Neighborhood Easter Egg Hunt - 2012

We love our neighborhood!  Lots of kids and friendly neighbors.  Whether someone is hosting a 'walk-in' movie night for the kids, or ladies night out...we just really enjoy the welcoming environment.  Since there are so many kids in the area, it was decided an Easter egg hunt would be fun...and it was!  The weather didn't cooperate and ended up being one of the only cold weekends we had for weeks...but no worries, the kids had a great time and the adults just warmed up with coffee.

Everyone starting to line up

The kids are getting ready!  Where are Nolan and Ellie?...

...hiding behind our bush.  The hunt was taking place at our house/yard and Nolan suddenly became very shy.

Our yard was for the 'younger' crew :)

Bath Time Fun

Ellie got a fun new bath-toy for her birthday...thank you Aunt Karla and Uncle Abe for the bubble-making octopus!  Brings on lots of giggles as Nolan and Ellie watch each other collect the bubbles. 

Nolan had fun spiking his hair and Ellie was trying to steal Nolan's washcloth.  It's just too cute watching them! 

Baby Girl Turns One!

If I thought it went fast with Nolan, it is going even faster with Ellie!  Our sweet, baby girl turned one this March.  She is becoming such a big girl.  She is almost walking (just not quite ready to let go of your finger), loves to 'talk' to you, and is both Nolan's favorite playmate...and annoying little sister. 

We celebrated Ellie's birthday as a family the weekend before the 14th and took the kids to the Children's Museum.  Both Nolan and Ellie had a fantastic time and we will definitely be taking advantage of the family pass we purchased.  I have a feeling I will enjoy it a LOT during my maternity leave this fall!

The weekend following her birthday, we had her party.  We were so happy that all grandparents, Aunt Anne and Uncle Justin, several close friends and all of our wonderful neighbors were able to help us celebrate Ellie's special day.  Her birthday theme was Sugar and Spice...Ellie has shown us little girls are SO nice! 

I will follow-up with another post regarding Ellie's one-year stats.  She is a TINY, tiny peanut :) 

My neighbor is soooo very talented and should go into business...thank you Melissa for making the very delicious Snickerdoodle cupcakes!  So creative!

PB & J with Apple Juice for the kids

The yummy spread

I think this will become a tradition...in honor of Ellie's 'Pi' Day birthday!

Nolan was way too tempted!

So in love with these two!

Mommy and Ellie in her birthday present pile!...I'm feeling huge already and I was only 16 weeks at Ellie's party.

Our dainty princess just dipped her finger in and then would lick it off.  No smashing for this girl!

This is all the damage she managed to do

Had to get her 'classic' look!

Our BIG News!

New Years Day 2012 will forever hold a special memory.  It is the day we found out we are expecting our third baby!!!  Excited, shocked, nervous...all emotions that flooded me within the first several minutes of seeing the positive test result.  We feel very blessed.

I do feel I need to apologize for using our blog as a way to announce my pregnancy to many friends.  I am falling victim to the new 'way' to announce and have to blame extreme exhaustion, nausea and overall keeping up with my family as my excuse.  I was trying to be a full time wife and mom, full time employee, part time photographer and honestly, it just wasn't working...I was wiped out.  So, I'm cutting back a bit on photography and just enjoying my evenings and weekends with Jason and the kids...exhausted and sick :)

My due date is in early Sept...around Labor Day, fitting huh?!  I've gone over a week late with Nolan, and a week early with Ellie, so we'll just have to see when this baby decides to join us :)  From the first time we casually mentioned to Nolan he was going to be a big brother again, he has insisted he will have TWO sisters!  I have my 'gut' instinct, but will keep that to myself for a bit ;)

A lot of people have asked this, so here are the ages the kids will be when new baby is due...Nolan will turn 3 in June and Ellie will be 17 1/2 months.  We'll be busy, but wouldn't have it any other way.  Lot's of people have done it before us!

And there you have it...our BIG 2012 news!!! 

      

Ellie's 9 and 10 Month Pictures and Stats

Ok...so I know that Ellie is actually 11 months old, but I have to update the blog with her 9 and 10 month pictures :)  She is changing so quickly now.  She can now free-stand and makes very small attempts at walking.  More often than not though...she is more content being picked up by me or sitting on my lap.  Nolan both loves that she plays with him more, but gets quite frustrated when she takes the exact toy he is playing with. 

January and now February have also been difficult months for Ellie as she has had a continuous ear infection.  Not fun for any of us.  Nolan has never had one, so for Ellie to have several has been frustrating and heart breaking.  Poor little girl has had repeated several days of fevers which is our first sign that she has yet another infection.

On a more positive note, she is developing her coos and ahhs into "ma-ma", "da-da" and "yeah"  If you ask only 'yes' questions, you can have quite the humorous conversation with her.  We are all enjoying seeing our little Elle-belle grow!

9 month weight: 17 lbs
10 month weight 18 lbs