyed the great food and laughs with me. I am one lucky Mama to be surrounded by so much love.

Valentine's Day

Valentine's Day 2014. It was a fun filled day. We set out Grace's special Valentine's day surprises the night before. She was thrilled when she woke up. She did however ask if it was her birthday or if it was christmas again.... we told her no, just valentine's day :) A day to show others how much you love them, and of course we REALLY love our Grace.

 Reading cards sent by different people. Thank you to all those who sent cards. She loves reading them!

Our Grace and Mommy Valentine's tradition of eating at Panera! We love that place <3 complete with a delicious M&M cookie for dessert.

Finally we stopped by the pet store and picked out a fish to go with all the things we had gotten that morning. This is Splash  #1. We are already on Splash #2..... but we did learn that bettas apparently need warmer water then our house is heated to, so we are now the proud owners of a tiny heater. hehe

For dinner we had a Valentine's Day party at Mimi and Boppy's complete with dancing, games, food, dessert and presents. It was a wonderful heart day. <3 <3 <3

Mama at 31 weeks. Isaac is really starting to make himself known. We got to see him on an ultra sound last week. YAY! He is so handsome. It is amazing how he already looks like a little baby boy in there. I can't believe he will be here so soon, and at the same time I wish it was tomorrow! April still seems so far away. On the Isaac front we have learned he is head down already so no concerns about being breech. He has also moved way up and into the correct position, so the potential for placenta previa they initially thought is totally gone AND he was a healthy 3 lbs 9 oz, which put him in the 48% at the time. By now he should be about 4 lbs and my back can attest to that :) Grace and Gabe were able to come to the ultra sound which was such a blessing. Grace waved hi to Isaac and continually told the ultrasound tech that this was HER little brother and that he was waving back. Although she did comment that it would be nice if he would wake up and smile. hehe. Here are my favorite two pics of my little bear.

As a family we are continuing to focus on being patient, loving one another, being more gentle in our responses, communicating about big things and encouraging a love for others and our creator. Mommy and Grace still get out of the house quite a bit, but it is amazing how often the mornings pass by and I can't even believe it is already time for lunch. Here are a few pictures of fun things we have been doing these last 2 weeks. Library time with our friend Henry.

 Washing dishes in the sink after making cookies. :) Yes this pregnancy has given mommy a sweet tooth.

 Riding our bike at Bond Park.

Making Marble art for Daddy's Birthday! (Oh yes happy birthday Gabe! You turned 29 this month.... as you start your 30th year may it be the most honest, self reflecting, god centered year of your life, the first one of many to come)

 Puzzles (Thanks Melissa!)

 O is for OCTOPUS.

 Marbles classes. Our last one as a toddler. Next year she will be enrolled in preschool classes!

 Mixing colors using snow.

 Watching the snow melt down the drain little by little.

We took Grace bowling for her first time. She loved it! Totally got the concept of watching the ball hit the pins, and that you wanted the pins to fall over. Grace also loved the fact she got to wear bowling shoes and pick out her own ball.

She cheered us on when we finished and told us good try when we didn't get any. Mommy actually ended up winning! But only because I used bumpers like Grace :)

We also had another big snow storm! It took Gabe 2.5 hours to get home from work on his normally 35 minutes drive. It was a bit scary but once he was at the apartment we were able to relax and have him work from home the next day until the now cleared. We took lots of rides around on the sled and just tried to get out into the snow a few times each day. Now the snow is mostly either gone or turned to solid ice. This week we are supposed to his 70 degrees! I love living in North Carolina. Always keeps you on your toes.

Grace Jacklyn,

I love you precious first born. You will hold a place in my heart that no one but you will ever have. I can not wait to see you with your little brother. You are going to be such a great big sis! You are already thinking of all the things you can teach him about, and wow there is a lot you know to be able and share. You are amazing Grace, that is for sure.

xoxo

Mommy

Isaac Levi,

Hello little bear. You have been spending a lot of time kicking and stretching down there in my tummy. I know you are starting to feel cramped, but you  just need to hang on a few more weeks so that you have time to grow. We can not wait to meet you! You are so lucky to have a family who is more on track today to be a good family then we were 5 months ago. And of course, we are so lucky to have another perfect baby to add to the group. You are loved!

xoxo

Mommy

Winter Vacation - Mountain Style

 

The Cabin this year was gorgeous. It was in the perfect central location between Boone and Blowing Rock, which gave us lots of options of things to do. We arrived on a Wednesday with just Grace, Mimi, Boppy and myself. We pretty much crashed after unpacking on Wednesday and then had time all day Thursday to explore our area.

