New Blog

It seemed time for a change in blogs. If you are out there, dear reader, and would like to know the new blog address, please email me: lizibeth521@att.net

:)

Lucy Victoria

Beautiful baby girl. Happy and healthy.

Movie Night

We have a tradition in our house that has become very important to Max: movie night. Every Friday night we have pizza and watch a movie together as a family. It has been a great way to introduce Max to a variety of movies. We've watched everything from Bed Knobs and Broomsticks to Labrynth. Some movies he has loved and some have bored us all to tears.

Last night we watched The Absentminded Professor (1961 version). It is one that Max LOVED!!!!

Max's Rocket

Baby Weight

One of the first things my doctor and I discussed when I became pregnant was the potential size of our new little miracle. As I said to her, "I don't want to have a 12 pound baby"!

Max was enormous at birth so I was justifiably apprehensive. Dr. M assured me that we would keep an eye on the size, especially as I closed in on my due date.

Well today we had a growth ultrasound and little miss Lucy is measuring about 6.5 pounds! That means she should be a perfectly normal size!!!! I probably won't be induced and will get to wait for nature to take it's course.

I'm on cloud nine and am so glad to have this baby weight lifted from my mind. In other news, I am dilated to a one. Which I just think was Dr. M's way of making me feel like something was going on down there :)

I'm enjoying these last few moments of peace and closeness with my little girl, but I can't wait to meet her and start sharing her with the world!

Sent from my iPhone

Wordless Wednesday

Camp out

We enjoyed the beautiful weather we had today by having a camp out in the backyard. Lane and Max set up the tent and collected firewood. Then we roasted hot dogs and enjoyed s'mores for dessert. We finished the night with Lane telling ghost (and knight) stories while we all cuddled in the tent.
Max said, "This is the best camp out ever!" I completely agree!!

35 weeks

We are down to less than 40 days till Lucy Victoria makes her debut! Here is me in all my pregnant glory!!!!

Wordless Wednesday

Lucy's Bed

Mom and I finished Lucy's homemade bed skirt! I am pretty happy with it and think her little space is coming together nicely!

Happiness

Happy little boy at toy story on ice (why they put these things on ice I will never understand)

Bad kitty cat

Life Just Keeps Rolling On...

Did you know that everyday when we get up Max is one day older? AND Lucy is one day closer to being born?

I know... completely obvious. But, sometimes it hits me just how much life keeps rolling on, whether or not I want it too.

Life is changing.

Some changes are sad. Some changes are wonderful.

The only constant is that it will continue to change and I can either keep up or just wallow in the overwhelming nature of it all.

I have a list about 1000 feet long of "things to do B.L" (before Lucy).

We had family visit this weekend and it was wonderful. We have family coming on Tuesday and we are excited to have another visitor. Lane is going out of town for a few days for work.

That to do list.... nothing is getting done.

The visitor this week is my mama, so hopefully (fingers and toes crossed) a big dent will be made. This is a change I can prepare for, and I think I wouldn't feel quite so overwhelmed if I saw a lot more check marks on my list as Lucy's birthday inches closer and closer.

So, I will work on the things I can. Enjoy the love and fun of the moment we are in. And try to breathe a little easier as life keeps changing on me!

Lucy and Max Check-Up

Lucy-

Growing perfect!! My blood pressure is great, she is measuring right on schedule, and her little heart was thumping away!

Max-

His pediatrician seemed to think the concerns the preschool had were mostly maturity related and that Max would most likely grow out of them. However, he understood my need to show the preschool support, and so he referred us to a child psychologist. I'm taking this route instead of going through the school system, because I really dislike the idea of a file being started on my child before he is even in kindergarten! Still waiting to hear back about an appointment but it was reassuring to hear that his doctor felt that all the issues were "normal" four year old issues.

So, that is my kiddos in a nutshell!

Parent Teacher Conferences

I had a hard time trying to come up with a title for this post. I don't want something trite, because I don't feel the matter deserves a lot of levity. But I also don't want something too serious, because at the end of the day... it really isn't an enormous deal.

So, what's up? I attended Max's first ever parent teacher conference today(hence the title of this post). It is something that I have been looking forward to but at the same time dreading. I love my child, but I also recognize that he can be a difficult kiddo.

The good: Max is very intelligent, creative, and has an enormous vocabulary. His teacher marvels constantly at his imagination and his description of events, real and make-believe.

The bad: He has trouble focusing. He has little impulse control. He has anger issues. She feels he could benefit from being evaluated and seeing if he needs the public school to provide services for these developmental issues.

I knew all this. I'm his mom. I'm with him all day, almost every day. I've seen these issues first hand. But it still kind of stunk to hear from his teacher. Add to that, I'm pregnant and highly emotional and that just means the wind was sucked right out of my sails today.

