My baby girl is growing up!

As hard as it is to believe, my baby girl really isn't a baby anymore!  Tomorrow is Camryn 6th birthday!  Which means I'll be celebrating my 6th year of being a Mommy.  What a joy it has been to watch Camryn grow from a precious newborn to a beautiful and very intelligent little lady.  This fall she will begin first grade...where in the world does the time go?

We celebrated Cam's birthday a little early with lots of her friends from school and the neighborhood.  We decided to keep things super easy and inexpensive so we brought out our inflatable waterslide and set up an ice cream sundae bar.  Summer birthdays rock!  It was a beautiful day to celebrate the birth of our little princess!

The waterslide is always a hit!

We all scream for ice cream!

I actually got all of them to look at the camera at the same time!  Just call me a miracle worker :)

Camryn and Kelsey



Camryn posing with Kaylee and Kami



Cam and Aubrey

Camryn and Emily-doesn't get much cuter than this!!

Cam's best buddy Emily who used to live just across the street made the trip down for her party!

woo hoo!

What a fun afternoon!  It does a momma's heart good to know that her daughter is surrounded by the sweetest friends.  Happy Birthday to my little Cam Cam!

An exciting announcement!

Last Monday was supposed to be our 20 week baby check up but ended up being our 23 week check up due to vacation and waiting on insurance changes.  I had been anxiously awaiting this appointment because it's the big ultrasound where the baby is checked from head to toe to make sure all parts are growing as they should.  This is also the ultrasound where we knew we'd be able to find out the sex of the baby.  All along I was firm in my decision to let this one be a surprise.  But Jacob wanted nothing to do with that!  Finally, the night before the appointment I had trouble sleeping and thought about it a lot during the night.  I decided I really wanted to know now because the actual birth of the baby will be plenty of excitement for one day.  Our little one was a wiggle worm throughout the ultrasound process but after some trying the technician was able to identify and label of the important parts.  It looks like we are going to have another happy and healthy baby....praise God!

We were also thrilled to find out that we are expecting another baby girl!!!  That is exactly what Jacob and I were both hoping for.  I have been around baby boys for several years now with Dawson and the little ones I watched in my home.  I felt I needed a little more pink in my life ;)  We had already decided on the name if the baby was a girl, so allow me to introduce you to our newest addition, Lillian "Lily" Grace Favaro.

I know the picture quality isn't the best but I think she looks absolutely perfect!  I know she's going to melt my heart just like her big brother and sister do!  16 more weeks until we see that sweet face :)

Myrtle Beach 2011

If anyone out there was wondering, yes I'm still alive.  Just the world's laziest blogger ever!  I promise that this is last time you will go months without hearing from me.  There are just too many exciting things to come in the next few months and I want to be sure to remember them all!

Our little family just returned from a fun-filled week in Myrtle Beach.  It was the perfect mix of sun, fun, relaxation, and quality time with my three favorite people.  I stopped many times throughout the week and thought about how easy it is traveling with a 5 and 3 year old.  Their schedules are super flexible now and it was so nice to just go with the flow.  However, seeing other families with their sweet little babies made me realize just how much I'm ready to take on the challenge of a newborn again.  Our little one was kicking up a storm while we were vacationing.  I think he/she was having a blast too :)  Just 19 shorts weeks until I officially become a mom of 3!!!!

I didn't take a million pictures this trip, but the ones I did take turned out fabulously.  My kids are little fish and I am so glad that they love the water so much!  Camryn has become quite the swimmer and Dawson loves doing his own thing with his floaties on.  Those kids would live in the pool if it was possible!  The beach was our second favorite hang out.  The kids are comfortable with the ocean up to about their knees.  They love running in and out of the water as the pictures will show.  Such a fun trip and the best part is we get to hit the road all over again in August! 



Dawson LOVES putt putt!  There is a 9 hole course right on the property of our resort that we visited often.

                          

One of my all time favorite pics of this little angel!



Trying to catch up to Daddy.



Digging in the sand could keep this boy entertained for hours!



Always styling and profiling!



Little fishies

 

Build-a-Bear Fun!

 

21 weeks and counting!!



Camryn and Emily reunited at last!



  

An exciting announcement!!!!

Does anyone notice anything different around here?  Check out the new and improved blog header....can you guess what that means?!?  That's right, we're having a baby!!!  I am thrilled to announce that the newest little addition to our happy family is due to arrive at the end of November.  I know many people choose to wait a bit longer to make such news public but I've never been good at keeping secrets.  Hey, I've known for a whole week (give me some credit)!  Plus, I feel like my belly is going to start giving it away before long.  I'm already starting to notice some subtle changes and I'm sure I'll be showing in no time.  It may have something to do with the fact that I've already carried 2 sweet babes and didn't exactly lose all of that evidence, if you know what I mean!



