Pumpkin Patch

Today Joleigh, Noelle and I went to the Pumpkin Patch with Joleigh's preschool class. Unfortunately, Joe, who was planning on attending, had to miss out because he couldn't get out of a meeting at work. It was an interesting trip. The pumpkin patch was different than I expected. We went to a great pumpkin patch last year, so my expectations were high. We will probably go back to the other one with Daddy later this week. But overall it was a good time, especially for Joleigh, who got to see and spend time with all her preschool friends and teachers. We got to hear a lesson about corn, ride on the train (or at least Noelle did, Joleigh decided to pass), go through a hay maze and pick out a couple pumpkins for my little pumpkins. Afterward, some of us met for lunch at Chick-fil-a. By the time we got home we were all exhausted and took a very nice nap. Here are some pictures from our morning.

My Modeling Experience

Last night, there was a women's event at the church. There were over 1000 women there participating or volunteering for this fun girl's night out. I was able to help with registration at the beginning of the night, as well as be a part of a fashion show. I had the best time! Most of the show was modeling the fall line of a clothing company called CAbi Clothing. I had never heard of it until this week. The clothes were so cute and fun. I however was part of the show titled "What Not To Wear." They asked me to come dressed how I would dress just being a stay-at-home pregnant mommy. So I just wore my jeans, t-shirt and flip flops. Then I got to change into a cute new outfit and strut my stuff. It was fun, totally not me, but a lot of fun! I didn't get any pictures during the fashion show, but here are some from after. I don't think I'll quit my day job. :)

Sharing a Room

This week marked a major milestone for our family, the girls started to share a room. With the new baby coming, I have been anxious to start this transition. The funny thing is that I have been so worried about when the right time would be to move them, but they decided all on their own they were ready.

For the past couple weeks, Noelle has not been sleeping well. She would fight me every time it was time to go down for a nap or bedtime. She would scream like I have never heard her scream before, jump in her crib and just throw a tantrum. I can't tell you how frustrated I was, and still am just thinking about it. I didn't know what to do, so I just decided at first to let her cry it out, but she would fall asleep after 20-30 minutes of screaming, then only sleep for 45 minutes, followed by more hysterical screaming until I went and got her. At first this was just during nap time, then this week, it started at bedtime. She would not cry herself to sleep. Monday night, she persistently cried for about 2 hours and I finally couldn't take it anymore. I was so tired myself that I went and got her and let her sleep with me for the night, I know it was weak, but I didn't know what else to do. We both got a pretty good night sleep. The only problem was then during nap time she went and crawled in my bed, and I let her, so I could take a nap as well.

I thought maybe it was the crib, she had out grown it or was scared to be confined, I don't know. So at bed time we decided to take the front part off of her crib, which turns into a toddler bed. As you can see from the pictures she was so excited.


That was until we told her it was time to go to bed, and then the screaming began all over again, except this time she could escape and run out of her room. Joe finally just went in, grabbed the crib mattress and blanket and brought them into Joleigh's room. He decided that if she was going to throw such a fit in her own room we might as well get it over with and combine them. Noelle was excited and Joleigh was happy to have her sister in her room, she wasn't however happy to go to bed, so Joleigh started crying, Noelle, not a peep. So after 10 minutes, silence, they were asleep and didn't wake up until 7:15, when they greeted us in our bed. I was thrilled and so proud of them.

So now they share a room and love it. We are still working out the kinks at nap time, but they are both taking naps and sleeping through the night again. So yeah! We are still figuring out the bed situation, we didn't think we would have to yet, so Noelle is still on her mattress on the floor until we decide what to do. Here are some pics from their new nightly routine.

Old Friends

Joe's freshman year of college at Manhattan Christian College, he befriended a group of girls that will forever be his lifetime friends. They were a couple years older in school and he was able to hang out and spend time with them. On Friday, a couple of them, Natalie and Charity, were able to come into town to visit with another friend, Rachel. There were several others who weren't able to make it, which was disappointing, because it has been while since we have seen them. Rachel was kind enough to invite our family over to catch up and have dinner. It was so great to see them. By the time that I got to MCC, this group of girls had already graduated, but because of the impact they made on Joe, I have been able to get to know them and love them as well. We had wonderful night catching up, we had a fire and roasted hot dogs (which by the way was my first time doing that, such a city girl, I know) and the girls had the best time playing with their friends and making smores, another first for them. It's sad how fast time flies and you don't always get to see and talk to the people who have made a difference in your life as often as you would like, but when you do, you should really cherish the opportunity. Take care girls, we can't wait to see you again!

New Kids on the Block

So I had to share my once in a lifetime experience with all of you. Monday night, October 13th, my friends, Megan and Alison and I went to see my favorite band growing up the New Kids on the Block. They were my very first concert, in 6th grade, my very first crush on a celebrity and my very first obessession. I mean, you name it and I had it when it came to the New Kids, cassessettes, buttons, shirts, sheets, posters covering the the walls. When I heard that they were reuniting I was more excited than I want to admit. Just thinking about them brings me back to such a nostalgic time and I couldn't wait to go see them again in concert. I sent out a mass email to all my friends, hoping someone would want to come with me. We had to buy the tickets in July and October seemed so far away, but I am so glad I bought the tickets way back then, otherwise I'm not sure I would have been able to now.

