14 months.

Lexie went in for her 1 year well check, just two months late. So here are her, 12 (really 14 month stats).  Weight, 21.5 lbs 50%, Height 77 cm , or 30 inches long 50 %.

She's a petite little thing compared to the boys. In fact she still fits in her infant car seat and the boys had outgrown that seat at about 10 months. Right now she is working on two top molars like a champ.  

She is an absolute joy these days. Her favorite things, climbing and sitting on the couch with us and sitting in her little rocking chair. She points and says 'this', 'all done,' 'da-da' and 'carter,' and I'm still waiting to hear mama, maybe for Mothers Day.

Hugs, A

Rain.

We had an extra special treat today.

Rain!

Moving to the Sandbox has sure changed our appreciation for a little precipitation.

So we did what any other little person would do. Owen busted out the umbrella and we played in it. Then we came inside and tucked ourselves into bed for long afternoon naps.

Hugs, A



The little things.

 In general I feel like we are doing great. It's just an array of little things that seem to keep knocking our little family over.

 

We've had our fair share of sickness the past three weeks. First Mike with strep throat. Carter then contracted a freakish lymph node infection. An entire side of his neck was super swollen, he couldn't move it or look around, and then had trouble talking and moving a side of his face. Scary stuff I tell you, at one point the ER doc. said he had mumps, only later to find out the doc had no idea what he was talking about. Carter had never been so sick. But a week later, he is back to his old self mostly, still a little swollen and looking off to the side, but we feel confident he is recovered. He is also finally back to school, which he has been so excited to get back to his friends and teacher.

 

Then I have been having a crazy weird circulation issue with my right leg this pregnancy that has taken us to the ER and back to the OB and to the hematologist. All in which, six weeks later, I finally feel like I have a doctor who has a better idea of what is going on and is taking an active role in what to do. I have started the daily blood thinner injection and will continue this until six weeks after our baby girl is born. I have not had circulation or vein issues like this in any of my other pregnancies. To say the least, this pregnancy has thrown me for a loop in so many ways.

 

Most importantly, our growing baby is doing great and we are still set to come home to the States for delivery. We have decided to head back a few weeks earlier though, better safe and cautious we are learning. I have too many other little ones to take care of to take any chances. So I will bravely stick myself every evening, try to keep my foot up as much as possible, rock my awesome compression stockings and be grateful for the blessing of another pregnancy and another little spirit destined to join our family.

 

 

This past weekend we went to Bahrain for District Conference.Above is a photo of the crew watching a little Disney channel before packing up to come home. 

We splurged and stayed in an apartment. We had great visions for a perfect, relaxing long weekend. Ha, what were we thinking? Although we were able to have a great pork filled dinner Thursday night. But then, there was Carter who was incredibly sick this weekend, and we had a series of unfortunate events. Our middle of the night, 3:30 a.m. fire drill carrying everyone 11 floors down was the tip of the ice burg. I think in a few weeks we will laugh about, but right now, not so much. 

 

 In the meantime, we have been blessed with many helpful hands with our family. The little acts of service we have been given have been heaven sent. We are grateful, so very grateful for it all. Also very grateful we are here in the sandbox and that Mikes job has allowed for him to be here and help with docter appointments and taking care of us all.

 

*Another thing on the Dille plate this past month was some good old fashion kitchen remodeling. Most people here has hired that out, but my awesome husband pretty much did it all. We love it and now that our countertops are finally done and installed we can check another thing of our 'nesting' list.

 

Hugs, A

Spring Break comes to an End.

This week we are back to business.

Our crew after church. We successfully survived two hours of conference watching at church. Not only that but this picture was taken afterwards and everyone is still pretty happy. Double success.

She's the only one who stuck around after the first minute.

First spaghetti meal was a success.

 Lexie Double Fisting it Up. Sippy cup and snack cup. Don't forget her hot pink lovie in the other hand. Don't mess with her blanket - she's attached, but if she really loves you she might share. She's set and ready to go pretty much anywhere.

Almost 14 months big. This photo shows so much of her awesome personality.

 And that my friends is how to do a real full blown squat. That's my girl. She's now a full blown, walking, squatting and running machine these days.

After two weeks of Spring Break freedom, school is back in. I'm a bit sad, as crazy as it was, I have loved having all of the kids home, no schedules and mornings to just play. We spent almost the entire break at the pool every morning followed by lunch at the snack bar. Lexie will be a little swimmer too. She has no fear and even after tumbling into the baby pool, fully submerged she'd pop right back up and keep going. She really loved being in the big pool with the boys and loved everything Carter would do. Can I just say, Carter is becoming a great swimmer. Owen, when he wants to be, and puts in the effort does pretty well too. I think swim team may be in our near future.

 

It was a great break and a wonderful way to recharge before the last three months until summer break. Is is too soon to begin the countdown?

Hugs, A

A brother or sister?

On April 1, I had the big ultrasound for our new baby. I am 18 weeks.

 

We planned a surprise for that evening to announce to the kids if they would be getting another brother or a sister. A friend of mine made a patch of surprise cupcakes. White on the outside and the color of the sex of the baby on the inside. Pink for girl and blue for boy. We asked both boys what they would like, Carter "a sister" and Owen "another brother."

Carter was the first to reach the center of the cupcake

"It's Pink- A GIRL!"

So there you have it. At the end of the summer we will welcome another sweet baby girl into our family. We are thrilled. It took a lot of coaxing to find out, our little one was being pretty modest during the ultrasound. I must have flipped back and forth at least three times trying to get her to move. She was kneeling right up until the end.

 

I'm also a bit relieved, with two boys and two girls, we will continue to fit into our little three bedroom house. Lexie will have a sister to play with and I already have a slew of things ready and waiting for our new little one. Life feels a little more balanced.

 

18 Week side view after church this week.

Another view of our little one. What a cute profile.

Hugs, A

Egg Hunt.

 

We celebrated Easter at church on Friday (our sabbath). Then on Sunday  ( a normal work day for Mike) the Easter Bunny came that morning and later we met at the park for a family pot luck and easter egg hunt. We had a lot of fun celebrating Easter with several of our good family friends.

 We did not capture a family Easter photo this year. Yes, the boys had suits and ties and Lexie a great Easter dress, but let's have an honest moment. Our sabbath day that week was anything but quiet and stressfree. We were late to church and by the time we arrived home every child was 'done' in their own way. I'm pretty sure the boys stripped out of their sabbath clothes on the way down the hallway and Lexie was already asleep. So no fancy photo. My other thought was a cute photo with the kids and their baskets, ha, I should have known better.

 Although I would love to be this photo perfect family. To be a mom with a fancy camera catching every moment. I am learning that sometimes I have to be present in that moment, not just behind the camera lense. This also corresponds with the fact that we have three very active little ones and another on the way. We have to be present. So although we didn't seem to capture that Easter photo that I would have liked, the reality is, that is okay too.

 

Lexie was too busy chomping on candy in wrappers to pose for a group photo. But she is cute enough that we let that slide.

 

The Bunny Came.

 

March snapshots.