March of Dimes, April 21

Today we went out for the March of Dimes Walk America with the team from Blue Cross. Kellen helped raise almost $150 to "save the babies" (as he says). It was a very warm morning, but great weather for a walk, and I even managed to complete the 3.1 mile walk! Not too many other large pregnant ladies out there! :) It was quite an accomplishment considering that last week I could hardly move with my back problems. Gotta give credit to the chiropractor. Geof was a trooper, pushing Kellen and Addie in the stroller for most of the walk. They would occasionally get out and walk, but quickly realized how great they had it in the stroller! Addie is now sleeping on the couch, I have had a nap, and Geof and Kellen, who can't get enough, are out riding bikes!

NCMLS Butterfly Bash

This afternoon we took Kellen & Addie to the NC Museum of Life and Sciences, one of our favorite places. My pregnancy-related back pain has been better the past 2 days, so we thought we could handle a couple of hours at the museum. Today was the butterfly bash, and we were there for the release of hundreds of lady bugs into the Magic Wings butterfly house. K&A quickly became brave enough and deft enough to handle the lady bugs, though Kellen giggled with nervousness the entire time. Then Kellen took another brave step and decided to have his face painted - a little unlike him. As you can see from the picture, he was in awe of other boys he saw walking around with the face of his favorite character and he simply had to have it done, too. Addie was very excited about having her face painted and did a happy dance in line until it was her turn to be made into a "blue fishy." Kellen took another brave step and asked to pet the corn snake in the Tree House hands-on exhibit room. Addie, who petted her first snake during our trip to Atlanta, remembered to pet with just 2 fingers and even scolded another child who was using her whole hand! It was definitely an afternoon well-spent, even if I do need to wear an ice pack on my back tonight! More pictures in our Shutterfly Album.

PBC Sunday School Baby Shower

Tonight Sherri Callery and the girls from our Sunday school class hosted a baby shower for me and baby #3. They showered me with consumables, so this baby will always be clean, wiped, diapered, and rash free! Thanks everyone! (Sonja and Kelly - also expecting very soon - make up the rest of the pregnant chorus line!)

More pictures from the shower are in our Shutterfly picture collection.

Impromptu Baby Shower

On Easter Sunday we went to Danville to visit family after church (I was playing in the church orchestra during Easter services that morning). After family lunch and our annual Easter egg hunt for the kids, we had a sort of impromptu baby shower with gifts from our parents and my grandparents, who won't be able to come to my baby shower. What fun! These were the first presents we received for our second baby girl. She received her own darling Bunnykins china set from Grandma & Granddad B, Jordan & Ashley; the best hand-made bibs from her Grandma B; a very soft chenille blanket and diapers from her Great-grandparents; and a 13-month baby milestones calendar & money gift from Grandma & Grandma H. It's fun to start adding new things to her baby nursery as we await her arrival!

Trying something new

OK, so I'm taking a cue from my friend Amy and trying out a family blog. Maybe this will be an alternative to the little family web site I maintain, which has gotten a bit clumsy and time-consuming for me to work on.

I'll try using this space for a while to keep you up to date on family happenings and even post a picture or two!

-Laura