Two weeks...

When I had Xander it took me 2 months to get my first blog up... that says alot about the differences in these two children already. Maybe the 2nd is just easier, or maybe she's just an easier baby, either way it's a blessing. I figure compared to a wild 3 year old boy, a baby that just eats and sleeps is a peice of cake! Although I've yet to be brave enough to take on both full time yet. With my c-section recovery and no one to stay home and help me I've been going it on my own with baby girl. Xander's still going to school and grandma's and is more than happy to continue his normal routine. I am looking forward to Christmas break, when I will have both my boys home with us for 12 straight days! Yay! But for now, back to the baby...

Two weeks ago today...

We welcomed our sweet baby girl into the world.

Isabelle Lorelai Pierre was born at 8:13am, she was 6lbs. 12.9oz and 21 inches...

Her first few moments... She cried and cried in the recovery room with daddy while they awaited the Dr's stitching me up. The second I came out of the operating room they put her back in my arms and she instantly stopped crying. It was amazing, she knew me already.








The nurses put cute little black and white bows on her to match her outfit...






Home again and all settled in. I've been taking pictures here and there in between sleeping and breastfeeding. She sleeps in 3-4 hour chunks which is a HUGE difference from her older brother who as a newborn was up eating every hour and 1/2!


She's got big blue eyes and the most beautiful blonde whispy eyelashes, both of which I'm unable to properly capture on my camera...


So most of the pictures I have of her are of her sleeping, but what is more peaceful than a sleeping baby? I love all the pink and her cute little outfits, although I haven't started to dress her up too much just yet. She's still so very tiny...

Xander's Guitar

It all started about a month ago, when Mom and Mark were nice enough to take Xander to the fair. I REALLY wanted to go, but knew the walking would be too much. He had a blast, of course, he's such a lucky boy.

They feed animals...

Broke a few rules while mom wasn't around...

Ate yummy fair food...

And grandma let him pick out ONE thing to take home. He chose a small, life like version of a guitar.

This is him playing it for Grandma at the fair.

Ever since the guitar came home we've had a bit of a little rockstar on our hands. He is actually pretty coordinated and can play and sing at the same time. When he's done he gives us a bow and we clap. It's pretty adorable.

He plays all the classics... Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, Itsy-Bitsy Spider, ABC's, Jesus Loves Me... He's pretty obsessed with singing lately, there's a whole set of songs they taught him at school he just wonders around the house singing. Things like... R-E-D spells red, firetrucks are Red, Stop Signs are red, R-E-D... or Y-E-L-L-O-W, I can spell Yellow... or 1,2,3 Jesus loves me! 1,2 Jesus loves you!... they go on and on. He seems to come home with a new song each week! He also loves singing along to the radio. He favorite song is "Life is a Highway" by Rascal Flatts (from the movie Cars) he sings it at the top of his lungs in the car on the way home from school.

AND lastly, for your viewing pleasure, his first music video... (Note: I didn't get my camera out in time and you can't hear great, but I think there will be MANY more to come!)

Michigan...

Last month we went on our LAST trip as a family of 3 home to Michigan. We were blessed to get to spend a wonderful week with our family.

Xander did awesome on the plane, this being his 3rd trip, he's kinda a pro haha He got his first pair of "real" pilot's wings. Flying was a breeze this time thanks to many snacks, stickers and books. When we were landing Xander commented on that funny feeling you get in your tummy when the plane goes down - you know that kind of weightless feeling- he said (loudly), "It feels just like when I pee Mommy!" haha He giggled and giggled the whole time, Chris and I couldn't keep a straight face.

The First day we arrived we were blessed to have everyone gather together for a great family picnic in Grandma & Grandpa's backyard. Xander's favorite part was getting to play with the "big kids", I think it was Grandma's favorite part too...

Of course there had to be a 4-wheeler ride... after this they all snuck off with grandma to pet the animals down the street, I'm told Xander chased a poor duck in circles haha

We went to Coney Island, I HAD to have a Coney dog while I was in town. Xander once again got the chance to chase ducks!

Xander really enjoyed Grandma and Papa's garden... Here he is discovering how green beans grow, he was trying to eat one off the vine!

His favorite chore... "helping" grandma do the dishes. (Note: this stressed me out more than you know, he was soaked, kitchen was soaked, Grandma just laughed and reminded me of the days I used to do the same!)

Wearing grandpa's shoes...

More 4-wheeler time with Daddy, they went on a ride every day the weather was nice...

Eating breakfast, ready to head outside for the day : )

And we made a nice trip to Port Huron to see the water...

