Ordinary Days

A few things happened yesterday that I don't want to forget because they were so cute!

Lately, Mason has been having some really sweet moments with Ruby.  They still have their moments, but I am seeing more and more kind behavior between the two of them.  Yesterday afternoon, Mom was visiting and the kids were doing their own thing playing with different toys across the room from each other.  Ruby, being the drama queen that she is, was getting frustrated with her toy, and making it known.  Mason, without even looking up from his trains, says, "I commin' Ooby, I commin'."  Mom and I cracked up!

That night, while Mason was going potty for the 12th time before bed, we were having our usual conversation while he sat there.  He almost always requests to, "Talk trains?!" Well, we had just finished reading Little Boy Blue, and at the end it says, "Will you wake him? No, not I! For if I do, he's sure to cry." Anyway, Mason and I were thinking of animals with sharp teeth, and he says, "Shark! Saw sharks under water!" I asked if he saw the sharks at the zoo and he said, "No......not I!"  The look on his face was priceless.  It was like he knew he made a joke!  We both just started giggling and giggling.  He said it over and over, getting a bigger kick out of himself each time.  I just love seeing him discover new things!  Can't wait to hear what other jokes are to come.

First time with watercolors

Helping mama make a special treat

Tradition passed on from Grandma

He liked making them, but refused to eat them

picnic lunch

She loves the slide!  You have to be quick because she takes a running leap to go down it!

17 months later...

Well, once again, I failed.  Obviously blogging is not my gift.  Oh well, I don't think the world will suffer from one less blogger.  However, it is fun to look back on the memories I recorded so far, so for that reason, I will try again (even if it only happens once every few months).

I have been reading a couple of books lately (trying to, anyway).  One is called, Loving the Little Years : Motherhood in the Trenches, by Rachel Jankovic.  The other is One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp.  Both books have brought to my attention my huge lack of a thankful heart.  Every day, I focus on what I wish I had, or how things would be so much better if I only had this room organized, or I'll have time for reading God's word only after I fix everything else myself.   WRONG!!!

God has given me so many gifts, so much to be thankful for, and He is the only One who can give me the ability to live each day well.  I am praying and working to change my attitude and my thinking.  I intend to use this blog as a part of my "joy dare," to record the gifts God has given me.

So here are some pictures, in random order, from the last few months, just to kind of fill in from the last post.

My big helper at the grocery

Learning new skills

Beautiful weather to play at the park

Getting to watch Amy's and my kids play together!

Fun at the farm

Discovered his pneumonia early on so it did not get too serious

Even though we dealt with a lot of sickness this winter, it could have been a lot worse

They make me laugh daily!

Snuggles with Grammie

The BEST daddy EVER!

Popple = Papa Merle

The BEST husband EVER!

Nonna & Papa!

Out of control cuteness!

Turn, Ruby, Turn!

Yesterday we went to the hospital to see if the doctors could get Ruby to turn from her breech position.  No dice.  She didn't budge one inch!  She's got her legs crossed, "indian style", and is laying sideways across my belly.  The doctors said her heart rate was "happier" after all the commotion of trying to turn her than before.  I guess we've got ourselves an attention loving drama queen already :)  It was quite an interesting experience, but not nearly as painful as I was anticipating.  I think my doctor was straining more than I was!

The c-section is scheduled for Friday, December 16th at 8am (her due date).  We have to be there at 5:45am...yikes!  There are still a few days to see if she'll turn on her own, but whatever the Lord has planned is a-okay with us!  We just can't wait to hold her!  Thanks for your continued prayers!  Also, please pray that the days and nights my parents will be watching Mason will go well.  I know I'm going to have a hard time not being with him all the time (don't get me wrong, I'll love the breaks), but I'm so thankful to my parents who are so willing to help us!

Ready...Set...Jump!

Steak 'n Shake

Just some cuteness from a yummy dinner the other night.

Ruby Update

Friday I went in for my 39 week check up.  Wow, did not expect to go this long!  Mason set some pretty high expectations :)  Everything is going well, the only thing is we saw on the ultrasound that Ruby is breech.  Since I'm continuing to progress with dilation and such, the doctor gave me two options.  We could just schedule a c-section, or the doctors could try to turn her with a procedure called a Version.  Basically they will push around on my belly trying to coax her to turn the right way.  I opted for this since there's a good chance they can get her to turn and I'd be able to deliver naturally.  I go to the hospital Monday at 8am to give it a try. Better yet, we might see that she has turned herself over the weekend and we can wait until all is ready (before we knew she was breech, my doctor was confident I'd deliver by her due date anyway).

There is a slight chance my water could break during the Version, or for a placental abruption.  If either of those were to happen, I would just be taken immediately for a c-section.  If she does not turn, we'll just schedule a c-section for this week.  Of course, I did not expect any of this, but it's so great to know that God has it all under control and there is nothing to worry about!  More than anything, we are just so excited to be so close to meeting our precious little Ruby Lynn!

Thank you to all who are praying!  We will keep you posted!

These are not from Friday, but thought it would be fun to look at them again :)

Getting ready for Christmas

We had a lot of fun watching Mason get excited about decorating the Christmas tree this year.  We decided it was worth a go putting ours up since we have lots of kid-friendly ornaments and we're having lots of family around for Christmas.  Mason loves taking the ornaments off and sometimes he'll put them back, but most of the time, he carries them around the house and drops them in various places.  He seems to be really into stars, so he'll point to the star on top and just start yelling excitedly.  Even though he's not quite 2, he really does seem to know there is something different and special about this season.  Adam and I want to do our best teaching Mason what exactly we are celebrating and what is so special about this time of year.  Next year, I'm really looking forward to starting a family Advent tradition.  There are so many great ideas out there, I'm not exactly sure what we'll do, but the kids will be at a good age, I think, to really participate and have fun with it.  I'd love to hear what traditions you all have!  We hope you are all savoring each moment as we anticipate the celebration of the birth of our King!  Merry Christmas!

 Wearing daddy's hat

 Snuggling with daddy to watch Winnie the Pooh

 Trimming the tree

"Are you sure this tree is supposed to be inside our house?"