She's here!!

Miss Josie made it into the world at 1:16 pm today weighing 7 lb. 6 oz and was 20.5 inches long. She followed in maggie and Owen's footsteps with a head full of jet black hair....even more than either of them! Things went pretty well, not as fast and easy as Owen's birth, not as horrible as maggie's birth. But from the time my water was broken it was less than 3 hours so I guess I shouldn't complain but let me just say I will NEVER be induced again.....never ever. Letting them come on their own is way way better. Anyhow, here are just a few pics I am putting up now.
She came in one push which was great for me.....not so great for her. She has had some major decels in her oxygen level on and off so she is being kept in the level 2 nursery for the night to keep an eye on her. I just got back from rocking her for like 2 hours and she never once dropped her stats so I am pretty positive it is just from not being squeezed enough through childbirth so she is pretty gunky in her chest. (same thing happened with Owen) Anyhow....they are playing it safe though and have her hooked up to everything keeping an eye on her through the night. She beat Maggie and Owen in having antibiotics as they started her on those tonight in case she has an infection causing her breathing problems which I KNOW is not the case....but I went along with them tonight but if all comes clear with her labs in the AM I am telling them to stop them immedietly instead of the 48 hours they are planning on keeping her on them. So.......that is the update, since she's back in the nursery Maggie and Owen didn't get to see her yet :( But hopefully tommorow she'll be back in check and they can. Well, I am off to get a little sleep so I will put more pics up and update more later. Keep Josie in your prayers with me that her little lungs clear up tonight and she can hang out here in the room with me! Thanks

40 weeks!

So I am now 40 weeks and my darling little girl has yet to show herself. I can't believe I haven't had her yet.... Anyhow, as of the dr. thursday I was still the same but she seemed to think it would be very soon... seems like both of us were wrong. Mom and Dad came down Friday so they would be here to stay with the kids if I went into labor and I honestly thought that having them here would let me relax enough to get things going. I had not been sleeping at all and half of it was becasue I was anxious about if I did go into labor how would everything work out with the kids. So I have been sleeping great since they got here, but still no baby. The doctor and I went over induction last week and I am pretty anti-induction and she knows that but she had some concerns that she felt I should have been induced a few weeks ago over so we came to a compromise that I would go to 40 weeks and if nothing by then I would agree to be induced. Well, that day has come tommorow so unless Josie makes her debut on her own by tommorow morning she is being forced out. So there is the update to all of you wondering....I will update and let you know when all is said and done. And be praying with me that she decides to come tonight on her own!!

Seriously.....

So how long can one possibly walk around dialated almost to a 5 and totally effaced?? Well, obviously well over a week now!! So yes, to answer the question...,I am still pregnant. Not sure what Josie is waiting for but I guess she's just not ready yet. I go to the doctor tommorow so we will see if there is any change but I am guessing not. The kids have been so cute latley and quite funny, but I am in a bit of a hurry right now so I can't update on their "quotes" right now. I will try to update more later.

No news

So no news yet. I have another dr. appt. tommorow so I will find out then if anything new is going on. I have been so so tired today, I didn't sleep good last night so today I have just been dragging. Maggie went to preschool today and Owen and I just came home and lounged around. We were supposed to get a good bit of snow last night but I woke up this morning to nothing more than a dusting. :( Well, just wanted to update on the baby.

Moving right along...

If the nesting theory is true I definetly have it. Yesterday we went to Maggie's 4 year check up, which went great. She is still in the 100% for height and 90% for weight so if she continues at this rate she'll be 5'9. The doctor said she looked great and wasn't concerned about her eating, especially after she heard one of her favorite snacks was cottage cheese pinapple. (how is she my kid???) We met Neila and Carson for lunch and came home for naptime. I started in on mopping the floors and I mop the old fashion way...bucket and hands and knees, so I was hoping that might kick me into labor! After that I cleaned out the fridge and organized my kitchen cabinets getting rid of a few things. I am not sure where the energy came from but it feels great to have my floors clean enough to eat off of. I didn't sleep well at all last night as I had more contractions then I have been, which were pretty annoying. This morning we got Maggie to preschool and Owen adn I went to the store to stock up on groceries. I continued with the frequent contractions all morning but they aren't painful so I just dismissed them, and then I realied Josie hadn't moved all morning which worried me a little. So I decided to stop by the doctor to get a heartrate just to ease my mind. I took the kids with me since I was getting Maggie from school right next door and they did well aside from Owen asking what they were doing to my booty when they were checking me. hahaha Well, Josie's heartrate was great at 145 so that made me feel better and I am now dialated to a 4-5 and 100%. How weird is that?? I got the feeling the doctor thuoght I should maybe head on to the hospital but I told her I didn't want my water broken or hooked up to pitocin and prefered to let her come when she was ready so I was choosing to just hang out at home until I felt it was time. She kept reminding me I have a 40 minute drive to the hospital so not to wait too long. So,,,we keep waiting for her arrival!!

