Loose Ends

Nothing terribly exciting has been going on around here, but I felt it was time for a brief summary of the last month (sorry about my lazy blogging habits).1.  Tony started a new job about 3 weeks ago - doing basically the same work as he was before, but a little closer to home and for more money (yeah!).  He's working at Fifth Third now and really likes it.  He's still kind of in the training process, but is starting to get some projects of his own.  We're all praying it continues to be a good experience.

2.  Lincoln is still in the process of evaluating whether he wants to potty train or not.  Some days he's into it, other days it's more of a a battle.  We'll call it a work-in-progress.  As long as I can have him out of diapers by the time Baby Girl arrives, I'll be happy.

3.  We've been looking into where Grace will be headed for kindergarten next year and have settled on Our Lady of Lourdes.  There are many factors that are making this a complex process -- Mommy is not emotionally ready for her first baby to go to real school.  Seriously, thinking about her in a big-girl uniform, at an actual school with actual desks and packed lunchs . . ahhhh!  Also, since we're not sure where we're going to be living (unfortunately the house is still on the market), it's a little difficult to pin down which school will be the most convenient.  We've decided on OLL because they have a 1/2 day program (8:00-11:30) and I really liked the principal and school facilities.  I plan to turn in our registration papers and fee on Monday!!!!

4.  Baby Girl and Mommy are feeling great and growing bigger by the day.  Everyone keeps asking what we will be naming her, but we've decided to keep that a secret until she arrives.  Our next OB appointment is in a few weeks . . .which reminds me that I NEVER POSTED THAT WE FOUND OUT BABY #3 IS A GIRL!  (bad, bad mommy).  We had our 20 week ultrasound a few weeks ago and decided to find out the gender this time.  I was SO surprised!  I was really confident that this baby was a boy - because, just like with Linc, I had had virtually no morning sickness.  Grace is totally excited about having a sister; I think she thinks the baby will be ready to play dress-ups and restaurant as soon as she's born.  (sidenote:  Grace's new fave game is to use the menu we created to turn our kitchen set into her own personal diner and take everyone's order 20 times a day.)  I can't believe we'll be a family of five in 4 short months!!

Pee All Around

Two potty-related incidents . . .kinda#1  We started potty training Lincoln yesterday.  First thing in the morning, we busted open our first pack of pullups and throughout the day had him sit on the potty about every hour 'just to try.'  Overall, I would say it was a win with two successful tinkles.  The pullup didn't stay dry inbetween, but hey, for a first day, I'm ok with that.  We'll see how the next week or so goes . . . .

#2  Conversation in the car tonight --
Grace:  "Lincoln say, 'What the heck are you doing?".
Lincoln:  "I don't know."
Grace:  "No.  Say, 'What the heck are you doing?' to me."
Lincoln:  "What the heck are you doing to you?"
It's a miracle that mommy didn't pee in her pants she was laughing so hard.

82 & Sunny . . .in January

Words can't really describe how nice it is to get away from cold, dreary Cincinnati and head south for a wonderful familly vacation.  We were so blessed to spend a week and a half in Marco Island/Key West with our family and friends.  The week started with (friends') Laura and Nick's Key West wedding, then continued with tons of fun-in-the-sun with (Great) Grandma Arlene, (Great) Grandpa Larry, Nana and Papa.  The weather could not have been more perfect; not surprisingly, it was hard to come home.

The gorgeous view from the back porch

Lookin' snazzy for the wedding

One of our many sand-art creations

First catch

Stud muffin!

Last day at the beach :(

Skinny dipping - ya gotta get the sand out of the cracks somehow

Grace the mermaid (note her modest seashell bra)

Buried alive!

Breakfast in bed on the way home

Poops Oops

LINCOLN PEED ON THE POTTY!! And by that I mean - After he #2ed in the bathtub (gross!), I put him on the potty in case he had to finish his business and so that I could get Grace out of the contaminated tub and while mommy's back was turned, he peed on the floor (because he didn't know how to um . . . direct his stream).  It's not a triumphant success, but you gotta start somewhere right?

Christmas Blessings

Well, even though I knew it would be over in a blink, it always surprises me how quickly Christmas comes and goes.  We had a wonderful holiday. 
We spent Christmas Eve at Mimi's house and then over to Grandma & Grandpa's.  Christmas morning we opened our own gifts from Santa, went to mass, then had brunch and presents at Nana & Papa's, then went to Grandma & Grandpa Smiths for dinner and finally ended the night with the Roope family at Aunt Terry's house.  Busy, busy (but great).  It's so nice to see all of our extended family and the kids love playing with all their cousins. . . . plus we got some really great presents.  I think Grace's favorites this year are all the little art/craft kits that will keep us busy through the long winter days.  And Lincoln really loves his 'scoop' and 'dump dump' from Grandma & Grandpa Smith (he's been scooping and dumping his rock and marble collection all day).  Luckily the fun didn't end at midnight on the 25th, we got to spend the ENTIRE next day at home in our jammies playing with all of our new toys.  Literally - we spent like 12 hours straight playing on the family room floor.
In case you don't believe how much fun we had - here are some pictures to prove it (in no particular order)