It's A Boy!!!

We had our ultrasound yesterday morning at 10am. Katie kept the kids and Ryan met me at the doctors office. It was very exciting! I had a feeling we were having a boy, but I had been wrong with both Ian and Maddie so I wasn't really trusting my feeling. The first shot of him that we saw, he had his hand resting on his face. He looked adorable! He weighed 8 ounces and his heart rate was 153. Everything about him (heart, brain, spine, etc.) checked out good. The doctor said that I am measuring correctly, 18 weeks, so my due date stayed the same (Jan 20th). Before we got in the ultrasound room, we still had not decided for sure if we wanted to find out what the sex was, but once we were in the room we had to know. I'm glad we found out because even though I said I was on board with the whole not knowing thing, I definitely would have had a hard time the next five months. I'm too much of a planner and I like to have everything ready.
We waited until Ryan was home from work to tell the kids. When we told them they were both very excited. Ian was happy he would have someone to play with and Maddie was just smiling (still a little unsure I think), then we let them watch the video and they thought that was neat. I pointed out the baby's head, body, legs and arms and then they wanted to know if we could see inside the baby's stomach. We then called our families and let the kids tell them that we were having a boy. Ryan brought cupcakes home to celebrate, so we ate those after we made the phone calls. We haven't narrowed down a name yet, but there are a couple that we like. The kids have decided against Sportacus and Ian now believes he wants to call the baby Jonah or Tire and Maddie has settled on Berry (yes, like a strawberry). However, just so everyone knows, we will not be using any of those names :)

Future Superstars!

Here are two pictures of the kids rocking out. I think they are so funny! They both love to sing and "play" the guitar. They usually end up making up their own songs, so it can get very interesting. I really should get Maddie a pink guitar so that she and Ian won't fight over who is going to get to play it first. Of course, Ian has decided that he wants a drum set for Christmas, but I am thinking no...not with the baby trying to sleep, maybe next year (still doubting it though). However, maybe I should start encouraging this talent of theirs, and they could start a band and support Ryan and me in our old age. Hmmmm...something to think about...

Baby's Moving!!!

I felt the baby (or Sportacus as Ian still calls him) move for the first time last Wednesday. It was just a couple of little flutters but it was very exciting! On Friday, he/she moved 5 times in a row and then I felt movements again this morning. I love this part of pregnancy! Even with morning sickness, backaches, going to the bathroom a hundred times a day, and all the other things that go on in a pregnancy, once you feel the baby move, it sinks in (at least for me) that this baby is real and it makes it all worthwhile.

Busy week!

We have been extremely busy this past week. On Saturday, I took Ian and Maddie to see their first play, Beauty and the Beast, at the Princess Theater in Decatur. We met my family there and I thought the kids did great! Ian was a little concerned at first but then realized it was like the movie and loved it. Maddie liked it as well, however, it was a little loud for her so she ended up watching the whole play


while holding her hands over her ears. After the play the kids got to meet the cast. Ian was enthralled with Gaston and Maddie couldn't wait to see Belle. She met Ms. Potts first and talked about Belle the whole time (poor Ms. Potts) and then she got to get her picture made with Belle. As we were going to meet the Prince she said she had to tell Belle one more thing and when she went over to Belle, she tugged on her dress and told her she was 3.
The next day we went to a family reunion in Eva. It was my Memaw's side of the family. We had a nice time but couldn't stay long. The next morning we got a call that my Dad's uncle had passed away, so we ended up staying longer in Decatur than originally planned. Monday night I went with my sister to Maywood camp to pick up Caleb. Laina went with us and we had so much fun. I haven't been able to spend much time with Laina over the last few years so it was great hanging out with her. On Tuesday we went to the funeral home for uncle Jr. Towards the end, I caught Ian dancing in front of the casket, so needless to say, they did not go to the funeral.

Maddie got her first hair cut on Wednesday. I didn't want to cut it, but there was a piece that hung from her crown down past the rest of her hair. It wouldn't curl like the rest of her hair does, so I cut that strand and it curls so much better.

Thursday before Ryan came to pick us up, I met Jessica and her kids at the Snack Shack. I'm ashamed to even say how long it has been since I've seen her and I can't believe how big her kids are. The kids were cute together, although we might should have picked a place that had a playground because they were a little restless. Next time we'll know :) It was nice visiting with them, but we will definitely have to visit longer the next time we get together.

