flicks on the bricks

We took the girls to an outdoor movie at Nicollet Commons park last Friday. The movie was "Gnomeo and Juliet", it is such an adorable movie! They didn't start the movie until about nine, and it got pretty chilly so we didn't stay for the entire movie, but I see a new tradition in our future! Ella loved it, and Jillian loved the people watching. So did I!

happy fourth!

two weeks old!

our sweet jillian sloane.

Our sweet little Jillian is here. She was born May 23rd and weighed 7 lbs, 6 oz. and was 20 1/4" long. She has lots of dark hair and blue eyes (so far). She looks similar to big sister Ella but we can see more differences than similarities! Mostly the similarities are in their demeanor and facial expressions.

We had a good delivery, and we were out of the hospital on Saturday after going in on Wednesday for our scheduled c-section. Since I was put under general anesthesia for Ella's birth, Jillian's was technically Bill and I's first delivery (although I will say that with Ella we actually got to labor, an experience we didn't get with Jillian). If I wasn't so excited to meet this girl, I probably would have been more nervous. While waiting those last few minutes before heading in to surgery, Bill and I played a game of "Words with Friends" and it was just enough to keep us sane before going in to the OR. There are thousands of little things I want to be able to remember, but the one thing that seems to stand out the most right now is that she came out squawking, and made a ruckus up until they brought her over to Bill and I. Once I said something to her, and she heard my voice she stopped crying almost immediately (or at least that's how I remember it anyways!). SUCH a special moment that I never want to forget. Ella got to meet her sissie later that evening, and although we have had some minor behavioral issues since coming home, for the most part she is very much in love with Jillian. My heart is so full of love for these girls! More details later, but for now here are some pictures.

thirty-eight weeks.

"wake up mom, it's mother's day!"

Couldn't have asked for a better Mother's Day weekend! Spent a lot of time outdoors, including a great trip to the zoo on Sunday morning. Ella even squeezed in a little time for swimmin'.

sibling rivalry.

ella

Just a couple pictures of this cute girl! She got a lot of outside time last week; even tried her hand at walking Gabby.

Five weeks left.

new look

I decided to make some changes to the blog, I hope everyone likes it! I may change little bits here and there in the days to come, but I think I have a good start! Not too shabby for the lesser techy person of the house!

puzzles.

This kid is amazingly good at puzzles! They may be only 150 pieces tops, but I'm convinced that's more for mom and dad's benefit than hers!!

coloring with mom.

take me out to the ball game!

We were able to catch a Twins game yesterday, during opening week no less! It will likely be the only chance we get to go this season with the new baby coming, so we were thankful we were able to. And also that the weather was so beautiful! Ella liked it for the most part, but got bored around the fifth inning. It was nice for her to get to play with cousin Emmett though! Too bad we couldn't get a win for the day. Lots of season left though boys!

movie night

What better thing to do on a rainy windy evening?

tired puppy.

Little does she know she's headed for a vet check-up in about five minutes....

catching up.

Looks like we have some work to do catching up! Our last post was right before Halloween, and we have been plenty busy in the months since! Busy, and exhausted. And here is why!

This is our baby girl #2, due to arrive May 24th. At the time of our last post, it was still very early, and I hadn't been to the doctor yet. This has been a fairly easy pregnancy, although I will admit that with a very active three year old I feel much more exhausted than I was when I was pregnant with Ellie Belle! We have a little over a month and a half to go before we meet our new girl, and I am getting impatient. After a few hurdles, we are ready for this baby.

Ok, now that her introduction is done, let's try to quickly get up to speed so maybe we can try to be a little more regular with posts from here on out...until this newborn arrives and has all of our attention! And I'll gladly give it to her. :)September: As you know from our last post, we have a new puppy Gabby! She has quickly become just another part of our crazy family. Just like her brother Gage, she prefers the man of the house, so now I guess Bill has two dogs. I can't win! Both Ella and Gage love her, and she loves them.October: Ella dressed up as Rapunzel, and wore a costume her mommy made for her. Might be the last time I try to make something as extravagant as a Disney Princess costume! It was just accurate enough for Ella to be pleased with it. Mission accomplished. This year the weather was nice enough for Ella to actually do a little trick or treating! Walk to a few houses and come home with a few candy bars..she thought that wasn't too shabby.

November: Since we've had some really great weather this year, we were able to work in the yard a little later into the fall. And play in the leaves! Bill has been very busy landscaping since last summer, so he was able to finish a pretty large portion of our backyard before it got too chilly to do so. It looks awesome.

December: If Ella were to tell you what we do in December, she'd likely say, "we celebrate the birth of baby Jesus, and me!". She just thinks December is the month o' birthdays. She had three parties! One main party, where Gramma and Grampa, and Theresa and her kiddos, and Uncle Huey came to celebrate with her. Then we had cake and ice cream on her actual birthday, and then we HAD to have cake and presents in North Dakota when we were there over Christmas! We spent 5 days in ND over Christmas, and it was the first time we had been to New Town in over a year. It was SO nice. Got to tell my Grandparents in person that a new babe was on the way. Brought tears to my eyes to see I brought tears to my Grandma's eyes! Ella also got her first "official" haircut (we have cut bangs before, but this was her first whole head trim) by Gramma Charmaine. Gramma Charmaine is also coming in May when baby gets here...just in time for Ella's next haircut!

January: After a busy December, we pretty much just had a pretty lazy January! Except for swimming lessons. Ella did great; her first few lessons either Bill or I went in the water with her, and by the end she was on her own with a floatie. She is such a big girl now, and so smart! I'll save my Ella gushing for a separate post...this one could get might long if I start bragging about this kid of mine!

February: Pretty much the same deal here, lazy February! Swimming lessons finished up this month, right before my third trimester started, which is good because I'm back to being exhausted!

March: We're in full-blown baby planning mode now. We have her nursery ready to go for the most part, and Ella's baby clothes have made a reappearance in this little girl's closet. It brings back so many memories of when Ella was tiny! The weather is starting to get warm - like unusually warm, so we've already been to the zoo - in shorts! I'm glad the weather is nice, as it'll give us a chance to get as many out door activities in with Ella before baby comes.

Well that pretty much brings us up to speed!