March Trip to the Zoo

The boys and I have taken advantage of the nice weather we've had recently with a few trips to the zoo.  On our most recent trip, we ventured down a path that had the greatest boulders to climb on and the most intriguing (according to two little boys) area with rocks.  They sat and played in this rock area for a good hour, at least.  We dug for fossils, we built little rock houses, we collected rocks to bring home, and we just sat and played and got dirty.  And it was perfect.  

After a picnic near the elephants, we ventured over to the giraffes.  Coop loves feeding them, and he's a total pro at this point.  Austin, on the other hand, loved getting a close look, but didn't really know what to think when they tried to eat the lettuce out of his hand.  

Austin's first favorite part of the day?  Seeing the gorillas.  He loves them!  (Which makes me smile because the gorillas were always Coop's favorite at this age, too.)  And each time we go to the zoo, Austin gets so, so excited to see the "Lil-las."  If you ask him to say "gorilla," he will say, with the most enthusiastic tone, "Lil-LA!!!!!" 

Coop loves looking at the map.  We take frequent stops to examine the map and figure out which way to head next.

Later that day, Coop convinced me it was warm enough to pull out the pool.  So we spent the afternoon running and splashing and looking forward to even warmer weather!

Austin's second favorite part of the day?  When Daddy got home.

03.04.2013

Baby #3 Update: 28 weeks

28 weeks.  How are the weeks flying by so quickly!?  I had another round of doctor appointments this week, and everything is looking perfect!  I feel like a really boring pregnant patient, which actually, I think is the best way to be, but baby is growing and healthy, and that's all I could ask for.

Little One's heart beat was 142 and they estimated his weight to be about 2 lb, 8 oz.  Sounds really big to me, at this point, but it's right on track, in the 55 percentile for this stage.  My OB appointments are now every other week, but for now, I'll continue to go monthly for sonograms.

During my sonogram today, the doctor surprised me and switched over to the 3D imaging.  It was amazing!  Really, really amazing--the details, clarity, and just how "close" it made me feel to seeing my sweet son.  We only caught a quick glimpse of Little One's precious face before he turned.  It was almost like he knew we were taking a closer look, and he decided no peaking was allowed.  After a couple of seconds, he turned, moved his little hand up to the side of his face and curled up.  But, luckily, we got one great picture of his face!  Now, I know he probably won't look anything like this after he's born, but it's fun to see him as he is now.  I just adore him and can not, can not, can not wait to kiss his sweet face!!

A Sticker for Baby

The love that Cooper has for his new baby brother amazes me.  I just adore Cooper's heart, his thoughtfulness, and his kindness.  We were sitting in the playroom recently, when Cooper decided he wanted to give his new baby brother a sticker.  He leaned down and said, directly into my belly, "Here's a sticker for ya, little baby!"  And he gently placed a heart sticker on my tummy.  So.  Sweet.

If You Were in My Head...

"Oh my gosh, we are going to have another baby.  Oh my gosh!  Another baby?!  But I have a baby...and I'm going to have another baby?  Oh my gosh."  That's what you'd hear, if you were in my head.  I don't know why I'm having such a hard time wrapping my head around this new little bundle who will soon join our family.  I've heard his little heart beat, I've seen him multiple times on the sonogram, I've even seen him wave to me a couple of times; I have a new bassinet and a couple of packages of newborn diapers ready for him, I have a list of potential names, I even have a constantly growing belly!  Yet, for some reason, I'm having a hard time fully, fully wrapping my head around the fact that another baby, another LITTLE BOY, is joining our Team.  In about 11 weeks, at that!  I'm excited, don't get me wrong, and every time I see his sweet face on the sonogram, I fall more and more in love with him.  I just can't believe we are going to have another baby!  Oh my gosh.

(My boys and I at our recent trip to the Knoxville Zoo.)

 

Baby #3 Updates

A few baby updates.

Baby #3 Update: 24 Weeks

Baby Lamb #3 is...

A Boy and His Dog

Cooper and Drake have a special bond.  And I'm seeing it grow more and more as Cooper gets older.  He loves that dog so much, and I find him several times a day curled up with his best buddy.

Baby #3 Update: 24 Weeks

24 weeks.  Not sure how we got to this point so quickly, but here we are!  I feel like it's finally really, really hitting me that we are going to have another baby.  A third baby.  A third boy.  (I know, I know, it seems late to have that "hitting me" feeling, but in my defense, I've only known about this pregnancy for 13 weeks, so really...)

I had my monthly doctor appointments, and everything is looking great!  Baby weighed about 1.25 pounds, with a heartbeat in the 140s.  And he sure moved a lot!  That was great to see because I haven't been feeling as much movement with this baby as I have with the other two.  And, at one point during the sonogram, I really think he waved at me.  I had the best sono technician, who captured lots of great pictures, so I'll get those scanned and put them here, too.  But, I can assure you that Little One is just as cute as he can be.  He has the cutest little face that literally melted my heart when I got that first good glimpse at it.  So sweet and perfect.  Round cheeks, but not as round and chubby as Austin's always were during sonograms (well, not yet, at least).  And the most perfect profile.  I can't wait to see that sweet face in person.    

Cooper is really excited about another baby brother.  He thinks we should name the baby either "Pilot" or "Fireman Sam."  If you ask him, he's always consistent with those answers, too.  My tummy gets lots of kisses and hugs from Coop these days, always unprovoked by me.  This Little One sure is lucky to not only have ONE but TWO big brothers who will love him so.  Austin, of course, has no clue what's going on.  He just continues to be his joyous, happy little self, without a care in the world.  

Fireman Cooper Turns Four

Yep, it's six months late, but here they are.  :)

Fireman Cooper's 4th Birthday Party

Happy 4th Birthday, Fireman Cooper!

I See You...

Have I posted this yet??  I'm so far behind, I can't remember.  Austin went through the cutest little phase where he would come around a corner, crouch down like this and give whoever he saw the biggest smile he could.  Almost if to say, "I see you, come and get me!"  So. Darn. Cute.

01.07.2013

Cutting Firewood

One of Coop's favorite things to do this fall was to go with Daddy to find firewood, load it up in the car and help cut it into pieces when they got back home.  And, of course, Coop always made sure to wear his "farmer/rancher" clothes when doing this work.

 Austin Boo worked in the garden while big brother helped Daddy.

11.25.2012