Gabrielle Susan is 3!!

Gabrielle Susan turned 3 on January 11th!!  Since she got so many gifts for Christmas, we decided to go to downtown Chicago and go to the American Girl Store to get a Bitty Baby for her main present!  She loved getting her Bitty Baby, and last year they came out with a red head baby with blue eyes!  Of course that is the one Gabby picked!  We also went to the Disney Store and got lots of princess stuff for really great prices!  Luke had a great time at the Lego Store.  Yes, it was a bit of an interesting trip with 3 small children, a little different than when we used to go before kids!  The important thing is the kids had a great time!  Even Colin enjoyed looking around at all of the buildings and people!  Gabrielle is such an independent, bright, and funny little girl.  She is a bit sassy at times, but still the sweetest little girl I have ever met!  She loves dancing, playing with baby dolls, copying everything her big brother does, and singing pop and country songs!  I look forward to her being 3 this year, and all she will learn, and how she will change!  I love you so much Gabs! 

Colin Jeffrey's Baptism

Colin Jeffrey was baptized November 11th at our church.  My sister Melissa and her husband John are his God Parents, they are for all three of our children!  We had a wonderful church service with all of our in town family, and then met for lunch at Famous Dave's.  We are so thankful for our beautiful baby boy, and thankful for our family that love him so much.  I pray that Colin will grow up loving and knowing Jesus as his Lord and Savior.  May God bless him always! 

CJ wearing the Baptismal gown that is 100 years old this year, sewn by his Great Great Grandmother, for his Great Grandmother's baptism, worn also by his Grandmother, his Mommy, aunts, Uncle, and most all of his cousins on my side!  Such a special tradition!

before the Baptism!

The whole crew

Mommy, Daddy, Aunt Melissa and Uncle John

Colin Jeffrey's 1st Halloween!!

This Halloween was Colin's first Halloween!!  We put him in a glow in the dark skeleton costume!  He isn't even three months yet, so we went for comfort, plus Luke thought it was cool!!  Luke was Batman again this year, last year he was the Dark Knight Batman, so this year he was more the 1960's Batman.  Gabby was Princess Merida from Brave.  Rob thought it was the perfect costume to go with her red curly hair!  This year cousin William was able to come with which was really cool for the kids since he lives in Aurora! 

Stationery card

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Luke's First Day of Kindergarten

Wow, yesterday was a big milestone for Luke (and Mommy) he started Kindergarten!  This has been really tough on me, because I always pictured him going to half day Kindergarten, but was told by the school he would be the only one doing that, and no one had done it for 7 years!  We only live a block from the school and I am home anyway, so I thought it would be able to happen.  I ended up deciding to send him for the whole day, because I didn't want him to be the only kid not going whole day.  Today is his first long day, so we will see how it goes!  He ended up doing really well yesterday, and was very excited about his first day.  I cried a bit, and have cried more today, but I think some of it may be because I just gave birth less than 3 weeks ago.  Gotta love hormones!  It is hard though after spending everyday with him for 5 years to send him out into the world, but that is part of being a parent.  I know he is going to learn a lot this year, and make lots of new friends.  I will have more time and attention for Gabby and Colin this way too! 
Yesterday Rob and I walked Luke down to the school, and got to stay there for the first hour which was nice.

Proud Big Brother!

Luke has wanted a baby brother for quite sometime!  He told us that his baby brother's name would be Bruce Wayne after Batman.  We didn't go for his name suggestion, but Luke is in love with baby Colin! 

Colin Jeffrey has arrived!!

Colin Jeffrey arrived August 3rd, at 5:14 p.m. weighing in at 7 pounds and 15 ounces, 21 inches long!  His Mommy, Daddy, big brother and big sister, are so proud! 

Right after his birth!

Bonding after his birth!

Very proud big brother!!

What a cutie!

Mommy of three!

First day home!