Finally here!

I'm so glad that I didn't end up going in to get induced. Labor on it's own was so much better. Mike and I decided to use our movie gift card on Monday night since we wouldn't be able to get out much after the baby came home! We left for the movie and my contractions were coming every ten minutes. They've been doing this for a month now so I didn't really think much of it, plus they weren't that painful. We made it through the movie and came home and put the girls to bed. At around 11:30 I had my first real painful contraction. I waited to see if I would get another one, which I did, 20 minutes later. We called my parents and left for the hospital. I got in the room at about 12:30 AM and had baby Hannah at 2:46 AM. It was a very fast, and very painful labor. But I'll take the "fast" anyday!

Hannah weighs 8 lbs, 12 oz. and is 21 inches long. She has a full head of black, thick hair. She's doing really well! The girls were excited to finally meet her and ask to hold her all the time. It will be a big adjustment but a great one! She's been sleeping most of her first day home today so we'll see how she does tonight. She's nursing so awesome too. We are a very blessed family!

Princess Party

Ava's friend Lizzy had her 5th birthday party and it was princess themed. All the girls dressed up and had a ball! Ava couldn't wait to wear her new Princess and the Frog dress she got for her birthday. Even Allie liked getting all dressed up. It was a fun time!




Allie was looking down at her dress and this is
what she did when I told her to look up!


Ava and Anika

Allie, Ava, and Anika

All the beautiful princesses!

Ava's best friend

This is Ava's 4 year old cousin Anika and Ava loves playing with her. They're both so cute, I couldn't resist posting these!

A fun day!

We had a great day yesterday celebrating Ava's 4th birthday. We met Laura, Richie and Curtis, and Tara and the twins at the McDonalds play place for lunch. Ava loves that place! We ordered her favorite for dinner: pizza! Then after cake and presents we took her and Allie to the Milford pool. Chris, Miranda and Braden joined us. The girls had a ton of fun. They did not want to leave the pool! Ava loved all the gifts she received and had a very special and fun day!


Ava's birthday breakfast

New guitar from grandma and papa!

Allie loved this slide!

I got in trouble for taking a picture in the pool area.

Apparently you're not suposed to do that! So this was

the only one I could get of Ava.

My 4 year old!

I can't believe Ava will be 4 tomorrow! She is such a sweet girl. It has been so much fun to watch her grow these past four years. She learns so much everyday. She loves her little sister! She sings constantly, and not just songs! She sings her sentences too. She loves playing with her friends, especially her cousins. She's doing such a great job with learning to write. It's hard to believe that next fall she'll start Kindergarten!


Ava only days old

Ava's first birthday
favorites at 1:
video: Baby Einstein
food: Everything (you weren't too picky)
Book: Touch and Feel Animal book


2nd birthday
Favorites at 2
Shows: Seasame Street and Barney
Book: Bright Baby books (Animals and Colors)
Food: fruit and pancakes
Toys: Sesame Street puzzle and Elmo doll


3rd birthday
Favorites at 3
Shows: Little Einstein and Mickey Mouse Clubhouse
Movie: Shrek
Book: Princess sound book
Toys: Einstein dolls and bike
Food: hot dog

Update

Thanks to our amazing friend and car expert Larry, we were able to get good ol' Bessy back home. She's running like a pro too! Larry happened to have a Ford fuel pump and a knowledge of all things Ford. So we payed $0 to have our van fixed. We love you Larry!! No worries now for middle of the night labor kicking in!

Come on baby!

So I'm technically 37 weeks along, but I'm measuring 39. After an ultrasound on Monday, they are estimating that the baby weighs 8 lbs 3 oz. Now I know no matter what size the baby is, it's gonna hurt. But I'd prefer not to have a baby over 9 lbs. So I'm hoping she comes soon. Although it's been a crazy week. My van broke down on Sunday. I made a trip up to Meijer with Ava and when we came back out, it wouldn't start (found out we need a new fuel pump). So I've been using my mom's car a lot to get to doctor's appointments. It's very convenient living down the street from them! Well today, my mom and I made a trip up to Meijer in her car and when we came out, her car wouldn't start!! I think Meijer has cursed us. So we're down to two vehicles, both trucks, and there's a snow storm a-commin! So as much as I'd like to have this baby right now, it doesn't seem like the best time:-) But God is in control and I'm trying to take comfort in that!

Birthday girl

We had a small birthday party for Allie for her 2nd birthday. The morning of her birthday I went into her room and said "hello birthday girl." And she said "it's my birthday I get ice cream!" That was what she was most excited about all day; getting ice cream! Apparently I should give that to her more often! We had a fun day with our family!

Time flies

Our sweet Allie is 2 today! What a big girl she is. She's starting to go pee pee in the potty! She counts to ten, can recognize a star, heart, circle, and triangle, and knows the color blue (her favorite). She has been such a sweet little baby girl these past two years.


A year ago today, Allie's 1st birthday party!





Two years ago today, Allie joined our family.

Daddy introducing Ava to Allie for the first time!

Potty Time

We started potty training Allie this week. It's been quite a challenge. We're on day 3 so far. She likes to sit on her potty seat, but that's as far as it goes. It took us about a week with Ava so I'm praying it's the same with Allie. The first 3 to 4 days were the hardest. It would be awesome to have her out of diapers before the new baby comes, which could be any day now!


Holding her reward (1 m&m) if she successfully goes in the potty!

Underwear and plastic pants. The plastic

pants help avoid getting potty all over the floor!

Christmas festivities

We had a busy couple of days for Christmas Eve and Christmas. The nice thing was, we didn't have to travel more than 15 minutes from our house, which is a first since we've been married. We went to the 4 PM Christmas Eve service at our church and then celebrated with my side at my brother's house. The girls had a great time.

Allie did get into opening gifts. She loved her backpack full of fake McD's food! This would go with their new kitchen set!

Ava got a play microwave that actually beeps and turns on. She loves it!

The girls looked so pretty in their dresses.

Anika, Ava, and Nevada playing with play food!

Allie watching Jace play his DS. She loves him!

Christmas morning we woke up and had breakfast, then read the girls a book about Jesus birth and the true meaning of Christmas. They're at an age right now where they weren't going crazy wanting to open gifts. We were up for a good hour or two before we actually opened presents and neither of them even asked to that whole time!

Allie opening her favorite gift from us, a new baby doll, of course named Connie!

She was all smiles waiting for grandma to get all the ties off the baby so she could hold her!

Ava and Allie playing with their new kitchen set. They love it!

We had lunch with my parents and some cousins from my dad's side. Then around 5 we went over to the Epleys for Christmas with Mike's side of the family.

Allie loves playing with dominoes! Chris, Miranda, and Braden got her this new domino set and she LOVES it!

Ava loved her new Belle princess dress.

She wore this the rest of the night!

It was a busy time, but a fun time spending Christmas with family. We are very blessed to have such a wonderful and generous family. Our girls were spoiled once again! Thank you so much for all the wonderful and thoughtful gifts we were given.

It's beginning to look a lot like christmas... again