Hospital Tour

We got to check out the hospital this week where Brubber will be born! It brought up some questions from the girls...no surprise there. Cadee asked if she could be in the room when Brubber is born. (Uh- no. Sorry.) Lili asked if she has to go to Nana's after we come home or if she can stay and help. (Sweet girl.) Cadee was also very curious about how he will come out. (Yikes.) Lili was worried about the stitches that I will have after they get him out. (I don't plan on having a C-section, but not sure I want to explain it all to her.)
I can tell that it made them feel more at ease with all of this change coming up. Seeing where we will be when he comes was a bit of a relief. Now they have something to look forward to and can picture it. They saw the 2 rooms that Mommy will be in and the nursery where they can peek at Brubber after he is born.
It made me REALLY anxious to get this show on the road! I was all amped up to come home and pack my hospital bag! :) But, I know that he needs to cook in there a bit longer. We all took a guess at when he will come. Aunt Sares, Cadee and Lili all guessed the 26th- without knowing the others picked that date too! Crazy. Hubby doesn't want to jinx it. So he's not picking a date!  I'm saying anytime the week after school lets out (the 18th). We are excited to see how everything goes this time around. The girls' birth stories were fairly similar. Both started around 5 a.m. and they were born in the early afternoon. It will be fun to see what this little guy decides to do! 

A Look at Our Weekend

Annnnnd....over a week later, here we are! Oops! :) It's been a busy busy week. 

We had a fun weekend as we made our last trip to my parents' with this baby in my belly. We are officially done traveling for awhile. My sister got us tickets to the circus on Saturday! Sares, Cadee, Lili and I all got to go to the circus and enjoy a sisters' day out! It was so much fun. Here's a look at our weekend...

"Brubber's" last trip in my belly

The sight I woke up to Saturday morning.
Sweet snuggles and giggles.

The girls loved the circus! They really enjoyed the elephant and giggled the most at the POODLES! Of all things! :)

 Lili couldn't stand to watch this man walking on the big circle. That really freaked her out.

We were fascinated by these ladies. They were attached to the rope BY THEIR HAIR! And they did a bunch of fun tricks and twirls.

 Lili chose to ride the pony and as soon as it started moving, she grabbed onto Aunt Sares for dear life and said- "Why did I ever choose to do this?!" Haha but she made it! We tried to convince Cadee to ride the elephant. But she wanted to spend her money on a stuffed animal instead. 

The girls outside the living room window. Being so sweet to each other without even knowing we were watching. Precious.

Sunday, the girls decided we needed to have a bonfire before we left. Lili was all about what "activities" we would be doing. Like a little event coordinator. She made us all stickers with our nicknames on them. So cute.

  This big girl finished her first ever chapter book! All by herself!!! She was so proud. 

Wednesday

Just another Wednesday. Full of sunshine and smiles. 

Cannot get enough of that grin!

Lili had to get "Bruh-ber" in on this too!

Sweet, sweet little Blondie.

Lili Logic

We were playing pirates one day and it was time to eat. She served the crew macaroni and water and she made everyone say a "pirate prayer". At the end she said- "In Jesus' name, Arrrr-men!" So clever.

A Look at Our Weekend

We didn't get many pictures from the weekend, but we had alot of fun at the water park that is close to our home (since I'm getting waaay to close to "no-travel time"). We celebrated our soon-to-be 5 year old with yummy cake, lots of laughs and plenty of presents and pool time! Lili and Cadee LOVED swimming and trying out all of the water slides! I was thankful that there were plenty of people ready to go down the water slides with them, as this pregnant mama was not allowed. Here are a *few* pictures from our weekend...

Lili wanted a very chocolatey cake with Justin Bieber on it!
I think she was happy. 

Opening presents! 

She read this card sooo intently. My dad did not make it this weekend as he was sick, but his name was on that card, and she found it and shouted- "BAPA!!!" 

Ohhhhh, Uncle Bryce got her a nerf gun! Look out, Cadee!

Lili Girl

I'm excited for a family weekend! We will be doing an early celebration for Lili's birthday! I cannot believe my baby is going to be 5 at the end of the month. Where did those years go?? I love the sweet little girl that she is. She tests my patience and makes me question myself every single day. But, she also gives me countless lovies, compliments and laughs everyday. She is full of sass and spunk. And we love her so much!!! 

She asked for a double chocolate cake with chocolate frosting and chocolate chips AND red velvet cupcakes for her family party this weekend.
How could I resist this face?!? 

33 Weeks!

We are at 33 weeks now! Wow!!! I can hardly believe it. 33 weeks...which means 7 weeks left...which is really more like 6 weeks because I think I'll go early....and I'm a pretty busy mom, so it's going to feel like only 5 weeks. Whoa. 5 weeks left! ;)
I really have been blissfully pregnant this time around (minus the sickness for 8-9 weeks)! I don't know what it is. Perhaps, my confidence, seeing how my 7 year old has grown and looking forward to another baby to train and nurture, knowing this baby was *sorta* planned, not gaining the same amount of weight as a woman pregnant with triplets, or just the contentment that I have right now. I feel ready. And seeing the girls and Hubby as they talk to Brother and form a bond with him, is so sweet. The love has definitely shifted! I am just a carrier to this sweet baby boy. The girls and Hubby talk to, hug and kiss him more often than me. And that is quite alright. I will just miss this so much when he decides to enter our world.
I've been pretty sore lately. Pregnancy is just starting to take a toll on my back and hips. He is starting to get ready for his debut, I believe. Carrying the laundry basket is awkward. Getting up off the floor is a joke. Even rolling out of bed is a chore. All signs that this baby is growing! 

