So Proud of My Man!

I am so very proud of Erick (as is the rest of the family)! He ran the Whiterock Marathon yesterday and did so well! He had been training for awhile and his goal was to complete the 26.2 miles in 4 hours...well, he completed it in 3 hrs and 40 minutes!!! It was chilly and a bit misty, but that is good running weather. This was his first marathon.

This is right after he finished. The kiddos made signs to greet him at the finish line.

The proud wife (and a baby bundled up in there too)!

Erick showing us his medal. If you'll notice his blue bib, it has his number on there as well as his name. Erick had a lot of people holler words of encouragement and say his name along the course. What a neat idea! Erick said it really helped him to continue on and stay motivated when someone (a stranger) would yell "Go Erick" or "You're almost there, Erick!"

Warming up in the car...brrrr!

And we finished off the day at Pappasita's. Erick was starving after burning 3000 or so calories! Erick's parents joined us. Look at his beaming Mom!! I had to get Spencer in a picture too. : )

Take a Look...

Below are the links for some recent pictures. The first one is for Spencer's hospital photos and the second one is for some pictures we had made of the kids a few weeks ago.

Spencer's Hospital Pics
*click on "Visit Web Nursery"
*enter birthdate: October 12, 2007
*enter first 3 letters: mid
*enter city & state: Plano, TX
*password is Mida

Kid's Pics
*click on "Enter Site"
*click on "Client Proofing"
*enter password: mida
*pictures will come up and slideshow will start

Santa Claus is Coming to Town....

Here is this year's Santa picture. Natalie and Will did so good and Spencer slept through the whole thing...thank goodness! Natalie told Santa she wanted a pink laptop and Will told Santa he wanted a George (as in Curious George). Aren't their matching penguin pj's cute?!

Church and Check-Ups

This past Sunday was my first trip back to church and Spencer's first-ever trip to church. We got him all dressed up in his hospital coming-home outfit. The kiddos were happy to help! We actually left on time...what a miracle with three kids!

Spencer didn't spend too much time actually "in" church. First, he had to go out to be fed. Then, once brought back in, he proceeded to make a huge poop in his pants. And then, when Erick brought him back in, he got a HUGE case of the hiccups...so loud we had to take him out. :)

Am I handsome or what?!

This past Monday, I took Spencer in for his one month check-up with his pediatrician. She was so impressed with his growth...he weighed 9 lbs and 13 oz and was 22 inches long. He has gained almost 2 lbs since birth! The doctor also couldn't believe how strong his neck already is and that he already is doing some "tummy time" each day and holding his head up. I think Spencer wants to develop quickly so he can hang with his bro and his sis!

Spencer was SOOO good for the doctor, too! He didn't fuss once. I'm sure that will change at his 2 month check-up when he gets three immunizations!

Halloween Pictures...At Last!

I'm a little late with our Halloween pictures, but I think I have a good excuse! Ha!

We had a good time on the BIG DAY...the kiddos carved a pumpkin with Daddy, we had a neighborhood costume parade, and of course they went trick or treating. Enjoy the pics...

Not quite sure why Will is shirtless...guess he carves better that way! They had fun digging out all the "goo" inside.

They decided on a scary face for this year's jack-o-lantern. BOO!

And this is what Spencer thought of the whole day...yawn! If you can't eat the candy, what's the use in getting all dressed up?!

My beautiful Belle and brave Buzz!

Gettin' ready to hit the streets and get some CANDY!!

A Visit From the Tooth Fairy

Natalie FINALLY lost her first tooth last Saturday, October 27th. I say "finally" because she had been working on it for over a month. It was so loose but she wouldn't let anyone pull it (a little bit of a chicken). She came downstairs last Saturday and told Erick he could pull it (it had really started to bother her). Erick looks in her mouth and it's gone! It had already fallen out on it's own and was stuck to one of her fingers (thank goodness she didn't lose it). She was so excited! We had to call all the family and let them know.

The Tooth Fairy payed a visit to her that night. Nat left a note for the Tooth Fairy explaining how she wanted to keep her tooth but she still wanted her $$ too! Within a day or two, you could already see her other tooth poking through her gums...it must've pushed the other one out!

So proud!

Look in my hand...

Finally...An Update!

I am finally getting around to updating the blog. I have been a little busy. ; ) A bunch of people have been yacking at me for not updating, so here it goes...

Enjoy the pictures below from Spencer's first week or so at home. He has done really well for us so far. He seems pretty laid back and mellow. He only gets mad when he's hungry or has a gas bubble. He is feeding so well and sleeping good, too. We are truly blessed.

This is Spencer packed up in his carrier ready to head home from the hospital. He slept the whole way. He seemed so tiny in the carrier!

Our burrito! He likes to be swaddled alot of the time. Once we got home from the hospital, he slept some more.

Natalie and Will helped Daddy give Spencer his first bath. He really enjoyed it and it seemed to mellow him out.

Is this the face of an angel or what?!

I am one week old today (October 19)!

Natalie absolutely adores her baby brother. She wants to hold him all of the time! We catch her singing to him alot...she'll sing "Trust and Obey," "Head, Shoulders, Knees and Toes," or "The Barney Song." It is so sweet!

Spencer sure loves his Daddy! Erick loves having him lay or sleep on his chest.

We put Spencer on a blanket on the floor some to have stretch time. Whenever we do, it seems like the other two just gravitate towards him. I caught them laying next to him one day and snapped this shot. They said they were making a "Spencer sandwich!"

