Layla Jane

We are finally home and beginning to settle into a routine. I can't say that nights have been difficult. The first few nights we had to actually wake her up after 6 hours to feed her and then she would sleep till about 8 am. The girls got here last night and it is nice to have everybody here. The girls love Layla so much. I am sure that I will never change a diaper by myself ever again. Ava and Ella always want to know where she is at and what she is doing. Sarah is doing great and getting around easier everyday. Sarah and I forgot how quiet the house can be without the 2 older girls here. It was nice but we both missed them very much and would rather take the loud then the quiet.



Ava the proud big sister.


Ella the other proud big sister.

Layla is never going to be alone.

Me and my ladies. I wouldn't want it any other way.

She's Here

Last night at 11:48 our beautiful third daughter, Layla Jane, came into this world. She weighed in at 8lbs. 9 oz. and she and mother are doing great. It was a good labor and Sarah was a ROCKSTAR!! Be ready for the pictures.

Dance Recital

Our rule this year was that baby could not come into this world until after June 19th. Well that day has come and gone and still no baby. We do have a deadline and that is June 30th (induction date). Whether she likes it or not she is coming into this world kicking and screaming.

We picked the 19th because that was the day of Ava's dance recital. She performed two dances at CY Stephens in Ames. The whole family was in attendance to watch her perform. After watching Ava on the soccer field and on the dance stage it is amazing to see the difference. She is more confident on the dance floor then anything else. That big stage does nothing to slow her down and with other dancers just standing there she is smiling and dancing. Afterwards we went to Hickory Park for a celebratory dinner. It made for a very long day with rehearsal at 10 and the recital at 12. At 7:00 that night both girls looked at Sarah and I and said they wanted to go to bed. We put them to bed and they slept 13 hours straight. Ava did a wonderful job in both of her dances and loved being all dolled up with her costume and her make-up.

Baby Watch 2010 continues....

Summer is Finally Here!!

First off I apologize for the lack of posts on here recently. With getting the babies room ready to go and finishing school it has been quite hectic around here. I can almost see the light at the end of the tunnel and that light is a kicking and screaming newborn. Everybody here is excited and anxiously waiting for Baby Girl McConnell's arrival. The girls are constantly asking us when she is going to be here and when they are going to Grandma Jane's to spend the night.
Sarah and I recently celebrated our birthday. She 29 and me a young-feeling 30!! It was a good time out with family at On the Border on Tuesday and yesterday spent with the family.
We are really hoping that the new little one will stay put until after next Saturday. That is Ava's dance recital in Ames and I think we will be cutting it close. Sarah and I really don't want to miss Ava's recital. Anytime after that is OK with us and we will be ready. Here are a few pictures to start the summer off. The girls love being outside. There are days that I know they spend more time outside then they do inside. If you don't here from me in the next couple of weeks you will know why. Stay tuned for pictures of the new arrival.


Probably the last family picture of 4.

Ella running through the sprinkler.

Ava eating watermelon. Her and I ate an entire one in one day.