Our Brave Girl

After a fun summer, Abby started second grade last week. It's hard to believe our little girl is that old! She'll be taking a little break from school now though, as she faces her fourth heart surgery next week. We're all pretty nervous about it, but she has been very brave over these past weeks as we've anticipated the surgery and her hospital stay. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Thank goodness for supportive grandparents, who will coming to help out . . . then coming back two weeks later for our baby's arrival! We're keeping them busy this month.

Her first day back on the bus . . .

Last week I spruced up our front garden with several of these red vinca plants, as a cheery pick-me-up during a difficult time. (Who can look at these and NOT feel a little better about things?) I've always believed that God created flowers for the sole purpose of lifting our spirits and making us smile, and I'm so grateful that He did.

Big Brother Alex

Soon-to-be Big Brother Alex has moved upstairs to make room for the baby. Being currently obsessed with the color {BLUE} and with all things relating to construction and machinery, he is thrilled with his new accommodations!

 

We love our little guy (fondly nicknamed "The Curmudgeon" by Daddy because of his morning grumpiness). He has no idea that his world is about to be turned upside-down . . . hopefully he can roll with the punches!

5 Weeks to Go!

Our baby girl is on her way, in just over a month. (It's time for the lovely belly shot.) I find myself fantasizing about amazing things like: taking the stairs two at a time, lying on my stomach, washing my hands without being squished up against the counter, going to bed without having to pop several Tums, etc. At the same time, I know the level of chaos around here will only rise with a newborn, so I'm trying to savor this time with my other three.

This makes me excited.

This makes me excited too.

Abby and Katie were so thrilled to donate some stuffed animals to Baby Sister's room and arrange them for her.

This makes me kind of excited . . . there's going to be a lot of diaper duty around here, since Alex probably won't be potty-trained for a few more months. {But we learned this lesson the hard way when Abby was two and Katie was born: having two kids in diapers is much easier than having one in diapers and one "halfway potty-trained." Um, yeah--that wasn't fun.}

Summer 2011

With Abby starting school tomorrow (2nd grade!), it feels like summer is officially over. It's been a scorchingly hot one here in St. Louis, but we've survived! Here are a few pictures of what we've been up to:

Keeping cool with the slip-and-slide and wading pool

Celebrating my birthday (Luke, Abby, and Katie cooked up some great plans!)

Working on craft projects (ironing designs onto these little bags)--and yes, a few summer days have been spent in nightgowns or ballet leotards when we're not going anywhere!

Dressing up (here's Fireman Alex with his favorite gingerbread house, toting around his "special things")

Attending library activities: here's Abby dressed as Hermione for a Harry Potter library party. (We've certainly kept them in business this summer, with our semi-weekly visits!)

A visit to Suson Farm and Park (on one of the super-hot days; we barely lasted one hour!)

And, of course, a visit to our awesome zoo . . .

Good times!!

Purina Farms

In July we had a fun outing to Purina Farms (as in Purina dog food). It is about a 40-minute drive west of here, but it is close to Camp Rhythm, the day camp where Abby spent three days with other kids who have surgically repaired heart defects. So while Abby had fun at camp, Alex, Katie, and I met some friends at the farm and had a great time.

Being obsessed with vehicles and machines, Alex was content to play with this little tractor for much of the afternoon. In fact, he mentions at least daily that he wants to go back to the farm and dump corn out of the tractor. I think it may have been the highlight of his summer!

We loved petting this soft, friendly bunny.

Here are some of the animals . . .

. . . and some of our friends (doesn't Alex look thrilled?!).

Katie loved swinging from this rope.

Feeding the piggies . . .

A family of sheep . . .

. . . and Katie tearing it up on a mini-tractor! We also got to watch a dog show and take a ride on a wagon pulled by a tractor. We were worn out by the end, but it was a fun day. (And, like so many fun places in St. Louis, it's free!)