Haven't posted in a while. We have just been to busy for it. We just got back from a wonderful vacation to Hilton Head Island with my brother, his wife and their 4 1/2 year old. It was so relaxing and the weather was beautiful.
Lily is now 8 months and has two teeth, scoots all over the place and brightens every day. She is so sweet and mellow (a definate first for us!!)

Isaac and Eli are going to celebrate their 5th and 3rd birthday's this month, where in the world does time go. Isaac's latest accomplishment is riding a two wheeler and Eli talks and talks and talks and says some of the funniest things. If I could ever remember, I would write some of them here.

Our family has an exchange student from Brazil staying with us for a month right now. She is so sweet and we are glad she is here. She is part of the ESL homestay program at UC and will stay with us until the beginning of November.
Here are a few pictures from vacation.

I can't believe our little girl is already a month. We (especially me) are seriously overcome by cabin fever. Finally this week the boys were able to go out in the backyard and expend some energy. It started last weekend when we got a blizzard. We had some enjoyable and some not so enjoyable times playing in the snow. The first time they went out in the snow it was still blowing snow, they did not enjoy sledding in this. Isaac came in and said, "I'm not going to go out in the snow EVER again!" The next day we went out and built a large snowman and had hot chocolate and popcorn with our neighbors. And the next day it was 50 degrees and they went out a few times. There goes the theory of NEVER going in the snow again!

This week except for today it has been warm and no rain. So lots of play time. I feel a cure for the cabin fever coming on.
Lily is doing well and we are all adjusting to her being with us and loving it. I'll be honest, I really am enjoying dressing a little girl, even her sleepers are cute.
Enjoy some pictures from the snow and of Lily at one month.

"Guitar Heroes"

Happy Valentine's Day!

Another picture by the crocodile at the zoo!

At the Wright Patterson Air Force Museum with daddy,

In front of the F-22 Raptor.

The boys in space!

Lily being adorable!

Brett, Lily and I are having a quiet weekend at home while the boys spend the weekend with Beba and Pappy! My mom called this morning after getting them dressed for ideas where to take them because they wanted to know where they were going for the day. They are so bored having to stay home all the time! Thankfully Spring is not TOO far away we hope. It's different having a baby in the middle of flue season, we have to be so careful with all the germs!

The first two weeks of Lily's life have been pretty good. We have had lots of help especially with meals being prepared for us. With everything I have to keep up with, I couldn't imagine cooking too! What a blessing it is to get meals.

Here's some more pictures of our first two weeks with our little girl!

Yes, She's here!
We welcomed Lily Marie on Tuesday February 5, 2008 at 7:51 in the morning. As far as labors go, I couldn't have asked for a better scenerio. I was supposed to be induced Wednesday morning, but Lily changed the plans! My water broke at 2:45 in the morning Tuesday. Since I was awake, but not yet having contractions, I decided to do a little sprucing up (ie: cleaned the bathroom, folded laundry, mopped the floor, normal things for nesting in the early am!) After cleaning, finishing my packing for the hospital and taking a shower, I decided to lay down (still no real contractions to speak of at 4:15 ish) Almost immediately I had a contraction, then another 8 minutes later. I got up, and went downstairs knowing now I was officially in labor. The contractions progressed quickly to 3 min, then 2. Brett called the doctor and he said "why are you calling me, get her to the hospital.") Our neighbor came to sit with the boys, who were now both awake at 5 am! Bless her for being willing to take on the challenge and bless my sister-in-law Jordan more, for taking them all day after that! When we got to the hospital I was in a lot of pain and already 6 cm. After what seemed like an eternity (maybe 25 min) I got an epideral. I delivered her at 7:51!
It was a little dramatic as she had her cord wrapped twice around her neck, but she still got good scores on her apgars. None of the professionals in the room were worried, but the rest of us were especially her daddy who had lots and lots of questions about the whole thing. We're happy to report after all the drama she's doing great!
Thanks for all the prayers for a safe healthy delivery. God has blessed us with a little, 6.8 lb miracle.
Isaac can't keep his hands off of her (in loving ways) Eli can't keep his hands off of her in not so loving ways, although I don't think he realizes patting her head hard is not good.
It has been really exciting to have her here after so much anticipation! Our world is now colored in many new shades, especially pink!

Some cures for our cabin fever!!

Isaac playing on the blowup pirate ship at his cousin Livi's birthday party.

Daddy enjoying the fun at Livi's birthday party.

Eli having no fear as he slides down the giant shark slide with Beba at Livi's birthday party!

Isaac and Eli at the Otter exhibit at the aquarium. The best part about the aquarium is that is is a special time with only Daddy and the boys!

Look out for that big shark guys! More fun at the aquarium. Brett takes them most weekends. It is a nice change from the museum pass.

Seeing the plants at Krohn Conservatory. This was the edible display, "the giving tree."

Today we went to the zoo because it was in the 50's. It was really cloudy and most of the animals seemed to be off of display, but being a turtle and climbing the spider web never seem to get old!

I'm thankful that there are some things we can do to beat the winter blues. If we stay home the boys are so bored, we have to get out, even for a little while every day. It's going to get harder when Lily gets here, which is in hopefully two days! Stay tuned for pictures of our little girl in the next post.

Quote from Isaac yesterday,
"Mom, I think we should leave God some cookies and milk."
me, "why"
Isaac: Because he works harder than Santa to create all of us.

Still waiting for Lily, hopefully she will be here soon. If not, inducement is scheduled for next Wednesday the 6th at 9 am!

For all wondering, no baby girl yet....Still waiting. Hopefully she will arrive before or on her due date. I kinda like 2/2 but we'll have to see what she decides. In the mean time, I think I have done about all I can to get ready.
Last week Brett took Isaac to a big brother class at Christ Hospital which proved to be some good daddy/son bonding and a good class for Isaac to learn again about being the big brother. I think Eli will be the one to watch when it comes to keeping her safe.
In other news it is bitter cold here, in the single digits and below zero at night. Looking forward to Spring (if I'm allowed to do that yet) or at the least the 50's they are predicting soon.