A big boy...

We finally weaned Joel from his pacifier last weekend! It was surprisingly easy...the first nap without it he cried for 1 1/2 hours then went to sleep. After that he asked for it a couple of times at bed time but hasn't even done that in the last two days. It amazes me how adaptable he is and how easily he adjusts to changes. Now...on to potty training!

We're having a...

GIRL!!

Joel was adament that he was having a baby sister, and he was right! We are so excited to know that there will be a little girl joining our family in a few short months!

21 Weeks

Here's what I look like this week...growing slowly but surely!

Tee-Ball

We got this tee-ball set for Joel for his birthday, but just got it out the other day...he loves to hit the ball, and says "hit" every time he swings - even if he doesn't actually hit it!

Silly Hat

Joel likes wearing this bucket on his head, and sometimes runs around with it on...first checking to see where any obsticles are, then charging ahead!

In case you haven't heard...

I'M PREGNANT!

I am 18 weeks along, and the due date is November 27th. We look forward to finding out whether Joel will have a brother or sister sometime in the next few weeks...we'll keep you posted!

Happy Birthday Joel

We started the day in the way that my Birthdays started growing up - with a crown, breakfast on special dishes and an audience of stuffed animals.

Then we headed to the beach before it got too hot...it was supposed to be in the 90's and humid that day...it was still pretty hot in the morning, but the lake was really cold, so it was fun!

After nap and lunch, he got his next presents, which were the pool and the bike...it was too hot to ride the bike that day, but we had fun splashing in the pool for a while.

The day ended with blowing out his candle and eating an ice cream sandwich (non-dairy, of course). He was exhausted from all the activity, but I think he had a really fun Birthday and we had fun celebrating with him! The only thing that would have made it better would have been to be with family and friends, too! (Thanks, Lars and Katie, for coming for dinner and dessert...he loved it!)

Discovering Bubbles...

I don't know why we never gave Joel Bubble Baths before, but we just started and now every bath has to be a bubble bath (I guess we're making up for lost time!). Joel is having fun experimenting with all the things he can do with bubbles!

Big Boy Bed!

When we got back from our trip we set up Joel's new bed...he LOVES it. He has been in it for three weeks now and has yet to get out when he shouldn't. He has fallen out a couple of times, but that doesn't seem to bother him much! :)

Giving it a try...

And on to Reno...

The weather was considerably better in Reno, and we had lots of fun hiking and spending time with Greg's parents. Matt and his wife Nikki were also there for half of the week, and brother Jeff and his family for one night. Greg and Joel with his parents by the Truckee River in downtown Reno.

Joel got to fly his first kite on this warm breezy day...he LOVED it!

Greg, Matt (twin brother) and Joel watching the kite...

This is the view from the Nealons house...the hills are full of wildlife and great for hiking!