Wii Fun

For those of you wondering...no baby yet. I went to my friend's shower friday night and had alot of fun. Joe took the kids to see the new Veggie Tales movie that just came out. We had told Maggie we would take her the weekend it came out and I thought for sure it would come out to our theater in Shelbyville but it only came to the ones in Louisville. She somehow got Joe convinced after I left that I told her he would take them to see it in Louisville so he did. :) They both really liked it and Owen loved the popcorn!
I am not sure what I was thinking but I worked Saturday morning. I was really not feeling up to it when I got up at 7 but it turned out not to be a bad morning at all and I stayed in the phone most of the time with patients. I think my co workers were a little more worried about me being there then I was. When I got home Joe had just walked in the door as well with the kids. They had gone to get his Wii he bought. So we all played Wii for awhile which I must say is alot of fun. I then headed to Louisville to order Owen's blinds for his window. This has been the biggest pain ever as his window is an arch window and seems the only man who knows how to fit his window with the blinds I want wants to charge me 1000.00 just for 1 window which I am not about to pay. Anyhow, I think we got it all right and ordered from Pennys FINALLY for half the cost so it should be in within a week or so.
I also picked up a few last minute things I need for Josie and her room as I don't think I will be going into Louisville to shop anymore with the kids before she comes. I got some great deals at Janie and Jack so I was so excited about that as I love that store. We went to Nick and Neila's last night for a surprise dinner she had made me. She was going to have a shower but turned out to be a bad weekend so we just ate some great food and hung out. We then all headed to our house to play Wii and Shannon, Preston, and their girls came down to join us as well. The kids got to have another late night as everyone stayed until about 11 or so but the kids had fun and played so well that it was fine. I woke up this morning in quite a bit of pain, mostly in my legs. I think I spent too much time walking yesterday between work and shopping and my legs were swollen and really tender to walk on so we have just been lounging around all morning. My wonderful husband was kind enough to make me eggs, bacon and biscuits for breakfast after I told him I really wanted that and it was great! He and Maggie have just been playing Olympics on the Wii. She is really good at it and likes it alot, after the baby is born I am thinking this will be a great way to excercise with 3 kids around, alot of the games are quite a workout. Maggie has her 4 year check up tommorow, a little late but she is never sick so we have no reason to ever go. The only reason I am even going is I am hoping the doctor can convince her that she needs to expand her food choices and try to eat more! Well, keep checking to see how things are coming along!!

Now we wait...

So I had my doctors appointment this morning and I am glad to see that I obviously am very in tune with my body and this pregnancy. I was sure things were happening and turns out I was right. I am 100% effaced and dilated to a 3 already!!
So woohoo for me as this may turn out just how I want it, quck and easy. My only concern is getting to the hospital in time and without my kids!! As for when she'll come it's a waiting game now, the doctor said he'd see me next week, if I make it that long. I just hopped out of the shower and am getting ready for the baby shower tonight, I decided to go ahead and shave my legs since it was well over due and lets just say if they get shaved again before I deliver it will be Joe shaving them!! Haha.
Neila and I went out for lunch today to Chick fil a and let the kids play there awhile before hitting up childrens place for their sale. We had a great afternoon out and it wiped the kids out as well. Well, I will keep you updated as we go along!!

