Baby Olivia - probably

So, the only name we are in agreement on is Olivia Marie. I never thought Olivia would be a name I'd consider, but it just sort of fits. Unless some other name strikes us, this will probably be her name. We opted this time to do a 3D ultrasound. Well, I opted for it. Alex could do without it. I figured, this is our last time to do it. The first time around, she didn't cooperate and wouldn't turn her head for a full facial. She kept her feet and hands up around her face, so it was a little difficult to see. So, they brought us in again to try again. They'll try up to 29 or 30 weeks, but after then the baby's head is harder to move. So, at 28.5 weeks, this was my last chance.

We were able to confirm due dates, gender and size. And also that she has legs. She's given us really good shots of those. I guess I can understand because the ladies in my family have nice legs and are camera shy. Or stubborn. Anyways, less than 3 months away and our lives will change, again. We are excited to see her and see what new dimension she brings to our lives.

I love my OB-GYN

I can say for sure that that was not always the case. Going to "those" appointments is not something that makes a woman happy or even excited. Sometimes I'm excited to go to the regular doctor if I'm really sick, because I anticipate being healed. That's not the case with OB-GYN's. But my Dr is really great. She was able to deliver both my boys and the experience was great, both times. But recently, I asked her about due dates. I'm due May 6, a week after my birthday. My brother-in-law, Bobby, has his birthday the day after mine. So, I'd like to keep that one day all to myself. You might be thinking, 'You have Mother's Day'. Well, not really. Because I celebrate it with my mothers, so it's more of a global celebration.

So, I asked my Dr what she was thinking. I said I didn't want to be induced a week early, but a few days.....would probably be okay. She looked at the calendar and said, Okay, Pick a day...

I really couldn't believe I heard her right. I mean, I could pick a day? So, I think I'll pick May 4.

i-yi did it

That's what James calls Ryan. " I-Yi" aka Ry-Ry. Whenever there's a broken toy, missing battery, torn page, something out of sort, "I-yi" did it. As cute as it is in a 3 year old, he has figured out how to pass blame. But really, it's not a big deal. For example, a car is missing batteries, no reason to blame anyone, it just happens. Sometimes, it happens when James takes them out. Or a torn page, no need for spanking, it's a book. It happens when little hands are grabby. Anyways, when does passing blame become a truth and lie issue? Or is little James just figuring life out? I don't know, but I think I'll recognize it when James starts intentionally lying. Parents usually do.

The Time in Between

Wow, a lot has happened since James' birthday. For one, we found out we were having a girl, we moved, we hosted Christmas and New Year's at our new house, we've been sick 2 times around and I think that's the most of it. We moved fairly quickly into our new house, although it took about 4 full days to get everything out of the old house. I hadn't done any packing because I wasn't sure when we'd be moving. So, Monday, Alex says, the guys are coming to move tomorrow. So, that was that. The old house is cleaned out and waiting on some finishing touches so we can get it on the market.

The move was uneventful, for the most part. We rented a van from Uhaul and when we were asked whether we wanted insurance for the van for $14 we said No. Then the salesman said that even if it was someone else's fault, we'd have to pay. I got a weird feeling, so said Okay. After we were done with the van and driving out of our driveway, we popped a tire on a nail from the bridge. $14 is a lot cheaper than new tires :)

James' 3rd Birthday

James had a successful birthday. He turned 3. However, it wasn't just opening presents that made his day, it was the train cake with candles AND the presents. In James' mind, there's a certain order to how a birthday cake should be run. After you light the candles and blow them out, you pull out the candles and cut the cake. THEN the presents can be opened. And James will be sure to correct you if you forget what to do.

Earlier in the day, he got to go to the USS Yorktown with dad and had a great time.

Long Time

Wow....I just realized it's been a long time since I've written. Hopefully I can remember all the crazy and exciting stuff that's happened. November is always a busy month because it's James' Birthday, my anniversary and Thanksgiving. Oh, and my sister-in-law's birthday also. So, I start off the month thinking of James' cake a

nd what birthday presents we should get. This year things were a bit different because we've been focusing on finishing the new house. Everything came to a standstill with our banks so Alex has been really stressed!!

Halloween in Charleston

This was the first year where there wasn't a screaming baby or a baby too young to enjoy the parts of Halloween. James isn't too interested in wearing costumes but Ryan doesn't know any better. So, Ryan got to be a dragon. The day started off at James' preschool. They had a little pumpkin carving party which was the first time either boy saw that. In the evening we got to go to the Coastal Carolina Fair which was pretty fun. James and Alex got to ride the real helicopter for the first time and the whole rest of the time, James had to point out the copter as it went by. We could have just stood outside and watched the helicopter take off and land and saved ourselves some money. James did venture onto some rides, but he always got that panic look once he got inside and realized it might be a little scary. But he enjoyed it by the end.

This is a picture of Ryan eating the pumpkin tops....

So, this was a successful year. We didn't have to answer the doorbell and give out candy and thus have tons of candy to eat during the whole next 12 months!