Lilly Watch and General Updates

Many apologies for the delay in posts recently. I guess we haven't done anything blog-worthy lately or at least nothing extensive enough to devote a post to. We've been waiting for the next big post -- the Welcome Baby Lilly post! Our first niece (on Mindy's side) will arrive no later than Monday, and we sure hope she decides to come a little early so we can ooh and ahh over her this weekend. (Otherwise we won't meet her til next weekend!) She's been on top of our minds these last few days... waiting.... waiting... especially after hearing the news last week of gorgeous baby girls born to beautiful Mommies -- Congratulations K&F and A&B, and welcome Maisy and Ella!

Last week Gramma (Mom) arrived early for the big moment, so we drove down to Lexington to spend the weekend visiting with her and celebrating Josh's birthday (Happy Birthday, again!). Michael took the guys out to his Dad's land for some horseback riding and general manliness. The autumn weather is slowly encroaching and we have enjoyed some perfect Indian summer days lately. With the feel of Fall in the air and the return of football season, Mindy has wanted to make chili and start decorating for the season, something that seemed silly to do in FL when it was 85 degrees outside. She has a couple craft projects underway and it won't be long until she pulls out the pumpkins and cornucopias as the leaves are just barely beginning to turn. We are looking forward to learning more about our area by way of local festivals and events. We hear of a great pumpkin patch/farm not far from here, and this weekend we may visit an apple festival in a neighboring town (that is, unless Lilly arrives, though it she's a true Elder girl she will be late.)

And since I can't possibly post without updating you on Adam, I'll fill you in on his latest and greatest. Adam has been wonderful at daycare. We are so relieved at how quickly he adjusted and transitioned to his new school. Every day now he walks in on his own and goes right to the divider/door and peeks over, ready to join his little friends. (Mindy gets a lot more done at work without feeling like she needs to check on him all day long, too!) One of his teachers said he has to stay in her class until he's 12. (Great compliment!) He did bring home his first head cold which he lovingly shared with Mommy. I'm sure it won't be the first of the season. Pick-up time is still the highlight of our days when he breaks into a huge grin and runs over to the greet you. You lift him up and immediately he turns around and says "Bye Bye" to his classmates. And then all the way home (the whole 5 minute drive) he's asking for milk or a banana. He's been eating great and chatting up a storm. Oh, we adore him at this age! Lately he's been fake crying when he falls down now, which is something we assume he picked up from other kids at daycare. He sees one of them (or cousin Jake) fall down and cry so sometimes he'll lay down, too, and "cry" beside them because, apparently, that's the reaction you're supposed to have when you trip or someone takes a toy from you. It's pretty funny to watch him carefully sit on the ground, then gently lay himself back, getting all in position, before "crying." He is also quite aware of things he's not supposed to do because as he does them he says, "No." The other day Mindy was in the other room, heard him say "No", and quickly knew to check on him, only to find him sitting on the kitchen table. He knows he's not supposed to be on the table, or play with the tv cables, or pull out the air vent from the floor in the living room. (Or, rather, maybe he only knows we say No to these things.)

So until further word from Kimber (3 cm dilated with minor contractions), we'll be waiting this weekend here in Ohio -- but with our own "hospital bag" packed and ready to go as soon as we get the call!