Girls, girls, girls!

This morning my parents took care of Hannah and Kate so Jeff and I could go to our ultrasound for baby Murry #3. We were so excited to hear that the baby is looking healthy, weighing about 10 ounces and a GIRL!! Many people have asked if we were hoping for a boy, and honestly we were not. We love our girls so much and the bond between sisters is so special that this next baby girl will just add to the love already in our family. As we left the ultrasound appointment I asked Jeff if he was nervous for three girls and he said with confidence, "No. I got this." Jeff makes a great dad of girls, doting on them, leaving them special notes in the morning, cuddling them and playing with them. The girls were also excited when I told them about their baby sister. Hannah's mouth dropped, then she jumped around and topped it all by hugging me. Kate soaked in the news and then hugged me and said with some excitement, "I a big sister. Hannah a big sister." We are all happy for our baby girl and can't wait for the next 20 weeks to pass until we can meet her and hold her!

Another Year to Celebrate

My Dear Sweet Kate, My Tate Baby, My Tatter Tot, My Kate-Cakes, My Grace,

Today you are two. Two years ago you were born and changed our lives for the better. I became your mama, Hannah became a sister, and Daddy (as you call him) cradled you, prayed for you and held you with such pride. You are a blessing that entered our family at an unexpected time, and blessed us all in unexpected ways.

You are such a gentle, caring, sensitive little girl. You often walk around the house with a doll clutched in your hands wrapped delicately in a blanket while shushing and kissing her. When babies cry or someone is hurt your often rush to their side, pat their back and say, "Awww" as if you understand their pain. You quickly share, know how to take turns, and are just beginning to explore the limits of your independence. And BOOKS. You love books. You could listen to books nonstop!

You live up to your name: Pure Grace, reminding me every day that God was gracious when he brought you into our family. And so today we celebrate you. You are uniquely made, and uniquely loved. Thank you for blessing me, your mama with so many special memories, laughs, hugs, kisses, and snuggles. I love you deeply my sweet Kate and cherish these days that I get to spend with you and call you mine.

Love,
Your Mama

Meet Big Boy Nate

We finally had the chance to meet my newest nephew Nate and hang out a while with his mom Erin. She is in town early for a family wedding (which will bring more family into town...can't wait!) and had some extra time on Sunday so we went to see her for lunch. Although the girls were extremely tired from a long weekend, they held it together long enough to meet their new cousin and have some tasty food!


So why did I call him "big boy Nate?" Well, at 8 weeks Nate has grown from 8 pounds 1 ounce at birth to 13 pounds, something which took my girls 4 months to do! Although there is 22 months age difference between him and Kate there is only 9 pounds difference. Jeff figured out that if he keeps growing at this rate he will catch up to Kate's weight at 6 months! I figured out that his chubs make him super extra cute!!

Learning to Swim

Hannah is a fish. And at this point, she is a fish with no skills. She loves the water and will fearless jump in any chance she gets. Because of her bravery we enrolled her in swim lessons so she would gain some skills to match her courage. The class is a 30 minute session with one other boy that runs for 8 days. We are now 5 days in and I am amazed at what she has learned.

The first day started off slow because the majority of the time the teacher was trying to get her to take a deep breath, which she did, and then hold it for 3 seconds. Hannah misunderstood what "hold it" meant" though and would blow her breath out and try to grab her exhaled air as if she were holding it. The second and third days were better, working on the arm motion and keeping her head in the water for 3 seconds. The fourth day she worked on "big slow arms" to keep her swimming. As well as jumping in the water.


Today the teacher began letting go of Hannah so she could swim for 3 seconds on her own. The teacher also began teaching her to roll over to take a breath and then roll back and swim for 3 seconds again.

Hannah practicing the roll over.
Kate relaxing with Mama. Each day I bring a package of fruit snacks (something my kids hardly get) so she has just as much fun as Hannah.

Spray Park!!

There is one spray park in San Diego area, and we found it! We headed out on Friday morning, and unfortunately the water was not working. So, we decided to enjoy the park and play. Right as we were getting ready to leave, the water came on! The girls got to nap late, but both girls napped and both girls had a great time at the park. It made me miss all the fun water parks that Cambridge had.

Creepy

I find this doll really creepy. Maybe it's her eyes that open and shut, and sometimes only one opens and the other is shut. Maybe it's the fact that she looks kind of real like...whatever it is, she gives me the creeps.
But this little girls loves her, and I think Kate makes the doll looks almost cute. Or at least less creepy.

Growing

6 weeks...
16 weeks...