The Pumpkin Patch (twice)

So, for the last couple of years, we have taken the kids to get a pumpkin and enjoy the fall festivities that come with the pumpkin patch...hay rides, wagon rides, popcorn, apple cider, etc...This year was particularly difficult to find a time to go because it has been so cold and rainy. So, a few weeks ago when we had those beautiful days, we packed up the kids after an early dinner and took them to the pumpkin patch. Well... it was closed. ARGGG! It had closed a half hour before we got there. We knew we couldn't go home because the kids were anticipating a fun filled evening. So, we played at the orchard for quite a while. It worked out well because the kids played on the tractor in the hay and ran around and we didn't have to worry about staying out of people's way. So fun... Here are a few pictures from our first attempt...

Love this picture of James!

Boys being boys...

Doesn't miss Lauren look so grown up here? She had a blast running around...NO BOUNDARIES=HAPPY LAUREN! ;)

Graham even got in on his first fall activity. He slept in the car most of the time.

Pumpkin Attempt Take 2:

1 word for this morning out- FREEZING! It was cold and windy, but we bundled the kids up and ventured out for the perfect pumpkin. Here they are...oh and there was mud...lots and lots of mud!

The hay ride was by far the favorite event for the kids. Lauren laughed hysterically the entire time. If you are wondering what that rather large bundle is in my jacket, don't worry I'm not smuggling a pumpkin. It's Graham in the baby Bjorn. He stayed very warm in there and slept the entire time despite the incredibly bumpy tractor ride.

The "perfect" pumpkin
James is into these super, goofy faces right now for the camera. So, this is his happy face.

Here's a better shot of what was stuffed in my coat...a sweet, baby boy! :) We had such a great time and made great memories. It was worth the bitter cold the second time around. And just for the record, after braving the wind and cold for a pumpkin, carving or "guarding" it as James calls it didn't fair so well. As soon as we cut the top off and started to pull out he insides, James started dry heaving terribly. Yep, our weak stomach child couldn't take the sight or the smell. I couldn't stop laughing. Lauren enjoyed it a bit more. James left the table never to return to the pumpkin..Oh well...there's always next year!

You're Gonna Miss This...

You're gonna miss this, you're gonna want this back

You're gonna wish these days, hadn't gone by so fast

These are some good times,

Take a good look around,

You may not know it now

You're gonna miss this...

This is one of my favorite songs right now by Trace Adkins. If you don't know it...you have to find it! It's the best and I just LOVE it! You all

know I don't need a reminder about savoring each day and moment with my kids, knowing

it's all going to go way too quickly...I'm a real sap like that, but I'm trying to relish even

the everyday, mundane, sometimes monotonous "duties" that come with

being a mom. Sometimes our kids want us to do things that we have done "a million times before" or when we just sat down, but we know they are going to grow up and that we would do anything to do the little things just one more time... (I'm teared up as I'm writing this. I told you I'm a sap. I'm ridiculous!)

These are some things I/we want to enjoy every day...even though sometimes I'd rather be doing something else...

-building countless animals fences, barns, and hospitals

-feeding them various things such as grass and green pepper

-reading Shiver Me Letters and Guess Who I Am 10 times a day

-making countless play dough snakes, pizzas, and bird's nests

-giving bucking bronco and piggy back rides until my back hurts

-playing hide and go seek and pretending every time that I'm shocked James and Lauren found me ;)

-eating breakfast, lunch and dinner together...even though sometimes I feel like all I do is prepare and clean up meals

-playing Gone Fishin' even though trying to catch the fish on that little pole annoys me!

-answering MANY questions about things that sometimes I don't have a clue about

-looking for raccoons, deer, cows, and horses anywhere and everywhere we go

-stopping to look at the horses and buggies even if I'm dying to be home

-building forts and tents of various shapes and sizes

-putting together the same puzzles

-blowing on bellies

I try and cherish each day with the kids. Some days I'm better at it than others. I've been reminding myself to do it more especially with 3 little ones now, I'm trying to stop

and enjoy the little things even more because let me tell you...it's busy! I believe I have

the best job as well as the most important job on earth!
Here are a few pictures of some of the things I don't want to miss out on...

James and Lauren destroying the house, but having a BLAST and using their imaginations!

More imaginations being used...even though my first thought was, "Really...can't we just leave the seat alone?" They had everything imaginable in this seat...books, clothes, blankets, stuffed animals...


This is my favorite...Luke gives James and choice every night of how he wants to get to the bathroom to brush his teeth. James always asks to be hung upside down. Then Luke brings him to me and I blow on and tickle his belly...every. single. night. It gets old and at one point Luke was done with it, but he said, "When he's 19, I'm going to wish I could swing him by his feet just one more time." (And I'm teared up again...)

