Kourtney Lee Merrill

On December 10, 2010 at 12:30 pm, our family life got a little more complicated when we became a family of five. The addition of Kourtney Lee Merrill has been a blessing in every way. Labor and Delivery was altogether the best yet. I only pushed 3 times, through 1 contraction and she was here- which was a blessing because she had the cord wrapped around here neck. Even with the amount of pressure and strain she did feel, all the blood vessels in the face and eyes burst. Miss K was 7 lbs. 19 inches.

 The girls were a little standoffish at first but soon became better acquainted with their new sister.

 Meg is definitely the middle child and certainly has some emotions to work through...

 Miss Kourtney had her first photo session at the house 5 days after she was born.

Our friend Hollie drove from Ketchum just to take K's pictures. They turned out lovely!

She also took a Chirstmas family picture for us.



Merrill Milestones

 Well, the time between blog posts is becoming ridiculous I suppose. I dunno, does anyone really read it anyway? So I have decided to do another quick update and say I'm caught up. This summer was packed to the max with fun. Lil and Meg took swimming lessons. They loved it and still talk about their teachers- Lisa and Becca. Both sides of my family had reunions and it was great to see everyone I love! We also camped a lot with our family. Bear Lake twice, Palisades/ Jackson, Hisce, Lava, and Preston.

 There has also been a lot of growing up around here. A couple weeks ago, Megan decided she wanted to pee on the potty... so she did.... and that was that. I made an executive decision to paint the mimis with Thum (a thumb sucking elixir you paint on skin or pacifiers). She took one suck and cried. And then threw them away. And that was that. Megan started to acknowledge the fact that she'll be having a baby sister as well. I was very nervous because she would actually change the subject if babies or little sisters were brought up. She would completely ignore everything you were asking/telling her. I am happy to say that she is quite content and looking forward to the new baby and likes to kiss my tummy and make sure that no one smushes it. This fall, as school started, I thought it might be wise to put Meg into something just for her. So she now attends Ballet and Tap at a local dance studio. She looks forward to her dance class every week. :)

Lilly has had a few milestones of her own. As I mentioned before, she learned how to swim- which was huge for her self confidence. Lilly has also started kindergarten this fall. She seems to like it so far. With district budget cuts, she only goes 2 days a week and every other Monday. I have taken it upon myself to supplement at home and can I just tell you, she is so freakin smart! It has actually been fun tutoring her. She is reading sight words galore and even small books. Lilly is also taking Ballet and Tap this school year. The first day as I watched her through the mommy window, I thought she would come out after the hour and tell me she didn't want to come back. She has never tapped and didn't know any of the ballet terminology etc. She really appeared to be struggling but never gave up. In the car on the way home she told me how much she LOVED learning new things and SHE was proud of HERSELF for not giving up. Since then she has really caught on and her teacher has brought her to the front of the class a few times to show everyone the right way to do something. On her days off from school, she and Megan play all day together! Lilly loves having someone to boss and Meg likes the attention so it works out for everyone (including me).

I am now in my 30th week of being with child. I am hoping to have the baby on December 10th. We have a few names picked out and the nursery is totally not done but if the measure of excitement for a baby counted for anything, Lilly's and Megan's excitement might indicate that we are ready to be a party of five.

Quick Update

Lilly and Meg played with the calico critters everyday this blustery spring. I love them too because they remind me of the Sylvanian Families I played with when I was little.

They love setting up all the itty bitty pieces.

 Meg and Mom

This is from one of Lilly's last field trips- to the nursery.

 In February, I started watching the two kids in this picture with hats on (Jack and Natalie). They join us on Tuesdays and sometimes on other days. The other little boy is Matthew from Lilly's preschool class. He was one of her many admirers.

 At the beginning of May, Lilly had her spring recital. Here we are with Nana and Papa eating Red Lobster before the recital!

