This weekend, we are going to Chris' sister's wedding. I've been rummaging through my clothes trying to find something that doesn't show my pooch cuz let's face it, a pooch in your first trimester just looks like you've been putting on weight. I found something I felt comfortable in, but decided I needed a necklace and some shoes. Then I remembered a kit mom had given me last Fall to make your own charm necklace. It came with 6 charms, lots of stickers, and clear dome stickers to put on top so it doesn't look like a 4th grader made it. I hadn't ever made the kit, but decided to try so I'd have a necklace to wear this weekend. Here it is: I know it's not awesome or anything, but it has pictures of my babies, so I love it. The picture of Ca is the one on my header and the picture of Z is the cutey patuty from Mo Ranch. She gave me two kits, but I'll save the other for when we have the baby so all 3 can be on there.
PS - I found some shoes to wear to the wedding at Target today for $4.50, so I kept looking and found 2 more just for fun. All totaling under $20 TOGETHER. Awesome. I love summer clearances.

New Swingset

Right before we left for Mo Ranch, dh finished the boys swingset. It took forever because, well, it just does take forever, but then on top of that, he had to reorder several boards that split. They didn't charge us and the boards would come the very next day, but it happened about 5 times. They absolutely LOVE the swingset.! It's so nice for them to have something fun to do in our backyard.

Ca learned to climb the steps the very first day they were up. He also learned how to go down and UP the slide. Now, he likes to go down the steps. That makes a momma nervous. I like that it has two set of steps (one is a "rockwall") so the boys don't fight to get up there.

Z's very favorite part of the swingset is this swing. He'll spend 1/2 hour on it at a time. He's two. He doesn't spend 1/2 hour doing anything but watching tv.

Mom and Sis found this baby swing at a garage sale this weekend for $5. I think it's one of Ca's favorite things to play on, too.

We're Back!

This last week, our family took a trip to Mo Ranch. It's about 45 miles this side of Kerrville. My whole family minus one nephew (starting college) met us there. Here are some of my favorite pictures. We did a lot more than pictured below, but for some reason, I didn't take many pictures.

This is my oldest sister and her dh. We hadn't seen her and her family in 2 years. So glad they came.

All the younger grandkids got to go horseback riding. Z and Iz got to go together.

Zane, just being a cutey patuty.

Sweet Ca.

This is my gorgeous niece. I gave her a haircut one night, and I think she got a little more than she bargained for. Sorry, J.

Iz with J's hair on his upper lip. Chris was being, well, Chris.

Dad was never seen without his camera. I'm sure he and my nephew were having some deep discussion. J likes to start . . .um . . . discussions.

My nephew getting his bear hug.

Another cutey patuty.

Sis with her dh.

Pictures my dh took.

At the ranch, there was plenty to do. We went swimming, canoeing, ate lots of snacks. There was a ropes course that most everyone did. Z and I had to stay at the cabin during this because his "tummy hurt". I felt so bad for him. He's such a people person and wanted so badly to be with everyone. I was certain that he had some stomach flu and the whole gang was going to be infected by the end of the trip. But finally, he took a nap and felt fine the rest of the trip. I, on the other hand, had my bout with morning sickness.

This and That

I've still been really sick, lately, but at the same time, I feel so much better. Those few days of not knowing whether the baby was going to be alive were very scarey. I've had 2 friends in the last month have miscarriages, so that was laying heavy on my mind. Nurse said that they don't have to do any extra monitoring. I'm glad they feel that way, but I'd sure feel better if I could have a weekly sonogram. I'm feeling sick, but so thankful. My belly is already pudging. It's like I was sucking in for the last year and it's all fallen out, now. I probably will be in maternity clothes really soon. When's the earliest you've wore maternity clothes?
Chris has been putting together the boy's playset. It's probably been about 12 hours of work so far. He's had to reorder some boards that split, but as long as he reorders them within 30 days of purchase, it's free. And they come the very next day. He's almost done, but he had to reorder another piece today. The boys LOVE what's done so far. It's a "clubhouse" type thing with a slide that's done. Ca can already go up the steps and down the slide all by himself. We set it up close to the dining room window so I can see them from the kitchen, and there is shade from the neighbor's trees in the mornings.
We've been going swimming at MIL's community pool a few times, lately. It's so nice because the times we've been, there's only been one other family there. Z loves going and can swim all by himself with his lifejacket on. I plan on going as often as possible. I'm not brave enough to take the boys by myself, but if another mom wants to go, we'll be there.

Baby's heart rate: 130bpm

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

THANK YOU, JESUS!

Today, I went for a sonogram. It wasn't the best news. The babies heart rate was at 76bpm (normal is around 120). The nurse said the baby looked like the right size and all and she's seen heart rates speed back up. So Friday, I go in again. Best case senerio: heart rate has returned to normal. Worst case: there is no heart rate. Mom did some research and found out that there's about a 50/50 chance either way. But if the rate went back up, chances are the baby will be born normal. I'm ok. I'm sad. I feel like I could handle this so much easier if I didn't feel so crappy. Friday could not come soon enough. There's nothing I can do to change the situation. I'm leaving it in God's hands. I've seen miracles. I've seen disappointments. Either way, He is in control and He is and will always be GOD. Please keep us in your prayers.

Playdate

It's time for a playdate.

• this Thursday afternoon
• 3:30/4:00ish - dinner time
• my house
• indoors - our playset is sprawled out across our porch and dh would have my hide if the pieces got rearranged.
• I may have to make peace with the toilet gods here and there
• house only minimally clean (see last point)
• I have cheesecake.
• everyone is invited
• seph, I did notice that you will be quite busy that day, so your absense will be missed, but excussed.

My Kids Make Me Sick

Yesterday, I felt awful!!! Today, not so bad. The difference? I had lessons today and wasn't with my boys all day. What is it with them? They make me sicker. It may have to do with the fact that everytime I sit or lay down they come bouncing on me. This has been by far the worst time with morning sickness I've had. My sis told me that hers got worse with each pregnancy. I have a theory about that. It's the other kids that make you feel worse. So by the time you were pregnant with the fourth, Sis, you have 3 kids making you sicker. It's just my theory.

Thank you, everyone, for all your congratulatory comments. And Ang, yes, I peed on the stick and took a picture. Thought that'd be better than just taking a picture of my pee.

I'm a Free Woman!

Ummmm . . . . Maybe, not so much . . .























WHAT?!?!?!? Yes, I'm pregnant. We hadn't planned this, but we were planning on starting to try soon. I was nervous about our upcoming attempts at trying because of the hard time we had getting pregnant with our first. I just knew I would think about it all the time, stress about it, and learn some great life lesson on patience, but maybe this was God's way of sparing me. The due date (according to babycenter.com) is March 29th - that's 2 days after Ca's 2nd birthday. So, for those keeping track, I'll have a 3 1/2 yr old, 2 yr old, and newborn. That lady you feel sorry for in the grocery store with the huge train grocery cart full of babies - that'll be me. A van will be a must. Three in carseats won't fit our SUV. Chances are, I did overlap nursing and pregnancy, AGAIN. By the time I'm finished nursing this one, I will have been nursing/pregnant for approximately FIVE YEARS!! No break in between. That's crazy. We are extremely happy, excited, and looking forward to having a third child. God is good and He'll be my strength. If I seem depressed when you talk to me on the phone, it's just because I do not feel well. The "morning" sickness (whoever thought it should be called that MUST have been a man) is already here and it's affecting my normal cheery disposition. Well, that's the story. I thought I was a free, but turns out . . . not so much. But I sure am blessed.