T Minus 63 Days and Some Major Changes

My phone beeped at me this morning to let me know that I am now 31 weeks pregnant and will (most likely) have my sweet baby in JUST 63 days!  While I am super excited, AHHHHHHHH, we have a lot to do to get ready for the little guy or girl.  All of the baby stuff is in the garage.  And since we are closing on the sale of our home on the 24th and were supposed to also be closing on the purchase that same day, let’s just say things aren’t exactly conveniently located or organized out there.  We were supposed to move to our new home at the end of May and be all set up with the nursery by July.

NEW PLAN-Well, we found out about 10 days ago that we were NOT going to be purchasing that home (with the awesome backyard and tons o’ space) in Allen.  Instead, we are moving to Austin.  Jay’s company is closing the Dallas office and moving everyone (well, they have laid off a few people but the remaining people are moving) to Austin.  They are opening new offices in several cities (New York City, Miami, Mexico City and the Grand Cayman's) but we have, without debate, chosen Austin from that list.

We are SO very sad to leave our family and friends but after much prayer and discussion we feel it’s what God is leading us to do.  Staying here would mean job hunting and really, neither of us wants to do that.  And it’s a great opportunity for Jay’s career.
But yes, leaving all of our support network right as we have Pirate coming is scary, crazy and sad.  However, we are thankful to only be 3 hours away and still be in Texas.

So, with all of that excitement and chaos we have to get this house baby ready and turn the guest room/office into a nursery and fast.  I’m sure Pirate will sleep in my room the entire time we are in Plano but we’ll still have to have all of the baby clothes, swing, etc. set up and ready to go.  And then the four of us will move to Austin at the end of August. 

I’m so proud of Jay and his role at the company and how he works tirelessly to take care of us.  The boys already comment on “how hard daddy works so that mommy can raise us.”  I love that they have started (as much as they can at these ages) to appreciate their sweet daddy and all that he does to provide such a wonderful life for his family.

Ok, well, I’m not caught up on pictures or stories but hey at least I’ve blogged about the move. . .and that we’ll forever be a family of 5 in just SIXTY THREE days!

My Baby

Today we went to the park for a play date.  I was going to the bathroom and asked Bear if he wanted to come with me or stay with our friends.  He took my hand and looked up and said, “I want to go with you mommy, because I am your baby.”
I love that little guy so very much and regardless of birth order all 3 of my kids will always be my babies!

30 Weeks Down. . .10 To Go. . .

The count down for Pirate has begun. . .my phone buzzed at me this morning telling me that I only had 70 more days in this pregnancy. 
First of all wow, it’s FLOWN by!  And secondly, slow down. . .I’m not ready yet.  I still have to do so much to get ready for Pirate-not the least of which is move.  And lastly, while I am not one of those sliding down rainbows on a unicorn type of pregnant lady I am still really trying to enjoy these last 10 weeks.  I’m not in love with being pregnant, mostly due to the severe insomnia I’ve had all three times BUT I do love feeling the kicks.  Even the third time around I just lay there and think about my sweet baby and praise God for the constant kicking that let’s me know that Pirate is doing well.  It’s also super fun that the boys love to feel the kicks.  Jack loves to do the kick counter app on my phone and his whole face lights up and he lets out the greatest laugh when he feels a kick.  Pirate-we love you so much and while I can’t wait to meet you and look into you little eyes and snuggle with you, I’m also not in a huge rush.  I’ve still got lots of baby laundry to do!

Nanny and Paw Paw’s House

Last week I needed to go to Houston to attend a funeral for Jimmy’s mom.  I was so sad for the Patterson family and also so thankful that my awesome in-laws were available and willing to watch the boys so that I could be there to support my dear friends. 
As you can see Bear was thrilled to be in Beach City for two days.

Paw Paw (aka Mr. Handy) rigged Jack’s bike to pull Bear.  The boys loved riding around together although at the end Jack said he was exhausted.  I wish I had gotten a better picture of them on the bike/wagon.

The pogo swing is always popular,

As is the watering of plants.

Bear is so much more into trains, trucks, plane’s etc than Jack ever was-I think his next bedroom needs to be decorated with transportation.

Jack took these pictures of his sweet grandparents.

While the reason for the visit was so sad it is always a treat to see my awesome in-laws, thank you so much for keeping the boys and hosting us for such a quick and crazy visit.

Caleb and Kyla’s Second Birthday

Last weekend we drove to Sanger for Kyle and Brittney’s twin’s second birthday party.  They live on 7 acres (including fishing ponds, etc.) and they had a bounce house so all 3 of my guys were in total heaven.

Lots of land and a bounce house AND a water slide bouncer=happy kids!

Happy Jack.

Gotta love Bear’s squinty smile.

Kyla and Caleb’s wild animal birthday cake.

The birthday twins.

My cousin Kyle and his sweet family.

We all had such a great day.

