FINALLY we at least have the painting done in her room! This was the product of watching too much HGTV and little painting experience -- I had no idea how big of a job it was to do something like this -- stripes. There was a lot of painter's tape used in this room, to say the least. But we are REALLY pleased with the way it turned out and we think we shouldn't have to repaint it in a couple of years because it's not a "baby" room, just a "girly" room. 

Well, today was Will's last day of swimming lessons, and I am just so impressed by this program. On the first day he was reticent to put his head in the water; Today he was jumping off the side and using both arm and leg motions to swim a few feet to his coach. Will has had such an enthusiastic attitude about all of this and has been so willing to work hard and practice (every time he gets in the bathtub he asks for his goggles so he can practice his swimming). We are so proud not only of his progress, but also of his tremendous effort.  

Will and Coach Mary Catherine have a talk. 

Isn't he getting to be big? 

Ahhhhhhh! "Push me more!" yells Will. 

I love this one -- Will and Daddy at the pond behind our house. 

Well, everyone has been asking -- this is me at about 29 weeks. I'm standing in the baby's room, which isn't anywhere near being finished with painting.  

This is Will standing with a super-duper third base coach on his first day of t-ball practice. 

This is Will after his first day of swimming lessons on Monday. His coach says that he's made a lot of progress from the first day -- he didn't even want to put his head underwater then, and now (with his goggles on) he's getting his body horizontal with his face in the water, and they're working on improving his kick. I'm proud of him because he doesn't have ANY swimming experience (kind of missed a
formative swimming summer with no lessons in Wisconsin) and he's really working hard and keeping a great attitude (there are a lot of kids who run from their coaches when they come to get them -- Will runs TO his!) I've been impressed with this place because they really seem to stress the fundamentals and make sure all the kids get individual attention so that there aren't kids left behind. Anyway,
he's enjoying himself and we are so proud of all his hard work. He has one more week of lessons, so we'll see how far he goes this session! 

The lake in the back of the photo is the lake that is usually behind our house. You can tell from the little bridge that that big mass of water is usually just a small creek. Fortunately for us, we are at the top of a steep incline, which you can't really tell from the picture, but is at about a 70 degree angle up about 8-10 feet. (I'm guesstimating here.) But wow, did it ever rain. 

This is another view of his ship. 

Will created this Star Wars ship while watching "The Phantom Menace" on TV. He's pretty incredible with the legos.