Here is what greeted us in our front yard when we arrived home! What fun to announce our good news to the neighborhood. Thanks, Mom and Dad!

It's a Boy!

We welcome with love...

Spencer Bishop Mida

Born October 12, 2007 @ 7:53 a.m.

Weighing 8 lbs. and 1 oz.

20 inches long

Tomorrow is the BIG DAY!

Well, tomorrow is the day we FINALLY get to meet out little man or woman! We are so excited and so very ready! Please keep us in your prayers. We have listed some more specific prayer requests below. We will try and update the blog sometime Friday or Saturday with baby pics.

Please pray:

• that Leslie will receive successful medical treatment from the IV needle placement to the epidural to the actual surgery itself
• God will bless the hands and decisions of our OB and her staff
• our new child will be blessed with health and a safe delivery
• adaptation for Natalie and Will over the next few weeks (or months)
• endurance, peace, strength and organization to run a house with three kiddos
• a speedy recovery from surgery for Leslie
  

Big Baby!

I went in for a check-up today. We had a sono because the baby is measuring big. It was so good to see his or her sweet, chubby face! The baby is measuring around 8 lbs, 3 oz. right now (that's how big Will was when he was born), so they're thinking the baby will be born weighing between 8 1/2 lbs and 9 lbs! Even in the sono pictures, this baby looked huge...the tops of it's feet were rounded out with "chub!" Erick chimed in that bigger babies tend to sleep through the night earlier...that had better be the case!! Ha!

Anyways, we have 11 days to go and we are so excited! I cannot wait to meet this little one on October 12th. Say a prayer I don't go into labor Oct. 3rd-7th...my OB will be out of town those days and I really want her to do the c-section (I'm very attached to her). We will send out an email and update the blog as soon as we can on the 12th.

"Does God change His mind?"

We were finishing up dinner last night and Natalie asked if she could ask me a question. "Of course," was my response. She then proceeded to ask me if God ever changes His mind. WOW! I wasn't prepared for that profound of a question...I was thinking more along the lines of "can I have some dessert?" She pressed me for an answer and I told her I thought that, "yes, possibly, God can and does change His mind at times."

She looked up with wondering eyes and said, "But if He changed His mind, that would mean He would break His promises." Once again...WOW! I kinda "hemmed and hawed" with her a bit and then we had a discussion on the way God intervenes in and plans out our lives...how maybe all those aspects aren't set in stone (like a promise) and that maybe sometimes God sees fit to alter things or change them a bit to better our lives or the lives of those around us.

This was a such a deep, spiritual conversation to have with a 6 year old, but I know God gave her THOSE WORDS to say to me at THAT MOMENT so we could have THAT CONVERSATION. I have no doubt!

Oh, to have a faith so pure and trusting like a child...Natalie's innocence and desire to love and serve her Lord...to learn more about Him and to seek His will was so evident to me in our 3 minute conversation last night. Thank you, God, for this brief glimpse into my daughter's heart and mind. "I pray faith will find root and grow in my children's hearts, that by faith they may gain what has been promised to them." (Luke 17:5-6; Hebrews 11:1-40)

Sweet Lord!

Can I really have 25 more days to go?!? By the looks of this picture...no way!!!!

I am so ready to meet this little baby! There is no more room in momma's belly...I'm sooo uncomfortable! Keep us in your prayers!

Chapel Dress & Countdown Charts

Today was the first official Chapel Day at Natalie and Will's school. I couldn't resist taking a pciture or two!

Will was NOT into his tie...I told him he just had to wear it to school and then he could give it to his teacher (the teachers hold on to them until Chapel time). He kept taking it off anyways! Isn't he adorable?!

Here is Natalie in her pretty plaid jumper! She loves wearing the jumper because it is loose-fitting and comfortable (and she just loves wearing dresses)...I think she'd wear it everyday if she could!

This past weekend, Natalie and I thought it would be a good idea to do a countdown chart for the baby's arrival. We hung it near the fireplace and we cross off a space each day as we count down to October 12. Making the chart made me realize how much I still have to do in less than 40 days!! Yikes!

1st Day of School...We Made It!

Wow! What a day! This is Will about an hour after school let out...he is worn out!

They both had wonderful days! Natalie really enjoyed her art class and hanging our with her new friend, Faith. Will just kept saying "I had fun" and when I asked him if he had made any new buddies, he said, "Miss Donovan." So sweet!

I was so anxious about Will making it to the potty every time, on time. He did so good and didn't have one accident! Thank you, Jesus!

We went to celebrate after school with some ice cream...a very much well-deserved treat after an awesome day at school!

1st Day of School...Here We Come!

I think these first two pictures are so funny! They totally show Natalie and Will's personality and and how they felt this morning once we arrived at school.

First there is Natalie...so happy-go-lucky, rarin' to go, and excited beyond belief!

Then, there is Will...not so sure, a little bit of fear and trepidation, and definitely going to miss his Momma.

We're walkin' in!

Will did a GREAT job going in to see Mrs. Donovan! He put all his things away in his cubby and never even turned around to say goodbye. Erick and I went and peeked on him later...he was busily playing and getting to know his new surroundings.

And of course, after dropping her brother off, Nat went right in, put her stuff up, said hello to everyone, and sat on down! She did so good...but then again, I had no doubt she would!