I'm Ready

So I love being pregnant, pretty much all of it....until the last few weeks and that is where I am now. Very Ready to have this baby! My sleep is about...well non existant which means I am dragging all day long. Monday night was about the worst as I don't think I ever fell asleep until about 6 am. I was up all night with pressure and contractions. Joe asked several times if we needed to head to the hospital and I told him no, that i was just really uncomfortable, but no pain. I am pretty sure I will feel some pain before the big moment....of course I was an 8 when I got to the hospital with Owen and had no clue I was really even in labor yet so who knows. Anyhow, God must have known I needed some sleep because the kids didn't wake up Tuesday morning until after 9, which meant Maggie missed preschool and Owen and I missed MOPS, but the sleep was well worth it. Anyhow, the end is in near and we are a little more prepared for her arrival now. Her room isn't finished but she does have a bed, furniture, basinett and clothes so anytime she'd like to show up will be fine with all of us. Maggie keeps asking when she is coming since I have told her it will be after Chrismtas, and now that Christmas is over she is getting pretty anxious. I packed my bag today so that is ready and Mom is supposed to have her stuff packed so when I call her she can head this way to relieve whoever has my kids at the moment. (Mom....did u find your list??)
I am happy to say Owen's sleep problems are cured. I guess one good night of crying helped him out thank goodness. We haven't done much this week other than get things done around the house. Nick, Neila, and Carson came over this past weekend and hung out for awhile. The kids had fun and after the past 2 posts I am sure no one will let their little boys come to my house. Princess seems to be the theme around here as Carson joined in the dressing up. Owen happily picked out a new dress adn was thriled with the red shoes he got. Joe told Nick not to worry, it is nice their boys are comfortable enough with their manhood to dress up in princess dresses. Neila and I said these pictures will be perfect someday for their weddings. :)


Just to relieve anyone who is concerned about Owen's attire....you'll be happy to know that right now he is decked out in his superman outfit running around the house!















Joe started playing ball on a church league on Tuesday nights and it began this week. I was going to take the kiddos and meet up with him for dinner before hand but we were in the line of a huge storm and possibly tornado so we just decided to stay home. I ended up making macoroni and cheese, vegetables, and applesauce for the kids. ( i know, pretty pathetic dinner) Anyhow, Maggie was happy with the meal aside from the veggies but did eat 4 peas, 3 corn kernals and 2 carrots reluctantly. Owen ate the entire rest of the bag of vegetables and never touched his mac-n-cheese. He just kept saying, "more peas, carrots, and lima beans please." It is so funny how different thier eating habits are. Joe took Owen last night to get his hair cut, I had wanted to leave it a little long on top as I thought it looked cute but the lady pretty much buzzed him. I was not happy with the end results and Maggie said his hair looked pretty funny. It grows so fast it doesn't really matter, but I am going to find somewhere else to take him as I am never really happy with their skills there. I have a doctors appointment tommorow morning and then a baby shower to go to tommorow evening for my friend Al, who is pregnant with twins. So that should be alot of fun. Well, it is about time to go pick up Maggie from preschool. She was so happy to go back today and told me she knew Mrs. Boyd had really missed her Tuesday. :)

Ready for 2008

We had a wonderful Christmas holiday and are now trying to recoop from everything and get back in our normal days....and also get things ready for baby Josie who should be arriving very shortly.
Christmas Eve we went to the service at our church and then came home and got the kids to bed and Joe and I began getting everything ready. I had already gotten the gifts all wrapped and sorted so all we had to do was get Owen's train table set up which took a little longer than expected, but all was finished and ready by 10 30 that night. The kids didn't get up until 8, and that was with a little prompting from Joe, they were so excited when they came downstairs and the gift opening began.



















They got lots of fun things and have had fun playing with them all. I got started on making our christmas dinner so when mom , dad and amanda got here it would be ready.

They got here around 2 or so and we ate right away as we were all starving and everything turned out delicious. We then had the kids 2nd round of Christmas that day with lots more gifts and more playing as well.










We had fun with them here and Mom, Maggie, Amanda and I made a trip out to smoothie king and shopped a little the next day. They headed home on Thursday afternoon after I got back from my doctors appointment, the kids were pretty bummed when they left and kept asking Amanda to "please stay a little longer." Dad put together the baby bed while he was here so I got my bedding in it and think it is really going to be cute once we get the room painted and in order. Owen also got moved to his new room which has gone....well, I will just say okay. His sleeping is leaving alot to be desired and he's about to drive Joe and I nuts at night. I had no problem letting them cry when they were infants and I was sleep training them....but now that he can cry and say, "mommy where are you, I want you, please....." it about kills me to not go in to him. I am just hoping he gets it together before the baby comes.
Saturday we headed to Ohio for the day for Joe's family Christmas get together. We visited with his grandparents as well which was nice to get to see them.

















