39 Weeks

Big Boy Beds

For the past week, I have been told by your Daddy that Baby Sister can't come yet -- he had to finish your big boy beds before she was born. Well, yesterday was finally the big day...the beds were complete!

After a completely sleepless night, I stayed home from church to nap, while you boys went to church with Zsu Zsu and Paka. When you got home, you walked into your rooms to find your "baby beds" were gone and had been replaced by big boy beds! Ryan, you immediately squealed and hugged us both, "Thank you, Mommy! Thank you, Daddy! Thank you my big boy beds!!"

It was a little past naptime by the time all was finished, so we decided to skip naptime, hoping you would be sleepy enough to make the big boy bed transition even easier come bedtime. You were both actually a little disappointed with this decision because you so badly wanted to try out your beds!

By the time bedtime did roll around though, you were ready! After a couple bedtime stories (on each new bed...which is so nice to now be able to sit on your bed with you and not on the floor!) it was time to get tucked in for the night.

 

There was much to explore once the door was closed and Mommy and Daddy were gone: what can be put into the drawers of your bed, can we jump far enough to go from bed to bed, and your typical bedtime schenanigans. At one point we heard, "Come on, Ry! Jump!!" "No Wiley, we no can jump. Mommy and Daddy say we get hurt." (Thank goodness someone is the voice of reason up there....although, I do believe you eventually caved and gave it a try too, Ry!)

After about 30 minutes of exploration, the pitter patter of feet and sounds of giggles slowed down as you began to fall asleep. Around 10 PM, Daddy and I had to tiptoe in to see how you were sleeping. Would you be under all these new covers? Were you sleeping on pillows? We were just too curious.

Ryan, you were curled up on your tiny pillow, sound asleep.

Wiley, we were a little confused when we got to your bed...where had you gone?!

Daddy and I were giggling so hard, trying not to wake you...there you were, passed out on the middle of the floor.

 

I would love to know how and why this happened, silly boy! Daddy was able to scoop you up and put you back into bed without waking you. Once tucked in, it almost seemed like you had a smile on your face, happy to be back in your comfy cozy bed.

All in all, I would say night one was a success! You fell asleep on your own without needing us to lay with you and you stayed in bed all night long too. Way to go, Big Boys! Now Peanut, we are officially ready to meet you, so feel free to join our family any day now!

38 Weeks

 

Don't Blink

Don't blink 
Just like that you're six years old and you take a nap and you 
Wake up and you're twenty-five and your high school sweetheart becomes your wife 
Don't blink 
You just might miss your babies growing like mine did 
Turning into moms and dads next thing you know your "better half" 
Of fifty years is there in bed 
And you're praying God takes you instead 
Trust me friend a hundred years goes faster than you think 
So don't blink

I find myself in such a funny place right now, as I keep whispering to myself, "Don't blink." There is so much excitement / anxiety as we await Peanut's arrival, wondering when it will be, as it seems it could be any day now or it could be another two and a half weeks. And yet, with those emotions, there is also a need to freeze time right now and soak up these final moments, days, weeks...or however long it is until she arrives. Don't blink.

I know this is the last time I will be pregnant. So with the excitement of meeting you Peanut, I also want to treasure everything of this final pregnancy.  Each kick. Each movement, Each contraction. Each glance at my growing body. I want to bottle it all up and remember these feelings forever. Don't blink.

And not only do I want to bottle up these feelings of pregnancy, but I'm trying so hard to soak up these final moments of being a family of four. I know that life will be wonderfully different and even more complete when Baby Sister arrives, but I also want to treasure these final moments with you, my little boys. Don't blink.

I am so thankful for the week we have had together. While I would say you boys get along most days, you definitely still have your challenging moments. You have your moments where you seem to constantly pick and fuss with each other. You have your moments where you are extra needy. You have your moments where you don't feel like listening and flat out ignore us. And you have your moments where we feel like pulling our hair out, wondering what we're doing wrong as parents. But all in all, we have been blessed with such sweet, tender-hearts! This week though, I feel like God has really blessed us and given us an over the top fabulous week.

You have both been overly grateful and appreciative of small gestures this week. The day before Valentines, I asked if you wanted to help me make heart cookies and heart jello jigglers for Valentines Day. You both came running downstairs and Ryan you proclaimed, "Thank you Mommy, make me "Balentine" cookies and "je-dough" (jello)," and Wiley, "I so excited we make cookies, Mommy! Thank you!" both statements followed by big hugs and kisses. Don't blink.

You have both been extra sweet with each other too, playing and sharing so beautifully together. At one point this week, while playing I heard you say Wiley (our little toy-hoarder, so an even bigger deal coming from you!), "Here Ry, I get you dis train play wit!" While having an afternoon snack, Wiley you finished your oranges first and wanted Ryan's last slice. I told you your's was all gone, but we could get another snack. Before we could get another snack though, Ryan you broke your last slice in half and said, "Here you go, Bud!" and Wiley kissed and hugged you, "Thank you, Ry!" Don't blink.

Seriously, this cannot be real life! You've just been beyond joys to be around and such low stress this week. I honestly have thanked God every day for this week because I feel at such peace if Baby Sister were to be born now. We have shared more snuggles and more giggles this week, and very few fights, than maybe ever before. I am so thankful for these precious moments because I know these are our final moments at home, just me and my boys. You boys are the reason we are called Mommy and Daddy, and you boys have filled our lives with so much love and joy. I thank God for you Miracle Boys, for the life He has provided us with and I want you to always know that. One of my favorite moments of the week, may have been putting you boys to bed. It was just you and I, Wiley, and I asked you, "Hey, guess what?" to which you knew to answer, "You love me so, so much, Mommy!" "I do, bud. Do you know what I love about you?" and I began to list all the wonderful things that make you Wiley. Your face was beaming with pride as I named each new thing. Ryan you had been in the bathroom brushing your teeth with Daddy, but you heard our conversation. You came running into the room, jumped in my lap and proclaimed, "I want you to talk to me, Mommy, like you talk to Wiley," So together, as Wiley brushed his teeth with Daddy, we shared a special moment too, listing all the wonderful things we love about you, Sweet Boy. Afterwards, I stayed in your room and watched you precious boys sleep for fifteen minutes, just soaking in the quiet and peacefulness on your faces. Don't blink.

Thank you boys for the joy you have given us. I know life is about to become very different for all of us. But that will never change the amount of love we have in our hearts for you, Wiley and Ryan. We will still love and adore you just as much, if not more, once Baby Sister arrives. You boys are so excited too and can't wait to meet your sister. I know you will love and protect her fiercely; I cannot wait to watch the relationship grow between the three of you. Don't blink.

Thank you Little Boys for such a wonderful week of being your mommy, you make me so very proud. Don't blink.

37 Weeks

36 Weeks

Birthday Festivities

"Do not grow old, no  matter how long you live. Never cease to stand like curious children before the great mystery into which we were born." Albert Einstein

So thankful for another year, surrounded by those most precious to me.