1 month

For Hollyn's big one month birthday, she got to go to her pediatrician. Here she is showing off...:) I thought she was so chubby, but turns out she's actually really skinny and long. She just has lots of gas that gives her that beer gut! She is a healthy 8lbs 14 oz...30th% for weight and 85th% for height. And to compare, our friend Jonathon took this next picture of Hollyn one month ago today...

paco

The boys really, really love Hollyn. Really. But Griffin just needs a little practice keeping his passion for life under control. We were having a few too many moments like this:
He just really loves her or something. So we decided to get Griffin a baby of his own to practice using his gentler side. Her name is Paco. Yes, Paco. And so far she's been a great addition to the family.

Oh, and we recently found out that Griffin has an imaginary friend, Mr. Pie. I'll tell you more about him later:)

meet hollyn

Hollyn Joy Randall

5.3.10
7lbs 12oz & 20.25"

Bringing us so much joy!

maternity photos!

My sister in law is magic. She's a photographer and she offered to do some maternity shots a while back. I was nervous. I get nervous about weird things. But good thing we're family because I was not an easy subject....I might have given her a bit of my attitude reminiscent of 15 years ago. Maybe;) But look what she did! She took a lot more, but here is a sampling and I love them! They were all taken in a field next to our house. See more of Andi's work at her website.

easter

We had such a fantastic Easter. For the first time, I feel that both of my kids really "got it". I've never talked so much about the details of the crucifixion! I don't have pictures from the great Easter Sunday we spent with my family--complete with a scavenger hunt skillfully planned out by the grandparents! But the week leading up to Easter was special...we dyed eggs, read many resurrection books, talked a lot about the length of nails used, and also made a bunny house together. Oh, and we heard many prayers via Griffin concerning Jesus getting owies because he didn't eat his waffles....hmmmm:)

to compare

my belly. three years ago and now. the first one is when I was preggo with griff and the other is from last week. so fun! I love to compare like this...

mom of boys

For some reason, I always expected to be a mom of only boys. And there is just a tiny part of me that mourns losing this title:) Surprisingly, this is a very tiny part of m and will probably completely disappear in about six weeks. I cannot tell you how I just ache to hold this baby girl inside of me. Seriously ache. But this isn't about Her...it's about them. My Boys.

These boys have changed my life! I love how close they are as brothers, but also how different they are. In so many ways, they are complete opposites. I love that. I've prayed that I would treasure this time with them and I'm finding that I really am doing just that. I don't even have to try, it just is the way I'm feeling. Call it hormones, call it intentionality, whatever. Just good.

This pregnancy has been good, but I have such little energy. My body is growing weary of carrying this extra weight around. I worry all of the time about not being enough for my family. And I get frustrated and moody and I get grumpy with those I love the most. But I also have been laughing! I don't know exactly what it is, but my boys are making me laugh and laugh and laugh, even when I shouldn't. Their little personalities are in FULL BLOOM. And I feel like they are at such a pure point of their lives, where they can really show their true colors without restraint. What a gift for a parent!

Parker is the same boy he's always been, just growing so much that we're really recognizing his talents and interests. So smart and inquisitive....he shocks me with his questions. He wants to know every single detail about God. He loves reading and numbers, inventing new things. In the car, our conversations usually are about numbers and God and very often the two subjects collide. Jets are his greatest passion and can tell you endless amounts of information about what he has learned. But he also loves sports, kites, electric guitar, swimming and good music. But he is so tender and sweet and sensitive. He FEELS everything. He loves every single member of our extended family. Everyone. But he especially prefers that our little family is together all.of.the.time. No one is allowed to leave! Parker's best buddy is his daddy. And then Griffin, of course, but Griff can be a pest so he gets second place. He also loves his baby sister with all of his heart...he evened named her "HEART" because he loves her so much already. I can already tell that Parker is such a nurturer and will be a great help with the baby. Oh, how he blesses my heart.

