Why Joe doesn't need a boy...

"Was that fun little girl??"

...now, notice in the 1st picture that Joe is over 6 feet tall. See that Alathea is WAY higher than Joe is tall...she must be at least 15 feet in the air! The funny thing is that she LOVED it! She is quite the little adventurer. Joe loves playing "rough" with her- he loves teaching her how to kick & throw a ball (she's actually pretty good at it!). He has even taught her to love the Panthers. Even with her limited vocabulary, she knows how to say "football" and can recognize it on TV. She even enjoys watching it! (The funniest thing is that when she see's the Panther's logo of the panther head she'll say "meow"- it drives Joe crazy. He keeps trying to teach her that Panthers don't meow- they roar!). Her new favorite is wearing her matching Panthers Jersey with Daddy.

With all that said, I still hope Joe gets a boy one day. He adores his precious girl and is thrilled about having another one...but I still think it would be cute to see a mini-Joe one day :)

Also- anyone who knows Alathea would know that she is all-girl. And Joe certainly treats her that way. He loves her pretty dresses, her necklaces and pink shoes. He wants Alathea to be girly and certainly feminine. He just likes a sporty girl too (hence why he married one :).

And we're having...

A GIRL!!!

Surprise, surprise, huh?? Most of you all guessed it right. Honestly I thought I was having a boy, guess I can't trust my "instincts" :). Both Joe & I are thrilled about another girly. God has been so kind to bless us with two of them! I'm so excited for the Lord to bless Alathea with a sister so close in age. I was getting a little nervous myself today thinking "will we ever have a boy?"- but hey, thats not in my hands. The Lord knows what's best. And Lord willing more babies in the future...maybe a boy will show up somewhere :)



Alathea was a bit scared that they were hurting me during the sonogram...so she sat next to me watching their every move


The "four" of us had a celebration lunch at Brixx afterwards (Alathea looks a bit stunned...maybe because we kept telling her she was going to have a baby sister...it'll be interesting as the universe will not just revolve around her anymore :)


And now, the sonogram pictures. We didn't get any great ones, except the one of her "private parts"- the nurse said "98% sure its a girl":




Joe LOVES being a Daddy of girls...he'll tell anyone that. But he was funny today as he realized he is now officially out numbered. He was sobered as he thought of all the crazy girl emotions that he'll have to be surrounded with in the future :)

Well, our next step is giving HER a name! Any sugguestions :)

Labor Day in Boone

"Come here horses!! Neigh, niegh"




Look closely, bubbles are everywhere! Alathea is heading back for more horses!


Alathea is holding her toy horse that Daddy bought her



The Crew: Joe, Jeanie & Alathea, Chris & Kathryn Flannigan, Steve & LIzzy Honea, Katherine D., Zach J., John Brown, Jon Shea, Dave & Anne Malament

Below: That's Joe on the rope swing!





We did it again! We decided to take another very last minute trip (like decided the day before :)- this time to the mountains in Boone. We debated about just relaxing at home this weekend after Joe's ordination test Thursday & Friday (all the guys passed!!). But, in the end we decided to join a bunch of our friends in the beautiful mountains of Boone...and we are so glad we did.

We all stayed at Chris Flannigan's parents house. They live on a couple of acres in the valley with the most beautiful 360 degree view of the mountains. Absolutely gorgeous! Staying at their home and enjoying their hospitality was worth the trip alone. Alathea started screaming in delight as we pulled into their driveway as she saw five horses. The Flannigan's property is surrounded on three sides by a horse stable. Alathea was in her animal heaven! Most of the time we spent there she was outside banging on the wooded fence saying "niegh, neigh" trying to get the horses to come near her. She also enjoyed running around on the property with their three dogs (made me wish we had property & dogs!!). Another hit was her little bubble machine we bought her on clearance last month....everyone (even us "grown-ups") used an entire bottle of bubbles with that thing!

We also enjoyed some traditional "Boone" fun. We went to the Mast General Store & bought candy and Alathea her very own toy horse (she was thrilled!). Then on Labor Day we all hiked to these local falls. They were beautiful. The fun part was the huge swimming hole. Despite the ice cold water, all the boys loved the rope swing. Most of the girls simply "watched", but Lizzy & I got the guts up to go down the natural rock water slide. It was SO FUN!! As cold as I was, I'm really glad I did it. The locals said we win an award for the first Charlotteans to do that (I know thats not true, but its a nice pat on the back :) As much fun as Alathea had, the only thing she didn't like was the swimming hole. WAY too cold for her little body. She just played with the rocks. What a fun little adventure we had. Our first to the Mt's since Alathea has been born.

Bye-bye Pool

Today is a sad day. It is the last day this year that we will be able to go to our pool. Alathea, Joe & I have made so many special memories at the pool. Many family days. Alathea & I have enjoyed almost all of our "Alathea-Mommy Dates" at the pool. We've had playgroup at the pool once a week with Alathea's buddies. Lots of time with Grammy, cousin Andrew & all of Joes family. Alathea has spent much time with her favorite nieghbor buddies Kathryn & Olivia at the pool. The Swans have joined us many times for a last minute evening swim. The pool has been our favorite place to be this summer.

Alathea learned many things at the pool...she now thinks she can swim. She kicks her feet and blows bubbles while we hold her stomach and move her about the water (see pictures of Joe "teaching her to swim" above). Alathea has learned how to "jump" into the water. She also learned how to "fly" (see 1st picture). She is quite brave in the water now. I'm starting to wonder if she's part fish.

Other sweet memories like sharing our popsicle on our Mommy-Alathea Dates, her in her cute bathrobe after swimming, how she loves her hat & sunglasses, her counting "two, two, three" before she'd jump in the water, how cute she looked in her little float, the times she'd bring me her swim diaper & bathing suit saying "pool, mamma", her adorable pruned hands & feet after hours of swimming, the delight she had on her face when her friends would show up to be with her at the pool, how she loved to 'shower' at Katies pool (see bottom pictures) and how she LOVES the pool the very best when Daddy goes....these are memories I'll cherish!

Oh, and I have to admit, I guess I am just a big kid and love the pool every bit as much as Alathea. Can't wait until next summer :)

Also, sorry for the ridiculous amount of pictures!! I picked my fav's, which are all special to me, but didn't realize how many it was!