We then went to his parents house and I headed to the outlets to get a few good deals before going back for the get together. We had a fun time and the kids had fun getting to see everyone and playing. We didn't head back until about 9 or so that night so we had a late night getting home but it is so nice to live close enough to our families to be able to get there and back in a day for get togethers.

Monday we had a few friends over for New Years so we spent the day geting the house in order and getting some food ready. We had a really fun time and there were plenty of kids here to make it even more fun. My cousin Liv and her husband Durell were on their way back from Texas and stopped by to visit which was great as I haven't seen them for awhile. They had their dogs with them which thrilled Maggie and Owen (actually all the kids). They took turns holding Izzy who was very nice to sit so still and allow them to handle her to death!






















They had fun playing with the star station, Maggie was showing off her moves although she likes to make up her own words to songs and they are always quite interesting.












I wasn't sure if the kiddos would make it until midnight but Maggie took a nap that day on her own so I thought she'd probably give it her best shot. Liv and Durell headed on home to WV around 9ish and Nick, Neila, Carson and Neila's mom Susan headed back home as well.
















But Shannon, Preston, and their girls, Kylie, Bella, and even new baby Molly hung out with us to ring in the new year and the kiddos got to stay up to see the ball drop.....although they were less than impressed with what it turned out to be.
















They all had so much fun and thought they were really big stuff staying up so late. We had little to no tears at all which was nice, but a surprise. They only time anyone cried was when it was time to head to bed (at 1am). Joe and I were hoping for a late morning but the kids were up at 9:30 which is better than it could have been I suppose. I was dragging all day Tuesday and could not get myself together....guess I can't pull late nights anymore. It was really fun night and we hope to have another get together soon, although not that late!

Tuesday the kids just played most of the day, Maggie got our her dress up clothes to play princess and Owen just had to join in. He got all princessed up and stayed that way well over an hour.















Joe wasn't thrilled about their pick of playthings that afternoon, espeically since Owen kept saying, "I'm a princess, I'm beautiful." Joe told him he was a boy and boys don't wear dresses and he said "no daddy, I am a princess." Naptime came around and he told me, "mommy, princesses don't take naps." I told him than his princess time was over so we derobed him and got him asleep.

Last night I got the kids to bed before 8 since Maggie had preschool today and hasn't been getting up before 9 the past few weeks so I wanted to make sure she was well rested. She fell asleep instantly but Owen had a little bit of sleep training 101. He cried 2.5 straight hours before finally passing out asleep, I had to go downstairs and turn on the TV so I couldn't hear him saying he needed me and loved me. I will say though he slept all night and I had to wake him up at 8:30 this morning to get her to school. I just put him down for his nap and haven't heard a peep out of him either so maybe that is all he needed to get him jumpstarted. I had to wake maggie up this morning a little after 8 as well to get ready, I thought for sure going to bed earlier she would be up and ready to go but she was in a deep sleep when I went in to get her. She was glad to get back to preschool today and see her friends, Owen and I just came back home and played with his cars until time to get her again so we haven't had much of a productive day. Well, I am off to have "girl time" with Maggie while Owen is asleep.

Cookies, Santa, and getting ready......

We have been having lots of fun getting ready for Christmas. Joe was out of town Thursday night.....he has taken a new position at work and is now a commodity broker (??). I have even less clue of what he does now than I did before, all I know is he gets to fly overnight to Texas to eat with some clients at a steakhouse in Texas that is on the top 10 list in the US and then fly back the next day. This is where he was Thursday night and what alot of his job will entail so whatever that is....maybe I want to be one too. :) Anyhow, the kids and I got up Friday morning and headed to the Cracker Barrell for breakfast for 2 reasons. The first being that I was craving some eggs and bacon and didn't feel like cooking it. The 2nd is that Maggie had 5 bucks that her Jah Jah had given her that was burning a hole in her pocket.
When Mom and Dad were here last weekend we had gone to the Cracker Barrell and dad let the kids pick out a gift, well Maggie had a hard time deciding between 2 different sticker books. She finally decided on one of them and we hadn't been home 5 minutes when she had a breakdown and said she wished she had gotten the other one. Well, mom tried to teach her a lesson in making choices and how we sometimes aren't happy with our choice (didn't go over so well. :) But Dad gets out some money and tells her next time she's there to get the other stickers she wants and something for Owen. So all week she had been asking when we could go. Well, we were sitting there eating our breakfast and she says, "Mommy, my JahJah loves me so much. You know how I know?" I asked her how and she said, "He see's I am just a little bit sad and wants me to have whatever I want to make me happy!" I laughed and said that is pretty much dead on.....hopefully she doesn't still feel this way when she's 16 dad!

