Go Tigers!

Lofton has had 2 baseball games so far this season. He is doing great and is loving it. He got the first game ball for best defensive play. He hits the ball really well, and he hit a double this past Saturday and then ran to home where he celebrated with a little dance! It is really fun to watch him play!

Levi Roger McConnell

Our Levi is finally here! He was born August 19th at 2:02 pm. He weighed in at 7 lbs 9oz. and measured 19 1/2 inches. He also not only was born with hair but his hair is black! He is precious, and luckily, he is so far proving to be an easy baby! The boys adore him, and both are big helpers. Lofton loves to hold him, and Landon likes to read him books and show him toys. Landon also is always looking for "the thing that makes him stop crying" or as he calls it. (Paci).

Since I turn my blog into a scrapbook, I've started a blog for Levi's first year. The address is www.leviroger.blogspot.com.

ABCs and 123s

Well, I did it; I took Lofton to his first day of kindergarten. I wasn't sure Levi was going to stay put long enough for me to get to do it, but I got my wish and got to take Lofton to school today. When I woke him up this morning, he sat right up and said, "I know what today is- it is my first day of school." He came in and sat down to eat muffins (which I woke up early to fix), but he said his stomach kinda hurt and he wouldn't eat but one bite. I did get a little milk down him though. Luckily, he eats lunch at 10:30, so hopefully, he can make it until then.

He was so excited to put on his Mario Brothers backpack and carry his Mario Brothers lunch box. He let me take several pictures without a bit of complaining. When we got to school, I told Landon to hurry up, and Lofton said, "Yeah, Landon, I don't want to get spanked with the thing you use to row a boat (paddle)." I assured him that he wouldn't get spanked for being late and that we wouldn't be late! We got to his room and his teacher, Mrs. Jamie Marvin, showed him where to put his stuff and showed him to his desk. She gave him a choice of playing with playdoh or working a puzzle; he started to look a little nervous, but then his friend Jackson walked in, and Lofton's face brightened up. When we left, he just told us bye and started working with the playdoh. I am proud to say that I didn't shed a tear, but I could feel them coming on. I have started to tear up a few times since we've been home, but Landon is keeping me busy, so I haven't cried yet! I am sure I will eventually.

Landon's Accomplishments

Landon has learned quite a bit this summer. He learned to swing by himself, and surprisingly, he learned to swim. He isn't afraid of the water at all, and he's been swimming for a month or so now, but he is getting better and better. Today, I never even put his life jacket on; he just swam in the deep and shallow end by himself. He has a hard time coming up for air, but he just swims until he can get to the side or a float. It is pretty impressive!

Showers of Blessings

We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends! On Saturday, July 30th, Amy, Debbie, Cassie, Joni, Marilyn, and Becky surprised me with a baby shower at Amy's. Debbie had been planning for weeks to have a girls' day by the pool. However, timing for me was terrible with training camp and Lofton's first baseball practice, so I declined coming to girls' day. So, the girls, who were secretly planning me a shower, got Rachel Daniel to come babysit so I could come. When I got there, I was pleasantly surprised to find that not only were the girls going to lie by the pool for the afternoon, but that we were also celebrating this baby! It was a much needed celebration because with all of the stressful news we have received throughout this pregnancy regarding Levi's health, I needed to take a breath and enjoy a little bit of this pregnancy. Afterall, we recently received good news that Levi's measurements have all caught up and that I no longer have to go for anymore ultrasounds.

The shower was a lot of fun. We had great food; I received great gifts, and I was surrounded by great company! Thanks to all of you girls for showering me with love and support not only at this shower but throughout this entire pregnancy.


Then this past Sunday we were showered with love and support again at a baby shower at our church. Jordan Kirby and a few other ladies from church threw us a shower. The boys got to attend this one; as we were about to leave, I explained to them that we were going to our baby shower, and Landon said, "I took a shower last night!" I explained that it was more of a party for the baby, and he couldn't have been more thrilled to learn that like at all parties, he was going to get to eat cake! They were so good; in fact, I hardly saw them at the shower. They came in to eat some sweets, and then they played on the playground and played Wii in the church teen room. Again, we received great gifts including lots of diapers and gift cards! (In fact, when we got in the car to go home, Landon took one look at all the presents and started singing "Santa Claus is Coming to Town!) We are so blessed to have so many people who love us. We thank everyone for all of the gifts, prayers, love, and support we have received these past 9 months.

Take Me Out to the Ballgame!

Lofton has been asking to play baseball for over a year now, but I have been putting it off because I had heard that it was rather demanding. Now, for some crazy reason I have given in right before I am going to have a third baby! Not sure what I am thinking; I hope I can get to practices and games toting three kids. But, I think it is going to be worth it because Lofton loved his first practice, and his good friend Justin is on the team too. It really isn't going to be half as bad as I thought. He practices twice a week until August 23rd, and then games start and he will no longer have practices. He will play two games a week, but one game is on a Saturday, so I think we will survive! I am happy for him because he really seems to enjoy it much better than soccer. But, soccer is not out of our lives forever because Landon keeps saying he is going to play soccer, so we'll be signing him up in the spring I guess.

It's a Bird! It's a Plane! It's...

Underwear Man!

Bible Boot Camp

This year our VBS theme was Bible Boot Camp- Putting on the Armor of God (Ephesians 6:11-17). I taught the 4s, 5s, and 6 year olds again this year and averaged about 20kids everyday! I thought it would send me into labor, but surprisingly, things went smoothly, and I survived; I'll admit there were two days that I was mentally exhausted from talking to myself because I felt as if noone was listening. However, the kids had a lot of fun and learned just as much; they soak in more than I'd expect. On the last day, the children put on a short program for their parents dressed in the armor they'd made throughout the week. Lofton and Landon had a great time- so much so that on Saturday morning Lofton said, "I want to go to VBS."