Happy Birthday Daddy!!!!
Thank you for being a great Daddy and doing fun things with us!
We hope you have an awesome birthday!
Love,
Mommy, McKenna, Cooper and Kinley
Saturday, July 30, 2011
It's Your Day!
Thank you for being a great Daddy and doing fun things with us!We hope you have an awesome birthday!
Love,
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Making My List and Checking It Twice
There was no doubt that when we returned from vacation there would be lots to do in terms of preparing for the new baby. And now that we have been back for almost a week we are finding ourselves knee deep in all things baby. So far on the list this week:
getting blinds for the nursery
washing the newborn baby clothes and blankets
having the carpets cleaned
getting the dog groomed
This weekend we need to put the crib together and put the blinds on the windows. Tomorrow I'm going to wash the crib bedding and order any last minute "stuff" that I didn't get yet. On Monday, McKenna and Cooper have their sibling class at the hospital. Thursday Earl and I have an appointment with the OB educator who will show us around the OB unit and answer any questions we might have. Rumor has it she will give us homework also.
Needless to say, this is all beginning to become very real as we check things off of our list and the days of the week fly by. Yesterday Cooper and I stopped to see a friend who had her third baby on Monday. Cooper was completely smitten with the baby which I'm going to take as a positive sign. The only drawback was the fact that he constantly wanted to "wake the baby up". Ummm...that's going to have to be corrected!
So, just over four weeks now assuming that Kinley stays put until her scheduled c-section date. Bets on that are all over the place. I've never had a baby on the actual scheduled date but this little girl has set out to prove from the beginning that she doesn't play by all the rules.
getting blinds for the nursery
washing the newborn baby clothes and blankets
having the carpets cleaned
getting the dog groomed
This weekend we need to put the crib together and put the blinds on the windows. Tomorrow I'm going to wash the crib bedding and order any last minute "stuff" that I didn't get yet. On Monday, McKenna and Cooper have their sibling class at the hospital. Thursday Earl and I have an appointment with the OB educator who will show us around the OB unit and answer any questions we might have. Rumor has it she will give us homework also.
Needless to say, this is all beginning to become very real as we check things off of our list and the days of the week fly by. Yesterday Cooper and I stopped to see a friend who had her third baby on Monday. Cooper was completely smitten with the baby which I'm going to take as a positive sign. The only drawback was the fact that he constantly wanted to "wake the baby up". Ummm...that's going to have to be corrected!
So, just over four weeks now assuming that Kinley stays put until her scheduled c-section date. Bets on that are all over the place. I've never had a baby on the actual scheduled date but this little girl has set out to prove from the beginning that she doesn't play by all the rules.
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Bethany Beach Part II - "The List" and Other Stuff
A few days before we left for Bethany, McKenna, Cooper and Earl each made a list of things they wanted to do while on vacation. (Incidentally, I didn't have a list. My only request was to relax for at least 10 minutes.)
The first thing on McKenna and Earl's list was to watch the sunrise on the beach. And so, Earl woke McKenna before dawn and they headed for the beach. According to McKenna it was a bit chilly but she was proud that they were the first ones on the beach that day. I wasn't as ambitious and stayed behind but managed to take this picture of the sunrise from the deck of our beach house.
Cooper and Earl had Go-Karts high on their lists. This was Cooper's first time on the Go-Karts and he was overjoyed that he got to ride in "Lightening McQueen". He has animated stories of how he and Daddy "almost spun out and crashed the little man into the wall". It wasn't quite as dangerous as it sounds but he had fun!
A visit to Cold Stone Creamery was high on everyone's list. Cooper stuck with his favorite, a chocolate milkshake. Coincidentally, the next morning the news did a story on how many calories are in your favorite summer treat. This chocolate fudge milkshake will only set you back 1200 calories. Good thing he didn't drink the whole thing - too bad for me that I finished it off!
Funland was next on "The List". The kids had such a great time last year that they couldn't wait to get to Funland again this year. They were not disappointed as not much about the rides have changed and neither has the fact that it's 10,000 degrees in that place!
Of course, the main goal of vacation was to spend time on the beach and with family. "Jonny Test" and "Micole" were a big hit with the kids - as always. They never get tired like Mommy and Daddy do and so the kids were constantly asking them to play. Thanks Nicole and Jon for swimming with the kids and entertaining them. They have only asked for you 1 million times since we've been home. Let me know when we can send them to your house for a week or so!