Friday evening Joe took the kids out to Christmas shop for me while I got a few things done around the house. He let them pick out whatever they wanted for me and I must say my kids are pretty in tune with their mommy and know what I like. :)
He said it was so sweet, Maggie was thinking and said, " I know what to get her, Mommy loves orange juice!" So one of my gifts is wrapped in the fridge....but how cute is that?" Anyhow, when they got home i had made sugar cookies and had them ready for the kids to decorate. I gave Owen 3 cookies and a bowl of icing. I told him to ice them and I would give him more, when I checked his plate all the cookies were gone and he was eating the rest of the icing like soup. He kept saying, "mmmmm, this is good mommy." So here is what he looked like after his cookie making, but he had alot of fun.









Maggie also liked it but wanted me to wipe her hands off after every cookie as she doesn't like to be messy. She enjoyed the red icing as you can tell from her mouth. After they made their cookies I took their clohtes off to get them cleaned up and we got a knock at the door. They went to answer it and there was Santa! Joe had dressed up and came to the door and I thought Owen was going to have a heart attack he was so excited. He said, 'come in Santa!! We have cookies!!!" They both got a gift and told him what they wanted and sent Santa on his way.












Maggie was a littel skeptical and told me that she thought it might be Daddy because his hands really looked like her daddys. But by the time he left I think she was convinced it was Santa, Owen couldn't have been more happy about his visitor.

Neither of the kids slept well that night, I think this was probably due to all the sugar in their systems! Saturday Joe's family came down to spend a few days and celebrate for Christmas. Joe and I had his work Christmas party Sat. evening so they kept the kids for us. His party was on a dinner train in bardstown and was really nice. I think I was more crazy about it than everyone else.....doesn't take much to please me I guess. I got to sit and have dinner brought to me, refils on my drinks, nobody wanted juice or needed wiped off after dinner and nobody was crying because they didn't like what was served so it was a great evening for me! The kids had a lot of fun as well playing with Nana and Papa and Matt and Isaac too. Owen had lot of people to wrestle with which always makes him happy!

Sunday we went to church and then grabbed some lunch to hold us over until that evening which I was making chicken enchiladas for our dinner. The kids looked so cute that morning for church.










Owen's hair is so so long so I spiked it up since I haven't gotten around to getting it cut. We had our Christmas Sunday evening with Joe's family and the kids were so excited to get to open gifts.











Maggie got 2 little dogs that act real so she was thrilled with her presents







and Owen got a Cars playset that he thought was great.










The kids spent the rest of the eveing playing with everyone and I headed to the store to get a few stocking stuffers which I didn't have yet. His family headed home this morning and we are just hanging out here today watching Chrismtas movies and getting ready for tonight! The kids are so excited and will be so adorable in the morning I am sure. We are going to our church Christmas service tonight and then getting the kids to bed to get a few big items put together. Mom, Dad, and Amanda are headed down here tommorow for a few days to have Christmas so I need to get to the store to pick up a few more things for dinner with them before it closes today.
Everyone have a merry christmas and I will update with pics from tommorow soon!!

I can't believe it's less than a week until Christmas...I am sooo not ready. I haven't wrapped any gifts yet which is not like me....ususally by now I am totally done with everything but it seems I keep having reasons to put it off. Last week Maggie had her Christmas party at school and had fun.













Owen and I went as well which didn't turn out so well. He didn't understand why he couldn't sit with the kids at their table and why he couldn't sing their songs with them so it turned into more of me keeping him occupied and quiet than anything.

