The Children's Museum

Gianna, Tinley, and I went to The Children's Museum for Little Learners yesterday. Gia got to start her very own book, listen to a story written by a local author, Craig Kunce, and make a bracelet with magic beads that change colors in sunlight. After class, we stayed and played at the bank and in the shadow room. The weather was beautiful, so we picked up a sandwich and cookie from the co-op to eat in the park! Tinley relaxed in her car seat f
almost the entire time.

We had so much fun that Gia and I decided she would stay home with Tinley and me again this morning so that we could check-out another class at the museum! Wee Move was all about dancing, moving around, and having fun. Gianna played on the fire truck, put me in jail, and played at Kwik Trip during our few extra minutes today. Tinley enjoyed a cozy ride in the sling.

The classes I took Gia to this week started out similarly to soccer, which Ryan and I signed her up for this spring. Gianna told me she was just going to watch. She stayed very close to me while observing the other kids. That is as far as we got in soccer. In no time at the museum though, she was making her book and dancing all around! She had a great time, and we are hoping it will give her a little more confidence in future activities.

At the Park

We have been taking every opportunity to go on walks at night. When we have a few extra minutes, Gianna loves to stop at the park. Last night, Gia rode her bike and Tinley relaxed in the sling.

Tinley in Action

Tinley is interested in toys and noises now. Check out how good she is at swatting her hanging friends!

Go Daddy!

Ryan competed in a triathlon a couple of weeks ago. Gianna was excited to cheer Daddy on through all three events: partner canoe, bike, and run. Even with an unfortunate canoe tip right from the start, Ryan finished 3rd in his age group and 18th overall out of roughly 200 people!

Way to go Ry!

Crazy Singing Girls

We are having so much fun with the Froman girls!

Spring...Finally!

Since the weather has finally been nice, we have been taking advantage of it. Tinley and I have been taking walks during the day, and at night we've been going for a walk as a family too. One of Gianna's favorite things to do is "draw chalk." She also loves driving her dune racer around the yard, especially when Daddy chases her with the tractor. Branda, Lila, and Keegan came to visit the other day, and Gia and Keegan had a blast taking turns driving each other around! Happy Spring!

Announcing...

Sweet Simple Girl Baby Announcements

Announcements for every life event: graduation, wedding & baby.

View the entire collection of cards.

Isn't she sweet?  Tinley Ann Fawver was born on April 16th at 8:55 am.  Gianna is an amazing big sister who loves helping out at almost every chance she gets.  We are all doing really well and couldn't be happier as a family of four (unless Ryan decides we can try to be a family of five in the future).

Now that the important information has been shared, I would like to clear up two fallacies.  1. Labor with the second is not necessarily easier, smoother, faster, etc.  2. Once it is time to push, it will not necessarily go extremely quickly just because the rest of your labor progresses quickly.  Here are the breakdowns:

Gianna

• a week and a half late
• Contractions were bearable and very sporadic all day
• half-way there when I got to the hospital around midnight
• pushed for 2 hours
• born at 6:49 am (6 lbs 8 oz, dark hair - almost non-existant,  screamed for the first 45 minutes of life)

Tinley

• one day early
• Contractions were bearable but consistently every 5 minutes at about 5 am on Monday - went in and eventually went home until the real deal the following night at 2 am
• water broke at 2:30
• just getting started when I got to the hospital around 3, and felt equally as bad at that point as I did when I got to the hospital with Gia
• an hour into pushing found out Tinley was face up and would need to flip...followed by 2 more hours of pushing
• born at 8:55 am (6 lbs 10 oz, dark hair - maybe a quarter inch long, pretty peaceful first hour)

Lastly, thank you to Lea for taking these adorable pictures and letting Tinley pee on every single prop you set her on.  And, thank you to Shutterfly for giving me a 10 dollar credit to finally update our blog!