A New Baby on the Way!

Jamie and I could not be more excited to announce that the Lord has blessed us with a new baby on the way! I am 13 weeks and due June 22nd, 2010. As I write, Lainey has her hand on my tummy trying to feel the baby's "heartbeep." We had our 12 week checkup last week and were able to hear the heartbeat for the first time. Lainey was with us and has not stopped talking about it since. She is thrilled that she is going to be a big sister and insists the baby is a girl! We've had a few complications in the first trimester, but the Lord has protected this little one and we are hopeful for a healthy pregnancy the rest of the way. So excited to welcome a new little one into our family!

Lainey's favorite t-shirt

Oh Christmas Tree

We have a family orchard in our area that we just love. We picked apples, peaches, pumpkins, and now the perfect tree there. It's decorated for Christmas this time of year, complete with "Santi Claus" as Lainey calls him. She was a little more curious about him this year but wasn't going anywhere near that lap!

She gave him a little wave and off we went to find the perfect tree.

Checking out all the trees...getting a little grumpy along the way. By the time we left the orchard, Lainey was crying "I want my nap!" I should know by now not to mess with her nap time. I thought tree hunting and Santa might be enough fun to keep her awake...but I was wrong!

Decorating after a long nap. Happy girl now!

Hanging the ornaments with my little helper.

Getting a little higher with Daddy's help.

The finished product.

Our family night making Christmas trees to hang in Lainey's room.

This girl loves her art projects...anything with glue or paint and she is happy!

Using puff paint for the first time.

Let the Countdown Begin...

Lainey received an early gift this year from Uncle Chad, Aunt Jen, Jules and Ava. What a highlight it has been counting down the days until Christmas with our Advent calendar. Each morning after breakfast, Lainey opens a special surprise that the Georgia Mortons picked out for her. She loved the angel stickers and wanted to make a picture right away so we could show everyone. Thanks for a month full of fun!

Thanksgiving Celebration

We had a wonderful Thanksgiving celebration with Jamie's family this year. It was extra special because it was the first time we were able to snuggle with our 3 week old nephew and cousin, Aiden. Lainey has talked about him several times a day since! We enjoyed time with the extended family eating, talking, playing the Wii, and passing around sweet baby Aiden. So thankful for our family and the blessings the Lord has given us this year.

Jamie and Brian having a Wii tournament.

Aiden in his turkey outfit Relaxing after a wonderful meal

Jamie and Crystal testing their Wii tennis skills.

Our Pink Poodle

A Tennessee Weekend

My parents rented this cabin for us last weekend in Smithville, TN. Exactly 6 hours from O'Fallon and 6 hours from Augusta. The perfect meet in the middle location for the Georgia Mortons and the rest of the gang. Seth flew in from Baton Rouge and we picked him up along the way in Nashville. Lots of coordinating to make it all happen but thanks to my mom's efforts it turned out to be a wonderful weekend. We played games, enjoyed the crisp outdoor air, went on a nature hike, played at the park, enjoyed some great food and had a wonderful time being together. Thanks mom and dad for making it happen!

The lake that was nearby...beautiful scenary. Grandma and her girls about to go on a nature hike.

Little man and his momma leading the way.

Takin a little break from all that walking

Daddy and his girl

Jules and Maddie enjoying the hike.

A rare family photo...it's nice when someone else can hold the camera.

The whole gang...minus Uncle Antaun (who couldn't be with us...but was missed!) grandma and grandpa who were taking the pictures and trying to get some kiddos smiling!

Painting with Uncle Seth.

Snuggling with Papa

Some cute, new coordinating outfits from grandma for this picture.

Chad and Jen

Lainey and Uncle Chad reading her favorite book

Our early birthday party for Jules and Ava.

More gymnastics!

Sorry, but I tried and tried to get this clip rotated

and couldn't figure it out. It is just too cute not to

post...so if you don't mind just turn your head sideways!

If anyone knows how to rotate it let me know!

Thanks Aunt Kimberlee

Thanks to Aunt Kimberlee's amazing bargain

shopping skills, Lainey has a new Dora car.

To say she loves it is putting it mildly! Thank you

Aunt Kimberlee!

Nadia, Mary Lou, Shawn, and Lainey Grace

Lainey and I have started a mommy and me gymnastics class at the Little Gym. Now, I realize I just might be living vicariously through my child, but she happens to love this class!

The bars are her favorite. She says "wut monkey bars." She's learned a few skills on the bars, but mostly just hangs like a monkey. She thinks this is great fun. This day was direction day. The kids learned to walk forward, backward, and sideways on the beam. Each class ends with balls and bubbles. Nothing better for a two year old!

Full of Questions

Well, it's official. I have a 2 and 1/2 year old. What a blast. Sure, there are moments of testing boundaries and the occasional tantrum for no reason I can see. But what a wonderful season of learning, growing and changing.

Tonight, on the way home from an evening of painting our new house, Lainey asked "momma, who's that guy" at least 10 times. She is curious about everything. Touching, observing, and exploring. Her new favorite way to end each statement is, "I do it all by self." She is not kidding when she says this. The girl has a serious independent streak. One that even her momma admires.

Before each nap and bed time, Lainey wants to hear 3 songs. "Jesus me" (Jesus Loves Me), "us" (Zaccheus) and "bus" (Wheels on the Bus). For the first time today, she sang every word to Jesus Loves Me. I was so thrilled I almost burst into tears. I have been singing that song to her since she was a day old. To hear her sing the words "all by self" thrilled my heart.

Lainey has quite a sense of humor and cracks me up on a daily basis. A couple of days ago she told me she was hungry and wanted to eat some cheese. I asked what kind of cheese she wanted and she looked at me like I was crazy and said, "yellow." Her expression seemed to say what other kind of cheese is there momma?

Happy Birthday Little Man!

My nephew, Isaiah, turned one a few weeks ago. Jamie, Lainey and I were there to celebrate with this little cutie that I affectionately call "little man." I, of course, think this is the most fitting name for him. However, Uncle Jamie prefers "tank." He is one active, tough, little boy that I love dearly. Happy first Birthday!

A Visit with Dear Friends

During Jamie's 5 years in youth ministry at Pisgah, our church had a partnership with Bethel Baptist Church in Botosani, Romania. Jamie traveled there twice and I visited once on a mission trip and we were blessed to get to know the pastor at Bethel, Cristian and his wife Lidia Mihoc. When we were in Excelsior Springs last weekend for Isaiah's birthday party (blog post of this coming soon!) we were able to see them again and introduce our little girls to each other for the first time. Jamie and I are so thankful for their friendship and love hearing about how our God is at work around the world.

Lainey and her Romanian cousin Deborah. Cristian and Debbi at the park

Cristian and Lidia

Lainey and Debbi were instant friends. Lainey asks at least once a day where is Debbi?

Lidia and Debbi taking a break from the swings.

Little girls and their Daddies. Precious.

Holding hands again. Such sweet, little friends.