Why would you say that?

I'm sure that anyone who is or has been pregnant before can relate to my experience with this question. It is amazing what people will say to you when you are pregnant concerning the size of you and/or your stomach. I'm sure most people think nothing of it when they make the observations or ask the questions that they do, but honestly, it just blows me away sometimes. Here are some of the interesting comments/questions/conversations I have had to endure.

random person: "when are your babies due?"
me: "it's just one baby...thanks."

random person: "when was your due date?"
me: "i still have 2 more months to go."

random person: "i just had to come up and tell you that I think you look so beautiful pregnant."
me: "thank you very much (silently thinking...finally a nice random person)"
random person: "but i do have to say that i have never seen anyone as big as you"
me: "well, i only have a few more weeks"
random person: "no, really. i've never seen anyone as big as you. are you sure you're not having twins?"
me: "pretty sure"

random person that i see every week: "so you're still hangin' on?"
me: "yeah (but thinking...wow, i'm only 6 months pregnant and she thinks i'm about to go into labor)"

random person to his wife: "look at that lady who just walked in! she's huge! do you see how big that woman is?"
me: ok, i didn't say anything. but i wanted to turn to him and say "do you think i can't hear you?"

But I think perhaps the one that takes the cake occurred just last night when we went out to dinner. The waitress was leading Brad and Jackson to the table as I made a bee line for the rest room as usual.

random waitress: "is this booth ok?"
Brad: "yeah it should be fine...why?"
random waitress: "are you sure your wife is going to be able to fit?"

So to all my pregnant friends out there....be big and be proud. You're beautiful!

Mmmmmmmm.....

Ok, so I don't know if this is a sign, but here is a list of the things that for some reason I just felt had to be done tonight after Jackson went to bed:

-clean out the refrigerator and pantry
-totally wipe down and disinfect the inside of the frig
-organize and box up all of my CDs that I no longer use
-wipe down the entire outer surface of both the washer and dryer
-wash, dry and fold any item of dirty clothing, towel, or sheet that I could find in the house
-organize the cat food by flavor
-make the longest grocery list I think I've ever made
-write, address, and stamp all of my mother's day cards and birthday cards for the month of May (FYI...that's 26 cards)
-replace all the batteries in Jackson's toys
-transfer all my extra light bulbs and batteries to their own little storage boxes where they would be nice and neat
-and if it weren't dark, I would have hosed down and cleaned all of Jackson's outdoor sand toys to get them ready for our beach trip in June (I will be doing that tomorrow)

NESTING??????

Luke's arrival

Much like his brother, Luke has not indicated that he plans to join us on the outside without a little encouragement. So as of now, I am scheduled to be induced on his due date, Tuesday, April 29th. Like with Jackson, I will be admitted on Monday evening if a bed is available and we'll get things started first thing Tuesday morning. Jackson was born by 1pm, so hopefully Luke's arrival will be the same if not sooner. I can't promise that we will have a post on that day, but hopefully by Wednesday. Thanks for all your prayers and keep them coming for a safe and easy delivery, and that Jackson will welcome his brother with open arms!

What's wrong?

"What's wrong?" This is the question I think I have been asked the most today. And my response 9 times out of 10 has been a very tearful (and hard to understand) "I don't know."
It has been quite a hectic past 24 hours for our family. Jackson and I were both up all night last night. And when I say all night, it's not just me saying that to imply that we were up most of the time. Jackson slept from 11-2 and that was it. Mommy, on the other hand, did not sleep AT ALL. After a very hectic morning, lots of tears, and trips to both doctors (Mommy's and Jackson's), here's what we have come away with.
1) Mommy is making absolutely no progress in the giving birth department and little Luke is just going to hang on until I decide to make him join this world. This is really a blessing in disguise because there is no way I have the mental or physical energy to birth a child at this point.
2) Jackson has a nasty virus which has caused a raging ear infection and very yucky and painful throat.
I have never seen my child so helpless, so tired, in so much pain, and so desperate for his mommy to "make it better". I realized that my crying only caused his to be worse, but there was nothing I could do to stop it.
No sleep + 9 months pregnant + my helpless sick little angel = the most heart wrenching feeling ever.
We are doing much better now after a long nap, an assortment of medicine, and singing more rounds of Jesus Loves Me than I can count. All Jackson wanted during all of this was the song Jesus Loves Me. Whether it was playing it in the car over and over again or singing it to him, that was what brought him comfort. As my mom said, how precious and sweet, that at only 2 years old, he can already find comfort and peace in his Lord and Savior. I knew I had totally lost it when I was putting him down for a 'nap' after finally getting home from the doctor. After being up all night, crying, and some lovely hydrocodone, he was so tired he couldn't open his eyes. But he asked me to sing Jesus Loves Me all the same before I left the room. He lay there and mouthed some of the words along with me as tears were just streaming down my face.

When I finished, my sweet little boy said through closed eyes in his tiny little voice..."Good job, Mommy. Good job."

So thankful

I have so much to be thankful for. Each day brings new reasons to give thanks, and even in the rough spots, I can always find something to be thankful for. I am truly blessed...my cup, and especially my heart, are overflowing. "God is love." 1 John 4:16

Strawberry Patch

Today we visited a local strawberry farm with our friends to pick some strawberries. Since strawberries are one of Jackson's favorite fruits, this was a big hit. We spent the morning picking strawberries, playing on the tractors, and visiting the various animals on the farm. Then we had a nice picnic lunch and enjoyed some strawberry ice cream. We had a really nice time with our friends, and it was a much needed outing...I only hope Mommy doesn't go into labor from all of the bending and squatting!

Mommy and Jackson in the strawberry field

One of many for my bucket

Picking a strawberry

A very funny conversation between 2 year olds about how BIG the tractor was

Does anyone know who we're supposed to be looking at?

Sitting in the big tractor tire

Sports balls and choo choo trains

Back in February, we transitioned Jackson to his big boy bed in preparation for Luke's arrival and need of the crib. I have to admit that I underestimated my little boy, and he went to his new bed with no problems. In fact, Mommy and Daddy may be the only ones having issues with their 'baby' sleeping in a big bed. So Jackson remained in his room, but it was transformed from an animal theme to a sports paradise. And for little Luke, we decided to use a train motif. Here are some pictures of our boys' new rooms.

Jackson's sports themed room

His 'big boy bed'

What Jackson calls 'Teddy's big boy bed'Luke's nursery
Luke's crib and train decoration

Another view of Luke's room