Here's my belly!

Okay ... so if you don't want to see it - scroll down. But this is me at 39 weeks in all my glory. Well, not all my glory. Hopefully my next post will be newborn pictures of baby!

SNOW!

Yes, it's piling up again here in Iowa! But we are supposed to have a good melt tomorrow ... hello 40 degrees & sunshine! Jack & Amelia love being outside ... and the snow. We usually have to bribe Ellie to get her butt out there. But it's good for all of them to spend some much needed time outside running off their energy.

Mini Vacation

We took a little mini-vacation to Altoona (15 miles south of Huxley) to an small indoor water park last weekend. A night of fun for the kids before the baby comes. They had a blast swimming! I can't believe how well Jack and Amelia did in the water. Last summer they were both still a little hesitant, it's amazing what 6 months can do. Ellie is my fish, of course ... and does very well in the water, despite not getting lessons this past summer.

I did not swim, so Billy had his hands full keeping a hand near 2 little ones ... and I just kept my eyes on Ellie! We ordered pizza and had donuts for breakfast -- every kids dream. Sleeping wasn't the easiest thing - sharing a room with 3 kids. Two that move constantly, I thought Jack was for sure going to fall out of bed ... or give his sister a black eye. And another that doesn't sleep well in strange places. I think Amelia was up from like 1:30-3:30am. I took a short stay at rocking her, but Billy stayed up the rest of the time until she finally went back to sleep.

The thought of taking 4 to a hotel is very daunting, b/c I don't believe we could actually really sleep! And after we did get the kids in bed at 8pm ... what were we supposed to do? We sat in the hall on the floor and talked. We maybe should have gotten a pool side room, so we could have had a deck off the room. Something to consider for next time.

Jack's Hat Hair

My little Jack is just getting so big! Here is a picture of him after coming inside -- you gotta love the stocking hat hair. He's really a sweet kid, but just recently has started calling names. The last two nights at the dinner table he had to be sent to the corner b/c the first night he called Billy & I "stupid" and then last night Billy was called a "loser." Where does he get these things?

On a better note, his preschool teacher pulled me aside yesterday to tell me how well he's been doing. Last fall was an adjustment for him (his first semester in preschool). But since break, he's been really great and they haven't had ANY problems with him. The other day at lunch he told me, "Mom, I didn't hit any of my friends at school today!" How exciting!!

Baby Countdown

Well, the baby is officially "full-term." Which means she could come whenever she's like to now. The other 3 kids all came on their original due dates, so I'm not expecting anything to happen for at least 2 weeks. Ellie is getting very anxious - and Jack does ask a couple times a week too. I'm in no hurry - as I still have 6 shows scheduled on the calendar (up to the 24th) and loads of other things I'd like to get done before #4 hits the seen.

I'm still feeling really good - most of my energy is still there. My back and hips (which are usually my problem areas) are holding up quite well. I'm sure the regular massage and chiropractor visits help. Plus, I've been trying to do some yoga here at the house. We are excited to be using hypno-birth again, as I did with Jack & Amelia. If you aren't familiar with it -- you should definitely check it out (if you plan to give birth, or know someone who is). It's a great experience, and drug free, which makes for even faster delivery & recovery.

We'll be sure to put the big announcement & pictures here when Baby Faubus arrives!

How good can it get?

Occasionally, the following situation happens, and I am just shocked and amazed -- and completely blessed!

On Tuesdays and Thursdays, our routine consists of Jack & Amelia going to LilyPad Learning Center for preschool and daycare in the morning. When they get home, Jack has lunch and I put Amelia down for her nap. Many days, Jack will ask, "Mom, are you going to work?" And I usually say yes, when you go down for your nap. But he wants me to go downstairs right away, so he can play upstairs on his own. I think he enjoys the quiet time with no sisters around!

Today, and some other times, he'll want to watch a cartoon. And I say that that's fine, but when it's over it's time to go lay down. I'll bop down to my office for a bit, and then plan to come up in about 30 minutes when the cartoon is over. Like most multi-tasking moms, I lose track of time and come up a little late. The times that I've done this, I find Jack has already put himself to bed!

He listened to what I said, and when the cartoon was over, he turned the tv off - and went to bed. Today, I said, "Why didn't you come get me? I would have come and tucked you in." He just smiles and snuggles in to rest. What a sweet boy. I kind of hope I get to have another one.