Griffin is....harder to put into words! I'm pretty sure his main goal in life is to be funny. And he is so funny! He has already developed such comedic timing, I'm sure he's onto something. But I think he's also extra funny to me because he is every single bit his father. Especially physically and the way he moves. I'm still not sure if he learned his booty shake from Joel or if it is just genetic. Hilarious. He likes to be in charge and organizes everything. He is always telling me where to put things away! Like Parker, he is also very sensitive, though not as extreme. He's sweet and calls me a princess. And insists on kisses on the lips. I have such a hard time resisting, even when he's sick! Oh gosh, and he's the most passionate three year old ever. If he believes something to be true, there is no persuading him otherwise. He's right...you're wrong. End. Of. Story! Everything is special or "pecial" to him...strange things like receipts he finds and even certain body parts:) Some might call him possessive! I like to think that it will develop into more of protectiveness thing. He's already super protective of those he loves...even his sister already. He could....and would beat the heck out of anybody who hurts his family...but let's hope he charms everybody with his humor before that happens! He certainly has charmed me:)

I love every inch of these two boys. I guess this post was mainly just for me. I wanted to record some of what they are like at this very moment...because time flies by!

skating videos

I just had to add these videos of the boys skating....mostly for the family members who might also see the humor in these:)

ice skating

Despite the fact that I'm not really that much fun right now, we're trying to do fun things together as much as possible before I'm REALLY not much fun come May 4:) Yesterday, we went ice skating with Parker's class. I mean...the boys went ice skating...errr....Parker actually was the only one on skates. But you know what I mean. Griffin thought he was on skates and that he was the master because he could go so fast. I was in my boots, trying to not be knocked down by preschoolers. Oh, and I was the cheerleader. I even wore my skirt and short shirt. Just kidding. Bad picture in your head, I'm sure:) Parker did awesome! He kept trying and trying and got the hang of it. No tears involved!! He persevered! Here are some camera phone pics from our adventure...

sister of the bride

I'm not sure how it all happened. My sister is married. She is a Mrs. now and lives in a far off land...so to speak. She is no longer this precious, little baby I met in 1987! But really, she's even better now!

I was so excited on the day Kelsey was born. So nervous. I even lost my lunch over the whole ordeal. You see, I was six years old and was at the perfect age for getting a baby sister. What fun to be able to take care of a real, live baby! Having such a gap between us allowed me to experience just a taste of what it would be like to have my own babies. I'm pretty sure I remember this photo being taken...in the hospital, I believe.

And then she grew up and conqered just about everything...including The Wheel of Fortune! We went through stages, of course. She didn't stay THAT cute forever:) She was irritating....I was bossy. We fought. But whatever. Then we became the best of friends. And then she fell in love and she got more beautiful by the second. I really believe that Bryant has made her even more beautiful, inside and out. Look at her...




I was not quite as nervous on the monumental day of her life. I didn't lose my lunch, although it looks here as though SHE wanted to:) I was just so happy. That is it. Well, that and praying that I wouldn't split my dress wide open. But I was overjoyed and so honored to be standing next to her instead of holding her like I did on that very first day of her life!

The beautiful couple...love you two so much!

belly shot about 24 weeks

I used to be so anti bare-belly pictures....but I don't care anymore. This is my third and I might as well see the reality of my growth. Maybe I should call this "my growing derriere" instead of "growing girth" :) Just kidding. It is all a part of the road to baby!

baby girl

So I haven't actually made an announcement on here....but we got some BIG news last week!

We're having a baby girl! And I'm such a nerd...I show her ultrasound picture to just about everyone. Speaking of the picture, you should take a look:) How cute is she?! I'm so excited!

Belly shots-- almost 16 weeks

I'm thinking that this third baby is already making itself known a little earlier than the others did:)

The boys took flight yesterday. Parker has been begging to go fly kites...the prairie is perfect for it. I couldn't stop thinking about one of my all time favorite books, The Kite Runner. And so thankful that my boys are growing up in such different circumstances. Their smiles make me happy! And then there is that one of me...just for kicks. This is my blog, afterall :)

permanent outfit

What have we been doing lately? This and that :) Some things just need to be documented...like Parker's permanent outfit. The one on the top up there...he's been wearing it for four days straight and any other day he can find it. Sometimes I hide the whole ensemble. But I do make him dress in normal clothes when we leave the house...most of the time:)

hiiiiiii!

