Our Big News

We got to hear the sweetest little sound this morning. At nine weeks, they can't always pick up the heartbeat, but there it was! Oh happy day.

Peyton

Proud, beautiful mama Melissa.

We got to meet Peyton today. What a little treasure. She is all sweet and pink and delicate and girl. Robb couldn't get enough. He is such a baby thief. The boys were interested, but I think Lincoln was jealous. We hope to be seeing a lot more of this little cutie!

Peyton still in the hospital.

Lincoln Fletcher

Still trying to get used to his new world.

 Super happy mommy.

Opening his eyes for daddy.

We were so excited to finally meet this little guy. He was born at 4:18 pm, weighed 8 pounds and 1 ounce and was 22 inches long. He has super long fingers and some crazy curling toes. He had his eyes open pretty quickly, and they are very dark. He also has a full head of very dark hair. Who knows how all of that will turn out, given that we currently have a blond toddler.

We are completely in love and feel so blessed. There is just nothing like a newborn for making you realize how precious the gift of life truly is.

39 Weeks

Finally! I guess we aren't technically to the end, but it is starting to feel pretty close. We are all really anxious to meet the little guy (although Ezekiel is probably being misinformed about how much fun the baby will be). And after he did the "kiss the belly" photo, he promptly ran over to Robb and gave his tummy a smooch. So, I'm guessing he isn't really sure what is going on. Soon...

The Nursery (and Guestroom)

The pillow I made with a laser print and some paint thinner.

One of my favorite parts—the rocking chair we made over.

I'm going to call this room finished! Probably the only room in the house I can say this about. We've been busy with so many projects, but I think the nesting instincts kicked in so I could actually finish something.

This was the first room where we experimented with paint colors for the house. We ended up with Sherwin-Williams Crushed Ice. Robb thought that it was a bit light, so the rest of the house will be a darker color, but I think it works well here. And, of course I painted the trim (Sherwin-Williams Roman Column).

I put the crib in the little window nook. Cheris made an adorable grey and white crib blanket with blue trim, so I tried to find some things that would coordinated. The grey blackout curtains from Zeke's old window worked well and I made a dust ruffle a few weeks ago.

The rocking chair was from the SonBridge thrift center. We bought it years ago and Robb removed the old upholstery and sanded it down. Then one evening recently, he and Corren stained and distressed it and I made a new seat cover with some leftover fabric. It is so comfy and I can imagine spending many a long hour rocking a crying baby there.

37 Weeks

Well, we completely missed taking pictures at 30 weeks. And then again at 35 weeks. I hope this kid doesn't hold it against us. Things have gotten a little busy, and quite honestly, most days I'm in sweats the whole time, so pictures aren't really an option.

And then I totally forget, because Zeke has been keeping us busy. And the new house has definitely been keeping us busy. And we are both still trying to work. So, here I am at a little over 37 weeks. The doctor says any day now. But also, I could be overdue again, so maybe I still have some time?

What's different this time around? For starters, this kid is a MOVER. He has been kicking and pushing and rolling for months. Though he doesn't seem to have the severe case of hiccups that Zeke did. I don't feel like eating much anymore either, and with Zeke I think I was famished all the way to the end. My joints feel much worse this time, but I think that might be mostly due to the fact that I'm working on the house and carting a 30-pound Ezekiel around all the time instead of sitting at my desk at work. Finally, with Ezekiel I was terrified of delivery by 36 weeks. This time? Bring it on. (No, not really.)

Prepping for Baby

It has been fun getting ready for the arrival of a new little one. I've been working furiously to get the nursery/guest room in order and all it's been lacking is the rocking chair (which is almost done) and this art piece. I found it on Pinterest and printed it out, so Zeke has seen it around before. I finally got it finished up while he was sleeping and when he woke up and saw it, he immediately wanted to grab the printout he had seen earlier so he could compare. My little critic...

Then this evening we assembled a new little bouncy chair for baby and Zeke made sure to test it out thoroughly.

Cuddling with Evan

After a very long and hot Sunday, I finally got my way and was able to visit my little Evan. She is just growing so quickly and is precious beyond belief. Everett and Jelinda are doing such a great job, even though I'm sure they are tired, they manage to look like they are on top of things.

