New hobby

It has been quite awhile since our last post so here goes... Conway began piano lessons this evening. He takes lessons from the same teacher MK has been going to for two years. He was scared at first and even started crying before it was time to leave. I think partly he was exhausted from walking around the Botanical Gardens all day on his first elementary school field trip, but he was also nervous that tonight he would have to play in a recital type environment. He came home with a big smile showing off a prize he earned. He's eager to go back next week so I'd say that's a good start! Connie is still loving school and his teacher told me this week he's more active and social now than he has been all year. His skills in many areas are strengthening. He even ties his own shoes now! We put up our Christmas decorations over Thanksgiving break and he was a big help with the tree. He loves to hang ornaments and hear the stories behind each one. He noticed that Karsten doesn't have as many as he does and he felt badly about that-such a sweet big brother. Speaking of big brother, we found out that our new baby is a girl. Conway was the only one really disappointed in that revelation. He had his heart set on naming this baby Peter. Conway spends his free time engaging Karsten in very noisy, all-boy games such as tag, jumping on furniture, "fighting" with hand towels and boxing. His new favorite movie is the Nightmare Before Christmas and he loves to play with his stuffed angry birds. He uses Greg's paper boxes to make large structures in which to place his pig. Then he hurls the birds at the structure, taking delight in it falling! MK plays along designing posters and other props for these games. We continue to be grateful for all your prayers, especially those for his health. His strength and stamina seem to be increasing and so far he's been able to avoid the nasty bugs going around. Specifically, we ask for prayers that he grow in his ability to maintain focus. We also ask for God's help and guidance with Greg's business, for Mary Kathleen-that her worried little mind will quiet enough for her to get adequate sleep and for good health for the new baby. We have an ultrasound tomorrow afternoon and are, of course, a bit nervous about the condition of this child's physical heart. Considering Conway's issues were missed on such an exam, we'll have a more in-depth look with a ped. cardiologist at just the heart within the next few weeks. Stay tuned for ultrasound pics... :)