Countdown!

We are in the final stretch of pregnancy....I can't believe that sometime between now and next Friday (March 7) we will have a baby!!!! I am getting excited and nervous when I think about it but it still seems so unreal and distant to me. I feel like we lost these past two weeks due to the flu that viciously attacked our family - it was all one big, sleepless blur. Ryan got hit the hardest and we were honestly frightened for his well being for the first time in his life. He had a fever of over 105 that lasted for almost a week, ended up in a children's hospital to be hydrated via IV and tested for a great number of illnesses and blood diseases, and unexplainably lost his hearing for 4 days before both eardrums ruptured last Friday. As horrible as it sounded to us, the ruptures brought him a great deal of relief from the pain, and eventually the fevers went away. He has regained most of his hearing and is expected to fully recover within 3 weeks. I was sick for a couple of days, then Ryan, then Will, and Heath is just now begining to recover. Thank you for all of your prayers and well wishes. We needed them.....and they worked! Here are a couple of recent pics - Valentine's Day and of our new playhouse (which was supposed to be here in time for Christmas but just came in today. At least we got it before the baby, which was the ultimate goal.) Yes, those are rocks in our backyard. Renting an investment property in Phoenix means no extras.....like grass or outdoor water! Not pretty but we'll save on our water bill!!

Spring Training!

Heath had the opportunity of a lifetime today! He was invited to field batting practice for the Texas Rangers. He was literally on the field with the majors, millionaires, and those he says he could have competed with 'back in the day'. They gave him a uniform (shorts and t) and invited him to come back as often as he likes to help out. What's really cool is that he had the chance to talk to some of the players. They were in as much awe of his flying F-16's as he was of their playing pro-ball. It helped that the jets are constantly flying over the fields. Games start in about 10 days....though I have no intention of sitting through a baseball game with Will and Ryan while 9 months pregnant OR taking a new baby and nursing at the stadium. It's cool in theory, I guess. Maybe next year!

Oh, if only!!!

We had our baby measured via ultrasound today to help determine whether or not I should be induced early (to avoid having a near 10 pound baby.......again). He measured at a very average 6 pounds 5 ounces with 3 weeks to go! My doctor is predicting a less than 8 pound baby! I had to laugh at that, but what a treat it would be!! The baby had his arms folded in front of his face so we couldn't see what he looked like, but he made it very clear that he is really a boy and that he has hair! I am still nervous but am getting really excited to meet this little man!!

Here's the bump at 37 weeks (almost).

Weekend in Flagstaff

We decided to take advantage of Heath's current relaxed schedule and spent the past weekend playing in the snow in Flagstaff. It's amazing how different the terrain and temperatures are between Phoenix and Northern Arizona. Ryan and Will and Heath spent hours sledding and playing in the snow on Saturday, while I stood around contracting and out of breath, taking photos! Ryan surprised us by LOVING the thrilling sled runs - the faster the better; we had to drag him back into the hotel every few hours to thaw out in a warm bath.

Will

Will is such a sweet little toddler. He is so senstitive and and attentive to others. He loves to kiss "tiss" and hug "huuguh" and be around his family. He adores Ryan and looks for him the instant he wakes up (I wish the reverse were true). His saddest part of the day is when we drop Ryan off at school. He is talking up a storm and is working really hard at stringing together sentences. His favorite so far is "Shoot a basketball" which comes out "Shoo-uh-batiss-bahw". I don't remember Ryan actually practicing words like Will does. He will lay in bed and say the same phrase over and over until he's satisfied with the way that it sounds. He's working really hard on basketball, and, apparently "stand up" which he can pronounce correctly, but is trying to imitate Heath's inflection. He is fascinated with babies and children and strangers and talks to everyone. He is the comedian of the family and thinks it's hysterical when he calls us "Nahyee" and "Heas". The word 'hockey' brings uncontrollable giggles from he and Ryan, and his signature joke is to put something, anything, on his head and call it a hat. He is vaguely aware that there is something in my belly, though he fluctuates between 'baby' and 'ball'. I think I know which he'd prefer. I wanted to get him a baby doll to play with but daddy vetoed that. Instead, he's practicing taking care of a baby using his Elmo doll! I think he will love having the baby around but will be jealous of the shared attention.

Ryan

Ryan is growing up before our eyes and is quickly transitioning out of the sheltered world at home with Mommy. He is busy with school, basketball, new friends, and starting next week, tennis and in mid-March T-ball. Our schedule is starting to revolve around his and I'm told this is what to expect for the next 18 years! He continues to excel academically and is begining to develop his competitive, athletic side. He is very proud to be the fastest boy in his class (second to a GIRL!) His favorite conversation starter is "What if ___________" (fill in the blank with anything. and I mean ANYTHING) I am trying to remain enthusiastic about answering questions like, "what if today was Tuesday?" "what if our car ran on diesel?" "what if Izzy was a lizard?" "what if waffles tasted like pancakes?" "what if I didn't have toys?" "what if dog was spelled d-a-g, and we called them dags?" Usually, he is not satisfied with my answers and persists with the 'yeah, but what IF'. There are times when Heath and I just start laughing and he joins in, though doesn't understand why. There are other times, when he tests the limits (more often than not, lately) and we find ourselves having to discipline quite a bit. This is the hardest part of parenting so far.....but as frustrated as I get I do love to see his spunk and perserverence!

Me and Baby #3

Pregnancy is amazing! I lay in bed at night, watching my belly move and bounce and roll and shift without any of my own movements because just below the surface (Heath pointed out that with each pregnancy it is actually deeper and deeper below the surface and other 'layers') lies a nearly completely developed human being. I am really trying to enjoy being pregnant because this will be the last time ever in my life to experience this. I am growing uncomfortable and now waddle, pee, and itch around the clock. I can no longer put on socks or tie my shoes without contorting my legs. I am always out of breath, tire easily, and, in the immortal words of the lyrical genius, Weird Al Yankovic, "I've got more chins than Chinatown!". I have become manic about cleaing my house - which always comes near the end. Ryan must notice this new trend because at the hotel where we stayed this weekend was a corroded - kinda nasty looking - ceiling sprinkler. Ryan called me in to the bathroom to look at it and said, "Mom, you need to get that with a Clorox 'dis-affecting' wipe!" I had to kiss him! Anyway, this baby moves a lot, which is my favorite part of being pregnant. It's almost as if he knows that he will have to compete with his 2 brothers for my attention and wants to make sure that I know he's here. I still cannot imagine what our lives will be like in 4 weeks when he makes his grand entrance into the world. I am nervous, excited, scared, and still.....in DENIAL!! Here I am at 35 weeks and +45#!!!