Do I Look Like a Boy?

Arin says some of the funniest things.

Let me back-up.  Arin wears dresses/skirts everyday because that's what she likes best.  Today, we were going to the playground, so I told her to put on shorts instead.  She thought that was the most terrible idea, but agreed jeans would be ok, even though I told her she'd be hot in them.  So she got dressed in her shirt, jeans and tennis shoes.  Then, she came out and said to me, "If I was a boy, I'd look like this everyday!  If I didn't have on this girl shirt, wouldn't I look like a boy?" She was very serious.  I had to laugh (to myself of course).

Andrew and I tried to reassure her and tell her that she looked like our pretty little girl.  We went to the park and we had a lot of fun playing together. 

We went out to eat for lunch.  Both of the girls had to go potty, so I took them.  Arin was in one stall and Ella and I were in another.   A little girl walked in with her mom and apparently she looked in the crack of the stalls (her mom quickly told her to stop that).  But then the little girl said, "Mom, why is there a boy in here?" 

Hahaha, I guess that proved Arin's theory.  She quickly changed into a dress when we got home :)

Before Bed Snack

 Yummy, juicy, drippy, messy, sweet peaches!

We have been enjoying an abundance of fresh summer produce!

Ella's First People Drawing

As part of the girls' school (if you missed it, click here to see our new homeschool blog), I have been having them send cards to their grandparents (the set that doesn't live near us) once a week.  Arin writes "Dear Grandma and Papa" and "Love, Arin" and then she dictates what she wants the letter to say and I write it for her.  Ella dictates her whole letter, then scribbles a little on the inside of the card.  Both girls draw a picture on the outside of their cards. 

Today, Ella asked me to help her make a flower on her card.  She had already drawn the stem and I held her hand to draw the flower's petals.  Then, I got busy organizing our next project and wasn't paying too much attention to her.  When she was done drawing on the front of her card, she said, "I drew Grandma and Papa!".  I was amazed!  This was the first people (or really anything recognizable) that Ella has drawn. 
I really hated to send her first people drawing away, but I know that it'll make Grandma and Papa happy!

Waterpark Fun

Andrew's work bought us tickets to go to Adventure Island waterpark last week.  We had so much fun.  Arin had been to a waterpark when she was almost two, but Ella had never been to one.  It was a hot, crowded day, but everyone had a good time.  Arin especially loved the wave pool.

Pregnancy Journal: 29 weeks

This was a belly pic taken tonight.  I am going to try to get one next time to include my face.  No promises though as I am not photogenic at all!

We took our refresher birthing class a couple of weeks ago.  Seriously, I felt like I was out on a date!  We dropped the kiddos off at my sister-in-law's house then went to dinner before class.  During class we practiced breathing techniques and then the instructor encouraged the birthing partners to practice back massages on us mamas.  Awesome!  After the class, Andrew took me out for dessert before going back to pick up the kids. Can we have birthing classes every week??? :)

I've been feeling pretty well.  I am learning how to control my heartburn.  With Arin and Ella the heartburn was so bad that I would throw-up and it would be again this time, I'm sure, if I hadn't learned a few tricks along the way.  My new number one friend is lemon water.  I am amazed at how well this stuff works at taking away heartburn or in many cases stopping it before it starts.  I typically squeeze half a lemon twice a day to add to water and then right before I settle in for the night, I squeeze a whole lemon and put it in a bit more water.  Drinking that before bed has kept me from getting sick like I was with the girls. 

I had my 28 week prenatal appointment last week.  It was also my second glucose test, which I will get the results for at my next appointment.  I am down to the every two-week appointments now, which makes it more exciting.  I have gained 11 pounds so far, which my midwife said was great.  The baby's heartbeat was nice and strong and she is super active, but she did measure 26 weeks instead of 28 weeks.  My midwife said it was most likely just position and should be back to normal at my next appointment.

I've flip-flopped several times on my decision of where to birth, but for now, I am back to the decision to birth at home (vs. birthing at the birthing center).  I am beginning to gather my supplies and looking into buying a birthing pool.  I am starting to get very excited and anxious to meet our new baby, even though we still have 11 +/- weeks to go.

Cinderella

Remember this post (The one when Arin was three and she loved to mop on her hands and knees while wearing her dress-up clothes)?

She's graduated to using a mop, but she still LOVES to mop and she still loves to do it in her dress-up clothes. 

It is hard work, but she's really very good at it, so it is almost always her job (which makes me very happy). 



Wiping the sweat fom her brow :)