Mostly Pictures

The boys were really sad that they didn't get to keep the balloons.

So here are the blue balloons representing "boy."

Serious thinking time at the park.

You can't see the kite, but he sure had a fun time flying it!

So I wanted to add these pictures to the last blog. I thought you all might enjoy them. Some of them are of our BIG gender reveal, some at the park playing with the boys flying kites and at the playground. Owen was cracking me up with his serious mood that afternoon. I was just grateful that he wasn't super grumpy from skipping nap, but he climbed the faux rocks and layed on the top with this surly expression. I went over and asked him what he was doing. "I thinking," he said. (but the way he says thinking sounds kind of like there's an "s" in front- sinking. Then I asked where his smile was, and he said, "My smiles are all gone away." It was so funny and cute because it wasn't like he was mad or upset, he just wanted to be serious on top of his rock.

Ultrasound Day!!!

This is our last baby for sure, which means two things. 1) I want to cherish everything even more... Every little movement I am thinking- I will never experience this exact moment over. I'll never be pregnant again after this. This is it, no more mornings alone with Owen, or afternoons with just Elijah while Owen is sleeping. No more wondering how this cute little outfit will look on my tiny little baby. There are so many things I will miss... things I'm glad I get to experience again for the third time around. What I am most grateful for is how God shows himself to me in a special way during this part of my life. Everyday I am reminded at how He has planned everything out perfectly... and from the very beginning, which just gives me goosebumps. I am in awe... a very good place to be. I am more emotional (duh) but somehow that fact makes me more open, more sensitive and aware of things I might normally miss. This entire journey from conception to birth is a miracle that I get to play a leading role in. It has changed me. Especially this time around... I feel more gratitude, more faith... I asked, and He answered. We thought we were done with babies, but last summer I prayed hard. And then I waited. I knew how Martin felt about it- he was done. So I waited. Then out of the blue, one night he tells me, "I want to talk about babies!" And that was it. He was ready, God had shown him the need of my heart to love another child, and to add to our family.

This being our last baby also means- 2) I'LL NEVER HAVE TO BE PREGNANT AGAIN!!! I know that sounds like a complete contradiction of what I just said, but let's be honest... it's tough! It is beautiful and I am so thankful, but I will be glad in a way when it is all over and somewhere along the way, some how, I will get my body back! I think there will be a complete sort of feeling after we bring the baby home, too. That I am so looking forward to.

So, moving on... Tuesday was Ultrasound day... we were defintely finding out the sex of the baby. Mostly that was my desire, Martin wanted it to be a surprise, but I just couldn't handle dealing with those kinds of extra emotions on delivery day. The appointment was set for noon with my pre-natal visit following, so Martin took half the day off from work so we could go together. I also dropped both boys off at Elijah's school for the day (big day for Owen... he loved bring his own little back-pack and staying with the 3yr. old class like a big boy)! So I had the morning to myself, which felt really odd at first, but all I could think about was the baby. I wanted to do something special. I thought about buying something for the baby to wear, but that wasn't great because obviously I didn't know the gender yet, and clothes only last a short time. When I got the the store, I knew exactly what I wanted to do because right in front were rows of beautiful flowers. How perfect, I thought, I will plant flowers in honor of the baby... to symbolize the growth that is happening and the life that is changing. So I filled my front corner with flowers that morning, and dedicated them to little twiddle-bug!

In the meantime, I was drinking lots and lots of water because of course, the day before I was instructed to come with a "full" bladder. Martin met me at home and we jumped in the car, full of excitement. About five minutes into the drive... I could barely hold it... I had to pee NOW! yep, I arrived with an empty bladder, and had to guzzle an entire new bottle of water so that we could all see baby clearly and mostly so that my pelvis could be measured, that's what the technician said any ways.

First of all we were a little disapointed that it was not going to be a 3-D ultrasound like we had last time with Owen. Apparently those are pricey to replace when they break. So it was just the old regular kind... but it works, we saw what we needed to see. The one improvement was I didn't have to keep turning me head to the side to see what was going on, there was a large screen right in front of me that the ultrasound was being projected on.