I've called the public school. I've set up an evaluation. Part of me dreads the idea of a "label" being put on my child. Part of me hopes that if there is an issue, somebody can offer a realistic solution to helping Max. And part of me is just a mom, who is hurting for her kid... because if it is frustrating for those around him to deal with his lack of focus, his inability to control himself, and his anger... I imagine it must be just that much worse for Maddox.

Wordless Wednesday: 32 Weeks

Adventures in Parenting

You know those cliche parenting phrases:

"Do you want me to stop this car?"

"There are children starving in China!"

"Don't make me come back there!"

Well, last night we indulged ourselves in this little gem:

"Do you want to go to bed with no supper?!"

That's right folks. We starved our child last night as a last ditch discipline idea. Max has been acting up with the attitude and the back talk. Last night, he was being quite the "charmer" at dinner and was sent to timeout. He proceeded to hit and scream at Lane on his way there. We were faced with a crossroads. Do we talk about what happened and give him yet another chance? Do we lay down the law?

Well, we chose (by we, I mean Lane) to lay down the law.

It was rather horrifying for the hormonal mama. Lane had to police me out of fear I would slip the prisoner some food! We heard cries, we heard whines, we heard moans, and lots of anger!

It was awful.

But you know... tonight's dinner was actually pleasant. Plus, Max reacted with quite a different attitude when he was disciplined... no yelling and no hitting.

And, our child did not starve. He woke up this morning, he apologized for hitting and yelling. He ate a big breakfast and we moved on with life. So, I guess while it was awful last night... it sorta worked.

At least till the next time.

Just the Facts

Max 4 year well check:

39 pounds

42 inches

Pretty proportional little boy. His doctor seemed to think he was the most amazing boy ever (at least that is what I heard in my mind).

Lucy's 31 week check:

Nice heart beat.

My blood pressure is great and I passed the Glucose Tolerance Test (tests for gestational diabetes).

She is measuring 32 weeks... which is the upper end of what she should be measuring (between 28 - 32 weeks). Not above average yet, but getting there.

I got clearance to walk the 5k I signed up for this weekend, even though my leg goes numb every time I stand for more than 15 minutes. My doctor told me I can get on all fours, stick my butt in the air, and that might dislodge her from my pelvis and the nerve she is sitting on. I'm thinking that isn't really an option while in public!

So that is the kiddos in a nutshell!

Max at Four

Favorite Color: Green

Favorite Food: Macaroni and Cheese

Favorite Song: Green Slime

Favorite Book: Bats in the Library

Favorite TV Show: Dino Dan

Favorite Movie: Green Slime

Favorite Toy: Playmobile

Favorite Game: Daddy's Knight Computer Game

Happy Fourth Birthday

From this moment...

To this moment...

and all the times in between; Maddox Andrew you are more than anything we could have ever dreamed up and asked God for. We are so proud to have you as our son. While we sometimes miss the cuddly little baby, we are having so much fun with the boy you have become! We love you!!!!

Fascinating

I'm totally fascinated and overjoyed everytime I look at these pictures. I can't wait to meet you Lucy!!!

"This Many"

Max has a funny little quirk at 3 almost 4. He loves to quantify everything. Even if it makes no sense.

"I have this many energy. Just like two. You ran me out of energy."

"I'm a one at a time poopier. I have this many poops a day."

"I have this many bad guys. Like 10 bad guys."

That phrase, "I have this many...." is heard frequently in our house and it never fails to make me smile. Just one of the many quirky facts about Max.

Here is Max at work with daddy.

Lane had to work on Sunday and I was not feeling so hot. Being the awesome super dad that he is, he bundled Max up and took him to work. All in all it was a successful experiment and I got a few hours of quiet time to rest which was priceless!

Lucy's Space - In Progress

We got the crib for Miss Lucy set up and are slowly making progress in transforming part of the bedroom into a space for our new little addition. Here are a couple of pictures of the crib and accessories that are in her area. I still need to make the bed skirt and we are in the process of figuring out how we are going to organize all her stuff. Plus, we have a small carpet on order for in front of her crib and some frames and wall decorations that are needing to be painted and organized. It will be another couple of months before everything is done, slowly but surely we are getting there!

*The owl and striped blanket is from Grandma Flo. The quilt was made for Max by Lane's second cousin, Ethel, who passed away this fall. We loved the quilt so much, we knew we wanted it to be part of Lucy's decor.

The crib is full of my in progress projects. The crib was purchased with the help of Bop and Ebe. We have such generous parents!

