Dear Baby Boy,

We are on the home stretch!  At my doctor's appointment this week, I found out that I'm 2cm dilated and about 70% effaced!  I was happy to know that all of the Braxton Hicks contractions I've been having were doing something.  It's still not a super clear indicator of when you'll arrive, but I have a feeling it might be before your due date.  After my appointment, it really hit me that I'm going to get to hold you soon.  It made me teary eyed to know that sooner than later you'll be in my arms and we'll be a family of five.  This whole pregnancy has gone by so fast, I just can't believe it's almost time to meet you.

I finished up the last of your laundry yesterday and Mia helped me set up the pack and play for you to sleep in.  Daddy is planning on getting a mini-van today so you and your sisters can ride in comfort.  I love you so much and want you to stay inside as long as you need but if you're ready to come out, we're ready for you!  See you in about 3 weeks!!

Love,
Mommy

Mia spent the last 5 months planning her birthday party.  She had so many ideas/themes that finally I told her to narrow it down to 4.  She decided she wanted a Peppa Pig, fairy, princess, and yellow party, so that's exactly what we did.  Each theme had a designated room and purpose.  I think the planning may have been just as fun as the actual party. : )

Mia and her Peppa Pig cake.  She told me exactly how to decorate this.  If you haven't seen Peppa Pig, search for it on YouTube.  It's the cutest show from the UK.

Mia's 4th birthday was extra special because Grandma, Grandpa, Uncle Cody, and Uncle Colton surprised her a couple days before her party.  Mia just giggled when she saw them; it was a pretty cute moment.

The princess room.  We set up our cardboard castle and other princess themed toys to give the kiddos something to play with.  The kids decorated princess crowns, which they all seemed to enjoy.

   

Peppa Pig room.  Since Peppa Pig is from the UK, I couldn't find much for decorations so I be creative.  Luckily, the characters are pretty simple so I drew life-size pictures of them to hang on the wall.

I also found some cute printables on the Peppa Pig website.

Peppa loves muddy puddles so we had muddy puddles all over the floor.

The fairy room.  We used the foyer as the fairy room, which is where we put the food table.  The party was at 10am so we served brunch.  We had a variety of muffins with fairy tooth picks, fresh fruit, and egg bake.

I bought fairy wings at the dollar tree for all of the little ones.  Mia picked out the flowers and vases and put them on the table. : )  I made the tissue paper flowers on the wall and followed this tutorial- Giant Tissue Paper Flower Tutorial

The yellow room.  We simply decorated our formal dining area with lots of fun, yellow decorations.  

I loved that Mia wanted my help blowing out her candles.

What a fun day!

Dear Baby Boy,

You are growing so much and mommy has been feeling it!  Keeping up with your sisters is getting harder and harder especially towards the end of the day.  I can't complain because you are doing great.  Every appointment, your heart rate is perfect and my tummy is measuring right on track.  I pray that labor and delivery with you goes as smoothly as this pregnancy has.  

Our life has been so busy lately, that I can't believe that you will only be inside me for about 4 more weeks.  As excited as I am to meet you, it makes me a little sad that in 4 weeks I will no longer feel your little kicks (and some quite intense ones).  You'll be here before we know it.

We have your first name picked out but are still working on your middle name.  Daddy and I just want to be sure your name is perfect and suits you well.  Your car seat is cleaned and ready to go.  We are hopefully getting a minivan this weekend so there will be room for you to sit comfortably.  Your tiny clothes are washed and in the drawers.  I need to get a few more things and we are ready.  We are ready to meet you, ready to kiss you, ready to have a little boy join this family.

I love you so much!  See you in about 4 weeks!

Love,

Mommy

My Mia turned 4 yesterday.  We had her birthday party on Saturday so yesterday was her special day to choose what we did and where we ate.  She chose to play at home and ride her scooter to the park. For dinner, she wanted Chick Fil A and frozen yogurt.  It was so fun celebrating her and having a day together as a family.

Mia has really matured in the last few month but still has quite the extreme personality.  She is either perfect or completely out of control. 

I've heard that 3 is one of the hardest years so I'm looking forward to 4.  I think 4 will suite Mia well; especially with her getting to be a big sister again.  I think she is going to take her role very seriously and I'm so excited to see the bond she has with her little brother.

Mia loves to learn and really enjoys when Kennedy comes over for school.  She gets embarrassed when showing what she knows, such as reading an easy sight word book for someone.  She still talks about the daycare she went to last January and really wants to go back.  She just loves structure and routine.

This year she's done dance, swimming, and soccer.  She has shown us that she can thrive in a variety of environments, which has made us so proud.  She is currently in soccer and I've seen a very competitive side come out.  

 Mia loves dancing, dressing up, playing dolls, coloring, playing play dough, playing games and puzzles.  Her and her sister are also very good at gathering a lot of stuff and making a very large mess.

Sometimes her strong personality stresses me out but I know all of her personality traits are going to help her soar someday.  I'm not ready to think of the amazing woman she'll be when she's older but I have a feeling year 4 is going to be a great one.

*I am currently 36 weeks but still wanted to post this.

Dear Sweet Boy,

You, Mia and I went to MN this week.  It was a quick trip but relaxing only traveling with one kid. It was nice to have sometime to just enjoy being pregnant and treasure all of your movement inside of me.

You have the pleasure of being the third child, which means things might be a little loud and crazy at our house.  I'm sure you're already used to your sisters' screams, cries, and laughter.  Life will never be boring since you have two built in playmates.  Your sisters are so excited to meet you but I have no idea how they'll really react once you're here. I'm guessing that Mia will help take care of you and love giving you toys and anything else you may need.  Naomi might try to smother you with hugs and kisses.  I'm sorry in advance if it's a little much, but I think she'll mean well.  There also might be more crying than usual as they get used to having you around.  I know they'll love you but they might feel a little threatened that they have to share my attention.  

I am getting so excited to meet you!  See you in about 6 weeks!

Love,

Mommy

I'm WAY behind in my preschool posts but still wanted to post because we've done some really fun stuff and the girls just look so cute doing their work! We are having so much fun learning together and it is so rewarding seeing the progress being made.  Mia has recently become really good at cutting and has also started learning sight words.  It's so fun listening to her read (easy sight word readers).  Anyway, here's the letter F from a few weeks ago.

Working on matching the letters of their name.  Naomi was really good at this and was the first one done. : )

F is for Fish

We had goldfish crackers for snack and practiced sorting the colors.

The girls used watercolors to paint the letter F.  Once it dried, they put fish stickers on.

For fine motor, we painted fish with homemade puffy paint.  

Puffy paint= white glue and shaving cream

F is for Fire

We covered a lowercase f with red tissue paper to look like fire.  We spent a lot of time talking about fire safety.

 F is for Farm

 We took a field trip to the farm, which the girls always love.

We made these adorable hand print hens.  I love how Naomi glued the feet on. : )

Link to project

Can you tell that Mia is into everything being fancy?!?!

These pictures make my heart melt seeing my girls working together on a simple farm animal graph.

Naomi sorted farm animals and zoo animals.