I Think This Is So Funny (Pregnancy Update)

 On the first day of preschool, Meghan wanted to take pictures of me.  They make me laugh.  Really, do I look like this?  I don't think so!  It's not what the mirror reflects!

That's me...and the baby at 32 weeks, 5 days (unedited).  I'm certain that Meghan's low angle and the tilt of the camera make me look at least a bit bigger than I am.  From my-angle-looking-down I look small-ish.  Who can you believe?  The other night when I got up from the table to get dessert, Evan commented on my size being big.  But he's just two.  You probably shouldn't ask Derek his opinion.  It may conflict with mine.

This pregnancy, like the others, have been healthy and uneventful.  Recently I could no longer control my heartburn with my diet and Tums.  BUT I was able to hold out for so long before taking something stronger!  I'm so thankful!  It is necessary for me to snack or my blood sugar drops.  For the past week or two if I have waited too long I've gotten shaky.  I'm to the point where I am quite uncomfortable and bending down is not easy.  My slow movements are rather amusing at times, even to me.

This past weekend we (meaning Derek and his brother Brandon) moved some furniture (giant desk, queen bed, elliptical) out of the spare bedroom, but there is still much to do for and remove from that room and the baby in general.  We do have diapers for the little one, so we have something prepared!  I also bought a couple of bottles (knowing that I don't like Avent for full-time bottle users having used them twice).  No names have been discussed nor bedding or clothing washed.  No arrangements have been made for Meghan and Evan.  I guess we're hoping to be able to use all of our 50 days until baby's arrival!

First Day of Preschool 2011

Today is Meghan's first day of her last year or preschool.  We counted down the days, and she was very excited about it.

 Here M is with her teacher, Mrs. K.

 She couldn't look at the camera for long.  She was looking around the room.

Meghan was eager for school, so there were no tears.  There shouldn't be.  She is a pro at preschool.  This is her third year of preschool, and she has never shed a tear on the first day!  (She began early to be in the speech and language classroom.)

It is amazing to me how Meghan loves to learn.  I know it has helped that she had such intensive speech therapy and one-on-one instruction (therapists and me) to help her over come her apraxia.  She now reads at a kindergarten-early first grade level.  Her vocabulary is pretty large, and she learns quickly-remembering details that the rest of us forget.  (Despite all of this, we are quite comfortable with her not proceeding to kindergarten though she will be five years old in a few weeks for various reasons.)   

This year Meghan will attend preschool for three days each week.  Her days will be 8:30-3:00.  This was a hard decision for us, but we are content that it is the right choice for us despite preschool being 100% optional.

Want to see how Meghan has grown??  Check out these other school pictures.

Meghan's first day of school 2009-2010 

(She looks so young because it is the day after her third birthday!  The winter coat and hat were needed that October morning.  Yes, she truly rode a bus.)

Meghan's first day of school 2010-2011

Meghan's last day of school 2010-2011 

(Yes, that is the same outfit as today.  However, now she feels the need to tuck in her shirt to show the ruffles.)

As for Evan and his adjustment to Meghan being in school...well, I'm not sure how that will go.  He has been awake for about two hours today, and I have heard, "I want to go to Meghan's school." no less than 30-50 times.  By that statement he means he does not want drop Meghan off, but to stay himself.  He plays well by himself, but is also Meghan's little shadow-when she allows it.  

Pretend Play

Meghan talking a mile a minute...All dialogue (monologue) is from Meghan.

It's an email!  About Donna.  From Arden.  I'll see you soon!  It's says hi Meghan and Evan....

Next minute...Let's go over to the stairs and type a thank you email to Arden. ..... Good morning, Arden.  Love, Meghan and Evan.

I hope there's an email tomorrow. ZZZZ [Pretending to sleep]

Evan!  There's an email.  

It says Good morning Meghan and Evan.  It rained today.  I hope you want to go to the beach.  Do you want to go to the beach?

Evan, let's get our swimsuits.  Put on your seat belt.  Let's go to the beach!  Let's go see your cousin!

Can you tell that Mom isn't the only one who enjoys receiving and sending emails?

A Few More Pictures

We had lots of fun throughout our visit with the grandparents.  We often use the blog to revisit the fun...so here are a few more pictures.

We went to the Discovery Center again.  Evan probably spent no less than an hour in this room, with this train set.

 Meghan's interests there varied, but she did sing the entire song of "Jesus Loves Me" on stage.  She likes attention, in case you didn't know.

We took a break together from playing in the book nook for a snack and story.  

  One of Meghan's highlights was the treasure hunt, complete with maps.  It was so popular that we had a second treasure hunt.

 Lots of time was spent on Grandma and Grandpa's porch and in their yard, just playing the way children should.  Here they were blowing bubbles into the watering can to make music.

 At church there were parrots.  Meghan was brave and held one for a minute or two.

Oh, did you know that colored bubbles turn your hands funny colors?  Now you do!

I was fully prepared to say that my tummy isn't that big, but in both of those photos I guess it might be a bit big.  No wonder the kids' dentist felt comfortable asking me when I was due when I was seated...I looked like that!  It's just been in the past week that I've become extremely uncomfortable though.  At least I'm sleeping at night more often than not...for now.  Only two months to go. 

Daddy

After a two week trip to Kansas, today we get to say...

We survived without him, but, boy, did we all miss him.  

I still have plenty of pictures to share from the trip the children and I took to visit family, but they will wait for more energy.  

Farm Fun

Though Grandma and Grandpa don't operate the farm any more, they still live on the farm.  This provides the children with lots of opportunities to watch farm equipment come and go, get dirty, and to interact with the animals.

