The Most Beautiful Place in Pennsylvania

I have been itching for a little road trip. 

Before Brian and I had the girls, one of our favorite things to do on a Sunday after church was drive.  We'd just go.  Where ever the wind took us.  There are a lot of beautiful drives around here.  We could be gone for hours, dreaming about where we would one day end up. 

My favorite place of all takes me back to my childhood.  My dad used to take my sister and I here.  Who knew that all these years later it would become so dear to me.

It was almost the perfect day.  The girls slept over their nana's house the night before, going to bed late and waking up early.  You'd think they'd sleep in the car when they are that tired....but since they didn't you can only imagine how the drive actually went!

Changing

There's so much change happening.

And I'm not just talking about our little family that will soon go from four to five.

The girls are just so rapidly growing and blossoming into their own beautiful selves.

Jane's been picking up what I want to call "teenage sarcasm" or so it seems to me!  She says things like, "Ugh!  You're killing me."  And she's also suddenly very aware of my use of calling people "jerks" in the Walmart parking lot.  If we use a word she doesn't know, she asks us what it means and isn't satisfied with our answer until she fully understands.  She loves pretending and taking on a new identity.  Her dolls are taking on new roles as well.  Cinderella is a wife and Prince Eric a husband.  And they have babies!  And so does she!  At my doctor's office she walks around with a doll baby up her shirt, telling everyone she's having a baby! 

Molly's favorite things to say are "Why?" and "What's that for?"  Very inquisitive, that little one.  She walks around the house all day in plastic princess heeled shoes.  She goes down stairs without holding on anymore, which is about to give me a heart attack.  She knows most of her colors.  She looks up to Jane so much, copying what she does and says.  And the best, she tells us "I wuv you."

Jane is very aware that we are about to have a baby.  She's excited and wants to be a helper.  I'm not too sure how long the enthusiasm will last after the baby is here.  She's just not all that into babies!  Molly, I think, is confused.  She knows her brother's name and knows all about what belongs to him around the house, but when her cousin Jack comes to visit, sometimes she calls him her brother's name!  I am certain that Molly is going to have the hardest time adjusting to the change around here, which makes me sad, because she is still a baby herself really.  Change is hard for everyone, especially when you are two and impulsive and want what you want when you want it! 

Lately

Pictures done by Pickles Packle Photography

Life's been full lately.  Fall is here, and fall always comes on hard with a packed calendar, fun weekend activities, and beautiful weather.  It comes and goes faster than any season.  And then before any of us are ready, winter has crept it's way in. 

The girls are settled into their school routine.  I'm really happy with Jane's teacher this year.  She's really on the ball and has a great curriculum.  I've been worried about Jane because she doesn't hold pencils correctly, and I've had a terrible time trying to show her.  I mentioned it to her teacher, who to my surprise, told me she had already noticed it and would keep me updated.  I have a terrible fear of this holding her back from doing well next year in kindergarten, but I have hope that her teacher this year will help her.  Molly is loving school, as I knew she would.  On Fridays Jane is the only one who goes to school and Molly cries and cries and it just breaks my heart.  At naptime, on the days she does go, she talks and talks about her time at school.  I swear, she tells me more about her day than Jane does!  Anyway, it feels good that they both are enjoying school.  I've been enjoying my time at home while they are away.  It's amazing how much I can get done in an hour and a half with no interruptions. 

Most of life, though, feels like we're busy prepping for baby.  I can't even believe that in two to three weeks we will be cuddling a tiny newborn.  I can't wait to meet this new little being.  Brian and I talk about who he will look more like- Jane or Molly.  We talk about his personality, temperament, his likes and dislikes- all unknown to us now but soon to be revealed.  Most of the baby gear is ready, cleaned and set up.  We've been talking a lot about the baby with the girls.  It helps that they have a baby cousin to relate what having a baby will be like.  But even more so, Brian and I have just been preparing mentally for a big change.  Sometimes life is so crazy with just the girls, it seems hard to imagine what life will be like with another child.  And sometimes, I swear, I'm in denial that this is all happening in just a few short weeks!  But mostly I'm just excited.  It's like this baby is the last puzzle piece to this family, and we are just waiting to finish putting it together. 

So now we wait...

Around here...

My absence around here frustrates me.  There's things I want to post but literally just have had little free time, and when I do have time, this computer frustrates me!  I swear there is something not right about this new computer.  I know I'm slow at learning it's new operating system, but I'm constantly running the virus protection, or downloading new virus protection, and repeatedly trying to upload pictures with no success.  I swear, I will never let Brian order another computer from Amazon!

Besides this computer, Molly's sleep, or lack there of, is just eating up my time.  Since we've moved her into her bed, sleeping has not come easy to her.  I end up sitting next to her bed for nearly an hour, sometimes MORE!  If I leave, she gets out of bed.  But I have a new plan to try out tonight.  Fingers crossed this gets better!  My only other thought is giving up nap- but I am NOT ready for that!!  And frankly, I don't really think she is either.

Brian's been back to work for a week now.  The girls and I quickly got back into our routine and it feels good.  The girls head to preschool in a week.  I've been having fun doing some fall and winter shopping for Jane.  I've recently discovered instagram shops and am totally hooked.  Shopping online is so much easier than going to the mall with the kids.  Poor Molly.  Other than some shoes, she is the little hand-me-down girl.  But buying things for her feels like a total waste of money, at least while she's so little. 

Our mornings have been mostly spent with friends.  Everyone seems to be in a lull between their summer vacationing and school starting so it's been great seeing everyone.  I love how easy it is to spend two hours at the park now.  Jane is awesome at meeting new friends, too.  And this morning, a stranger told me Jane had the most wonderful manners, which made me one proud mama. 

Jane's going to try out ballet this year.  She's all signed up to start next week.  She has the leotard, stockings, and slippers ready to go.  She's so dainty, I feel like this could be a good thing for her.

Labor Day came and went mostly uneventful.  I love creating little traditions for holidays.  Last year I think Jane and I had a campout in the backyard.  This weekend was really warm and very humid, so we decided that daddy and Jane would have one next weekend instead.  We did roast marshmallows though! 

I had some photos that I wanted to post but wouldn't upload, so I'll leave you with these from the previous weekend at my dad's house. 

And HERE are the pictures of our beautiful new laundry and powder rooms.  All meticulously constructed by Brian- including the cubbies and bench!