Andrew's Nursery

A few weeks ago Jarrett and I got busy working on the nursery. Yes, all things considered it was a bit early, but we had some new obstacles this time around. First, we transitioned not just a guest room into a baby room, but did a room merry-go-round. It was only suppose to take a weekend, but knowing me I think Jarrett knew it would be longer...haha.

There was some talk of putting the girls both in Lindsay's room, but we would have to purchase bunk beds or two twin beds, and it just wasn't cost effective, plus they weren't too excited about giving up their individual spaces. 

We ultimately decided to use Lindsay's furniture (turning her headboard back into a crib) and re-using her dresser and the rocking chair in Andrew's room. Next, Lindsay needed a new headboard and dresser, so we purchased that at a really awesome discount furniture store. For Madison, we moved her into the guest room across the hall by Lindsay's room. We kept the same paint and transistioned her toddler bed into a big girl bed with a full mattress. She felt pretty special to get to pick out her own bedding ;) With both girls's rooms settled, we were able to put together Andrew's room at last (which was a mess of furniture and boxes for a few weeks, and was driving me nuts).  

Daddy putting together the crib (again!) We got the parts out of the garage and it looked brand new!

He had two little "helpers" to pass him his tools...

Lindsay and Madison were so excited, all of a sudden it was real that they were going to have a baby in the house!

Here's the tour... 

We reused a ton of our old Pepperdine nautical themed stuff, including the navy panels and artwork.

After we re-painted the room from light blue to beige, I found these oars at Homegoods and boating flag sign and just had to have them for our preppy boy nursery! Our sailboat picture found a new home above the rocker, and we kept the lamp from Maddie's room. Thank you Grammie for the plaid and star bedding... adorable!!

I also found a home for our painted lighthouse sign, and got a whale frame which we will soon fill with a picture of his sweet face ;)

Thankfully, I hadn't gotten rid of my diaper genie, wipe warmer and changing pad yet, so we pulled it out of the garage and recycled them as well! All in all, it came together pretty quickly, within a few weeks. I am so glad it is done, although I still have a ton of washing and stuff to do, which I will begin to do in September. I can't believe it is August, and this summer has turned out to be really busy for us, with me babysitting June and July, August proves to be just as busy preparing for Lindsay to head to Kindergarten!

And the name is...

Our little guy finally has a name...

Andrew Brooks Fisher arriving near October 6, 2015! 

What?! No "N" name to complete the J-K-L-M? We tried REALLY hard to agree on an "N" name, but found it super hard. Our nephew's name is Nathaniel, so that ruled out a ton of "N" names. We tried Noah, Nicholas, and ran out of options. We wanted a classic name, (I especially wanted a Biblical one) with options for nicknames. Jarrett was going through a list of President's names, and for those who know him well, know of his fascination with all things U.S. Presidents. When he said, "What about Andrew?" I said, "I like it. Andy or Drew?" Much better than "Abraham or Nixon" right? Why Brooks? We just liked the way it sounded and the initial "B". LOL. Jarrett and I agreed Andrew B. Fisher will look nice on a diploma, resume, and business card.

 It just so happens that my Grandfather on my Dad's side's middle name is Andrew, and his father, my Great Grandfather's name was Andrew Jackson Cross. Needless to say, I was so excited to use a family name that means, "Manly and Strong" and was also the name of an apostle, one of the first disciples called by Jesus in the New Testament and brother to Simon Peter. Very fitting for the first boy in our family ;)  

Our little pumpkin will be here just in time for fall, and his big sisters are getting so excited. Madison likes telling random strangers that her "Baby Brother will be born in the fall, when the yard has leaves and we carve pumpkins." Lindsay is very affectionate with her brother, sometimes running into the room just to give my belly a kiss and whisper, "I love you Baby Boy!" Thank you to my sister-in-law, Sarah who has so graciously passed down two giant boxes of Nate's clothes and toys. We have finished the nursery, and I will do another post this week with pictures! Can't wait to meet you sweet Andy B! 

Dance Recital 2015

The girls had their dance recital the last week of June, and did such a fantastic job! It was pretty serious business for each girl, since they had been practicing hard each week since January. Lindsay chose to take tap, and Madison has been taking a tap/ballet combo class, her very first dance experience! All the dance videos are from the dress rehearsal where they let us take video ;)  

Lindsay Diane, 5 years old 

Aren't these purple costumes just the cutest?! It is too precious how serious Lulu's face is during her dance... I could see a few times she was really getting into the 'shake it off' song and loving the fringe on her costume. She really enjoyed taking tap this year! Great job Lindsay!! 