We haven't had the chance to see Julie or Hayden since our beach trip last year. It was great to see them and spend time with them. On Thursday night we spent the evening at the Rehoboth Boardwalk together riding more rides. A special thanks to Julie for taking McKenna on the Pirate Ship ride and for enduring McKenna's panicked screams.
Also on "The List" was hermit crabs. I'll admit that I'm not a big fan - they're kind of creepy and remind me of spiders. However, what do you say when your seven year old says, "Mom, can I buy a hermit crab at the beach with my own money." And so, meet Silver and Tom the hermit crabs. In case you're keeping track that's 2 kids, a large dog, a hamster, 2 hermit crabs and a soon to be new baby. How did this happen ?
I swore I wasn't going to pose for this picture with Julie and Nicole looking so good in their bikinis and me well...looking so pregnant. And I definitely wasn't going to put it on the blog. But, I decided it was too cute to pass up.
This picture is taken from a bit of a distance but it's one of the best shots of our group (minus Jon who sacrificed himself to take the picture). This was just before our awesome dinner at the Big Fish Grill. I'm still dreaming about going back there. The food is excellent!
In my opinion, my time with these special people was the best part of our entire trip. Thank you McKenna, Cooper and Earl for all the special memories that we have of this past week. I loved spending time on you having fun and enjoying your company. I love you!
The first thing on McKenna and Earl's list was to watch the sunrise on the beach. And so, Earl woke McKenna before dawn and they headed for the beach. According to McKenna it was a bit chilly but she was proud that they were the first ones on the beach that day. I wasn't as ambitious and stayed behind but managed to take this picture of the sunrise from the deck of our beach house.
Cooper and Earl had Go-Karts high on their lists. This was Cooper's first time on the Go-Karts and he was overjoyed that he got to ride in "Lightening McQueen". He has animated stories of how he and Daddy "almost spun out and crashed the little man into the wall". It wasn't quite as dangerous as it sounds but he had fun!
A visit to Cold Stone Creamery was high on everyone's list. Cooper stuck with his favorite, a chocolate milkshake. Coincidentally, the next morning the news did a story on how many calories are in your favorite summer treat. This chocolate fudge milkshake will only set you back 1200 calories. Good thing he didn't drink the whole thing - too bad for me that I finished it off!
Funland was next on "The List". The kids had such a great time last year that they couldn't wait to get to Funland again this year. They were not disappointed as not much about the rides have changed and neither has the fact that it's 10,000 degrees in that place! 
Of course, the main goal of vacation was to spend time on the beach and with family. "Jonny Test" and "Micole" were a big hit with the kids - as always. They never get tired like Mommy and Daddy do and so the kids were constantly asking them to play. Thanks Nicole and Jon for swimming with the kids and entertaining them. They have only asked for you 1 million times since we've been home. Let me know when we can send them to your house for a week or so!
We haven't had the chance to see Julie or Hayden since our beach trip last year. It was great to see them and spend time with them. On Thursday night we spent the evening at the Rehoboth Boardwalk together riding more rides. A special thanks to Julie for taking McKenna on the Pirate Ship ride and for enduring McKenna's panicked screams.
Also on "The List" was hermit crabs. I'll admit that I'm not a big fan - they're kind of creepy and remind me of spiders. However, what do you say when your seven year old says, "Mom, can I buy a hermit crab at the beach with my own money." And so, meet Silver and Tom the hermit crabs. In case you're keeping track that's 2 kids, a large dog, a hamster, 2 hermit crabs and a soon to be new baby. How did this happen ?
I swore I wasn't going to pose for this picture with Julie and Nicole looking so good in their bikinis and me well...looking so pregnant. And I definitely wasn't going to put it on the blog. But, I decided it was too cute to pass up.
This picture is taken from a bit of a distance but it's one of the best shots of our group (minus Jon who sacrificed himself to take the picture). This was just before our awesome dinner at the Big Fish Grill. I'm still dreaming about going back there. The food is excellent! 
In my opinion, my time with these special people was the best part of our entire trip. Thank you McKenna, Cooper and Earl for all the special memories that we have of this past week. I loved spending time on you having fun and enjoying your company. I love you!Sunday, July 24, 2011
Bethany Beach 2011
I think that it's safe to say that our first trip to Bethany Beach will definitely not be our last. I'll admit to being a little nervous as we left our house Saturday morning and headed to Delaware. This was our first experience renting a beach house and not staying in a hotel. I had only pictures to base pretty much everything on. We also had to consider meals, linens, and so many other things along with all the normal "beach stuff". However, I think for our first time we did pretty well.
