Life is pretty monotonous around here. It's even more so during the winter. This has been an extremely mild winter. I think we've only had a couple good snowstorms. It's always sunny the next day so everything dumps then melts into rivers running down the streets. It has been very wet around here. Still too cold to play outside for long.
We try to keep ourselves busy finding things to do inside which has been an interesting challenge in my creativity and everyone's patience.
The boys love it when daddy comes home:
I am 25 weeks along already! I always forget how fast the time goes. I'm feeling great now, except I'm constantly tired. I pretty much sleep whenever the boys are but it doesn't seem to help much.
We're just puffing along trying to keep ourselves out of a boredom rut
Life is pretty dull in the winter. We really don't do much, I find it harder to see the joy in each day. I've decided that although I don't have much to write (he he, who am I kidding? I can always write a whole page worth when I have 'nothing' to write), although I don't have anything exciting to write about, I'm going to share a few things I'm grateful for:
We've only had one day this winter that I had to leave the stroller and take the sled.
I love little boys all dressed up in their suits. Even if I take 20 pictures and still can't get a decent one. Kaleb seems to always have his eyes closed or squinting.
I love being a stay at home mom. It is one of the hardest jobs I've ever done but I truly do love it. Maybe not every minute, but it's nice to look back at a day and think about all the positive. I am grateful for these boys. They bring so much light and life into our family. Kaleb is completely potty trained, day and night - yippee! Xander is trained for the day. The hard part is helping them realize they can pause pretty much anything that is going on, they won't miss anything fun.
I am grateful that our family is gospel centered. I am especially grateful that I have the spirit to guide me through each day. Several times the spirit helps me remain calm and loving when I want nothing of the sort. Several times throughout the day I'll know how to calm a crying child, or just have the impression that I need to go see what one of the kids is up to.
A story from this past week that has me grateful for the protecting angels in our life. I very much dislike taking the boys to run errands. They like to run in opposite directions. I can strap one in the cart, but there isn't room for both, I need the basket to put in whatever items I'm getting. Then it's complete mayhem because no one wants to be the one strapped in. They've gotten pretty good about staying with me, they know they will be strapped in if they don't. Now I am tempted to put a rope around their waist when we walk through the parking lot. The other day Jake had a later day than was anticipated. I had to get a few things at the store, leaving me no choice but to take the boys. As we exited the store Kaleb took off running, ignoring my screeching to stop and hold my hand. One car swerved to avoid him while Kaleb ran face first into another truck. I am grateful the truck didn't hit him and it was only Kaleb's force that knocked him down. He was a bit bruised from face-planting a truck (you'll maybe notice a slight scab on his forehead in the above pictures) and scraped up from falling backward. I am grateful the truck driver was going slow enough and saw him in time to slam on his breaks, the back tires inches from Kaleb's legs. I'm not sure who was more scared, me or the truck driver. I wanted to scream at Kaleb but all I could do was hold him and thank Heavenly Father for protecting my family. Apparently we need to make some discipline changes when we have to run errands or are outside walking without the stroller.
I dislike winter for about every reason there is. I don't even think snow is fun to play in. And I know for sure, ice is not forgiving. I feel like the boys watch too many movies. And we all suffer from cabin fever and irritable temperaments.
I finally pulled out the PlayDough grandma gave the boys for Christmas. It was a huge hit. I had to get creative with what to use to help play with the dough. Maybe I should invest in some cookie cutters.
Enough stalling...I'll get on to the whole reason why you are even reading this post today.
The highlight of this week:
Yesterday Jake was able to come with me to a doctor appointment. I have felt since the beginning that we were having a girl. I don't know if it's because I was a lot more sick this time around. I don't know if it's because the boys were due the end of the month and this baby is due June 5th. Maybe it was just wishful thinking?
I am grateful for modern technology that let us get a peek into babies world through an ultrasound. What an amazing invention! 3-D was phenomanal.
I had skipped breakfast and only drank a Sunny Delight. Not a smart choice. This baby has always been very active. But whoa, baby was hyper active. About all the doctor could see was flailing appendages. Face was turned away so I was a bit disappointed we couldn't get a nice image of that. But it was obvious, soon as the doctor put the ultrasound wand on my belly - whoa in my face - as he said "I usually like to save the big reveal until the end but this little girl is in my face flashing us" Great, she's hyper, and a streaker - ha ha ha - We are excited to be awaiting the arrival of baby #3. A very healthy baby girl.
Breahna, we can't wait to meet you! Jake isn't so sure how he's feeling He's not sure he's ready for someone that small to have so much control over him. He knows it's inevitable he'll be wrapped around her finger. But we both know, no matter if she likes ribbons and ruffles, our girl will know how to camp, shoot a gun, and get dirty!
We told the boys today. They just laughed. I think once she's here they'll have fun.
We have a little neighbor girl that comes over sometimes. Her mom watches Alexander and we trade babysitting. The boys, especially Alexander, love chasing her all over, reading her stories, etc.
The other night we babysat a friends 3 month old little girl. The boys were watching a movie. Alexander kept coming over saying things like "come see the Lions!" then he would bring her a big truck and put it on her belly "come play". Oh this is going to be a fun adventure.
I am so excited to welcome this next addition to our family.
There are few constants in the ups and downs of life. But as we experience laughter, excitement, and tears, one thing remains true; We are a family, bound by love, blessed to be spending our days together. I use this blog to document those everyday moments as time quickly passes us by. Enjoying the small things, one day at a time. We may not have it all together, but together we have it all!
