Family Date Night

We've been looking forward to a family date night all winter long! Helaina has a love for the water, so we checked out some indoor water parks near our home and decided to make a night of it. It was less than hour away and it bit smaller in size since Helaina isn't quite tall enough to use most of the slides at bigger water parks. This particular water park had a separate splash pad/play area for the younger kids, and Helaina loved it!

Helaina and Randy on 1 of the 3 water slides

Helaina made the most of her opportunity to eat the unhealthy but delicious pool food...nachos and cheese, pretzel and cheese, pizza, chicken nuggets...and if you look closely, somehow she managed to get a glob of cheese in ear

On the way back to our hotel, we scoped out the arcade. Randy and Helaina drove the motorcycle together.

Eating breakfast in bed with daddy :)

Photo Shoot

Just a single sneak peek of Helaina's 2 year photo shoot. We took a few maternity pictures as well and will be sure to post them all as soon as they are available. It was a good, but very long work week and we're so happy it's Friday!

10 inches and counting

Last week we enjoyed almost 3 days of mid 40 degree weather. The winter blahs instantly left our house, and we were playing outside, riding the Dora car, and taking walks around the subdivision with the grocery cart. And then the reality that it's really only February hit home yesterday.

My parents were in town for the weekend, so we decided to take a trip to Ann Arbor to visit the Hands-On Museum. Sounded like a great idea. We watched the weather report and total snow accumulation for the day was to be 1-2 inches. I don't think they have ever been more WRONG in the history of meteorology. After a few hours at the museum and a quick dinner (because of the relentless snowfall), we started our venture back home. For a trip that normally takes 20 minutes, we thankfully arrived home almost 2 1/2 hours later. Today we are still digging out of the 10 inches of snow and are bracing for more to come.

On the bright side, Helaina loved the museum

Girl Time

A few days ago, the Khoury family came to visit us! Isabella is so good with Helaina. She's very patient and loving, always giving hugs and kisses. She's the perfect example of everything that a big sister should be. The girls had a great evening of play time together. Alina, Isabella, and Helaina enjoying their dinners like the big girls that they are becoming!

Winter Blast

Yesterday was filled with some quality family time. Randy and I took Helaina to downtown Detroit, and we all experienced the Detroit Winter Blast for the first time! The events were centered around Campus Martius Park (outdoor ice skating rink), and there was much to see and do.

Randy giving Helaina a better view of the ice skaters in Campus Martius

Helaina roasting her first marshmallow with Randy

Helaina rode the trucks all by herself. She was steering the wheel and honking the horn. About two-thirds of the way through the ride, it broke down. When we went to get Helaina, she was screaming "Start it please! Start the truck please!"

The Arctic Slide...Now this was the ride I was hoping to experience. But between Randy's continuous warnings/threats (guess he didn't want to harm the bun in the oven) and the 2 hour long wait, I suppose I'll try again next year!

32 weeks/8 months

Happy Birthday Amo Omar!

Yesterday was Omar's birthday, and Randy's parents had a small get together to celebrate this afternoon. Helaina was in heaven...time with Omar, opening presents, cake, ice cream, and other goodies. Now, for the next 3 weeks, we get to hear Helaina say, "Omar birthday all done. Helaina birthday coming soon." Total count for just today...approximately 15 times.

zzz....

Our baby girl is no longer a baby. In a few short weeks, we will have a 2 year old. Just a few weeks after that, we will have 2 children in our home. Obviously this pregnancy has been different than the first, but sharing our experience with Helaina has made it even more special. We can't help but wonder how she will react when she meets the baby for the first time in the hospital or how much will this baby shake up her world once she realizes he/she is going to be a permanent fixture in our home. Randy and I are taking in each and every moment of these next few weeks, savoring each day as a family of three. Even though the transition and adjustment will be rough at times, we have complete faith that this is the perfect time for Helaina to receive her brother/sister. God is preparing all of us in such a beautiful way!

Every morning I say a little thank you to the man upstairs for a restful and uninterrupted night of sleep. As with Helaina's pregnancy, I have had no problems settling into bed and snoozing through till the morning. It's amazing!!! And Helaina sure takes after her momma. As long as she has her blankie, it's lights out at 8pm. No crying, no negotiating...just a simple, "Goodnight. I love you." Do we dare even ask for this to continue through the nighttime crying and feedings of baby #2?!?

32 weeks/8 months pregnant. The baby moves all day/night long. It's positioned in the exact same place as Helaina...feet are constantly kicking around my right rib and hiccups at least a couple times a day. Doctor appointments are every 2 weeks. We are calm, but the excitement is setting in. No anxiety this time around. I'm actually looking forward to the delivery and all the miracles that follow. Just prayers for health and a tincy wincy prayer that this baby will decide to come before Daddy has to start working the hockey playoffs...due date April 10th, last regular season hockey game April 8th. Any predictions?