Bunkbeds

Yesterday DeeDee & JohnDaddy got the boys a set of bunkbeds from Big Lots. Oh the excitement that filled the house. After just 4 1/2 hours of assembly they were ready for climbing on. The boys wanted to go to bed at 6pm. They were so excited to sleep in these beds. Finally, at 8 they laid down to go to sleep. However, they did have a little trouble deciding who would sleep where. This was the order of our night:

Nate & Henry both in top bunk

Nate in top bunk, Henry in bottom

Nate in top bunk, Henry in his old bed in the other room

Nate in bottom bunk, Henry in bottom bunk

Nate in bottom bunk, Henry in Nate's old bed (which thankfully we didn't take down)

and finally Nate in his old bed and Henry in his old bed.

So, who slept in the bunkbeds? No one. I think they are going to just be our fort for the time being.

Chick-fil-a 5K

Today was the Chick-fil-a 5K at South Cove. Bryan ran in it and did great! After the race, Henry insisted on running in the fun run (very short.) Then he was so proud of himself he just had to run in the 1 mile - and he finished in 14:07. Pretty good for a 3 year old! Nate supported the cause by eating a Chick-fil-a chicken biscuit. He says that soccer is his sport and racing is Henry's. Here is a picture of Henry after the 1 mile.

Congratulations Bryan and Henry! Great job!

I don't care how many people tell me that babies are easier to take care of inside your tummy than when they are out, I don't like being pregnant. Some people think it's wonderful and beautiful and so amazing. Well, it is amazing that your body can gain 24 pounds in 20 weeks and that you can go from being in great shape to being breathless just walking up stairs. I don't like it at all. I like the end result. A baby. In my arms, not my belly. I can't wait until August gets here. I'm going to drink caffeinated beverages all day long, feast on artificial sweeteners enjoy soft cheeses with sushi and wine. Then I am going to sleep on my belly, get in the tanning bed and ride a rollercoaster.

Today while I was trying to plant some flowers in the yard, the boys had a big fun time with a rope - it doesn't take much to entertain them. First Nate tied Henry to the 4 wheeler and poor Henry had to run behind him.

Then I had to grab my camera for the second time because Nate had tied Henry to a tree.
Henry will do whatever Nate says - scary, huh? And Henry will do anything to make Nate laugh.
They were lots of help in the yard. Thanks to Aunt Stacie & Uncle James, they both have a Venus Flytrap. We repotted it first and then tried several time to feed it. Yes, I did have to touch a bug, but I had gardening gloves on. Unfortunately the Flytrap wasn't hungry.

It's still a boy!

I got a great report from the ultrasound today - thanks to all the prayers. They could not detect any birth defect and he looked healthy. They are more concerned with his growth & development b/c of the 2 vessel cord & b/c I have high blood pressure. So, I have to have an ultrasound every 4 weeks for the rest of my pregnancy to monitor his growth. He is now 11 ounces & very active. Here is a cute shot of his face & the picture that determined he was indeed a little boy.

1204 Productions

Of my younger brother Cliff's many talents, making movies is one of his favorites. Today he is featured on the front page of the Seneca Journal with his buddies in an article about a movie he has made. The movie is a 10 minute clip on the dangers of drunk driving and it will be in a competition on Thursday with other county schools. Here is a link to the Seneca Journal article.
http://www.upstatetoday.com/news/2008/apr/02/oconee-county-high-school-students-use-filmmaking-/
After the competition Thursday, he will put the movie on youtube. Guess who the victims of the drunk driving accident are? Joy & Nate! I will put a link to the movie when it is available.

The big day!

Well the big day has finally arrived - the anatomy scan. And it was without a doubt a beautiful baby boy! He looked more active than Nate or Henry did which is a little scary. There was one problem with the umbilical cord, a normal cord should have 3 vessels (2 arteries & 1 vein) My baby's cord has only 2 vessels (1 artery and 1 vein). I will go on Wednesday for an advanced ultrasound that will tell us if there are any complications from this such as birth defects, heart or kidney problems or any growth problems. From what Bryan and I researched, this happens in about 2% of pregnancies with most of them turning out fine. So please be praying for my baby on Wednesday that the ultrasound will show a beautifully healthy baby. Such a reminder to me that children are a precious gift from God.
So, 3 busy boys - whew! I am tired just thinking about it, but I couldn't be any happier!

Happy Easter! What a great day we had! It ended with a backyard bonfire where I had smores for dinner - yum! Nate loved the marshmallows and Henry wanted straight Hershey's chocolate. I am growing everyday and feeling lots of kicks & moving around. Monday is my ultrasound where I will finally know (hopefully) whether it's a boy or a girl. I think I actually want it to be a boy now. The boys have their first soccer game tonight & I can't wait because I will probably laugh the entire time. They are so funny out there. Soccer is the last thing on their minds. Bryan has built the boys a sandbox and they love it! They even remember to cover it up so kitty won't poop in it!

Sledding in March

You don't need snow to do a little sledding - the boys love to slide down this hill on whatever they can find. Last night was "Jump into Kindergarten" and we jumped in!! I can't believe Nate will be going to big school in the fall. I am excited because he is going to a smaller school in the county with wonderful teachers. Henry was right there "jumping" in too. He is going to be a little upset when Nate goes & he doesn't.

Beach

We had a long weekend at Myrtle Beach this past weekend and despite cold weather we had a great time & managed to come home with 3 starfish, a sea urchin & lots of shark teeth.

Soccer started this week. Nate was really into practice last night & did great. Henry kept flirting with the 3 female coaches. Once I caught him showing them the edge of his Batman underwear.