We met up with Gram, Pap and Nicole outside Harrisburg and made the drive to Bethany. We encountered TONS of traffic outside of Dover but it only delayed us by about an hour. Before we knew it we were arriving at the beach.
I had promised to take it easy while on vacation so as not to have a "beach baby". Consequently, this was my perch for most of the week. I definitely got my money's worth out of my beach chair. And I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to suck in my stomach at the beach this year!
This picture is taken from a bit of a distance and unfortunately does not include Jon, but....it's one of the only pictures of the whole crew. We were waiting outside the Big Fish Grill for our table. And let me tell you - if you happen to be in Rehoboth Beach and need a place to eat this is the ticket. I'm still dreaming of the meal that I had there.
My little beach bum #1. It's amazing to watch McKenna play at the beach. I remember many summer beach trips where we had to physically drag her to the waters edge while she clung to us like we were going to throw her to the sharks. Now, at 7, we almost have to drag her out of the water.
And for this guy...the bigger the waves the better. Throughout the week he could usually be found standing at the waters edge calling to Earl or Jon because he wanted to go out further in the waves. He loved the big waves that would crash up over his head. I don't know who's kid he really is.
Gram and Pap spent most of their time under the canopy especially after Pap had a little trouble with a few waves and was effectively banned from the water by Gram. It was wonderful to have them there with us and we enjoyed their company.
When we could drag the kids out of the water they busied themselves building castles, serving "tea" and being buried in the sand.
I had to include this picture only because I thought it was so cute!
And because Earl always complains that there are no pictures of him on the blog - here he is. I actually reminded him of that just before I took this picture. I said, "If you want to be on the blog you have to smile for a picture." Seems to have worked. I don't know what we would have done without him this week. He was like a machine most days - up early, making trips to the grocery store or bakery, dragging beach chairs, bags and toys from the house to the beach, playing with the kids. I would have been completely lost without him there.
Stay tuned for more from our Bethany Beach adventures!
We met up with Gram, Pap and Nicole outside Harrisburg and made the drive to Bethany. We encountered TONS of traffic outside of Dover but it only delayed us by about an hour. Before we knew it we were arriving at the beach.
I had promised to take it easy while on vacation so as not to have a "beach baby". Consequently, this was my perch for most of the week. I definitely got my money's worth out of my beach chair. And I thoroughly enjoyed the fact that I didn't have to suck in my stomach at the beach this year!
This picture is taken from a bit of a distance and unfortunately does not include Jon, but....it's one of the only pictures of the whole crew. We were waiting outside the Big Fish Grill for our table. And let me tell you - if you happen to be in Rehoboth Beach and need a place to eat this is the ticket. I'm still dreaming of the meal that I had there.
My little beach bum #1. It's amazing to watch McKenna play at the beach. I remember many summer beach trips where we had to physically drag her to the waters edge while she clung to us like we were going to throw her to the sharks. Now, at 7, we almost have to drag her out of the water.
And for this guy...the bigger the waves the better. Throughout the week he could usually be found standing at the waters edge calling to Earl or Jon because he wanted to go out further in the waves. He loved the big waves that would crash up over his head. I don't know who's kid he really is.
Gram and Pap spent most of their time under the canopy especially after Pap had a little trouble with a few waves and was effectively banned from the water by Gram. It was wonderful to have them there with us and we enjoyed their company.
When we could drag the kids out of the water they busied themselves building castles, serving "tea" and being buried in the sand.
I had to include this picture only because I thought it was so cute!
And because Earl always complains that there are no pictures of him on the blog - here he is. I actually reminded him of that just before I took this picture. I said, "If you want to be on the blog you have to smile for a picture." Seems to have worked. I don't know what we would have done without him this week. He was like a machine most days - up early, making trips to the grocery store or bakery, dragging beach chairs, bags and toys from the house to the beach, playing with the kids. I would have been completely lost without him there.
Stay tuned for more from our Bethany Beach adventures!Friday, July 15, 2011
One Last Time
Dear McKenna and Cooper,
Tomorrow is a day we've had circled on the calendar for months - we are going on a family trip to the beach. You are both SO excited that I'm not quite sure you'll ever get to sleep tonight. It's fun for me to see your anticipation and listen as you make plans for the things you want to do while we're away.
