Kayaking on the Pond

We stayed the weekend at Amma's after Adeline's birthday because Grandmother & Pa were visiting from California and we wanted to spend some time together.  While Grandmother was in town she bought Amma a new (second) kayak for the pond so more people could go out at once, so Grandmother and Amma each took a girl out on the pond and kayaked around.  One of our favorite summertime activities at Amma's!

The Peanut Gallery

"Kickin' It" with Uncle Rob on the Dock

Happy Birthday, Adeline!

We had a wonderful time celebrating Adeline on her 4th birthday!  She felt like the belle of the ball with all the gifts, well wishes, and adventures of the day!

We left our house in the morning to head over to Amma's.  In the afternoon we had an impromptu gift-opening session which turned out to be perfect!

 

 

Later we had tacos for dinner and then went over to Tip Toes, a baby/children's store in downtown Holland, to do Captured in Clay handprint tiles for both girls. (Amma's got pictures of this on her camera so hopefully we'll get them up soon.)  This is something I've been wanting to do for years, really, and was thrilled to finally take the girls.  We'll get to pick up the finished product in a few weeks!

After Tip Toes we went back home to Amma's to have some cake.  Adeline's big request was a PINK cake with fresh strawberries on the side.  Daddy got his own chocolate brownie cake, too, since his birthday is just around the corner.

 

  

  

 

It was so fun to make a big deal of our little girl -- correction, BIG girl! -- and see her feel so loved, special, and celebrated.  Thanks to all who sent gifts and messages to her.  She loved it all!

Grandma's Visit

Alan's mom came out for a visit this week and the girls were just overjoyed (I think Grandma was, too :).  Tuesday we just spent around the house -- Alan went to work but came home to take me to lunch while Grandma stayed home with snoozing kiddoes :).

On Wednesday we rented a minivan and all went over to Holland.  Grandma hadn't been over to the other side of the state yet so we took her over for a visit at Amma's.  We spent a lot of time just hanging out and not doing much besides driving around and showing Grandma some sights because the weather wasn't the best.  But we did get a chance to have a fire and s'mores one night on the pond.

 

  

  

Grandma was scheduled to leave on Saturday but not till later in the day so we made it over to the beach that morning.  Adeline had been looking forward to going to the beach with Grandma and Amma for weeks but we were thwarted by the weather in Holland.  Thankfully Saturday was beautiful and the perfect day to spend at the lake.

 

Thanks, Grandma, for such a fun visit!  See you at Christmastime! =)

Kite Festival!

We returned to the Lyon Township Kite Festival this year (we went last year).  Both girls colored their free kite this time and had fun running around with it to make it go in the air.  They also got penguins painted on their arms.  It was hot, like last year, but at least it was windier than last year so we got to see lots of kites in the air.  I'm still not feeling great so we couldn't stay or walk around long, but it was still a fun adventure for the whole family.

"Figgy" Conrow

Now that I'm feeling a little better I'm going to try to update the blog more faithfully.  I'm hoping to feel exceptionally better in the next few weeks, but marginally better will have to do for now.

Two weeks ago our baby was the size of a fig, so we dubbed him/her "Figgy".  Adeline was "Kumquat", Evelyn was "Floyd" and then "Pink Floyd" once we found out she was a girl, so I definitely needed something creative for #3.  This will also help us keep the name a secret if and when we have one before he/she arrives.

I had a midwife appointment this morning.  I'm at 13 weeks and I've only lost about 4 pounds thus far -- different from the other two pregnancies where I lost 15 pounds in the first 6 weeks.  My blood pressure continues to be low, but that's no surprise.  I heard Figgy's heartbeat for the first time today.  I was able to see it on the ultrasound monitor at 9 weeks, but today I heard it.  That sound never gets any less amazing to me.  She put the wand on my belly and we listened.  At first I couldn't hear it and it sounded really slow.  I said that to Sarah, the midwife, and she said that was my heartbeat.  Then Figgy's heart came through loud and clear, but I could still hear the undertones of my own.  There was something truly awesome about the mingling of my heartbeat with my tiny baby's.  What a miracle life is!  I love you so much Figgy and I haven't even met you yet.

I go back in 4 weeks for another regular appointment and two weeks later, on July 13th, we have our ultrasound and will find out the gender.  Feel free to venture a guess in the gender poll on the right sidebar!

Thanks for being faithful readers even though I'm not a faithful writer!  Hopefully more soon =).