Joelle's 2nd Birthday

Here are some pictures from Joelle's 2nd birthday party. It was really fun except for the strong wind that kept trying to blow the decorations and presents away. The theme of the party was Dora the Explorer. That is Joelle's favorite cartoon character these days. Most of the friends we invited were able to come and I think everyone had a good time. The kids played at the playground and with some of the outside toys we brought. And then we had lunch.

Dane attempting to do the hula hoop. I told Dane I used to be the best hula hooper at my school but with my big belly I wasn't able to prove it to him.

Cute Cody.

Joelle playing with the windmills.

I love this picture! These are all my pregnant friends from church...minus Katrina Pierce who couldn't make it. Malinda Brinkerhoff, Charise Brownlow, and I are all due within days of each other. Jen Christensen is due in November and Katrina is due the beginning of August.

Grant, David, Andrew and Dane playing in the woods next to the playground.

For lunch we had subway sandwiches, fruit, chips, and juice or water. We ended up with way to many sandwiches and I begged everyone to take sandwiches home with them. Since many of the Dad's who came to the party have wives who are pregnant, and I'm sure just as tired as I am, they were happy to oblige. We still had enough sandwiches for dinner, breakfast, and lunch the next day!

Joelle and I getting ready to have some cake.

Joelle's cake. I bought it at Costco. There was no way I was baking a cake this year! Organizing this party was just about too much for me. By the end of the day I could barely walk. But it was worth it.

Singing "Happy Birthday" to Joelle. The kids could barely stand waiting for the cake to be cut and they all wanted a particular piece of cake...I finally heard myself saying "You get what you get and don't throw a fit!" It is a saying the boys learned from their preschool.

Tyler helping Joelle enjoy some of her cake. I don't think she knew the party was for her but she sure had a good time.

I just love how wide Cody has his mouth open in this picture. Too funny!

The last event of the day...whacking the Dora the Explorer pinata. She didn't want to give up the bat so the other kids could have a turn. Tyler had a heck of a time holding her back. As you can see if you look on the right side of the next picture

Dade Brinkerfoff has obviously played this game before as you can see from his professional stance! He knocked her body right off her head. I had to hurry and pick up the fallen piece and shake the candy out.

The kids grabbing for their loot.

We ran out of time at the park to open presents. So we opened them at home after Joelle took her nap.

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Stevens for the new pajama!

Thank you Grandma and Grandpa Thomas for the new hat, shirt, and very fun skirt.

Does she get it?

Yesterday when I was hanging out with Joelle I patted my tummy and said "Your baby brother is in here". I thought she was getting what I was saying until she lifted up her shirt and patted her own belly and said "Baby Brother!".

Beautiful Faces

These portraits are from the "Faces" collection from Kiddie Kandids. I picked them up the same day the franchise went out of business, so I feel very fortunate to have them. They just closed their doors one day and many people did not get their pictures even though they paid for them! I'm hoping I can find a new studio to take one just like this of our new baby so I'll have a whole set. I think they are precious. One of the best things I love about my kids are their beautiful eyes, and I think these pictures really capture those gorgeous eyes!

Dane's first play

Dane was in his first play yesterday. He played a lost boy in the play Peter Pan. He has been taking an acting class with Kids Stage for K thru 5th graders. His class has been the last 2 months every Friday after school. Dane really enjoyed himself. Unfortunately our camera didn't know what to do with the lighting during the play and so none of those pictures turned out.

Truck Rodeo

There was a "Truck Rodeo" at our local library yesterday. Cody was excited about it all day. We picked up Dane from school and then we went over. It was a long day for Dane because his kindergarten class had also gone on an all day field trip to the Dallas Arboretum yesterday. It was kind of a bust though....Cody started complaining about his hip hurting right after we got out of the van. And he cried about it the whole time. I'm thinking he got bit by something even though I couldn't see anything. It was hot and there were long lines to sit in all the trucks and tractors but we did wait in line for the fire truck. I accidentally gouged Dane in the forehead with my fingernail when we ran into each other. We stopped and got some free popcorn and lemonade on our way to the van and the boys really enjoyed that. If you ask them they will tell you they had a great time, so I guess that's all that really matters.

Baby boy Thomas

Here's the baby's latest pictures. The two pics on the left are his profile. On the top right if you look right in the middle of the picture you can see his little boy parts sticking up. Lower right is his face and his left hand up by his cheek. Getting excited to meet him. I wonder who he is going to look the most like?

So fun having Dad home!

Tyler has been on vacation this week and the kids have really loved having him home. They literally follow him from room to room and even wait outside the bathroom door until he is done! The weather has been really nice for the most part, so the other night we had a BBQ.

Yesterday we went for a bike ride and road around our little neighborhood park.
On the way Cody had to stop and play with a "rolly polly" bug. He was just fascinated that it would roll itself into a ball...Cody loved anything having to do with balls..even bugs!

Joelle does not like to go anywhere without her sunglasses! And if she hears the word "bike" she runs to get her helmet and will not quit bugging us until we take her out on a bike ride...big fits if she doesn't get to go!