Mom and Dad came down friday so Joe and I were able to get out on a date night which was great. We ended up going to his office and taking care of a few things he had forgotten to do and then driving around looking for something that looked good to eat before finally ending up at the Outback at like 9:00. It was nice to get out and catch up on grown up talk though....and even nicer to come home to the kids asleep. Saturday was Maggie's dance recital which turned out really cute.
















She was so cute and seemed to enjoy being up on the stage. Mom and dad were going to head out and go on to Amanda's for a few days after her recital but the weather had gotten bad there so they just decided to stay with us another night, which the kids were thriled about.












They had constant playmates and story-tellers (mom's specialty) for another day. We were going to go out that night but the weather was pretty yucky so we just got pizza and Dad and Joe got all the "Bourne" movies and had a movie night....Amanda was jealous and thought it sounded like a perfect night...mom and I decided to sit upstairs and talk. :)

This week I have not done alot....I am feeling very pregnant these days and haven't had alot of get up and go. Yesterday the kids and I headed into Louisville to try to finsih up last minute shopping. We ended up staying there all day but didn't get much of anything. They played at the playground at the mall along time and really enjoyed that. This morning I got going early and left for Lexington at 930 to get the baby bed. We picked it up and then decided to spend the day there checking out all the great new shopping they have. We didn't get back home until about 5 so it was along day but the kids were great and ended up napping in the car on the way home. I found a basinett for a pretty good price as well there so I went ahead and got it so I will have somewhere to put the baby when she gets here. I borrowed one with Maggie and Owen so that is one thing I didn't have and since her room is upstairs I definetly needed as I know I won't be up to going up and down steps all night long to feed her.

The kids are asleep now and I am pretty bummed as greys anatomy is once again a rerun! Tommorow we have no plans other than to get a few things from the store and probably make some christmas cookies as I have dropped the ball there as well and haven't made any.

Funny story.....6 pm is always pretty crazy around our house. It is when I am trying to finish up dinnner, Joe is due home, and the kids are wild. Well, monday was like anyother evening with the kids acting crazy and loud while I was trying to get things finsihed up so it would be ready to eat when Joe got home. I told them they both needed to sit down on a couch and take a time out and just be quiet and think......but not talk about what they were thinking! Maggie did well but Owen could not sit still so I sat with him in the corner and held him really still and told him I wanted him to have peace and just sit still. So I showed him how to sit and told him that was having peace and just sit there quietly. He did for a minute or so and I applauded him teling him how good it was that he sat so still. He looked up at me and said, "okay mommy....where are my peas?" So as I was thinking we were having a break through moment and he was learning about having peace, he was just thinking if he sat there he'd get some peas (one of his favorite foods) I was laughing so hard by then that I told them to just get back up and go back to being "themselves."

Update

We have been so busy for the past week, I will be glad when Josie gets here and we have an excuse to just sit home all day doing nothing! Last Thursday Owen and I dropped off Maggie at preschool and headed to Lexington to baby furniture shop. There is a great baby store there that I really like that has great furniture so that is where we were headed. The whole way there I watched the interstate coming back to make sure there weren't any major traffic jams since I know there often are and I didn't want to get caught in anything on my way back to get maggie at noon. We got to the store in about 30 minutes so I didn't figure we'd have any problems, found a great crib and got it and looked around a little more before heading back. I had a good hour to get back but got stuck in horrible traffic about halfway there and realized there was NO WAY I was going to be there in time to get Maggie. I literaly almost had a panic attack on the interstate.....so I called Neila-Susan at work and thankfully I have an awesome friend who left work and went to pick her up for me and took her back to her office until I got there. I felt so horrible as this is totally not me to EVER be late when it comes to getting my kids. I told Maggie I was so sorry and she said, "mom, don't worry...I thought it was cool that Neila-Susan picked me up." So she was pretty happy with the way things turned out.

Friday we met up with Joe for dinner at the mall and then went to attempt a family picture. Well, Owen was his ususal self when I try to get a picture of him and we didn't get one.....although I did get one of the two of them that is okay. I worked Saturday morning and then had planned on heading to Lexington to get my baby bed and see my friend Kirsten's new baby. But we were swamped with sick kiddos so I didn't get home until almost 3 from the office and I was making dinner for my friend Shannon who had a baby the week before we we just stayed in for the rest of the evening. Sunday I was totally exhausted after church so I came home, put Owen down for a nap and layed down myself. Joe took Maggie bowling which she really liked. Sunday evening Joe and I headed to Louisville with the kiddos and ate at PF Changs which was great.

