A Fun Day

Saturday morning Elena and I trekked out to southern Orlando to see Barb, Mom's and my friend from her work who was here on a business trip. It was super fun to see her again--it's been a long time. Elena didn't even cry! :) She came bearing gifts from Mom, which was a fun surprise.







Because we were already out that way, we stopped by the Leu Gardens for a nice walk before heading home for lunch/nap time. Elena loves the gardens, and so do I! It's so nice to walk in the beautiful, peaceful flowers and plants. Especially now that things are starting to bloom for Spring!

Having a little fun with the new lens

Snack time at our favorite snack bench

My usual view of Elena--her running off

Elena pulling the stroller away

The monarch butterflies were out--Elena was chasing them

And looking at them--extra points if you spot the butterfly :)

Update!

So, it's been awhile. I am definitely behind on my prego photos--this one is from 27 weeks. Sadly, no photo with Elena with this one :( because the camera battery died before I could get one. (And I had put freshly charged ones in right before I started! This is what I have been dealing with, people!) But here Olivia and I are, getting bigger!

I am in my third trimester, and Olivia is "viable" now, which is always an exciting milestone. She is also much more forceful in her movements now! One thing I've picked up about her--she doesn't like to be pushed around. If something or someone is squishing her, she pushes back! A good quality for a second-born to have, I think, but not so great for my organs sometimes. In the evenings she loves to stretch out and wiggle around. I love that I'm getting to know her a little better, and I can't wait to meet her for real. :)

Her sister is growing, too! I think Elena is looking much less like a baby these days. She's been talking more and more, trying to communicate more purposefully. She's getting taller and stronger. She's playing independently for longer periods of time (yay!) and getting more creative. Here she is playing with her new blocks from Aunt Julie. She likes them a lot!

In family news, we've been hunting for houses again. We recently found one we love, but there seem to be a never-ending list of issues with the house--from possible sink-holes in the area to back taxes and too much debt for the owner to sell outright... if we get this house before Olivia it would be a miracle! We are praying that if this is the one, that these issues get resolved quickly! Otherwise we are still going to be looking. We have a long list of "needs," so not many houses come around that fit our criteria. But God is faithful, and we know he will lead us to the right one!

In other good news, I got the new lens for my camera! I am so excited! It will make my picture taking much easier... no stink-o batteries, no broken battery casing, better quality. Yay!! I put the lens on and tried it out, and Elena tried to figure out why I was behind there... it's been awhile since I've used the big camera. Here she is, my first test subject, then again showing Daddy the new lens. :)







Just a couple more pictures--some of my crochet projects from the last month or so. I made Elena Grace a hat, so that she doesn't have to wear mine. I think I made it big enough for next year, too--since we don't get to wear hats for too long here! And I also made her a set of magnets for the fridge. I have been looking around for cute fridge magnets to buy Elena, but then I was cruising crochet patterns and found some ideas to make my own--can't beat free! I have really been enjoying crocheting--I love making things that are useful and fun. :)

Olivia in the Way

I was taking pictures for eBay, and this one turned out funny. I thought to myself, what is that weird reflection on the disc? Turns out, it was my baby girl, getting in mommy's way! haha!

Bummer News

We had some bad news this weekend--the bank broke the contract on our house. It turns out, they hadn't actually forclosed on the house! How illegal is that... they had a contract to sell a house they didn't even own. The title company found it out--the bank didn't even know. Seriously. Horrible. We went through all that work/paid out lots of money for it all to go down the drain. We may still get this house, but it wouldn't be for two to three months. And Olivia is due in almost exactly three months. So we are going to look around for other houses, see if something comes up. If not, we will wait for this house and see what happens. Ay yi yi.

It is a big disappointment, since I was planning on being in the house and ready for awhile before Olivia comes. And we were already emotionally set for moving week after next (though thankfully I haven't packed up the house). We have already signed to end our lease on this townhouse--we are hoping they will let us sign another lease! But I have to remember that God is in control. He has a good plan for us, and apparently this house at this time is not in that plan. We are praying that he guides us and provides for us in this tough time--I'm sure we will look back and be able to praise him for his faithfulness!