Half Way -- Already!?!

Hurray, we got our new leather furniture delivered this past week! It is so comfy and so nice and really makes our living room look so different -- so "grown up"! The kids seem to really like it, and have been repeatedly told not to even THINK about eating on it!!! We'll see how that goes! Here's a couple of pics of how it looks!



Well, time is sure FLYING by with this pregnancy!!! I am half-way (20 weeks) already!!! That means, provided that this little guy stays in and cooks until the end, that I only have 20 more weeks to go! I feel like my belly is "popping" out more and more each day now... I think some people can see the little bump growing now! We are still trying to decide on a name for our little July bean... it is so hard to decide on what name you will call someone for the rest of their life! And a name that you will say/think about every day from here on! Hopefully we will get something nailed down soon. I like being about to call the baby by name, and Luke has been asking me "what's he called?" He thinks it is "another little Daniel" so for now, that is how we explain it... "another brother LIKE Daniel" Here's a recent belly picture.

And to end, here's a couple of fun pics of the boys --

Luke having fun sliding head first down the slide on a recent sunny day! He must have gone down ~20 times in a row! And each time he would get static electricity and shock either me or his brother.... silly boy!

Here's Daniel, almost caught in the act -- he LOVES to climb -- on EVERYTHING! He was trying to climb up on the table... he gets up there and says "get down!" So I think he knows better, but just can't help himself! He likes the higher vantage point. So I take him down about 20 times a day and remind him that he's not suppose to be up on the table!!

Well, good-bye to February 2010! It was a fun, fast, busy month! And now, on to March (and hopefully some Texas spring weather! We are ready for days of sunshine to play outside!)

A beautiful Sunday!

So prior to the crazy snow -- this past Sunday was a beautiful, sunny day in the 70s! We took advantage of the nice weather and spent most of the day outside, including a little fishing trip with Daddy on his boat. It was so nice and the boys had a blast -- Daddy's got some fishin' buddies for life!

Here's Luke with his little fishing pole. Being a little ham!
Daniel spent most of the time snacking and trying to get into things he shouldn't! Not quite sure about the whole fishing thing, but really liked being on the water and seeing lots of birds, boats, dogs, etc.
Daddy and Luke --- no luck catching a fish this time, but lots of fun trying! Luke loves to check on the minnows (bait fish) to see if they are still swimming around -- wants NOTHING to do with touching them though! He says "they'll get my hands all slimey!"
Me and Daniel cruising around the lake.

Snow in Temple!

A rare Texas snow day -- maybe that Groundhog was right this time??? (6 more weeks of winter). I think that Temple ended up getting 4-5" -- just the perfect amount to go out and play in, have fun, and then quickly melt away! Here's some pics of the boys playing in the snow in our backyard and our little snowman.

Luke trying to catch the snow on his tongue and eat it!
Daniel -- happy to be outside with brother, but not liking the 3 layers of clothes, mittens, hats, boots, etc!
The boys and our little snowman!

Drinking hot chocolate after a fun time out in the snow! Daniel was loving his own little mug!

It's a....

Healthy little baby BOY!!!!!
Here he is giving us a thumbs up "all's well" sign!
(The pics are not the greatest because our scanner wasn't working, so I took a picture of the ultrasound pictures.)

Here is a profile pic -- he has his head tilted way back with his chin up in the air... he was very proud to show off his boy parts, but was being shy with his sweet little face, so it's not the best picture!


WARNING: the last image is graphic in nature... please proceed at your own discretion!




Here's the proof that he is indeed a HE!!! Dr. Fothergill said he saw "it" right away, and knew for sure it was a boy. I was a surprised and had him double check, and sure enough.... there's just no denying THAT!

He is growing right on target -- all 10 fingers, and all 10 toes, with a healthy brain, heart, organs, and bones! He weighs about 10 ounces, and was a fiesty little guy, moving all around throughout the ultrasound! I am still due July 18th. We are excited as we start to prepare for a 3rd little boy to love! I am still letting it all sink in, and getting used to the idea of 3 boys, ages 3 and under! Luke and Daniel seem to be super excited about a little brother, but I think they are easy to please!

Thank you, Lord that You know the plans that You have for our family and that You know what is best!

Around the house

This has been another busy week! We have gotten lots of things accomplished, and had lots of fun too! It is the first week of beautiful sunshine in a long stretch (Texans are NOT used to being cooped up during the winter!) So the boys have LOVED getting to run around outside and get some vitamin D!
We FINALLY finished working on our little backyard shed -- I say FINALLY because we started the project 3 weeks ago... we have been needing something for extra storage for a long time now, and since getting the minivan, I want to keep it in the garage. But with all the lawn stuff, the boys' toys, bikes, etc, etc, etc... there was hardly any room at all. So we set off to Lowe's to buy a little "pop together" aluminum shed... sounded simple enough in my head. Well, we got started on it, but then it got COLD, and was RAINY and then Robert had 2 busy weeks of work, so we weren't able to really work on it, plus my main job was to keep the 2 little ones safe while they were "helping" Daddy, so I don't think that I was much help at all! But alas, it is finished and we spent most of yesterday unloading the garage, and loading the shed. It's so nice to have a cleaned out garage again!

