Happy (belated) Easter to all! This Easter was a bit chaotic for us as Joe was moonlighting in Decatur for the weekend, and I am on partial "bedrest" for now. Ethan decided to start preparing for his birth at 32 weeks when we discovered that I am dilated to 1cm. I am now 34 weeks along and only 2cm so hopefully Ethan has realized that the lungs need more time to develop! My official due date is May 23, but it is looking like he will most likely make an early appearance. Luckily my family was able to travel to Springfield to help with all preparations (for Easter and for Ethan's impending arrival) - aren't grandparents (and aunts and uncles) great?
Olivia's first year coloring Easter eggs. She did a great job - even with using the not-so-easy metal holder that comes with the colors. Most of the eggs, and her hands, turned a brownish color since each egg made a trip into each color. However, I am proud to report that Olivia made a half-blue and half-orange egg all by herself with NO prompting at all. Go Illini!
Easter morning brought many wonderful things from the Easter bunny - chocolate, books, chocolate, jump rope, jelly beans, and more chocolate! She promptly ate the ears off of her bunny in no time at all, and remained on a sugar buzz for the rest of the day grazing on the goodies in her basket. I figured one day of an all chocolate diet is not the end of the world.
I know that my mom did not want me to publish this picture, but it is the cutest picture I took of Olivia all day in her Easter dress (minus the white sweater shrug that she refused to wear). As I mentioned in previous blogs, Olivia does not often pose for pictures, so you take what you get. Sorry mom!
Easter egg hunting time. The helmet is from her new tricycle and since she loves hats of any sort she will randomly wear the helmet around the house. The striped pants are because it was COLD outside and the dress was not going to be enough! Finding the first 5 eggs were a thrill for her, especially with all of the candy inside, but the hunt seemed to lose its appeal for the last 15 eggs. I think the sugar buzz was waning by this point.
Posing on her new tricycle. She has not quite figured out the pedaling part yet, but she has only had it for 2 days now, so give her time. The basket is just like the one I had as a child (white plastic with big plastic daisies on the front) except now it is called "retro".
Joe and I traveled to Iowa City in late March to hunt for rental homes and found a very nice family home in a very child friendly neighborhood. We will be moving to Iowa in late June for 13 months while Joe completes his neuroradiology fellowship. Then we will be returning to Springfield for his job at Memorial Hospital. Iowa City appears to be a very nice college town that is family friendly as well. More information will be coming to you about our new address. We are preparing for a VERY busy few months as Joe prepares to take his oral radiology boards test in June (biggest test of his life), the birth of Ethan, and moving to Iowa City. Yikes!
Finally, a little video addition. Olivia got a pink and purple tee-ball set for Christmas, and the weather has finally been nice enough to use it outside. We're working on the hitting form now, but pitching left handed is her ticket to the show!
Peek a Boo!
Olivia attempting to climb the turtle statue.
Olivia hugging the "cool" hippo statue. I don't know if she was refering to the temperature or to his personality!
A lazy Sunday morning for Joe and Olivia. We are enjoying these while we can as the upcoming arrival of Ethan is bound to change these! And while we are on the subject, who knows how much longer it will be? I am 36 weeks now, and dilated to 3cm. He is slowly making his arrival! 
