DC, NYC and some random catching up

I think I've gotten so far behind that I have just continued to put this off.... so.... I'm going to make this largely a picture blog with some narration here and there... But I really do want to share our trip with everyone. It was truly awesome and one I will never forget!

Our time in DC was a short one. We had a little more than 24 hours to cram in as much sight seeing as possible, so we spent a lot of our time around the Capital Mall and we also went to the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. It was so much walking and I was totally worn out the next day, but it was so worth it! Since you all know what the buildings look like, I'll just include a few landmark type pictures. I had been super excited about seeing the apple blossoms around the area, but we missed them by a week or two. We did get to see some gorgeous ones in NYC though!



The WWII Memorial:














On Thursday morning, we drove to NYC where we picked up our friends Joey and Natalie, and headed to the loft where we were staying. It was truly amazing. The loft was gorgeous and state of the art. It was very contemporary in it's decorating. We were right in the middle of Time Square next door to the M&M factory store and across the street from the Hershey's store. It's still overwhelming!

The view from our balcony:




Taking in the city... It didn't seem to matter what time of day it was, there were people EVERYWHERE! You know this before you go, but it's so odd to see in person...




The guys had flowers delivered to the loft for Natalie and I. It was such a sweet surprise.


Our first night there, we didn't have dinner plans, and just kind of walked around looking for pizza. This hole in the wall was recommended, and was really good, but we were pretty scared to see what might be behind this door. It was just kind of gross feeling as restaurants go...


The view from the roof access of our building (How cool is that!!??)




The next day, the guys had set up pedicures and massages for Natalie and I at this awesome day spa called Cornelia's. It was SO nice! Then we got ready and met the guys for lunch at a deli before heading to Soho for a little shopping. We went to Century 21 that day. It was so overwhelming, but I did find a cute purse there. And of course we checked out the Statue of Liberty:




And Ellis Island:


Then we headed down to Little Italy and had dinner at this great Italian restaurant.

On Saturday, we headed to Central Park. So cool!






hahahaha!


I LOVE this pic of Joey & Natalie. It's how I see them when I think of them...


Then we had lunch at the famed Serendipity III. It was SO good! It definitely lived up to my hopes! :) Obviously, Natalie and I were much more excited about this prospect than the guys were...


We took it easy Saturday afternoon, but that evening we got all dolled up and had dinner at a place called GILT. It definitely makes you feel a little guilt by the awesomeness of the food and the steepness of the cost, but it was SO worth it, and we all agreed it was a once in a lifetime opportunity. It was in an old mansion across from St Patrick's Cathedral. I WISH we had brought our camera but we decided not to bring it along when we were all dressed up... I know... in hindsight, what were we thinking???? Anyway, dinner was probably the most amazing dining experience I've ever had, and was one of those places where each patron has their own waiter and there is a butler who explains each course, and before you've even decided you're heading to the ladies room, someone is helping you with your chair. Truly amazing.

After dinner, Joey was feeling pretty worn out, so he rested while Natalie, Cary and I headed down to Rockefeller Center to see the lights and everything. I'm so glad we did, because it was truly gorgeous!




Sunday, we shopped at H&M which may very well be my new favorite store. I so wish that they had an website you could shop on...but rumor has it that Denver may be getting an H&M store in 2009. I'm keeping my fingers crossed. While Natalie and I were taking our time, Cary went to snap a few pics of St Patrick's...


And then we headed to Rockefeller Center to have lunch and take a few last pics before Cary and I had to head to the airport.






It was such an awesome, once in a lifetime trip. We were so excited to get home to the boys, but it really was sad to leave!


During the week that we were gone, the boys seemed to have grown up so much. It always seems like this, but here were some fun things that happened our first week home...
Caden discovered that if he climbed on his toys, he could see out our front windows...


Carson discovered that he could lower himself into our smaller window well to get his ball...he also discovered that he could NOT get himself out... Cary and I laughed SO hard! And then we told him to NEVER EVER do that again. :)


We had our first day warm enough for sprinklers. Carson loved it.




Caden wanted to love it.




But he didn't.




Carson was a little concerned...


And Caden was still mad about the cold sprinkler water.


