Baby #3 Due in 5 Weeks

It's been a long time since I've entered a post. We had been living in Strawberry Hill Apartments for 15 months while our dream home was being built. Now we are in (about 3 weeks now) and enjoying every minute of it. We have a yard, a long driveway, a place for the kids to run and play outdoors. While we were living in SH apartments we got pregnant and are due on Nov 10, in 5 weeks! Crazy! Even crazier is we don't know the sex of this baby. It was kyle's idea and i'm so glad we agreed to do it this way. It's so exciting! The nursery is in disarray with all C and L's blue and pink baby gear in it. I have no going home outfit, no bag packed. How things change when it's your third. Life is busy right now! And I wonder how things can possible get any busier. My parents moved here a couple weeks ago though and that will help tremendously. They love to watch the kids and entertain them when we need breaks. I know having them close will come in handy and helpful when we have a newborn.
I'm planning C's 6th birthday party. He wants to have a party here so we are going to do another bounce house, always a hit, and have cupcakes. It'll be low key (i'll have just had the baby) and probably a drop off party. My parents will come and help out with the 6 year old madness.
C is enjoying kindergarten, but boy has it been an adjustment. It's such a long day and his teacher is structured and pretty strict. But he really likes her. He was mad at me the other day and told me he wishes Mrs. Rowe was his mommy. Ha! I thought to myself, Well at least I know he likes her. :)
Laine gets happy faces and glowing reports at school all the time. Girls are meant for school. It's a bit more of a challenge for young energetic boys I think. We just gave her my old childhood desk. She's loving it and has been drawing at it since she got it. I bought her some desk supplies because she is into making and drawing books. She's such a sweet and happy little thing and she makes me so happy-- she can definitely be defiant and difficult too when she wants to be. :)
I will try to be better about posting once the new baby comes. I have a personal journal too, but this is a good place to make periodic entries that mention milestones in our lives.

Monitor On/ Blogging in Bed

It's almost 9:00 and I'm ready for bed, I mean actual sleep. I'm so exhausted by this time of night. Thursdays are long days for me because I have both babies and the only activity we have is gymnastics at 10:30. Last Thursday Colston had a terrible tantrum right in the middle of the YMCA. Everyone saw and mothers looked at me in pity and with empathy. They knew how I felt, but with others I was surprised at the looks I got, mostly from older men, about my Dad's age who forget what it's like to have an almost three year old. Most weeks there is at least one episode when Colston hears the word No and has a melt down. It's the age, he'll grow out of it. Until then patience is absolutely necessary. But this Thursday was a good one. The babies got along nicely and when Libby came over this afternoon we all played with push toys in the driveway and enjoyed ourselves so much.
So now it's 9:00 and I'm looking at the monitor and a Colston is still awake. I've been waking him from his naps after an hour and a half because of this very reason. Tonight it doesn't seem to be helping. I just texted Kyle (who is upstairs watching tv) that he is whining. He went in there and said something that worked. Now he's laying down stroking his lovie. It'll be zzzzzzz time soon enough.

Almost 3 and 16 Months

Well, we are through with summer! Today was the coldest day yet, the heat and fire place just needed to be turned on. Soup for dinner. We are obviously ready for chilly autumn days. Colston even wore a sweater to school today.
Laine is busy busy busy! She is definitely able to keep up with her brother. He messes with her, but she gives it right back. She doesn't take any of it! She is pretty hilarious and loves to do what her brother does. Today she started blowing raspberries and meanwhile spitting because Colston was doing it. I told him that she learns her behaviors from him and he needs to teach her how to use her manners and be polite. He then said, "Laine, stop, be polite!" Pretty funny!
Colston is enjoying Ms. Susan and Ms. Elizabeth. They are helping us with potty training. He now pee pees in the potty with no issues. He wakes up after sleeping all night dry even. So we're on the right path. Number 2 isn't quite happening on the potty yet. Not sure what it is about pooping on the potty, but most kids are scared of it at first.
Lots of plans this fall/winter. We are going to the beach (Wild Dunes) in a few weeks to celebrate my Dad's retirement. Can't wait! We have plans to go to the mountains with Er, Josh, and Libby for the New Year and then again with friends and their children in February. My parents are visiting this weekend and then next weekend Bruce and Anne are coming. We haven't seen them in TOO long!

Busy Summer!