Finally out and about!

This past weekend was the first time I had actually gotten out of the house and gone anywhere (besides my mom's house) all summer. Maddie and I got up on Saturday and went to Katie's 6th birthday party. It was a Fancy Nancy party and it was adorable! The girls got to make hats and dress up, and then they had a tea party. Maddie looked so sweet all dressed up even though she would not smile for any pictures. (by the way, a picture is coming soon). While we were at a tea party, Ryan, Ian and Grandaddy went fishing at the pond in Eva. They
caught 8 bass and Ian reeled in 3 of those. Ryan said that some guys were down there fishing along with them and they asked Ian how many fish he had caught. He told them he caught 10 or 20, so I believe that we are raising a true fisherman - the catch always seems bigger than it really is :)

Sunday I finally went to church. It was the first time I had been back since getting sick. It was so good to see everyone and fellowship with friends. I was a little afraid, however, that they just might make me place membership again :)

On Monday I went for a checkup at the OBGYN. Everything looked good and the baby's heartbeat was strong (163 bpm). And yes, still just one heartbeat! My next checkup will be at the end of August and will include an ultrasound. Ryan and I are still trying to decide if we want to find out the sex of the baby or let it be a surprise. A part of me thinks it would be fun to not find out and then again the other part really wants to know so that bibs and burpcloths can be monogramed ahead of time. We will see which part wins out...

Big News for our family!!!!!

If any of you follow my blog regularly I am certain that you have noticed my lack of blogging. Well I have a very good reason. I am pregnant!!!!!!! Yes, our third baby is on the way, due in January and I am soooooooooooooooo sick. "Sicker" than with either Ian or Maddie which constantly prompts people(even total strangers) to say "Maybe it's twins"! Which prompts me to say lots of things I shouldn't. Twins - I don't think so!!!!!!!!!

While I am on the subject, I want to thank all the people that have helped out while I have been sick. Lots of friends brought food and have helped with the kids. Nana and Bopa came and helped and then took the kids home with them for a week (we didn't have to twist their arms). Mom and Dad have been off and on and that is where I am now. Lots of babysitters here. So for all of you that helped we love and thank you so much. What a blessing you are in our life.

And aside from the sickness, we are all very excited. Ian wants a boy and wants to name it Sporticus and Maddie wants a girl named Ryan. Ryan and I just want a healthy baby (notice the singular use there?). I feel certain that soon this sick period will pass and I am looking forward to a great pregnancy and having lots of fun preparing for this new bundle of love. I will catch everyone up on our happenings soon. Say a prayer!!!

Swimming, a Birthday Party, & Fishing

This last week has been really fun for the kids, and busy for me. We have spent quite a lot of time with Katie and Hannah (and we always love that!)On Tuesday we met them at Chick-fil-la and spent about 5 hours there (the kids were playing great, why mess with a good thing). And then on Wednesday I kept Lila while Kim went to the doctor. She is always sweet and good and Maddie loved trying to play baby dolls with her. I say "trying" because Maddie would tell Lila what to do like feed the baby or hold it a certain way and then Lila would look at her like she was crazy and throw the baby down :) On Thursday we met Katie and Hannah at the park. We had a picnic and the kids played for a few hours. We finally let them play in the creek. Not sure if that was a good idea, but they loved it and got completely soaked. On Friday we went to Hannah's house to eat lunch and let the kids swim. Kim, Addi, Levi and Lila were there.The water was a little cold at first, but that didn't stop the kids from getting in. After they played for a while they got push up pops. Maddie and Lila got it all over there faces. Not to be outdone, Hannah got it not only on her face, but all over her arms and legs. It was hilarious!




On Saturday we traveled to Decatur to go to Hudson's birthday party.It was a really cute party. They had it at a firehouse there in Decatur. The cake was adorable and Melanie did a really good job with the decorations. They had a firetruck that the kids could climb in and after the kids ate pizza and cake and Hudson opened his presents, they went outside to play games. The firetruck then came around and sprayed water and let the kids run through it. Ian thought that was really cool. He hasn't stopped talking about it since. After we got back to my mom's, Ryan decided to take Ian fishing. Ian has been asking to go for a month now and Ryan just couldn't tell him no :) They didn't catch anything, but had a great time.