32 weeks

Dear Baby Vance #3 -

You have now been cookin' for 32 weeks, crazy how fast that time has gone. It's funny that even though we don't know if you are a boy or a girl, we still don't have names picked out and I have no idea what you will look like, you are still such a huge piece of my heart.

You are growing every day, moving more than Carter or Lucy ever did and get the hiccups at least 6 times a day. You will be a true 3rd child, one who will always make its voice known. 

I still don't have an instinct if you are a he or a she. I don't really care either. You are perfectly growing, perfectly kicking and perfectly listening to the world around you. And I'm trying to soak in every little moment.

In 8 short weeks you will make your grand entrance into this world. In 8 short weeks this pregnant phase of my life will be over and another newborn stage will begin. I've said it before and its still true to this day. I absolutely adore being pregnant. Are these last few weeks a little more rough? Sure. Is sleep getting more difficult? Yep. But, feeling you squirm, watching my body change to grow a little human is so miraculous. I will miss it so much.

But, in 8 short weeks our family will grow. We will change our world to adapt to you, learn more about you and even more about each other.

I'm warning you little one. This family is crazy. We are loud. Chaotic. Busy. Silly. And we'll probably drive you a little nuts. But we are ALL head over heels in love with you already. Your big sister kisses my belly every night before she falls asleep. Your big brother can't wait for you to play with him. He's going to teach you all you've ever wanted to know about Super heroes....so get ready.

And your Daddy, he adores you. 

So, enjoy these last few weeks, I know I will. And soon enough I'll hold you in my arms.

Photo taken 1 week ago (31 weeks) by my dearest friend Esha. Check her out at eshahart.com

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Easter celebrations

We've been so lucky this year with a mild winter and warm spring. Since Easter fell early this year I was worried it'd be too cold or rainy for any outside festivities but we ended up with beautiful weather the past 2 weeks which was perfect! Last weekend we went down to Matt's parent's house for our traditional Easter Egg Hunt and egg dyeing. The kids always have so much fun searching their yard for eggs and I love that the egg dyeing doesn't happen at my house! We've done the big community egg hunts in the past but it just ends up being so crowded, chaotic and quick while only going home with a couple eggs. These quiet hunts are much more our style. The kids get a chance to really search the yard, take time to enjoy each egg they find and there isn't a mound of other random children knocking them down. 

 They quickly filled up their buckets and headed inside to see what they got! Grandma always fills the eggs with fun treats (almonds, granola bars and goldfish crackers) while Grandpa usually sneaks in some money. The kids, obviously, love it all.

 Our egg dyeing was probably the cleanest we've ever done. I usually like to do it outside so if we spill any dye it just goes in the grass but it started raining right after our egg hunt so the kitchen had to do this year. But, the kids waited so patiently (shocking, I know!) for the eggs and loved choosing which colors to use.

 Beautiful eggs!

 This weekend we had my brother and sister-in-law over for a pre-Easter dinner the night before. Then, it was time to fill the baskets before we headed to bed. I don't like to go overboard or get them a lot of candy so we chose a new movie, jump rope, sidewalk chalk, socks and some pencils. Their one request for candy was a chocolate bunny this year.

 When they woke up we talked about what the real meaning of Easter was (just to remind them before the excitement of that chocolate bunny went to their heads!). Lucy, clearly, just wanted to see her basket. Haha!

 We got ready for church and even had time to take some pictures outside. They looked adorable in their new clothes.

 Church was fun crazy. I volunteered to help teach the preschool class with 2 of our other small group friends but when we saw the herd of little ones running down the hall, Matt graciously offered to stay and help. Thank goodness! At the end of the hour he asked if that was a typical Sunday (since I teach that class once a month).  Yep, pretty accurate! I think he found a new respect for all the teachers and instead of hopefully recruiting him for next year, I think we scared him away. Oh well!
We came home, gave the kids a nice long nap and then prepped for another egg hunt in our backyard. I had to get a pic of a little egg with our sweet little baby though. 29 weeks!

 One of the best things we've done is color coordinated eggs. That way we can find harder hiding spots for Carters eggs and they end up with the same amount at the end.

 They still like to help each other out when they spot them but it makes for a much happier hunt for everyone.

 At the end of the day we relaxed with a family movie, simple dinner of burgers and roasted veggies and some quality time together. It was the perfect Easter!

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