Summer Busket List - Post Eleven (Meet Nora's New Cousin)

Meet Nora's New Cousin - CHECK!

I got a text message at 5 a.m. on August 9th. I was confused - "Did I forget that one of my babysitting kids was coming early?!" Nope, it was from my brother-in-law saying that he and my sister were at the hospital! Her water broke at 1:45 a.m., they made it to the hospital at 2:30, and labor was happening! HOORAY!

After that I guess you could say I got a taste of my own medicine from three years ago. I waited and waited for news about the arrival of my new niece or nephew - that's right - Rachel and Billy had decided not to find out what they were having either. :) I would have waited up at the hospital, but Nora seems to have gotten hand, foot, and mouth. So now she won't be meeting her cousin for at least a week, BUT - that doesn't mean she isn't practicing!:

She and I waited around for news all day, watching movies, napping, and eventually heading up to the doctor's office for confirmation of hand, foot, and mouth. While we were sitting in the office, I got the following text:

I was so excited, but honestly, I was so in shock! I thought for sure she was having a girl. So now I am 0 for 2 in the baby guessing game, lol!

Not too long after I got this beautiful photo:

Later my mom came by so I could have a chance to go up and see him in the hospital. Friends, he is PERFECT! Such a pretty-looking baby. I didn't hold him or get too near of course (because even though I don't have any signs of having hand, foot, and mouth it's still SUPER contagious if you do have it), but I did get to see him in person and that was totally worth it. I love his little fuzzy strawberry blond hair, and his curious little eyes. He. Is. Too. CUTE! :) We are so happy to have him in the family.

WELCOME BENNY!

Until next time . . .

Summer Bucket List - Post Ten (ARCH!)

I started noticing last week that the summer is already feeling like it's drawing to a close. School clothes and supplies are hitting the stores, and the parents of the kids I sit for are starting to send me their schedules. I looked at the calendar and was shocked - how can it be that we only have a few weeks left before Nora starts preschool?!?!?!?!?!?!!!! My summer plan of "focusing on her before things get crazy and then the baby arrives" is rapidly diminishing.

So, in my panic, I decided that day that when Nora woke up from nap, we were going somewhere fun - and it ended up being the St. Louis Arch. I had asked Cory earlier in the summer if he wanted to come with us and he looked at me like I was nuts, so Nora and I trekked out with Mimi across the river. We had relatively good luck with going on an overcast Monday afternoon - we got there and it wasn't too hot for the walk across the park. Nora saw the arch for the first time and said "Wow." :) Not too climactic, I know! She did ask a few questions on the way to the arch about going up in it, and I answered her as best I could. It had been at least ten years since I went up in it myself!

Thanks to our great timing, we didn't have to wait very long for the "Journey to the Top". Nora was a little nervous about the ride up (it's VERY enclosed and - let's face it - kind of freaky) but she did a really good job! At the top I tried to show her some things that she might recognize (like the river, the bridges, and the baseball stadium) and pointed out the difference between the rural Illinois side and the not-so-rural Missouri side. She enjoyed looking out the little windows and telling me about what she saw.

After the uneventful ride back down, we walked around the museum a little. Nora loved seeing all the animals and wagons, but has not been in too many museums so she was confused about why she had to stay off of them. :) After that it was dinner time, so we headed to the Old Spaghetti Factory on the landing. YUMMY! :) There was a balloon guy there and Nora was thrilled when he made her a blue giraffe.

After dinner, Mimi took us on a horse-and-buggy ride through the brick streets of the landing. It was fun, but REALLY bumpy - this preggo momma was sore after that! We took a 15 minute ride, and then Nora got to feed the horse some carrots.

After that, it was home to daddy!

I was pretty sore the next day, but I am still thankful we got a chance to do that. :) What a fun trip!
Until next time . . .

Summer Busket List - Post Nine (SPLASH CITY!)

Take Mommy on a date to Splash City - Check!

This was our first trip to the water park in our area. We have never been here because it has always been "too far away" (but really only 40 minutes, or so. Don't judge.) Plus, I was not sure how I would like it - I hate crowds, and taking our child in crowds makes me even more nervous.

BUT - I am very glad we went. :) Nora and I had a fantastic time, and it wasn't too crowded at all. I fee like we got more than our money's worth in activities, and both of us were able to have fun. Nora's favorite activity? The lazy river (she's her momma's kid!) We were able to fit into a tube together (shockingly!) and we had a great time going around and around, snuggled up together. Watching this preggo momma getting in and out of the tube was probably hilarious, but - what can ya do. :)

Up the steps . . .

. . . and back down.

Mostly she just ran through the fountains and sat in the water.

Cheese!

And a pretzel with cheese too. :)

In case you are interested, here is an updated Bucket List with a few random photos:
1. Go to the museum of transportation
2. Build a swing set
3. Go to the pool at least ten times
4. Go to a baseball game
5. Go to a festival and ride rides
6. Go to the farmer’s market
7. Go to the library
8. Go to an outdoor movie
9. Nora/Daddy Date to the zoo
10. PB and J Festival
11. Nora/Mommy Date to Splash City
12. Celebrate Dad’s 30th Birthday

The man is a bowling rockstar. :)

13. Celebrate Nora’s 3rd Birthday
14. Meet Nora’s new cousin
15. See fireworks
16. Have a yard sale
17. Get new porches
18. Drink a fun fruity or coffee drink
19. Go get Snow-cones or Tropical Sno
20. Have a movie day with a fort and pillows in the living room
21. Pick out a baby crib

It's changed a little from this design, but the room is coming along . . .

22. Slip-n-slide
23. Visit all the grandparents
24. KBK
25. Pick Nora’s preschool
26. Go to TWIST
27. Do something messy with three or more kids
28. Go to the beach at least five times
29. Go meet daddy for lunch
30. Go up in the arch

Until next time . . .

