Grandma and Grandpa Heck's Visit

My parents came into town last month and what a perfect way to start out their visit by taking them to the Indianapolis Speedway Museum.

There weren't any cars practicing but a trip around the track is always fun.

Kassie really wanted to grill with Grandpa Tom who is known as The Grill Master

Even though my parents are from Arizona aka the land of bath water pools during the summer, they were troopers and took the kids swimming in our neighborhood pool which can be pretty chilly!

Blueberry pancakes were a favorite.

Tennis lesson with Grandpa. Tommy decided he didn't want to participate.

It was super hot and humid so Grandma and baby hung out in the shade.

Samantha's Blessing day June 27th

Tommy did a lot of this.

And maybe just a little of this.

But Grandpa had to give them this.....THE CLAW!!

Life with three kids

I'll start by saying, it ain't easy folks. It's been a big adjustment for everyone especially Tommy. There are only so many things you can do with one hand when the kids out number you. My biggest challenge is bath time and bedtime when Lee is gone. Usually someone is crying and everyone wants mommy. Kassie has been a life saver! She really is such a great helper and has matured so much over the past few months. She has embraced the role of big sister and even has been super patient with Tommy who's a grump a lot of the time.

One good thing is, going shopping with three kids isn't as bad as I thought. We can usually make it in and out of the store without any problems. There might be some major bribery going on but you gotta do what works to keep everyone sane, right!

Things will settle down eventually and we're going to make it though this time. (I totally get why my mom was so excited for school to start.) But for now, we're going to enjoy the rest of the summer.

Miss Samantha Jean is one month

Samantha is a sweet baby with a tiny cry. She is doing well and growing like crazy. We call her Skinny Bean #2. (Kassie is Skinny Bean #1) Her eye lashes are long and dark and her hair sticks straight up in the back. These pictures are already out of date, so I guess I better get out the camera. More pictures to come.

(Taken after her first bath, can you tell she loved it!)

The Past Two Weeks

Baby Samantha will be two weeks tomorrow. She is a good baby and I hate to say that because I wouldn't want to jinx myself. She has done remarkable well so far. Last week was super busy with different things. She didn't mind being dragged around which will probably be a common occurrence being the third child.

The labor and delivery went well. She just about flew out with one push! I was induced a week early. Through out the entire pregnancy, I warned the doctor that she was going to be big. The doctor would ask me how big to do you think she's going to be and my answer was bigger than my first two. So, I'm glad I didn't have to wait another week.

I feel pretty good! I'm up during the night of course but I try and take a rest during quiet time each day which totally helps. Lee's mom has been here helping out with the cooking and cleaning. It has been so nice to have an extra set of hands! It was a sad sad day yesterday when she left. Tommy fell a sleep in the car and didn't officially get to say good bye, so when we got home and realized she was gone, he was pretty upset. We went strawberry picking today to cheer us up.

Kassie had her big end of the year recital that she has been working towards the entire year. It was so wonderful to see her perform and do such a fabulous job. She was able to wear makeup which was super exciting for her. I'll have to post the short video clip later.

Both the kids are "adjusting" to the new baby. I have to admit there has been a little more fighting between the two and more crying. But for the most part, they are doing fine. It's amazing what I can do with just one arm!!

Samatha is here

Here are some pictures of baby Samantha, born 5/26 at 8:18 AM, 8 lbs. 5 oz. 20.5 inches. Mom and baby are home and doing well.





Here is a video of the kids together for the first time

Kassie Graduates

Kassie graduated from preschool Tuesday night from Light and Life Christian Preschool. The best part of the evening, was the slide show. There was a picture of each student and the answer to the question, "What do you want to be when you grow up?" Kassie said, a mom. We've had such a great experience at Light and Life and I'm excited Tommy starts there in the fall.

A day at the park