It's A . . . .

GIRL!

The McLin party of four in November will become Three Ladies and a Daddy. That's right, Baby No. 2 is a girl and instead of "baby" we are calling her by her given name - Sara Frances McLin. Everyone is very excited about a new girl in the house. Ryan is thrilled, but, a little freaked out. He keeps saying "well, there's another wedding." Good thing we have plenty of time to save up for it!

Addie was really excited at the ultrasound about "baby Sara." She has quickly decided that if she ignores the subject we will all quit talking about. Poor thing. It will be hard to ignore Baby Sara when she is a screaming infant.

I am thrilled to be decorating yet another pink and frilly nursery. And, for a bonus, we have probably every stitch of clothing this child will ever need. I need to thing of a cooler word for "hand me down" . . .

Here comes Peter Cottontail . . .

Hopping down the bunny trail . . . Hippity Hoppity Easter's on its way . . . Well, I guess, Hippty Hoppity Easter went on its way. We had a traditional Jordan family Easter this year, with two egg hunts, a fish fry, Easter Sunday Service and lunch at the Lotus Club in Monroe.

Last year Addie was not really sure about hunting eggs. But, this year she really got into it. Here she is showing her Uncle Boo how it is done:

Another Jordan tradition is taking a family picture by the flower cross that is made by the children (with help from the very talented ladies of our church) during the service. Addie brought some pretty flowers for the cross. And, we took our family photo:

I must say, we are a pretty good looking group in our Easter best! Of course, the cross ALWAYS faces the sun, so every Easter this picture is squinty. But, check out the big smile on my precious Poppy's face! That just says it all!

McLin Party of Four

Well, I guess the title says it all on this one. We are expecting a new addition to our little family and are thrilled beyond measure! Baby McLin the sequel is due November 18, 2011 (precariously 14 days after Victor and Amanda's Nov. 4 nuptuals. Let's just say we are crossing our fingers that this little tyke doesn't think that Nov. 4 would be an awesome birthday!) Anyway, Addie had to share the news wearing her new Big Sister t-shirt.

She is not really sure what to think about the baby. She came with me to one of the ultrasounds and thought that the baby on the monitor was really neat. I just don't think that she understands that the cute little dot on the monitor will one day be a full blown screaming baby that will live with us all of the time. But, she does think that it is a girl. We find out on June 10 whether this little bundle will be dressed in blue or pink!

Dancing Queen

Well, my little girl is finally following in Mommy's footsteps. While we do not always have the same interests - for instance she will not stop watching Elmo to come watch American Idol with me - we do share a love of music and DANCING. Since I saw that Addie was a girl in her 16 week ultrasound, I have been waiting for her to start dance class. Dancing was my outlet as a child . And, let's face it, I always danced it out in College too, maybe just a little differently. So, I want to introduce my little girl to this past time.

Addie is now really into singing and dancing. She loves songs with moves - "Wheels on the Bus" and "If You're Happy and You Know It" particularly. And, I have to brag, my little girl got Rhythm! Yay! Here is a pic of her dancing it out at Caitlin's birthday party. Notice she is dressed for the part in a tutu and with some accessories. Also notice yet another appearance of the pink New Balances, SHEESH!

Shoes

Addie is recently obsessed with shoes. Not all shoes, just her pink New Balance tennis shoes that Gramms and Pops gave her for Christmas. She wears them all of the time with everything. In fact, I have to bribe her to wear other shoes for Church. She really believes that they go with everything: shorts, jeans, smocked dresses, pajamas . . . etc.

This morning I tried to get her to change shoes. She has on a precious outfit that has matching pink glitter Mary Janes. Yes, I said it, PINK GLITTER MARY JANES. These shoes are precious. Addie flat out refuses to wear these precious girly shoes. Instead, she opts for the pink New Balances, again!

Oh well, at least they are pink . . .

Happy Mardi Gras!

The past week as been Carnival time in Louisiana. And, boy did I put the "fat" in Fat Tuesday. I mean, full on gluttony on fried catfish poboys and king cake. But, man was it worth it! Of course, now that it is Ash Wednesday, I am in full fast mode. Bring on the Lenten fasting and then the Easter gorging on candy. I am ready!

I have no pictures of my shame, but, how about instead a cute of pic of Addie in her Mardi Gras outfit. We didn't make the parades this year. But, she would have been ready!

Addie is 2!

Yes, I know, I've already exclaimed this milstone, but, this time I have pictures! I know, can you believe, I am actually posting and I have pictures. YAY!

I think that 2 is a pretty signifncant milestone. Kids change so much from one to two. And, two = officially a toddler. So, in honor of that big milestone we had to celebrate three times. Once on her actual birthday at school, then again at home, and then again that weekend.

Her party on the big day was dinner at home (Ryan's spaghetti and meatballs which is her favorite home cooked meal) and a cake from Oak Point Grocery. Quick aside ~ this grocery store in Watson, LA makes the BEST grocery store cakes. The white on white cake I bought for her birthday tasted like wedding cake. YUM! I was presently surprised at the quality, the decorating and the overall taste of the cake. It was wonderful! I mean, look at this thing . . .

And, of course, we took cupcakes to school for a party with her friends.

Her big birthday party was an Elmo-themed extravaganza. Well, maybe not an extravaganza, but we had fun! We had a tunnel for the kids (modeled below by Addie and Ryan) and an Elmo ball pit (courtsey of Uncle Victor). I also had a cake from Oak Point for this party. It depicted Elmo's World. And, while cute, could not top that precious Tinker Bell cake!