You can't see her feet, but she has one my high heels...Love it! In a few years, this won't be "cool" at all...

He won't be this small forever...savoring these newborn snuggles

This was a long post...but my challenge to you mommies out there is to enjoy the little things with your kiddos today even if you want to be doing anything but what you are doing. Remember, You're Gonna Miss This... what would you give just one more time to do with your kiddos? Tell me...

He's Here...

Yep...I did say HE...Graham William was born at 4:55 p.m. Wednesday, September 23. He weighed 7 pounds 10 ounces and was 21 inches long. I just can't get enough of him!!! He's just precious! My delivery went really well and I didn't have to be induced. I was given one dose of cytotec and 12 hours later went into full-blown labor. The delivery was PERFECT and I only pushed for less than 25 minutes!!! And thankfully it was a quick delivery because the cord was wrapped around his neck pretty tightly. Thankfully he was fine, but he was an ashy color and didn't cry for a bit which is really scary for a mamma. Within the hour he perked up fine and has been just perfect ever since! The kids love him, especially James which hasn't surprised me one bit. It's been funny, he thinks he's going to see him grow up like...NOW. He asked me over the phone last night if he had his teeth yet? I couldn't help but just laugh. Lauren is good with him when she pays attention to him, but she's just been doing her own thing. She hasn't seemed too
jealous yet which is great! The kids have been with Luke's parents this week and I miss them terribly! I can't wait to have us all home together although it has been a HUGE help! Here are the pictures of our little man. This was right before leaving for the hospital. Going to have a baby!!

Here he is

We were so proud and shocked that our little Graham was a boy!!

James just loved him!

Here we are as a family

I can't get enough of our snuggle time

Here he is...wide awake!

LOVE HIM

This is the closest Lauren has gotten to Graham!

We are so grateful and feel so blessed to have another healthy baby! I'm so happy andcontent with all I have!

The Zoo

Luke and I have been wanting to take the kids to the Ft. Wayne Zoo all summer, but our weekends have just been too full. I decided it was now or never since we have a baby coming in less than 2 weeks. So, I asked Luke's parents if we could all go when I stayed with them this last weekend. It was perfect! We had such a great time. Little Miss Independent a.k.a. Lauren, isn't in as many pictures because she wanted to be out and walking and not riding in a stroller. Therefore, she was eating many snacks while looking at the animals.

We rode the train which was lots of fun and both kids enjoyed that. In fact, I would

have preferred taking the train around the entire zoo! ;)

Lauren enjoyed the farm animals because she could get up close and personal with them.

We opted not to go into the goat pen because they were mauling the other people in there. A bit much for the kids...they were content with petting them through the gate.

This was the BEST part of the entire zoo (at least I thought). James got to feed

a giraffe. It was amazing to be that close to them. It scared him the first couple of

times when the giraffe stuck out that tongue to get the lettuce. He just thought it was great!

He even got to play some bongo drums....another highlight of his day!

This was the end of a very long, fun time at the zoo. Lauren was a few hours past nap time and we were all spent! Thank you Grandma and Grandpa for a great day!

Where has time gone??

So, James had his first day of preschool yesterday and what can I say, he LOVED it!

We had debated sending him to school this year since he has 2 years before kindergarten,

but thought he would not only enjoy it, but benefit from it. You all know well how much

James loves his mama...and being with his mama...all the time. I was a bit apprehensive

of how he'd do, but he was a CHAMP! He was so looking forward to going and got right out of the van, said he loved me, and walked away. I was shocked, but pleased. No tears or anything.

Well...from James that is. I cried a bit and thought, "This is it..."

Here he is ready to leave the driveway. He was annoyed that I wanted ANOTHER picture.

This is terrible lighting, but I couldn't resist the picture. This was baby right before

heading out the door for his first day of preschool.

He loved painting and snack time. He liked painting and being a firefighter. He said he liked painting

because they got to wear "big daddy shirts" so they wouldn't get paint on their clothes. I loved hearing that! He could even tell me several of the names of kids in his class and who he shared

toys with. I can't believe he is growing up so quickly...I need to stop blogging now or I might get all emotional again!

Hard At Work...

So, I told you all in my last house that we were working on some internal transformations and I'm glad to inform you they are finally FINISHED! (well...almost....some of the trim needs to may its way back on the walls). Bless Luke's heart he worked for 3 1/2 days straight...literally...with like 6 hour sleep breaks to complete the ceramic tile! Wow, was that time consuming. I don't think we would ever do that large of a space again, but we LOVE it and it looks great! Here are a few pictures of the changes. I only took one of the before...I know...terrible...but it was kind of an afterthought. We also got new carpet and I picked out some new decor...it's like a whole new house!!!

