Baby #3 - Due August 24

So, I am into the 2nd trimester (14th week) now of our third child.  We are anxiously waiting for that 20-21 week appointment when we find out what we are having.  Will be be a family of 3 boys or will the boys have a little sister?  Isaac continues to think its a boy, but then again, he thinks he's having a boy in his own belly. If it is a boy, it will be the 8th grandson on my side in 26 years (still no girls).  I really don't mind one way or the other, but just interested in knowing what our family will be like.  The initial shock of having 3 under 3 has worn off, and now we are excited that God is blessing us with a large family and know that he must think we can handle it.

Baby #3 at 9 weeks 5 days

 

Levi - 11 months

I can't believe he's already almost a year old.  This little man is something else.  He is very independent, wants to feed himself, demands people food, climbs on anything and is walking like crazy.  He points and grunts to communicate what he wants or where he wants to go.  He will push any box or toy to where he wants to get up and use it at a step to try climbing something he's not supposed to get into. He cries when you tell him "no" and full out buries his head down and cries until tears are rolling down the face in hopes that we will give into the "act."  He can then instantly stop and smile when he has gotten his way.  He loves it when Isaac comes to get him from his room when he wakes up, and also when he gets to go get Isaac from Isaac's nap.  If Dad is around...nothing else matters.  He LOVES his Daddy!  He hasn't gotten any additional teeth since the last ones came in and is in definite need of a haircut.  But we've decided he has to wait until his first birthday to get that first cut!  He loves to give hugs and kisses, and they are so precious. He can show you where his head and tongue are on command.  He truly makes us giggle and smile a lot!!!

Isaac - 29 Months

We've really been off schedule the last month with packing and moving, but Isaac has enjoyed all the friends and neighbors who have some over to play with him while I could get some packing done.  He has been enjoying playing games and showing them his toys.  He has really taken to the new house, new room, and new park very well.  He has asked about the old house, and even about "Buddy the Elf." I tried explaining that we will let Buddy and Santa know we moved to a new house for next year. He loves to pick up the phone and have pretend conversations with Ga Ga Shaw and Ga Ga Rose.  He alternates back and forth and tells them what books he is reading and then says, "Bye!"  Potty training has begun again.  For the first time since 18 months he has shown "some" interest.  He does great if I leave him diaperless, but then some days he demands his diaper.  I told him once we got to the new house that there were no more diapers.  So, the training continues....

Video of Levi walking

Levi began walking at 10 - 10 1/2 months.  After moving into the new home, he was free to roam on carpet and lots of open space.  It was a matter of days, and he was walking all over.

Our New Home

We had a informal offer on our home from a friend of a neighbor.  It started as small talk between Joe and this guy, and then he really was serious about wanting to buy our home.  We wanted it "as is," we didn't need to fix anything that needed fixing, and it just seemed like the right thing to do.  Then we found out we were expecting baby #3 and it just was perfect timing to find somthing more fitting for our growing family.  Three little babies with the indoor pool continued to be a safety concern I didn't want to deal with.  The tri-level floor plan didn't suit our needs for little children.  And all the work that still needed to be done inside was something Joe wouldn't have to worry about anymore. So the house hunting began.  You always start with the list of requirements and then when you walk into a house and it feels like "home," its just it! We knew walking into this house that we would put in an offer.  Luckily we have the best real estate agent, and she was able to get us in to see the house first.  We placed an offer, and multiple offers came in after ours.  We were so fortunately to have our offer accepted.  The family raised their 2 boys from toddlerhood to college in this home, so we may have had a slight advantage with our two boys growing up here too. :-)

We all LOVE the house so far.  The dogs love their yard, and are trying to figure out where to lay in the house.  Isaac and Levi both love going up and down the stairs, but Levi still thinks you got down stairs head first.  I love that I can see my boys playing from the kitchen and that all bedrooms are on the same level!  Joe is figuring out the best way for storing all of our "stuff" and looks forward to taking some time off to just spend with the family as he has spent the last month remodeling the condo we rent out, selling and buying our homes, and packing and moving the family.  He definitely deserves a break and of course now that we have moved, the entire family gets sick with colds and fevers.

We have also been enjoying watching multiple sightings of coyotes, rabbits and geese out the back windows.

Sharing snacks!

Levi loves watching his older brother!

Isaac loves trying to teach Levi.