Fall Fun

We've been busy with lots of fun activities this month and the weather has been beautiful so we've been spending lots 'o' time outdoors, which is always refreshing. I really do love the climate change we have come to know since moving to the South.....

We did a Pumpkin Patch trip with some friends.....

And during a recent shopping trip to the mall, the boys enjoyed the lil' rides in the commons area....(p.s. getting them to smile, particularly d1, is such a chore because they insist on looking so 'serious' just as they do when they are riding their Gator or doing anything else we know they thoroughly enjoy ~ so strange!)

And then today was TFBC's Fall Festival, where the kids all dress up and enjoy games, inflatables, carnival rides and, of course, candy (of which ours was 'traded' in at home for chocolate to avoid our coloring-induced meltdowns. This year, d1 is Batman and d2 is his sidekick, Robin (so appropriate for these two guys). They did okay in their costumes, although d2 hates the mask. We couldn't get them to cooperate for a picture AT the festival so we settled for one at home...and yes, my bulge is showing!

d2's First ER Visit...and Our Early News

This week d2 had his first ER visit, which I'm certain will not be his last. I got a call from his preschool around 4:15 (just minutes before I was to pick him up) to tell me that I needed to come early because he had an accident. Those words alone made my heart sink so I didn't really hear what happened until I picked him up - that he was running in his classroom, tripped and fell into a table. When I got there, I ran (okay, partially ran b/c I just don't run much these days) into the office where he was sitting with the director. They had a sucker in his mouth (despite my adamant requests that my boys have NO candy at school but I realize he was probably hysterical so I didn't say anything) and a compress on his eye. He was calm but his eye looked AWFUL. It had already began to bruise and he had a pretty large gash underneath it that was open and "fleshy." I tried to hold the tears back because I knew that would only freak him out but it was so hard because my baby looked terrible. Like he had just been in a bar fight or something....We first took him to minor care, who didn't want to treat due to his age and the location of the wound. So we went to the ER and checked in. Luckily, D1's AWESOME aunt and uncle came and got d1 and took him home with them for dinner while we were with d2. When the doc did the procedure, I willingly left the room and let D1 take this one (you see, I took d1 to the ER last year for his first round of stitches and I endured the heartbreak that happens when they restrain your baby after a random and often "goofing off" incident he enjoyed with his dad that warranted stitches). Three hours and three stitches later, here's a picture of our lil' champ...

On another note, I went to the OB last week at 13w4d for some weird but minor side pains. My routine appointment was a week away but I just wanted to check that Baby D was okay. I have a GREAT group of docs at Piedmont Women's Health who take wonderful care of their patients (and I'm sure it helps that I'm their financial analyst!!). I saw Dr. W and after asking me some questions, he decided to get the ultrasound machine out and take a look. After looking at the important stuff like Baby D's heartbeat and my placenta, he said it looks (and sounds like) a pulled muscle. Then he said he just wanted to do a little more "looking" around...and then something "popped" out at me. Maybe he was specifically looking for something and thought I wouldn't notice but I noticed! I asked him what that was that he was just looking at and he just kind of chuckled and looked at me(you see, we had just discussed the whole gender issue before he looked and how we were PRAYING for pink). I said (very professionally, of course) "Was that a wiener?" He just left it there, looked at me and said, "Yes, that looks like a wiener to me." We then had a conversation about whether or not he could really tell this early and some other "explanations," he did say that he's not 100% sure but that he would be VERY surprised if my Level 2 U/S at 18 weeks showed anything but a bouncing, baby BOY! He then asked if I needed a minute to myself (I was alone for this sporadic appt) because I think he could see my disappointment and slight terror in my reaction. So, I am almost ashamed to admit that I cried many times throughout that day and random times since...and I hate myself for it because the most important thing is that this baby is healthy. I also know that babies are a true gift from God and no matter the sex, we will love this little one with all that we have. I think my tears were more from my shame of being so disappointed that it's PROBABLY not a girl instead of being elated that we could have another boy. I just KNEW this was a girl due to the difference in my pregnancy and so that was just a let down. I am under no assumption that girls are a piece of cake to raise or that life would be much different than with these rowdy boys but as I write this, my boys are eating a snack and SPITTING on each other as they do it and YELLING as loud as possible....I mean, little girls don't do these sorts of things, do they? I am doing much better this week (thanks to my email buddies, just-me-and-the-boys and threescompanyingreenville). I think we have actually come to an agreement on a D name. We go back in less than three weeks (on Election Day, no less) for the real thing and I hope that I'm better prepared to handle it since I have a good idea of what we'll hear. D1 and I have always wanted a little girl to add to our family but if this is not a girl, it is not to be for us because we are D-O-N-E! If anyone knows of a urologist who has a good track record of V procedures, send the referral our way!!

