Baby update

I went to my 14 week appointment today and had a great checkup. My nausea is better and my energy seems to be slowly on the rise. I have gained 4 pounds and measured normal. My Dr. found the heartbeat immediately and it was 157. Overall, it was a quick appointment. It is so exciting to hear that heartbeat. It is such confirmation and never gets old. I feel so blessed!

Potty Training, Part 1

I have finally decided to get serious about potty training M. He is definitely ready... he tells us when he has done #2 and sometimes #1 and will lay down and wait for us to change him. He will sit on the potty at MMO, but not at home. I have been waiting until we were all feeling better and the weather was a little warmer and until I had a few days where we could just hang out at the house and do nothing but potty train.

The funny thing is that I guess I have had this preconceived notion that since he is the 2nd boy, he would be easier. I also had the idea that everything that had worked with N would work with M... boy, was I wrong!

I took M to the store and let him pick out big boy underwear and candy. N didn't want to wet his big boy characters, so I assumed this would work with M... Not. He really doesn't care. I finally figured out after about 3 accidents that he would use the potty if he had nothing on. So far so good. He will go #1 on the potty if he has no pants on at all. He only wants his little potty and not the big potty (also unlike N). The funniest thing is that he pulled his little potty into the playroom and put it in front of the TV all by himself. He is so lazy! He would totally be a couch potato if I let him! I figured I would let this go for a day or so if it would work and it has. He has gone #1 for 2 days in the potty (except for naps and bedtime of course.) We haven't left the house so I haven't tried to let him go in public yet.

I'll post again in a few days with an update on our progress...

Kindness

N's teacher informed me on Tuesday that he would be getting a special award on Thursday and she would like for us to attend. Unfortunately, J had to work, but thankfully I was able to go. His teacher also informed me that it was a surprise, so not to say anything. N goes to a Christian school that we just love and they have ben learning different Godly character traits. Evidently, every few weeks a few of the children get a special award if they have been a good example of this particular trait. Our sweet N received the award for kindness. N is a very sensitive, compassionate, and kind boy so I was not surprised. He was so shy when they called his name and was very happy that M and I were in attendance. The principal presented the award to N and we are so proud of him!

Sports Night

Tonight was sports night at Awana's and the boys were all too eager to get in costume... anything to play dress up for real! I have to say that they were among the most dressed up. Most of the kids just had on a favorite jersey or hat, but my boys were head to toe dressed up. It was all we could do to keep the cleats and football helmet at home. (I figured the church might appreciate that! )

Valentine's Day

We had a fun, but pretty relaxed Valentine's Day. The boys were so excited about the holiday which made it so much fun. They each had parties at their schools and received a lot of candy. N loved all of his valentine's and looked at each carefully. He is so observant and meticulous.

Gracie and Bob-O arrived Wednesday afternoon just in time to make Valentine's sugar cookies with the boys and take cupcakes to N's party.

Mommy and Daddy went on a group date Friday night with some friends and Bob-O and Daddy grilled steaks on Valentine's night.

The boys each got a Valentine's balloon from us and a new movie to share as well as some candy and silly string. They got some cards from family members and a few goodies from their Grandparents. We had a fun weekend!

These are the boys in their Spiderman 3-D glasses that Jean Mommy sent them. They thought they were awfully neat!

Here is N waiting for one of his gifts with his "Eyes cyosed and hayunds out!"

On the Mend

I am happy to report that the Jones family is finally feeling better. I finally got on an antibiotic for my flu / sinus infection. The boys are still a little runny, but seem to be over their colds and Daddy was only puny for a day or two. (Not fair! )

The month of January seemed to just be a month of sickness, so I apologize for my lack of blogging. I promise to do better in the months ahead!

And then there were 3!

We are excited to announce that we are expecting another baby! We have known for a few weeks, but finally went to the Doctor today and received the confirmation. We heard the heartbeat ( it was 155) and received the first ultrasound pictures. The new baby is due August 28th... We are thrilled! I have been feeling queasy in the mornings, but nothing terrible. The only side effect that has sent me for a loop is my exhaustion. I am SO tired all the time! I guess it is normal to be pregnant with a 2 and 4 year old and be a little tired!
It is amazing how thrilling it was to hear that heartbeat. I have felt so bad and been waiting so long that it was just the most wonderful sound in the world. Even though this is my 3rd baby, the thumping sound was just as fabulous as the first time I ever heard N's and M's. Babies are such a miracle and it immediately brought tears to my eyes and a huge smile to my face!

Daddy and I told N this evening that Mommy had a new baby in her tummy and his face just lit up! The first thing he said was, "A new baby! Just for me?!" He was so excited! This was followed a few seconds later by, "When is the new baby coming?... Tomorrow?"

M doesn't quite understand the whole concept of course. Everytime we tell him there is a baby in Mommy's tummy, he says "NO! Me Baby!" and points to himself. I know he is going to love being a big brother though!

I guess we will just have to wait and see if I will have to change the name of our blog or not!

Clark Kent

N's dressing up continues. Here are some pictures of him dressed up like Clark Kent. And yes, he does have his complete Superman ensemble underneath! He comes out of his room several times a day with these get ups on and they are so funny... until I go in his room and see the clothes strewn all over the room!

Here he is working on his newspaper story.

and here, he is reading his newspaper story to me!

Puny M

Poor M had the stomach bug all weekend and has just been pitiful and puny. He got sick Saturday night and it continued into Sunday. He is a little more himself this morning, but I kept him out of school to be safe. Needless to say, our long weekend was very uneventful. Daddy and N had a lot of father son time which was fun for them. They went to church together, went out to lunch and went shopping. N suckered his Daddy into a new hat at the mall by batting those beautiful eyelashes and giving him a sad face! He even got a cookie out of the deal. Yesterday morning, I walked in the living room and they were playing on the floor. When I asked N what they were doing, he said, "We're jush pyaying Mommy. We're buddies!" I know that his Daddy ate that up!

Meanwhile, poor little M has just laid around. He is not at all himself and is so pitiful. I know it is probably not the best practice to take pictures of your child when he is sick, but I could not resist. He just looks so pretty and peaceful. I always think M is so big and such a little bruiser, but seeing him sick reminded me that he is still my little baby!

My Birthday

Friday was my 31st (ouch!) birthday! It was a fun day filled with lots of phone calls from friends and family, lots of "Happy Birthday" songs from N and a fun dinner date night with a few couples. The highlight of my day, however, was something very simple. I was on the phone outside and suddenly realized I did not see the boys. Our backyard is completely fenced in so I knew they were somewhere. I called their names and M kept answering me. I fainlly realized that they were in a part of the yard that is fenced off separately where the pool pump is and where they typically are not allowed to be. I went back there to scold them and quickly realized what was going on.

They were picking flowers for me! I did not scold them and let them go about their business through the rest of the yard. After a few minutes, they excitedly presented me with the most beautiful bouquet of dandelions, pink clover flowers, and yes, some of my pansies! It was precious and more beautiful than any lilly or rose could ever be.

This definitely made my day!

That night, we went out to eat with some dear friends (without the kids!) and had a great time. Happy Birthday to me!