Florida Trip, part 1 (the plane ride)

We are fortunate enough to have traveled to the sunny state of Florida this past week. It's hard to believe we have done this 3 years in a row. Every year we plan on not going, resolving to save our money towards one thing or another, but every winter the blues set in and we get an itchin' to go. We are blessed to have friends that live there and in-laws that have a time share.

So, when January's sub degree weather took a toll on us, we decided we needed us a vacation. I also reasoned with myself that I probably wouldn't be going on vacation this summer with a new baby on hand, so we needed to go somewhere for some rejuvenation (why not somewhere warm?). The hubs work schedule is also going to be crazy busy this summer, and quite frankly already has been busy and he needed a break.

After finding a really cheap flight, we were set to go. I was glad that we were going to fly because quite frankly I didn't know how these achy pregnancy legs could handle 25 hours in the car. And the flights all in all went well, with of course only a few minor set backs. I was so worried Kyra wouldn't do well since she had just been diagnosed with an ear infection, but she did great. Katie however had a little trouble with the decline. It must have been a sight to see watching two parents sink down to this child's level and make goofy jaw dropping faces to get her to do the same (so her ears would pop).

Then on the way back toward home Katie pooped in her diaper just minutes before we were supposed to board on a lay over flight from Indianapolis to Chicago. Unfortunately, because we are in the midst of potty training and had exhausted our supply of diapers on the trip, I didn't have a single diaper. I quickly went to an airport kiosk, paid $6 for a two pack of diapers and boarded the plane with my poopy daughter. Then I looked at the package and realized they were a size 3, which wouldn't be too bad except for the fact that she wears a size 5! Oh well, I knew I could squeeze her in. I waited anxiously until we were high enough in the air so we could take her into the teeny stall, hoping that nobody could smell the stench that I smelled. Finally the stewardess said something about the lavatory, and I darted for the door. Only, when I reached the front, the stewardess said "what do you think you're doing? the seat belt light is still on. You can't come up front." I thought that our short jaunt up front seemed rather steep. I guess I would have to wait a few more minutes. Only that time never came. Because it was such a short flight, we basically barely got to maximum height before we had to come back down. So here I sat with a poopy daughter, and an overpriced pack of diapers that were the wrong size. That's life with a two year old! It was an adventure and always is. Oh, and by the way, when I finally did change her at the airport, her little deposit was about the size of a dime. Wow, that kid can pack a punch!

Tiny Talk Tuesday

I don't have any cute comments to share today, however I do have a couple pictures to share. Kyra has been in a coloring frenzy lately. And every time she amazes us with her detail and creativity. I just love looking at the images that compile in their little heads! Here they are:

Here she drew her friends in the car. There's even exhaust and the yellow lines on the road. I never knew she paid attention to that kind of detail.

Yesterday, she learned for the first time about astronauts. And based on this one day, she drew a rocket ship going to outer space and visiting all the planets. If you look closely, she even drew the details of Earth (blue and green for the land and water). And to the upper right of Earth is Saturn with it's rings. Call me a boastful mother, but I'm proud.

If you want to read more tiny talk, visit Mary's.

Sweet Pea's First Pics

When I was pregnant with both of my girls, we decided not to find out with either one. It was very exciting to have that big announcement: It's a....! Although, I have to say, with Katie it was a lot harder not knowing (but definitely worth it). However, this time, knowing it is our last one, we just had to know. Being able to prepare the baby's room is a big plus. But at the same time, I also wanted to give myself a few months to mentally prepare. You see, when Katie was born, I was almost 99% sure she was a boy. And of course I was glad that she was healthy and beautiful, but I would be lying if I said I wasn't a wee bit disappointed that she wasn't a boy in those first few moments. Of course now, I couldn't be happier. The two girls are great companions, and I enjoy watching them play and learn from each other. Needless, to say we decided to find out the sex of our baby.

I love guessing games though. So, before I make the big announcement, I want you to tell me what you think we are having. Are we going to be swimming in sugar and spice like Jenny, or entering into the world of snails and toads? I will leave you with some pictures of our little one, and then share our news in a couple days (a little squirming is good for the soul). Of course no guessing if you actually do know, and you know who you are!

Our baby's profile, it had it's mouth open almost the whole time! Definitely daddy's child!

My first 3D ultrasound, again baby's mouth is open!

This picture is my favorite. Although it might be harder to tell, the baby has it's lil' hand in front of it's face, and the other arm by the side of it's head. I'm in love already!

Time keeps tickin...tickin...

Wow! I can't believe it has been a month since I blogged. I haven't been exactly in the mood to write in a while, but a month...wow! February was a relatively low key month (at least I think it was...but my prego brain doesn't always serve me right). I've spent a lot of time searching the net for bunk beds for the girls (since they will be moving in together to allow room for the little one). I was surprised how much of my time this consumed. I think I was being a little too particular in my search. We did find one bed we really liked, but it was out of our price range. After finding that bed, nothing seemed to compare. Now that I have wasted all that time, I am pretty sure we are going to get two single beds. After all, my mom pointed out I would be doing most of the bed making, and this momma doesn't want to get a work out daily by making a child's bed (although that might be good exercise for me). Anyway, I'm rambling on (which I guess will happen when you haven't written in a month).

