Miss Independent...

Since Ellie became a big two year old, her desire to do some things independently has greatly increased--especially when it comes to dressing herself.  And while this is a common display of behavior that comes with the territory of being two, it can be...well let's just say exciting times...when we're in a hurry to get out the door with a newborn also in tow.  Here she is trying to put on her shirt by herself.  Of course, I can't help her at all because she will quickly let me know that my help is not welcome.  So clearly, my only other option is to sit back and take pictures of her while she fusses and struggles.  :)

Something tells me this is not supposed to be a tube top! 

 She thought she was onto something at this point, but as you can see, it turned out to be a dead end.

...And finally after 10 minutes,

 "Yay Ellie!!!", is what she exclaims:

And now that her shirt is completely stretched out in multiple places...we're off for the day, and everyone is happy!!

Brotherly Love...

Kinder Feast...

The day that school let out for Thanksgiving, Mason's school held their annual Turkey Trot, followed by the Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast.  The event started with them walking or jogging around the school, and then the kindergarteners gathered in the cafeteria to sing some Thanksgiving songs for the parents attending, and then enjoy their feast while dressing up like pilgrims and indians.  Here is Mason participating in the Turkey Trot and then singing before the feast:  

   

Mason is enjoying the Thanksgiving feast (although I'm pretty sure the pilgrims and indians didn't feast on Chick-Fil-A nuggets, fruit, kettle corn and cookies).  But the kids loved it nonetheless!

Three Weeks Old...

Mollie is 3 weeks old now.  I intended to post pictures of her last week (and the week before), but it has been very busy around here--making  the transition to three children has been a lot more demanding than I thought it would be.  But the kids are all doing great!  Even Ellie, who I worried might have jealousy issues, really loves her sister.  While she has been more clingy to me, she also likes to hug, kiss, and lay down beside Mollie any chance she can get.  On several occasions, I've even caught her sitting on top of Mollie in the baby swing, and playing peek-a-boo with her (a.k.a. putting a wadded up blanket over Mollie's face, leaving it there for a few moments, and then yanking it off and yelling "Peek A Boo!")  Yikes--we've had to have the 'Don't-put-anything-over-the-baby's-face' conversation a few times.  :)  Here is Mollie at three weeks old:

Getting tired of this photo shoot:

Ellie is practicing her big sister skills:

Mason loves holding Mollie, and is very protective of her:

And Then There Were Three...

Meeting Mollie...

We finally got to meet our precious Mollie on Tuesday, October 26th, at 12:09 p.m.  She weighed 7 lbs. 10 oz. and was 20 inches long.  Welcome to our family, sweet girl!

 

  
A feeble attempt at a new family picture:  Matthew and Mason are not even looking, yet somehow Mason has his hand wrapped around Ellie's face.  Ellie is trying to choke me, and Mollie sleeps through the whole thing. 

Nine Months...

It's hard to believe that our nine months of waiting to meet our new daughter are coming to an end.  For months I have felt her moving, her presence is always with me, I have known her in a way, but yet she still seems like such a stranger to me.  But in just a few days, we will finally get to meet Mollie.  Since this will be our last, I've been feeling many mixed emotions.  I have loved every pregnancy, and as tiring as it can sometimes be, all three have been the most exciting times of my life.  It is a very bittersweet feeling to know that in a few days, that stage of my life will be over.  So I am enjoying every last moment of this!  Even though I've taken those infamous belly shots every month of all 3 pregnancies, I've tried to refrain from posting them on the blog, to spare others from having to view any visible stretch marks beauty marks.  :)  But as I've been preparing to meet my daughter, I've been doing a lot of reflecting back on the days Mason and Ellie were born, and I just couldn't help myself.  How amazing that God so graciously allows us to be a part of bringing new life into the world!

Nine months pregnant with Mason:

Nine months pregnant with Ellie:

Nine months pregnant with Mollie: