March Pics

As we draw near to the arrival of our sweet girl (3 days to due date, but whose counting?), I want to do one final pre-Karis post.  March has been a lot of fun so far!  It has been filled with playdates, zoo trips, family time, birthday party fun, and lots and lots of fireman play.  Here are some pictures of what we have been up to as we await the arrival of the newest member of our family.

Counting down the days to Karis's arrival, literally

Eli telling me we ought to glue it to the wall.  I taped it, which Ethan told me was also not a good idea, so for the past month it has been floating around our house and currently resides on the dining room table

Eli helped me decorate the poster and mark off the days

Ethan and I have noticed how much Eli is changing in his "play" lately.  He is able to sit and play by himself for longer periods of time and his imagination is constantly growing.

Eli loves playing with his new little train set that was one of his early bday presents

We did a practice cake for his party before the big event.  Eli helped me by sampling the frosting...

Fireman toys...what could be better!  Eli took no notice that these were the cheapest toys ever created (from China straight to Walmart for $10) and loved that there were fireman and firetrucks. :)

Driving the firetruck at Toys R Us

Playing with his fire truck puzzle from our friends Keller and Chione...Eli loves this!

Daddy and Eli, sitting on the basketball goal like a firetruck...are you starting to see a theme here? :)

Cookie Date with Mommy...1 cookie as large as your face, yes please! :)

Precious one on one moments with my little man before #2 arrives

 

Playtime with his best buddy Jovie.  You can click on the collage to make it larger.  Notice his astronaut costume in the pictures of them blowing bubbles.

Donuts with Mamie!

A visit from Mamie and Pops and a special trip to the Gaylord

Daddy and Eli watching the train in amazement

Miniature Train and Village

Eli, Daddy, and Mommy (+1)

The Cislaghi Men

Me and My little Love

Eli and I took a trip to the Zoo with our friends.  Here we're standing in front of the giraffes

Lunch break.  Eli, Jovie, Aryn, and baby Dallas taking a break.

The Lions

Eli roaring at the lions

The lions' reaction

"Eli, I think we scared them!"

This is Eli's smile face. :)  Self portrait in front of the lions.

Eli and Jovie checking out the birds.  It was an absolutely gorgeous day and we had so much fun seeing all of the different animals!

Holding hands with the kangeroo

...and a quick hug

Just being silly

Saying hello to the penguins

Eli and Jovie walking around like penguins :)

Giant sleeping alligator

Putting a lot of trust in an inch of glass

Yummm, time to stop for some ice cream!

Aryn and Jovie

Delish!

Chocolate ice cream out of a cone is Eli's fav...just look at that happy (messy) face!

Time for a ride on the train

"Um, I'm not sure about this train, Mom...are you sure it'll be okay?"

Train ride was a success as was the trip to the zoo!

 

 

Went to visit the firestation for a friend's birthday party

Daddy and Eli sitting in the digger outside of the firestation

Cool!

 

Date night for Ethan and I before baby Karis arrives.  Our neighbors were so sweet to watch Eli while we went out for pizza and ice cream in Dallas.  It was a great time!

Daddy getting some sweet sleepy cuddle time with his big boy.



Hmm, any guesses as to what we are playing here?

Notice all of his friends in the firetruck with their hats and firegear on.  The baseball caps were out mock "masks" for the day.

 

 

Playtime at Paradise pond with all of the firetrucks he can find

 

Opening his new fire helmet from Mommy and Daddy for his birthday

 

It is seldom that this hat comes off of his head nowadays

Little naked boy "swimming" in the pool filled with balloons 

Clothes~optional
Boots, helmet, and firegear~necessity

Plate steering wheel

Driving the fire engine with Nana

...and Boomerang

Making Eli's Fire Engine Cake

Extremely preggo...no, there are no balloons stuffed under my shirt

Loooots of red icing

My little helper

"Mmm, this icing is still good Mommy"

 

Teddy Grams driving the fire truck...aka, Fireman Sam and Firewoman

The finished product

Party set up

Firewall and fireman obstacle course in he backyard

Nanny helping us get set up...it was a gorgeous day!

Waiting for friends to arrive

 

Birthday party fun!

Pinata time!

Big hitter...

She's not as sweet as she looks, folks, don't let that bow fool you ;)

Boom!

 

More pinata pics

A little sad that the pinata bust open, but quickly appeased by fruit snacks and cheese crackers that came pouring out

Presents

A Richard Coben tradition lives on

 

Fun with cousins after the rest of his friends left

Driving with Daddy

Ahh, a whole wall of "fire extinguishers" at Home Depot

 

The rest of these pics are from yesterday.  For our last Saturday as a family of three, we made it a point to do some fun things that we wouldn't be able to do as easily for a while.  We started off the morning at Bigby's, a nearby coffee shop.  Then, we took a walk down memory lane and played tourist as we went to see the horses of Las Colinas, right down the street from where Ethan and I had our first apartment.  Next we went by the firestation and then to get hamburgers and sweet potato fries for lunch.  After a little rest time back home, we took a walk to the park where we again played "fireman" and slid down the pole.  It was pretty chilly out, so we wrapped up the day by coming home for a little hot chocolate in front of a nice warm fire.  It was a special day, and while we cannot wait for the arrival of our precious little girl, we are so thankful for these special memories with our treasured little man.  We are so blessed by this family the Lord has given us and truly give thanks to God for the special time together!