Monday was our Christmas party at the library and the kids got to wear their PJ's which they thought was neat. They had fun reading christmas books and eating lots of snacks. We had their dentist appoitnment that morning before hand and both kids did great and got a clean bill of "tooth" health. My kids for some reason don't mind going to the doctor and dentist at all, even Owen hopped right up in the chair and let them brush, floss and check his teeth without one problem. So that made for a quick easy trip.

Tuesday didn't run nearly as smoothly. It was MOPS so we had to get an early start to get things set up there and get Maggie off to preschol as well. Owen was not happy about going to MOPS and halfway into it they had me come get him as he wouldn't stop crying. When I went to get him I asked him what was wrong and he said, "I want you...not that mean guy!!" And points to one of the ladies in the room. I assured her that I knew she was not mean to him and that he calls everyone a mean guy when he's upset. Anyhow, I ended up just taking him with me into MOPS and he laid on my chest the rest of the time. I had to wake the kids up at 7:30 that morning which is early for them so I am guessing he was just tired. (at least that is my excuse for his behavior that day) After we got maggie from preschool we had to go to the post office to mail off something that HAD to go out that day. Well, I have NEVER had a public experience like this before with Owen. He was absolutly awful.......as in like if I had seen an ad to buy a little 2 year old boy I would have entertained the idea. He broke the copy machine, scremaed, kicked, etc. And the whole time he was saying, "mommy your a mean guy." I was pretty sure they were calling the cops to follow me home to make sure I didn't kill him when we were out of the public eye. I actually stayed pretty calm and when we did get there gave him a well deserved spanking and put him to bed without lunch. He fell asleep within minutes and was happy as can be when he woke up....and pretty darn hungry. So we packed him a lunch and took Maggie to her last dance class before her recital reherasal thursday. Her recital is this Saturday so that should be cute. She told me today though that she just wanted to play soccer next year, not dance. So Joe was happy about that. She was writing a letter the other day (pretending) and reading out loud what she was writing and I heard her say, "I miss you and and I hope someday I am a big star like my aunt amanda." I thought it was so cute and knew you'd love that sis!! Even a 4 year old can see your star quality! Well, we are having a PJ day and cleaning house some so I am off to get productive.

Oh, I forget my doctors appointment....i had one friday morning and an ultrasound. My placenta has moved up nicley so I am good to go to deliver, woohoo!! Josie is about 4 lbs. 3 oz. and that is 50% average for babies her same age. She looked perfect and her head is already engaged.....so she is getting a literal head start on life. I knew she had to be low as I have been having lots of pressure...and I have contractions quite a bit as well. So that is fine with me as it will get things moving along and when her big day comes it should be fairly easy! At least that is my plan. :) Well, just wanted to update you about that as well!!

Our week....

So Joe was out of town all week, although I don't put that on the blog when he's gone because I think some psycho is going to read it and know I am alone and break in my house...I know, weird. Anyhow, the kids and I had a fun week...we kept busy which always makes it go by quicker. I have made numerous attempts to get a great christmas picture and have come to accept that I am not going to get a "perfect" one....at least not while I have a 2 year old little boy! Here are a few of the outtakes....
















And here is a picture of me 30 weeks pregnant for all those who have been asking to see a good prego pic. I am aware that I was in need of make-up and a shower! But if your just wanting to see my pregnant stomach this should do. :)




















I took the kids to the picture people Wednesday to get a christmas picture and they looked so cute....but Owen was "active" in every picture so I just decided to reschedule when joe can go with me as he has a little more control over him in those situations. Here are some picutures of the tree and most of the Christmas decorations up. Also of my new furniture that I really am liking now. I need to get some accent pillows to pull them in with the room but they are really comfortable.





















I LOVE having this staircase and how it looks all decorated up and am also enjoying the area that the builder called a "plant shelf" which I thought was stupid. But it is the perfect place for my bench and my snowman village. As Joe put it, that is the ONLY place I could have put that and it stay how I set it up since it is unreachable to the kids.

