Just so you know...all of the sprinkler shots were shot over a total of about 2 minutes. I know...mean mommy...but I just couldn't help myself! :)

First things first... the big ultrasound

I know I have been really bad about updating. Not to worry though, all is well, I've just been WORN OUT since our wonderful, awesome trip to DC and NYC. I'm feeling mostly recovered finally so I promise to update on our trip shortly, but I wanted to update you all on our littlest babe. Cary and I had our ultrasound on Thursday. It was great to see the baby and everything looks great. Our technician was very by the book and clinical and all about her business, so I have several questions for my OB once he is able to see the shots from our ultrasound, but it really was great to see the baby moving and the strong heartbeat and all of it's body parts. Unfortunately one of the policies evidently, although it has not been a problem in the past is that they (meaning this technician) don't print pictures of the "goods" so I have none to show but the baby was NOT shy in showing them off. Here are the pictures we did get. The only thing I think so far is that the baby has Cary's chin possibly. Okay... I have to create some suspense here so pictures first... :)



And finally...the news many have been waiting for...


our third baby...


is a BOY!!

3 boys! We're quite excited, and our house should be lots of fun, and although we are sure to have a crazy household, I also am thankful that we will have three gentlemen who will be taught how to live for our Lord and who will impact this world in ways I can only imagine.

Carson, thankfully, was very excited about having "3 brudders." Now we just have to come up with a name... The wheels are turning and we will most likely stick with the hard C initial for the first name....but we're definitely still in the beginning stages of this name game. I am just feeling so blessed that God has entrusted us with these sweet boys.

On a different note... I want to say a huge congratulations to Cary's sister Emily and her fiance Shawn (I hope I spelled his name right...). They became engaged this weekend. We are so excited for you both!!

31 Hours and Counting

So the flu bug was rough... Carson wasn't better until Wednesday. He ran high fevers every day and was just miserable in general. (It's him in the picture from the previous post by the way.) Caden was healthy this last week for the most part, which was a blessing, but I got the dreaded flu bug on Tuesday, and didn't feel one ounce better until almost 11 on Thursday night and that was only after drinking a chocolate milkshake - which was the only thing I wanted and kept down in 4 days. At least it tasted good! :) Friday was the dawn of a whole new day! I began my long list of things that needed accomplished before our much awaited trip. The list was long enough to fill the entire last week, but in just a few healthy days, I've made great progress. The boys and I joined my cousin Alex and our friend Jamie for lunch at Tea Leaves - a most wonderful place, and I was able to complete several errands including picking up my maternity snoogle pillow. Just for future reference for all you gals...I don't know how I ever slept pregnant without it! It is SO comfy, and I don't get hot, and when I wake up, I'm not sore! It's a miracle thing, truly. Anyway, I'm on the short end of my list of things to do today. Cary and I leave tomorrow evening, and I'm so excited I can hardly sit still! I'm so thankful to my grandparents who are coming up to keep the boys during the week, and to my parents who will have them on the weekend. This trip wouldn't be the same otherwise! For Cary and I, it is the first non-church related trip without the kiddos ever. I'm sure I will have TONS of pictures and a recap from our trip. We'll be in DC Tuesday and Wednesday. The apple blossoms are out, and I can't wait to take pictures of them! Then we'll drive up to NYC Thursday morning and will be there until Sunday night. Can't wait to share our many stories, and I may just have to do so along the way so I don't leave anything to important out. Have a wonderful week everyone!!

Sickies at our house

Our poor boys... Caden had the stomach flu on Friday, was better Saturday and was sick again Sunday night. We were at my cousins Senior Vocal Recital. We had just gotten their when he lost lunch and dinner all over me. So I washed up as well as I could and we endured. He was happy as can be, or we would have gone home right then and there. I shouldn't have been surprised though because he got sick on me every time he threw up on Friday. At least then we were at home and I could change. I think Sunday night was a fluke though, because he's been great since that one moment. He slept nearly the whole day away, which I think is great for him. At least he could sleep through the miserableness of it. Carson got the nasty bug today, and has been miserable for most of the day. Poor baby. He still doesn't want to eat anything, but is happily eating a pedialite popsicle. He seems a little more active this evening, so hopefully we're on the end of it and no one else in our home will get it. I've been puked on enough for the year. ;)

Pictures of the boys... 3 years and 1 year

Here is our first attempt at professional (meaning enlargeable and frameable) pictures of the boys. Enjoy!