Jay and Jack went fishing and Jack caught 10+ fish in about 30 minutes.  They threw them all back but he was still on cloud 9 from his “massive fishing skills.”

Bear and Kyla were fast friends and played together for quite a while.

Happy happy birthday to our sweet cousins!

The Great Wolf Lodge

Two weeks ago we enjoyed a free night at the Great Wolf Lodge.  Yes, I am a sucker for free stuff and dragged Jay to a time share presentation to get the GWL night, and let me tell you, it was totally worth it!  Nana and Papa were sweet enough to come with us and we had a BLAST!  We went on a Saturday and Jack and I went early (as soon as we could check in) and Jay came with Bear after naptime.  Jack and I ran by the grocery store on our way to pick up some swim diapers for Bear.  While we were there I decided to grab a case of water for the night (you know how my family drinks water!).  Anyway, Jack insisted on carrying it saying, “mom, you’re pregnant, you shouldn’t life anything!  Let the man do the work.”  I tried to convince him that I was fine and then after a few minutes in line he looked up at me and said, “hey mom, when you are pregnant is it ok to do team work on heavy things?”  So we carried it together.  It’s so cute to see my little man trying to be chivalrous like his daddy.

After our grocery store run we were off.  I never get many pictures at the GWL but it’s not due to lack of fun, just excess of water.  I never want to take my camera into the water park.

Here’s Bear modeling his wolf ears. 

Jay created a little space for Bear to sleep and enclosed it in a crazy (but very effective way) so that we could stay awake and watch tv and hang out while Bear slept.

I need to remember to take a group picture when we get there instead of after a long day at the water park and a night of not much sleep.  But here’s a cute one of the happy boys with their Papa and Nana.

Unfortunately I got super sick on Sunday and had to leave early to go to the emergency room (bronchitis and asthma) and get some iv meds and a few breathing treatments but I convinced the rest of the adults to stay and finish up the day of fun for the kids.  And actually, while I hated to miss the fun, being in the ER for 4 hours was actually the most relaxing time I’ve had in a while. 

We had a super fun night and it was awesome to have some alone time Nana and Papa.  Jackson got to have lots of time with his grandparents and they took him to make a stuffed animal and do a quest with a magic wand and all kinds of fun stuff.  Thanks guys for coming and making some great memories with us!

My sweet little boy

When the house was on the market I had to make up my bed every morning (no, sadly, that’s not part of my normal routine).  Anyway, Jack was waking up before Bear so I tried to take a shower and get ready for the day before Bear would awake.  Jackson started coming into my bathroom and telling me not to come into my room until he told me it was ok.  When I was out of the shower and he gave the ok I came to see this:

He was making up my bed each morning while I showered.  I wish I had gotten a picture with him next to the bed because he would be standing so proudly, dimple to dimple smile and say, “mom, I know you are pregnant and didn’t want you to have to worry about anything.”  He’s just such a sweet little guy and has such a tender and protective heart.  Love that little dude.

Puppy Girl

Jackson has a big blue dog, Molly Girl, who he has slept with and been best buddies with since my friend Ashley gave it to him at my shower for Bear.  Bear has always wanted Molly Girl and snuggles her when ever he gets the chance.  So, it was perfect when Nanny and Paw Paw gave Bear a big stuffed dog (which he quickly named Puppy Girl) for his second birthday.

Now both boys have a special dog to snuggle and sleep with each night.  Here’s Bear with Puppy Girl:

When our house was on the market the boys were allowed to watch tv in the mornings while I cleaned.  Here they are with their puppies watching mickey mouse and eating kolaches.

I’m pretty sure that despite being stuffed, the dogs qualify as my little men’s best friends.

Jack’s Second Season of Soccer

Jack begged to play a second season of soccer this spring and really enjoyed it.  He played with the exact same team and coach as he did his first season. 

Jack really loved his coach. Coach C is a Baylor grad and Jay and I got along very well with him and his sweet wife (who is also a BU grad).

Jack was very close buddies with a little girl named Taylor.  She was so sweet and her mother said that she thought Jack was Taylor’s very first crush.  They were inseparable.

Jack and Taylor were always next to each other, on the field, on the sidelines, at soccer parties, etc.

Jack scored a goal here.

And here.

Going for a high 5 with Taylor.

It’s so funny that when I was thinking about it I realized that Jackson usually has one girl that he is especially close with in each group that we are involved in.  Taylor is definitely his best soccer bud.

Team huddle.

Jack’s sweet soccer team.

Not a great picture of either of them but of course Jack and Taylor were next to each other at the soccer party.  I gave in and let Jack have a capri sun at the party.  He was the ONLY 4 year old not drinking orange soda.  It was so crazy. 

Jay and Bear enjoying pizza time with Jack’s team.

Jack with awesome Coach C.

Jack had a great second season with the comets and I have a feeling that with 3 kids we will attend a lot of games in the near future!