Letters to Gage, Gabe and Grant: April 2016

Tuesday, April 19, 2016

Visit to Louisville Zoo (4/14/16)

Dear Gage, Gabe and Grant,

Gage, last week was your spring break, and while we didn't have any major plans, we did decide to drive up to Louisville to visit the zoo on Thursday. We got there around 11am and stopped for a quick lunch. We took it inside and ate at one of the picnic tables. Once we were full, it was time to explore. The zoo had just opened a special exhibit that day of Lego sculptures. We saw two of the three and they were amazing! I have never seen anything like them.

Lego exhibit

Gabe, you loved the monkeys

The most laid back orangutan I've ever seen

We watched this penguin walk all over the rocks

Gage, you loved the white alligator!

Gage got to pet a snake

Gabe with a tortise

Majestic bald eagles

Geriatric Lynx

We took a break to enjoy the playground

In the wallaby walk about

We watched a sea lion show

You were all excited to see the polar bear

Lego Polar bears

Fat little meerkat

Lazy hippo

Gage, you don't quite measure up to a full-grown gorilla

Elephant playing with a ball

Lion King!

Riding a camel

Giraffes were inside

Pretty flamingos

Daddy's favorite - Maned Wolf

We had such a great time at the zoo. The weather was perfect and there wasn't much of a crowd. It was a wonderful visit and I look forward to going back to visit the animals again.

I love you,
Mommy

Monday, April 18, 2016

Baby Payne #4

Dear Gage, Gabe and Grant,

This year for my birthday, I got a nice little surprise a day early - I found out we were going to have baby Payne #4. Shocked, would be the best word to describe how I felt when I saw those two lines, as I was still nursing you Grant, and I wasn't sure that I could even have another baby at that time. But the shock wore off and was quickly replaced by excitement and anticipation! Wow, another baby! We had already talked about having one more, but this was a tad bit sooner than we had expected. But God has a plan and we just have to put our faith and trust in His will!

Of course, one test just wasn't enough. Had to be sure!

I told Daddy our good news and he shared the same initial shock, but was quickly excited. We didn't tell you boys that day and decided to wait until I had confirmation from my doctor about a due date to say anything to anyone.

I went to the doctor in the middle of February and since I was still nursing you Grant, I hadn't had a cycle so I wasn't really sure how far along I was. I knew I wasn't too far along when I took the test because the whole reason I took the test was because I started to notice a few things with my body that only happen when I'm pregnant. An ultrasound confirmed I was 9 weeks pregnant, so that put us at a September 22 due date! A September baby! Since I'll have to have a c-section, we anticipate his or her arrival about a week before that. So that means a summer baby too! Gage, you're my winter baby, Gabe, you were born in the fall and Grant, you were born a little over a week into spring, so I'll have one in every season! Of course, this baby coming in September means I'll be pregnant all summer long, so I can't say that I am super excited about that aspect of my summer baby!

Once we had the ultrasound, we started to share the good news. Gage, you have been my little messenger and have been telling our family and friends when we see them about our new addition. Grant, at your 1st birthday party, we put you in your "Big Brother" shirt and let you announce it to the guests who hadn't been told yet.

My "Facebook Official" Announcement

I'll be having another ultrasound in the next month or so and we'll find out whether baby Payne #4 is a boy or girl. We won't let this one be a surprise like you were Grant. I don't think Daddy or I can handle the anxiety of not knowing. It's just hard to prepare when you don't know. Especially with a house full of boys and all blue.

I love you all,
Mommy

Grant's First Birthday Party (4/3/16)

Dear Gage, Gabe and Grant,

First birthdays are always celebrated with big parties in our family. We decided to rent out the multipurpose room at Phil Moore Park for Grant's party since our house isn't big enough. Also, less stress for me when it comes to cleaning the house before and after the party. Less stress for mommy = happy mommy!

We went with a Mickey Mouse theme since Grant, you stop whatever you're doing anytime you hear Mickey Mouse come on the television. We did Mickey Mouse for your first (and second) birthday party too, Gabe. It seems to be the thing for one year-olds!


We put together a banner of all your monthly pictures

We made our own little ball pit with an inflatable Mickey pool and some balls.

We tried to reduce stress by serving pizzas, but of course, I had to throw in some extra food for sides and dessert, so we spent just as much time preparing those items. I went a little over board with the desserts and became obsessed with the Mickey theme. Fortunately, Jeffy, Melissa and Jacob were in town that weekend, so I solicited a lot of help from Melissa. And she was kind enough to oblige.

Mickey Mouse Oreo Balls

Desserts! Homemade Mickey cupcakes and Oreo Balls and a store bought smash cake

We were able to get to the park about an hour early to get things set up, and by the time our guests started to arrive, we were about ready to party. One of the perks to renting the multipurpose room was the access to the two gyms indoors as well. As long as there wasn't a planned event, we had free reign of the volleyball court and basketball goals. Everyone, especially the older children, loved playing inside. Because the weather was so beautiful, the younger children enjoyed playing outside on the playground.

After we ate lunch, it was time for cake! Grant, you had already eaten your first slice of cake a few days prior on your actual birthday, so you were a seasoned expert. You dove right in and devoured some cake.

After we got you cleaned up from your delicious cake, I put you in your "Big Brother" shirt to make the wonderful announcement. A few of our guests didn't know about your good news, so this was a nice surprise for them.

Big Brother :)

Amy and Grant

We concluded the party by opening gifts. You got a nice haul of clothes and new toys. Thank you to everyone who came to the party to celebrate and those who brought the nice gifts!