Loving on little brother

Lili Logic

In Cadee's class, they are kind of obsessed with author Mo Willems and his "naughty pigeon". So when Lili's preschool did a week about Mo Willems and his books, she was super excited. One day, she was painting *the pigeon*, and she was overcome with excitement! She said- "Cadee will be so cracked out when she sees this pigeon!" 

A Look at Our Weekend

Since we've been married, we have spent Easter weekend at home each year. I think we have done this because A- I was very pregnant with Lili our first Easter together, therefore I could not travel. And B- Hubby and girls have had school/work, so there is no extended weekend. I have to say, I don't mind. It's nice that we have always had a little bit of "family" down here to celebrate with a big dinner on Sunday night. Here's a look at our weekend...

Lili and Cadee feeling Little Brother while he flips and kicks!

Kisses for Brother

Egg Coloring!

Cadee concentrating really hard.
Funny, because I think that's the same cup of dye she spilled about 10 minutes later! 

The girls decorating our bunny cake.
This cake is something my grandma makes every year for the grandkids. I didn't want my girls to miss out just because we stay home for Easter, so I decided to start making it. I love traditions.

Our finished Bunny Cake! 

This girl LOOOOOVES her chocolate! 

Look at that precious face. Pure excitement.

HULA HOOPS!!!

She was showing me her new lip gloss, but somehow, they got cut out of the picture. Oops!

Looking for eggs! I love catching them in the moment, with a real, genuine smile. It's my newest obsession. Trying to find those perfect smiles.

Lili's decorated egg! I was impressed with her little flower.

Our family.
I'm excited to see another boy in blue next year. 

It was a good weekend filled with family, fun and faith. The best part of the whole week/weekend/year/life, is being reminded that there is life beyond all of this. And, if this life is THIS sweet... I can only imagine what heaven will be like. 

Good Friday

This video stirs up some pretty strong emotions for me. I hope it does for you too.

A Little Perspective

There are days where I can get pretty frustrated. For instance, this morning. It started out pretty good. Cadee woke up in a good mood, I could actually get out of bed without too much moaning and groaning this morning, and I made pancakes for the girls, Then, Cadee spilled her full glass of chocolate milk, Lili woke up defiant, and as I went to get clothes out of the dryer, I see that one of Hubby's favorite t-shirts has been dried. I never dry his shirts! They shrink too much for his liking. I was not very happy about that.
All it takes for me on days like this, is to think about our dear friend that's battling cancer. Or a family that has lost a baby. Or something horrible that has happened to someone. And suddenly, these shrunken shirts and spilled glasses of milk, are sweet things in my life. Sweet little reminders that I have been given another day. I have people to clean up after. I have a big comfy bed to wake up in every morning. I have a Hubby that loves me and I have babies that depend on me.
My 7-year old amazes me. She even knows how lucky we are to have a home and to have family. I made some comment about how we are too poor to do something. And she said, without hesitation, "We aren't poor, Mommy. We have a home and 2 cars. And some people don't get to have those things."
It just takes a little perspective.

Lili Logic

"Mommy! Mommy! I just met a new friend named Jasmine and she has a beautiful voice!" -Lili, at the park

A Look at Our Weekend

This weekend, the girls and I took off for Nana and Bapa's! I figured it would probably be our last chance to make the trip by ourselves before Baby Boy's birthday. We enjoyed the laid-back-ness that they provided and all of the time spent outside. It was a great weekend! Here's a few pictures to remember it by...

Lili asked to borrow my phone on the 3 hour car ride to take pictures of herself.
ANYTHING to stay awake!

Sweetest Nana and Birdie picture- EVER

They loooove the hammock!

Fun to swing in and so nice to relax in (they will figure that out in 10 years).

She's so tired.

Another thing that we love to do at Nana and Bapa's- BONFIRE!!!
The whole time Nana was getting this going, Cadee was trying to give her pointers on how she and Bapa would have done it. 

Snuggling in Nana's chair

Since I can't reach my toes anymore... I asked my mommy to paint them.
I am not ashamed that I still ask my mommy to paint my toenails. 

Getting some snuggles in with Auntie Sares before we head home.

I hope that the girls' love tanks were filled as full as mine was this weekend! However, I think I ate too much yummy food... I had my OB appointment today, and I gained 3 lbs in 2 weeks and my belly was measuring 33 cm (Fun Fact: Your belly should measure however many weeks along you are. God is so cool like that.) and I'm 31 weeks along. Doctor didn't seem concerned though. Baby Boy and I are healthy and doing well.
I was sad, knowing this would be the last time for awhile that we would make this trip, but excited at the same time, as it checks off another weekend before Little Brother's birthday. 

Random Rachel

I LOVE this beautiful weather we've been having! I would love it even more if it would stay just under 70 with a little breeze. Is that too much to ask??

Week 1 (of 2) of swim lessons is all wrapped up! Wooo! It's been a hectic week here for our little family. The best lesson times that we could get, puts us out of the house until 5 minutes before bedtime. So, the girls have been about 20 minutes late getting to bed. Therefore, I have been letting Cadee sleep right up until a half hour or so before she needs to be on the bus. It's been a pop tart week. I'll be ready to have our regular routine back.


I get really ambitious to clean sometimes...but it's always about 10 minutes before I need to leave the apartment. And then, by the time I get back, I have lost the motivation. 


I made apple crisp, homemade whipped cream and then turned that into snicker salad this week. If I add fruit to a dessert, then it's ok to eat alot of it, right?? 


I have gotten the urge to stock up on 3 a.m. showings of "A Baby Story" on TLC and also "Criminal Minds" on A&E lately. Weird combination, I know.