Wednesday I was craving a great salad (which never happens) so that evening I was getting the kids ready to head out to a place in town that has a awesome salad bar when we got the best surprise ever....mom showed up at the door! After being home alone since Sunday I couldn't have asked for anything better. She wasn't planning on coming until Thursday evening but surprised us and we were all glad to see her. She sent me on out to get my salad and she stayed home with the kiddos and played with them. I had a great dinner by myself and stopped by the store to pick up a few things as well. Thursday I got to finish my Christmas shopping as she stayed home with Owen and then picked Maggie up from preschool and brought her on home, so I had a full day to get everyone checked off my list. I had a great day so thanks again mom!! The kids enjoyed themselves as well with her and I think she spent about 80% of her time holding Owen as he stuck right with her the whole time saying, "hold me MiMi." I worked on Friday and once again triaged patients on the phone all day so it was very easy, although it gets really annoying after the 50th passport patient calls wanting us to call in tylenol or motrin so their medical card will cover it....I mean the generic brand is like 2 bucks at Walmart....what do cigarettes cost these days?? Yes, i could go on and on about this but I will leave this topic alone now. :)

So Friday night after putting the kids to bed Mom and I stayed up awhile talking and I went up to check on Owen before we went to bed. When I walk in his room I see his PJ's and diaper on the floor by his crib and look in and here is what I see....













so he has done this every nap and every bedtime since. He totally strips naked and wraps up in his BB (blanket) and falls asleep. I am not sure how to handle this problem as he has no explanation why he is doing this. I can usually get his diaper back on and dressed without waking him but it is really getting annoying. Anyhow, mom and I laughed so hard at this that night, luckily he hadn't peed yet!

Mom headed home Saturday morning and the kids and I headed to the Shelbyville parade to meet up with NeilaSusan and Carson. The parade was very impressive for this town...and lasted nearly an hour and a half which was about an hour longer than I was hoping...not to mention they got as much candy as they did at halloween.


















The kids really enjoyed it though so aside from saying they were cold we heard no other complaints. After that we headed to the library to meet up with Santa and make some Christmas crafts and Nick and Joe met up with us there as they got back in from Alabama that morning. The kids were thrilled to see Joe and very surprised. We went and got their picture with Santa and I can kick myself for not having my camera with me because they got a great picture. The kids both loved seeing him and hopped up on his lap and had great smiles. Owen was so excited and jumped up and down saying , "Santa, I want cars and a choo choo." over and over. They all thought he was adorable and said he was definetly their most excited to see Santa of the day. After leaving their we went to a deli in town and had lunch and then it was home for naptime.

Saturday evening Maggie and I headed to Gattiland for Kate's birthday party. When we got their pretty much everyone was already there and Kate had saved a seat right beside her for Maggie. Her mom said she kept asking if Maggie was coming. We stayed 3 hours and Maggie had a blast playing with her friends.


















I wasn't crazy about Gattiland as it seemed more geared towards older kids....but they did have a big Carosel there that she loved.










Sunday we just went to church and came home, had lunch and I napped when Owen did. It poured the rain that evening so we just stayed in and kept dry. My friend Shannon had her baby this past week so I went down to their house to see her. I can't believe in 8 weeks (or less) we will have a newborn! I have begun to freak a little as I have no crib, bedding, car seat, basinett, etc for this little one. At this point I was 100% ready for Maggie and Owen but I do have diapers and my milk so those are the important things I guess!
This week we just went to library on Monday and Maggie had preschool yesterday. She also had dance last night, her recital is a week from Saturday so we have dance every Tues and Thursday until then. I have seen them do their routine a few times and can't wait to see when they get on stage since they all seemed like they were doing their own dance. Today I was going to head to Lexington to go to a baby store that has the crib I want but it was so cold and the kids said they just wanted to have a PJ day so that is what we have done. I have spent alot of the day on the phone trying to find some place that can make my blog into a "book form" for me but have had no luck yet. If anyone has any ideas on how to do this let me know. And if you need any christmas ideas for me this would be a great one! :) I am sure if I was more computer savvy this would not be a big deal to do but I have yet to figure out how to get it to layout right.

We tried to do one more photo session and had about the same luck today as before....here ya go.




















Ahhhh, gotta love that little boy!