TGIF

Welll, I'm just sitting here fighting through my post-lunch coma and came across my favorite "Mommy blog" of all time: Because I Said So. This mom of six got famous from one E-bay posting about some Pokemon cards her kids picked up in the check out aisle of the grocery store. Now she has a book deal, and one of the funniest blogs I've read in a long time. Besides that, every time I read HER blog, it inspires me to do something more creative with mine.

I obviously don't have as many funny stories as she does since I only have two kids, but we had an episode while trying to get out the door last Friday that I had thought would make for a great blog entry, but then by the time I actually got to work, all inspiration had left my body (funny how that happens). So, I thought I'd try to resurrect it now...

So, our worst days are Mondays and Fridays, especially for Andrew. On Monday, we're coming off of a weekend of no schedules, no routines and lots of free play time. The last thing he wants to do is go back to the structure and routine of school (however much he really needs it). On Fridays, he's just plain had it with getting up and going to school and is ready for the weekend (who isn't!) and being 3 1/2, he can exhibit that frustration to his little hearts content. The scenario goes something like this,
Me: "Andrew, time to get your shoes on, buddy, we have to go..."
AJ: "Where are we going?" (as if he has no idea)
Me: "We're going to schoo-"
AJ: (cutting me off) "I don't want to go to school!!!!!"
This actually takes place pretty much every morning, but it's Mondays and Fridays that I have the biggest struggle actually getting him to come around and do what I've asked him to.

Me: (on Friday) "Andrew, just one more day of school, buddy, then tomorrow is stay home day." On this particular Friday, Thomas was also helping me encourage him, which he happens to be doing instead of getting his own shoes on.
Me: "Thank you, Thomas. Can you get your shoes on, please?"
Me: "Andrew, c'mon buddy, we need to get your shoes on now." More protesting. Finally I get him to come over to me and with one sniff realize why he was so resistant.
Me: "Andrew, do you have poopies?"
Andrew: "No."
Me: "Andrew, I can smell you. I have to go upstairs to get a new Pull-Up. Stay right here and do NOT move."
I lug my pregnant belly back upstairs and bring down a clean Pull-Up and wipes. Andrew is lying obediently on the floor waiting to be changed, while Thomas practices writing out the months of the year (and still does not have his shoes on).
Me: "Thomas, get your shoes on now."
Thomas: "Okayyyy..." (in his best snotty big-girl voice)
Andrew is now cleaned up, Thomas has one shoe on and I have to take the dirty diaper back upstairs to deposit in the Diaper Genie.
Me: "Andrew, please put your shoes on, Mommy will be right back." No response.
I come downstairs and Thomas is STILL putting his second shoe on, while Andrew is standing next to where I've left his shoes on the floor and staring up at the refrigerator.
Andrew: "Mommy, what's that?" he asks pointing to the top of the refrigerator. Boiling point reached.
Me: "Andrew - SHOES!!!!!!" Ah, now I finally have his attention. He puts on his best pouty face and grabs one of the shoes from my hands. He sits down and proceeds to start putting it on the wrong foot.
Thomas now has both of his shoes on, but is back at the table with his marker and piece of paper.
"Mommy, how do you spell Sunday?"
My head is now spinning and I feel pea soup creeping up my throat.
Me: (in my best controlled voice) "Thomas we're going to have to work on that later, we need to leave."
Finally, I have both boys ready to go and we're out the door. I get them buckled into their booster seats and climb into the driver's seat.
"Where are my sunglasses?" as I visualize them sitting up on my vanity. TGIF!!!

Batter Up!

Well, there actually are other things going on in our lives aside from growing this baby girl! Thomas started t-ball a couple of weeks ago and so far is having a blast (that's him in the green hat and orange sleeve t-shirt).

At his first practice, he learned how to field a ground ball, throw, and hit off the tee. We have been practicing with him hitting right off of an underhand pitch so he wasn't as familiar with the tee. He got one or two good hits during his turn, though. His coach also had him batting right-handed, which I think was a little awkward for him. He takes after his daddy and actually prefers to bat left-handed. We'll try that at the next practice and see if he does a little better.

They have about six coaches which gives the kids lots of one-on-one time. The kids are all 5 and 6 years old so there are some bigger boys on the team, as well as two girls. I've even already picked out "that mom," who is sure to drive everyone nuts with her constant shouting and critiquing of her son from the sidelines (rolls eyes).

His team name is the Mariners, and games start May 10th. He's learning a lot about teamwork and taking turns which has been really good for him (he's just a little competitive like his daddy, too!). Can't wait to see how he does in a game situation!

Go Mariners!

Nesting!

Maddy and I are now 33 weeks along in this 9 month journey. Just six weeks until our scheduled delivery on June 6th! The nesting has kicked in full gear this weekend.

I had planned to just wash blankets, bibs, burp cloths, and a few other small bedding items and am now sorting all of her newborn and 3 month clothes. I had planned to wait and wash those items next month to give myself something to work towards, but alas, the nesting has taken over!

I also set up the basinette in our room (clearly well ahead of the necessary time) and am starting to fill it with receiving blankets, extra jammies/sleepers, diapers and wipes. You'd think she was coming home tomorrow!

I vascillate between wanting to hit the fast forward button and get to the day when I can hold her in my arms, and feeling perfectly content to have six more weeks. Since this may very well be my last pregnancy, I don't want to rush things. Honestly, this is the first time I've really felt like I would make it to our scheduled delivery date. I think that has something to do with the fact that it's scheduled a full week before my due date, where Andrew was scheduled just two days before my due date (and ended up being delivered 10 days early).

My OB appointments have become pretty routine and honestly, pretty lame. I get weighed (22 lbs. gained so far - not bad!), they check my BP and the baby's heartrate then send us on our way. I should feel fortunate that I'm not experiencing any complications, I guess. My OB hasn't even mentioned sonograms once we hit 36 weeks to start monitoring my fluid levels, probably since so far I'm measuring withing the normal range (less than 2 weeks behind). At our 3D ultrasound, the tech felt like we had plenty of fluid at that point so I haven't been concerned enough to even ask.

The nursery is basically done, except for the glider slip cover, valance and pillow that Blaugh is sewing for us. I really can't wait to see how those turn out. I got a few more things hung up on the walls and some accessories I really wanted in her bathroom. It's all turned out so cute!

Stay tuned...more to come!

Our Amazing Baby Girl

We had our 4D sonogram on Saturday and I am still in complete awe of the miracle of life. She is beautiful, healthy and was so active!

She is head down, but practically bent in half with her feet right in front of her face. We watched her open and close her mouth, put her toes and wrist in her mouth and turn away from us to bury her face into Mommy. At times it was like watching a full-term infant grasping at her limbs and opening her mouth to yawn or latch on. It was so amazing!

The boys were about as interested as could be expected. I'd scheduled us for an hour and a half session to make sure we got some good photos. That was about an hour and 25 minutes too long for Andrew, and about an hour too long for Thomas. Christopher ended up playing interference and trying to entertain them while we tried to pay attention to what we were seeing.

We did get a very graphic and reassuring shot between Sweetpea's legs and there is truly no doubt in my mind that we are having a little girl (not that there was before, either!). She reminds us most of Andrew - the nose, lips, chin, eyes, everything. I'm praying that she also has his amazing eyelashes!

We're so in love already. Is it June yet??