Girls rule!!!!!

These smiling faces are what we fondly refer to as the Wiese trio, but in 4 1/2 months the trio will expand to a quartet.  This morning Erika had her 20-week ultrasound, and she, Josh, and Leo invited Grandma Kit and I to experience their joy with them.  (Leo calls Kit "Baba", which is precious because that's what I called one of my grandmothers, and I called the other one Grammy, which is what my grandkids call me....who says history doesn't repeat itself?)  Papa and Grandpa Joe waited out in the waiting room.  Unbeknownst to Erika, her sister Jenni secretly waited at a nearby Walmart with Zoey and Ruby until I clandestinely texted her the baby's sex. 

The new baby was most uncooperative at first.  Every time the ultrasonographer, Kim, poised the probe over the genital area, the baby would put a foot right in the way.  Kim had Erika turn to one side and then the other, trying to get the baby to get into a position where we could see what needed to be seen.  Nada.  The wonderful midwife, Heather, at one point said she thought she saw a penis, but she couldn't be certain.  Finally, just about when we figured there would be no revelation today, the baby spread-eagled and showed us HER identity.  A beautiful, perfect little GIRL!!! 

I immediately texted Jenni, as she was waiting to purchase a sex-appropriate gift to bring to the doctor's office.  Then Kit and I took Leo out to the waiting room to wait for Erika and Josh to finish up so they could come out to tell the grandfathers and show them the ultrasound photos. 

While we were rejoicing in the waiting room, Jenni was hurriedly changing outfits on Zoey, Ruby, and herself.  She was convinced Erika was going to have another boy, so the 3 of them came dressed all in blue.  Of course, if you know super-organized Jenni, you wouldn't be surprised that she came prepared with 3 pink outfits, just in case.  We stalled Erika in the hospital lobby to give Jenni time to arrive.  Papa saw the car pull up and went out to help Jen bring the girls in.

Of course, Erika was overjoyed to see her sister and nieces.  The girls presented her with her first baby girl gift, a set of assorted girlie pink onesies.  Precious!  The girls then posed for a group photo.

I think Erika is going to enjoy having a daughter.  Leo is a doll, and another boy would have been equally delightful.  But as the mother of girls, I have always hoped my daughters could experience the joy I've known in having daughters.  Now my wish will be granted.  And Leo will be the best big brother ever!!  Congratulations, Erika, Josh, and Leo!!!  The Leo/Cribbs/Wiese family count now stands at 4 males, 6 females.  That count will change once Jenni's and Dave's new baby is born, because they don't find out the sex ahead of time.

ps:  Leo turns 2 Friday and is having a birthday party Saturday, so stay tuned for pictures from the celebration!

Siwwy wabbit! Pools are for kids!!

I wescued a wabbit from our pool this morning.  It all happened so quickly, and the little guy was really waterlogged.  I hope he makes it.  Millie and I were out back, checking on plants and things.  Millie likes to think she's a great rabbit hunter.  She sniffed around as usual, and this time her diligence was rewarded.  A bunny shot out of the plants and right into the water.  It started swimming frantically around the perimeter of the pool, with Millie following above.  She refuses to get into the pool, which is probably a good thing for the rabbit.  I ran to get the leaf skimmer, but every time I scooped the bunny, it jumped back into the water.  I could see it was starting to get very tired and I didn't know how to save it, so I did what I always do in a panic situation: screamed for Tony. 

He heard me through the closed doors, windows, and walls.  Just as he came out of the house, the bunny slipped into one of the skimmers, but it was out of reach.  I was just about ready to jump in, fully clothed, when Tony lifted the lid from the skimmer, and the bunny saw the opening and hopped out, scurrying through the plants and out into the alley.  I'm really hoping it's okay.

We have a ton of wild bunnies in our neighborhood, a phenomenon that began about 5 years ago.  Every year there are more, and they nest in shrubs where they continue to reproduce.  I think they're adorable, Tony considers them a nuisance, and Millie loves to fantasize about chasing them.  I knew we had at least one out by the pool because I see it moving from plant to plant when I'm working outside, but this is the first time I've been aware rabbits can swim.  I wonder if this one will come back, or if it will find a new home?  Either way, it has lots of friends, so I can just about guarantee this won't be our last wabbit wescue.

Zoey and Ruby are home!!!

After being away at Kanakuk Kamps K-7 all summer, Jenni, Dave, Zoey, and Ruby came home last night.  We had made plans for them to come over and spend the day today, along with Erika and Leo.  Grammy and Papa were going to make lunch, and then we were going to swim and get pizza for supper after naps.  This morning Erika called to tell us Leo had a fever and was droopy.  Poor little guy.  So plan A was scrapped, and plan B became all of the above sans the Wiese trio.  Bummer!  Jenni did bring the girls over and we did end up having a marvelous day together.  Tony and I weren't sure how the girls would respond to us after the 3-month separation, but it turns out we had nothing to worry about.  Ruby, now 17 months old, was a little shy at first, but Zoey, 3 1/2, sprang out of the car and leapt into my arms, clinging to me like a little tree frog!  It was so precious, especially because Zoey is not a particularly cuddly child, mainly because she's almost always in perpetual motion.  We had a great time getting reacquainted.  The girls (and their 4-months-pregnant mom) took good naps, and shortly after they awakened, their dad arrived from his first day back at school.  We all had about an hour of fun in the pool, then we had supper together.  When it was time for the Cribbies to head for home, Zoey burst into tears and wanted to stay.  That was a first!  Once she was comforted and back to her cheery self, I snapped the photo above.  Precious girls!  I already miss them and want them back soon. We'll have a redo of today as soon as Leo is over his bug.  Welcome home, Cribbies!!  It's great having the family all back in town again.