A fun visit to Helena

Amelia's and I went to Helena for a visit. Here she is with Papa Overton and Grandma Kathy. We had a great time. Amelia played with Papa and entertained Skyler outside throwing the ball. We also got to visit with friends Liesl an Amy and also spent the afternoon with Katrina and her cute son, Avery. It was a whirlwind trip but we had a great time! Papa also had come our way a couple times in October to take us swimming... Amelia loved this and each time we'd talk about Papa, she'd ask if he was swimming. I hope we can keep this tradition going as Amelia really enjoys it. This was a double bonus as after swimming, I was able to take a knitting class and he stayed with Amelia to watch her. We are so blessed with the family that we have and all the support that they provide.

More on Amelia!!

Our dear Amelia is just something else. I can't believe all that she knows, understands, comprehends and comes up with on her own. She has such a personality full of charisma, charm and humor. She is also very empathetic and caring beyond her age... Here is a photo of her enjoying her princess chair before we started changing her room around to incorporate the "big girl bed".

We decided it was time to put up Amelia's new bed and take out the crib/toddler bed she's been sleeping in her whole life *sniff*. I though it would be good to have a break from the crib before it became the next baby's place of sleep. Amelia has been looking forward to it and we finally got all the pieces in place to make it happen. Dana has been madly working on the basement as there is a huge domino effect going on before we can even start the new Baby's nursery... but with all the progress he's made we were able to shift quite a few things around which allowed for us to put her bed up. She was such a big help while I was putting it all together today. She helped me put the bed together and make it up with all her fresh new bed linens. She even took a nap in it with no problems right away(which by the way are totally on the way out... it is usually just a rest, then play with toys in the dark). Later in the afternoon, we had another big first... we took Amelia to her first Big Screen theater viewing, we went to "Happy Feet". She is a movie watcher as is our family. She really did enjoy it and as it ended she said "Now play another one!" I'm sure we'll make Big Screen movie viewing a regular treat of an activity. So all in all it has been a big day for Amelia... she is growing up so fast, I just marvel at it all. It is hard to explain and describe! SHE IS JUST AMAZING!!!!

Beginning of Month 6!!!

I can't believe how fast this new baby of ours is growing! We are just starting our 6th month as of November 19th...that means: December, January, February and then March baby will be here! It will all go by so fast and we'll all have our hands on the new addition... we are excited. Here is the lastest update of baby's growth and Amelia's rendition of a baby belly :)

November 2006, Our vacations

In November, Dana and I were blessed with the chance to get away on a vacation for almost a week near the beginning of November. Amelia was even more blessed to have her first vacation with Nana and Pops McNeil and Uncle Ryan. We are certain that Amelia had more fun than we did, but overall it was a success for everyone. Dana and I went to Grand Cayman Island, it was such a treat to get to sit next to Dana on the plane in each others company, let alone on the beach sipping delish drinks together! We have so much to be thankful for. Dana was able to fit in some dives while I enjoyed snorkeling. The water was a perfect temp of about 84 degrees. We took in lots of beach time, reading and listening to the waves, eating delish food and enjoyed each others company. Amelia is the light of our life, but there was something wonderful about being a couple again, getting a chance to reconnect. Dana has beeen working so hard at work and then working endlessly on our home and me with teaching, Amelia, being pregnant...it was perfect timing to get away :) We also got to enjoy the Turtle Farm, Botanical Gardens, Beach walks, swam with Sting Rays, went on a evening sail cruise on a replica 19th century boat. The first photo is of our last evening there, right at our resort overlooking the beautiful ocean. Here are a few other photos to share: Dana's up close encounter with a sea turtle, Dana heading into the water for one of his dives, Dana holding a small Sting Ray about 1/4 of the size of the one we held and kissed together (they are beautiful, magnificent creatures to say the least, however a bit creepy when swimming up behind to you check you out!!!). The last photo is of me holding a turtle at the Turtle Farm.
































As for Amelia's vacation, all her photos are on our video camcorder so you'll have to use your imagination. She was so busy!!! Most everyday she fed the horses with Uncle Ryan and got to sit on 2 of them. She "fished" in the stream in their yard with a bobbin and mini pole. Went for walks. Enjoyed the lake while playing fetch with Skyler. Fed the wild turkeys. Threw leaves into the stream and watched them float by. Generally she was completely worn out each evening, and so was Nana, Pops and Uncle Ryan (I think). They all had such fun together.

Oh my goodness!!! October 2006

How does the time get away from me so fast??? I try so hard to keep up on things like this, but alas I'm not doing as well as I'd hope. I shall catch up as best as I can :) Please enjoy the updates and do check in regularly as I will be posting more often! I will give you the highlights of the last 8 weeks :)

October was filled with the normal activities of Halloween and preparing for winter, Dana's busy schedule and my job teaching... however, we also got to enjoy a few added bonuses: Amelia and I joined our dear friends Ruth and daughter, Keira, to a pumpkin patch where the girls got to play on haystacks and feed the goats Itsy and Bitsy before picking out our pumpkins for Halloween. They had so much fun!!!

Another fun thing that we enjoy completely was the 20 week ultrasound of Baby Surprise McNeil :) Amelia even enjoyed watching the "movie" of her sibling in the oven. Thanks to my aunt we have the ultrasound photo's scanned and ready for you to take a peek. The face photo is a bit creepy but baby was very squished in there and the tech did her best job...we'll all get a good look at baby sometime in March :) The one on the left is baby's foot.















October 16th: Here is our darling Amelia: She is perfectly 2 1/2 years old on this day! Her beautiful smile is worth a share and of course, Skyler is always welcome...they love each other so much!!! What a joy they are!

For Halloween, Amelia couldn't make up her mind. She was a ladybug, a dragon and a devil all in the same night! She just kept switching from costume to costume. Her friend Dorothy, AKA Keira, came over for a visit... I couldn't resist sharing this photo of the two of them. Amelia always wants to make sure everyone is having a good time.

















Here is a belly shot at about 16 weeks around October 1st: