36 weeks & counting...

Another doctors appointment this morning. I really do look forward to them. Even the kids were excited to go this morning. Molly kept putting on her crocs and saying, "go to baby doctor now". I had to keep telling her it wasn't time yet. Finally, she got to crawl in the backseat, buckle herself in, and bunker down with a book for the ride. She has been calling me "Sue-zanne" all day. In the doctor's office they call your name over the loudspeaker so that is what she has been pretending to do since we left the office this morning.
Nothing much to report. The doctor said I was at a 1...but that she was still "floatin" around up there. If this is what "floatin" around feels like I don't want to know what it's going to feel like in a few weeks. I feel like she is going to fall out everytime I attempt to walk up the steps. Lots of contractions...they are getting more and more uncomfortable, but I find myself even excited about that. I can't wait for her to join our family. I think the kids are going to be terrific with her and I can't wait to see how they react to her.
We are still throwing around names. Aaron says it's all up to me, but I know it's really not. He loves Maggie so I've been thinking Maggie Grace. I think Marlee is officially off the table...who knows. Molly wants to name her Sheriff from the movie Cars. I told her she could call her that if she wanted, but that it wasn't going on the birth certificate.
We headed to the storage unit tonight to get some of the baby things around. Molly is very excited about helping me put a bag together for her. She and I made a list. We had to put toys on the list...Molly insisted. She has been doing a lot of that lately!

A Tuesday with a Monday feeling...

After such a beautiful weekend as far as weather goes and having Aaron home for 4 days, it was rough to return to the work week. Especially when the work week starts out so gloomy. Lots of lounging with the kids today. It's getting harder to get up the stairs. I know that this little one is much easier to transport while she is still inside me, but the thought of bending over with ease to pick up toys is so exciting to me. Aah..the little things in life.

So the day did brighten yesterday. After having lunch together, Molly went down for a nap & Max played on NickJr. I cleaned up the kitchen and finished some laundry. After nap it was time to clean up their room. Max did a wonderful job while Molly found a Franklin book and decided to hide in our closet. I put her in time out for not helping...that last a few seconds before she decided it might be in her best interest to help. She got up and started picking up books. Then came time to change her diaper...she is not a big fan of this unless she is getting one of her 4 favorite pairs of p.j.s on her body. She whimpers & kicks...I told her to knock it off. We finally finished and she looks at me and says, "it's not that bad momma". Stacy said that was God talking to me thru Molly. I think she might be right.

The kids headed downstairs while I finished a few things upstairs. I finally made my way downstairs when I saw Max with his laser pointer and Molly running around in her furry Cinderella shoes. I asked them what was going on...My 2 year old looks at me and says, "we're looking for clues momma. Scooby Doo clues." Max runs in the laundry room with his laser and yells to his sister, "in here Molly...I found some clues in here". She squats and responds with, "Max, I found tracks". How in the world could I ever be fed up with kids like this???

Tee-ball went well tonight. Max had a couple good throws. It's so cute when they hit the ball and instead of running to 1st base they chase after the ball they just hit. Molly wants to play so badly with him. It warms my heart how close the 2 of them have become. Don't get me wrong, she still kicks him and hits him and still tries to make it his fault somehow, but I almost think she is like a puppy playing with a huge dog...she doesn't know any better.

We'll see what today brings...

Official start of summer...

I love it when you can begin the official start of summer with a day at the pool with your family. It was a great weekend with my parents and it's always rough saying good-bye at the end of the weekend. After a tasty breakfast at Shoney's they took off back to Michigan. We decided to go to the "duck pool" after they left. The kids call it that because of the duck slide. The pool is right by the park that we play at and for the past couple of months the kids keep asking, "have the water guys come and filled the pool yet momma?" And I just keep telling them soon. Well, today we pulled up and they both started yelling, "it's ready momma, they filled it". As they were getting out of the car they told me and Aaron how excited they were. They have the perfect kiddie pool that is no more than a foot and a half. It's great for them. That is of course until the big kids decide to invade. Aaron actually stared one kid down and then asked a few of them how old they were. They all ran.

We closed our weekend with leftover pizza, milk & cookies, Candyland, Go Fish, & Memory. The kids were in bed at 6:30 tonight. They were exhausted. I love seeing them having a good time down here. I know in a few years or so the guilt I feel for moving them down here might subside a little bit, but until then I'll keep trying to fill their days with fun things to do.

HAPPY SUMMER TO ALL!

Our big events this weekend...

Max is OFFICIALLY potty trained!!! I went out Friday night...I had to escape. We spent the day shopping and about 20 seconds (seriously 20 seconds) from pulling into our house Molly threw up all over the back seat. I now officially believe that she cannot handle long trips in the Yaris. When we got home and cleaned up, Aaron went for a run. I think the kids could smell my exhaustion and took full advantage. Well as soon as Aaron hit the door I ran! I went and got a quick (not so great) pedicure. (There is a HUGE difference in the $25 pedicure vs. the $45/$50 pedicure.) I got a voicemail from Max while I was sitting in the nice massage chair. He told me to call him b/c he had a surprise for me. I called him back and he told me all about how he pooped in the toilet like a big boy. I was SO happy...finally! The 2nd big part of our weekend...we told Max that if he went 3 nights dry in his diaper he could sleep in just his underwear. He went 4 nights and #2 in the potty so we thought we'd try it out....it was his 3rd night last night and so far...all dry. At least I won't have 3 in diapers....Just in time!!!

Max also started tee-ball on Saturday. There wasn't much to the game. They all took turns hitting the ball and running the bases. Most of them hit the ball and then chased after it instead of running to 1st base. I guess that's where you have to start. They were all adorable...in their team shirt and hats (hats that were huge on them). It was nice to be a part of their excitment. I'm sure that not one parent was thinking about the rising cost of groceries or the price of gas. Everyone was just so concetrated on their little ones. We could learn so much for our kids.

I can't believe that Max is so big already. I'm not sure how almost 4 years have gone by already. I'm just holding on to the fact that sometimes he still wants to cuddle, hold my hand, and give me kisses...I know that won't last forever. Pretty soon the photos of him will be him at his confirmation, senior prom, college graduation, etc. Oh how I'll cry!!! I know I will kick myself for wishing the time to fly by. Thank you Lord for my beautiful & kind children. Today Molly gave Max the first ice cream cone without any one telling her to do so. Max gave up the car seat in the back so that Molly could sit there. Sometimes it amazes me how kind and thoughtful they are. I should pay more attention to them...learn more from them.

We spent the day at the park yesterday with my parents. It was BEAUTIFUL! I love going there. It makes it so I don't miss the U.P. so much. The kids had a great time. I can't wait to take the new baby there when she arrives. When you look around at the water, rock formations, the trees...how can you not believe in our God. His beauty is EVERYWHERE!

35 weeks down...

I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy has gone by. I guess it shouldn't surprise me either. Not long after I discovered I was pregnant Aaron applied for the job with the State Department. He interviewed for it right before Christmas, interviewed again right before New Years, then got the job offer January 8. The next few months was a whirlwind of finding a new home, getting our 1st home prepared to attempt to sell in Michigan (still working on that one), packing up, getting the kids prepared and excited, phone calls, internet searches, finding a preschool, etc. etc. All of a sudden it's May 21 and she'll be here in just a few short weeks.
I headed to the doctor today and am not quite 1 cm dialated. I'll take it...it's something. In 2 weeks I'll want to see a lot more progress! I also talked with the doc about inducing. I would love it if I could schedule so that someone from our family could be here with Max & Molly. I am really nervous about leaving the kids. I know that they would just be fine with one of our neighbors...they are just my Max & Molly. I keep thinking about how I felt when I was pregnant with Molly and how unfair I felt it was to bring another little person into his world. The kids seem very excited about her. They keep asking, "Can we let her out yet momma?" I tell them that she needs to gain a little more weight before we let her out. Max then asked, "How about 10 pounds?" I don't think so!!! I was think adding a few to 4 lbs. and call it good. I do often wonder what their 2 little minds think about this person inside of their momma? We shall soon find out.
We spent the morning at the doctor and then played bubbles outside. The pic is from this afternoon. I love it when Max shows just how much he loves his sister....b/c I just don't know how much longer that's going to last. Hopefully forever, but I'm sure that there will be a few years in between where they don't like each other so much. Somedays they really remind me of my brother and me. Just as long as they end up being as close as my brother and I are now I'll be ok with the in between stage.

