Sign Language

When ever Reese sees something written in cursive she will say, "I can't read this because it is in sign language." It cracks me up every time!


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Go Jackets!

Lance took Sam to the Tech game for a little while on Saturday. He sent me these cute pictures of Sam while on campus.






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40 weeks!!

Well I have made it to my due date once again. I had a drs appt this morning and am making a little bit of progress. I will go back again later this week if I am still pregnant. After that we will make a plan of how to continue.



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Fall!!

It finally feels like fall! This hot sweaty mess loved today's weather!! Now if only it would stay this way.


- Posted from my iPhone

Parent-Teacher Conference

Yesterday, Lance and I had our first parent-teacher conference with Reese’s teacher. Each teacher meets with each students parents to discuss the progress being made since the beginning of the year. Reese’s teacher had great things to say about her. She showed us some of Reese’s writing from the first day of school through now and it was soooo amazing to see how much she has progressed in those two months. Hearing her read is pretty cool too. This week she checked out There Was an Old Lady Who Swallowed a Bat from the library and read the whole thing to us several nights in a row.  Her teacher said she is doing great in all areas and we couldn’t be more proud of her. As a reward for the good marks on her first report card, we gave her the new Tinkerbell movie. She was super excited and watched it right away. I can’t wait to watch it with her on Friday for pizza and a movie night. While Lance and I were walking to her classroom we were checking out the art on the main hallway. In the kindergarten section we spotted this little beauty…

I am not exactly sure why her drawing is upside down but I just love the profile picture of her talking about herself. Reese’s favorite special is Art!

It says:
*I like to eat pizza!
*I do not like broccoli.
*I want to be a ballerina when I grow up!
*I like the color hot pink!
*I am Reese!
*I like my mom!
*I am a princess!

It’s Getting Real

My sweet little Godson, Owen, is a big brother! Yesterday I made a quick trip to the hospital to visit his new little sister. I am so excited for their family. Emmerson was beautiful and perfect. Visiting them in the hospital made everything about the end of my pregnancy suddenly become very real. Knowing that we will be there some time in the next week or so was just crazy. I am so glad I went 1) to visit but 2) it reminded me of everything that is about to happen and got me a little more ready. And a little more anxious!

When I first got there, sweet little girl was sleeping like an angel. It is soooo easy to forget how tiny newborns are! I just stared at her in the bassinet. She was so peaceful looking.

After I was done staring at her, I picked her up and rocked with her for a while. During that time BGB was kicking her in the back as if to say “That’s my mommy out there”. I was hoping it would entice BGB to come on out.

Right before I was about to leave, Owen’s grandparents brought him to visit. He was not sure what to think about me holding his baby. They said he has been so sweet with her and asks to hold “my baby” when he comes to visit. He doesn’t look very excited in this picture but all of the pictures I saw of him with her look the exact same. I think he is just taking his role of big brother very seriously.

I have three friends who were expecting their babies before BGB was due. Well, all of those babies have arrived and now suddenly it is my turn. It feels like this pregnancy has lasted forever but I can’t believe it is almost over. I am trying to enjoy these last few moments of kicks and squirms inside of me before there is a baby in my arms.

On Monday night when I told the kids Adrienne was about to have her baby, I asked them what they thought she was having (the sex was a surprise). Reese said girl, I said girl and Sam said boy. (Reminder: Sam has said we are having a boy from day one…) On Tuesday morning, I told them it was a girl. Reese cheered. Sam started crying and said, “I said a boy!”. Oh my! My mom and I have talked about how he will react if we end up having a girl after him saying it is a boy all of this time. Now I think I know…hopefully, if that is the case, he will get over it quickly.

My Little Loves

Sunday we went to Moe's for lunch after church. The kids were wild but entertaining. I just love this picture of them.



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39 weeks

I look soooo tired every day. I should probably get used to looking that way for a while!! My hands are a little swollen. I don't think me ankles or feet are though. I have an appointment with the doctor today so I guess we will see if there is anything going on.



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Time with My Sweet Girl

Yesterday Reese and I got some much needed girl time. I feel like since school has started we don't get that much time together. And I know she feels so special when she has my full attention.

We had breakfast together...



