"The fundamental mission of motherhood now is the same as it always was: to nurture, protect, and instruct children, to create a home environment that enables them to learn and grow, to help them develop a heart for God and his purposes, and to send them out into the world prepared to live both fully and meaningfully."

-Sally Clarkson from the Mission of Motherhood

Wednesday, November 30, 2011

Sweet Sarah Catherine

On November 30th, my precious niece made her entrance into this world!  
After an exciting midnight trip over to J&J's house after Julia unexpectedly went into labor, I got to spend the night and take care of Brooksy until we heard the news!  And that came at 2:30 a.m.  Yay!  
After B woke up and Sean got AM to school, I took the boys back home so we could all get ready to go meet B's little sister!!

Here they are ready to go to the hospital!!

Big Bro!!
Sweet cousins holding hands to walk into the hospital

Walking with daddy to meet her!
Two stinkers before we headed in

And here she is!!!

I know I am a little biased as the auntie, but she is beautiful!  And just the cutest baby!  I love her :)
And one of the sweetest moments===big brother meeting his new sibling!
Bonding :)
That night the whole fam came back (I couldn't wait to see her again!)


Leaving you with one more shot...what a sweet smile!
She is just darling, and I can't wait to watch her grow!
Welcome to the world, little one.  Your aunt (and the rest of your fam) loves you SO much! 

Tuesday, November 29, 2011

Pregnancy update--27 weeks

I have been so bad about updating this pregnancy!  Poor third kid----it's a just a different go round this time! 

I am about to start the third trimester this week and am just now starting to have some "I don't feel so great" moments.  (Except of course for the first trimester awfulness---nausea and worse with two kids running around.)  I really do love the second trimester and have tried to get as much done as I can. 

The weirdest thing I've craved this time is---cOfFeE!! That is weird for me because I had never in my life had (nor wanted to have) a genuine cup of coffee until a month ago.  Granted, yes, it was a fancy Starbucks one, but still.  I loved it!
I feel so bad, but I don't really have time to dwell on being pregnant or record the ups and downs like I did before (well, mainly just the first time...).  Bless this #3's heart!  Gotta go with the flow!
I guess that's it.  Gearing up for all things pink around here.  It's been nearly six years since we've had a baby girl!  There is soooooooooo much more adorable girl stuff out there.  Can't wait to dive back into it!

Still can't believe there is an unknown Svoboda baby girl waiting in the wings.  We are SO excited to meet you, little missy.   Oh--and Dr. says you are measuring two weeks big.  Let's just hope that means "early".  :)

He's growing up

My baby boy is turning into a bIg boy.  Just a few snapshots of life with Clark lately...

He recently made the switch from the baby bed to a big boy bed.  And a whole new big boy room.  He LoVeS it.  I love that I'm not having to lift him up into the crib anymore, but I don't love that my baby boy is gone.  :(

Freedom!

A new passion/love for all things football has emerged.  He got these "eye black" stickers at a BU game and would not take them off for a week straight.  Yes, he slept and bathed in them.  :)

And he spends alot of time looking through the dirty clothes for his jerseys.  He mUsT wear one EVERY day.  It's the first request he makes when he wakes up.  Yes, they're always in the dirty clothes because we only have 3, and Clark + 7 days a week does not equal three.

Practicing his stance. 
Santa better come up with some more jerseys! :)

And as long as he's fed and rested, he's completely content to play with his trucks and "football mans" either here or in his "big boy room". 
Clark is a phantom triplet of this twinsie set: Liam and Cullen.  :)  The other day when they came over to play, we found them in the baby's new room jumping and laughing/screaming in the crib.  They were so happy with themselves for A: climbing in, B: throwing out all the bedding, C: pooping (I'm serious) simultaneously, and I'm sure D: being so proud of themselves for not being crib sleepers anymore. 
sigh.  It's a GOOD thing they're so stinkin cute.  Meg and I were laughing hysterically.   We did not expect to see this when we came around the corner!

***I just realized he has a jersey on in every picture except the one in pajamas.  I wasn't kidding.  :)

Turkeys

We had a great Thanksgiving with these three!  :)  So so much to be thankful for!

Friday, November 11, 2011

Halloween

We had a week full of Halloween activities which made for a sugar filled, mulitple costume crazy time!
First up: costume parade at gymnastics.  Sissy chose to be Pocahontas.

All the cute little girls in their duds!

Her group
Then Friday night it was time for the Fall Festival.  Super siblings :)

Don't mess with these superheroes!


Very sad this photo is blurry, but had to capture Clark's excitement when he saw our little twin buddies, Coyt and Crew Alligator.  He lOvEs them. :)
And then we met up with some of our fellow superheroes, Wonder Woman and Batman!!!
Cousin B was not down for a picture that night.  Maybe because Clark really wanted to give him a hug.  :) 
Cookie walk action
Miss Thang called out the winning colors.  No shyness here
Saturday afternoon we went to a family pumpkin party.  This was our attempt at a picture.  A little too bright!
Picking out the perfect pumpkin
And getting it decorated juuuuuuust right...
It was so fun!  Complete with a hayride and yummy dinner.  The kids loved feeding the donkey---until he bit Clarky's hand.  :)  No tears, though!  He was tough!
Enjoying the campfire
And then it was finally Halloween!!
Clark really liked a friend's spaceman helmet.

Trick or treat!  Clark was really into it this year!

And we spent our night trick or treating with this little jailbird and his big brother cop.  :)  (My favorite costumes of the night!)
I love seeing Halloween through my kids' eyes.  Such a fun time of year!


Tuesday, November 8, 2011

Livin on Tulsa time...

In October we finally made our first trip to Tulsa to see our friends we miss so much, the Rackers.  The special treat is that it was Riley's birthday!  These two girlies have been best buds since (before) birth and still just pick right back up where they left off!

The kids spent alot of time outside riding powerwheels. The bubbas thought it was fun to play "bumper cars" whenever they got a chance! :)
Clark trying it out
These two crack me up because they are both such chunky and thick little wild boys!
Ready for the party!

It was at a dress up/make up and play center for girls.  Of course, these two were in heaven!
Holly made everything so cute.  Check out this makeup cake!
Nails first!

And then makeup and hair...
And after picking out the perfect dress, it was time to walk the catwalk.

All the princesses!
After the princesses danced to "Party in the U.S.A." it was time to sing and eat cake.  Clarky had to sample one...
And sample the catwalk...
Presents!
Our last night the kiddos climbed into Mrs. Holly's bed to watch Rio and eat popcorn.  (The daddies were hogging the TV to watch the Rangers.)  :)
And just before we left they insisted that I take their picture with them up in the tree.  ?? ok! 
We had a great weekend and loved getting to catch up with our sweet friends.  Thank you for being such wonderful hosts/hostesses, Rackers!  Can't wait to see what these third babies bring us!!!