Nicholas... The Birthday Boy!

Sometimes it's hard to believe that we've had this little guy in our lives for 4 years.

 Nicholas is such a special boy. He is very loving and affectionate and gives the absolute best hugs EVER!  He is also shy and quiet and can create lots of mischief. 

 Happy Birthday Nicholas.
 

Last weekend as a family of Four... Maybe!

For months strangers at the store, and some of the other parents at pickup have been telling me that I wouldn't make it to Christmas let alone to my due date before Baby arrived.  Yet here I am 3 days from the due date and baby is sitting nice and comfy.
So how did we start our (hopefully) last weekend as a family of four?  At the gym! 3 days to go and yes I'm at the gym. Working out and lifting weights. Before you worry, yes my doctor knows and is actually encouraging it!  Believe me when  I first found out I was expecting baby #3 I never thought I'd still be working out 4-5 times a week. Nor did I think I would do it this close to the "end" but I feel great. Baby is healthy and happy and moving around  all the time, and there is really no reason not to. This has truly been and easy pregnancy not to mention a healthy one!
Besides Baby's arrival ( a major life/ family changing event)  there is also another big event about to take place. My little guy  Nicholas is turning 4 in just 3 days. (yes! Baby is due on his birthday.  I'm thinking baby will be a few days later than expected).
I'm not yet at that " okay I'm ready" stage. I guess expecting my 3rd baby and another boy that  feeling just hasn't come. He'll come when he comes!
Brock on the other hand is getting impatient. He asks me almost daily if I can " just go to the doctor and have him take the baby out". Sorry bud not how it works.  He is super excited to meet his new baby brother.
Nicholas is excited too. He is constantly telling me how he is going to be my helper. He will help me change diapers and tell me when the baby needs to eat and take a bath.  He is super cute about all of it.
I just know he's going to be a super helper and a great big brother.

Now if I can just give Nicholas a fun Happy 4th birthday before baby comes. Things will be great.  Wish us luck!

Happy Holidays

Sometimes things just don't come out how you planned. Like me trying to get a decent family picture for the "Christmas letter"   Oh well I tried!   maybe when these guys are a little older we will actually all look at the camera together and smile sweetly! 

Our little guy Nicholas is not so little anymore!  He will be turning 4 soon and I often find myself watch some home movies and really missing his cute little voice.  He is a shy little guy  and has some Awesome dance moves Just like his mom!  :) He is looking forward to having a little brother and is constantly telling me how he will help me know when baby needs certain things.   He even says he'll help change diapers.
Brock is half way through Kindergarten and LOVING it. He has made some good friends and his teacher loves how helpful he is in class.  He's favorite part of school is reading groups.  and he loves to play games on mommy and daddy's phone.  Brock is also very excited for a new little brother.
 (Brock says he will help with everything EXCEPT diapers.) 


We wish you all a very merry Christmas and Joyous New Year!
 

Baby's Quilt

I did all the cutting one night. Took 2 hours to figure out the right pattern.  On another day I found time to sew it all together. (a little to quickly maybe). Gave in and machine quilted the whole thing on another day,  because I just knew I would never get it done by hand.   Found some time one day to sew on the binding. (not the best binging job but it works)  and today  I  FINALLY finished the quilt by after tying some pretty blue yarn on it.  7 hours of work+ one pretty nifty quilt for Baby #3.  (yes we have picked a name but you'll have to wait until he arrives to hear it!)
 Finally product:

Can't wait to snuggle my little guy in this creation! 

30 weeks pregnant and still going to the gym! WHAT!!!!!!

Everyday there is someone aka family, friends, gym mates, even strangers. who ask me how/ why I am still working out and where I get the energy to do so. Believe me it's not easy. Some days a slow 15 minutes on the treadmill is all I can take, other days it's like I have so much energy I have to remind myself to take it easy and that I am pregnant.  The days I skip my workout are hard days. I am tired and very cranky. The days where  I do muster up the energy to go to the gym (even though I am tired) I seem to have more energy and more patience. and to me that feeling alone is worth it. My boys have a lot of energy themselves, and some days it takes everything thing I have in me to get through without yelling and screaming at them.   when I frist started my get healthy lifestyle I would see cute prgnant women at the gym and say I want to be like that.
 

 I want to continue to workout and stay fit through my next pregnancy. Now I am that woman. I absolutely love going to the gym and getting smiles and "way to go
 from my gym mates on being there. Doing a full workout. Keeping my energy up and staying fit.  IT IS NOT EASY!   But I have it easier than most pregnant women. I have never once experiences "morning sickness" (thankfully)  and although I have days of pressure and being uncomfortable. I am never down for the count. So I will continue on. and yes I am still doing squats!  and I will continue to do so as long as I can. It's not about weight. (although It is always fun to see those numbers go down) it is about being healthy. About not letting my boys become faster and stronger than me while they are still young. (they will pass me up soon enough and then I will have no power over them at all). It's about feeling healthy and empowered, and good.    And don't worry I am taking it easy.  

pictures, Xrays, a Motion Analysis, and clean teeth.

Brock had an early morning Doctors appointment today. We headed over to Shriner's Hospital for what a assumed was a regular checkup. turns out they had a few others experiences for Brock.
We started out with our Regular check up, which usually consists of  measuring and stretching his heel cords, measuring the tightness in his feet and a watchful eye as he dose a few walks up and down the hallway. (Pretty much to see if his feet are staying  straight and if he is walking on the outsides of his feet at all. Usually a 30-45 minute visit.  After all that, we were sent over for x-rays.  Which Brock did alone since I am expecting and not wanting to risk the exposure.  He did great! (sometimes he has a hard time with new experiences if  I'm not right there with him) We then went up to the Motion Analysis  Clinic. Where he walked a lot!  back and forth back and forth. and then they took a whole bunch of measurements.

 How wide his hips are, the length of each leg,  the angle of his feet, etc. Then it was back to more walking back and forth and back and forth, but this time with sensors to record everything.

(So fun) Brock also had Medical Photographs taken of his feet.  So many fun new things and when I asked Brock what he liked best:  "playing games".  Shriners has a touch screen computer game and an Ipad that he got to play between tests.


















Nicholas got in on the fun too.    And three and a half hours later we were headed back home.
















 Then later on we headed to the Dentist where both boys had a check up, and cleaning.

                  NO CAVITIES!   and better yet no tears!

28 weeks

Baby #3 is measuring a few weeks ahead of schedule.  Lately I really feel it.

12 weeks to go!