A few prayers for tonight...
Lord, please be with my grandpa tomorrow as he starts his first round of radiation. Please let him feel how much you love him while he is getting his treatment and alone with his thoughts.
Please be with my dear friend as she sits and waits as patiently as she can on you and your plan for her. You are the true healer....please be with all of those who need to feel your love and arms. Amen.

"I'll pray about it..."

This little dialougue is exactly why I've started this blog...so that I don't forget times like this.

Max has been such a good boy the last couple of days...obeying, saying "yes, ma'am & yes sir", cleaning up when I ask him, and choosing the good choices vs. the bad choices. His sister...not so much. I love her to pieces, but today I had no idea what to do with her and felt like an awful mother at the end of the day. My goal in life right now is to raise kind & respectful children. Today I felt like I failed with Molly. Oh, I digress...back to Max. Tonight Max, Aaron, & Molly played "Agent Secret" from Backyardigans. They had so much fun. I hid the 3 secret containers (2 sippy cups and Max's yellow cup). Max was Tyrone, Aaron was Pablo, and Molly was the Lady in Pink. After they were done playing they crawled into bed. I was working on organizing my special scrapbooking room (the hall closet next to their bedroom) when I heard Max tell Aaron that it was too hard to go to sleep because he wanted to stay awake. Aaron told him to think about what he wanted to do tomorrow and when he got home they would do it. Max thought about it for a second and said, "ok daddy, I am going to pray to Jesus about it". I almost started crying. My sweet boy. He and Molly only talked for about a minute or so and then they were both fast asleep. All of the crazy sassy stuff Molly did today just melted away when he said those words. I'm pretty sure that one of the reasons he has been so good lately is because he sees what a little snot his sister is being. I'll take what I can get. And God only gives us what we can handle right? So this little creature inside of me has to come into the world with a halo right? I think my mom is getting her wish that I have a daughter just like me.

Enjoying our KY weekends...

Our trip to Holly Bay Recreation Area was a hit after we actually found it. Aaron said he knew where he was going and that I didn't have to look it up on-line even though I had already googled it. So we packed a lunch, some wipes, a diaper, and an extra pair of Max's underwear and we were off. I soon discovered that Aaron really had no idea where he was going. He couldn't believe that I didn't seem annoyed at all at the fact that we just kept driving an driving...I was actually a little surprised at it myself. I must of known that something good was going to happen that was better than any lecture I could have given him about researching directions. A few seconds later Molly told piped up from the backseat, "Daddy, my tummy hurts". My kids don't get sick very often, but when they say that their tummies hurt you better watch out because something very bad is about to happen at one end or the other of their bodies. A few short minutes later Molly barfs all over herself. At least it was all over herself and not the entire backseat. I figured that Molly regurgitating was enough punishment for Aaron. So we pull over and I use every single wipe to clean her up, pull off the shirt she is wearing, and send Aaron into my giant mom bag for a new shirt. OF COURSE, there is no shirt in there. I have 2 pairs of pants and a pair of underwear. SO...her hero, daddy, takes off one of his tees and puts it on her. He even tied the side knot for her. I actually had some string in my bag and we tied the sleeves up on her shoulder. It did the trick for the afternoon and besides a good sunburn on her right shoulder (the t-shirt didn't stay up that well on that side) all was right with the world. They had a terrific day...eating lunch, playing on the playground, throwing rocks into the water, playing ball....Aaron and I even threw around the softball.

Today we headed to Lexington to try a new church. There was absolutely nothing wrong with this one, I think we just more at home at the last one we visited. I would really like to start a bible study here and the reason (excuse) I can come up with for still not having done it is that I am having a baby soon. I know that that is probably a good enough reason, but I still feel I'm using it as an excuse. Maybe once the baby is here and on a bit of a routine I'll feel better about it. Of course I have the fear working in me too. Maybe if I would just pray about it like I am supposed to, He would give me the answer I'm looking for.

Our afternoon was then filled with planting flowers and seeds. I definitely don't have the green thumb like my mom, but I usually try every spring. The kids had a good time and I most enjoy taking pics of them and have every intention of scrapbooking their every move. Oh and speaking of scrapbooking, I am on a mission to create my own scrapping space in our tiny hall closet. I just need a few more shelves and I should be all set. I can't wait to start working on everything...no if my kids would just give me the time to scrap I'd be all set!