Next we decided it was time to update our furniture... so we spent a couple of days looking and trying and narrowing down what we liked and wanted to get. And we just purchased a new leather set this morning! It is super comfortable, so pretty to look at, and I think will last a LONG time... even with the little ones! It gets delivered next week, and I can't wait! Here's a pic!
We have also had a baby shower and an upcoming birthday party to celebrate. It's so nice to have a great group of friends and family -- it's great entertainment and fun!
And, lastly, but not least, we will have our big ultrasound tomorrow morning to get another peak at our growing little one, and hopefully find out the sex -- I have been dying to know already. I feel like once we know, we can start planning, and get a name picked out and have a better idea of what to expect in July. Either a baby boy or baby girl would be a welcome addition to our family, so I am trying to "be anxious for nothing, but with prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, let your requests be known to God." (Phil 4:6) I know that God's plan for our family is best, and however that unfolds will be great! (Although, a little girl would be awesome -- just my humble opinion! ;) It is so hard to believe that I am already that far along! This pregnancy has just gone by SO fast so far!
Thanks for all the prayers and thoughts for little baby #3! They are definitely felt, and greatly appreciated! I am in such awe at the miracle of each and every conception, pregnancy, birth, etc of every baby! What a wonderful design by our Creator!

Psalm 139:13-14
"For You did form my inward parts; You did knit me together in my mother's womb. I will confess and praise You for You are fearful and wonderful and for the awful wonder of my birth! Wonderful are Your works, and that my inner self knows right well."

Valentine's 2010

I am sitting down at the end of a wonderful weekend! Robert and I experienced our first weekend trip alone since the boys were born! We decided to take the time to do a little something just the 2 of us, and what better time than Valentine's weekend? We headed down to Fredericksburg, Texas -- a super cute little German town that is filled with great food, music, shops, sites, wine, people, etc! We ate WAY TOO MUCH (I think I may have gained 5 pounds!), and got to sleep in, and just enjoy one another's company (uninterrupted!) It was nice to have a little romantic time to refresh and recharge!
I am so thankful for my sweet husband -- he is such a hard worker, and does so much to provide for our family. He works hard all day, then rushes home to kiss and play with the boys until they go to bed. He is smart and funny and kind and loving, and the most loyal person I will ever meet. And God made the 2 of us just perfect for each other! I have known and loved him for so long, I cannot imagine anything else! I am the luckiest girl alive to be his wife and helpmate!

Meanwhile, the boys were in good hands with Nana and Pops at our house. No major accidents or problems while we were gone! And, I suspect, just a little spoiling went on ;)

So, now, I am ready to get back to the daily tasks that lie ahead for this week!
Happy Valentine's Day to all!!!

I Heart My Boys!

So here's some fun pics of my 2 sweet boys -- the precious little creatures that God has given us, who are little but for this brief moment.... An attempt at capturing the "brotherly love" I think it is near impossible to get a great pic of 2 or more children BOTH looking, and BOTH smiling... I take what I can get! Here they both wanted to wear ball caps... they look so grown up!

This one is one of about 50 pictures taken... hey, both are looking!!!! Not too shabby!

My sweet Luke -- looking more and more like a "boy" not at all like a "baby". He is finally cooperating with me taking his picture -- he went through a phase of "no more pictures!" But this is a cute and genuine smile... I just love it!

Daniel outside enjoying some nicer weather back in January... he would be outside every waking moment if the weather (and Mommy) would allow! He is instantly happier when outside playing!

A great smile. Very typical of "Daniel" right now! I love this phase... everything is "new" to him -- from the airplanes that fly over our back yard to the dogs that bark and the neighbors that are out playing.... everything is "oooooohhhh" and "aaaaahhhhh" to him. It so fun to see him get all excited when he sees and hears these things!

A "Cheeeeesy" smile -- he sees me get the camera and poses, smiles, and says "cheeeeeeeeeezzz" So cute and so cooperative... then he goes about his business playing!

I just loved this one.... the boys were being quite silly one night after baths, before bed. They were laying on our kitchen rug (literally under my feet) but being so sweet to each other and just giggling and having fun! I just love that they are good friends, as well as brothers. It is so neat to see them playing together. It just gets better and better the older that they get!

Here's a self-taken attempt at me and the boys. Daniel was sticking his tongue out, but it looks like he has a big bottom lip -- Ha Ha! And Luke was ready to get back to whatever it was he was doing before I made him come take a picture!

And lastly, here is a pic of Baby "July Bean" and my "growing belly". I am 17 weeks now... so not much to show for now. I can feel/see the little bump, but most people probably couldn't tell. I promise it will start getting bigger and BIGGER before long!

"Thank you, Lord for my wonderful life!!! For my great husband, for my 2 sweet boys, for another little one on the way!! For our health, our home, and our true happiness that comes from You. Thank you for blessing us beyond measure with wonderful family and friends, and for each and every precious day that You've given to us!"