We had a terrific evening together, eating blueberries and watching Rescuers Down Under. But mostly cuddling Evan. Robb stole her for awhile, and she made eyes at him the whole time, so he is pretty much smitten as well. And, finally Zeke paid a little attention to her and even smiled at her a bit. Progress, I would say.

(I stole this picture from Everett and Jelinda's Facebook.)

A Coffee Baby Celebration

The pirate ship that Corren and David assembled. (They claimed the whole thing was held together by only 7 screws.)

Tiny swashbucklers. They had so much fun sword-fighting and running around the ship.

Ezekiel took every opportunity to revisit the dessert table. I don't even know how many chocolates he got his hands on. Then he learned how to use the water dispenser on his own and pretty much had it drained.

Somehow they got Robb to open the presents and David took notes. Perfect!

May I just say that we have some very extraordinary friends? Not only have they been helping and supporting us through our move, but they just threw us the coolest baby shower. The Crawfords, Currents and Terrys worked together to create a pirate party like none other. We had so much fun. Thank you to all of you!

Evan Sophia Craik

A very doting Uncle Robb.

( I stole this photo from Everett and Jelinda's Facebook page.)

We were SO excited to get a text in the early hours this morning announcing little Evan Sophia. She was born at 2:25 (on her due date) and weighed in at 7 pounds, 11 ounces.

It was a LONG day until we finally got to go over to St. Mary's and see her for the first time. What a cute little bundle of warm yummy. She does this funny thing with her bottom lip where she sucks it in. I love seeing Everett and Jelinda as parents! What a blessed Sabbath.

Oh yeah. Zeke is not overly excited about babies. Go figure...

25 Weeks

In general the second trimester has been pretty good though. Since the nausea eased up I've been able to get lots done and feel generally like myself.

This little guy is ever so busy. He kicks and rolls almost all day long and actually woke me up this morning with his wiggling.

By now he should be about a pound and a half. Though the doctor did say at my last appointment that he's measuring a bit big...

The Half-Way Mark

We have just now hit 20 weeks so thought it was time for a bump picture or two.

A Little Doughnut Celebration

It was a busy morning. We had a very early ultrasound appointment, followed by a doctor's appointment a little later. Since we had a little break in between, we decided to celebrate a little with a doughnut. Zeke even got to pick out his own (pink frosting!) and enjoyed eating it all by himself. He is going to be so wired later on...

The Wee One

Today was our official, midterm ultrasound. The little guy was posing for all he was worth, giving us every angle we were looking for and cooperating in general. I'm sure that will all end in another 20 weeks. It looks like he has incredibly long legs and was kicking the whole time. Zeke got to watch and kept practicing saying "baby" and "brother". Happily, everything looks good and healthy, so I couldn't be happier.

There You Have It

We got to take a peek at my little occupant today. Looks like Zeke is going to have his very own little brother. So much joy! (And can you believe I post pictures like this on the internet?)

Sneak Peek

We're excited to announce that we're expecting another little one around August 17th. We got to hear it's heartbeat today and see some first images.

Surprise!

Zeke lends a helping hand.

I couldn't resist letting Robb open one of his birthday presents a few days early.

Art for Zeke

For Ezekiel's first birthday, Dennis sent him this Bathtub Pirate illustration that is ever so perfect. We had to check out the illustrator's site right away and he has some super fun stuff. Thank you Dennis! We love you.

Ezekiel is One Year Old!

Our little man is a whole year old today. I just don't know where the time has gone. It seems that it was just weeks ago that we brought home a tiny little helpless bundle and now he is a rascally little creature that is getting everywhere by himself and determined to be his own person.

Ezekiel is now over 22 pounds and 32.5 inches tall (instead of long!) with a 47.5 cm head. What a noggin...

With My People

Checking out Great-grandma Edna and little Pepper.

Grandpa Jim lets me eat rice with my fingers!

Daddy makes sure I don't try to swallow any marbles.

I LOVE her already.

Playing pat-a-cake with Grandma Lorraine.

Zeke had a busy day spending time with his loved ones. It was so great to be able to visit Great-grandma at her house and see aunts, uncles, grandparents and cousins. Nothing better.