Ready or not...

Baby #4 is not far from arrival...technically only a little more than 5 weeks away!  We had our 34 week appointment today and I was also scheduled for an ultrasound to check on baby's weight (I had lost 4 pounds in the last month).  The ultrasound went well, they were able to see everything they wanted to get measurements. Met with the doctor....our baby is small.  4lb. 6oz. and in the 9th percentile.  Head and legs measured normal, the abdomen is where it is small.  Doctor thinks perhaps the placenta is not giving baby everything it needs.  If the measurements on head, abdomen and limbs were all small, she would be concerned about some sort of syndrome, but that is not what we are looking at.  Any babies less than 10% they check on twice a week until delivery.  So now I begin that routine like I did with the twins.  Two appointments per week with ultrasound and non-stress test at each one.  She said that if baby remains small, they will deliver me at 37 weeks. (This happens to be Mason's birthday.)  Dr. E said she is not overly concerned, but she doesn't want to blow this off either.  While the extra appointments are kind-of a pain, I'm thankful for good healthcare and a close eye on our munchkin.

Celebrating....

....God's goodness and his grace in the last year! My lack of posts is explained only by the fact that life at our house is a bit crazy and this blog is not real high on the priority list. :) Where has the last year gone? Seems like just yesterday I was holding these two wrinkley precious little newborns. Now they are full of life and fun and a true treasure! Here are their one-year portraits from a couple of weeks ago.

A few Pictures

It has been a while since I've posted, so here are a few pictures of the last few months...
Mason turned three in August. He is growing up WAY too fast and is a complete blessing in our family. He is an awesome big brother and incredibly patient with his mommy. He is playing more and more with Lucas and Lauren and is GREAT at getting them to laugh. He has mastered the potty training gig during the day, and knows his letters and sounds. He is constantly asking about letters in words...kinda fun for mom! Love you, buddy!

"Mommy, take a picture of the boys!"

Eating solid foods is HARD work! :)
Love that smile!

It is SO fun to see these sibling relationships beginning to form. :)
Rub-a-dub-dub, three precious kiddos in the tub!

One Year Ago

December 2, 2010 was a CRAZY day, to say the least. We had found out the afternoon before, at our 20 week ultrasound that we were expecting not one, but TWO babies! We spent the evening on the phone with family and a couple of friends sharing the news. Before I went to bed that night, I sent out an e-mail to the staff at my school, sharing our news with them. SO, Thursday at school was insane. The door to my classroom was revolving as everyone came in and out to congratulate me and share in my shock of carrying two babies. It really was fun, overwhelming and made my head spin. I wasn't used to having so much attention, and wasn't so sure I really liked it. :) I couldn't walk down the hall without someone stopping me. My head was spinning for a good two weeks as I rode the rollercoaster of emotions that were flooding my already hormonal body. I was kind-of freaking out, but everyone was SO EXCITED, so I couldn't help but smile.
Fast forward a year.
My life is full of blessings, even unexpected ones. :) It has been a wild ride, but all-in-all, I wouldn't change it. God is good and he is sovereign and his plan is always better than ours. :)

Potty Training Turns Theological

After yet another dirty ‘accident’ in his underwear today, I sent Mason to his room early for rest time and took away his blankies and stuffed animals, telling him that when he decided to put his poop in the potty instead of his underwear, he could have them back. I left him crying on his bed and listened to him cry for almost a half hour. When I went back in to talk with him, this is how the conversation went:

“Mason, stop crying. It is time to rest.”

“But I want my blankies.”

“Honey, you know when you have to poop and you can feel it coming. You are old enough and big enough to put it in the potty, you are just choosing to put it in your underwear. Mommy is sick of it. It is gross. I don’t like to clean it up and neither does daddy. When you decide you are ready to be a big boy and put your poop in the potty, you may have your blankies and animals back.”

“But why am I old enough?”

“Because you’re 3 years old!”

“But why am I three?”

“Because you’ve had three birthdays!”

“Why have I had three birthdays?”

“Because God has allowed you to live that long.”

“Why have I lived that long?”

“Because God loves you!”

“But why does God love me?”

“Because he made you!”

“But why did God make me?” (tears and sobbing)

I know the answer I gave him was inadequate and insufficient because I was exasperated with him. What would you have said?

So Proud

Lucas and Lauren are now over 5 months old, but a month ago or so, we had their pictures taken. Unfortunately they did not share my sentiment of the cuteness of a picture together. This is what we ended up with...

Sweet Sweet Summertime

The following are a few shots of what we've been up to as we enjoy the lazy days of summer. :)

A boy and his tractor.
Daddy helps Mason with the sparklers. As you can see...he didn't love it. :)

We visited the zoo with some friends in July. Mason's favorite? The "pin-cham-zees".

My mom's family gathered for a reunion in Wisconsin for 5 days. This meant a 6+ hour car ride for us. Mason was thrilled to have me join him in the back seat for the trip.

Enjoying the beach with cousins Kate and Dylan.

For all of you who have asked, "Do twins run in your family?"...here they are! Uncle Marly, Aunt Marsha, nephew Cole, niece Ellie, Lucas and Lauren.

Here are the 8 children of my Grandpa & Grandma. We now total over 100 when we gather. They would be so proud to see their family.

This picture is for Uncle Marly & Aunt Karen. ;)

4 months old!

Mason started swimming lessons this week. He is on the far left (as far away from the teacher as he can be).

I arrived home after everyone was in bed tonight and found this on the kitchen table accompanied by a little note: "I want to make...I maked a cake for mom. She will be really excited about this one. PS-We are writing mom a letter...just like Toad got a letter from Frog. Love, MASON"