Memorial Day

Here are a few pics I took on Memorial Day. Middleville had a parade that went right past our house. This was the first year we were in town for it; last year we were on our way to South Carolina and the year before that we were in Missouri.

Meijer Gardens

Yesterday Jim, Lena, and I went to the Frederik Meijer Gardens in Grand Rapids. Admission was free, sponsored by an area-wide playgroup program that I take Lena to sometimes. We went last year and Lena loved it so we were excited to go again this year. And the weather could not have been more perfect. Here are a few pics.

The biggest piece of rock candy I have ever seen.

In the "Kids Sense" garden. Lena giving the hand five.

The mouth.

Picking the nose.

Playing music that could be heard through the large ear on the other side.

Every kid's favorite part: the replica of the Great Lakes. I don't think a single kid walked out of there with their shirt dry.

Waving from the tree house.

Coming down the stairs.

The elusive second when she is actually looking at the camera.

Action shot. She did lots and lots of running around. That's probably why she slept better last night than she had in a week!

Riding on Daddy's shoulders.

Lena and Mommy.

Giving her baby sister a kiss.

My shadow. :)

We had a great time and were really glad we got to go. Walking that much was a lot harder on me this time than it was last year. Even though I have completed six weeks of physical therapy for my hip, walking is quite strenuous for me. On Monday, my doctor estimated that if I make it to June 3rd (which she thinks I will), this baby will weigh between 8½ and 9 pounds. I am definitely larger than I was at this point in my pregnancy with Lena.

So with only 2 weeks left (yay!) we are pretty much ready for Baby. We have hospital bags packed, the car seat installed in the car, and bassinet ready for when we come home. We are so looking forward to meeting this little girl!

Lena's Big Girl Bed

Last night was Lena's first night in her big girl bed. A couple of weeks ago we switched bedrooms upstairs so that Lena and the baby can share the larger room. We painted both rooms and ordered Lena a toddler bed. We got it yesterday and put it together. She was so excited.

New bed with lady bug sheets and comforter.

When we brought her up to see it, she climbed right in and tried to get under the covers.

She wanted to go "night night" in it right away! (She was overdue for a nap that day.)

She loves her new bed!

The first night went really well. She didn't wake anymore than she usually does. My biggest worry was that she would get into things in her room when she woke up in the morning. When we heard her stirring this morning, Jim went in there to find her running around in circles instead. We think she was just so excited about being able to get out of bed by herself. I'm sure there will be times when we walk in to find diapers strewn about the room and bookshelves cleared of books, but I guess that comes with the territory. And it will provide lots of opportunities for lessons on cleaning up!

Even though the baby will sleep in a bassinet in our room for a while after she is born, it's nice to know that the crib is now available whenever she is ready.

Here is a pic of Lena and me on Mother's Day. We had a nice day. After church we went out to lunch and then came home and took a nice long nap (exactly what I wanted!).

Only 19 more days until Baby arrives! We are super excited and totally ready!