Our Silly Boy!

We took this picture of Jackson last night. He was "helping" me fold the laundry and he HAD to wear his Cardinal's sweatband. He just cracks me up sometimes! The funniest part is that the sweatband actually came with a 6-9 months outfit that he wore last summer!

Update

Well, I had a doctor's appointment on Wednesday and got the results of my Parvo blood test. It showed that I did have the antibody, which means I have had it before apparently and my body already built up immunity to it. But it did not show any current infection, so Kinsey was at no risk! THANK GOODNESS!!!! So we are very thankful to get that good news : ) She also measured me like 2 1/2 weeks further along, so either she made a mistake or Kinsey just went through a BIG growth spurt all of a sudden. We also found out that our hospital (St. John's) has wireless now, so we will be able to post pictures shortly after Kinsey arrives.

Here is Jackson riding his little motorized motorcycle. A lady down the street saw us on a walk several weeks ago and was going to just throw this in the trash. She thought it didn't work anymore because it is like 30 years old. But Jackson hopped on and pushed down the pedal and started to go down the sidewalk! So it still works . . . and it came home with us : ) He is the one that usually insists on wearing his helmet while riding it too! He is SO funny : )

We are looking forward to heading to Champaign tomorrow night to see the Steven Curtis Chapman Concert. David of course can't wait!!!

Stay tuned for late breaking baby news : )

Playing Around in Our Backyard

32 Weeks

As you can see compared to my last picture that Kinsey is certainly GROWING : ) I had a dr. appointment yesterday and I actually measured right at 32 weeks. And everything looks good! I do have to go in tomorrow for a precautionary blood test because I might have been exposed to hand, foot & mouth several weeks ago. So my midwife wants me to go in to have the Parvo virus titer just to see for sure. There are some possible links to some birth defects, but most of what we have found on-line doesn't seem to be very conclusive. So just something to pray about . . . there is no treatment and nothing that can be done if I was, so I'm trying not to be too worried about it right now. I need to take some new pictures of Jackson to post! Maybe we'll take some tomorrow while David is off : )

Our Visit to Cedarly

We had a great, relaxing time at Cedarly this past week!! It was wonderful to share with other ministry couples and to have time to remove ourselves from distractions and focus on our marriage and our walk with the Lord. The atmosphere was beautiful . . . 6 1/2 acres of woods on a lake. And the weather was cool, which was perfect! It was an amazing experience that we have already decided will be something we try to do every 2-3 years. So if you know of other full-time ministry couples, please let them know about this WONDERFUL free opportunity!

On Wednesday morning, we visited an episcopal seminary that was just down the road. We were able to attend their morning prayer and eucharist service. It was a good experience and one of the professors visited with us afterwards which was really great.

Jackson had a great week with Grammy and Papa! He got to ride on a combine and even help drive, which he was REALLY fascinated with!! And they took him to the zoo and he got to ride on the train and carousel. He also got to feed the goats too (well actually I think Papa did most of the feeding). Mom took pictures, so I'll have to get them from her : ) He also got to watch several Cardinal's baseball games, which were only complete with his favorite snack, popcorn!

We spent the rest of the weekend in TH once we got back on Friday. So we got to go to one of Josiah's soccer games and he made his 1st goal!!! David put together this picture collage to remember his BIG day! And you can see Nathanael was cheering him on from the sidelines.

This picture is what happens when a little boy finds a sharpie marker on the way home in the dark : ) Yeah, I thought I heard him in the back seat with something and he was curiously quiet. So I had David turn on the overhead light to discover him pulling the cap on and off of the sharpie that he somehow pulled out of David's computer bag! At least I caught him before he did TOO much damage . . . it certainly could have been much worse! Thank goodness the baby wipes got it all off : )

Ready to get away . . . .

David and I will be going to Wisconsin for the week to one of the Pastors Retreat Network centers. It appears to be a quaint area just outside of Delafield, WI (just west of Milwaukee) with a bed & breakfast feel. So we are excited for a spiritual/marriage retreat. And Jackson will be heading down to TH with Grammy and Papa for the week : ) We will miss him, but we know he will have a LOT of fun with them . . . and they will enjoy him too!

Happy Labor Day!

