Every time I look at Izzy, I am blown away by how much she looks like Eli when he was a newborn. Identical, really! I realized I haven't taken any pictures of Izzy since the last post a week ago, so I snapped one at the Mall of America today. I am on survival/exhaustion mode... not picture-taking mode.

My mom and I took the kids to do rides at the Mall. They had a blast! Eli rode with his big sis on every ride he was tall enough for. So fun to watch them :)

Halfway through the week now-- I live for the weekends when Brandt is home with us! That's all for now... falling asleep as I type!!

We are doing well. My sweet Isabelle is a pretty easy baby. Sleeps 3-4 hour stretches at night. Sleeps most of the day (I know that will change very soon!!) in the swing, bouncy, on floor, couch, or in our arms. Eli and Addie adore her. They have to know where she is at all times. They check on her during meal times. They ask to hold her constantly.

I am a bit anxious for the week ahead-- our first real week with Brandt back at work full time. I know I can handle three of them, but there are things I can't do. I can't play "choo choos" with Eli all the time. I can't run with Addie while she's riding her bike. I can't take the three of them on a walk by myself. So yes, we feel a little homebound and we do watch a lot of tv. But this will get easier. And I'll become more confident, taking them places, getting out of the house.

I'm also struggling with all of a sudden being a full-time stay-at-home-mom. Now that dance season is over, I truly do nothing except invest in my kiddos... which sometimes can be a pretty demanding and even lonely job. A good friend of mine said something the other day that plays through my mind constantly... Our job as a mom is to make sure our children know how much we love them and to make sure they fall in love with Jesus. So that's my job... my full-time job... to love on my kids and teach them about Jesus. That is actually a fantastic job :)

Isabelle Mae- Born 2/28- 12:59PM

8 lbs. 2 oz. and 20 in. long

The kids were very cute with Izzy at the hospital. I had a much better labor this time around and then only two pushes to get her out! Praise the Lord! We spent two days in the hospital and now we're home. Thanks for prayers and encouragement and hospital visitors :)

Looking forward to the craziness (of having three) to come!!!

Enjoying our last couple days of being a family of 4!!

Being induced this Thursday-- can't wait to meet the little girl :)

We had to take advantage of our snowy morning! Eli lasted about 5 minutes until he complained he was cold, but Addie and I worked hard on her "snow friend" :)

Making cookies... the kids 'rocking' Baby Girl Sorbel (or at least practicing), and our family marching band photo :) Yes, we have a lot of fun at the Sorbel household!!!

Hoping my next blog post includes a baby girl!! Anxious to meet her!!!

New slippers!!!

Addie eating peas without complaining! It's a big deal. Not only did she eat her "required" 4 bites, she decided to finish her whole bowl of peas at dinner the other night. She's very into this "trying new things" phase. B asked her why the other day and she said, "I need to get older so I'm ready for the baby." Don't grow up too fast, Addison Noelle!! :)

Me and my boy :)

Less than 4 weeks to go!! I'm so ready :) Well, I need to make it to Sections this Saturday with my girls, but after that... come on Baby Girl Sorbel!

Future Big Bro and Big Sis... right around the corner!!

Tonight we camped out in our family room! Trying to do some fun/creative things with these two during our last couple weeks with just 2 kids. Not that camping is super creative, but for some reason, moving toys from downstairs to upstairs and presenting this camping thing as being the most exciting thing ever... actually became the most exciting thing ever for them!

I am about 4 weeks away. My coaching season ends in three weeks, so I'd like to make it at least til then! I'm looking forward to meeting this little girl and super pumped to get her out of my aching body!! This third one has done a number on me :)

I'm definitely anxious for my Eli. He's gonna have a rough adjustment, I think. Addie will be ok. She'll help out with the babe. She has a number of activities she's involved in, so that will still give her things to do out of the house and on her own. But Eli may just think his world has ended... hoping not! He's such a momma's boy. I think sharing my love and attention with someone more needy than him will be tough. But I could be wrong ;) Just trying to love on them both as much as I can in the meantime.

My girl being her goofy self... :)

My weekends are filled with dance competitions! There's Addie and the girls- she's our #1 fan!

34 weeks this week... me, not the girls pictured above ;)

I am ready to be done and meet this little girl!!

The last two weekends we placed 1st in high kick and jazz! They amaze me :)

32 weeks tomorrow.... My "twin" wasn't too happy to take the picture with me :)

Finally starting to "nest"-- painted baby girl's room last weekend :)

Now it's finally starting to feel real-- she will be here shortly!

Had to include this darling picture of the boys!

Traditional "picture at the top of the stairs" picture at Larson's :)

Mommy kissing Santa Claus :)

Addie's presents for Dad!

The kiddos!

New blankets!!

We enjoyed a busy two days of celebrating Christmas. So great to spend time with family. I love this season!! Now back to a routine again (somewhat) with B back at work and me back to coaching. Baby girl Sorbel is movin' and groovin' still. 31 weeks this week... on the home stretch!! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Spent the last 2 days at Wisconsin Dells with my brothers and their amazing wives :) We don't get to hang out, just siblings, very often, so it was a good excuse to get away and do just that!! The kids loved the waterparks and we definitely ran them to exhaustion! Once they were in bed last night, we played 5 hours of The Newlywed Game, and really got to know one another better :) It was a terrific two days of vacation!
I'm 30 weeks preggo tomorrow... baby girl is moving around like crazy and getting stronger every day. Her kicks are taking my breath away! We have a lot going on in the next two months before she arrives, but I'm getting excited to meet her! The next 10 weeks will fly :)

Again, my pics are out of order... but this has been my life since the end of October. I spend every day with these girls at dance and we had our first competition last Saturday. Now we have one almost every weekend until the middle of February. I love these girls!!
I'll be done coaching after this season is over. They even posted my position for next year already. Makes me a little bit sad, but I know it's the right thing for our family. It hasn't been an easy couple months with my coaching every day, but we'll get through it and then I'll be home for good... forever ;)
The kiddos and I met our good friends, the Lepiens, downtown last Friday. We did the Macy's display, saw Santa, and had lunch. Addie and Nora see each other about three times a year, but seem to be the best of friends. Love it :)