He is here! Dakota Louis Marshall

Dakota Louis Marshall is here. He was born Friday August 17, 2007 at 2254 (10:54 PM) at National Navel Medical Center. He weighted 7 lbs and 7 oz and was 21 inches.

Kindergarten Class Picture

 

Last Day of School

Well today was James' last day of Kindergarten and he now a First Grader.

Kindergarten Graduation

 
 

James is on his way to First Grade! James was so much of a ham. He keep waving and smiling at us he was so proud of himself. He sang so big.
James got his kindergarten certificate, 100 word certificate, and got a trophy 100 words. His very first trophy!
My pictures did not turn out good at all the lady in front of us keep getting in front of the camera.
Megan is going to send me some of the pictures she took so as soon as I get them I will post them.

He is growing up.

It is so hard to believe that James is going to Graduate Kindergarten on Monday. The time has gone by so fast. I talked to his teacher about how he will do in 1st grade and she said he is ready. His math and reading skills are above K levels. I just hope he continues far into the future.

Week 29

So it has begun! I am in my third trimester. Less then ten weeks to go and our family of four will be a family of five.

So far all is well I am going to start on my birth plan this next week.

other then insomnia my pregnancy is been good. I get really tired here of late but getting two to three hours of sleep can do that to a person.

I so ready (not for ten more weeks) to meet our little one. Lilli tried to take a lady's baby home the other day. And she pushed the Doppler monitor at the doctor so she could hear the baby's heart beat. She getting ready in small steps.

I don't think I want to do this again and any way we are calling it quits are this one.

A busy four day weekend.

My dear hubby had a four day weekend and return to work this morning. I like those four day weekend.

Well did not go out to do anything. We stayed home. David and I did some much need house work. We got most of the boxes from our move last year gone through and organized. (That was a PCS nightmare and a huge lesson. but more on that later.) I went and pulled Lilli's winter clothes off her hanger and out of her drawers to make room for her summer stuff. I have not packed them as of yet. I still need to separate the stuff that will be too small for her and the stuff that will still fit her. I had James take all his long sleeve shirts except his "Button Shirts" off hangers. I have to go and separate his pants and other stuff in his drawers this week. I took all the baby stuff out of the "too little for Lilli" tote to make room for the her smaller stuff.

I then went thorough her toys and took out all the baby toys and broken stuff. I got tired of trying to keep her toys organized. I had a system. All her "food" toys on one container. All her big Lego blocks in a box. And then all her other stuff in a tote. Well she is and never well be like James. James keep his stuff separated. She on the other hand just put it all in one box (or should I say mixed up in several boxes). So David said dump it all in one tote she can dig for what she wants. So all her toys are in a huge tote. Her big toys and the noise toys I put on her shelf her Papa make for her. That way when she throws them in her tote they don't make some horrid noise at two in the morning.

James was missing a school media book (why they don't call it a library book is beyond me) so we took all his books off the shelves and found "a media" book but not the one they said he is missing. Man does that child have books. We organized his shelves so that his books don't keep fall off his shelf. I gave him a ruler to stick where he took the last boo so he can remember how to keep his book shelf neat. I did not have the strength to go through his toy tote yet.

Then I vacuumed and then shampooed the carpets in James and Lilli's room. man was James' carpet dirty. I swear he is soo boy. I can't tell you how many stiff, stinky and dirty socks I find from his room. He will wear a pair for a week or more. I keep telling him to "Change your Socks." them he will say I don't have any clean ones "Hum look in your drawer" They like to hide under the underwear. I don't now if it is by accident or well you if you have a boy you know. I keep wondering what the funny smell was in his room. I clean his carpet twice and Lilli's once and her was much cleaner the one time then his was the second time. Boys got to love them.

 

James' Spring picture 2006-2007

James brought his spring pictures home this week.
The scanner did not do this picture justice. I can't believe how he has grown. Notice the missing bottom tooth.