We got pedicures...Reese chose the brightest yellow with sparkles she could find...



And then we did a little shopping at Target before it was time for her soccer game. It was some very sweet time and I am so glad we fit it in before BGB arrives. I just love my time with my sweet girl!


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Ten Day Countdown

Ten days until BGB's due date. However, I am not counting on an early or even on time arrival. This morning when I told Reese there were ten more days she got so excited. I think the kids can't wait. At my last appointment there was no progress towards this baby showing up. We will see though...it may want to have a November birthday like its brother and Daddy.

I was talking to several girlfriends recently about the things people say to you when you are pregnant. It is almost like people loose their filter and in my experience, people's favorite things to say are "You look like you are about to pop!" (even when you have ten weeks to go) or "Whoa! When are you due?" or "You're still pregnant?". However, in the last week two ladies have said the sweetest things. At the mall last weekend a lady who was pushing her little one in a stroller said, "You are so beautiful pregnant!". Yesterday at Target a lady said (as I was rushing to the bathroom), "You look so sweet!". I wanted to squeeze these two ladies but most importantly I want to remember these sweet comments and use them one day with another woman who is pregnant.


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H-O-T!!

I am hot. In the sweaty mess kind of way. Ha! I remember feeling this way when I was pregnant with Sam but not to this extent. Most days I feel like I should take two showers a day because of how much I have been sweating. I guess if it would cool off some outside I might be a little more comfortable. While most people are in pants and light shirts, I am looking for my bathing suit and the pool. Most nights Lance is actually freezing to death under a mound of blankets while I have kicked all of the blankets off and am still sweating. These pregnancy hormones are doing a number on me this time around!


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38 weeks

Two weeks to go. I can’t believe we are getting that close. We had a busy and fun weekend and I think that caused some contractions yesterday. I don’t think they were anything life changing yet though. Today I haven’t had any. Other than being tired today, I feel good. I am ready to get this show going.

Yesterday we rearranged the car seats to see how they all fit best. We have a huge minivan and I am still so surprised at how much room the infant carrier takes up. The picture below is the final set up. We only have the base in for the baby for now and will put the carrier in when it is time.

More Random Pictures

I just downloaded pictures from our camera for the first time in months. I found several cute pictures that I had to share.

How old are they? They play so well together outside. There is just something about them being outside together that creates a nice playing environment for them.

Reading and Writing

Reese is doing such an amazing job reading and writing. Most afternoons she spends sitting at the table practicing her newly found talent. This afternoon while Sam was playing outside Reese sat in the chair on the patio writing sentences about what Sam was doing. I am amazed at how well she is writing words phonetically and how neat her writing has become.

Random iPhone Pictures

Our little sleep buddy. The last few nights we have been making promises of treats if Sam will stay in his own bed all night. I also kept him up from his nap both days to see if that helped. The first night he stayed in his bed the whole night. Around 5:30 he called my name from his bed and just wanted to be covered up. Last night he came in our room around 5:30 and I just pulled him in to bed with me (Lance was already up). Hopefully tonight will go about the same!

Adrienne sent me this picture of our kids from when we visited their house last month. The kids had so much fun playing together and I thought this picture was so cute.

Lance was giving the kids a bath the other day while I was getting ready to go somewhere. Reese comes running in to my room yelling, “Look at my mohawk, Mommy!”

This is my view…

Earlier this week, Sam and I met Kristin and Connor at CFA for lunch. The kids loved these hats they were giving out. It was a nice time visiting with them!

37 weeks

Panic mode has set in. I don’t have anything done or ready for the baby to arrive. This week will consist of laundry, laundry, and more laundry. Packing my hospital bag. Cleaning the nursery. Organizing the house. Getting rid of clutter and donations. Trying to find where I can store about ten boxes because our attic is completely full. Our next house will have a basement!! Making sure everything is in place for the kids when we head to the hospital. Try to spend as much time with Reese and Sam before life changes dramatically. Still keep up with every day life.

Ironically (Divinely?), yesterday’s message at church was about worry and anxiety. Philippians 4:6-7 to be exact. “Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Now, to just remember that over the next few weeks and put it in to practice!!

Our Weekend of Fun

We have had a busy but fun weekend. Saturday morning started bright and early with our garage sale. I didn’t get rid of nearly as much as I wanted to so most of the rest will be donated. That is one of my many jobs this week to look forward to! While I was busy trying to sell our junk, Lance took Reese and Sam to Reese’s soccer game. She was not happy that I was not going to be there but she survived. I had packed everything back up once they got home and then it was time for a little rest. Saturday night our church was doing a fun little kids event and the theme was Heroes. The kids and I went with some friends and they had a blast. When we walked up there were two fire engines parked out front for the kids to check out. Sam was so excited!

Sunday morning started out a little rough. Sam didn’t sleep well which meant I didn’t sleep well. After several attempts at sleeping with us, I finally broke down and let Sam climb in our bed only to not be able to go back to sleep. I ended up going in to his room to sleep and then both kids were up around 6:30 fighting in our bed. That turned Lance in to a grump and that is how our day started. While we were getting ready for church Sam had a complete meltdown and cried for about 30 minutes. By the time he was done, I had completely forgotten what started it all. We were so flustered trying to get out of the door. We got to church about ten minutes late but I think we all enjoyed our time there and kind of recharged for the day. From church we headed to Cagle’s Family Farm with some friends and we all had fun.

We got to the farm shortly after it opened and it was perfect timing. There were not a lot of people there yet so we did everything we wanted with out much of a wait. The girls wanted to ride the ponies. This was Reese’s first time doing this and she seemed to enjoy it.

Sam was not interested in the ponies at all so he jumped on the jumpy pillow instead. It was nice that he was able to jump on the big kids one because of the small crowd. Later in the day there were too many people for him so he jumped on the little kid jumpy.

After the ponies and tons of jumping, we headed to the corn maze. The kids had a lot of fun navigating our way through the maze.

From the maze, we headed to the dairy farm tour. The tour included seeing a cow being milked, a hay ride that took you out to a field to see the dogs herd sheep and cows, and an area where we could feed cows and pigs.

Most of the calves were not interested in the food.

However, these precious little piglets loved every minute of it. They loved snacking on our treats.

Once the tour was over, everyone was given a little small pumpkin. Each of the kids picked theirs out and one for Lance and me. Before we left they decided that Baby Gummy Bear needed one too. They were so sweet to think of our little pumpkin! So now we have five small pumpkins for our expanding family.

We decided not to buy any big pumpkins this time. However, the kids were very excited about these huge pumpkins sitting outside the pumpkin area.

After our fun at the farm, we headed home to rest a little and had a pretty laid back afternoon. Now to get ready to start the week. I have so much to do in so little time before the baby comes. This week is bound to be crazy!

36 weeks, 1 day

I can’t believe it is already baby month (if BGB comes on time). We will be holding a sweet little baby very soon!

• How far along? 36 weeks.

• Total weight gain: Not sure. I haven’t been to the dr yet this week. I know with out a doubt I will end up gaining more weight with this pregnancy than I did with the other two.

• Maternity clothes? I am just about to outgrow them…

• Stretch marks? Nothing new

• Sleep: Not so good…guess I better get used to it for a while.

• Best moment this week: That it is finally October!

• Miss Anything? Not being tired. Being able to paint my own toenails with out any trouble.

• Movement: Yes! I feel elbows and arms a good bit.

• Food cravings: No real cravings.

• Food aversions: Any thing healthy?

• Gender: It is going to be a surprise!

• Labor Signs: A few (not painful) Braxton Hicks. I will occasionally feel like I have lost my breath, reach down to feel my stomach, and it is hard as a rock.

• Symptoms: My fingers seem a little swollen. And can your nose look fat? Because I swear my nose looks fat! Ha!

• Belly Button in or out? Out!

• Wedding rings on or off? Off.

• Looking forward to: We are having a garage sale this weekend. Right now the nursery is storage for that. Once the garage sale is over, I look forward to having the nursery ready.

• Concerns: I am not going to stress out over names any more. I know it will all work out in the end. I guess my biggest concern is getting the house clean and in order…I don’t know how that is going to happen.

(Don’t mind the laundry that needs to be folded in the back ground!)