16 Weeks & Happy Anniversary

Today marks 16 weeks for this pregnancy and Cary's and my 5th anniversary. I am normally very smart and have a pretty good memory, but pregnancy does me in. I have to admit on here as I did to Cary that until yesterday, I had forgotten completely that our anniversary was this week. I didn't forget the date, just that the date was upon us. Thankfully I remembered in time, and my wonderful husband has had a plan for our celebration up his sleeve for some time now. Our big celebration will come later this month when we are heading to New York City and staying on Time Square. I am OH SO EXCITED!!! I can hardly stand it! :) Today we took the boys out to a local park here and took some professional style pictures of them for their 1st and 3rd birthdays. I think they turned out really well, and once I get a few of them cropped a bit, I'll post them on here. Then we went to the outlet malls to hang out a bit, and I got a super cute dress and some other fun maternity items. Yay! Cary got some things too, and the boys got whistle suckers, which they were super excited about. :) The little things...

The babe is doing good. I had an appointment this week. I'm measuring for 17 weeks, which my doc said is right on for this being my 3rd time around, and the babies heartbeat was 150, which it has been at every visit so far. My next appointment is on May 1st, and it's the big ultrasound. Woo-hoo!! :) You know I'll be posting on that one. :) I'm feeling good and can tell by how I feel now that I am truly in the second trimester, although last week was a doozy for feeling crummy. Here are some belly shots to document 4 months... thankfully I feel bigger than I look and not the other way around. :)





Happy 5th Anniversary, Cary!! I love you so, and don't know what I would do without you - especially through these last few months. I am so thankful to have you in my life!!

Easter '08 Update

I've been a little behind on this update. I had been really feeling pretty good, but this week morning sickness is back with a vengence, and I'm even throwing up more often. Yay for me! The babe is doing well though, and had a strong heartbeat at our last check up, so for that I'm thankful...

We've been doing well here otherwise. Easter was a week long event for us. The weekend before Easter, our church hosted a community Easter Egg hunt that was huge. The boys had a great time, and it was a good warm up for Caden, who had no trouble grasping the idea that the eggs go in the basket. It was a super cold morning, but the sun was out, which was better than last year. It was a great day!







Carson was so patient waiting until the hunt began...


Caden enjoying the park after the egg hunt:


Then we spent our Wednesday morning coloring Easter Eggs. It was the first time I attempted this with Carson, and he did great!

Coloring eggs:




Waiting:


Stickers:


The finished product:


Easter Sunday, I went to put the boys outfits on them and get them ready for church, and the security tag was still on Carson's shirt. Ugghhh. So I had super cute coordinating outfits (not matching) for them to wear, and only Caden got to wear his. They looked cute anyway, but were NOT interested in posing for pictures before church. Too much excitement for what lay ahead I suppose...





Easter baskets...






Carson trying on his Buddy (from Toy Story) costume that he got from my parents:


Hunting for eggs after lunch:








It was a wonderful holiday and it was so much fun to talk about what Jesus did for us with Carson, because he's starting to retain stuff like this, although I know he doesn't grasp it yet...

In other news, Caden got his 8th (bottom right) tooth a few weeks ago and is working on his top first year molars, which is making for lots of wet shirts and a never-ending stream of snot. At his 1 year check up last Friday, he weighed 20 lbs., 5 oz. and was 31 inches long/tall. He's healthy as can be! Carson was also in at that appointment and at 2 years, 10 months, he is weighing 28 lbs., 1.6 oz. They didn't measure his height, but he is about a head taller than Caden when the stand together. Oh, and as you can see, we did get Carson's hair chopped. He calls this his "drummer hair" and often says that he's a "cool dude."

Yay for energy!!

My energy seems to be returning, and I am so excited! I know the boys are too. We have barely left the house for anything not required of us in weeks. Yesterday (the first day I felt more like myself) I took apart my whole kitchen, scoured everything and mopped the floor, did laundry, and gave myself a pedicure, all while playing with the kids and hanging out with them. Today, I was feeling good again, so we ventured out to Sir Bouncealots. It was Caden's first trip, and the boys both had a blast!

Watch this, Mama!


Caden's "camera" smile:

12 Weeks, 2 Days

I'm ready to look pregnant and not like I hung out at a buffet too long. Soon and very soon, I suppose...

Things they do

Carson speaks quite proficiently now. He has for quite some time, and I always smile at how he wants to speak so correctly. For example, if you ask him if he needs to go to the restroom, and he doesn't, he responds with, "No, I do not." many of the baby things in his speech have gone away now. *tear* Macha milk is now chocolate milk. He still has a few things that he says in his own way, and I love them, so I wanted to make note... He is constantly saying, "Mama, I need to throw this in the crash tan." Also, when you ask him what he is doing, he responds with, "anything." Well said, Cars...well said.

