So far this pregnancy has been far different from the other two. Instead of actual morning sickness (aka - throwing up), I'm just nauseous. Instead of being well into my second trimester before breaking out the maternity clothes, I've already added a good couple of inches to my mid-section. Instead of the usual excitement, I'm matched with an indulgent case of the lazies and a perpetual need to sleep all the time. Instead of the occasional hormonal flux, I am engulfed in a permanent state of hormonal crazies!! I find myself having strange and sometimes disturbing thoughts. I find myself not just crying, but weeping at times! This pregnancy is SO different. So then, I have just one question - if it's not like a girl pregnancy and if it's not like a boy pregnancy - then what the heck kind of kid is this??????? Is this the work of boy and girl genes at the same time? Am I having twins?
Lord grant me patience and small stretch marks now! Is this the pregnancy of a special needs child?
Lord grant me a gentle and wise heart!! Is this the pregnancy of a normal third child?? Whatever it is, so far, it has thrown me for a loop! I am MOST definitely looking forward to settling into this second trimester and the normal feeling that comes to most during the fun months of pregnancy!!!!
So then, on a positive note...Eric and I are over the stomach flu!!! YEAH!!! Eric had it for a few days and look how skinny he got! I lost three poun
ds (a pound for each day I couldn't eat), but still managed to gain about two inches on my waistline! Go figure! But, we are all healthy as somehow Brooks and Rachel managed to avoid the sickies. After ten loads of laundry, multiple vacuumings, carpet cleaning, dish washing and sink wiping down - I think we have a germ free home and are now looking forward to starting a fun spring...especially with Eric's big 0-2 birthday next week!!! Big boy!!!
he entire movie of The Rescuers in about ten-ten minute segments? I know, b/c we have watched it. Did you know you can find a bazillion different Bugs Bunny and various Looney Tune cartoons on YouTube? This morning while mommy got ready for church, the kids sat nice and still watching episodes of the classic Saturday morning cartoons. It's fun to listen as Eric is finally starting to understand some "funny" things. Little giggles would burst out now and then...pretty cute! Here is my sweet family. Now, where will #3 sit??
ds (a pound for each day I couldn't eat), but still managed to gain about two inches on my waistline! Go figure! But, we are all healthy as somehow Brooks and Rachel managed to avoid the sickies. After ten loads of laundry, multiple vacuumings, carpet cleaning, dish washing and sink wiping down - I think we have a germ free home and are now looking forward to starting a fun spring...especially with Eric's big 0-2 birthday next week!!! Big boy!!!
Today we took Rachel to the dentist for the first time. She did amazing. I went first and Rachel was so excited to watch what they were doing to me. She hovered over my face, intently watching the hygienist clean my teeth. She asked lots of questions and seemed satisfied with most of the answers. When she didn't understand the answer, she just told the hygienist that she "was funny." She also kept asking when it would be her turn. When she finally realized her turn was coming up, 
she promptly asked if she could do all of that to her too! She wanted it all done - no holding back! She quickly jumped up in the dental chair and asked me to scoot back so they could lean the chair back - goodness, her independence is here! So hard not to hold her hand the whole time, but she was such a big girl, that at the same time, 
it was encouraging to see what a brave and strong little girl Rachel is becoming! But, the best part, for Rachel, of course, was being able to pick out her own Ariel toothbrush at the end of everything! She was sure to see all her options first though, as the sweet hygienist lay all six princess brush options out on the chair! We ended up with Ariel and most importantly, a VERY positive dental experience!!
So, today was a beautiful day and we spent most of it outside! I trimmed the rose bushes while Rachel tried to teach Eric how to ride her bike. He's really good at sitting on the bike, but doesn't quite understand the concept of pedaling! Soon enough! Then we spent a few hours out at Andrew's Park with some friends. What a great time for us mommy's to be girls and the kids to run and play...unfortunately, I think Eric passed the tired point as he has spent the last hour of nap time talking to himself in bed! Oh well. So, 80 degrees...do I start planting the flowers now? Or do I still wait till late March...such fickle weather!
Here's Rachel at her first soccer game. Check out the size of the jersey on our little runt! Hilarious, especially when matched with how huge the shin guards look on her!! Too cute. Anyway, I was in Dallas and Brooks was teaching up until the last five minutes of her game. So, Papa came and got her and took her to her first game. Dad even said that Rachel was the first person on her team to kick the ball!!! She played the first and third quarters and apparently when she was finished after the third, she was ready to leave...I mean, she's not playing anymore, what's the point in staying, right? So, forget the life lessons of supporting your teammates and teaching her to become a great team player - nope - once she realized there would be "treats" after the game, she was fine with sticking around!! Ah, well...
