we've had a busy few weeks since school began. we are constantly updating our house and cleaning and still unpacking a few things each week. Lee has the outside just about how he wants it and should have a master's degree in sprinkler systems by now. we had a new alarm system installed and have been sleeping soundly most nights since. we have baby owen's room just about complete as far as furniture and bedding goes. and thankfully the hand-me-downs keep coming in so his wardrobe is growing. and speaking of GROWING...this baby better be a good size boy because i am gaining and growing by leaps and bounds. as i type he is trying to either hibernate under my ribs or kick one of them out of place. maybe it is the mexican we had for lunch that he is excited about.

the girls' room is in the final stages of completion. they have new beds and bedding as of saturday, which makes rachel so excited! this is her first big girl bed all by herself. (they shared a twin and trundle for the past year). of course, i thought i was going to have to string them both up by toenails last night while we were trying to AGREE on bedding sets. they were both a little stubborn about it and kept choosing completely opposite and terribly clashing sets. finally, i bribed with a promise of a new pink rug and trash can if they would pick the same thing and be nice. i'm actually surprised that it worked, but i didn't look back. we checked out quickly and once home, they were thrilled! we also found a quilt for the trundle bed (which is now in owen's room) that complements the baby bedding. now our visitors will have a comfy place to land when they visit. lee has decided we need a flat screen in the corner of the baby's room so he can watch football while he's rocking the baby. ha ha. i say go for it...anything to give him incentive to get up during nightly feedings!!!! woo hoo!

Olivia loves her ballet/jazz class and looks like a natural with her long slim legs. she has gotten so tall. she also loves her class at school and i am so happy with her teacher thus far. she seems very organized and keeps olivia excited about learning. (this pic is with our buddies, LP and Serena, Jr.--ha ha)

Rachel on the other hand is not too happy about school. she tolerates it at best. some days she loves it but mostly just wants to be attached to me at all times. She's been reverting to some toddler behavoir which I feel is due to the growing belly and her impending dethroning as baby. The other day i wouldn't let her sit in my lap and she said "why, because of THAT?", pointing to my belly. Ha. She does, however, love her gymnastics. Although she doesn't enjoy the warm-up exercises at the beginning. those are not enough adventure for her.

well, there is not much else to tell. Rachel is fascinated with taking pictures of my belly...here are some recent shots. i keep telling myself that her low-to-the ground angle makes me look more plump. ha