What Are We Feeding This Kid?!

Well, John V was at it again today. He's just on his game lately. He has continued insisting that we are having both a boy and a girl baby. "Two." I guess twins are just on the brain lately. While I am trying to convince him that we have had a sonogram and seen one baby, he continues to believe. "Maybe it's four or six," he'll add at times. Whoa! Apparently this kid really wants lots of siblings and right away. God sent him to the right family - he fits in perfectly! Anyway, tonight he explained to me that the way there are two babies is because one is in my tummy and one is in his. I believe I have the boy and he has the girl if I'm remembering correctly. Then he announced that he needed to go have a haircut and they would see if the baby was coming out. Out of where?! HIS HEAD! Of course, if he's pregnant, that definitely explains him feeling like he's growing a tail. Pregnancy brings about all sorts of odd sensations. I seriously wonder what we're going to do with this little guy sometimes. I love him so!

You're Growing A What??!!!!

Last night while reading before bed, John V kept pulling on his pants. When John asked him what was wrong he surprised us with this answer. "I don't know. I think it might be a tail growing or something." WHAT??!!! I know we're weird, but I don't think we're quite that freaky yet. Who knows?

Countdown to March 4th

While I will be voting in the primary election, I am not quite elated enough about McCain or Obama to be waiting with bated breath for my moment at the voter's box. No, while this may seem selfishly small in comparison with the fate of our country, a week from today is. . . THE SONOGRAM! For some reason I am even more eager during this pregnancy to know the gender of our baby than I was the previous two times. John V has done a complete about face on us and instead of insisting that it is a brother, or a brother and a sister, now he says it's definitely a sister. There's no depending on that boy. : ) John says it's a boy, and while I think that is where I'm leaning deep down, I'm a little burned because I thought the same thing about Kailey. Speaking of Kailey, she surprisingly shows no leanings either direction. : ) We will be ecstatic either way. I think one reason I am eagerly anticipating this day is because it will help the reality of this to sink in a little further. The baby's movements have certainly helped in the last few weeks, but I still catch myself in the mirror and have a moment of shock before I remember that I'm pregnant. It's so strange because I just did this! We are doing all of the usual preparations, but most of all, we are spending time daily praying for John V and Kailey that the Lord will be preparing them for this transition and already filling them with love for this little one who will change and bless their lives forever. I can't wait to see their responses to the sonogram next week.

Want to weigh in on boy or girl?!

The Twins

Some of you have asked about my twin nieces. They were born on the 8th and are absolutely beautiful! After a short bout in Cook's for Addison, they are both home with a happy mommy (John's sister), daddy, and brother. I wish I had more pictures but you know how it goes. You can tell just how beautifully my children were acting in this first shot. :) So far my nieces are highly outnumbering my nephews! It's so fun for me to wonder just how many I'll end up with. With my five siblings and John's two - who knows? I love it!

Meeting Avery for the first time

John, Jamie, & Jordan with the twins

Avery and Addison when they were finally able to snuggle up together after Addison's bout in the hospital. I'm already in love!

Beautiful Saturday Afternoon

We decided to stop by the Fort Worth Botanic Garden for a little while before church on a beautiful Saturday afternoon a few weeks ago. We were already in Fort Worth so John suggested we take advantage of the pretty day. It was so much fun! The kids loved it and thought they were little explorers on all the paths. We have done a much better job of protecting part of our weekends lately and have enjoyed some important and much-needed, relaxing family time. We love spending time with our daddy!

John V turns everything into a race or competition. He had to get ahead of us.

This girl thinks her daddy is amazing. Her face when he walks in the door at night is absolutely priceless.

Checking out all the opportunity for exploration

Sweet boy!

John is so precious with the baby. Because he understands so much more this time around, it has been incredibly special to enjoy this pregnancy with him.

My girl is getting big! She is so much fun right now!

Playing chase (while Mommy still can)

I love this face! He's my buddy!

