You're A Gymnast!

The other day Ava was standing in her highchair posing this way and that and kept saying, "Look mommy! Look Bella!" I said, "Ava, you're a gymnast!" and she said, "No. I a giwl (girl)!" Ha. Anyway, the girls actually started gymnastics at the Y this past Saturday- Ava for the first time and Bella for the second. They both loved it. Ava is in the parent/child class so Randy is doing the honors and Bella is actually in a tumbling class and they worked them hard!

Easter 2014

Well, to start out the Easter weekend and to end Spring Break, I got the stomach bug. Again. Third time this pregnancy! and before that, it had been almost ten years. Anyway, we had to improvise and change plans but overall I think the girls enjoyed the weekend. Randy took them to my grandmothers for a little visit on Saturday and then we went back over Sunday to watch some trees being cut down. That evening we went to the North Harbor Club (where Randy and I had our rehearsal dinner) with his parents. After having the stomach bug, I did not need to eat that rich, delicious food- especially buffet style! I managed to smile for a picture but felt awful. The girls were adorable in their matching dresses and they manage to have fun anywhere we go, thankfully. We actually got a really sweet compliment about their behavior in the restaurant that evening- proud mama.

36 weeks 4 days

I know I have other things to post about but for now, just a quick update on Porter. I went for my routine visit on Thursday and was 2 cm, he is head down and all of that. At this point, it could happen at anytime, but with so many things up in the air, I don't even know what I prefer anymore!! I am officially full term (37 weeks) this Friday but they have no concerns if he comes before. I have my last class of the semester the weekend of May 2nd but at this point, I am not sure he will hang on that long. Either way, trusting the Lord and trying not to complain and be too much of a damper for Randy's sake. He has been amazing with juggling all that he has to do with my being pregnant and being in school and completing an internship (not to mention his own job and coaching).

Until then, we are all carrying on like normal and trying to have as much in place as possible...

The Nursery...

is complete! I finished it Friday and it feels great to have that done and even some clothes and blankets washed and ready to go.

I knew I wanted some orange and then I decided I wanted navy and orange both to be the primary colors. I also wanted a nautical theme but decided to try not to go overboard- no pun intended. I really wanted a large map in there but I couldn't quite get what I wanted, though I ended up incorporating some maps in the letters above Porter's crib. I just modge-podged parts of NC, SC and NY that Randy and I were either from, lived or visited. Anyway, I had had the anchors for years and never thought I would have a boy but now that we know, they were great for the room. A friend gave us the dresser/changing table and I just painted the knobs. We had most everything but the bedding which I got from Target.com, the rug which my mother in law picked up for us and the little sporty table my mom picked up for us at Goodwill. I got the curtains as a gift as well. I got a couple of the frames and hangings at Goodwill for a dollar or two and then got the two pieces of wallart from Target on super clearance just the other day.



And last but not least, here is my view at 35 weeks. (And all I felt like doing after Bella's party!)

Bella's 5th Birthday Party

I cannot believe she is five already. I remember just the other day blogging during pregnancy and waiting on her to join us. She truly amazes me everyday with her sweet heart and curiosity. We had 18 kids at our house for the party! One of the things we really looked forward to moving into our new house was having room to have parties, plus we really wanted to have a yard to work in and play in and have space for the kids to enjoy the outdoors. This was the perfect time of year to have an outdoor party and lets be honest, I am not going to invite 18 kiddos INto my house :) Anyway, she wanted a My Little Pony party and I wanted simple so I just served cupcakes and drinks and decided on a few themed games to have for them. The first we called "The Rainbow Dash" and each child got to choose a stick pony I made from a pool noodle and "dash" or race the others and jump hurdles. The other two were a bean bag toss and "Apple Jack's Apple Bobbing." I think they enjoyed it. After the party got going we had a special surprise planned for Bella. Randy and I kept it to ourselves until she drove up- the pony lady! She brought three- one was just back up, one was for petting and brushing and the other was for riding. All the kids got to ride and then Bella got an additional "trail" ride around the neighborhood at the end. After that we did cupcakes and I had her do presents after everyone left for the sake of time and craziness. She got a lot of crafty things to do, books, princess stuff, shoes, money, clothes, movies, an alarm clock, a child-size wheel barrel- you name it. She is one happy girl and really pacing herself, surprisingly, at opening the packages. She spent all of last night with one specific toy and today on a color by number book. It was a success.



Tomorrow is her real birthday and I think we will spend some time at a park, getting ice cream, plus her and I are going to pedis and possibly go to the movies together. She is a fun little girl to be with and always so thankful for everything.

Fruits of Our Labor

This past week Bella picked a tiny strawberry from the garden. So far, that is all we have but I had the honor of trying it and it was delicious!



Also, a few updated pictures of the garden and yard. The first one is the birdie who has made her new home on the girls' window sill.

Celebrating Porter!

It has been AMAZING to have so many people blessing us with stuff for Porter! Between friends' hand-me-downs and a sweet little shower on Saturday, I think we are going to be just fine.

Saturday my friends, Jennifer and Carey, threw a shower for Porter and the food was so good plus getting to see all of my girls at the same time is rare but such a blessing. Porter got a lot of cute little outfits to wear plus some diapers, bottles, shoes and some other practical things for us to use. It really got me excited about welcoming this little bean in a few short weeks!

Busy Bees

This past weekend, other than the shower, we had lots of other stuff going on and it was a lot of fun. Randy did some yard work and pressure washed the deck and stained it too- preping for Bella's 5th birthday party next Saturday!! That's right, five!! Ca-razy. When I got home from the shower, I took Bella to a sibling tour at the hospital. They got to practice holding babies and changing diapers and she loved every minute of it. They also showed us around and let us get familiar with the maternity ward.



Sunday we went to church and then had a picnic afterwards. It was a little chilly but always fun to hang out with fellow church members and eat! After that we ran home for quick naps and headed to my aunts to celebrate Easter! We always have a lunch or dinner and an egg hunt at some point near Easter- the girls love it. We also got to sneak in a quick visit with friends while in the area. They had some boy stuff for us and it was so nice to be able to chat for a bit and let the kids play.

Funny Stuff

Some funny things Bella has said lately- I need to document!

Bella asked me today if I knew how much the baby weighed and I said no but then she started pointing to my belly and said, "Aww...look- I see his little foot. I see his little big toe sticking out!" It was my belly button. I know, gross.

Gearing up for a birthday party and I asked Bella what the little girl liked- she said, "Taking things from people... and picking her nose." To which i said, "Oh. Um, so are y'all friends? Do you want to go to the party?"

Ava dropped her snack and Bella says, "Let me get it for you, your highness!" and these past few days she has been telling me, "Yes Mommy. Your wish is my command!" What a sweetie!!