Easter Celebration (round 1)

 We celebrated Easter one week early at our house, since we would be Idaho and busy with Sylvie's blessing on Easter day.  We had lots of fun.  We dyed eggs, which went so well this year.  Rhone caught the little egg bugs and found his basket and even got a big surprise from the Easter bunny.  The squadron also had an Easter egg hunt and an Easter bunny.  We even squeezed in a little jelly bean math before we headed to Idaho. 

Cruising around own his big surprise from the Easter Bunny. 

LOVE this picture of my kids together.  They just melt my heart.

The squadron egg hunt.

Showing off his math graph.

Big brother/ Little Sister shirts

Nana came!

We have been pretty busy since Sylvie got here.  Whew I forgot how much work a little newborn can be, but all those snuggles are worth it.  Nana flew the day after we got home from the hospital.  We all loaded up to get her from the airport.  She was a trooper and squeezed in between 2 car seats the whole time she was here.  We loved having Nana here.  She brought both kiddos presents and kept Rhone happy and occupied and let me get in plenty of naps.  My mom is magical with babies.  She can get a fussy baby to settle down and fall asleep in the middle of the night.  We mostly just stayed at home.  My mom and I got pedicures one day, we celebrated St. Patty's Day, we visited Rita's for some yummy italian ice, and just played with kiddos.  Nana visited Rhone's school and watched him at swimming lessons.  We did make it out of the house 2 days.  

On the first day of spring we visited Longwood Gardens in PA.  It was beautiful and I have been wanting to go since we got here.  The weather was really nice and even Ben will admit it was impressive.  I was pretty tired out after all that walking.  We managed to get my mom a piece of her favorite cheese cake for her anniversary on the way home.  We also made a trip to the outlets so we could stock up on kids clothes and shoes and my mom could get some tax free shopping in.  

Rhone finished up swimming lessons this week.  He went from not wanting to get in the pool without Ben to swimming (doggy paddling) a tiny distance without any help or float supports.  He can move up to the next class now!  Too bad we are moving.  Rhone's school has an art show in the spring so we got to see his art work and some of his friends too. 

Sylvie's 1st bath

A little leprechaun forgot his pants and Rhone found them filled with green treats and gold.

Sylvie chillin with her flowers from Nana and Papa

At Longwood Gardens

Miss Sylvie is 1 week old

My handsome boys at the gardens

Handsome guy in the desert section

A very Dr. Seuss looking tree

Sylvie Rose by a rose :)

Our family of 4.

Sylvie and Nana (1 week old)

Spring is here with the peach trees blossoming by our house.  We will miss the orchards.

Rhone helped Ben mow the whole front yard.

Cole came to meet Sylvie and visit Nana.  This is Sylvie's 1st time in a dress

Rhone really loves her so much.  He wants to hold her, kiss her, and is always checking on her.  Look at the size difference!

We had to get one picture with all 3 generations.

Sylvie 2 weeks old

In their big brother/ little sister shirts

Rhone by some of his art work

We made these penguins before Sylvie got here.

Rhone thought they were pretty cool and tasty too.  Notice they are all keeping little penguin eggs warm.

She's Here!

Sylvie 5 days old

Sylvie is here!  We couldn't be more excited that she has finally joined our family.  She has been so sweet.  After a very long and tiring pregnancy she decided to arrive pretty quick.  I had high blood pressure at my check up on her due date, so I was sent over to the hospital (for the second time) for labs and blood work.  After a few hours they decided to admit me and induce me.  I spent the night at the hospital by myself so Ben could take care of Rhone.  I started having strong contractions during the night, but didn't get started on the pitocin (that's what "starts" labor) until 7 am the next morning.  Ben made it to the hospital around 8 am and Sylvie was here by 9:40 am.  Ben sure did time that well :)  Rhone is a great big brother.  He is always curious and always wants to help.  I can't believe how much she has changed in a week!

7 lbs 6 oz  and 21.5 inches long

Meeting Mom

Winning over Dad

Sylvie with her birthday kangaroo from Rhone

Rhone meeting Sylvie on her "birth day"

Rhone watching a Winnie the Pooh at the hospital.  He had been talking about watching one since I went to the hospital around 10 weeks.

Getting dressed to come home.

Ready to come home.  She was just over 24 hours when we left the hospital.

Rhone and Sylvie

Everyday life

Nothing too exciting has been happening around here.  It seems like all we are doing is getting ready and waiting.  We can't wait for this little girl to arrive. Last week I had a trip to the hospital to get some lab work done, but everything came back fine, so we were able to come home.  Rhone picked out a special stuffed animal for his little sister.  Our original plan was for him to make one at build a bear, but when we got to the mall, we found out it had gone out of business.  So we settled for a trip to Kohls instead.  Rhone was pretty set on a doggy since that's what he has.  But he made due with a kangaroo and the Eric Carle book Does a Kangaroo have a Mother too.  Only 3 days until my due date!  

We have been filling the rest of our time getting the house ready to put on the market.  We have been cleaning, repairing, and painting like mad.  We are happy to say that the for sale sign is up!  Now we just need someone to BUY it.  It makes moving seem a lot more real.  

We have been having dance parties at night with Rhone.  It's been nice having Ben around since he's on "baby watch".  One night Ben and Rhone even put balloons in their shirts and we belly bumped.  Rhone thought it was a hoot!  We've made a few projects, taken Rhone to a few movies before we have a new born to keep quiet, and even saw a puppet show on base.  Ben was even lucky enough to participate.  

 

Showing off our tummies

Belly bumpin'

Making a rocket together

Picking out sister's special animal and book

Family night on base

Puppeteer Ben.  He was a pretty good sport. Our friend Renee is to the left of him.

Making his toys disappear into the diaper champ.  This entertained him for hours.  Hope he doesn't try it after it's in real use :)

Touching up all of our walls.

Grating a bar of soap for our home-made laundry detergent.  Rhone calls it, "scraping soap"