No Business Like Snow Business

I admit, I totally stole my title off of Facebook. The Snow puns were flying around like crazy yesterday with the Blizzard of 2011 raging outside and everybody stuck inside trying to entertain themselves.

If I haven't made it clear yet, I'm so SICK of snow. I'm done with winter and I will greet Spring with a huge smile on my face. Max however, is another story. He seems to be loving the snow and is doing fine entertaining himself inside. We made snow ice cream, cotton ball snowmen, played hours of legos, and battled more goblins and bad guys than I knew existed!

"I miss Grandma Flo"

That was Max this morning after I returned from taking Grandma Flo to the airport. He wasn't very happy with me.

Thanks to my mama for taking the time to come visit. We had such fun eating pancakes, playing balloon rockets, and calling "farmer brown". Max certainly loves having his Grandma Flo come to town!

Good Start

Yesterday we were snowed in. Again. Have I mentioned I'm not a fan of winter? I'm ready for spring N-O-W!

Max helped me start on the art projects for Lucy's wall in the room. He was insistent that she really would like me to make Rocket Ships. Partly because Rocket Ships are the only thing Max likes to draw right now and partly because that is what is on HIS wall. I'm not sure he really thought that much of what I eventually made on the canvas, but I've learned 3 year old boys are a hard species to please.

Max helped me paint the letters and paint the solid color on the canvas. He was quite the helper, and we managed to only have paint on the carpet once.

This is what Lucy's artwork is looking like. I need to add some finishing touches to make it look truly complete, but I'm pretty pleased with how it is going.

The question now is to put faces on the animals or not? Lane says faces, I'm not so sure. These are the hard questions in our house right now :)

Snow Fun

We had snow last week but because of illness and extreme cold, Max wasn't really able to enjoy it. Luckily, the cold kept the snow around and he got out yesterday with Lane and had some fun!

Funny Faces

Lane and Max killing some time in a public bathroom.

A Son's Love

Lately Max and I take turns telling each other we love each other more than...... fill in the blank.

A common exchange will sound like this:

Me: I love you more than cookies.

Max: I love you more than chocolate cake.

Me: I love you more than Star Wars.

Max: I love you more than pizza.

Etc. etc. etc.

Today Max told me this:

"I love you more than farts!"

I guess I should be glad I rank so high.

Cute or Crap?

I really want to have some cute, girly art for Lucy's wall by the crib. But, I don't want to spend hundreds of dollars and I need it to fit the colors that are already in the room.

So, today I spent some time in Hobby Lobby and came home with this...

I'm hopeful that I can make something cute and personal to give Lucy's space a little girly touch in a room that screams boy. I'm not sure if I can pull it off, but I hope with Lane's help and advice, something beautiful can be created.

Or, I just wasted a whole lot of money at Hobby Lobby to make crap...

Cute or Crap? Only time will tell.

Wordless Wednesday: Retro Edition

This, That, and The Other

I've been mentally trying to wrap my brain around what I need for Lucy to be brought home.

We are in the process of slowly moving things around in Maddox's room. That way when we bring a crib in there it won't be a sudden transition of this was your room and now it is not. We still need to remove a chair (the one that has been the time out chair, I've been trying to get him to sit on his bed), and move some stuff around on the walls. I'm not ready to purchase a crib yet. I'm thinking March will be a good time for that purchase. I know what I want, I'm just not ready to buy.

I've been rolling around in my brain all sorts of different decorating ideas. We are using a quilt made by Vicki's late cousin Ethel as the basis of colors and such. It is a beautiful bunny quilt and I've loved it ever since it came in the mail for Max. I'm planning on making some cute pieces of art for the walls and I'm thinking her name will be above her crib.

I go back and forth on whether to make her a mobile. I've seen several ideas that I've LOVED that I think would be easily replicated. But, Max was addicted to his Winnie the Pooh mobile and part of me thinks that I should just use it again, even if it isn't quite the look I want.

I have a short list of "need to gets" before she arrives.... there really isn't that much she needs. I showed off my clothing purchases earlier this week, but those certainly weren't needs, that was just fun!

Slowly I'm becoming organized. I even put pen to paper and wrote out all the thoughts that have been tumbling around. I keep telling myself there is a long time till May, but I just don't want to put everything off and be sitting there at the end of April with a list a mile long. Plus it is fun to prepare for our new little bundle!

Sick Boy = Sad Mama

There is nothing worse than your child being sick. You can't do a whole lot for them, they look so sad, and you know they feel like crap.

Okay, there is one thing worse than your child being sick.

Your child being sick when there is snow on the ground and they want to make a snowman. And it just isn't going to happen.

Try explaining that to a three year old.

I'm hoping it is just a little feverish cold and with some good rest and lots of fluids, Max will be back to normal tomorrow.