I must admit that there have been many times during the past 3 years that I have had my hands quite full with 2 boys 21 months apart, but it's all working so great now. They are officially best friends (tonight) and have been often here lately. They play together so good & are never lonely. The year that we spent changing diapers on both of them is just a faint memory now replaced by moments like long happy baths together and seeing them pile up in the bed together and take care of each other. Hopefully they will always be this close.

Good reads

I am reading 2 great books right now. Total Money Makeover by Dave Ramsey and Vintage Jesus by Mark Driscoll. Just wanted to share those titles with you in case you are looking for something interesting....

Top 10 Reasons Not to Exercise While Pregnant

I loved these from Girlfriend's Guide & thought I'd share:

10. You will get fatter anyway.

9. Exercising will not make labor & delivery easier. The uterus is a difficult muscle to train in a gym.

8. Gravity is hard enough on your voluptuous breasts and butt when you're standing still, let alone when you're hopping up and down in an aerobics class.

7. It's not good for the baby or you to get overheated, it starts to feel like a hard-boiled egg.

6. Your ligaments are looser, and you can twist your knees or ankles with one wobbly movement.

5. Your body is working full-tilt manufacturing a human being; don't distract it with low impact cardio weight class.

4. You might endanger the pregnancy. Even if you don't, if a problem appears at any time during gestation, you will always wonder if it was that squat machine that caused it.

3. Our compulsion to exercise when we are pregnant is a reflection of our inability to surrender and let nature run its course. Let the subscriptions to your fashion magazines lapse till further notice.

2. You are too tired.

1. Do you really need an excuse?

It looks like a boy to me.....

I am so excited to report a great dr.'s visit today! Look at what a beautiful 12 week, 5 day baby I have. The ultrasound tech wouldn't make a guess whether it was a boy or girl, but it sure looks like a boy to me. I'm smiling right now typing this. I love God's sense of humor. I can totally see me with 3 boys! Will keep you updated.

The prize box

I have a prize box.
Bryan and I have always laid down with the boys to get them to sleep at night. Henry is now wanting to sleep in his own room & it's starting to require both of us to get them to bed and it's taking hours. Well, my prize box has some great stuff in it. Things like a small bug habitat, chocolate twizzlers and a book called "what is a wookie." If you go to bed by yourself, you get a prize the next morning. Nate is doing great. He's gotten a prize 7 out of 8 nights. Henry however said the very first night that he didn't want a prize out of the prize box, he wanted me to lay down with him. So, he has gotten no prizes. But one of them going to bed by themself is better than none. Oh, Nate also gets a flashlight that he can keep on all night if he wants to and a really bright night light. I'm surprised he can even go to sleep it's so bright in there!
Wednesday is my ultrasound - it's actually a test for Down's syndrome & some other stuff, but they may be able to tell the sex!!! Will let you know......

Jewel is back!

Just when I'm getting bored with my music, my most favorite artist, Jewel, comes out with a new song! For those of you who are fans, check out Stronger Woman.
Also a few other great things to check out: Suave Professionals shampoo & conditioner for sleek hair. And if you're looking for a good kids dvd try Superfriends - The all new superfriends hour. Yes, it is the one we watched as kids with Superman, Batman, Aquaman, WonderWoman and the Wonder Twins, Zan and Jayna, with their spacemonkey Bleep.

Cheez-Its, Lemons and Tomato Sandwiches

My cravings are strong & completely unpredictable. Yesterday all I could think about was lemons. Lemons squeezed on food, lemons in my water, finally I gave in and just ate a lemon. This morning I had a tomato sandwich for breakfast, yum... Right now I am working on a box of cheez-it sticks. Yeah, get your own box.

I survived the dentist appt.!

Well, I'm glad today is behind me. Henry handled the dentist like a champ. He drank his medicine & the fillings took about 20 minutes! He did cry on the way home because he didn't understand the numb feeling and he was still a little woozy, but now he's forgotten about everything & seems to be back to his old self.

My stomache is still in knots though. Between pregnancy symptoms & nerves I am ready for some saltines & tea!

Here are some pics of the boys enjoying the beautiful weather yesterday.

I must admit that for the past several weeks I have done nothing but lay around, napping, eating & feeling miserable. This morning I got out there and walked for 40 minutes and I feel like I am coming out of a fog. It's hard to believe that I was running 10 miles at a time just a couple of months ago. Funny how much children change your life. Even before they are born. So, I am feeling a little more positive today.

I am dreading Monday. Henry is going to the dentist to have fillings done on his teeth. He can't have anything to eat or drink after midnight and then we have to drive all the way to Easley. Let me remind you that this is the boy that drinks a half gallon of chocolate milk before the sun comes up each morning. Then, I have to convince him to take some medicine to make him groggy. This will probably be the most difficult part. No wait, the most difficult part will be the 2 hours that I get to sit in the waiting room listening to him cry. Ahhh! Thank goodness my bible study was about how God gives you enough grace to make it through that particular days challenges. I will be collecting a lot of manna Monday morning, and I will survive.

Snow!

The excitement of snow falling is up there with Christmas Eve for Nate & Henry. Snow fell Wednesday night and the boys woke to a beautiful white wonderland. We were out playing in it before 8am (which was a good thing because it had already started melting & was wet & slushy). The only problem, is that we weren't equipped for snow. The boys wore layer after layer of sweat pants & long underwear. So, everytime they fell down they were soaked. We dried our clothes and attempted it again and I think we all had our fill by the afternoon. Here are a few pics of the fun.