Name this baby already!

Well, August is fast approaching and I would love to name this baby before I go to the hospital. Nate & Henry were both 3 days old before we named them and I would love to spend my little "vacation" in the hospital doing something besides thinking of names.
Here's where we are so far,
Nathaniel (Nate) Bryan Duncan
Henry Bryson Duncan
If you were going to classify Nathaniel and Henry, they are both considered Timeless meaning when you hear the name you have no idea whether the person is age 1, twenty, or 100. They aren't really creative, but they are obviously boys when you hear the name. So, I am desperate for suggestions. I like John something, and call him by both names, (like John David). I also like Miles, and Luke, and I love Jasper (taken from General Hospital). So, what do you love? Help.

More Myrtle Beach

Go-carts - fiinally Henry is 40", so he can drive too!

Somehow we all 4 fit in this king size bed. Wonder if all 5 of us will fit next year?

Book

I grabbed this book called The Shack by William Young after a friend (thanks Christie!) recommended it. I finished it last night and immediately turned back to page one to start again. Bryan said, "are you reading it again? that must be some good book." And, let me tell you, it was fantastic. Amazon.com has it for $8, it is number 10 on their bestseller list. Get it and read it!

Myrtle Beach Days

The Log Flume at Family Kingdom

Buried in the sand

Nate's favorite restaurant Margaritaville. They have a huge tornado above this blender and Nate & Henry love it! Nate loves blenders, he actually got one for his birthday last year.

Goodbye home, Hello beach

We're off to the beach tomorrow for a relaxing vacation (I hope). Just thought I'd share some pictures of the last week. Here are the boys enjoying their first taxi ride in Atlanta last weekend. They loved it because there were no car seats, although it probably would have been a good idea considering we were on I-85 in Friday afternoon traffic. I did have a successful trip to Ikea, in fact, Bryan dropped me off and he and the boys went to the Georgia Aquarium while I got to spend about 5 hours shopping. It wasn't too long, in fact, I could have stayed longer.

And here are the boys checking out their heavenly bed. It wasn't heavenly to me, I was up most of the night. Unfortunately, I have hit the "miserable" stage a little early this time considering I have 2 months to go. I am huge. Large maternity shirts are tight. It's very discouraging, especially when complete strangers tell me that I look "ready to pop" and "it must be twins." Then, when I tell them that I'm due in August, they look at me in disbelief, like- how much bigger can one get?

I will try to remember what a gift children are and this will pass. I just have a lot of work to do after the baby is here. Have a great week!

Hot

It's so hot outside. Weather.com says it's 96 degrees. It feels like 100. Nate & Henry are oblivious to the heat. I finally bribed them into coming in for fear they would dehydrate. They were sitting out in the bright sun with shovels digging. Never once complaining about the heat. Me on the other hand, I am just sitting in the shade, absolutely miserable. The good news is that we are going to Myrtle Beach next week, and the high there is only 82! It's gonna be a long, long summer.

Another ultrasound

Look at how adorable my baby is! Amazing isn't it. He's already 2 1/2 lbs! So why have I gained 22? We had a great Memorial Day weekend. Saturday, Bryan & I took the boys to a fishing rodeo where they caught nothing, but had a great time. They got these great fishing poles, for free! Then I got to spend the afternoon yesterday with Silas. While Bryan's work schedule is still crazy, I am hoping to plan a trip to Ikea in Atlanta this weekend. Happy Memorial Day!

Silas

Just had to post this adorable picture of Silas (hope you don't mind M & D). I have had to stay away from him because Henry has had strep, but I am dying to see him & hold him! He has changed so much in just 2 weeks. M & D & Buddy are adjusting to life with a baby much better than I did. I love you Silas!

I've discovered 2 things that I don't know how I ever survived without. Kiehl's Avocado Eye Cream and NetFlix. I have always had trouble finding an eye cream that didn't irritate my sensitive skin, this it it!
And Netflix, what can I say, I love it! For only $4.99 a month you get to choose a movie and when you get tired of it, you send it back and get another one. You don't even have to pay postage. Instead of buying the boys movies that I'm not sure if they like or not, I get to try them from Netflix. We are enjoying Robin Hood (the cartoon) this week. Why hasn't anyone told me about these?

Silas

I am head over heels about my new nephew. Here he is meeting his cousins.

Silas is here!

I am so excited to announce that my brother Mark & Denise are proud parents of a beautiful baby boy!! 7 lbs 8 oz, 20 1/2 inches arriving early this morning, May 6! I hope to see him today. Happy Birthday to you Baby Silas!

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.