We enjoyed a fun couple days in TH! Here are Jackson and Tate Wagner enjoying the parade . . . (Thanks Traci for the picture!)

It was our first time at Mom and Dad's since Jackson switched to a "big boy" bed. So we weren't exactly sure how Jackson and Claire would do sleeping in the same room together. They did really good over night . . . well, after Claire went over to visit Jackson in his bed before going to sleep. And then she also woke up first this morning and decided to go over and climb into bed with him again and wake him up : ) She said "but he was just so cute in his pajamas!" They both took REALLY long naps this afternoon . . . . thankfully!

Here are a few pictures from the past week or two that I hadn't posted yet . . .
Jackson tried to dress himself the other day . . . here are the results. He was SO proud!!



Jackson peeking out of the fence at the park in Rochester checking out the ducks on the pond.



Playing around with Cousin Nathanael. . . aren't they cute : )

Pregnancy Update

I had a doctor's appointment today and got the results from both my 3 hour glucose tolerance test as well as my follow up ultrasound. She said I passed my glucose test "with flying colors" and my placenta has moved up so it is no longer considered "low lying" . . . . YAAAAAAAAAA!!! Kinsey was super active yesterday and my stomach was REALLY shifting around . . . . and as it turns out she was moving head down (at the sonogram last week she was still lying horizontal). So again more GOOD news!! I measured a week ahead, which I have been for a while now. So nothing new there. I am suppose to go every 2 weeks now, but we will be out of town so I go back in 3 weeks.

In other news, we had small group tonight at a couple's house that have an inground swimming pool. So David and Jackson went swimming. We bought Jackson a swimming vest on clearance over the weekend that will fit him for a few years, but thought he could go ahead and use it tonight too. So he put that on him and he was like a little fish tonight!!! David put a little innertube around him too and Jackson was swimming everyone by himself. He was kicking and splashing everywhere. Of course, we didn't bring the camera!!!!! He was even jumping in to David from the edge of the pool and would go under for a second before popping back up. But he didn't seem to mind a bit!!! Maybe we'll catch a few pictures next time we go : )

Trying to stay cool . . . .

We went over to the Chiapetto's tonight to get out of the house, but still try to stay cool . . . . we are probably going to go swimming again tomorrow morning since David is off : ) I can't wait for fall!

Another Ultrasound--28 Weeks

We had a follow up ultrasound this morning. They were checking to be sure that my placenta was no longer "low lying" (if it had not moved I would have to have a c-section). Fortunately, it appears that it has moved and I should not have any problems!!! HOORAY!! I haven't heard results yet on my 3 hour glucose screen, but I have a dr. appointment on Wednesday so I should at least know then. Here are a few pictures of Kinsey Grace (they did reconfirm that yes, indeed we are having a girl, just in case you were wondering). There is one of her foot, face, and her profile . . . good luck figuring all of that out : ) At least it was easier this time, since she looks more like a baby and less like a little alien!

State Fair

My parent's came up today to go to the State Fair with us this afternoon (partially to celebrate Mom's Bday). As you can see, we all had a fun time! Though it was VERY HOT : ) Jackson really liked the petting zoo. David got to participate in the Wildlife Bird Show. And Jackson got to make a Build-A-Bear with a State Fair tee on. . . . instead of just kissing one heart to put in him, he gave "Bubba" (David picked the name) 4!! Jackson also REALLY enjoyed his first homemade caramel corn, mini dough nuts and salt water taffy : )

Kinsey's Room

We are decorating Kinsey's room with red daisies and denim (using the same bedding and paint job from when it was Jackson's room). David took a picture of one of the daisies we will be using in her room and put together this picture to use as a wall hanging. It turned out GREAT!! We had it printed tonight at Sam's as a 16x20 poster.

In other news . . . Jackson had his 1st night in his BIG BOY bed last night! He did really good, just a little scared of the BIG bed when he first laid down. He only cried for a few minutes and then did his normal tossing and turning before falling to sleep. However, at 3:30 this morning he fell out of the end of the bed (not footboard) . . . OOPS! But David put him back in and he slept until morning. He even woke up before David got up this morning and just laid in his bed until he got him : ) YEAH!!! His nap went pretty well this afternoon too . . . . so hopefully we are off to a smooth transition!!

