cutie pies

Can you believe THIS kid

is now THIS kid? 

Carter found the Santa suit in the "for sale" box and just had to try it on.  It doesn't quite fit the same 3 years later, but  he's still a cutie pie!

Little Ryan is starting to get into dress up.  She loves hats and helmets.  She thought she was super cute wearing her princess towel that has a hood on it.  I thought she was super cute too!

18 Months

Little Miss Ryan will be 18 months old tomorrow.  Hard to believe!

She is such a little toddler now.  Ryan loves to play with the Carter and any older kids and she does her best to keep up with them.  She is a tough cookie, too!  If this girl falls or gets knocked down, she is right back up without so much as a peep.  She loves to play on the swing set and swim.  She always wants to play with basketballs, baseballs and bats.  She loves to go for walks in the wagon too.  Her new obsession is the show Bubble Guppies on Nick Jr.  She will say bubble nonstop until you put it on.  Ryan loves to sing.  Her favorites are wheels on the bus, itsy bitsy spider and little bunny foo foo.  She is a girl who loves her lotion.  I can already imagine the stock piles of Bath and Body Works lotions she will have in her room when she older!  She is just starting to get into the dress up phase.  She likes to wear hats and helmets and strut around for everyone to see.  Ryan is going through some separation anxiety that's both tough for her and mom.  She starts school next month so it will be interesting to see how well she can adjust.  Also, as and FYI, I was holding an 8 week old baby yesterday and Ryan did NOT like that.  Bringing Baby #3 home in a couple of months might be a huge adjustment for her.  We're crossing our fingers that her transition to big sister goes smoothly.  Happy 18 months, Ryan Michele.  You brighten up our lives, little girl!

Summer Vacation Road Trip

The Meeks hit the road last week.  The hot weather was insane, but we still managed to have lots of fun.  First stop was Holiday World and a quick trip to Grandma and Grandpa Meek's house in Evansville.  The kids loved the rides at the park.  Carter is a huge fan of roller coasters and Ryan loves water slides (the bigger the better for her!). 

Next stop was a two night camping trip in the Great Smoky Mountains National Park outside of Gatlinburg, TN.  Carter loved looking for bears (which we never saw, thank goodness!), eating smores, putting logs on the camp fire, being in charge of the flashlights and hiking.  During the hikes he had so much fun looking for the trail markers and counting the numbers listed on them.  Ryan loved picking up rocks, eating gravel and chasing Carter and her older cousin, Grayson, around at the campsite.

We took some time out from camping to check out Pigeon Forge (where Carter and Kyle rode go-carts) and spent some time in Gatlinburg.

Final stop on the road trip was Athens, GA for cousin Barry's wedding.  By this point you could tell the kids were getting tired, but it didn't stop them from dancing like crazy at the wedding reception.

Other notable dancing of the evening came from Daddy and Uncle Kevin in the "Meek Brothers Dance Off" against Cousins Barry and Drew.  If I only had pictures or video of that!  It can be summed up by one word....Epic!  Be sure to ask Kyle all about it next time you see him!  Classic 90's dancing done in the worst way!!

Touch a truck day

So what do you do on Touch a Truck Day?  You touch trucks, climb on trucks, pretend to steer trucks and honk the horns of course.  Carter loved it.  The fire truck was his favorite.  He made sure we got back in line multiple times.  He was star struck with the firemen and the police men.  Ryan was a good sport.  It was a hot day and past her nap time.  She didn't "touch any trucks" but she enjoyed being out in the crowd.

20 Weeks and it's a girl!!

We've hit the halfway mark, ladies and gentlemen!  I just looked back at my 20 week pictures with Carter and Ryan.  I had a sweet little baby bump with my first pregnancy.  The second pregnancy was definitely a full preggo belly.  Now with the third, well, lets just say the woman at Lowes today thought I was going to be giving birth at anytime.  She was floored then I told her I had until Thanksgiving!  I'll be sure to post a belly shot soon. 

We had an ultrasound over a week ago and it's another GIRL!  We would have been happy either way, but it's sweet to think Carter will have 2 little sisters to look after and Ryan will have someone to play house and barbies with.  Also, Ryan was such an easygoing baby.  We're crossing our fingers that it's a "girl trait" and we'll have another easy baby.  Ask me again what I think about have 2 girls close in age when we have two girls in high school!  My excitement might not be the same!

I'm feeling well.  I'm over the morning sickness, but that doesn't stop me from taking a nap nearly every afternoon.  My arthritis is acting up but it's more of an annoyance rather then an issue.  For being 20 weeks pregnant with 2 small kids, I think I'm doing well.  I have to admit, I'll be glad when my pregnancy days are officially over.  It's been a long 4 years!

I hope everyone had a great 4th.  We were at the lake and had a wonderful time.  It was a great way to say goodbye to the cottage. (parents are selling it a the end of the month).  Here are some highlights.

Carter's First Fish

Swimming in the swim spa

Dad and son wave runner ride

 and tubing

 4th of July fireworks

Ryan's 1st Hair Cut

Ryan's hair has been growing alot lately. Her bangs are in her eyes most of the time and will probably be that way until they fully grow out or until she learns to love wearing hair bows.  The back of her hair has become a curly "mullet" that has gotten out of control.  Today we decided it was time for Ryan's first hair cut.  Something to simply take the length up in the back and give it a little more shape.

Ryan did a wonderful job for a first cut.  She cried, of course, but not hard and she sat really still on Mommy's lap.  She was even willing to let the stylist braid her bangs!  Ryan loved getting a sucker as a "reward" at the end.  Here are some pics to enjoy!

love it when he says....

Carter is such a talker.  3 year old kids are just so darn cute!  I love it when he says...

Em-o-wee for our 6 year old neighbor, Emily

O-tay for ok

Pink yemonade for pink lemonade

Clothes hang-a-per for clothes hamper

The list could go on and on.  Of course I can't think of anymore now.  Blame it on the pregnancy brain!