A Baby Bump Photo

For those who were asking . . . 

This was taken 2 weeks ago - so about 26 weeks along.

The Beginning of March

March is off to a fun, yet laid back, start!

This week I babysat the three boys I usually do, but ended up with a friends kids at the same time while she went to the doctor. The result was a whole lotta boys - and at the end - a couple girls too!

This is all EIGHT crazy kids together! 

(Baby Nora did NOT want her picture taken! Ha!)

Friday night, we all attended the elementary school Family Dance Night! We love our school and it's fun events!

Luke started "shaking his booty" the minute we arrived - he moved so fast, we couldn't even get a photo of him! Ha!

Once Miles' best buddy, Simon, arrived - he did too!

Saturday morning, Luke insisted on making a list of the things he wanted to do (hmmmm - sounds like he's turning out like his mom - and Lola - and Aunt Lindsey!)

We accomplished a few of those things 

Jacob and I complimented Luke on his awesome and detailed artwork the other day. We said he definitely was an artist (he is ALWAYS sketching!)
His reply: "Yeah, I was born that way!"

Then the boys got handsome new haircuts and we ran some errands.

 (Costco and a clean van! Woohoo!)

Sunday was another relaxing day. We had been trying to track down the Star Wars movie collection all weekend and finally found a friend with them! 

So, we started the boys on the journey into a galaxy far, far away. 

The force was strong with them!

(This pic was taken a couple of days earlier this week . . . in anticipation of the movie adventure awaiting us.)

We ended the day with scripture study and afterwards, Miles drew this sweet picture. 

Luke requested I sing "their lullabies" (I LOVE THAT!!! I dread the day they stop asking . . .)

and this time, they both sang along with me.

SOO sweet.

February

Every weekend in February we had a fun little adventure! Here's what we did:

Week 1 - Hiking Valley Green at the Wissahickon with The Roccos:

Week 2 - We took the boys bowling for the first time in years (it was Miles' first time!): 

It was bumper bowling, but Luke got a STRIKE!!!

Luke beat us all with a score of 101!

 (Granted - Jake and I were NOT using bumpers - but let's be real, we are not expert/regular bowlers by ANY means!)

Week 3: We took the boys ICE SKATING for the first time EVER!!!

The boys were both SOOOO excited!

We took our old neighbor, Triss, with us. I opted to sit out and be the photographer - since I've already fallen twice with the baby bump - in the mud once and in the snow once . . . yeah. Not going to tempt fate this time. 

Luke was a LITTLE over-confident his first seconds on the ice - he genuinely thought it would be easy, though we tried to warn him otherwise . . . 

Luckily, they had these great "walker"- type things to help beginners . . . 

We forgot Miles' gloves . . . so he used mine! 

Look at these three cute "boys!"

By the end of two hours, Luke was determined to try it without assistance! He did pretty great!

Watching the magical Zambonie!

Week 4 - We went to visit Jacob's sister's family, The Spigarelli's, in Washington, D.C. 

They just moved there from Washington state! We are so so happy to have family nearby!

Luke and I started coming down with the flu our first night there - BOO! 

(It would end up lasting SEVEN days for him!!! Ugh!)

We still had a great time anyway!!! It was so fun to hang out with them.

(I had to snag these photos from Rachel's blog - because Jacob and I were at the temple for part of the day - and I was feeling too lousy the rest of the time to pull out my camera . . . )

They went to a pancake breakfast

and when we got back, the daddies took the kiddos to the National Air and Space Museum.

The boys wouldn't stop talking about it! Win!

Jacob and Rachel's cousin, Taryn, lives nearby and came for dinner.

My nieces played their instruments for me!

Little Joseph was so sweet - and was surprisingly comfortable around Jake and I.

We can't wait for more adventures with them!

January

There are only two major events in January worth noting:

#1 - After much anticipation, we found out that 

WE ARE HAVING ANOTHER BOY!!!

(Don't you just love Luke's toothless grin?)

While we were hoping to add a sister to our little family, we are THRILLED to be having another boy! I guess we "know" how to do those! :) The boys SO SO are excited too! 

May 23 is when my C-section is scheduled.

 #2 - I had a "Major Maternity Moment" 

(that's the only thing I can chalk it up to!) 

and completely changed my hair!!!

I went from this:

to this!

It's been almost 2 months and I'm still not diggin' it, BUT . . . at least I tried something new!

Christmastime!

It was fun to have Lindsey's new hubby, Reid, around for his first holiday with us!

Luke was thrilled to have someone who could get him started on the guitar he got from Grandpa Chris and Nana B years ago!

Luke was REALLY into Prancer, the cat, this trip. Even more than usual. Every day he was offering to feed him, playing with / petting him - and INSISTED on buying him a Christmas present. Yummy cat treats and a toy! It was so sweet. (Christmas kitty loves to hang out under the tree!)

Making the best sugar cookies around with Aunt Lindsey

aka: El Scorcho!

A sample of Miles' cookies

A sample of Luke's

The finale of our traditional Christmas Eve program - singing carols. 

We were all really into it this year . . . apparently.

(except Dad, who was trying to hide? ha!)

We took several videos Christmas morning, but only one photo. 

Fail. 

Oh well. Here's where the stockings were unloaded.

Everyone was fascinated by the gift Grandma Lizzy sent the boys - a REAL microscope that hooks into your computer. We checked out everything from fibers in our clothes to dirt to (sadly) looking up a nose. GROSS!

Legos were the hit of Christmas for Luke! Good thing he got plenty of them! :)

I guess the boys convinced Sierra to help hold down their new uncle so they could tickle attack him! 

Making gingerbread houses with Lola - a great tradition!

Here is Miles' completed house.

and Luke's.

Luckily the boys got time with their best buddies in Georgia:

Cayson

and Gavin!

New Year's Eve day, the whole family went to the church gym for a little basketball game!

It was a great time!

Other fun highlights of the trip:

• Seeing the movie Les Miserables
• Out to dinner/date night with our friends, The Neilsons
• Hanging out/playing games with The Campbells
• We all got to talk to my brother, Michael, on his mission in the Phillipines!
• Eating at Cazadores (!!!!!) TWICE (I'm a pregnant woman in need of serious Mexican food)
• Eating at Mirko - yum, yum pasta
• Staying up late to play games with the family - almost every night
• Making our first-ever family MUSIC VIDEO to Stevie Ray Vaughn's "House is a Rockin"
• Trading in our tiny Subaru Forester for a sweet Toyota Sienna! Woo! 

We drove back to Philly New Year's Day - and I have to say -  we ALL really enjoyed the 16 hour trip SO MUCH MORE in our spacious, clean minivan! Yay!