Wesley practices his cello.

Here's a little snipit of what our practice time looks like. Wes is starting to learn the cello. He plays a tiny violin and holds it like a cello and we call it a cello. He knows how to say "cello", "bow", and can pluck and draw the bow across the strings.


I didn't say anything about tone quality...I just said he was capable of drawing the bow across the strings. He's going to be a great little musician. He really loves to practice.

Wesley swimming!

Wesley and the pool...seriously!

I know you all won't believe this, but last week, Wes had his first swimming lesson. We were hoping that some fun song and game lessons with his friends would warm him up to the water. One of the moms in my Capitol Hill Mom's group has a pool in her courtyard, must be one of the only on the Hill, and hired a toddler swim instructor to come once a week for our lessons. There are about 5-6 kids in each class. We sing, play water games, and teach the kids how to float and hold on to the sides of the pool. Wes watched from the side for about half of his first lesson last week. But this week, the instructor said he was one of the most enthusiastic! Dustin came with us and I think he was just showing off for Daddy. He actually cried when we had to get out of the pool after lesson. It was so much fun and we have more lessons all Summer.



Wes is quite the kicker in the water. He kicked hard whenever the teacher told him to. He also wanted to wave at Daddy when he was taking pictures.

19 weeks!

We find out in one week if it's a boy or girl! Here I am at 19 weeks today (pardon the flash on my face). I'm not even posting comparison pictures anymore because it's just ridiculous. I'm feeling great these days. Just a little dizzy sometimes when I stand up because the baby is getting bigger and my blood volume is increasing. This is completely normal during the second trimester from what I've read and I remember feeling occasionally faint with Wesley as well. Wes is definitely noticing the growing baby. He "loves" the baby and rubs him or her. He also kisses my tummy. He's getting easier to take care of and will consistently walk around on his own. Just a couple weeks ago, he would insist on being carried everywhere. But he walked almost all the way to the park with me the other day. This will be especially helpful for him to be more independent when the baby comes. We're getting excited!

Sunday morning thoughts...

It's a gorgeous Sunday morning and I sit here on the porch waiting for Dustin and Wes to get back with breakfast. Nothing like some Dunkin' Donuts for the pregnant lady! YUM!

I was thinking in the quiet of the morning that it has now been two weeks at home with my boy and I have never been happier in my life. Really, never happier. I always loved my job, loved getting up and dressing up in work clothes each morning, seeing my kids' smiling faces, warming up and playing music together. But I had no idea what other life I was missing. Nothing compares to everyday with Wesley. Yes, I'm tired of chasing him around by the end of the day. Yes, there are tantrums. He is less than perfectly behaved. He hit the dog three times and had three time outs in the span of an hour yesterday. But I want to be here to steer him in the right direction. I really think we've had less hitting incidences at the park in the past couple weeks since I've been home with him. Simply discipline.

I feel blessed to stay home with Wes, and I feel called by God to do this. Dustin has left for work many mornings the past couple weeks with a kiss and a "thank-you" for staying home and loving Wes. I love this. And it makes me that much more excited to meet our new baby. Less than two weeks and we'll find out, boy or girl.

My music studio is filling up at the Capitol Hill Arts Workshop and I love teaching my lessons there for a just a bit in the afternoons. Last week, I was trying to teach 5-year-old Ben to play some melody notes on the E string of his tiny guitar. He said, "Miss Sarah, is there a song with just the E?" He then loudly strummed the high E over and over again. "Because I could play that song perfectly!" They are too cute. Thank-you God for this job and your provision. Thank-you for each day with my boy.

More with Grandpa Burgin...

Let me just say that we had a great time with Grandpa visiting us. We had a very special Father's Day. We took Daddy and Grandpa to a National's game. Wesley had a great time, he just didn't want to turn around backward to smile for Mommy. He was tuned into his game.


And this is how Wes spent each morning, snuggling with Grandpa. Every time I even thought about hugging my baby, Dad said, "Give him to me."


We went with Grandpa to the newly renovated American History Museum on the National Mall and had a nice picnic lunch there. And here is Wes spending time in the kid's discovery section of the museum.

And just a picture of me and my daddy!

A visit from Grandpa Burgin!

Now we are spending a nice few days with my dad. He is stopping through before a conference in Virginia. It is so special to have him here for Father's Day! We brought him along to see what a baby birthday party is like with all our friends and he had fun meeting everyone. Happy Birthday Judah. A few pictures from the past couple days.

Judah, the birthday boy!
Happy Father's Day! The Father's Day breakfast spread.

Wesley enjoying a Father's Day breakfast with his daddy and Grandpa!