farewell to Iowa...

I am about to sign off the computer for the last time here in Iowa. I flew up yesterday so I could be here tomorrow when the movers come and pack up our little apartment. I have to admit I have mixed emotions. I love, love, love the idea of being close to home and having the girls grow up around family because that is what Dave and I value the most. However, this past year was full of so many precious memories that it's a little hard to say good-bye. After five years of residency and a grueling last year with oral exams, Dave really needed a break in order to reconnect with us and relax a little. Iowa City was the perfect place for our little family to do just that. We spent almost every weekend together doing something fun. I finally started to see glimpses of the Dave I married and I fell in love with him all over again. He was able to just be a husband and a dad, and let me tell you, he is one hell of a husband and a dad. He is supportive and dedicated and loyal, and we are truly partners in this great journey we chose to take on together. As for the girls and I this year, we made it work everyday together. I stayed home for the first time since having Aubrey, and I didn't regret that decision at all. I support working moms and I support stay-at-home moms because BOTH jobs are equally demanding. There are pros and cons for each one, and I actually enjoy both sides. However, being home with the girls this year really allowed me to get to know them and their personalities. It allowed me to watch them grow and change, and it allowed me to watch them interact with each other in only a way that sisters can. It allowed me to hear every "I love you" and it allowed me to watch them squeal with glee everytime daddy walked through the front door. Although our time in Iowa has come to an end, I will always cherish the memories we made here. We will walk through a new front door on Wednesday, but like they say, "home is where the heart is"...thank you, Iowa, for allowing us to call you home this past year. You'll always have a little part of our hearts.

we're home! and the name game has officially ended.

We made it home yesterday morning around 9 am...drove straight through the night, and that was definitely the way to do it...we had to stop about 5 times while the girls were awake....anyway, we made it home safely, and we were very productive on our way home. We officially named baby boy. His new identity is: BLAKE MATTHEW WATKINS. Blake is my brother, Chad's, middle name and Matthew is Dave's middle name. So there you have it. :)

today is the day!

we'll be southbound 35 by nightfall. woohooo!

lunch date

The girls and I drove to Dubuque this morning to meet up with Katie and her precious baby, Hannah. They are friends of ours from Temple who are living in Madison this year for a fellowship. I was glad that I allowed extra drive time for pit-stops, because we had to stop twice during the 1 hr and 45 min. drive! I told the girls they were going to have limited beverages come Wednesday when we have to drive all the way back to Texas! We ate lunch and caught up a little, although our conversation was interrupted several times by Addy saying she had to go poopy...no contact there, but at least she was trying. *We've been having some poop issues for a little while now.* The trip was successful. I handed off some girl clothes that won't fit my little angels anymore, which made it seem real that we are, in fact, having a boy! And she gave me back my breast pump, which made it seem real that we are, in fact, having another baby! Holy cow!! I know he's coming, but I've been so busy getting stuff ready that I haven't really thought about it! Not only that, but Dave and I haven't even been able to come up with a name for this little guy. We thought we were set on one, but then we changed our minds over the weekend. Anyway, here is a picture of all the girls...

hmmmm....speaking of poop issues......Addy just brought me her panties, complete with a giant turd. Oh well, $hit happens.