Blessings!

I have been meaning to do this post for a while now. I want to share with all of you pictures of two beautiful baby girls born this summer to dear friends of mine. These sweet babies are proof that God hears our prayers! Thank you all for praying for my friends and these babies!

Here is Mallory Grace, born on May 22 to my friend Rachel (and her hubby George)...


And here is Alana Lai, born on July 28 to my friend Simone (and her hubby Gary)...

Welcome Fall (please stay!)

It's the first day of October, and it finally feels like Fall. It's a sunny, windy day and all the windows are open! I love it! Last night the temperature was in the upper 40's! Yay! Time for new and cute PJs for Connell! I have tried giving him a blanket, but he doesn't really like it. Probably since he's never slept with one. And I don't know if it's the weather or what, but I am inspired to do ALL kinds of stuff around the house. Strange.

Connell and I played outside after lunch. I took a whole bunch of pictures. Sometimes I don't realize just how big he's getting until I look at a picture. God made such a beautiful day today...we had to be out in it to celebrate! Celebrate the season, celebrate the fact that I am blessed to stay home with Connell, celebrate LIFE! This day 2 years ago was my due date for the baby girl we lost in a miscarriage. Last year, October 1st was beautiful. This year it's even more beautiful. She's an angel, for sure.

Here are some pictures from our celebration! What are you celebrating today???

All boy...

"mom-no matter what you do, I am NOT going to look at the camera!"

Random

Not a whole lot to blog about this week. There are always pictures of Connell, but not always a fun story to tell. There are no pictures from swimming lessons last Saturday. Connell cried the whole 30 minutes. :( No joke. Ask Tim; he was in the water with him. He has always loved the water, so it was either that the water was cooler and/or his molars are coming in and/or he has a cold. Take your pick. It wasn't nice. We hope so much that this Sat is better. Especially since we will have visitors with us. My very good friend Katie (Connell's Godmother) and her husband Andy are coming to visit this weekend.

Even though he is a bit under the weather, Connell is a fountain of energy and humor. He is 'talking' more now (if you listen carefully, you may even understand)! Some words -Mommy, Daddy, apples, outside, garbage, working on pumpkin. He laughs all the time. He can be looking at you with a straight serious face, and if you laugh, he will too!

I had mentioned before that he holds his hands together when we pray before dinner. Well, this past week, he has started doing it even before Tim and I sit at the table. And at lunch too. He just holds his sweet little hands together - to remind us I think. And he smiles really big while we pray. And usually claps at the end of the prayer.

Connell turned 17 months old today. I know this sounds cliche, but it really feels like just yesterday we had brought him home from the hospital and had not the first clue what to do with him. And just as everyone tells us, each 'phase' is just as fun as the previous. It just keeps getting better and better. Don't misunderstand...he is getting to be more and more challenging, but all in all, he's such a sweet boy. God truly blessed us when he gave us Connell!

That being said, here are random pics to go with my random post!

Connell playing with the train at Barnes and Noble.

Warmin' up for "Trick or Treat"

"Just like Daddy"

That's what we had to tell Connell to get him to wear his hat to a soccer game on Thursday. Be "just like Daddy" and wear your hat to keep the sun out of your eyes. It worked. He wore it longer than he ever has (1 minute) before! Our neighbor Lauren plays on the varsity soccer team (she's only a freshman) and we went to watch her game. Connell was clapping and cheering them on! Maybe Connell can play soccer one day...

One more picture to add...

Just got this one from my Dad...wanted to share!