Laura Grace and Layton were sick all weekend, so that meant a lazy weekend at home. Well...it should have meant a lazy weekend at home.

To ME, it meant more time to clean out closets, drawers, and scrub pretty much any surface that wasn't moving. To Clay's great exasperation I scrubbed until I was a gasping, moaning, rather pitiful excuse of a human being.

Being nine months pregnant is hard. Note to self: When baby fever hits again, remember that at this point not even your maternity clothes cover the torpedo shaped belly.

I then laid awake both nights, feeling Will hiccup and attempt to move. He has no room and if I can guess from his rather frantic movements, he doesn't like it.

So....anyway. I am exhausted. And we have a busy week. Layton has soccer two nights this week, Laura Grace has dance. Then there is church and homework. Oh, and I just remembered I am subbing two days this week at the preschool. Why did I agree to that?

Oh, yeah. I'm insane.

36 Weeks!

I had my 36 week checkup last Thursday. As of then, Will is measuring at 38 weeks. He has consistently measured two weeks ahead-the dr. said he could be a big baby OR I am simply two weeks further along than my dates. The dr. thinks he is about 6 1/2 pounds and is estimating he will be 7-8 pounds when he is born. He feels that big now!

Overall, everything looked great. I am so blessed to have had an easy pregnancy and a healthy baby. God is good!

Nerves

I don't know why it makes me sad that our family is changing. It is a joyful change and a welcome one. It is a change that I will never regret, nor want to reverse. However, a sense of grief always settles on me when I think about the fact that our family of four will never be the same.

Sitting at the table tonight, looking at the sweet faces of my children, I wondered what it would feel like to have another piece of my heart outside of my body. I know logically that I will not love my children any less. My heart will stretch to accomodate another tiny person and as that person grows, so will my love and appreciation for them. But it is overwhelming, the knowledge that I will have yet another life to care for. I will have more scraped knees and hurt feelings to comfort. I will have another child calling me "mommy" and needing me more than anyone else. I will have another child that I will love more than my own life. I worry about the hurt feelings, the jealousy, and the anxiety that Laura Grace and Layton may feel. I worry that they will think I love them less or not as much as I meet the demands of a newborn.

At the same time, I also have to think about the fact that Laura Grace and Layton are getting a gift. They are getting another sibling to love. Another person to play with, fight with, and grow old with. This new baby will be their family, and family is a precious thing.

Will's Crib and Artwork

The crib is finally ready!

My friend, Jenny, painted the canvas for me. She does not usually paint children's prints-she is a literal artist that makes a living painting and selling her incredible pieces. However, she wanted to do something special for Layton and Will.

Both boys have a canvas with the verse that I have claimed for them. When they share a room the canvases will hang over their bed/crib. Right now, Layton's is hanging above his bed and Will's will hang above his crib in our room.

Jeremiah 29:11 is a verse that means a lot to me and one that I heard over and over when I was pregnant with Layton. When I read it or hear it, I think of my sweet boy.

I found out I was pregnant on the Saturday night before Right to Life Sunday. We studied this verse in Sunday School that morning. As I was sitting there, knowing I was pregnant, it sunk in that while that precious baby was unplanned by US, he was not by God.

Naptime Rebellion

Layton has decided he is "too busy" for naps. That was yesterday's excuse.

The day before, he declared that his room "didn't want him in there anymore".

I very calmly have told him both days that his mommy will lose her mind if he does not let me take a nap.

He thinks that is hilarious and has told everyone that he has seen. Sadly, that includes many people at church.

There is something in the water...

I opened my garage door this morning, looked down, and saw that my cat had very kindly birthed her kittens on our garage floor. Right in front of the door.

These kittens are all black (I think) and will be ready to find new homes around Halloween. No one but Satan worshippers want black cats around Halloween.

Oh, the joys of pet ownership.

Why did we not get her spayed after the LAST batch of unwanted kittens? We were told to wait until the kitten was weaned. Well, the only kitten that survived is STILL nursing. Granted, it is like three or four months old but I just figured they were not ready yet. Who am I do dictate kitten weaning?

I am going to be doing more dictating. Like in six weeks all females are getting spayed. I don't care if they feel comfortable with shortened breastfeeding or not!! The kittens are then going to find country homes-fortunately Clay's grandmother lives out in the country and has a shed she says they will have lots of fun mousing in. Thankfully, she is not superstitious.

Yes...

I am alive.

I am just very pregnant.

Very pregnant= nearly murdering everyone in my path, saying outrageously irritable things, and thinking uncharitable thoughts.

I am thinking Eve was pregnant when she ate the apple.

Irrational does not quite describe my mood at this point.

First Day of First Grade!!!

Laura Grace had a great first day of school! She didn't have to be at school until 9 am, so her daddy fixed her a big breakfast (grits and eggs). It was nice for our first morning to be low key and not rushed!

When I picked her up she told me that first grade is better than Kindergarten because they get to have P.E. and will write in a journal every day! She has gotten SO big. I was thrilled that she wanted pig tails this morning because I think they make her look younger. I am hopeless. I am having visions of holding on to her wedding dress on day, sobbing, as she is walking down the aisle. HA!

Happy Birthday, Laura Grace!!

Laura Grace had a princess tea party this morning for her sixth birthday. I decorated the house with girly items and princess paraphernalia. The girls had a wonderful time dressing up and spending time together.

This cake was designed by Laura Grace. She drew a picture and my friend, Jenny, made the cake for her. It was delicious!

Every little girl received a tiara, feather boa, several bracelets and other princess jewelry. I put them in little purses at their seats. The girls wore them during a princess fashion show :)

My beautiful princess.

I did the girl's makeup and Laura Grace's aunt Barbara painted nails. While the girls were waiting to have their nails or makeup done they made necklaces and bracelets with beads. I was amazed at how polite and sweet everyone was!

Laura Grace and her best friends. Well, some of them! Three of her "bestest" friends were out of town. I thought this was a perfect number!

Blowing out the candles! The girls had tea sandwiches cut into shapes, gummy bears, M&M's, cheese puff corn, and blueberries during the tea party. The cake was chocolate and they could choose from chocolate ice cream, strawberry ice cream, or orange sherbet.

Opening presents...Laura Grace got a tea set and her Little Mermaid costume from Clay and I. Her friends gave her several Barbie dolls and other misc. girly gifts. Laura Grace was thrilled!

Laura Grace and some of her party guests. The big pillow was a birthday gift!


I can't believe my little girl is six years old now!!