There was still a lot of snow on the ground, so we gathered it up in cups, wrote our name, went on a hike and had a snowball fight. :) Boppy is really fun in the snow.

 

 

  We also got a chance to head into downtown Boone and explore some of the little shops.

While we were there we found a really great coffee shop. We actually went back a second time I liked it so much! Grace even enjoyed her very first "cup of coffee" which was really just hot chocolate, but she was pretty convinced it was real.

We saw a man on the street playing some kind of fiddle or musical instrument. I just love how Grace is so curious about what is going on and wants to understand it but she also sees massive value in maintaining her distance until she knows the situation is safe. Here we are intently watching.

Hanging out with Mimi in a neat alley way. This also happened to be where the coffee shop was located. Yum!

 Just a beautiful picture of my little girl.

Taylor and Daddy arrived Friday afternoon. They both took half days off work so they could get there early. We started off our celebration of everyone being at the cabin by making brownies... yummy!

 Grace helped lick all the utensils clean. Good thing she was there to help!

Gabe and I actually worked on a 550 piece puzzle and finished it in about 3.5 hours. When Grace saw it was complete, she clapped her hands and told us "Good job Mommy and Daddy... really good job!" I think we do praise well in our house...

 We headed to Blowing Rock and enjoyed the beautiful weather and great playground space they have.

We also enjoyed going into all the little stores and checking out what they were selling. I think their hats look really good...

We also took Grace to a Kilwins so we could watch fudge being made, and of course eat some along with yummy popcorn. She was exhausted on our way home!

I did manage to go hiking one afternoon during Grace's nap time with the boys. Thanks Mimi for staying home to watch little peanut. My pregnancy pace has really started slowing me down, this being pregnant with a boy and having your tummy start going straight out is really effecting my speed in general! Two months to go! We thought the sign was pretty funny and of course the views were amazing.

One morning we went to check out the Foscoe Mining Company. The place was closed due to all the snow they had gotten, but we had a great time walking around the mining area and just exploring.

Another fun activity we did was making a group Valentine's Day Gingerbread House. For Christmas we got Mimi a really neat re-usable house so that you could decorate it up for different holidays. Although we all ate way to much sugar... and we found out that Grace really loves marshmallows.... we had a great time frosting and decorating the whole house.

 Fixing up the roof with marshmallows and frosted cereal.

 It is all done! Everyone pitched in. :) We can't wait to try another one at Easter!

All in all it was a relaxing, rejuvenating, re-centering vacation and we are so blessed to have a family who sees taking a break from the hustle of life and retreating to a cabin to refocus on what life is all about as being very very important!

Isaac Levi,
You have almost completed 31 weeks of growing in that belly down there. I can't believe we are in our final stretch! I am so excited to meet you, you are already full of personality and opinions, which should be expected since we know your sister. :) On Tuesday we have another ultra sound scheduled to check on you and see how the placenta previa is doing, we are hopeful that you have moved up but we will be ok with whatever birth plan is perfect for keeping you healthy and safe. Daddy, Grace and I will be there but we will save lots of pictures to share here and with our family. God has designed this beautiful plan for you and your life and it is an honor to be able to love you and protect you. Keep growing little bear.
Grace Jacklyn,
My tiny peanut, my sunshine, princess girl, lover of books and puzzles, energetic, rolling, tumbling, holding hands, sweet kisses, love and laughter. There are so many pieces of you and each piece is so perfectly Grace. I am now so aware that so much of my purpose here in this life is you. Teaching you, guiding you, watching you grow and learning from you. You will forever be my baby girl. No matter how big you get.
xoxo
Mommy