Baby J - Update

I was planning on writing this when I was exactly 12 weeks along, the end of the first trimester, but it seems as the week has gotten away from me...

We had another doctor's appointment yesterday and a third ultrasound of the baby, whom I call "Baby J IV". Although it is too early to tell the sex of the baby (I'm only 12 1/2 weeks), we know that God has promised us a second son and we know that His promises ALWAYS come true. Even with the devastating ectopic experience in October, you can't let go of God's promises for you. They are so much sweeter when they come to pass. In fact, James 1 tells us how the testing of our faith produces perserverence, wisdom, and that we should consider it joy that our faith is actually being tested. Gold has to be refined in a fire to burn off the impurities to make it valuable. So the testing of our faith is.

Anyways, we took the kids to the ultrasound so they could "see" the baby. Josh thought this was the neatest thing in the world and loved hearing the heart beat. He said excitedly to the tech - "That's my baby brother in there! See, do you see him? He's waving at me!!" He knows that baby is a boy too. The ultrasound tech responded to him by saying: "You know, you can't tell what the baby is yet, but by the way it's moving, I bet you're right. We'll see in a couple more weeks..." The moment I saw this little one flipping around I knew - it moves just like Josh did. Not a moment's rest is in store for this little one as it somersaulted and turned several times during the 30 minute ultrasound.

As for me, I've actually had not many pg symptoms other than obviously being exhausted from entertaining three toddlers during the summer time. This is why we go outside a lot and play in the pool. It wears them out so that we can have "family nap time" :) I've included a picture of me that I took tonight in my bathing suit top (at the top). It's the only thing that you can actually tell that I am pg in. Most of my clothes still fit like normal and most people can't tell that I am pg yet, unless they know me. :)

Mother's Day - Better Late, Than Never...

I know it's a little past Mother's Day, but I thought that in catching up my readers on my blog life I would do it in order... So now we're almost at "real time" :)

Mother's Day 2010 was another day that had a bunch of blessings, but also held a bit of longing too. The family usually gets together at my dad's house for holiday's and Mother's Day was no different. I love the fact that we all make an effort to get together. These were some of my most treasured memories growing up - going to my grandma Lil's house and playing with my cousins. I remember my cousin Nick and I would come up with these elaborate skits to make Grandma and Grandpa laugh. It was so much fun.

I think that's where the longing comes on holidays. I not only miss not being able to go to my Grandma's house (she still lives in So. Cal), but I also don't get to see my mommy on holidays either. I am thankful though, that my mom and I still remain close across the miles. We talk almost everyday and she is very involved with my kids' lives too. I talk to my Grandma too quite often, but nothing is better than actually SEEING them face to face every once in a while. Maybe I should conduct a fundraiser to raise money for our family to vacation out there for a couple weeks..... hmmm...

Anyways, at my dad's house this year me and my sister, Vanessa honor my step-mom, Sherrie on Mother's Day. We love that all the grandkids are all within a few months of each other so they play REALLY well together. After hanging out a while and kids taking naps, we decided that a trip to the pool was needed. :)

Vanessa's husband, CJ was going to ride the bike and take Josh and Jenna in the bike trailer while Nessa, Sherrie and I walked pushing the other three girls in the strollers.
This is how it "started" out.... Jenna liked the idea of riding in the bike trailer, but when CJ started riding you heard Josh yelling "Faster!! Faster Uncle CJ!!" And you heard Jenna crying and saying "out...out...Jenna want out..." So we switched Jenna and Caitlyn. You could hear Jenna and Caitlyn (who will be 2 next month) squealing with delight the whole way to the pool and encouraging CJ to ride faster. It was too cute.

Since Caitlyn was in the bike trailer, and Lindi & Julianna were both occupying the stroller seats, we placed Jenna on top and she liked riding with Auntie Nessa as we walked to the pool.

While at the pool all the "big kids" went swimming despite the pool being a bit chilly and the weather not being sunny yet. The "little kids" (Lindi & Julianna) didn't really care to go swimming but rather enjoyed "talking to one another" in the strollers that were parked not far from the pool. It's so neat to see their little language they use to communicate.

Josh was so excited to show his Auntie Nessa how he could swim with out any help. Here he is after jumping in and swimming to her all by himself:

Here's a picture of Vaness guiding the kids into the pool. You have Jenna, Caitlyn and Josh all excited about going swimming for the first time this summer season.

Since the water and weather didn't cooperate too well, the kids got cold and were ready to go back home not long after arriving at the pool. To give them a chance to "swim", Sherrie had a great idea: she filled her bathtub up with warm water and bubbles and let the kids get in with their swimmies on and go swimming in the bathroom. They LOVED it!!!

And of course there's our little daredevil who lets his uncle CJ do all these "fun and daring" tricks. CJ was a cheerleader in highschool, so he was showing Josh how he can stand and "cheer". Josh thought that was pretty fun to be held up just by his feet. He actually did pretty good too staying straight like a board to hold his balance. Good for sports...

Little Singer...

With Jason and I both coming from musical backgrounds - he sang in highschool, as did I. I also played the piano and flute for a number of years, its really no surprise that our kids love music. Joshua is our drummer and guitarist while Jenna is his leading vocalist. Right now Julianna is a background dancer, but I am sure she will find her place as she grows.

When driving a long distance. By long, I mean an hour or more, we keep the kids entertained by letting them listen to "VeggieTales - Sunday Morning Songs". It's a collection of songs that the kids like and have learned to sing a long to. I snapped this video of Jenna singing to the last song. She was trying to avoid falling asleep, but it's just too cute to hear her always trying to figure out the words to songs, even in movies...

Welcome Summer!

With summer time here now, the kids are anxious to get outside. Especially Josh and Jenna. As they grow, we see more of a servant's heart in them. Joshua loves to help his daddy and do everything "the way daddy does it". Jenna sticks close to me. It really makes Jason and I aware though how we raise our kids. We want to intill values in them that will teach them life lessons, but at the same time not get them stuck in "traditional roles". We also try to show our kids that we don't do chores because "we have to", but because mommy and daddy love each other and love our kids. We do these things around the house to make everyone happy and do them as unto the Lord.

It's made a big difference. Joshua helps mow the lawn with Jason and Jenna helps me sweep the kitchen. Both kids also help unload "unbreakable" items from the dishwasher and hand them to me to put them away. They both help Jason pull weeds in the front yard. And when we're all done, they help mommy and daddy get them wet with the hose :)

Below are some pictures of Josh and his first time helping Jason mow the backyard. He was SO excited he couldn't wait to get out there! He commented, "Dad, I want you to help me mow the back yard."

And Jenna sweeping for me...
One of the other chores the kids have wanted to do is take on more responsibility with the puppies. Each morning the doggies get fed and the kids like counting the scoops of dog food and put each dog's bowl down for them before school. Here's Josh getting Pepper's food ready for him...

and Jenna getting Ginger's food ready for her...

Summer has a lot of fun things in store for our little family... Looks like a great time ahead!