HAPPY 3rd BIRTHDAY

June 9th / 18th - I can't believe my baby is already 3 years old. It seems like just yesterday that she was born. Avery has been so excited about her birthday. For weeks she has talked about who was coming to her party - first it was Santa Clause and then the Easter Bunny and back to Santa.

On Thursday the 9th my Mom, David and I took cupcakes to her school and had a cake after dinner. This was the first year she was able to blow out her candles.

Avery loved the cupcakes.

Our ladybug cupcakes.

On Saturday the 18th we had a princess party with family. My Grandma, sister and I made her a princess cake that she LOVED. She got to wear a new dress and wear a crown. What more could a girl want?

Avery took the barbie figure out of the cake and licked all the icing off. My girl likes her sweets.

The princess cake we made. It was yummy and turned out great I must say.

Avery with Granddaddy and Aunt Kat.

BABY BROTHER

End of May / first of June (time seems to be flying by so I'm not quite sure of the exact timing) -People keep asking me about my pregnancy in front of Avery so David and I decided it was time to tell her she was going to be a big sister. I feared her reaction for days but she surprised us and took it really well. She seemed to be really excited. Now she tells baby brother good night and always wants to hug and kiss him. I'm not quite sure she understands that baby brother is actually going to join us in a couple of months but I guess we will deal with that when the time comes.

OUR GRAND CANYON VISIT

May 3rd -7th: David and I decided we needed to take an adults only vacation since it may be a while before we can escape just the two of us since we soon will be a family of four. We decided to go to Arizona. Below are some of the things we did.

We went to a Diamondbacks baseball game in Phoenix. They have such a nice stadium. This is the fifth stadium we have visited.

We drove to Sedona, which was about an hour and a half from our resort in Peoria. This is the Chapel of the Holy Cross. It was built right into the big red rocks. I was really surprised at how beautiful Sedona was.

David and I in Sedona.

After Sedona we decided to drive to the Grand Canyon, which was a couple of hours from Sedona. We found a place with few trees and watched the sun set. The Grand Canyon is chilly at night.

We took a hike into the Grand Canyon. The path was really narrow and of course there was no rails and it was a long way down if you fell. The hike down was easy but the hike up was exhausting.

Part of our hike into the Grand Canyon.

One of the coolest things we did was to take a helicopter ride over the Canyon. We really saw a different view on the Canyon from the air. I got to sit in the front with the pilot and it was an awesome ride.

A picture from above the Canyon.

Waiting to take off. I was really nervous because I didn't get to sit with David.

EASTER 2011

April 16th, 20th & 23rd - This year we spent many days celebrating Easter. I think this was my favorite Easter ever.

Celebration #1: Great Grandma's house

Avery's first egg hunt of the year. She had so much fun. She kept wanting to hide the eggs.

Avery's first time coloring eggs. She loved it.

Grandaddy helping her figure out how to dip the eggs.

Celebration #2: School Egg Hunt

All the eggs she found during the egg hunt.

It was so much fun watching the kids hunt for eggs. They got so excited when they found one.

Celebration #3: Easter on the Farm

Avery in her Easter dress. She looked so cute!

We had some family over for good food and fellowship. David decided to buy water guns and the kids had a blast. This picture is great - Granny getting Avery.

Avery squirting Granny.

A egg hunt at Granny's.

Coloring more eggs. By the end the kids had more dye on them then the eggs.

Our annual Easter Bunny cake.

IT'S A BOY!

We will welcome a boy in September. David and I were both shocked when we heard the nurse say boy. I guess we figured we would have another girl. We are both really excited to have both a boy and girl. This is a monumental event for my family since it has been 63 years since a boy was born (my Dad and Uncle). Needless to say everyone is really excited!

13 WEEKS

March 24th - Today I am 13 weeks pregnant. That means I am now in my 2nd trimester and should start feeling more energized (as much as I can with a 2.5 year old) and less nauseous. I already feel much better than I have in a while. On Monday David and I will find out the sex of the newest Diamond.

Please take our poll and let us know what you think we are having. Look for an update soon.

ANOTHER DIAMOND ON THE WAY?

YES, David and I are expecting another little Diamond. I am 11 weeks along and our new addition is expected to arrive on September 29th. We are really excited and can't wait to add to our family. For the last 6 weeks I have been nauseous and really tired. I'm finally getting to the point where I feel better but need to eat every couple of hours. I'm looking forward to my second trimester and hope I have more energy. We haven't shared the good news with Avery yet since she doesn't know the difference between September and tomorrow.

Below are pictures from an ultrasound I had on Monday.

Baby Diamond kicking.

Baby Diamond waving.