For me, this trip is another sort of marker. This week will be our last vacation as a family of four. Next year everything will look different. Not different in a bad way. But different. We will have another little girl - we will be a family of 5.
I'm not sure why welcoming another baby into our family is always met with a little trepidation at first. It is always wonderful and there is always plenty of love to go around. But it is a fact of life that as much as I want you to have another sibling, I also feel bad about changing your life so much by bringing another baby home. I know that you'll hardly notice and that if you do you will forget by the time you're a teenager. However, as your mom I will always remember this vacation as our last as time together as our little family of four.
I hope that for you it will be just another family vacation. And I hope that you're just as excited to introduce your new sister to the sun and sand.
When we return next week it will be time to get serious about preparing for your sister to arrive. It will probably be the end of our overnight trips and the beginning of a considerable amount of time close to home. I'm not sure you'll notice or be phased by the slower pace. You've been content to be at home many times this summer. I'll never be able to begin to explain to you what this summer with you has meant to me. I absolutely love waking up each day and not having to dash out of the house. I love our picnic lunches and our late nights catching lightening bugs. I love being able to say "yes" to spur of the moment trips to the park or to get ice cream. I love that the three of us have been together every single day. I will forever cherish this time and remember it fondly. You both have been a tremendous help to me, you've been patient with me and you've played well with one another. One of my greatest joys is to watch the way you interact with one another, play together, talk, help eachother and most of all just have fun.
And so, I'm not sure even I will be able to get any sleep tonight. I'm excited to watch you at the beach running in the sand and waves, playing with your cousin, laughing with Daddy, Pappy and Mom-mom. Making memories.
I love you!
Tomorrow is a day we've had circled on the calendar for months - we are going on a family trip to the beach. You are both SO excited that I'm not quite sure you'll ever get to sleep tonight. It's fun for me to see your anticipation and listen as you make plans for the things you want to do while we're away.
For me, this trip is another sort of marker. This week will be our last vacation as a family of four. Next year everything will look different. Not different in a bad way. But different. We will have another little girl - we will be a family of 5.
I'm not sure why welcoming another baby into our family is always met with a little trepidation at first. It is always wonderful and there is always plenty of love to go around. But it is a fact of life that as much as I want you to have another sibling, I also feel bad about changing your life so much by bringing another baby home. I know that you'll hardly notice and that if you do you will forget by the time you're a teenager. However, as your mom I will always remember this vacation as our last as time together as our little family of four.
I hope that for you it will be just another family vacation. And I hope that you're just as excited to introduce your new sister to the sun and sand.
When we return next week it will be time to get serious about preparing for your sister to arrive. It will probably be the end of our overnight trips and the beginning of a considerable amount of time close to home. I'm not sure you'll notice or be phased by the slower pace. You've been content to be at home many times this summer. I'll never be able to begin to explain to you what this summer with you has meant to me. I absolutely love waking up each day and not having to dash out of the house. I love our picnic lunches and our late nights catching lightening bugs. I love being able to say "yes" to spur of the moment trips to the park or to get ice cream. I love that the three of us have been together every single day. I will forever cherish this time and remember it fondly. You both have been a tremendous help to me, you've been patient with me and you've played well with one another. One of my greatest joys is to watch the way you interact with one another, play together, talk, help eachother and most of all just have fun.
And so, I'm not sure even I will be able to get any sleep tonight. I'm excited to watch you at the beach running in the sand and waves, playing with your cousin, laughing with Daddy, Pappy and Mom-mom. Making memories.
I love you!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
Brave Little Guy
Early yesterday morning, armed with a backpack full of toys, we took Cooper to Evangelical Community Hospital for an outpatient procedure to fix some cavities that had in his teeth. As you can see, he wasn't the least bit phased to be at the hospital. In fact, he was excited about the chance to see Dr. J. We had decided a few months ago that rather than subject Cooper to multiple dentist appointments to fix his cavities and seal his other teeth, we would opt for him to have general anesthesia and get it all done in one day. 
Soon after we arrived we got Cooper into his "jammies". He tolerated the cute little gown but that's where he drew the line. He would not put the jammie bottoms on. 
We fooled around with the iphone while we waited our turn. 
And of course, Daddy spent some time fooling around making us laugh. Notice those are the pajama pants Cooper refused to wear. At least they were good for something!Soon it was Cooper's turn. He took his sleepy medicine like a champ and was talking Superhero's as they wheeled him back to the operating room. Two hours later they brought him back to us all fixed up. He was initially awake but then zonked out again.