John Deere Green

I first want to say how much I LOVE Craigslist and whoever created it. Awesome idea! Early this week, I was perusing the site (lately, I've just been looking for good, quality baby stuff to begin my process of starting over) and came across an ad that was almost unbelievable. A hardly-used John Deere Gator for a STEAL of a price....We have been wanting to get d1 and d2 one of these for awhile but couldn't bring ourselves to shell out the retail price. We had decided that we would wait until closer to Christmas and use some leftover gift cards they had received for their birthdays and some of the Christmas money they would receive to go towards the purchase...until I came across the ad. I went the same night to check it out and left with it in my mini-van 10 minutes later. They are already fighting over who rides it next, which is the sign that they love it. d1 got a John Deere Tractor for his 2nd Christmas and D1 and I agree that it was worth every penny. Yay for CL!! Love the bargains.....

Day by Day...

It seems like forever since I've posted and I have good intentions of doing it but just can't seem to muster up the energy at night after the boys are asleep. I started a new job last month and it's awesome but the hectic schedule is a lot to handle, even more so with the daily afternoon/evening nausea that I'm dealing with. I've tried all the suggestions (crackers, ginger ale, small meals, etc.) but the only thing I have found to help slightly is a little bit of good ole' caffeine. Not a lot but just about 1/2 a can of Dr. Pepper does the trick...most days. Before the rocks get thrown at me by you non-caffeine drinkers, let me say this. First, going from drinking 2-3 cups of coffee and 1-2 cans of DP a DAY to only 1/2 can every OTHER day is a lot for this busy mama. Second, I did verify with my OB (even though I knew the stats....1-2 cups of coffee or 1-2 sodas is acceptable and safe) and I'm doing this in an effort to stay off meds until this first trimester passes...assuming the sickness goes with it. And third, I drank little to NO caffeine with d1 and he's a wild child. I drank a bit more with d2 and he's a mellow fellow. Looking at the two in comparison, one might suggest that I drink a 2-liter each day to ensure this bebe's calm temperament. However, I am following doctor's orders....and drinking my tasty DP in moderation. Although we have a few weeks left before we know the sex of this little surprise, I have to think that this is a girl....I was never sick with the boys and I never had this disgusting ACNE I have recently come upon. Maybe old wives tales but I'm holding onto it with all I've got! Here's a picture of me at 10 weeks...pre-acne period and before my tan faded from my month-long vacation....

So, our two little guys are growing in leaps and bounds. d1 is thoroughly enjoying preschool and LOVES his teachers (PTL!). He takes his lunch everyday and is so excited when I tell him what I packed in his Spiderman lunchbox each morning. He used to "cling" to me during drop-off but he has really been doing great, and I'm sure it's due to his being so comfortable around the teachers. d2 is also doing well in preschool, although he did have to go to the director's office and sit in the "sad chair" last week. Apparently d2 was on the playground and, according to his teacher, he tackled a little girl to the ground and BIT her on the cheek. I was SHOCKED! This is not the behavior we typically see from d2 so, like any good parents, we assume the girl did something to him first. ;) Not that we find his behavior acceptable but more that we think there is more to it. Naturally, we don't ask the teacher who the little girl is (although I bet we could figure it out by looking for a bite mark on the cheek)...we go to our inside source ~ Aunt Donna. She works at the preschool and she is so loving to the boys, always checking on them to see how they are. We called and asked if she had heard about the incident in question and she hadn't but said she suspected a little girl that is known for hitting and stealing toys. AHA! Come to find out, it was and we "know" our precious monkey wouldn't intentionally hurt a little girl....but we do know he has had to learn to defend himself from his big brother so it all became very clear. Nonetheless, we explained to d2 that we do NOT hit or bite our friends...and his response is always "Ess mim" (yes, ma'am). Everyone is "mim" at this point...we haven't mastered "sir." We are also working on potty training...at this point, he will pee-pee in the potty but #2 is out of the question. Our bribe of choice....Nilla Wafers. Works great....except that he is going to burn out on Nilla Wafers if he doesn't stop going into the pantry, closing the door and eating out of the box! Sneaky little guy...