We have a busy summer! Last week we got back from visiting my parents in Island Heights. We ALL had a great time and enjoyed lovely weather, family time, and the POOL! The kids loved it and Colston really found his sea legs. He was so brave in the water that it made me really aware of how careful we all need to be. He loves the water now, so glad! Laine has loved it all along.

We leave for Emerald Isle on Wednesday. The Linebergers are coming with us so it'll be so fun for L and C to have two friends to play in the sand with. I can't wait to see them all together. Beverly will get there on Saturday. Sadly, we have to leave on Monday because Colston starts camp on Tuesday at Sharon Baptist.
Here are some pictures of Laine's first birthday! I can't believe she is one! We had a small gathering to celebrate, didn't do anything big for this one, but next year we'll have family come. We didn't this year because we were just in Turks and Caicos and the Grandies spent plenty of time with them then as they (all three sets) traded off and kept them safe and happy.
 I will add pics of our NJ trip soon. 

In August we're going with Er, Josh, and Libby to Wild Dunes for a long weekend. Looking forward to that!

Growing So Fast

The babies are growing so fast... Colston will be 2 1/2 in May and Laine will be 10 months in a few days. Goodness! My little Lainey still isn't crawling, but boy does she want to. One of these days she will just take off like it's no big thing. Colston is talking up a storm. He will repeat something over and over until you acknowledge him. He calls Laine "Baby." He'll say, "Look Baby." "Don't cry Baby." It's so funny. When I ask him what his name is he says, "You." He hears me say, What are you doing? I love you, etc. so he thinks his name is you. I asked him today and he gave me his version of Colston so we're making progress. He's a sweet lil guy and definitely going through a mommy phase. He wants to be held, cuddled, loved on and I LOVE every second of it.

Yesterday we had an Easter egg hunt at Jennifer's house. What a wonderful play date for all the little ones. They loved it! Colston enjoyed running after the older kids. Ive learned that I need to grow a thicker skin when it comes to my kids. Mama Bear tends to come out when someone is mean to Colston. I can't intervene each time, I need to let him handle it sometimes. My eyes just well up with tears though, I just love him so much and want everyone to be nice to him because he's just so nice. I'm sure I'm going through what every Mommy goes through.

Sunday is Easter. It's just us this year and Erin, Josh, and Libby. My mom wants to come for an Easter egg hunt one year so maybe next year she and Dad will come. We are going to church then brunch and then to Erin's house for the egg hunt. It will be the last event at their house because they move next weekend. A chapter is closing.

New Year 2012

We celebrated the new year with a trip to the mountains in Boone. Er, Josh, Lib, Kyle, Colston, Laine, and I. We had a relaxing and wonderful time. We ate a ton and drank a ton (when the babies were asleep of course.)

When we returned it was diet time! Kyle is doing P90X and looking fantastic... almost a month into it. I've been going to my wonderful Pilates classes at the Y. I LOVE going to my close to home Y.... best place for me to be, besides me home of course. :-)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Laine had her first Christmas! It was a wonderful several days that began with a visit from Kyle's Dad and stepmom and many of her family members. They brought the yummy food and we enjoyed a nice day. Sydney and Jason were in from California, the reason why Anne had her family here.

My parents came the following day and they watched the babies while Kyle and I went to a Panther's game. So much fun! The next day was Laine's first Christmas and C's 3rd Christmas! It was wonderful! We walked Colston and Laine down the stairs as my parents watched their expressions of awe. Colston was in shock at first. He was so sweet. He just looked at it all and didn't touch a thing at first. He's so polite without even knowing it. He got a 4 wheeler that really goes (outside) when he presses his foot on the peddle. He hasn't quite learned how to make it go, but I'm sure it'll just be a matter of days before it clicks. He got a kitchen (from Nana and Poppy), Sesame Street rain boots, a big dog pillow, books, a large dump truck, etc. Laine got her first baby doll from Nana and Poppy. She loves her so much already!

Beverly and Robert came the day they left for Savannah, (they are coming back through Charlotte tomorrow before heading back to NJ.) They brought a slew of gifts including a Big Wheels and another riding toy for outside. He was totally and completely spoiled with gifts by all his grandparents (and by us.) I think next year we will try and tame down the gift giving a little bit.... if we keep going at this pace we really won't have any room for anything else. They truly don't need lots and lots of toys, just a few nice things that they will get plenty of use out of. We are very appreciative though of everyone's generosity.