FLOATING...

Here are some quick pics of our darling, little GIRL! I think I have been floating since we left the ultrasound today. I do have the confirmation shots but it seems very unladylike to share those, after-all she was very modest and it took me getting up moving around and a glass of ice cold water to get her to reveal herself. We were convinced it wasn't going to happen but she did decide to introduce us to her. I cried, tears of complete utter joy. Erik's eyes looked like they felt like mine. We were convinced it was another boy. Which we would have loved just like our others. But to know that we now have the opportunity to raise a daughter, it makes our world shine a little bit brighter today.  

and the ugly...

This pregnancy was a SURPRISE! I am excited now but it took a while to grow on me because it was so unexpected. I think it has even taken longer with my husband because even though you are pregnant that first 3-4 months they don't see the changes until you actually pop out. I have been emotional, there is no doubt about that. In fact I cried all the way to work to today, actually I am still holding back tears. I have been tired, really tired actually. I literally don't let myself sit down once I get home from work until the kids have been fed, baths have been drawn, and homework is done. Because if I do it is really hard for me to get back up because I just want to go to bed. I run for my pajamas and bed as soon as they are both tucked in to their content. In between getting what needs to be done at night I have been working on our ongoing house projects that I can help with. Last night I completed the transition of getting all of Alex's clothes organized in his new ADORABLE dresser I just bought off of Craigslist for $10-smoking deal, I almost feel guilty for not offering them more. His room is done now so we can check that off the list. My nightly ritual has been going to get cozied in my bed with a good book, by the way just finished "Of Bees and Mist"-such a good read and reading until I literally cannot keep my head up. Most likely sleeping by 8:30-9 pm.
Erik came home Wednesday night from bowling and I could tell he was irritated. He was cleaning up the entry way because I had asked him earlier and was doing it pretty aggressively. He comes downstairs and I can tell he is annoyed. I ask him,"Is there something wrong?" He responds,"You ask me to do something and I come home to find you reading in bed." In my head-and...."Just so were clear before I sat my pregnant lazy butt down I did make the supper, fed the kids, got them bathed and in bed-well Anthony does bathe himself, scoured the bathroom because that tub lady is coming to give us a quote tomorrow night, let the dog out 10 times, and kenneled her." All I asked him was to do the entryway. Yeah. This is how I feel it has been a lot of this pregnancy, not sure if he still doesn't believe that I am pregnant. I told him this morning that nobody is making him stay, he is welcome to leave any time. I am a strong person. The reality is he would never leave because he is a for the most part a good husband and a very good dad. But I under no circumstance want him to think that this is an obligation. I realize I am hormonal right now, I also know that I have been requesting a lot from him especially with all of the changes we are making but you know what? I am right there with him. So you know what buddy-buck up!

Baby Books

When Anthony was born I swear to you I reported any tiny milestone that he accomplished. Took a picture every day of his first year, scrap-booked, and videoed him all the time. Alex came and even though we were just as thrilled  about his arrival we tended to not bring out the camera as much, still made an effort but tended to forget more, have dead batteries, or whatever lame excuse I can give. Poor guy doesn't even have a baby book except for this blog and all the pictures that are waiting patiently in the folders of my computer.

So I decided that I am going to have his baby book up to date before baby #3 gets here. Baby # 3 will probably be lucky to have a picture taken-geesh! So on that note I would love recommendations for places/ websites that you have purchased baby books, photo albums, etc. How do you keep  all of your family mementos organized? How do you decide what artwork is in the keep box? Clearly I am nesting but I am taking full advantage of this because once #3 arrives I know a lot of this will be put on the back burner again.

Love you little man!

By the way-my ultrasound is scheduled for Monday at 10:15 am....

Gloomy, dirty day...

I am looking out of my filthy office window to a foggy view with dirty snow and many mud puddles but...I am THRILLED! Because I swear I can feel spring coming on today. PLEASE get here fast. I want to play in the sun, swim in the lake, and let the boys loose with shorts and t-shirts. I crave flip-flops, sun-dresses, and barbeque's. Is it just me or has this been a LOOONNNNGGGG winter, holy moly!

Since our new addition will be here the middle of summer it is hard to plan any big summer vacations but my summer bucket list goes as follows:

1. Going to Minneapolis at least once to float in the Heer's pool.
2. Eat lots of fresh fruit. I am craving some nice plump, juicy fruit.
3. May or may not be at the lake, we haven't decided. Always tough when summer approaches, we should just put a for sale sign on it Labor Day.
4. Plant lots of flowers that are very hardy because I am not always good at watering them. Maybe I will plant vibrant fake flowers like my neighbor Dolores. As long as they are bright and fun.
5. Buy a new sprinkler for the boys. They entertain themselves for hours in the sprinkler. Maybe the Easter Bunny will bring them baskets full of summer fun...sprinkler, trunks, and goggles.
6. Put my toes in the sand and relish the moment, I am so sick of wearing shoes. I am definitely a no socks, no shoes kind of girl.
7. Fire up the grill, how I long for some fresh meat dripping on a grill. Doesn't it make you salivate Kris?
8. Open all my windows and just breathe in the fresh, warm air. I love sleeping with the window open in the summer.
9. Have a baby. That makes me really happy. Really it does...I am in that phase.
10. Grin and bear the end of July while I heal and just be thankful that we are all together even if I am talking between closed teeth.
11. Enjoy the rest of my summer off with my kids. We are pulling the boys out of daycare for all of August and maybe some of July depending on baby arrival and recovery from c-section, etc. I told Anthony yesterday and his excitement made me even more ready.