The "before" picture. I've always hated this awkward wood design that was supposedly a transition from the kitchen to the living room. Luke has always said he was sure the builders were covering something up and BOY WAS HE RIGHT! We found all sorts of mishaps underneath that awkward wood design.

Here is the view coming into the front door....

Looking toward the front door. This is the best angle of the tile (I think). Luke did a great job!

Here is some of my new wall decor which I also love!

*************

And another new addition to our house is simply because I have the BEST in-laws ever!

Yes, you read that correctly....they are great! And this picture proves it! This last weekend the kids and I spent the weekend at their house while Luke worked on the flooring. I have been

sleeping miserably lately and my emotions proved it! They had gotten a new mattress set in Luke's old bedroom
that I got to "try out" for 2 nights and my sleep was 100% better...

So...literally 8 hours after I returned home with the kids, my in-laws showed up with an entire new mattress set for us/me hoping I would sleep better. Is that amazing or what?!?
It wasn't in stock in the Ft. Wayne or Elkhart stores, so they drove all the way to South Bend

to pick it up!

This picture doesn't show it's true height. Luke said I should've taken a picture with a yard stick next to it. It's almost 36 inches high.

The only trick is the size...it's SO TALL! I tried to get some pictures to show you just how tall it really is. I'm still getting used to getting in and out of bed. I have to roll out right now with this belly right now ;) (And yes, that is a baseball bat underneath the bed...I am paranoid about intruders and I'm sure to ward them off with that!?! That...and the Ab-roller next to it!)

Give me your best guess...

Well, we are keeping very busy as usually friends. I am trying to do as many things with the kids that I can since I know it will be much more difficult once we have our third. I am officially in nesting mode...poor Luke is probably grateful I didn't nest quite like this with the other 2....Here are the major changes we have made/are making:

-Luke traded in his BMW for a minivan...poor guy...yes, that's right readers...a minivan. Yes, I swore

I'd never drive one and we avoided it at all cost, but it was really the only option and

guess what? I like it...a lot!

-We painted our entire upstairs (finally)

-We are getting new carpet (HOORAY) many of you know what an eye sore that has been for me

-And....drumroll....we are redoing our kitchen and laundry room floor. Oh, I'm so happy!

I am going to feel like I'm in a new house (well except for the whole space issue).

Someone asked me if we had the 7 year marriage itch we we don't at all, but my goodness we

are making a lot of changes! Everything (Lord willing) should be finished before the newest

munchkin arrives...

Little Lake Fun

James had a great time giving himself a glorified spa treatment of a sand bath. He had so much fun covering himself and then washing off.



I'm sorry for the organization of my pictures. I have NO idea

what has happened and how to fix them so I'm leaving them just the way they are. We took the kids to a little beach over the weekend and had such a great time! This is the first time Luke has gone with me when we've taken the kids to the beach. We had such a great time playing and being a little family. I loved every second of it...well, other than the fact that toward the end I was light headed and short of breath ;(

Luke made them their own water holes which they both just loved playing in. Lots of other kids thought they were cool too and tried to join them a few times.












Always fun watching them together.

Pregnancy Pictures-3rd times the charm...
My favorite photographer (Darcy) who has taken the pictures on several other occasions did my pregnancy pictures. She got LOTS of them and there are some really neat ones. I am including some of my favorites, but if you want to see all of them I will have to send you the web album.

My belly is ginormous! I do love that she got so many pictures of Luke and I together. After all...he is the baby-daddy :)

James is usually loving on my belly many times throughout the day. When it came to picture time there were too many other things he wanted to do like hunt for turtles.

This was the most difficult any family picture has ever been to get. The kids, especially Lauren, didn't have any interest in sitting long enough to get a picture. So...this is the best we could do. It's so "them" and so "us."

So, I am 35 1/2 weeks...YIKES! I cannot believe that the birth of this baby is literally right around the corner. I get scared every so often, but we're excited. I am officially entering the uncomfortable stage. Bending down or having the kids sit next to me while I read them books/jab, poke, and crawl on my belly is agonizing. I don't remember it being this difficult last time around. Sleeping is officially impossible, but other than that I really do feel good!

So.....I'm taking a poll since who knows when I will post again... What do you think the sex of this baby is? Be sure to leave a comment and give me your opinion. I've always thought girl. My sister said based on the torpedo coming out of my stomach...she thinks it's a boy :) Happy guessing!