I really, really, really miss being on here. A lot. But here is the thing...totally lame excuse coming...my computer is in the office/dump room. It is THE room in the house where nothing is unpacked, it still needs to be painted...and even the computer is dusty and gross. Long story short: I just don't like to be in here because then I am reminded that I should be working on fixing this little problem. Ugh. I'm typing with my eyes closed right now. I don't have the clarity of mind to say anything important on here, but here are a few randoms:

*I don't know what is happening, but I feel so hungry. And I'm tired of it. I am seriously not eating for fun anymore...I feel like a bottomless pit. I could eat three dinners. Also, I'm only 13 weeks or so and I'm already about the size I was at 20 or so with the boys. This third pregnancy is so weird. But anyway, I love the little swimmer anyway. He/She makes me happy.

*I had a dilemma in my head the other day at the grocery store. I was supposed to be shopping for the snack for Parker's school the next day. I couldn't make up my mind...should I be the cool mom and get the fruit snacks and juice boxes? Or should I be the good mom and buy the organic carrots and hummus? I know. Dumb thing to even think about. I don't think I necessarily fit into either category...so....I got the graham crackers and mini raisin boxes with flavored waters. Compromise:)

*Have I mentioned how much I LOVE our new house? SO MUCH. I would post pictures....but....hmmm...where is my camera? Probably in this scary room somewhere. And I would take pictures with my phone, but someone Griffinized it and it is no more. Bummer. But use your imagination:) It is really great and spacious...has a rockin master bath...super duper kitchen....and clutter everywhere!

Love to you all! That is it for now. See, I told you I didn't have any meat to share, Kels:)

admiral grampa!

Just returned home from a weekend of celebration. The boys loved touring Grampa's old airplane. I remember doing the same thing when I was their age and thinking my dad was a total rock star! Love this shot!

And then there is this one....what happened? I would LOVE to add some captions here, but they might not be appropriate--especially Griffin's:) But I love this picture of my boys!

all ive got

This is not a real post. I am not going to say it...I literally have no time. But here is the rundown:

1)Today is our last day in our Providence House.
2)Parker started school for the first time yesterday.
3)I'm pregnant. 7 Weeksish...yuck. But yay!
4)We're moving into such an awesome house tomorrow on the prairie.
5)I feel crazy. But Happy. And...loved.

Seriously, that is all I've got. Love to all!

change

Hi. This has to be quick because I have a million other things to do.

Today is our 8th wedding anniversary. It is so great...however, we have SO MUCH on our plates right now that we don't have a ton of time to celebrate!

So much change going on right now. All good things...

I'll have to write more about them all later, but we will be moving later this month to a great house! I can't wait to be in it and enjoy this kind of peace and quiet.... this is the street we will live on! Can't wait!

True to God's word...He WILL let me catch my breath!

sweet parker

We've been having really great conversations with Parker lately. The way kids learn and absorb the world is mind-blowing sometimes. Kids are so much smarter than we give them credit! But a couple of really cute conversations stand out from the last week or so...

Me driving and a bit distracted, Parker in the back set trying on a pretend wedding ring.

P: Mom, when can I get married?
ME: Well, hmmm....when you are older and find a girl and you fall in love.
P: Well, I'm in love with you, mama. I'll marry you.
ME: I love you too, babe, but Daddy already married me and I can only be married to one person.
P: oh. {silence, thinking}
P: Mom? Is Miss Tara married? I think I'm in love with her.
*Tara is one of our best friends...and she's almost 30:) At least he has good taste!

Another converation...I was responding to emails in the office and Parker was working on some art projects. I was slightly distracted...again!

P: Mom, how can I get to heaven with God?
ME: ummmmmm.....(totally taken off guard) hmmmmm....well, someday you can pray and ask God to be your very best friend and for Jesus to come into you heart.
P: Oh.
ME: When you are ready, let me know and we can pray about that...
P: Someday?! I wanna do it now! Now, what do I say to God?

I tell him and I see him go to the corner and thanks God for his life and his house..."and please be my friend and come into my tummy...um, I mean my hearts. Dear God, Thank you...aMEN!"

happy book

I just started a new book that is making me oh.so.happy!! My Life In France by Julia Child. I looooove reading about food, culture, and travel. She describes food in a way that makes my mouth water for dishes I wouldn't normally touch with a ten-foot pole! I'm not far in the book yet, but so far...I smile every time I turn a page. :))