A Baby Update!

I am 15 weeks along with our new little one, and am feeling much better! Being pregnant when you're over 30 and already have 2 kids is proving to be a little more taxing physically than previous babies. I am still a little queasy, but feeling much better. Yay! Still have almost constant lower back pain, but have had 2 days in a row of less pain. Yay! And officially have a hernia (which I've suspected for a long time) in my belly button, but it is much less painful than earlier. Yay! It's funny how you totally don't mind all of the yuck that comes with carrying a baby when you think about the benefits that totally outweigh the negatives! I even think i have felt those sweet little baby "flutters" a couple of times over the past few days. Wonderful. :) We got to have a short ultrasound at 12 weeks and that made everything more real (like it always does). In three weeks we go back to find out the gender. I'm still voting boy. Grace is still lobbying girl. Jonathan said girl tonight. Jack says whatever Grace tells him to say, so I am outnumbered! But I think I'm right! This is not good though because I'm never right! Haha! About the only other news is that Jon got the bin of maternity clothes down from the attic this morning. Things are starting to get a little "cozy" in the waistline around here!

Here are a few (not so great) pictures.

Slumber Party at Granny and Papas House!

Last night the kids got to have a slumber party at Granny and Papa's house. I had a late meeting, Jonathan had to be at church and I also had a doctors appointment to check on little one this morning. So we were thankful that the grandparents were excited to have our kiddos for the night! And the kids were SO excited to go play in the sprinkler, watch movies, sleep in the big bed together, eat popcorn and drink Papa's Kool-Aid. We are so thankful for such great grandparents who live just a mile away!

Look Alike

Here is a picture of my mom on the left and G on the right.

Pretty amazing, right?!? I love these two sweet girls and am so blessed to have them in my family!

Diving Illustrated

I found this picture yesterday. It's Grace on the diving board and "Miss Angie" in the water. Notice who is not actually jumping... They are both smiling though!

Today the Kids Said...

G: We're going to the ball!
J: yeah, we're going to the mall! Come on!

While In Arkansas. . .

The kids and I went to Arkansas on a spur of the moment trip last weekend. It was a wonderful visit as always!

Nana whipped up some homemade coconut cream pie for our arrival. (We never told the kids about this and just ate it at night after they went to bed. Hehehe...)

We pulled out one of my all time favorite childhood toys- the Marble run!!! It is still a hit!



The kids helped in the garden. There were really big sunflowers and teeny tiny carrots.



We went swimming two days in a row at the super nice new lake fort smith pool and splash ground.



We never ever ate out. Not once. We had great home cooked meals that I had been seriously craving (thanks, baby 3). Fresh grilled veggies, which Jack ate by the handful, tomato and cucumber salad (thank you, lord). One night mom even made from scratch chicken nuggets and mashed potatoes and cream gravy and fresh broccoli (MA style). And then we had fresh blackberry shortcake with real whipped cream for dessert. I'm going to have gained 10 lbs at my drs appointment tomorrow! But it was seriously so good to have my parents cook for me... And do the dishes... While I took a shower and the kids watched a movie.



There were lots of mud pies and mud play in general.


And more fun inside marble playing with Kerplunk!!!



And of course the best story teller of them all, Paw Paw, pleased his audience again and again with his re-invented stories of the three bears (who have to learn how to eat spaghetti from Goldilocks) and the three pigs (who need help from the wolf to blow out some birthday candles).


We had a fabulous, no-schedule, super laid back visit, and we can't wait to go back!

Today the Kids Said:

Scene 1:

J: (while screaming and chasing grace) Gwace! Pway barber (Barbie) with me! You need to play barber with me! Mom! Gwace won't play barber with me!

G: I can't! I have to milk the baby!

Me: what on earth do you mean "milk the baby"?????

G: (hiding in the corner demonstrating) Oh, mom. You know. Where you lift up your shirt and milk the baby! And then she pretends to nurse the baby doll.

Oh, Lordy. You seriously can't make that up.

Scene 2:

Grace and I were discussing conductive materials on our way to the grocery store. (Don't ask. She brought it up.) I went through an extremely long explanation of what a conductive material was and how it worked. I thought she understood, at least more than at the beginning of the conversation.

Her response: So, your talking about a conductor that is NOT like a conductor, you know, on a train or something.

Yes. Right. Correct. Not a train conductor.

We will try again in a few years to bridge that subject.

Scene 3:

Grace to Jonathan: when I grow up I'm going to give my money to people who don't have any money. I'm going to give SOME not ALL of my money to people who need to buy groceries but don't have money to buy groceries.

I don't want to forget that one. The kids makes me smile.

Bubbles

Minivan Mama

This is in our driveway tonight.

I'm thrilled and scared and thrilled again... All at the same time. We had to grow up and buy our first car today. Did you know I don't like big purchases, change, commitment? Well, what can I say, we think we found a good deal. :) And we are SO thankful to be able to have this pretty thing in our driveway! Wow! A house and 3 kids and now a minivan (which is my dream vehicle). We are waaaayyyy officially adults now. my heart is filled with thankfulness.

Grace Grows Up. Year #5

Grace's Backyard Birthday Party

Since we did a big party for Grace last year, we decided to do a smaller celebration this year. I think it turned out great! She invited 5 friends over to play in the backyard and have cake and ice cream. My mom was there, so we had plenty of activities for all the kids. :)

We had a little pool and sprinkler ball and swings.





The birthday girl wanted a Toy Story party, so I said okay and went with it.


We had a "car wash".



And swinging.


And sand and water tables.


And Grace was even able to serve real lemonade to her friends from her play house. This was her favorite part.


We had paint brushes and water to "paint" the house.


And of course cake and ice cream!
























And some more presents!


I think she was satisfied with her party... It just didn't last long enough though, was what she said.


Happy birthday, five year old! We are so thankful for you and enjoy celebrating you!