Pretending to take a picture of Daddy taking a picture...

This boy sure loves his great-grandpa...

And lastly the plane trip home, this picture says it all...

First School Picture...

Xander's First Official School Picture!!!

Sadly, we were out of town the week before picture day, so I had no warning and didn't get to put him in his EXTRA cute clothes, BUT I think it turned out pretty great with what he wore that day. We were so thankful to have such a great photographer come to his school and take pictures of the kids!

Patience

This morning on the way to work a lady in a mini van flew across 3 lanes going 55mph and cut me off.

Needless to say hormonal pregnant me was NOT happy.

As I yelled at the lady in front of me, "What's wrong with you???"

I hear a tiny voice from the back seat, "Don't get frus-ter-rated at the other people mommy"

"They are dangerous, you need to just be happy!"

Wow talk about a reality check!

Thank you sweet baby boy for a reminder to be patient.

Thank you for reminding me that you are always watching everything I do and that it's my job to practice patience and kindness even when others don't so that you have the best example in this life.

Sometimes things get so busy being a wife, mom, mommy-to-be and working full time that it's easy to forget what's really important in life.

Patience, kindness, understanding, taking the time to listen and not being quick to anger over the little things.

It's amazing he doesn't know it, but the day Xander was born he started teaching me these lessons and so many more.

I am so blessed and thankful for the opportunity to be a wife, mom, mommy-to-be AND working full time.

Each of these things help to make up who I am, but I get to choose how I act in each of my daily roles and today thanks to a tiny little voice in my back seat I'm going to be a little more patient.

Be still in the presence of the Lord, and wait patiently for him to act. Don’t worry about evil people who prosper or fret about their wicked schemes. Stop being angry! Turn from your rage! Do not lose your temper—it only leads to harm. For the wicked will be destroyed, but those who trust in the Lord will possess the land. Psalm 37:7-9

Thank you Xander!

Just another week...

Xander's Aunt Danielle and I at her baby shower this weekend, I'm 6 months pregnant, she is 9 months!

Girls play with dolls, Boys play with...

Showing off for the camera...

Dinner out with mom and dad...

Cute things Xander said this week...

"Gram, when I come to your house I'm gonna poop in your potty!" - haha SO happy this boy is potty trained!

"No mom that's not a space ship, that's a flying saucer." - He was right, he's taken after his dad and feels the need to correct me when I call something by it's improper name, it's cute, but starting to drive mom up the wall a little haha

What else is new...

Not too much.

We are getting the babies room together, although I STILL haven't decide how I will decorate. Packing up all the boy clothes for Aunt Danielle and Uncle Scott.

Counting down until our family vacation to Michigan! Whoo hoo!! Only 32 more days! Chris and I are SO ready for this one!

I'm getting bigger by the day, 23 weeks! but still haven't stopped wearing my heels to work OR picking up Xander, go ahead try and make me! haha Sadly food is still my enemy and I doubt I will do any cooking until after baby is here.

We've picked a name for our sweet baby girl, but we've decided it's best kept secret for now... taking a cue from Aunt Danielle and Uncle Scott.

Xander likes to tell us stories now and make up songs on a daily basis. He now knows ALL his colors in spanish, and refuses to call anything red anymore, it is now rojo, even though he doesn't use the other colors in daily life.

That's it for us, hope you have a great week!

The Big THREE!

I swear I was just writing about his first birthday! And now he's 3...

Potty trained, sleeping in a big boy bed/room, can dress himself, say please and thank you, sing songs, tell me stories... Oh he's not my baby anymore : (

The LAST little thing I hold onto is my ability to pick him up still, which is close to not being possible. Somehow 6 months pregnant in a dress and heels I still can manage to carry him into to school each morning. Chris thinks I'm insane, but how can I stop holding my baby?? Yes he's a 30+lb baby, that's half my height, but he's MY baby! I'm gonna pick him up until I can't anymore. Of course, I won't put me or our baby girl in danger, but I'll decide when it's too much for me.

Well onto the big birthday, this one was the best so far. Each year Xander gets a better understanding of what his birthday is, and this year he totally got it! For weeks we used the, "If you don't do _______, you can't have a birthday party!", now what am I going to use now? haha He woke up the morning of cheering, "Yay! It's my birthday party today!" then we cuddled and he let me rock him for 15 minutes straight, while I softly sang him Happy Birthday over and over and over. It breaks my heart to think I can barely rock him like that anymore. He's going to be a big boy just like his daddy.

Of course I kept with my yearly tradition and made him a cake. This year he got to request what kind of cake he wanted for the first time, and surprise surprise, he wanted a Cars cake.

