Early Birthday Party 2,3,&4{Gavin, Grayson & Logan}

We decided to have the boys' bday parties early this year with the impending birth of baby sister.  Since Gray has a bday right between the boys, Abby and I thought why not throw them all together?  What a success and so much better than trying to make it to 3 different parties in a month!  We had chips, sandwiches, watermelon, cake & ice cream!

We played in the water at the splash park, busted a pinata, open waaaaay too many gifts and had fun with friends.  It was hot, Hot, HOT but we managed to make the best of it.  We are so blessed to have such wonderful friends and family in our lives.  Thank you to everyone who came and made it a blessed day!  We will get to celebrate again on a much smaller scale on their actual birthdays...I am thinking dinner of their choice and birthday whoopins!  Kidding of course.

37 Weeks

Not sure if I really want to post this dumpy post but it's how I am feeling, and you always get me 'real.' I probably should have a picture...but I am exhausted and not feeling to picturesque tonight.  Steve is getting ready to leave town for work and I am trying not to dread what the next week will hold.  I don't mind being home alone with my boys....I mind being home alone, fat, pregnant, hurting from my stupid gall bladder and not able to do all the things with them that I want to know and that I know would keep them busy/distracted/worn out!

My doctors appointment went well today.  Blood pressure is good, finally gained some weight(have been struggling do to the gall bladder issues) and I am still 1cm dilated/70% effaced.  We are sitting right and praying for a few more weeks of good growing time!

It's hard to believe at this same time last year that Steve was gone in Junction City, just starting out his new business.  We have been immensely blessed in the past year.  I am trying hard to remember this as the next 1-2 weeks challenges my spirit and my patience.  This year, Daddy won't be missing the birthday party as he is coming home on Saturday just for that!  Truthfully, I don't know if I could do it without him.

While Daddy is gone, Mommy and Gavin are working on sleep training again.  Prayers for peace, patience, sleep and that baby sister will wait to make her appearance until Daddy's jobs out of town are all done would be greatly appreciated.

Daddy Fun

Oh my free spirited boys...how I love to watch you play!  I especially love watching Daddy make you laugh and giggle...

Gavin has been having some issues with his left eye for about a year now.  You can see it in the top picture, the pupil is drawn inward and not held in the middle of the eye.  Unlike the preemies I am used to working with, this is most likely not caused by a muscle issue at his age but rather a weakness in his vision.  We go Wednesday a.m. to see a pediatric ophthalmologist.  Daddy also leaves on Wednesday for work in Junction City.  He is coming back for the boys' party on Saturday.

Let's hope little Miss in Mama's belly behaves while Daddy is away!

Friends

Logan went down the street tonight for a playdate with Bella, Payton and Grayson...the girls don't love him at all!  I wish I could say he was worn out and ready for bed shortly after 10 when Abby brought him home.  However Daddy stayed up til almost 11 with him and he STILL was tired.  Oh the energy of a wee child...

35 Weeks {With #3}

Well we have made it just fine to 35 weeks!  Here are some sneak peeks from our maternity session.  I won't be able to share all of them probably until after little Miss is born as some include her name. :)

My doctors appt went well.  I have gained a total of 27 pounds.  My blood pressure was 128/72(probably the highest I have ever seen it!) but still within normal limits.  Big news for the week....baby girl is finally head down and in the ready to go position!  I was beginning to worried we might be considering a c-section if she stayed breech.  I am happy to announce we are back on track for a drug free birth!

I will see the doctor weekly now.  My GBS testing was done this week so we should have the results by my next appt.  We made the decision today that Steve will be leaving town at the end of the month for work.  I am hoping little Miss stays put til my due date and goes along with our plans!!!

Crazy Boys and a Pretty Little Girl

We needed a pic of the three crazy boys for their birthday party invites at the end of this month so our friends came over this evening to catch a quick one.  Of course Miss Payton needed a picture too.  While we couldn't catch a pic with them all looking at the camera, the above pic is pretty typical of their personalities and gives you a nice idea of their normal activity levels.  We are doing a hotwheels themed party and thought my dad's Mustang would be a great way to get all 3 of them in the same vicinity for the picture!

Frontier Western Celebration {2013}

We braved the 9o degree/85% humidity weather today to attend some of the Frontier Western Celebration festivities.  We used to have something called Prairie Port Festival the last weekend in July here in Eldorado that was AWESOME.  It was run by someone private though and the decided a few years back that they had had enough.  When no one from the city/chamber/or otherwise stepped up to take over, it went away.

So a few years ago, another family with funding from the refinery here in town started this festival.  It is much smaller than Prairie Port.  The parade this year downright STUNK.  There were maybe 2 floats(if you would call them that), some horses and a bunch of people riding around in old and modern cars.  This parade used to be fantastic.  They gave prizes away for the best floats, there were several bands/some with dancers, the Midians used to be in it.  If it hadn't been for all the candy, there is no way it would have held my kids' attention this year!

After the parade, we went to the "kids corral."  There was free admission to the oil museum all day long.  Several of the buildings on display in the museum were donated by my great aunt and uncle and I always enjoy looking at them.  There was a petting zoo and barrel train rides too.  Everyone was hot and tired by 12:45 when we were done!  It was a great day with our friends though...

Evening Smiles

 Cuddles with Daddy

Did everyone know that a pull-up doubles as the world's best tool belt?