Kindergarten Promotion

James is growing up so fast.
Here our invitation to his Kindergarten Promotion on Monday June 4, 2007.
James' last day of school is June 15, 2007.

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Half-way point

Well as of Friday I am half way to my due date. It is hard to believe that half of my pregnancy has come and gone and in five months I will meet the newest member of our family. My ultrasound is this Wednesday. So many people ask me what we want and I simple say "A healthy, happy full-term baby." Since we already have one of each then it matters not to me.

 

James wants a brother because he does not want another sister to pick on him. Lilli says she wants a sister. So one of them is going to be disappointed but I think they will get over it soon enough.

    We have not picked out names or set them stone as of yet we are leaning toward a certain girl's name but no boy's name.

    My pregnancy is going good so far I am over the "morning sickness" and pure lose of energy that I had in the beginning. Right now I feel normal. I know wait a few more months and I will feel like a beached whale.

 

David's Reenistment

Sargent David Abraham Marshall reenlisted for the active duty in the United Stated Army on March 7, 2007. Sgt. Marshall reenlisted for a two year contract to his current duty station at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington D.C. The reenlistment ceremony was at the hospital's flagpole. Sgt. Marshall is the son of Robert and Dora Lee Marshall of Harrison, Arkansas and the grandson of Rose and the late Robert Anstey of Benton, Arkansas and Sylvia Weissman of Coconut Beach, Florida and the son-in-law of Marjorie Carson of Harrison, Arkansas. Sgt. Marshall lives in Wheaton, Maryland with his wife Tammy and two children James and Lilli.

Candid shots

Our Trip

Just to let everyone know we had a wonderful trip and enjoyed our visits.

On the way to Arkansas David and I drove the 20 hour straight through and by the time we pulled into Papa and Grandma’s house I was very tried. (I found out that being pregnant I can’t have caffeine. I stay awake and it gives my really bad night leg cramps. I can’t drink coffee as the taste is nasty.) David was disappointed and wanted to see the St. Louis arch but it was so foggy. Missouri got smart and painted the roads and intersections on the interstate lanes as you could not see the signs above you until you were right under them.

The kids enjoyed several days with their Mama Rose. This year the kids got very few toys but really nice one as we were limited on space. I got a singer sewing machine but I have not got to try it out yet I need to make a trip to a craft store and get a few odds and ends. James got an ukekale from his Mama Rose and a guitar from Papa and Grandma. As he puts it he can be a rock star now. Lilli is now in the official ranks of a Barbie owner. As her Daddy put it when she open her gift, “Oh, Boy the Barbie isle.”

We had nice visits with Dave and Keisha and the boys, my sister Cindy and her family, my mom and big little brothers and my Uncle Bobby.

The night before we left all of us (as my mom, brother Ed, David’s parents, and the kids) went to Branson Landing. The grandparents bought both the kids b-day presents of new shoes and ball caps and pants for James. They were sung “Happy Birthday” from the crew at Joe’s Crab Shack. The whole b-day song just made James’s day. Lilli on the other hand (our shy Lilli Bug) got embarrassed.

On the trip back home we stayed overnight in Louisville, KY at the Breckenridge Inn. David couldn’t believe how flat Illinois land was until he saw in the day time. The inn was nice and took pets. We then continued on home.

On sad note during our trip we lost one of our pets. Oreo the guinea pig passed away. I miss her whistle and silly ways.

We are now at home our visit was way too short and already miss everyone but we will see you all soon.

Kids Early Joe's Crab Shack B-Day

 

 

James had to tell everyone that his and Lilli's Birthday was in January so the crew came out and sang to the kids . That made James's day as you can tell from his expression.

 

Future Rock Star

 

Baby coming to a home near us.

As most of you know I am pregnant and Due August 10. We do not know what the sex of the baby is as of yet but we will keep you posted to our progress. Yes we are excited. No we don't have any names picked out yet. James wants a brother and Lilli says she wants a sister. I don't care as long as it is healthy. Ultrasound pictures to come soon. I will let everyone know where we register.