On the way to the park there is a little dog named Spur. He waits all day by his fence for someone to come throw him his ball. Before we knew his name we used to call him "Smart dog" because he is amazing. He can catch almost anything you throw at him in mid air and then he always brings the ball back and pushes it through the fence with his nose. The first time I ever heard Joelle belly laugh uncontrollably was last year when I brought her over to the fence for the first time to play with Spur.

Most of the time we push Joelle on her bike but yesterday she finally pushed the peddles on her own for a little bit.

Tyler fixing something on Cody's bike.

Dane's best friend Jake lives right next to the park. They are in the same class in kindergarten. Even though they see each other all day at school, they would still probably spend all their free time together if they could. They just love riding their bikes around and around the park and then get off and run through the trees. Unfortunately there is poison oak, fire ants, and snakes, and it makes me so nervous, but they don't seem to care!

We got Dane elbow and knee pads to go with his new bike...and it's a good thing! He's had a few really good crashes. When we got home Tyler was asking Dane about his crashes and he said "I didn't crash!...except for three times".

Here is Cody...future mountain biker in the making!

Here is Joelle popping wheelies with her daddy! I wish I had this on video so you could hear how hard she was laughing.

After bike riding we came home, ate dinner, and then had movie night with microwave popcorn and homemade chocolate chip cookies. Cody laid on his dad like this for a long time.

Dane has found a way to keep anyone else from eating the popcorn by putting his feet in it!

Tyler with his "mini me" and "Daddy's girl".

New computer

We got a new computer and so we put our old computer out were the kids could use it. Cody likes to watch Thomas the Tank Engine, GeoTrax, Fireman Sam, and Marble run videos on Youtube. The kids also like to play checkers and minesweeper. It is amazing how good Cody is already with the mouse.

Hangin' around

Here is Joelle...just "Hangin' around!" This is why I usually try to put the laundry away after the kids are in bed...I get too much "help" when they are awake.

Miserable

I worked really hard cleaning the house yesterday. I had so much to do. I was just exhausted and miserable and couldn't wait to go to bed. I actually went to bed a little bit early...and just laid there until sometime between 2:30 and 3:00 am before I could fall asleep! And then I woke up around 5:00 am because I had to pee...again! For the millionth time! So frustrating! I just couldn't get comfortable and I had heartburn! I know! I know! Once the baby gets here I will be getting even less sleep but at least my body will be more comfortable! OK, I'm done complaining . I'm going to go to bed now and see if tonight I can actually fall asleep!

My handsome guy

Here is Dane's latest school portrait. I dressed him in a nice red shirt but my silly boy forgot to take off his favorite camo jacket! I can't believe the people taking the pictures didn't have him take it off. I'm actually glad they didn't because Dane loves this jacket so much that it will be nice in the future to have a picture of him in it. Tyler said he looks like he's in an ad for the GAP. I can't believe my baby is 6 years old now.

No wonder!

No wonder I've been so tired! I got my test results back from yesterdays doctors appointment and I am anemic and my glucose levels are too high (borderline gestational diabetes). Well that explains a lot. I was not surprised about my glucose levels being high because they have done the same thing in all my other pregnancies but I was surprised about being anemic because I do take prenatal vitamins....not everyday like I'm supposed to but most days. I haven't been that careful about my diet lately, I was doing much better in the beginning. I don't eat as well when I am stressed out. And I haven't been working out as much. The last time I worked out, about 10 days ago I had a couple of really big contractions right after I stopped and it really scared me. I still take the kids to the gym but I usually get too nervous to work out much. I guess I will have to give the treadmill another try and see what happens. I obviously need to pay better attention to how I'm taking care of myself.

I had a doctors appointment today and it looks like the big day will be:
June 24th

Although, due to the new rules I cannot officially be induced that day, my doctor said to bring my bag with me to that mornings appointment, and if I am at all dilated she will send me across the parking lot to the hospital and we will go from there. That's two weeks before my due date. I hope that's good enough. I do not want to have anymore babies by myself! Tyler has vacation that week so it looks like things may work out better this time around.

Happy Easter 2010

I woke up to "Mom! Mom! The Easter Bunny Came!" How fun is that? Last night we read a book called "What is Easter?" In it it mentions something about Easter is not just about eating chocolate bunnies. Dane asked me "Does the Easter Bunny bring chocolate bunnies to everyone's house? I sure hope he brings us chocolate bunnies!" (Phew! I had it on good authority that the Easter Bunny would indeed be bringing chocolate bunnies to our house...thank goodness!) Dane found most of the eggs from our indoor Easter egg hunt. Last night we left empty plastic eggs by the front door in hopes that the Easter Bunny would fill them with candy...and he did. We told Dane that he was to share his eggs with his brother and especially his sister (who didn't get any) but when I went upstairs later to get his eggs, he had eaten almost every piece of chocolate! When I said "Dane! You were supposed to share!" His reply was "Oh, sorry Mom! I guess I just got carried away!" Ya think!!!

Cutest thing on wheels

Joelle and Daddy went out for a bike ride this week. He took some really cute pictures.

"Look!...a bird!" Jo Jo loves to point out every bird she sees.

Little miss attitude!

"That's it! I'm done riding!" (Daddy had to carry Joelle, and her bike, back to the house. She didn't want to go home.)