Just a Saturday Bike Ride . . .

Until next time . . .

Summer Bucket List - Post Eight (KBK!)

Whew! I LOVE Kids Bible Kamp so very very VERY much, but I must admit that I am so relieved it's over. It's as fun as they come, but it's also exhausting! Nora and I spent the week sleep-walking around, and I still don't feel like we are fully recovered . . .

BUT - this year was super-special because Pastor Rodolfo and Wendy came from our partner church in El Salvador (which I visited in 2011.) It was such a gift and a blessing to have them here for KBK. They infused us all with their love and excitement and passion, and ended up inspiring us all AND touching the kids' lives in the process.

One example of this is that the older kids spend part of each day at KBK in a "Missions" tent, learning about how Christians are impacting the world through organizations like Compassion International, missionaries, and projects like "Turn on the Tap". They get to learn what their church is specifically doing in other parts of the world, which includes talking about our partnership with the church in El Salvador - and this year actually physically meeting the Pastor of the church and his wife. The kids are encouraged while they are in the tent to give "what they can" to an offering that will be donated to the missions that Metro supports (because you can't possibly do everything, but you can DO SOMETHING.) Last year the kids gave about $1300 to Missions. This year the goal was $2012. The kids raised $4012!! Even typing that makes me cry. What a huge HUGE blessing these kids have been this year.

Nora and I, on the other hand, spent our week inside! I was with the two year olds, and Nora was with the three year olds. I love working with the two's, so I had a very good time - we had an excellent group of kids. :) Nora made friends in the three's room, and ended up making me so very proud by being a good friend and just doing so well up there without me. (It made me feel a little better about preschool this fall too.)

Then, on Thursday was the carnival! It was SOOOOOO hot, and I was pretty sore and kind of hobbled around the place, but we had a great time and enjoyed the show. :) Nora was tired, hot, and cranky, but she could have played games and jumped in the bounce house all night long. :) It was a seriously great time.

Sunday Pastor Rodolfo and Wendy spoke at church, and then Cory and I attended their farewell dinner. I can't believe that they have come and gone already! But I love the relationship our churches have together, and I look forward to going back to El Salvador to see them someday.

Here are some photos I took on carnival night. (One of these days I will realize that I have an iPhone now, which means I have a camera 24-7 as well! Ah well.):

Until next time . . .

25 Week Update - "The Baby Files"

How far along? 25 weeks

Maternity clothes?Yeppers. I am ready for fall clothes though. :)

The belly progress: STICKING OUT! :)

Sleep: I sleep well most of the time. Sometimes the baby keeps me awake, and usually I have to get up and pee two or three times before we are both calm enough to sleep! I try not to move around too much in bed because of my sore muscle issues.

Cravings: No big cravings still. I have been eating healthier snacks, and I love tomatoes and salads more than ever. I guess the biggest cravings are tomatoes with cottage cheese and cucumbers.

Best moment this month: 1.) Nora felt the baby kick. :) 2.) We had a 24-week ultrasound to check to see if our baby has Cystic Fibrosis or not. All looked GOOD! Praise God for that!

Movement: This is an active child, with hard swift kicks that are mostly aimed DOWN! Movement still seems to come in half hour long spurts.

Gender: This pregnancy is WAYYY different than Nora's, which leads me to think it's a boy. It is possible the ultrasound tech may have slipped the gender by accident . . . but I didn't clarify so I still have no idea.

Labor Signs: Ninguno, gracias a Dios!

What I miss: Nothing!

Weekly Wisdom: Nora knows this is a big deal. She needs some extra mommy-lovin' really often right now. I have to work harder at not getting short with her when I am extra-tired.

What Stereotype I Embody: Complain-About-Every-Little-Pain-I-Have, Cry-About-Every-Little-Thing-That-Makes-Me-Sad (still)

What I Bought This Week: We have been buying! A new breast pump, a crib, a mattress, a monitor, and other various little things. I need fall clothes to hit stores so I can buy some warm clothes for this kid.

What I Checked off my To-Do List: Picking out a crib, buying frames for the wall art. Also, I sorted through all of Nora's baby stuff and washed all the clothes I am definitely using again. That was overwhelming, but it's done now. :)

24 week Ultrasound Photo:

I think the baby looks a lot like Nora in this photo! I love this profile picture so much. This baby has a round head and belly that I can't wait to cuddle! :)

Also, as previously stated, this ultrasound was normal! The "possible echogenic bowel" looked fine to everyone. The baby's heart rate was 145. I got to see him or her kick my very FULL bladder! :o The ultrasound tech may have let the baby's gender slip at one point as well. I purposefully didn't clarify with her what she said - we will find out in 15 more weeks! :)

Until next time . . .

House Update - The Outside #2

Awhile ago I mentioned that we were starting work on the outside of our house. We started in the backyard with a shed and then a swing set, and now the big job has been started: the front porch.

This was our house about 6-8 weeks ago, before we got started.

Since that photo was taken, the porch and landscaping have all been taken out, the hubbs has power-washed the exterior for the first time, and he painted our shutters blue. Also, we are having a drought and since we are being encouraged to conserve water, all the grass is pretty well dead. (But what can ya do? It happens.) This is what it currently looks like:

Everything is gone! Also, we are now looking at a clean exterior and beautiful shutters. :)

I love the shutters a LOT! This is the first time EVER that the color that I had in my head actually matches the paint we bought. :) It looks great!

The porch and front-yard patio space are next. We had to re-do our original design to due to cost and overall boring-ness, but we have two better and more economical options that we are pricing out right now. I will keep you all updated!

Until next time . . .