The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly - II

We are careening toward the finish line of this pregnancy.   I am thrilled to meet this fella, wanting relief, but sad to see it end knowing this is our last baby.  So here are a few more thoughts on pregnancy 

12.  We cruised straight through the second trimester.  It was such a honeymoon after all the illness from the first 10 weeks, those next 10 fly by.  The appetite returns and people start to suspect you are pregnant and not just chubby.
13.  I love a sonogram.  Seeing him move around and feel him at the same time is a thrill.
14.  Observing the girls feel him move.  They love to lay their heads on my tummy and then giggle when he kicks them in the face.
15.  The girls asking if they can snuggle with the baby.  aka, hug my tummy.
16.  This boy is way more active than either of the girls ever were.  Excuse me, but my ribs are not a spring board.
17.  I am getting up at least once a night to use the restroom.  And often can't get back to sleep.
18.  Back aches.
19.  Waiting in the doctor's office.
20.  It's been nice to be pregnant during the summer, no busy schedules to keep.  Slow days, lots of pool time.  Floating in a cool pool is quite relaxing.
21.  Ditto on all the fresh food.  I can't eat much heavy food, so all the fruits and veggies in season is wonderful to my taste buds   I may go eat watermelon right now.
22.  Heart burn.  Fruit flavored Tums is my dessert of choice.  I actually yelled at Will when I caught him getting in my stash.
23.  I had my first maternity massage.  It was D-Lightful.
24.  When we had Laurie, we were scared and unsure.  With Anna Fair, we were overwhelmed with a toddler and a newborn and just happy to survive each day.  With this last baby, having 5 1/2 years experience under our belts and 2 big sisters eager to help, I am looking forward to actually savoring this time.
25.  The girls telling strangers in Walmart, "there is a baby in Mommy's tummy."
26.  Short of breath and light headed.
27.  The bizarre feeling that he will "fall out"
28.  Random strangers commenting on how huge I look.  Thanks.

Exploring the Creek

With our due date bearing down on one side and school careening in from the other, we've been frantically trying to squeeze in as much as we can in our remaining weeks.  There is so much to do in Yazoo City and we love visiting.  Laurie was most insistent on this trip that we walk in the crik so she can "make discoveries" and "explore science."  I think we watch to much Sid the Science Kid.  And explore we did: bones, petrified wood, frogs, minnows, and animal tracks, oh my!  Laurie kicked off her shoes, as they were slowing her down, and took off running through the muddy/clay creek.  Anna Fair, who I usually consider my mini me, I am embarrassed to say, was horrified for any mud to touch her precious skin and cried to daddy, "I want to be clean again."  

Barbour Reunion

The Barbours had a family reunion this month.  The water slide was a big hit for the kids.  I know there were quite a few Barbour offspring that slept really well this night.  

Rainbow fingers and toes.

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Orange Beach 2013

We met BB and Granddaddy at the beach for a few days and had an amazing time.

BB bought the girls this beautiful princess kite.  Laurie wanted to fly it immediately.  She ran up the beach with it for about 1 minute, then turned to Daddy and said, "It's too hot, you do it."  So, of course he did.  Having a really nice breeze was great for kite flying.

Our current parenting style is something of man on man defense (I do realize that will change in a few months).  As Laurie prefers Will and Anna Fair me, we generally split up that way.  And it works out great for Momma.  Daddy is chasing kites, jumping waves and looking for seashells 2 miles down the beach with Laurie.  I get to sit on the lounge under an umbrella and watch Anna Fair at my feet making sand angels, sand castles and eat snacks.  It's a hard job.

 We caught about 20 minnows with our nets.  It was really fun to watch them swim around our bucket.

 

 We love to hunt for crabs in the dark.  The kids crack me up squealing and chasing them.  Anna Fair wouldn't touch one if her life depended on it, but Laurie was doing pretty well catching them.  Then, BB yelled that one pinched her.  Laurie refused to do it again after that.  I am pretty sure Will won't ever forgive BB for that.

 Early morning snuggles.

 They keep the lobby and elevator of the condo pretty freezing cold.  To keep the kids from moaning and wailing over the cold, we bribe that they can hop in the balcony hot tub as soon as we get back to the room.  It keeps them occupied for a great quiet time for Mom and Dad too.

 

Cartoon snuggles

I love lazy summer mornings, snuggling on the couch for a few cartoons. Sweet sisters.

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Did You Fly Your Flag for the Fourth?

Because we sure did!

We do fly a flag in front of our house every July 4th, but making this fun cake really started a sweet conversation about the flag and what it represents.

We baked and iced it on the 3rd, but starting at 7 am on the 4th, all we heard at our house was, whenarewedecoratingthecake, whenarewedecoratingthecake, whenarewedecoratingthecake...  It's a good thing I love them.

This was an amazing week of firsts for Laurie.  We've worked with her all summer on riding her bike, but Laurie can get frustrated and want to give up.  Buying a balance bike for the kids has been such a great learning tool, and really helped her find he balance.  On Wednesday, Laurie started out wobbling on the bike, with Will walking behind keeping her from falling over.  We couldn't help but wonder when it would click for her.  By the end of the day, Thursday, Laurie hopped on her bike and took off, with no help at all!

 

Anna Fair riding (walking) the balance bike.  "Take a picture of me too, Mamma."

Laurie's other big accomplishment this week is doing a flip off the diving board.  She usually just bails off feet first, but I think she's been watching the big kids working on their moves to much.  It makes me laugh every time to see it.  

Cotton candy and chocolate

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