He clearly wasn't quite ready to wake up. He slept, and slept....
AND slept...
Finally, he woke up enough to enjoy a story from Daddy and an orange cool pop from the nurses. We eventually were able to get him to drink some juice and use the potty and then we were out of there. After a quick stop at the video store for some Batman movies we headed home.
And we were just in time to catch the Ice Cream truck and enjoy a special treat for being a brave boy.Friday, July 8, 2011
Full Mommy Mode
Today marks an important day in my mind. Today I finished up work for what will probably be more than 4 months. It's been a strange couple of months transitioning from working part time to working flex and now to not working at all until sometime around November. When I left my job it was with the knowledge that though I didn't have to be there every day, I would have a reason to go back at least a couple of times a month and even more if I wanted. It was nice to teach classes once every two weeks or so and I loved working on the units when they needed me. But now I am nearing the end of my pregnancy. Working on the floor is difficult on my body. I've definitely become wimpier in my old age. With McKenna and Cooper I worked 12 hour shifts right up until their delivery. In fact, with Cooper I just walked down to Labor and Delivery after work on a Monday afternoon. A few hours later he entered the world. But this time I'm not going to push myself or my luck. Teaching classes has been great but lately even that has proved challenging as I get out of breath after talking for about 10 minutes. I don't know how those of you who are teachers do it!
So, as of 3pm I am officially in full Mommy mode. I have no responsibilities to work until 12 weeks after the baby is born. As some of my friends left my class today I sort of felt strange. I know that I will probably not see most of them any time soon. And the more time that goes on the more obvious it becomes that I am no longer in "the loop". Which really, when it comes right down to it is fine with me. I am enjoying being home and I am so, so excited to soon serve as Mommy to our new little bundle. I know I am doing important work and we are having the best summer ever.
Finishing up work also means that Kinley's arrival really is just around the corner. Even though we are busy preparing for her and I feel her constant kicks and jabs, I still find it hard to believe we are having another baby. So many times I look at our family together and it stuns me that we will soon add another little girl to that picture.
So, as of 3pm I am officially in full Mommy mode. I have no responsibilities to work until 12 weeks after the baby is born. As some of my friends left my class today I sort of felt strange. I know that I will probably not see most of them any time soon. And the more time that goes on the more obvious it becomes that I am no longer in "the loop". Which really, when it comes right down to it is fine with me. I am enjoying being home and I am so, so excited to soon serve as Mommy to our new little bundle. I know I am doing important work and we are having the best summer ever.
Finishing up work also means that Kinley's arrival really is just around the corner. Even though we are busy preparing for her and I feel her constant kicks and jabs, I still find it hard to believe we are having another baby. So many times I look at our family together and it stuns me that we will soon add another little girl to that picture.
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Writers Block
I can't even begin to describe how many posts I've recently started and not finished. Sometimes I click on my "edit posts" tab and just stare at them, tempted to just delete them instead of finish. I don't know what is contributing to my writers block. Pregnancy brain, possibly. Surely not lack of things to blog about or share. I lie awake a lot at night recently and wonderful topics and posts cross my mind but when I sit down I just can't seem to get them into words. I'm sure this has happened in the past but I just don't remember it being this bad. So, I apologize for the lack of posts and especially the lack of meaningful posts. I hope this period of writer's block does not last much longer.
Monday, July 4, 2011
HAPPY 4TH OF JULY FROM THE MOWRY'S
We kicked off our 4th of July celebrations last weekend at the Lewisburg 4th of July parade. It was the first parade day that I can remember when we wore sweatshirts - but it seems that has been the theme to many of our outings this summer. The sky looked threatening all morning and we did experience a brief passing shower. But for the most part we enjoyed our morning of marching bands, floats, fire trucks and of course candy!
I'm not really sure when she started looking so grown up and wearing her shades on her head!
And speaking of growing up....this crew has already grown by one and next year will expand by 2 more.
This weekend we are enjoying time at home. We have had a busy couple of weeks with camping, parades, birthday parties, fireworks, and swimming. This weekend we are finally painting the baby's room and I am starting to get things packed for the beach. Sunday we will be spending time swimming at the now infamous Winfield Country Club (a.k.a. my parent's pool) and having a picnic at the Brouse's. Pappy is making the chicken and Judy has already texted to tell McKenna she is ready to make s'mores. According to McKenna, Judy makes the best marshmellows!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)