So here's the proof.  We made this discovery on March 23rd!

We are truly blessed!  I always knew I had more love to give and the fact that God has blessed us with a third miracle is amazing.  The fact that it happened just in time is also miraculous.  This was our last month of officially trying before having to take a hiatus.  There is no way we wanted a baby to be born into the craziness of tax season!  Luckily, he or she will arrive in plenty of time for things to settle down before Daddy has to work all of those long hours.

So far, I'm feeling remarkably well.  I've had a few nauseous spells but nothing that has slowed me down.  I'm tired, but not sure that is a new symptom.  Pregnant, or not, I always feel sleepy!  Camryn is very excited about the prospect of a new brother or sister.  Dawson just doesn't get it yet, but soon enough he will.  I know they are going to be such big helpers!

In other news, Camryn had a big night this past Friday when her favorite friend Emily came to play!  Emily used to live across the street but moved away last summer.  They had the best time!



There is nothing sweeter than the sound of two giggling girls!



And this little buddy has been keeping busy looking precious.  He has become quite the computer whiz and will spend entirely too much time on the playhouse disney website!





And how about those Rams?!?  VCU is headed to the Final Four and we are going with them!  Jacob and I leave for Houston early Saturday morning.  Gotta be spontaneous while we still can, right?  Can't wait to getaway and the fact that it's going to be in the 80's while we're there isn't helping me be very patient.  I hope they pull off another victory!

An afternoon at Maymont

Well February has come and gone and I have clearly been slacking in my blogging resolution!  Life is such a blur this time of year.  Jacob is gone so much of the time working hard and I stay very busy keeping up with the kids.  We are all looking forward to the end of tax season, especially this year, because we have an extra special treat awaiting us come April 15th.  We are heading to Orlando for Spring Break!!  I cannot wait to get away and spend some much needed family time with my loves. 

This past Sunday we did get out and enjoy a most beautiful day at Maymont.  We went with some of our favorite neighbors and their children.  First we fueled up with some Krispy Kreme doughnuts because we knew we had a lot of walking ahead of us!  Our neighbors, Karen and Patrick, had never had a warm KK doughnut ever!!  Can you believe it?  They should be ashamed of themselves ;)  Unfortunately, the "Hot Doughnuts Now" sign wasn't lit when we pulled up.  The doughnuts were still delicious nonetheless.

Jacob met us at Maymont and we had the best time.  Thankfully, I remembered my camera and got some great shots!

  

We started off at the Children's farm.  The kids loved being so close to the animals!



Camryn posing with one fat and happy goat!



My little buddy enjoying the experience.  Love a boy in a baseball hat!



Then it was time for some mountain climbing.  The kids had fun climbing to the top!



Climbing hills just wasn't enough.  The kids had to try out some tree climbing too.  Maymont has the most magnificent tree that is perfect for climbing!



Camryn isn't much of a dare devil but she did give it a try. 


 

Jacob is definetly part monkey!  He was loving this tree.



Dawson and Ethan.  My child is never going to be as big as Ethan, right?  I'll just keep on with my wishful thinking :)



Sweet Jordan and her most excellent Mommy Karen in the background! 



Greyson...quite possibly the funniest kid I've ever met!!



Spending the day with great friends put a smile on our faces!



What a perfect end to the weekend!  We can't wait to go back very soon on another beautiful Spring day!

And just because these pictures are cute I will share them.  Jacob recently installed surround sound speakers in our living room and the kids thought climbing the ladder was hilarious.

Thankfully no injuries were sustained in the taking of these pictures :)  I love how kids are amused by

the simpliest things!

We love Wintergreen!

This past Sunday we planned a day of snow tubing at Wintergreen without the kids so we could enjoy flying down The Plunge!  It was such a fun day!  The weather was perfection and the company was the best!


Here's an aerial view of The Plunge.  Yes, it was as fast as it looks!!




Morgan and Rachel




Brandon and Katie

 

Trae and Emily


 

Looking beautiful all bundled up!



Jacob and me getting ready to ride down together.




The Plunge was just not enough excitement for these two.  They needed the thrill of the Zip Line before we left!




Brothers doing what boys do.  Getting ready for a breezy ride down the mountain!



WEEEEEEEE!!!

What a fabulous way to end the weekend!  We are looking forward to more adventures with these guys.  I can't wait until the kids are old enough to enjoy The Plunge with us!