The last half of February just simply flew by. We had a nice visit from all my siblings. We had a great time chatting and letting the cousins finally play, after what seemed like time after time of cancellations because one or more of our family members was always sick. The kids even went roller skating for the first time. Good times! Then we had our much awaited ultrasound and were off to Florida the following day. And wouldn't you know it, Kyra got an ear infection the day before we left. Yes, I was a little worried how that might affect the plane ride, but thankfully we knew of the infection before we left and she was aokay.

So there you have it. That was our month in a nutshell. Of course I'm leaving out many details, like that of our trip and ummm... the sex of our baby!!! But I'll leave that for a post later this week (yes, I promise).

Letter to my pea in a pod

Dear Little One -

This past week I have started to feel you inside of me. I always long for this time, because this is the first moment I feel I am really able to bond with you. It's amazing to hear your heartbeat, see you move around on a moniter, but this physical connection makes me feel closest to you. That little kick or movement across my belly is reassurance that you are still slowly growing inside of me. Keep getting stronger little one, because your family is all very anxious to meet you.

I want you to know how much your father and I already love and desire to have you in our lives. Back a year or so ago, we began contemplating if we should add another child to our family. It seemed I felt different almost every day. One day I was content entertaining your two sisters and pondered at how life had finally come to the point where it was comfortable. Your sisters were old enough that I didn't feel overwhelmed all the time with the wonderful responsibility of caring for a baby or toddler. Your father and I could each hold a child's hand, each put a child to bed, have one on one attention. I knew having a third child would mean your dad and I would be outnumbered. There was a sense of insecurity in the possibility of "rocking the boat." It seemed like such a hard decision...do we have a third child or don't we. What did God want us to do? Would having a third overwhelm our marriage? I have to say we never thought this hard about having your sisters. After all I knew I wanted at least one child, hence with God's blessing Kyra was born. Katie, well God made that decision for us. He gave us the unexpected blessing of your second sister. But you, you were the hardest. Until thoughts of you were consuming my mind daily. I knew our family just wasn't complete. I figured if I thought this much of an unborn child, then surely you were meant to be.

The next month we began trying to conceive you. We planned dates for your arrival and perfect timing of ovulation, but that didn't seem to work. After months of disappointment, I began to wonder if God really wanted us to have a third child and maybe it was just my own desire. I contemplated giving up, and putting in the towel. Maybe it was sign from God saying, you need to be content with the wonderful children you've been given. After all I know that I am deeply blessed and I should not want for anything. I also know we had put a lot of trust in the function of our own bodies, and had not relied more on God. We had tried putting things in our control, instead of having faith in Our Savior. The next month we decided not to "try" so hard. We weren't going to look at dates or time everything. And you know what? That was the month you were conceived!

I know now that even though your dad and I strongly desired to have you in our family, it was all in God's timing. He knew my desires, but He also knows the perfect time for you to enter into our lives. So grow little one. I look forward to feeling more kicks and elbows, because it means you are very much alive inside of me. And the fatigue and achy legs I can endure, knowing that in just 4 1/2 short more months I can hold you in my arms.

Lots of love,
Mommy

Tiny Talk Tuesday

The little ones in our house have been yucking it up this week, here are some of their comments that made us laugh:

During quiet time:
Mom: Kyra, I have a lot of laundry to do, so your going to have to find some quiet activity to do for the next hour or so.
Kyra: That's okay mom, I have a lot of pictures to draw. There are lots of people who need pictures.
Mom: Alright then, let's get to work! (Meanwhile, I sneak to the computer room to quick check my email before digging into the laundry. A few short minutes later, Kyra finds me in the room.)
Kyra: Mom, can I play a computer game?
Mom: Kyra, I just got on the computer, besides I thought you had lots of pictures that needed to be drawn!
Kyra: Well, I thought you had lots of laundry that needed to be folded!
(She got me there. Wow, what a little smarty pants. She's getting too smart for her age.)

During dinner time:
Dad: What do you think about getting some chickens for around the house?
Mom: Oh, don't even get me started. We are NOT going to do more farming then you already do right now.
Dad: Why don't we ask the girls (sure let's get them to gang up on mom!). Katie would you like some chickens?
Katie: I want chicken nuggets!
(There's my girl. You're not going to find any chickens peckin around our household, or else he'll meet the deep fryer pretty quickly!)

If you want to read more tiny talk, just visit Mary's.

Wordless Wednesday

Kyra's teacher approached me last Wednesday to tell me congratulations after Kyra drew and shared this picture during class. Melt. My. Heart.