Happy Lover's Day!

Valentine's was pretty low key for our family this year. Of course, Cory made pink heart shaped pancakes for breakfast, and when I came in the kitchen he surprised me with a dozen red roses! Lillie & I made heart shaped sugar cookies for some friends. And here she is with her cookie she decorated for Cory. She and Abby also made him homemade cards, which turned out so cute!

 Then Cory and I gave the girls the heart shaped ring pops. Cory talked to them about love & how he gave me a special ring when we got married, and they would get a special ring one day from the man they'll marry. But for now, they get a "ring" from their daddy. It was cute.

 Mommy's little LOVE bandit! For dinner we've started a tradition - every year we have a fancy candle light dinner (with the kids, so it's anything but romantic) & eat something more on the expensive side. This year we had lobster tail - the girls loved it!

 Snuggling with dad after a long day...

 It appears we traded in our baby for a sharpay!



Adjusting...with three

So I must say, I am smitten. I absolutely adore my little boy. Sounds strange, but I thought there was no way I could love a boy as much as I love my girls...well I was dead wrong in my assumptions. There is one problem, though. When I am busy snuggling this little bundle of joy, my dear girls keep busy...

...like getting into mommy's makeup & looking like "groucho marx"

 ...or playing "hairdresser" and not only doing her own hair, but.. 

 ...putting every possible barrette that we own in her mommy's hair! I was quite the looker, let me tell you!

 ...Or "decorating" grandpa's face while he takes a nap!

Yep, I've got my work cut out for me with three!

Visitors

We have been so blessed with visitors this last week! My mom came Saturday and left Tuesday. My dad came with Martha & Martha on Sunday and stayed overnight with us. Then Angie came with all her girls on Monday, then left Tuesday. Then the next weekend Cory's mom & Dad came on Saturday and left Sunday. We felt so loved having them take the time to travel here & celebrate with us!

Angie made this darling blanket for Jack. She worked so hard on it, and I love the colors! I think I will do his room with those colors, so I can keep her blanket out for all to see!

 Abby was so happy to have a friend! Ivory & Abby had a ball together. See the table and chairs that Cory made...isn't he awesome!?

 Jack with Grandma Linda and Grandpa Prince

 Jack with Grandpa and Grandma Ipson

 3 generation photo op - the ipson fellas...

Happy Birthday Abby...and welcome Jack!

Since I was a little preoccupied with giving birth on Abby's birthday, we decided to have a little celebration on Sunday. It was so much fun, because we had family in town! Abby's favorite "character" right now is Strawberry Shortcake, so we made her a special birthday banner and strawberry cake. She was ecstatic! For her birthday, Cory (with a bit of help from me) made her a little table and 2 chairs. He's so handy!

 Lillie showing off the coloring book she got from Aunt Mary. My girls LOVE having visitors at our house...a little too much. They just jump off the walls at the thought of company. They are little social butterflies, that's for sure!

 Abby adored the tent she got from Aunt Tammy, and she hasn't stopped playing in it since!

Some of my FAVES about Abby right now:

Her "squinty" eyes when she's trying to figure something out.

Her love of the piano - she'll just sit & softly play the keys & sing songs

She loves her "softy" and monkey - when going to bed

She loves "Jesus Wants me for a Sunbeam" & asks for it to be sung every night at devotional

She loves participating in our "family hug" every night

She loves her big sister & copies everything Lillie does

Every night she asks Daddy for "snug a bug" - to be tucked in tight.

She gives the best kisses

She's actually really good with manners - always says "please" & "thank you"

Home

We made it home! A tradition in my family is having a welcome home sign when you get home from the hospital. Since my sisters no longer live here, I didn't get a sign...so I made my own! Actually I wrote the letters and Lillie & my mom colored it in. My mom didn't make it here until Saturday evening, and she stayed through Tuesday. It was really nice having her here - even if it was for a short time.

 Lillie LOVES her little brother! She's constantly asking to hold him, or help burp him, or change his diapers. She's going to be a good little momma someday!

He's Here

Jack David Ipson

02.04.2011 6:14 a.m.

8 lbs. 12 oz. & 19 1/2 inches long

 Jack must really like his sister, because he decided to arrive on Abby's birthday! The first words that came out of the doctor's mouth was "he's a chunky one". All the nurses made comments about Jack being a "big boy" or he's "nice & healthy". It's always a relief to have a good healthy baby.

 We are a happy family. The girls are just in love with this little guy. He's been so mellow - and it already feels like he's a part of our family! He fits right in!

 Happy to go home! What a cute expression.

 Cory brought in "bubble gum" cigars for the guys. Typically when there is cause for celebration, they always bust out the cigars...I thought it was so funny!

Cory and his little buddy!

Bowling Bonanza

We woke up one morning needing something to do as a family. There aren't a lot of options when your uber pregnant! So we went with bowling - the girls had so much fun! You can hardly see my protruding belly in this picture! WOW!

 Cory had Abby bowling on her own by the end of the game!