Alabama 2011

Last week Dane and I surprised my friend Lauren in Mobile, Alabama. I was crazy enough to take Dane on a flight all by myself while being 5 months pregnant. I admit it was probably not the smartest thing I have done but it was sure worth it when I got to see the surprise and excitement on Laurens face when we knocked on the door. Overall considering Danes age and his activity level he did really well. If we would have had direct flights it would have been much easier but overall I am so glad we did it. The weather was so much nicer than here in Kansas City. We were able to go to the park and take walks most every night. Dane really enjoyed all the attention and affection he got from Chris and Lauren while we were there. Chris tried his best to wear Dane out but quickly realized it was not going to happen. Dane is like the energizer bunny, he doesn't get tired. The two of them did sit down a couple times to play some playstation 3 but Dane was a little confused by the controller Chris gave him because it had a cord. He was like "what is this???", he is used to carrying a wireless xbox controller at home. It is funny to think our kids wont even remember controllers having cords on them that will be so old school. Chris did his best to get Dane to watch some football but it is going to take a little more to convince him. One of Danes favorite things to do was go up the stairs over and over and over. It wouldn't be so bad but I can't seem to get him to understand he can't just walk down them. He will just step right off the top step like he knows what he is doing. I finally got him to just go up and down the bottom 3 or 4 and he still thought that was cool. Now that I am updating the blog I realized that Lauren and I didn't make it into any of the pictures :( but here are some of Chris and Dane.

The big news is ITS A GIRL!!!

Well as most of you know we are having another baby at the end of May and on the 17th we found out we are having a baby girl. The ultrasound looked good but we have to go back in 5 weeks for another one so they can get all the photos that they need. I guess she was sitting right behind my belly button and just refused to move no matter what the sonogram lady did. She said that she was stubborn but I was really hoping she was just lazy. I could use one with a little less energy than Dane has. It took us a while to get over the shock but we are very excited about her. I guess we were just really in boy mode so when we heard we had to stop the wheels from turning and switch gears. We are working on a name for her but are torn. We like the names Keira Marie and Brynna Marie. For some reason we just can't commit to one over the other.
I have started picking out bedding and paint for the nursery so now I just need to get the office cleaned out (where oh where will all this junk go??). So far I am thinking the bedding will be pink, green, brown, and white and the walls will be green. I have yet to go out and buy a cute girl outfit and I think I am scared to because once I start I wont want to stop. Girls just have the cutest clothes and I am so excited about getting to put cute little tights on her. Jacob and I are excited about having the opportunity to raise one of each. Here is to praying for a healthy, laid back, sweet baby that loves to sleep just like I do! (no really God that is what I want ha ha)

14 months

Dane is running full throttle these days. It amazes me how much he understands what you say to him. He talks all the time now. We can't seem to make out much of what he is saying but he sure has a lot to say anyway. He has started saying "Joe" much to my moms annoyance because he loves his good friend Joe (sisters boyfriend). Joe plays with Dane all the time and when you mention his name Dane will just repeat his name over and over.

Danes favorite thing to do these days is read books. I am really trying to encourage him to like reading because I think it is so good for him. Every night we read 3 to 4 books right before bed. Goodnight Moon and Cliffords Animal Sounds are by far his favorite books but we also read a night time bible too. The night time bible has a little song and hand motions that go along and he gets really excited when it is time to sing the song but he is not really into the bible stories yet since they are really for a child a little older. I figure it is never to early to start such a good routine right?

Here are some pictures of Dane in late December / early January.

Playing on the fireplace in our neighbors house instead of helping daddy rake leaves.

Outside to finally go help daddy get some work done.

Resting after a hard days work. This picture is just the best!

Christmas Time 2010

We had a pretty busy Christmas this year. We started off our celebration in Omaha with Jacob's family. It is always so nice to spend time with the extended family. Dane did so well with the traveling.

When we got home we celebrated with all of our close friends. Dane even got a visit and present from Santa. Lets just say that he seemed less than excited about it. I think he knew there was something not quite right about that Santa.


On Christmas Eve we went to my moms house and Dane got to open his gifts. He had a blast with this ball popper that she got him. He seemed to be a little interested in unwrapping the gifts but I know that next year will be even more exciting to watch him.

Christmas day we were with Jacobs parents. Jacob ended up having to work so we were not able to stay long. Dane got a really cool push / ride toy that he really enjoys.

Fun with the ball popper.

Dane on his power wheels 4 wheeler. He will only ride it if you push the button. If you are not there to do that then he will just push it around the room.

Daddy helping Dane open up his gift from Grandma.

This would be the "not so excited about Christmas" that I mentioned