Time Passes

I go back and forth about getting ready for Lucy. Part of me feels like we have all the time in the world to prepare for her arrival. Part of me feels like we need to get things done now because May will be here in the blink of an eye.

I went through all of Max's baby stuff. This brought supreme emotional turmoil. I am so excited for our baby girl's arrival. I'm excited for the love and joy she will bring into our little family. But, I am hit daily with the growth of my son; never more so than when going through his old baby clothes. He was at one time the baby kicking and squirming in my belly. He was the baby we were dreaming of and anticipating the impending arrival. Now he is an almost four year old who is delightful but becoming oh so grown up.

Looking at the clothes we brought him home from the hospital in created such an ache in my heart. I realized how quickly time is passing and wished for a moment I could hit pause and stay at this place forever.

I know this is an impossible wish, but I also know it is one all mother's experience when they look at their babies and see the adult that they will soon be. Is it melodramatic? Absolutely. But knowing that I'm being overly emotional and slightly irrational doesn't take away the sadness.

I love the boy Maddox Andrew is, but there are times I long for the baby he was. Soon, Lucy will be here and I cannot wait to savior those precious moments with her. I've learned all to well, that as cliche as it sounds, it will pass all too quickly.

Carter's Love

I went to a Carter's outlet the other day. I usually don't like to shop ahead, I never feel like I really know what size my baby will be and I don't want to waste money on something that cannot be returned. This is sad because you can fine great deals if you shop a season ahead.

While I was browsing the Carter's sales, a most helpful salesperson informed me of their fabulous return policy. Basically, as long as I keep my receipt I can return anytime. That means a year from now, if I'm trying to squeeze little Miss Lucy into an adorable Christmas dress that I swore would fit her and it just doesn't, I can take it back.

So, I (with the financial aid of Grandma) went a little crazy. But, I got some crazy good deals too! Now, to find the best place for that receipt so I can find it next December...

Take a look at some of my purchases

*I'm a fan of layering and believe that a white cardigan can go on over almost anything. Discloser, I did pay full price so I could have one small enough for her this summer, but the other two were super cheap. Plus I got a hot pink hoodie and a jean jacket for the fall!
*Fun little Christmas dress and an adorable black velvet dress. Now, to find the perfect ruffled diaper cover!!

Girly Girl

I'm not too stressed about Lucy having all pink, frill, and beautiful for her baby gear. In fact, I went through sleepers from Max's baby clothes and have determined that it won't kill her (or me) to sleep in blue, sports themed sleepers.

However, I've been a little sad for her to use Max's car seat. It isn't totally masculine, but it doesn't scream girl either. I wasn't sad enough to drop a couple hundred on a new car seat though. BUT, I found a nice compromise. I looked on etsy.com and found this wonderful shop, SooShabbyChic

Today my order came and I can't WAIT to put this on the carseat, too too too cute!!!

It will protect Lucy from the sun, keep germy hands away from her when we are strolling the mall, and look totally girly in the process!

Wordless Wednesday: Xmas Edition

Random but True...

Max to Mommy:

"My butt is full of surprises!"

Random but true facts from Max.

Monday Morning Blues

Christmas vacation is officially over and Lane has returned to work this morning.

Max is not happy. Lane truly is his best friend and plays with him so much when he doesn't have work. On Monday mornings, Max is generally in a pretty bad mood with me. Mommy just doesn't compare to Daddy.

I've been trying to think of what we could do on Monday's to lessen his disappointment that he is now back with only Mommy as his entertainment.

I've decided Monday is going to be a baking day. Every monday I will bake something and Max will get to help (ie. he will eat the batter, that is usually the extent of his help). He loves when I bake and I love when I have a routine. So, Mondays are now that days that I will officially bake the blues away!

On the baking agenda this morning: Star Wars Cookies!

Sunday Sayings...

From the mouth of Max:

"Don't touch that hanger" -Max to a baby in a store.

"Don't boss her around" - Me to Max

"But, I'm a big brother!" -Max to Me... poor Lucy doesn't have a chance!

Judging by my last post...

There is no one out there that checks regularly. Or you are all like my mom and have yet to figure out how to make a comment!

So, 2011 is starting. WOW! I can't believe 2010 is gone. It seems like just yesterday we were celebrating Max's 3rd birthday and now we will start gearing up for his 4th! Crazy! (We won't mention the birthday I celebrated, I no longer celebrate birthday's I've decided)

My goal for 2011. Blog everyday here. Even if it is just a snippet of life. I have a little mama's guilt over my lack of chronicling Lucy's pregnancy. So, this will solve it. Plus give me a little mini-goal each day.

So, if you are out there... check back more frequently. My plan is to be here. A lot.

Happy New Year!!!