Gracie's 4th Birthday Party

Ella was invited to her friend, Gracie Parks', 4th birthday party.  It was a princess party with a very special guest.

Belle was there!!  Gracie's mom surprised her with it.  The little girls were in heaven!  She brought along a treasure chest.

First, they blew bubbles...

Then, they danced.  Belle twirled Ella around once.  She was so excited.  The adults even got pulled onto the dance floor for a few minutes. :)

They hopped like frogs...

After singing happy birthday, the cake, and the ice cream, Belle painted either on the girls' faces or hands.

And, she sprinkled fairy dust on their hair...

What do you think, Ella?  You look beautiful!

Then, they got to choose a treasure from Belle's treasure chest.

The kids...Parker was the only boy there, but he was a good sport!  Gracie got to sit next to Belle since she was the birthday girl.

Grandma and Grandpa's House

Ella loves setting the table.  She was able to help Grandma set her table for dinner.

Eating animal crackers with Grandpa

Logan is such a good dog.  Even though he wasn't feeling well, he still let Parker climb all over him and give him his kind of loves.  Parker and Ella both love that dog!

Cousin Alex...I remember when Alex was Parker's age!  Where does the time go?

Ella was excited to have a tea party with Grandma.  My mom teaches me a great lesson here.  There were tons of dishes left from dinner (you can see the table hadn't been completely cleared yet.)  However, she took the time to have a tea party right then and there...a precious opportunity.  Love it...thanks for the reminder, Mom!

Cheers, Grandma!

Giving Uncle Brad a "Parker hug."  Uncle Brad loves to come over and visit the kids.

Ella's First Valentine's Day Party

So far this year, we have had a Halloween party, a "winter" party, and now this Valentine's Day party...

Ella was excited to see me at her party.  I loved being there to help celebrate!


First, it was time to pass out Valentines.  Her teacher held her bag for her while she put a Valentine (a princess one with a sucker, of course) in each child's Valentine box.

Ella's Valentine box...thanks to our friend, Greta, for the idea!

 

Her teachers made each child a glow stick with this message on it. We absolutely love Miss Megan and Miss Terrann. It helps that I think they are in love with my Ella, too. :)

There is a mother who puts together a craft for each party. She does an awesome job. The kids got to decorate sugar cookies. Ella is not a big fan of sweets, so I enjoyed the cookie on the way home.

Dear Baby Riley...

Oh, baby Riley.  You are giving your mommy a run for her money.  No, just kidding.  It could be worse, I know.  I was just so spoiled with the pregnancy of your brother and sister.  I did not know what morning sickness felt like!  Yes, when I brushed my teeth I would gag more often than usual, but that was the extent of it.  I felt a tinge of nausea here and there, but nothing ever came of it and it was definitely very, very mild.

1st trimester was pretty calm for us.  Mommy and Daddy heard a faint little heartbeat at the end of January.  I was only 11 weeks at the time so no worries.  We all breathed a sigh of relief, though, when Dr. Morgan finally found it.  He gave us a big smile.  He told us that he was about to say, "This isn't uncommon for only being 11 weeks."  I could tell he was relieved, too.  He told us that he thinks you are a girl.  Ha, ha...he has always been a jokester so I know there is no truth to that.  When I was pushing with the birth of your sister, he was joking about tequila shots.  I didn't think it was that funny at the time...I just wanted him to get his darn scrubs on and get to work!

On Feb. 27, we heard a strong heartbeat.  I loved that moment!  Your heartbeat averaged 146 beats a minute. 

2nd trimester has brought morning sickness with it...yuck!  I thought it was the stomach flu, but now I realize that it would not come and go like this.  It's okay...you are totally worth it.  It has also brought cramping and other aches & pains, but I'm sure it's just my body adjusting to another life growing inside of me!  It's also me getting older, I'm sure!  3rd trimester is going to be a breeze, right!? 

I have already felt your movements.  Instead of a flutter or a light tickle at first, you have definitely made your presence known on several occasions for the past few weeks.  As I am writing this, I am about 17 weeks.  I remember feeling the first "jab" several weeks ago!  I thought maybe I was imagining things because I was so early on in my pregnancy.  But, since then, I have felt the same "jab" a few different times.  It is always in the same location and it just feels like you are poking my belly and you are quite strong!  It shocks me every time and I am always talking to someone when it happens.  It is too cute.  I can't wait to start feeling you move more and more.

We will have a sonogram towards the beginning of April, but we are still planning to wait to find out if you are a boy or a girl!  I cannot wait to see you and your progress, though!  Mommy loves you so much!