Lindsay's Tap performance to "Shake it Off" by Taylor Swift. (She is the dancer 1 in from the left)

Madison Grace, 3 years old 

Our tater tot was the smallest kid in her class and the youngest, and being her first dance experience, I wasn't sure how she would like being on stage.  My fears were proven unfounded, because she marched her little self right on stage and danced her very best two times ;) 

Madison's Ballet performance to "Do you want to build a snowman?" from Frozen movie. (She is the dance on the end in both videos)

Madison's Tap Performance

After Madison completed her dances, her teacher Miss Amanda came up to me and told us she chose Maddie to get her Teacher's Choice award, for the student in her classes that did their best and had a lot of personality (That's our MG lol). We ended up staying to the end of the show (almost 3 hrs!!) for her moment in the spotlight ;)

Proud girl with her medal!! 

Great Job Lindsay and Madison at your recital... We are so proud of all your hard work!! Love you! xo

Father's Day 2015

Happy Father's Day Daddy Bear!! 

Lindsay made Daddy a pencil holder for his desk at work ;)

Daddy and his sweet girls!

We enjoyed Father's Day by eating BBQ and skyping with Papa! This year J requested homemade Chocolate Tiramisu for dessert!  We love you so much!! Love, All Your Girls and soon-to-be Baby Boy

Daddy Maddie Date

A couple weekends ago Lindsay had a evening birthday party to go to so Daddy and Maddie had a date night! Madison carefully picked out what she wanted to wear her on her special Daddy Date: her aqua skirt and birdie shirt! First, they went to the tree house park...

Someone was feeling pretty sassy and brave with Daddy nearby on the playground! She told us when she got home, "I went down the tube slide ALL BY MYSELF!"

Next they went to Madison's favorite spot to eat: IHOP! Madison got banana and strawberry pancakes, and proceded to "share" Daddy's dinner or rather eat all the sausage off his plate. I have no idea where she would learn such behavior. LOL.

Daddy and Maddie Selfie!! 

Madison LOVED her one-on-one time alone with Daddy, and is still talking about it, weeks and weeks later. Such sweet, special memories, and made her feel so special ;) Daddy loves his Maddie Girl!!

Lindsay's Preschool Graduation

Mama, Daddy & Sissy with our Pre-K grad!

We were riding the graduation celebration train this year, with Jarrett graduating in May, then Lindsay graduating from Preschool in June. Our big girl had her own ceremony where we took a few videos... enjoy!

The hats were so cute and made me giggle, and she was proud walking into the gym with her hands on her hips...so serious! I heard the music and let a couple tears escape (thankfully I could blame it on being pregnant) and envisioned hearing the same music in 13 years... sniff sniff. It is going by way too fast.  

Her class sang a few songs from the year, and had a cute slide show of photos from a field trip to the farm and daily fun stuff: "L" Luau Day, "P" Pajama Day etc...  

Singing, "Come Along to See Jesus"

Maddie and Big Sis Lindsay

I love watching her carefully walk down the steps to shake the principals hand, take her goody bag then merrily skip along. It is so our breezy, sweet Lulu. 

Lindsay Diane, 5 years old

Lindsay and her teacher, Mrs. Juliano. She was excited in the morning seeing that her and Mrs. J were matching in turquoise. LOL

Preschooler no more, off to Kindergarten!

o

Lindsay in front of St. Ann's

Congratulations Lindsay Diane on graduating from Pre-School! We are so proud of you and all the hard work you did this year! We know you will do fantastic in Kindergarten in the fall!

Kindergarten Orientation

Last Thursday was Lindsay's Kindergarten Orientation at her new school, Ben Franklin Elementary. She was excited, and a little nervous. Most of the kids she attended Pre-K with are continuing on to St. Ann's elementary, and she was a little sad to be leaving them! She held my hand tight at first, but about halfway through, she loosened the grip and began to explore! The school is literally less than a mile from our house, and we frequently play on the playground on the weekends so it won't be so scary in the fall ;)  There were four kindergarten teacher's rooms we toured, although we aren't sure which one she'll have until August. 

Found some blocks and played with a new friend ;)

I know she is thinking, "Really Dad, another picture. I will smile and get it over with!"

Lindsay's favorite teacher was Mrs. Kriszak, and we found out later she lives around the corner from us. She has the sweetest disposition, very calming but enthusiastic; you can tell she loves her job ;) Fingers crossed we get her, but I know all the teachers are great!

Mrs. K told the kids, "Shhh! My puppy gets scared when kids all try to talk at once" (genius!). Lindsay, who loves stuffed animals of all kinds knew immediately she adored her LOL.

The read a cute story and Lindsay sat quietly next to her, listening and raising her hand. So proud she used her classroom manners :)

After the story the kids drew a picture of themselves and colored it. Lindsay proudly wrote her name at the top with a capital "L" and lowercase "indsay" with confidence. 

I am so proud of my big girl, I can't believe she will be in Kindergarten this fall. The day is coming soon where all the work we've done the past few years to prepare her to for her first steps of independence will be put to good use. This Mama's sending her baby girl out with a smile, a tear (carefully hidden of course) and covered in prayers!  Love you Lindsay Loo! xo