Kate Update

Since I've done a baby boy update, I thought I would update on my 3 year old.  Ironicly she's actually three years old, three weeks, and three days old today.  Kate had her 3 year check up last week and she was so good.  We had a very long wait, lots of sick kids :-( there to see the doctor, but Kate was very patient and good in the waiting room.  She did great with the nurse, named every picture put in front of her, did great on her eye test, and didn't start crying with the doctor until he was getting her shots ready.  Even then, she was very obedient, just holding my hands, staying still, looking at me with big crocodile tears rolling down her face (almost broke my heart), but she was a big, big toughie!  For those of you who like to know this kind of stuff-she is 37 inches tall and weighs 30 pounds, 50% in both height and weight.  In other words, just perfect!  Kate was excited to get TWO stickers from the doctor and then a strawberry milkshake from Chick-fil-a, while her mom had to have a chocolate one.  She is very excited about being a big sister, but is now starting to ask for a little sister...uh oh

Sibling Class

Kate, Grandma, and I went to a sibling class at the hospital.  Kate got to "practice" holding and swaddling a baby, see the hospital nursery, and a room like Mommy will be staying in.  Kate also made a craft for her brother.  Here she is listening very carefully to the teacher.  She was so cute.

Kate's Birthday Breakfast

Kate started her birthday off with a couple of presents in bed and then a special breakfast. Here she is blowing out her candle on her birthday pancakes. We have video of this, but I'll spare you of having to listen to Mommy and Daddy's fantastic singing!

Kate's Jumpin Beans Birthday

Kate had a wonderful time at her birthday party. We held it at an inflatable playground (huge bounce house). I'm not sure who had more fun, the kids or the Dads, Moms, and Grandparents jumping around with the kids. Thanks for coming everyone! Here is a video of our Jumping Bean-notice she is also talking the whole time. 

Here is a video of Kate blowing out her candles. Listen carefully at the end, Kate says "Yea! I finally did it!" I think she had been waiting all day for that moment.

Present Time!

Cute Video of Kate Sliding in the Snow

Aunt Jennifer's Birthday

We had a weekend full of birthday celebrations a couple of weeks ago.  Because of the snow, we celebrated Jennifer's birthday on Saturday and Kate's on Sunday.  Lots of cake for everyone :-)

Jenkins Family

Costa Family

Grandma and her girls

Holiday Recap

Since the holiday updates got a away from me this year, we're going to have a recap here (probably more for my benefit).  Hope you don't mind!  Between the holidays, visiting with family, mini-vacations, national board writing, ending 1st semester, starting the 2nd, raising a two, now three, year old, and growing a baby-time seems to be just flying by!  So here is a litany of pictures cataloging our adventures and fun times over the holidays.  Enjoy...

New York, New York

We spent Thanksgiving in New York with Jeff's grandmother and Aunt Gina.  Kate was in heaven being spoiled by Nonnie and Gigi.  We had a wonderful time shopping, seeing the Macy's Parade, going to the botanical gardens, and visiting with family.  Kate loved seeing the ice skaters at Rockeffeller Center.  We will definitely be back so she can skate.  Jeff and I went to see Wicked on Broadway.  It was awesome-probably the best I've seen.  We were also able to catch the Duke/UConn game at Madison Square Garden-Jeff loved that.  Thanks for the wonderful time and great Thanksgiving dinner Gigi and Nonnie.

Checking out the babies at FAO Schwarz, with her new puppy in hand.  This scene will be repeated in a couple of weeks with real babies and without a new puppy!

Rockin' the Piano

Parade time!

There goes Dora!

Thanksgiving with Gigi

To Nonnie's park we go!

Come on Nonnie, I'll help you!

Christmas Time

We had a wonderful time celebrating Jesus' Birthday-four times!  We had an early Christmas when Uncle David and Aunt Meghan visited before Christmas, then celebrated Christmas Eve at the Matthews' Homeplace, enjoyed Christmas morning at our home, and then Christmas dinner at Nana and Papa Tom's house.   There was lots of love everywhere.

One of Kate's favorite gifts-

Christmas morning-

Helping wash dishes-

New Year's Cookies-

The Nutcracker

One of the highlights of Kate's Christmas was going to her first viewing of the Nutcracker with her Nana.  She loved it.  Here they are, all ready to go.

They're on their way!

Happy to be in her seat.

Snow Days!

We've had our fill of snow for the year.  Jeff and I have been off a total of 4 days for snow and there is nothing better than an unexpected snow day.  We always have great family time making memories during snow days, but we're ready for some beautiful spring weather like we've had this weekend.

Sledding was a big hit with everyone!

Happy 3rd Birthday to our Sweet Kate!

It's Kate's birthday today.  For Jeff and I, it was the most amazing day and a miracle happening right in front of us.  We feel so humbled in the presence of God's goodness to have this little princess as a part of our family.  Happy Birthday to our sweet girl.  We can't believe you are already turning three.  You bring so much joy to everyone and we are blessed to have you as our daughter.  We pray that you continue to grow, learn, and play with carefree innocence and that this is the best year yet!

Here are a few snow pictures from a trip to the mountains over Christmas break.  Hopefully, I'll post more pics soon!

Baby Boy Update-32 weeks down, 7 to go!

The big news is we set the date for the c-section.  March 10th will be this little guy's birthday, unless he decides he wants to be early.  There is lots to do, but the Costa household is pretty excited.  I'm not sure how much longer Kate can wait!

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gaining a steady one to two pounds every two weeks (this is following the same pattern as Kate)
Maternity clothes? yes
Stretch marks? not from this baby
Sleep? Not great, but so thankful for my body pillow.  Jeff gets less and less room in the bed every week.
Best moment this week: Setting the date for the c-section.
Movement: Yes-lots and lots
Food cravings: None this week-just recovered from a pretty nasty stomach virus.  The IV of fluid the doctor pumped into me on Thursday was pretty good!
Gender: boy
Name: We've almost reached a decision-Kate has accepted that it will not be Wyatt.
Belly button in or out? almost flat
What I miss: being able to easily bend over and walking up the stairs without getting out of breath
Weekly wisdom: Maternity massages are awesome!
Milestones: Started getting the nursery set up.  Jeff and I also went on a nice weekend getaway and had a wonderfully relaxing time.
What Kate is saying this week: Mommy, your belly is huge!  (Thanks sweetheart!)