Wishin' and Hopin'...

My level 2 ultrasound is scheduled for Monday, March 1st, just two weeks away. It hardly seems possible that we're already almost 5 months through this pregnancy!

We're so anxious to learn the babies gender, but more importantly to get our first indication that everything is going well and the baby is healthy. We have never done any of the pre-natal screenings offered by the OB's office, primarily because it wouldn't change our decision on having this or any of our babies, and we just want to enjoy the pregnancy. But this time around, with me being 40, we're a little more nervous and anxious to find out that everything is okay.

We've seen several ultrasounds so far we can tell this baby is VERY active and growing right on track. We're both looking forward to that closer look we get in just a couple of weeks to see more about this latest edition to our family!

Of course, Ella is still DESPERATELY hoping for a baby girl... and while Alex says he wants a "boy baby" I think he's probably be happier as the only boy and enjoy a girl baby too... Troy and I really don't care either way... we just hope for healthy. He's guessing it's a girl because it's active and sitting high... I think it's a boy, because I've been SOOOO sick and still am. Only God knows for sure... and we'll all hope to find out soon!!!

Dancing Queen

Ella had her first dance competition yesterday (Valentine's Day) here in Overland Park. Her mini company danced to "Wait a Minute Mr. Postman" and they were adorable!

They actually placed first for the 5 and under category and 10th overall for the up to 9 age group.


Troy is NOT a fan of the make-up, but compared to many studios, ours is pretty conservative in the make-up and costumes. Ella really loves it so far, so we're sticking with it for now. She has a recital in May and another competition coming up in April, but this was the first go round...



I think more than anything, she likes being in a class with two of her friends. Madelyn is also in preschool with Ella three days a week.





Mary has been Ella's buddy since their days at Laura's house as babies!!! She looks forward to seeing them every week at dance class and they have a lot of fun together twirling around in their tutus!





I'm glad to see she was more attentive on stage than she is backstage. She's always too busy watching the big girls dance to concentrate on her own routine.

It wasn't the easiest of days... we had to be up at 6 to get her dressed, made-up (including fake eyelashes) and hair done to be at the convention center by 7:30. But she was a trooper and woke up on her own, ready to go with no complaints. Guess she likes the glitz a little more than Daddy.

Let it Snow and snow and snow...

It snowed on Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and a couple of days thereafter... we wound up with about 10 inches of snow for a beautiful, White Christmas! Since my parents had already made it into town and we had no where to go... it was nice to watch the flakes fall and the drifts build and just relax and enjoy.

The kids ventured out with Troy and Papa for shoveling and sledding and just general fun...



Alex was not a fan. Apparently, when the snow comes to your waist, it's a little hard to move around. He spent quite a bit of time flat on his face in the frozen stuff... and then decided hot chocolate and cookies were more his speed.

It's snowing again this morning, we already have another 2+ inches on top of that initial snow and it's supposed to continue for a day or so. We haven't had this much snow in YEARS!!! But it's nice to have it when the kids are out of of school and we can just relax and enjoy it!!!

We wish you a Merry Christmas...

Christmas 2009 was just wonderful! We had a lazy holiday at home with my parents in town for several days. We baked cookies for Santa, ate lots of goodies and really enjoyed some quality time off!!!


The kids loved their gifts from Santa and from everyone else.












Just look at the joy in their eyes.....














The best gift for Troy and I was getting to tell them on Christmas morning that they're going to be a big sister and big brother in July!!! I think they were both in shock at first. Thanks Miss Merritt for the special shirts!!!


















Daddy loved his Vikings snuggie, which the kids REAAAALLLY wanted to get for him. I'm so proud of them for keeping it a secret! He was absolutely surprised by that one.
















Ella made this adorable ornament for Mommy and Daddy at preschool. She's been dying for us to open the package under the tree since she brought it home last week!







Thanks to everyone of our friends and family who helped make this Christmas and all of 2009 so special... and Happy 2010 to you all!!!!!!

Christmas photos

The kids took some amazing photos for our Christmas cards this year!








Thanks to a wonderful photographer: (www.heatherlangdonphotography.com)




We spent about an hour and had DOZENS of images to share with family and friends!!!




I kept these a secret as well, since the grandparents didn't see them until Christmas. But the kids really had fun this year shooting at Union Station and it was so much more relaxed than being crammed in a photography studio!!!

Magical Memories... from our FL trip

We had just found out that we were pregnant the week before we left. Luckily, I wasn't too sick yet. We spent a few days with Troy's family at their home and then headed to Orlando for a few days at Disney World. (Thanks Uncle James for those free passes!!!)

Keepin Secrets...

I know, I've been horrible about updating for the last month plus.. but we've been keeping secrets around here, and it's hard not to blow it. Now that the cat is officially out of the bag, we're having a baby!

Baby Robinson #3 is due in July. We found out in early November, but wanted to wait until Christmas to tell the kids and my parents. (who spent Christmas with us) Especially since I'm 40 this go around, we wanted to give ourselves a little pad time for any problems before getting the kids all fired up.

They are very excited. Especially Ella who is full of questions and wants to feel the baby all the time. (No it's not big enough for her to feel yet, but she constantly touches my tummy and talks to her new baby) She wants to know if the baby is wearing clothes, or socks, if it eats bites of my bagel, if it pees and poops in there, you name it... she's asking. She's very inquisitive, and convinced this will be a baby girl. We keep tell her God will decide, but she insists "we already have a boy baby." So we'll see. Alex points at my tummy and laughs about the baby in there, but so far, he doesn't seem too interested.

Troy and I are very excited. We've wanted one more baby, but didn't know if 40 was too old for it to happen, so this is a wonderful answer to our hopes and prayers.

We' have a first ultrasound picture, but it's literally, just a little circle. The heartbeat is strong around 156 and so far everything seems right on track. Much more to come in the months ahead.