So c'mon summer please hurry!!! This winter just is not doing it for me...

This weekend...things were moving!

Literally, all over the place. My parents came down, it was so great to see them since I haven't them since October. My mom always makes me feel better when I am pregnant. "Oh, you look so cute." A girl needs to hear that once in awhile.

So on the agenda we had Christmas-yes Christmas and the boys could not have been more happy to get more gifts. We had turkey dinner with all the fixings. My dad walked us through every step of how he makes his stuffing and prepares the turkey, it was pretty cute. Anthony and Alex were very happy to have their grandparents undivided attention putting together toys, having catered juice and snack servants, and unlimited lap time. It was nice.

Saturday we made the big move. Since our house is a bi-level and we have 3 bedrooms upstairs we are putting all the kids together. We moved downstairs into a larger bedroom that will soon have a new bathroom attached to it with a walk in closet. The room next to our room has always been deemed the dogs room because it was unfinished. Now half of it will become my walk in closet-hallelujah! The other half will remain unfinished for storage and Betty's little kennel.

So we were able to get Anthony transitioned into our old room upstairs with a new queen bed and frame. He has tons of space now and loves it. I think the problem is going to be getting him to actually leave his room when he gets sent to it. He thinks he is pretty cool. Alex will go to Anthony's room but we want to paint it first, then when he have him transitioned to his new room we will begin work in baby's room. Not to mention the new light fixtures we are wiring in, the painting of our kitchen and cabinets FINALLY by Solum's, and tearing out the wall that divides the kitchen and living room to replace it with a nice, long island.

A lot of work but it is going to feel so good to have all the changes I have been dreaming about completed.

After Saturday everyone was really exhausted. Our bedroom furniture is really heavy and a king bed is not easy to move. The guys were very sore. My mom and I reorganized closets, drawers, etc. I purged a lot that is going to Dakota Boys Ranch today. Good bye denim suit from 2001, I don't think that I could fit my forearm in you and when I can again I think it will be too late for you little buddy.

Sunday we kicked off the day with Sunday School and basketball. If you need a good chuckle come and watch K and 1st graders play basketball, seriously hilarious! Went to my Uncle Bill's for the big game. Talk about a ridiculous amount of food-holy moly! Erik and I kicked but playing shuffle board, my new favorite activity. Anthony won 1st quarter of the football pool with a nice crisp $20 dollar bill. We left before the game ended but my dad this morning shared Alex's end of game winnings of $40 with him. It was agreed by all of my relatives that the kids weren't allowed to play next year. I think everyone got a big kick out of them winning. If you ask me Alex earned his by the entertainment he provided dancing to the half time show. The boy has some rhythm!

18 weeks on Sunday!

Head to rump, your baby is about 5 1/2 inches long (about the length of a bell pepper) and he weighs almost 7 ounces. He's busy flexing his arms and legs — movements that you'll start noticing more and more in the weeks ahead. His blood vessels are visible through his thin skin, and his ears are now in their final position, although they're still standing out from his head a bit. A protective covering of myelin is beginning to form around his nerves, a process that will continue for a year after he's born. If you're having a girl, her uterus and fallopian tubes are formed and in place. If you're having a boy, his genitals are noticeable now, but he may hide them from you during an ultrasound.

I still like reading these and finding out more about the baby. I remember my first pregnancy I was OBSESSED, second still checked often, third I almost forget but when I do it still makes me smile. Mother nature is AMAZING! Baby #3 is an active one. I am showing now. About that time I need to get some maternity clothes but proud to say all my pants still fit, just a little snug after I eat. Names we are liking are Sam, Abe, Samantha-Anthony loves this one, not sure on more girl names probably because it is a boy. 


My next appointment is March 2nd. I am assuming my ultrasound will be my April appointment since she didn't have me schedule one for my next appointment. By then I will be about 26 weeks so there should be no question what the gender is. I would still like to wait to find out but Erik is determined to know but with the way he has been acting lately I think I might get my way on this one.


This next week I am in Wichita for work all week so I will have a king bed to myself with lots of pillows. Sounds like a little piece of heaven!

Happy 3rd Birthday Big Al!

Picture on actual 3rd Birthday!

Look who has no front teeth!

Brothers, buddies, and rock-stars!

They have been making guitars out of cardboard.

Typical

Have you noticed Alex's obsession with characters...Thomas, Batman, Spiderman, Superman, Sponge Bob. Loves them all!

We went to Chucky Cheese and had a BLAST!

Played a little ski-ball.

Rode a ride or two.

Played with our friends.

Watched a show!

Even let Dad play a game or two.

Ate some pizza and salad bar.

More pictures to come. You cannot miss out on Alex dancing with Chucky Cheese, his mission in the turbo ticket blaster booth-hilarious (I have this on video), and some more action shots. Of course my camera died shortly after this but Les had a back up one so I need to get them off of her camera. Chucky Cheese did such a great job, I was really impressed!