First, we went through all of baby's anatomy. It was amazing to see every part so developed for such a little thing. Of course baby still has a long way to go, but everything is there... just growing and beccoming stronger... the spine, the heart, bones, fingers, toes, the brain, eyelashes, lips, ears, and nose... what a miracle! I was feeling a lot during all of this. Of course, the joy of seeing my baby, and then there was the discomfort of having a now full bladder being pushed and prodded so that every part could be seen, and lastly, my heart couldn't decide what would bring me more joy... a girl or a boy. I didn't feel weighted either way, I was only anxious for this little baby to move it's legs the right way so that simple question could be answered. Boy or girl, boy, or girl boy or girl? I felt like I was holding my breath... and then... the technician froze the frame at just the right moment before little twiddle bug could hide those nether parts again. And I knew before anyone said another word. I would always be the mom of boys, there was no mistaking it... baby boy number three is on the way!!! Then the technician typed in those three little letters -BOY, with an arrow. So I will be the only girl in the house...(Martin says I get to be Queen-spoiled and taken care of by all my little men).

After the appointment we had a great afternoon and evening celebrating in lots of ways. Martin and I had sort of a lunch date since both boys were taken care of. We ate sandwiches at a local deli, talked about names and just how happy we are. Then we went to buy blue balloons, which we put in a giant box for the boys to open. I think they had more fun playing in the box than actually opening it, go figure. After school we all went to the park, flew kites, and had a great time. Then my family that lives close by met us for dinner so we could share the news with them. It was a wonderful day, and I can't wait to meet my third little guy!!!

p.s. still haven't decided on the name. I thought I would know as soon as I knew the gender and saw the baby on the ultrasound, but there are still several names up in the air.

Blue or Pink- What do you Think?

nine. eight. seven. six. five. four. three. two. one... boy or girl?! The date is set- nine days until we find out little twiddle bug's gender! I can't wait! I wanted to have perfect names picked out for both, so that when we found out, we could start calling baby by name, but I'm having trouble with a boy name. There's one or two that I like, but are they fitting and perfect enough for this little one? I don't know. I open to suggestions at this point since it seems I have exhausted my sources. Girl names, on the other hand are no problem for me. I guess it's because I don't have a girl yet, and I haven't used up my favorite names on that account.

Me to Elijah: "so do you want a sister or a little brother?"
him: "baby sister!"
me: "How come?"
him: "Well we already have two boys, and I would like the sister a lot."

Owen wants a boy. He still pretty much calls everyone a "he." I'm guessing he doesn't see a huge difference between genders at this point.

I sort of like the idea of having a third boy... I know I'm asking for trouble, and more messes, monsters, and a whole lot of wild! But raising boys has been a lot of fun this far, I think a third boy would fit in so easily with these rambunctious little superheroes I already claim.

I also have to admit... I kind of like being the only girl in the house. I send the boys out with their daddy to do "boy" things like fishing, wrestling in the yard, or just digging in the dirt. Boys have a special way of loving their mommy... of course I'm sure girls do to. They protect me, and "make me feel better," when I'm sad. I guess I get pampered a little more than I might if our house was full of other girls... who wouldn't love that?

But... on the other hand I've never had a girl to do girly stuff with. I imagine all the things I would love doing since I am completely girly to the core! Painting nails, big frilly hair bows, SHOES, boy talk, purses, secrets, movies, books, crafts, the list goes on and on... Yes, a little girl would be fun! I also know how much Martin would love a daughter! He has a natural tenderness that would make any little girl blossom to see in her daddy.

So Blue or Pink, no matter what I think, God has already chosen this child of ours specifically for us! That alone amazes me. He knows everything about this little person who isn't even born yet, this little twiddle bug that I am dying to meet, He understands completely. Now all that's left to do is wait.

The boys won't be coming with us to the ultrasound, so I am thinking up a fun way to tell them about their little sibling. That gives me a project to distract me from madness... oh yeah and find a few more boys name to consider.