Explanation

I guess I should explain my out-of-character, month-long absence from blog world. It is difficult to explain how I have been feeling lately. I think they are pretty normal emotions for a mom of small children, especially when piling pregnancy hormones and exhaustion on top of the normal pace of life. I've been tired, a little withdrawn, and honestly just not having the energy to reach out to anyone else. I decided I had to take a break from the hosting, and doing, and calling, etc. to just give myself and my little family a chance to breathe and prepare for the life-changing months ahead. I think deep inside I was wanting for someone to see the signs and reach out to me. I know that seems silly, but we all know how we are as women and we just want to be helped without having to ask. Certainly an unreasonable expectation, but we keep hoping just the same. Our families, as always, were right there with their constant offers of help. The way they love our children and appreciate me for the physical effort it takes to both bear and raise these little ones is the kind of support people dream of having. Whether I'm talking to my family or John's, I can always count on my cheerleader/helpers, even when their lives are busy as well. How I love them all!

As usual during these periods, I also felt the need to draw in towards God and bring myself back to a place of resting and listening for Him. I have gone back to reading, which has always been a huge part of my life, and had lately gone completely missing. It has been wonderful to go through book after book again just eating it up. I think I was spiritually and mentally hungry.

Despite all of this, I realized that I was hoping God would prompt a friend to realize something was off and reach out. What ended up being so neat about what God did is that most of the reaching came from unexpected places. Friends I don't usually see, the opportunity to reconnect or spend time with those I've intended to be with for years. We had a fun playdate with some "ladies" (as John V called the girls) we don't usually see, and other interaction that has just breathed new life into our social world. : ) (Thanks for including me, Kristen, Amanda, and Jennifer!)

I do have to especially mention two friends, though. Both of these girls are in the middle of their own life changes, and certainly busy enough to do what I too often do and simply not follow through on those promptings to call or e-mail someone to check on them. One of them is my sweet friend, Betsy. While she was on weekly countdown to her own first baby, she faithfully dropped me a line to check on me, see how I was feeling, encourage me, and remind me that she is sharing in my excitement over this third baby just like she would have my first. Simple little e-mail "conversations" that made me realize someone was thinking about me and I wasn't "out of sight, out of mind" like I was feeling. The other friend God has used to love me through my funk is no surprise. My Shelma. Sometimes I feel like Shelly is the other end of the radio on the ship where all you have to do is signal "S.O.S" and you get all the support you need. Someone at your house with conversation and Chick-Fil-A sandwiches. That's a friend. : ) I never go too long without a call or an e-mail and there is someone right there who will listen to what is going on way down deep. Thank you, girls for being faithful to God's promptings. You have been lifelines to me! I love you both!

I am starting to come up for air, to feel a little more focused and less overwhelmed. I have much to do to prepare for our next little sugar, but it will all get done in time. So, that is where I have been. I'm back and way behind on posting pictures and lots of good news and stories. Praise God for His faithfulness during all of life's moments. During our more victorious ones and the ones that might include a little more wallowing. : ) He is good!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Today was a sweet day. Last night we made some Valentine's cards complete with stickers and hand drawings. This morning we had heart pancakes. Instead of going on a date tonight, we decided to do Valentine's as a family so the kids and I fixed Daddy's favorite dinner and dessert and we all had a special dinner on the china in the dining room. A very special occasion. : ) We took turns saying what we loved most about each other. It was absolutely precious hearing John V express the things he loves about his sister and each of us. He kept thinking of more to add to his list. I think we may have to do that at dinner more often! My heart still starts pumping when my sweet husband walks in the door each year with my pink roses and tells me how glad he is that I'm his valentine. How grateful I am that I can be just that for the rest of my life!

I hope all of you felt especially loved today. I am always overwhelmed when I stop to think about the incredible love the Father pours out on us daily, even when we are too busy or tied up in our selfishness to stop and acknowledge His gift. He is truly the ultimate Valentine. May you be filled with His unconditional love to then pour out on those around you!

I love you all!