Pumpkin Season

Just a sampling of some of our porch decorations. We're excited about trick-or-treat (a.k.a. Beggars Night) tomorrow evening. Hopefully it's not tooooooo cold. And hopefully Maddy won't want to hoard all her candy. I'm sure excited about the thought of snacking on a Butterfinger, or KitKat too! =)

Maddy's New Very Favorite Show

Well, Maddy is just now venturing into the world of television in terms of actually having a real opinion about the shows she watches. If she doesn't like a particular episode of Dora, she'll adamantly say "No, not this one!" Well, for her birthday, Natalie and Mike bought her a new dvd "Elmo in Grouchland". And let me tell you, since her first viewing a few weeks ago, she instantly fell in love. And let me also say that Gary and I really try to do our best to limit the t.v. time in this household. For instance, I'm feeling really good about the fact that it's 4pm and I haven't turned on the television once all day...AND Maddy didn't ask for a "show". So, with that said, we try not to always give-in when she's begging to watch Elmo over and over.

This was the sequence of events that happened on Tuesday morning. Madelyn happened to find THE Elmo dvd somewhere near the television. "Hmmmm," she thinks, "I would sure love some Elmo time right now!"

I happen to be standing right there with a camera in my hand because I was just thinking that her outfit was so darn cute that I should get some photos of her looking adorable! Meanwhile, she says "Mommy, I want show. I want Elmo!" (as she hands me the dvd with her best sales skills at work).

I quickly reply "No Madelyn, we've already watched a show today. How about picking out some books for us to read together." And this was her response:

Once I saw this face for long enough, I totally caved. You win Madelyn.

So, she climbed up on the couch, and when the opening credits started to role and the music played, this was her next reaction. Totally priceless!!! (I was glad I happened to have the camera handy)

And here she is watching her Elmo with adoring eyes. I guess it's not so bad to say "yes" every once-in-awhile.

So Great having you here mom!

Well...here I am back on my own again. My mom came over every day last week to help with the new baby. Well, actually mostly to help with Madelyn! It was so amazing having you here mom and I miss you lots already (even tho you're just 20 minutes away!) Here were a few sweet Kodak moments we captured with her here.

This was the day mom and Connor dressed alike. How cute!

Proud Nana with her new grandbaby.

I love you mom. Thanks for all you did! (Maddy thanks you too for all the fun playtime!)

Memorable Moments from Connor's 1st Week

What an amazing week this has been. Part of me wants to say "Whew, I actually survived my first week as a mommy of 2 little ones." But honestly, the overwhelming feeling I have right now is that being a mother of two is going to be the greatest blessing and wildest "ride" I've ever experienced. It was fantastic having Gary here at home with us all week. I was a bit scared when he left for work yesterday morning, but so far, we've made it thru pretty well (at least I can say that today!) Of course we've been taking loads of photos. So, I finally weeded thru all of them to show off some of the highlight moments from Week #1 with our beautiful Connor Scott. Like most newborns, he spends most of his days sleeping and eating. But when he's awake, he seems to have a very sweet disposition...AND he's amused us with many great facial expressions that we're learning to read. I know you've all been patiently awaiting some photos, so I hope you enjoy. The next blog entry (scroll down) has photos from his first day. What a miracle he is. Hopefully you'll get to meet him soon!

Just look at him! How can we resist this face? He's obviously having some sweet dreams.

Four Generations: My mom, my grandma, me and Connor
Totally smitten.

Madelyn is doing so well with holding him carefully. And if she had it her way, she'd sit and snuggle with him for hours at a time.

Smiley Baby Boy

Gas...or are you thinking about that yummy milk again?

"Oh, Hi Mommy. What's that thing you keep pointing and clicking at me?"

(He'll get used to the camera rather quickly, I'm guessing!)

Happy Birthday Connor Scott! ~ October 14, 2008

Baby Connor was born in the water (in our own bedroom!) at 6:04am, October 14th.

He weighed in at 9lbs. 1 oz., 19"long

This was Madelyn's first glimpse of her baby brother. She was so so sweet with him. She examined all his fingers and toes and wanted to kiss him all over.

The very proud Big Sister

And here's the proud parents. What a joy getting to snuggle together all day in our own bed, in the comforts of our own home. Such an answer to prayer.

Me and my sweet boy...

He was so alert and peaceful all day. Hard to believe that he was only hours old.

This was such a cool moment...catching my content little baby smiling!

Daddy and his kids. He's thinking "Can we really handle this!?"

One last kiss before bed. What an amazing day.

Maddy and her Daddy

This was yesterday afternoon, after Maddy woke from her nap. She was in the sweetest mood and I was able to capture this precious time with Madelyn and Gary. This is kind of their "thing"...wrestling together on the bed and being really goofy with one another. Here's a little window into "Maddy & Daddy time".

Too cute for words. I'm so smitten... (with both of them!)

Another Amazing October Day

This past Saturday, we went to the little Harvest Bash here in New Albany at Doran's family farm. It was a small, local shin-dig and we all had the best time. Many of our local friends also came, so Madelyn loved running around with all the kids, playing in the hay, making a scarecrow, picking out pumpkins and drinking yummy apple cider. What better way to spend a Saturday in the fall. God is blessing us with some amazing weather and we're trying to take full advantage of it!