It's been awhile...Dan says this is probably the most stressful pregnancy we've had -- external events being stressful, that is, we are ecstatic to be expecting #4 (in less than 3 months!!). However, he's received a new job, we've moved to a different state, we've put a house on the market, the kids have had to deal with new places/events (so Mama and Daddy have to help them ;-), and, most recently, my Grandpa Gearheart died (3/18/11). There has been good and bad stress.
But here are some pictures post-Christmas...
A couple pics of the girls in the new house, seemingly enjoying it here. The kids are a bit confused about old house/new house/next house (after we sell old house) and we can't blame them. We've promised Zach a dog and Caleigh a kitty after baby comes and after the move to next house. Now in the grocery aisle Zach wants to go ahead and buy dog food and keeps talking about how he wants a little dog he can hold in his arms for nap. Caleigh thinks she might give her kitty back once it grows into a cat. All the kids are enthralled with the next door neighbor's four dogs that romp around and bark a lot.
And here are some pictures of us after our going away party in Philly (mid-January), given graciously by dear friends and attended by many other friends. We had so much fun! Great food, company and a very long afternoon/evening to celebrate our friendships and nearly 7 years of Philly/Tenth Church life. It was truly a blessing to be gifted such a send-off, and wonderfully unexpected.
Here at 4/7/11 there have been many changes since the start of the year. Caroline is making lots of words, in addition to hand motions and vehement grunts and head shaking to make herself clear. She'll hear a bird and say "bird" or try saying squirrel if she sees one in the backyard. She identifies "boots," "egg," "shoes," "sister," "brother," "papa," "gramma," "oma," and many others. Now at 18 mns+ she just looks like such a big girl! This is good as she'll no longer be the baby of the family soon. ;-)
Zach is entertaining us with his singing and dancing moves. He likes to strike a "strong" pose -- fists raised on bent arms, legs wide in a crouch. Quite cute, esp. when he roars too. He will tell me "I enjoyed being outside in the sun with my juice." I think he's picked up communicating with words. ;-)
Caleigh is blazing through workbooks, coloring in the lines, reading more and more words (and books to the smaller ones!!!), succeeding on the balance bike, and getting an allowance now that she is 5. She looks about 10 in some of her outfits - augh! ;-)