 Posing in her hip hop outfit

May 16th was Papa's birthday. The girls and I headed off to celebrate with the family in Preston. The girls loved the gazillions of colorful birds that hang out in Nana and Papa's trees and eat the bird seed.

 Happy Birthday!!

Lilly did an awesome job at her preschool graduation- singing, counting in an african language, and receiving the award for having the gift of friendship.

 

Mrs. Flicker and Lilly

I mean HONESTLY!.....

I have been a serious blog slacker- yeah,and I have pretty much abandoned my position as head family photographer, oh, that's right, and my pots in the kitchen have cob webs, I've lost 8 pounds (and not in a good kind of way), my bubbies- well, they might as well be black and blue cuz' they feel like two grapefruit sized bruises. My hair is thinning, my digestive system has turned against me, I get car sick driving Lilly to school, my nose is that of a Beagle, showering is a freaking chore, and to top it all off, I have zits, yes, like, real zits, like on my forehead AND my chin. That's right sweetheart, you guessed it, I am with child and it's just a happy rainbow colored parade over here in my life.

So I am 12 1/2 weeks along- due November 27th- and if all goes according to plan, #3 will join the family on the 22nd by induction.

Although I have felt terrible, nothing makes me happier than my girls. They are so excited to have a baby. Hearing the heartbeat this week even got Meg excited and Lilly has got Nate and I crying in laughter with the baby names she comes up with. Everyone has had to cross boundaries lately and do things they normally do not around the house. I'm not sure what they have experienced, but I have realized how much I really do DO and when you feel lousy and things don't get done, it helps you see.

I also have a great group of friends that have been good about checking up on me and my kids and are willing to bend over backwards for me. To you gals- I say, THANK YOU!

Disclaimer: Expect to see bare prego Jen belly pics in the coming months- I will try to crop out my balding head and pizza face.

 

Easter 2010

We got the girls all bundled up for our egg hunt with all our friends. It was 37*, gusty, and snowy but with 9 families, and over 400 eggs, who wouldn't love it?!

 The girls had a visit from Mr. E. Bunny himself. Lilly was worried he wouldn't know that we were at Nana's house, but he pulled through... They got books, candy, gardening gloves, candy, wellington boots, candy, and some punching balls.

Happy Easter!!

Sisters!

Easter morning we all watched the Semi-Annual LDS General Conference.

Papa "blinked" for some of it,

 and the mani/pedi needs of the girls were seen to by Nanny.

 After Conference, the girls had another egg hunt in the yard.

 Lilly ran ahead of Meg but would leave the eggs that were down low for her sister to find. Seriously?! What 5 year old does that?

 Last Sunday, I substituted for Lilly's sunday school teacher at church. I got to teach the Easter lesson and talk to the kids about our Savior- and the events leading up to his death and resurrection. It was amazing to me how much insight these 4 and 5 years old had, how much they had already been taught at home, and the questions they would ask. I have made it a point to remind Lilly of the true reason we celebrate this time of year and she never ceases to amaze me with her sweet spirit and love for her Savior.

 Thanks for the great weekend Nanny and Papa!! You're the best!

 Nate and me

 "Look at my face mom! It's yucky!"

What we've been up to...

This is Lilly's new favorite baby. Camden is the son of one of my high school friends and he is a doll face! Lilly asks me when the little boy in brown is coming back. She cracks me up.

Merrill Bowling Night

 Apparently, back in the day, Cliff and Patti played in a couples league... they came prepared with their own balls and shoes. Cliff had a cool ball bag too.

 Lilly was sweet enough to share her turns with Megan.

 The three sassafrases!

 Happy times!

 This cabinet in the kitchen now has no shelves in it because Megan has claimed it as her own. She hangs out in there sometimes... eating, reading, hiding, and stashing her prized possessions in there.

 "Washy washy! Washy washy!" is what Meg chants while she washes her hands all by herself!

 Being artistic.

 Lilly's picture of a tree with a tire swing, grass, mountains, and she added flowers.

 Megan's painting is more abstract. It was her first time painting and she loved it!