I think I did a pretty good job on this one. It was definitely my favorite. My first time working with fondant, and I LOVED it. I look forward to making more complicated cakes with it in the future.

Xander loved the cake too. He was VERY concerned that the cars were getting cold in the fridge while waiting for the party and kept sneaking peaks to check on them. He did actually eat some cake this time, although only one bite, then mommy made him take 3 more before presents. Is it bad that I have to beg my kid to eat a peice of cake? haha I really am SO thankful for having a little man that enjoys eating healthy.

As far as gifts go, we knew that Xander would get everything he wanted and more, so we thought long and hard about what Mom and Dad should get for him. We finally decided our present to him would be a "Big Boy" room. Since we moved in April we haven't really spent time on his room yet. He still had alot of "baby" stuff hanging around. So we got him new sheets, blankets, decorative pillows, lamp, toy organizer, rug, even super cute wall stickers, ALL Cars themed! I don't have any pictures yet, cuz the sheets didn't fit, BUT I will post them when the room is totally done, probably next week. We even set up his tv and dvd player, though we are not bending on the "no t.v. in bed" rule anytime soon.

Onto the pictures...

Waiting, ummm, "patiently" to have cake

Singing Happy Birthday

Getting embarrassed when everyone starts singing (he made me blow out the candle again this year, I begged him, but he kept saying, "you do it mom" finally with the wind, I gave in...


Happy to FINALLY get what he wanted, no not the cake, the cars off the cake!

Opening presents!

This is the ONLY time in his life I think he'll be this excited about receiving underwear for his birthday!

No more presents : (

Back home enjoying the good life...


I'd say it was a pretty good 3rd birthday for the little man.

The Miracle of Modern Technology

Last week when I went for my 20 weeks anatomy scan I was lucky enough to also take home a few great 3D photos of our baby girl. It's amazing what you can see. I also posted Xander's 30 weeks 3D photo to show as comparision.

We never got a great shot of her face, but as you notice in the first picture you can see eyes and her sucking on her little thumb:

In this second picture you can see her face almost perfectly! See that nose? It's the same as Xander's! It's amazing that she already looks so perfect!

A new chapter...

Our family is about to begin a new chapter, and after a long break I think it's time I started posting weekly again. Our lives change so quickly it is so easy to let it pass us by. We are blessed to be adding to our family this year and I want to make sure I don't miss a moment of this very exciting, yet very busy time in our lives!
Our little one is due December 1st, 2011. I am 20 weeks pregnant today, and yesterday we were overjoyed to find out that we will be having a baby GIRL! We are all thrilled about this addition to our family.

Xander is excited about the idea. He knows there is a baby in mommy's tummy, but he does occasionally ask if he has a baby in his tummy too. At first he was VERY concerned that it would be much too dark for the baby in my stomach and that they baby would be scared. After he attempted to convince me to swallow a flashlight for the baby, we had a long talk about how the baby likes the dark right now. He has made a couple attempts to look in my mouth for the baby as well, shinging a flashlight in my mouth hoping he could see something! It's pretty cute. Now he's come to the realization that the baby is in there and he can't see it, and as my belly grows each day he talks to the baby more . He says good morning and good night baby every day. He is mostly excited about getting to be a big brother. I'm not sure he knows exactly what a big brother is but he knows that his daddy is a big brother too so that really helped get him excited about it.

As far as the pregnancy goes, I'm doing great. The first few months were filled with endless days of morning sickness, but as I entered the 2nd trimester things finally calmed down. I've got some energy back and am hoping to take advantage of it while I can and try to get the baby's room ready. We moved in March so we have an empty room just waiting for our little one to arrive. I am probably most excited because I get to decorate and be girly for once, I think the amount of testrone in the house was getting to me! haha I'm thrilled to think pink!

Other exciting upcoming events include: Xander turning 3 next weekend! We are planning a "Cars" party, complete with a Lightning MacQueen cake (if mommy can pull it off that is). He is VERY excited about this birthday. I think he finally understands what a birthday is. He can show you and tell you he is turning 3, which is adorable of course.

We are also planning our annual trip to Michgian. Xander has been asking since last year when we will go back to Michigan. I think he really loves it there, as much as his mommy and daddy do. This year all three of us are going and very excited about it. It's been a couple years since Chris has been able to go with us so this year is extra special. I am a bit nervous about flying, but I will be around 27 weeks and the doctor assures me I will be fine. It will be our last trip as a family of 3!

Well I will share more next week, hope everyone is having a wonderful week and is as blessed as we are!

- Crystal