Jonathan finally lost his first tooth with much excitement Friday night! I will take pictures very soon:)

Dinosaur Bedding

Look what I found at Am*z*n.com. Oh I just love it.

Baby Shopping

Of course I am doing lots of baby shopping. Here are a few things I am excited about that are fun to look at:
diaper bag:




Baby Hat:

Starting to Accumulate Baby Stuff

Last night we got a box of baby things including some hooded towels, baby wash cloths, baby bibs and recieving blankets from a friend that was about to have a garage sale. Oh she also sent us an umbrella stroller. We have a bouncy chair and baby monitors on the way from T*rg*t.
There's still a ton on m "Things We Need for Jack" list, but that's a good start, isn't it:)
I am officially 23 weeks today. Charles is officially 31 years old Monday.

100th Day of School

This is Jonathan's 100th day of kindergarten. His journal page today said, "When I am 100___________"
He filled in "I'll be dead in the ground!"

Choose Your Friends Wisely

How do we teach our children how important it is to choose their friends wisely? How do we teach them that God is concerned with this in their lives? How do we teach them to be kind to others while not associating with certain people?
Avoid the drama llamas!
Being a parent is tough - so very tough.

The righteous should choose his friends carefully,
For the way of the wicked leads them astray." Proverbs 12:26

I think the baby had his first hiccups (that I was aware of) this morning about 4:30am. Believe me - I did not want to be awake that early this morning, but my brain was WIDE awake, and once the hiccups started it was all over.
Shortly after that the bottom fell out and it started pouring rain. I think it will rain all day today and possibly ice over tomorrow - here's hoping for a late start for school tomorrow! This is just the sort of weather I love when I'm able to stay home and enjoy it in my PJs.
Yesterday and today we are doing GT testing here in the library. We have a representative from Abilene coming in to do the actual testing, but it still makes for a long day, so I will be glad when they are finished. I'm waiting to see how many children come in soaked from toes to knees because they danced in all the puddles between the school and the LRC.
17 weeks until my due date, 13 weeks until they are putting me in the hospital to switch me over to Heprin.

Little Drummer Baby

One of my greatest joys from motherhood has come from getting to know my children. My children are so unique and special, and I am blessed by who they are and who God is growing them to be.
In fact, each of my children has been different from the time they were growing in my belly. Kaitlin, my precious first born was a swift and sure kicker. There is something so special about the first time your first child kicks - indescribable. Kaitlin's kicks were usually one at a time, but they were a wallop! Late in my pregnancy with her I would often yelp because those big baby feet of hers hurt. There was one particular kick that left me rubbing my side, and we actually found a bruise there the next day. Her kicks were playful, definite and a wonderful sign of how healthy and fun she would be.
Jonathan was a gentle glider. I would say, "this one is different - calmer." I knew that about him before he was born - just from the time I spent laying in bed enjoying his kicks. Jonathan would sweep and roll from one side of my belly to the other in gentle movements. Late in my pregnancy with him, Charles enjoyed watching a knee or an elbow float across my belly as he stretched and tried to find room. Jonathan was born for gentle, calm cuddle time (and still enjoys that to this day).
Now I am getting to know Jack. I have not yet seen his face or the color of his hair or his eyes (will we get a cotton top like Charles this time or our first with my green eyes?). But again I constantly look forward to times that I am still enough to feel him kick. Jack kicks more than either baby before. Each time he kicks he is like my little drummer - rat a tat tat tat tat. He never kicks once and then stops like Kaitlin, and there have been no gentle glides like Jonathan. This kid is tap dancing (with his whole body). He is my fighter. He has hung on and beat odds even before birth, and he brings tears of joy to my eyes when he confirms, "Mom, I'm still here - growing and preparing to be in your arms. God made me a fighter, and I can't wait to live the life God has planned for me!" Even now, as I am still to type this (and since I have just eaten breakfast) he is tapping out a rhythm - bump bump bump - quickly and steadily.
Jack, I already love you so much. I pray for you every day, and I can't wait to hold you in my arms. You are already a miracle in my life - a reminder of God's love and wonder. I praise God for you and the life He has given you. I praise God for the way that each of my children are unique - the fingerprints of God are all over them!