First, of course, they like to play in the mud.  They are in their pajamas.

 Even more fun than getting their boots stuck in the mud may be throwing pebbles into the mud puddles.

 A real neat opportunity came up for the kids during our visit.  The new farm owners' grandchildren were also visiting.  To keep the grandkids busy, they washed a couple of calves.  

I'm sure it's no surprise looking at the barn floor that a certain little boy didn't make it out of the the cleaning time clean.  He had fallen down, but at least he already needed a bath!  Meghan did lose interest quickly, but that's okay.
No trip to the farm is complete without riding a tractor.  Evan was satisfied with a ride where he was able to "drive" the tractor, but before we left, Donna made sure the children had a real ride while I packed our many scattered belongings.

Little Cousins and Fun

While in northeastern PA, we stay with Derek's grandparents.  Thankfully my family is fairly close (20-30 minutes), so we see them, too...a couple of times.

Lots of family pictures-possibly more than some readers wish to see, but they are fun for us!  This post features just pictures from Annette's side of the family.

Evan with Grandpa C. on his new motorcycle.

 This little cutie is my niece, E.
She just hung out and ate grass while the "big kids" played.

 These three cracked us up.  They did not stay still.  Meghan, Evan, and J (E's sister) would change positions while pretend playing so much.  This was the best shot of the three of them I had all night.  I am including it here for the memories, not for the great picture quality.

 Aunt Amy read her nephews and niece a story.

 Uncle Ray is so good with the kids...always entertaining them!

 Grandma E. sang a few songs for us.  Meghan was clapping.

 Grandma and Grandpa C. with the kids.

 Grandma and Grandpa E. with the kids and their cousin I.

Evan really likes to hold I.  

However, I is getting to be rather larger for Evan to hold.

 Meghan really thinks I is cute, too!

What a blessing to see so many family members!

I will say Meghan was disappointed to not see J again.  She saw him three times, so she definitely is feeling comfortable with him!  She won't forget him now!

I ♥ This Place

Northeastern Pennsylvania is where Derek and I grew up (though in different, but similarly rural counties).

The children and I are visiting this week.  Let me tell you, this is how I remember summer.

 Big, fluffy clouds.  Comfortable temperatures.  No humidity.

(Home can NOT be described as that now, though we still live in PA.  It's a big state.)

 Beautiful sights.

 Open fields.

 Rolling hills.  

Some call them mountains.

 Small, family farms.

 Refreshing.

We may not call it home these days, but it will always be home.

I'm thankful for my rural upbringing and the beauty that can still be found there.

Pictures- Part 2 Outtakes

After sharing the good pictures yesterday, I thought I'd share some of the pictures that didn't make the cut, too.  I think they were so funny because of Evan's expressions.   My friend, Krista, did this recently and I really liked it.  (Aren't her kids beautiful?  It's been too long since we've gotten together!)

Welcome, Fall?

Oh my.  August is about halfway over.  By the end of this month our daughter will be back in preschool.  I can't believe it.

We've had a good summer, though busier than any other in my life with traveling.  We visited family for a long weekend.  In addition we spent a short week at family camp and a long weekend in NYC (also visiting family).  We did a couple day trips like to the beach and Dutch Wonderland, an amusement park.  The children and I will be leaving shortly for about a week to visit with our families.  With July's heat wave, I avoided being outside as much as possible.  Being pregnant is a good excuse, but really, I never like the heat and humidity.

(Oh, how I wish we had leaves like this to enjoy in our backyard.
This is last October at Gma and Gpa's.
At least we don't need to rake our leaves yet.)

I am really looking forward to Meghan returning to school.  She is really excited, too.  She LOVES to learn! However, I am a homebody.  I have really enjoyed my lazy days of summer when I have not needed to go anywhere other than the mailbox or the swing set!  I am a homebody.  I do not relish the idea of being out the door by 8:20 AM three mornings a week.  Nor do I look forward to figuring out when Evan is going to nap when I need to pick his sister up at 3 o'clock.

(OH, can I bring up how I dread having a newborn and (by then) a 3 year old to take into Meghan's school for drop off and pick up purposes come sometime in October or November?)

Despite all of this, we have much to be thankful for when it comes to fall.  First, lovely temperatures and less humidity.  (Also, since I am a stay-at-home-mom, I will not be returning to school myself, as a teacher!)  Next will come Meghan's fifth birthday and Evan's third birthday.  Possibly before, between, after (or even on) their birthdays we'll be thanking God for new life.  The baby is due right between their birthdays...on October 20th.  The kids were born two years, one week apart.  Evan, was actually due on Meghan's birthday, but both of them were one full week late.  We'll be shocked if this baby arrives early, though anything can happen, right?  Any guesses?

There is a time for everything,

and a season for every activity under the heavens...

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1

I'm not sure what I'll be posting on this blog, but I know I am taking a little break from the other blog for a bit.  Here I will likely still share some pictures from life.   I want to catch up on some books, sew some little birthday gifts, and enjoy these final days of summer.  

♥ Annette

Pictures

I realized it's been a while since I took photos of the kids in a "photo shoot."  Evan still doesn't prefer this, so most of the pictures are of Meghan.  Some are better than others, but that's no surprise.  Most I did not edit.  The picture of Evan by himself (the only one that turned out) had Meghan in the picture, but she didn't smile.  Maybe you'll notice the hair by his shoulder that doesn't belong to him.  Meghan loves to move around and come up with poses on her own.  These were all unprompted by me.

(Usually when I do this, the kids are in more than just t-shirts.  Today, we're just ourselves, though.)