In Between

I'm starting to get into that uncomfortable in-between stage of pregnancy, when you don't really want to break out the maternity clothes yet, but your regular clothes don't fit very well any more. It's a little frustrating and quite uncomfortable. The thought of having something like a waist band around your middle is not appealing. Everything feels tight and finding something that looks good and is comfortable is a challange.
I'm quite excited and happy to be in this stage though. It means that I'm past my first trimester. I'm still riding a little high on the fun of telling everyone. I've waited a long time for this little one and I can't wait to meet him/her and see how he/she's going to fit into our family and change the dynamics. I'm excited to see my boys become big brothers for the first and second time.
I'm more excited about this pregnancy than with my others. Maybe it's because I had to wait this time. Maybe it's just because our family is growing again and God has seen fit to bless us with another child. All I know is that I'm excited to be pregnant and that's what I remind myself when my clothes feel tight and I'm not as comfortable as I would like. It's a small price to pay for the amazing miracle that God is giving us.

Birthday parties and Father's Day.

Last Saturday we had the family over to celebrate N's birthday. This had become the standard birthday party format for our family. It seems to work for everyone. We get to visit with family, The boys get better presents than they would from a bunch of peers. (That's something they like) and I don't have to deal with a bunch of kids running around. This year was fun. N was actually able to help me plan the menu. We had hamburgers, chips, noodle salad with veggies HE likes, and green bean salad with a pac-man cake and home-made icecream for dessert.

The next day was of course Father's day. My wonderful husband never seems to care about these days as much as I do about Mother's day, so I'm at a little bit of a loss as to what to do. My focus is to do something he will enjoy and let him know how much we love and appreciate him.

So we started with a Johny Cash CD. Every dad needs a little Johny Cash and then after church we went to a local park and had a nice relaxing Sunday picnic. We pulled the van up under a big maple, spread out the blanket and at lunch. There was a play ground right there that they boys could play on, and Dan was able to sit and read for a bit. Over all it was a very relaxing time.

Announcement

I need to post some pictures from N's birthday party and Father's day, but until I get to that, I wanted to post an announcement. We're very excited. There seems to be a baby boom going on. I know of four other women, friends or relatives who are due around the same time as me and another friend who is expecting her first in August. God is good!

Reflections

My little boy turns six today. If you want to be technical, he's not six until about 2 this afternoon, but who gets technical on birthdays?

I can't help but think about that day six years ago. When I think about the heat wave we just lived through, it reminds me very much of what it was like the week or so before he was born, and today is a beautiful bright sunny day, just like six years ago. I remember the weather well, because after laboring all night it was about this time in the morning that we decided to transfer to the hospital and as I stumbled out to the car in between contractions I remember it being so bright out.

It's amazing how fast six years can go. You get tired of everyone looking at your new born baby and saying, "Enjoy it, it goes by so fast." But now I feel like telling every new mother the same thing. What happened to my chubby cheeked blue eyed baby? He's grown into a remarkable, confident, intelligent little man. You may laugh at my use of the word "man" for my six year old, but if you know him, you know how appropriate it is.

God has been so good to me and my family the last six years. You only have to look at my N. to know that. I am blessed to be his mother and I love him more than words can express.

So, as I plan a family cookout to celebrate his day and figure out how I'm going to make him his Pac-man cake, I marvel and bask in all the wonderful memories the past six years have given me and look forward to so much more as he continues to grow and learn and mature.

LETS GO PENS!!!!

It seems to me that our Pittsburgh teams do well in the under-dog possition. The Pens are in a do or die situation and right now, they are doing.

Dan is doing his best to raise these boys as Pittsburgh sports fans. This is A. right after the Pen's second goal with his best, "Let's go Pens!" face. Whether you're into sports or not there's something fun about watching a man and his sons share something like this.