d1 does have his share of time-outs at school for not listening, an issue we have daily at home. Like the ears don't even work...I think it's a male thing, not a 4-yr-old thing because D1 often has a "hearing problem." But other than not listening, d1 hasn't been in real trouble...accept for kissing a little girl in his class last week. Him and a friend apparently each gave her kisses on the cheek and had to sit with the teacher and hear why we only kiss our mommies and daddies. I thought girls were gross at this age?? I will be punting these subjects off to D1....just like I do with the "Mommy, where's your weenie?" questions. I refuse to stand naked in front of him anymore because it's like his eyes are glued to where where my "weenie" should be. Ah, the joys of parenthood and the infamous questions!

Here is a recent picture of my crazy pair....lucky for you, their clothes are on this time. They usually enjoy dancing in the nude...

d1's First Day of Pre-School

d1 started a new daycare last week and it's fantastic. It's a Methodist church that has a child development center as well as half-day preschool. We are so excited about it! Looking back, it makes me cringe at where we sent the boys before. They were "looked after" but beyond that, it doesn't hold a candle to this new place. d2 will start at the same school in a couple of weeks when his new room is finished being remodeled. And another perk of this new school, which initially led us here is that D1's aunt has taught here for years so the boys have a family connection. These teachers are so loving to the children, they go to Chapel every Tuesday, and it's only about 10 minutes from my new job. AND every Wednesday, parents are encouraged to eat lunch with their children. I can't wait!! Being this close to their school AND having a new, super-flexible position, I won't miss out on any classroom parties or programs and I just might get to chaperone some field trips....hopefully before I start waddling from this new growth in my uterus! ;) Here is my lil' guy on his first official day of preschool!

Ready or Not - Here He/She Comes!

So, about two weeks ago D1 and I discovered that we are unexpectedly expecting bebe #3. We found out while on vacation and are still adjusting to the news (shock). d1 and d2 were very much planned pregnancies and with this one...well, we were pretty sure there wasn't going to be a third. Nonetheless, we both know that this is nothing but a miracle in itself and a gift from God so we are overjoyed in so many ways. Our first announcement of the upcoming arrival were to the little people....the soon-to-be big brothers. d1 was excited and continues to tell others that I have a baby in my belly and offers to show them by lifting my shirt. Hmmmm....not happening, buddy! He also insists that it's a baby sister so D1 and I are both hoping that he knows something we don't. No matter what, we will be thrilled whether it's a boy or a girl but for anyone who reads this, THINK PINK for me!! PLEASE!! I need a little estrogen in my home. Maybe the pink ticker will help me out?????

Home Sweet Home

We made it back, safe and sound! Our trip to MO was really nice (and LONG). We had lots of time to visit family and friends and new bambinos. We attended a wedding, "milked" cows at a farmstead, made sundaes and played at Paradise Park, soaked up the sun in the pool EVERYDAY, rode four-wheelers and tractors at Papa Murphy's farm, had a surprise party for D1's Big "30th" Birthday, just to name a few events. D1 participated in his high school alumni baseball game and hit a homerun...I was so proud! d1 spent most of his waking moments on a tractor or the riding lawnmower. If he wasn't riding one of the two, he was asking....over....and over....and over. One track mind, that boy has! d2 had a ball playing with Blue, G-pa's dog, and following on d1's heels. His new thing is this ~ everytime d1 asks to do something or for something, he chimes in with "and ME!" It's absolutely precious! He wants to be just like his big brother. d1 also had his first sleepover with CJS (it still counts, even if Mom and Dad are there, doesn't it?) He didn't make it through the night in the tent, due to CJS waking up in the middle of the night for his Mommy. d1 was funny...when I went in there to see what was going on and why they were crying, he said, "I'm crying because he woke me up and I wanted to still be asleep." Here are some random pictures from our trip.

Deanna Rose Farmstead

Paradise Park

Papa Murphy's farm

d1's fav activity

My baby brother

First sleepover