Winston's shower

 The girls getting some grub.

 Great Gramma Unger

 Aunt Michele

 GG

GG with the girls.

Mommy's taking us to the zoo tomorrow....

Okay, maybe you don't know that song, but the girls like it and I think of it every time we talk about the zoo.  I think it's Raffi, at least it's on one of his CD's.
Anyhow, we had told Anna back in may we would go to the zoo(Fort Wayne Children's) at some point for her birthday, and have her cousins go with us.  So, it finally worked out for our schedule and they were able to meet us.  We had a fun, hot, day!

 driving the jeep on a safari!

Anna actually did touch the black rat snake, Maria not so much!

 camping cousins!

 I love the giraffes

 Gotta have a picture with little poof!  That thing has been there forever.

 Anna and Everly playing peek-a-boo!

 crazy cousins!

 ah, relaxing on the log ride

 such a sweetheart!

 They had to climb on every statue in the zoo!

 Riding the train!

We also made sure to stop and meet our newest nephew/cousin.  My brother and his wife have been trying to adopt for over a year now and we are elated to welcome Winston into the family!

We have plenty to praise God for; new and not so new cousins!

Lydibug

My best friend, Mindy, had her baby girl August 23.  The girls and I had a chance to meet Lydia Renee when she was one week old.  She didn't seem too interested in our visit as she slept the entire time...but, hey isn't that what newborns are supposed to do.  Maria was sweet with her, and enjoyed playing with Zane, their two year old.  Anna wanted to kiss on Lydia, and poke check out her face...poor Lydibug. 

look at all the beautiful dark hair

Anna going in for yet another kiss.

We have plenty to praise God for; new life.

36 weeks and a soapbox

yep, I finally look pregnant, according to what most people tell me...well, heck I only have a few weeks left, I hope I look pregnant!  That must be one of the most annoying things about being pregnant, random unsolicited comments.  That is why I am so grateful I was pregnant during mostly cold weather.  No one can tell when you have a huge winter coat on that you are pregnant and so you avoid comments from total strangers.  The advice, questions, and just plain annoying comments do get really old after awhile.  

Speaking of strangers, does anyone else find it odd when complete strangers start trying to have a conversation with your 2 year old, and expectantly wait for a response.  Considering she is pretty shy even when around people she knows such as our family, I would consider it a great miracle that she would start talking openly with a stranger.  But what I find most disturbing is that I really don't want my 2 year old to feel that she should have to talk to these people.  I usually just smile and not give any information to them.  I figure if I answer for her, she might start thinking she would be okay answering them.  I know they are being harmless and just like I think 2 year olds are cute, they do too...but really people, give me a break and remember that "don't talk to strangers" is a pretty accepted thought for kids.

Okay, sorry for the rant, it just seems that lately everywhere we go, it's pregnancy comments and "oh, she's adorable, what's your name?..."  Okay, done with my soapbox now!

Maria listening to her little sister.
I'm not sure what she thought she heard, but was pretty excited about it.

We have plenty to praise God for; anticipation for new life.

"come out baby"

Maria has shown more interest in the baby lately and since the baby is bigger, the kicks and jabs can actually be seen better from the outside. She does like to lay her head on my tummy and say she can hear her. She was trying to get the baby to come out by pushing on my stomach, and thought that she would come through my belly button...uh, yeah, so glad we don't have to deal with that topic quite yet, thank goodness!

We have plenty to praise God for; an active baby and a curious toddler.

two times!

One for Maria, in a year or so and a matching one for the baby.

at it again

Here are the skirts/onesies I made as gifts...since they have all been sent now!
Sure enough, another project done.  I have other projects I have finished that were all similar to each other and sent off for birthday presents, but since a couple birthdays have yet to come and I think of the recipient parents a few may frequent the blog...I don't want to spoil their surprise, so those will have to wait.  But this project was for our own daughter #2, so I am safe.

This is what is started as, a super soft, almost fleece type material, but flows more easily...if that makes sense.  I thought it would make a perfect baby gown.  So online I found this tutorial for just that.  It was SO easy, I did it in a total of maybe an hour and a half.  

zany friends

zany \ˈzā-nē\ –adjective

1.	ludicrously or whimsically comical; clownish.

Maria was giving Zane a kiss on the head, although it looks like she was smelling his head!

We were so happy to have Mindy and Zane come to visit us today, Maria especially had a great time playing with Zane. Mindy and I got to visit for quite a while as the two took a simultaneous nap for about 2 hours! It's her spring break, so she will be back to school in a couple days, but she usually make the trek over to visit us during her break and we love it!

We have plenty to praise God for; great friends to share life with.