Right now, Caden is sitting on the top step of Carson's "pedal bike" while Carson rides it around the house.


Caden understands so many things now. I'm amazed at how much he knows. A minute ago, I told him to get on Carson's bike, and he walked over and climbed on up. He isn't speaking too much. He babbles, and has a few words that are still totally baby talk...da-da, ma-ma, buh-buh, da-dee (doggy), but the one that gets me is that he says thank you. I'm not even kidding! He likes to hand things back and forth. He'll hand me something and I'll tell him thank you, and then I'll give it back, and he'll say dank-dou. It's always in context, and he'll do it over and over. He also has a book about the wheels on the bus, and he is constantly bringing it to me to read to him. If you say "praise the Lord" he sticks both hands straight up in the air, and he LOVES playing where's Caden. He covers his eyes with the backs of his hands. It's funny. Another thing he does that cracks me up is his funny face. I'll tell him "You're so funny!" And he'll make the cheesiest smiley face and look straight up to the sky and sit like that for a few seconds, and then he'll do it over and over. Cracks me up. I should get pictures of these things...

Just one last thing...the little ticker thing to the left says the baby's tail is gone...whew! I'm so relieved...

Tail...so weird!!

Potty Training

There is going to be some poop talk...so if this bothers you, feel free to skip this post. :)

Potty Training with Carson has been hit or miss for the most part. He never, ever tells me when he needs to go, so I've always asked him, and we've gone or tried on my prompting. He does really good for the most part, but some days he just doesn't want to, and takes a lot of persuasion to sit on the pot. When he does sit on it, he goes, and accidents have gotten farther and farther apart. In the past month, I would say that we have probably had 20 days or so without accidents. On the other hand, the child has HATED pooping on the toilet! He seems to always wait to go until he is in a pull-up during nap time or bedtime...and I'm sorry, but I'm just not putting him to sleep in underwear yet - we've only left the house in underpants once, and we had an accident, so I'm just not confident in it yet. He's not yet 3, which I've been told is the more common age for boys to "get" it, so I've just been kind of sticking with it. I know that lots of kids have an aversion to going #2 on the toilet for one reason or another, so I asked him about it a few weeks ago, and he said he didn't like going on the toilet because it was hard. So we talked about that a bit, and I told him how good it was when he does go on the toilet, and how that means he is such a big boy, and I reminded him of his wonderful reward of 4 small marshmallows for pooping on the toilet - this seems so minor to me, but it makes his whole day. I hope it's always the little things in life that make his heart leap.

Well! Today seems to be a new day all together! About an hour ago, I asked him if he needed to go, and he said no, so I left it at that and figured I would ask him again shortly. Then about 10 minutes later he announces, "Mommy! I need to go peepee!" So we went, and sure enough! I was so proud, and he got an extra mini marshmallow (the quota is 2 for going #1) just for telling me that he needed to go. Much praise ensued. About 30 minutes after that, he is playing on the floor and suddenly gets very still and quiet, so I asked him if he needed to poo. Now normally, his immediate response would be a NO! and he would try and act busy in hopes that I wouldn't wisk him to the toilet - which I generally do in such situations. Instead, he looked at me and *happily* said "yes!" I was so proud, so we went, and he went, and much more praise ensued!

The other thing that he suddenly seems to have gotten is the nose wiping thing. He's known how to blow his nose since he was about 14 months old, but he generally sticks his fingers in it if I don't get to it fast enough. Well yesterday we were talking about this, and I told him that when his nose is running, he should tell me so that I can wipe it so his fingers don't get "yucky." I figured we would probably have to have that talk again, but several times this morning, he's come to me and pointed to his nose and asked me to wipe it. Needless to say, I'm super proud and so glad he isn't sticking his fingers in his running nose.

Oh, and evidently I used to be a big boy. When Carson was going #2, I was talking to him about how when he thinks he is done, he should try a little more, because inevitably, he has success in the toilet, only to go in his pants a little later. yech. So then the conversation goes something like this...


Carson: "When you were a little, little big boy, you had to go poopoo on the potty?"

Mommy: "Yep, when I was your age, I learned to go poopoo on the potty. It's really good to use the potty, huh?"
So Carson talks about this for a while longer, and keeps referring to me as "a little, little, big boy like me." So after a bit of this...

Mommy: "I was a little girl."

Carson: "No, a BIG girl. No, no...a big BOY!"

Mommy: "But I'm a Mommy. Mommies are girls."

Carson: "Yes. You were a little BOY like me!" :)

Whatever he says. :)