38 Weeks

Yep, I am all the way to 38 weeks. This was when our little Madeline Grace was born but I think Baby Hotdog is very comfortable in my tummy and is going to stay awhile. The doctor (Dr. Wilson) said he is head down but a bit sideways. That is why my right side keeps swelling and my right hand goes numb.

Please notice Madeline trying to stick her tummy out for the picture.  I sure hope she is ready to be a big sister. She is also holding the goldfish crackers she picked at the dollar bin in Target. These were her reward from Nick for being a big girl at BSF on Wednesday. As she eats them she reminds us that she is a big girl.

Chopsticks

Tonight we went to Shogun, a Japanese steak house. We figured that it is much easier to do this with just one little Schindler.  Madeline loved the “show” and kept saying I like this guy.  She loved the vegetables, chicken, and rice. But her favorite part was the chopsticks!  Look at how well she does with the special kid friendly chopsticks.

Zoo Time

On our last fun filled day with Tara, Eva, and Violet we headed to the St. Louis Zoo. This was the first time for Madeline to actually go to a zoo besides the time we went to the OKC zoo when she was a baby.  First off the zoo is FREE! Which is fabulous and if you get there during the first hour the zoo is opened you can go to the kid zoo section for free. So Tara and I meet up in the kiddy section. It was just too cute! The girls loved it! Actually, I think their favorite part was chasing a chicken around but the teach in me loved the story time followed by a craft. Here are some pictures of our day together. We sure are going to miss you guys!

Oh No! Madeline got eaten by a hippo!!

 

They had these climbing walks up to huge slides. Madeline loved it (after she watched Eva do it).

This is how Madeline and Eva spent most of the day. (Hand in Hand and eating a snack.)

Aren’t they cute?

Madeline with her craft. They decorated pots and planted seeds. We are going to try and grow some lettuce.

**I’m so mad I didn’t get a picture of Tara and I together with the girls. I guess they will just need to come back and visit, again.

I think we only got to about 1/2 the zoo. I think we will be spending many pretty days there and taking all our visitors there!

 

Madeline and Eva doing a little driving. In only 14 more years this could really be happening!

Friends, Apples, and Pumpkins

Tara, Eva, and Violet came to town for a quick visit.  Thank you Air Force for sending Lew to a conference in St. Louis!  Today we headed to Eckert Farms to do some apple and pumpkin picking. I can’t even describe how excited Madeline was to see her friend. They held hands most of the day and I now have a nicely napping worn out little girl. Here are some pictures of our adventures!

Ready for the adventure!

Madeline not too sure about that HUGE pumpkin behind her.

Waiting for the tractor ride.

 

Look at these two cute 2 year olds!

Eva, Tara, and Violet!

Mommy, Maddie Grace, and Hot Dog

All finished picking apples and waiting for the tractor to take us to the pumpkin patch.

The girls trying to pick the perfect pumpkin!

What a fun day, we finished it off with lunch at the country store. Tomorrow we are headed to the zoo.

Daddy’s Little Helper

Madeline loves to be a helper. It is amazing how she can notice the instant Nick goes outside. She runs to the door eager to help (unless he is using a noisy tool). Here she helping him over seed our new backyard. The funniest part was that Nick had his headphones on and couldn’t really hear her but she talked to him the entire time!

You sure can tell where the front yard sod and the backyard meet!

Here she is telling Nick he has 3 more rows.  I wonder where she gets that bossiness?

Church Day

Today we headed to FBC O’Fallon. Nick & I were both nervous for the nursery and Sunday school drop off. We weren’t feeling any better about it when Madeline cheerfully said in the car on the way there “Here I come Mary and Miss Julie!”  We tried to explain that they were at our old church in Altus to which she replied that she was sure Isabella would be there.  She tried very hard to be brave the whole way in and even waved at a few people. The tears began as we walked away. But she made it! Yep, no having our number flashed on the big screen or anybody show up at our Sunday school room. Now, let’s just pray that Wednesday goes just as great if not better. Here she is before church.

She even found her sunglasses and backpack and headed out the door without us! I wish she stayed this excited when we dropped her off.

This morning as she was getting ready I told her that she should try to find a friend at church and maybe we could invite them over to play this week. When we picked her up the teacher asked if we had just moved to a new house. Then she told us that Madeline had invited her over to play. That sure made us laugh. I guess she really does listen and remember……….. sometimes.

First Day of Bible Study

Wednesday was our first day at BSF (Bible Study Fellowship). It was introduction day. We are waiting to here if we got into a class or if we will be placed on the waiting list. Madeline had a rough time. She was crying so hard they were on their way to come get me when the intro class ended. So let’s all start praying for how Sunday morning goes with the nursery and Bible study. It sure isn’t easy to be 2 and have this much change at once. She even told me in the car that she cried because she was just “pooped out”. So everyone say a prayer around 8:30 Sunday morning when we are dropping her off and 9:10 Wednesday morning.

She was so excited to go to “school”.  I should have taken an after picture. :)

We even matched in our color choice. Can  you believe I’m already at 34 weeks? Not too much longer until we meet baby Hotdog.