Baby #4 News

Mom went this morning for an ultrasound. The ultrasound technician said that she's fairly confident but not willing to say 100% sure it's a girl.

She's figured out the routine...

For the last 2 nights we've given Morgan her bath, brushed her teeth, read her books with Seth, and she's suddenly disappeared. We look for her and find her in her crib. She climbs up and over the sides of the crib and brings a book with her. If only she could figure out the book is a little better if she turns it around.

It's tough being one...

Morgan was with her babysitter this morning while Mom worked in the basement. The babysitter sent mom a text that Morgan had gotten Seth's blanket, climbed in the chair, and fallen asleep. She still may be feeling bad from her cold.

Fort Wayne Children's Zoo

Mom needed maternity clothes so we took a trip to Fort Wayne for the day. Mom shopped for her clothes while Dad and the kids went to the playground. We all then spent a couple hours at the zoo.

Our Family's Future Harvest :-)

Lydia has always wanted a garden. She has visions of our family growing all of our food. She has long lists of what she wants to grow and where. Mom thinks the time she spent at her Amish babysitters' farm as a young child rubbed off on her. The rest of the family also thinks a garden would be nice.

However, Mom is a little of a holdout. She will be 9 months pregnant with her fourth child and doing her usual job teaching online from home in the summer. She was thrilled to learn that there will be a farmer's market in town this year. She's picturing being in the air conditioning, drinking lemonade, and eating her fresh foods from the farmer's market.

We decided to compromise and have a very small garden. Lydia has been working on it all evening. Somehow Mom doesn't think Lydia's enthusiasm will last all summer. Mom wanted the garden by the house so the inevitable neglect it will suffer won't be the center of the backyard.

Spring Music Program at Lydia's School

I'm Sick...

After spending the day spreading my germs to lots and lots of children, I woke up this evening with a fairly high fever. I've been sipping gatorade and munching on crackers ever since. I'll probably go to the doctor in the morning.

Update: I'm still miserable. I'm fussy and don't feel like doing anything. I went to the doctor, and he said I have a cold. I should recover soon. However, feel free to send cards, toys, or stickers:-) Mom will give you the address.

Morning at the Science Center

Baby #4 Challenge #1

When Lydia was on the way, Mom remembers her first preparations for the new baby being shopping for cute little outfits and sewing crib bedding. How things have changed! Although a day of shopping with Lydia is already planned for when we find out the sex of the baby in a couple weeks, Mom has a few other preparations more in mind this time around. She began the first this week.

See exhibits A and B: :-)

This is the back of Mom's van. It currently holds 3 carseats/ booster seats and in less than 4 months it will hold 4. Normally a picture of the back of the van would never make the blog... it's usually littered with an assortment of crayons, books, toys, jackets, clothing, shoes, food wrappers, crumbs (ok half-eaten sandwiches)... You get the picture. However, about a week ago, Mom decided this was going to be the first preparation for the new baby. Without the floor clean, it will be very difficult for the kids to get to their seats with so many carseats.

Mom has banned almost all items from being brought into the van. Morgan is still allowed her blankie and 1 toy, school backpacks are allowed, and food and drinks along with threats of torture if the wrappers and cups aren't removed. Of course, Mom still has a diaper bag with necessities. Other than that, it's all banned unless we're on long trip. Before you feel too bad for the children, take note of the large flip down screen in exhibit A of the DVD player. The kids are free to watch movies for entertainment when needed.

Dad was out-of-town when Mom implemented challenge #1, and when he returned, he said Mom could never have the willpower to make it stick. Therefore, Mom and Dad have a bet. When Mom succeeds in her battle against crayons and toys for two weeks, Dad will be spending an evening with the children while Mom is out shopping.... An update will follow...

Well, that's it for challenge #1... Mom has more in mind over the next few months...

Doesn't Everyone Eat Spaghetti With Both Hands???

Bubble Rocket Blaster Fun

Seth's had lots of fun with the bubble rocket blaster that the Easter Bunny brought him. Bubble toys have gotten much more sophisticated than back in the dark ages when Mom and Dad were kids and used little wands to blow bubbles. If you look closely, you can see the bubbles flying off the bottom of the rocket.

Visiting the School Petting Zoo

The agriculture classes at the kids' school have a petting zoo with farm animals each year. Mom took Morgan to check it out. While she was there, she ran into Seth and Lydia's classes coming through. Mom especially enjoyed hearing Seth explain to his class in his loudest voice the difference between boys and girls. One of the agriculture students said he was holding a boy animal, and seth explained, "girls and really pretty and boys are cool. Right mom?"

Attempts at an Easter Morning Picture

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

Except it's Easter.. It looks like the Easter Bunny had a lot of fun at Target yesterday :-)

Mom just finished her last rabbit creation of the year and is off to bed before the children awaken extra early ready to begin their 14 hour sugar binge... Have a Happy Easter!

Taking A Break From Bunnies to See Elephants and Monkeys

After a week of cooking bunny foods, visiting the bunny, buying bunny supplies, and preparing for bunny related school and gymnastics parties, we took a break from bunnies today to check out some elephants and butterflies at the zoo.

If you're a seven year-old girl, you already know where they're going this evening...

For the rest of you, the new Hannah Montana movie came out today, and Lydia's best friend's dad was kind enough to take them on his day off from work. Notice that they both have the same purple Hannah Montana Crocs with Hannah Montana plugs in them.

Updated to add: Their night was even better than expected. Since it was opening night, the movie theater had a Hannah Montana look alike contest. All the girls won free t-shirts for taking part.

Coloring Easter Eggs

My Mom Made Me Wear It

Lydia's Easter Basket Cupcakes

Lydia and Mom made Easter basket cupcakes this evening for Lydia's class tomorrow.

Bunny Cupcakes

Seth and Mom made bunny cupcakes this morning for Seth to take to preschool tomorrow. He can't wait!

Easter Bunny Excitement

The Easter Bunny visited our local library this evening. About 150 kids decided to show up as well. It was probably the most exciting evening of Morgan's life. This was her expression for the entire hour while she waited for her turn to sit with the bunny. She pointed and laughed the whole time. The big kids played bunny bingo while they waited. They eventually got their turn!

Exhausted

Since the play Lydia is in is a high school play, they've had long rehearsals that go until almost 10 at night for days. Keeping up with that and school caught up with her after school today.

Dress Rehearsal

Tonight Lydia had dress rehearsal for Cinderella. She's a little fairy. She did a great job. She especially enjoyed having her make-up done...

After rehearsal was over, she had fun letting her hair down since it was curly from the braids.