Also, I failed my 1 hour glucose screening for gestational diabetes, so I had the VERY FUN 3 hour version this morning early. So hopefully I pass this one!! I'll keep you all posted!

A New Friend

Last night, we had a couple from our church over that adopted a little girl from China in May. Her name is Emily and she is SO cute!!
You wouldn't know it from looking at her, but she is actually a little over 2 years old. However, you can see that she is smaller than Jackson : ) David couldn't resist taking a few pictures of them looking out the window and then one of her beautiful smile. He tried to get one of them giving each other kisses before they left, but he wasn't fast enough : ) Enjoy!

Cardinal's Game!

We were offered 4 tickets for the Cardinals vs. Dodgers game last night. We talked to Ron and Pam and they were up for it. We especially couldn't resist since the tickets were about 16 rows behind the visitors dugout along the 3rd base line. So we enjoyed a fun WARM night at the ballpark!!

Family Time

Ron and Pam arrived on Wednesday afternoon and are here until Tuesday morning. Aunt Pennie, Uncle Gary and Caleb came over on Thursday for lunch. And we celebrated Josiah and Nathanael's birthday all day that day. You can see the boys having fun cooling off in the pool and in the sprinklers. And then later in the day, Grandma and Grandpa gave the boys their presents, which ALL the boys enjoyed!

They couldn't resist setting up the tent in the middle of our living room (tent and sleeping bags). Here are Jackson and Josiah peeking out of the tent : )
Later, Nathanael and Jackson were giving each other kisses through the screen!

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We Survived!!!

We got back from camp on Friday night and had a great week! We had great weather until late in the week and enjoyed time with some of our old college friends from LCC. And Jackson got to play with some new friends (here he is on the Gator with Addison Willis). He especially enjoyed daily rides on the Gator/golf carts and swimming after lunch in the wading pool. Of course, the day wasn't complete without "playing" the drums before or after one of worship services each day. I wish I had taken my camera with me one of the times he was beating around on them . . . it was too cute! We are all pretty worn out from staying up WAY TOO late and then having to all sleep in one room together for a week. So we are glad to be back in our own beds and rooms!!!!

Oh, and we took this picture of me on Saturday (24 week).

More 18 Month Pics. . . .

So I am still having a hard time deciding which pictures to have developed to distribute for Jackson's 18 month pictures. There are so many that are good that I just can't decide. Here is one of him with David that is a sweet candid shot on the walk to the park. And then a family picture at the park : )

Pictures

So we got the picture CD on Friday (which was earlier than expected). And I couldn't resist posting one of the pictures as a sneak peek : ) Isn't he cute!?

Oh, and side note I can't believe how much of a jabber box he is these days. Courtney and Brent were here today visiting and they couldn't believe how much he was talking. Most words are understandable, but some things not so much! He has been repeating words for a few months now, but it seems lately he is trying to put more words together. Before long we won't be able to shut him up . . . HA!

Have a great week! Hopefully we survive with 250 junior highers . . . AHHHHH!!!

18 Months

Jackson was 18 months on the 14th. We took him for his well baby checkup on Monday and he was 24 pounds (25%) and 33 1/2 inches tall (80%). I can't believe how big he is getting!!! We had our youth minister and his wife over with their little boy, Levi. Here are a few pictures of them playing in the backyard.

We took Jackson last week to have his 18 month pictures taken. We are suppose to get the cd from our photographer friend this weekend at church. So I will post pictures soon! He has started saying "cheese" every time you pull out a camera . . . it is so funny : )

I had a prenatal appointment on Wednesday. I am measuring right on schedule (23 weeks). Everything was fine. I have to go in for my glucose screening in 3 weeks. And then after my next appointment, she will schedule my follow up ultrasound. They detected that my placenta was "low-lying" at my last ultrasound. My midwife says that it is fairly common and that it usually moves up as the baby grows. But they just want to check it to be sure that I can deliver naturally again.

We are heading to camp in Indiana on Sunday for the week. David has done music for this week for the last 3 years (Matt Willis is one of the deans). We all went last year, but Jackson was only 6 months. So this time he will actually be able to discover and play. I should have a lot to report when we return : )