The concert was awesome, mainly because of the friends I was with. They were so excited to be there. The New Kids sang so many of their old songs that I was able to sing right along with, as well as their new stuff, that I have memorized as well. Although I am almost 30, I was and still am a New Kids on the Block fan, and guess I always will.


By the way...Joey is my favorite!

Uncles

I just had to finally share what great uncles Joleigh and Noelle have. Yesterday, Josh (or Joshy as the girls call him) and Justin brought pizza over for lunch, they wanted to hang out with our family, mainly the girls, and watch some football. It just reminded me of all the times they have driven all the way over to our house just to see and spend time with the girls, basically a weekly occurance. How lucky Joleigh and Noelle are to have such devoted men in their lives, who truly show them unconditional love and have so much fun with. It made me smile this week when Justin was having a bad day/week and all he wanted to do was talk to the girls to cheer him up. Joleigh and Noelle both got on the phone and couldn't wait to talk to and encourage Uncle Justin. I am personally so thankful for both of them and the role that they play in all our lives. We love you Uncle Joshy and Uncle Justin, we hope you know how much!

Here are some pictures from yesterday.

I've been busy

So it's has been awhile since I last posted and I feel like I have been so busy, so I am going to play a little catch up. After we found out last Friday about our sweet little girl, Jaelyn, coming, life has been a little crazy. I have really been trying to process what it is going to be like having three children, let alone three girls.

I have already begun the nesting process. On Saturday, I pulled out all of the girls' baby clothes. It made me smile to remember my two little girls at that new baby stage. There are so many adorable little dresses and I started to get really excited that Jaelyn was going to get to wear some of the things Noelle didn't get a chance to because of the different seasons. I have completely come to terms now that we are having another girl and I couldn't be happier!

On Monday, one of my very best friends, Colleen, was in town from Buffalo and she and her mom, Noreen, brought over lunch and came over to our house to visit with me, Joe and the girls. I have been friends with Colleen since the 4th grade. She is my oldest and dearest friend. We have lived apart for awhile now, she and her husband have lived in Flagstaff, Virginia, Atlanta and now Buffalo, since we graduated from high school together. The greatest thing about our friendship is that now matter how much time goes by, when we haven't seen or talked to eachother as much as we would like, it is like no time has past. She is and has always been such a generous and encouraging friend to me. While her and her mom were over I was telling them about Joleigh and Noelle sharing a room, when the baby gets here and some of my ideas for decorating. Joleigh is three and a half years old and I have never painted or really decorated a room for her. I realized that I had kind of a phobia about it. Just making a decision and actually executing it. So Colleen offered to help me paint the next day and we decided to do it.

She came over on Tuesday morning. Joe went to Home Depot and picked out some light pink paint, the kind that was safe for me to use, and some purple and white accent shades. We weren't sure when we started what the room would look like when we were done, but I was really excited to paint a room for the first time in my life. Joe gave me free reign to decide what I wanted to do. Joleigh was gone at preschool for the morning, so we were able to get a lot done, while we bribed Noelle with cartoons and snacks.



The day went fast, the girls did great and they were so patient. I am really happy with the way the room turned out. Joleigh loves purple and she really wanted polka dots, so her wish came true. We have a lot left to do, but we have time to do it before we put the girls together. Their names with go on the walls with their white letters, there are white shelves and white picture frames that we still need to put up, but you can get an idea. One room, sort of, down, now I still have the nursery to do. This painting thing is kind of addicting, I have all kinds of ideas in my head now. :)

We found out...

So today was the big day we've been waiting for since we found out baby #3 was on its way. I couldn't sleep last night, just anxious/excited/nervous all at the same time. We all woke up a little early, got ready, and headed to the doctor for our 8:00 am appointment. My mom met us there to not only be a part of finding out but to also help us with the girls by taking them home after the ultrasound. We went into the ultrasound room and I was ready either way to hear the good news. She first had to check all the anatomy and body parts, then it was time for the gender. The woman asked me what I thought, and I said, "We are preparing for a girl, but a boy would be nice." She looks at me and says, "It's a GIRL." I have to admit I was a little in shock. I didn't realize how convinced I was that I was having a boy. This pregnancy has been completely different than the first two in almost every way. Even my OB was convinced it was a boy. Joleigh was the only one who knew she was going to have a baby sister. I have been in a daze today, still trying to process having three children, let alone three girls. But we couldn't be happier and can't wait to meet our precious baby girl!!! Her name will be Jaelyn Adelle. We wanted another "J" name and we wanted to honor Joe's grandma, Evelyn Adelle, who has played a very special role in his life. Now we just have to wait another five months and day dream about what she is going to look like.