Love is...

I intended to do this post for Valentine's Day, but it is appropriately late. 

TV and movies typically focus on the beginnings of romantic love.  You don't see as much of the maintenance and nurture.  As I think about it though, I guess I understand why.  It isn't as exciting or attractive.  In fact, in many ways it is downright boring.  After 10 years of marriage, I can definitely say that my husband and I don't have a boring relationship, but I would also say that it is far from the attractive ideals of the movies.  It is much more about self-sacrifice and humility than self-indulgence and affirmation.  So, in honor of my husband, here is my explanation of how he has come to define love within our marriage.

Love is...

• just getting an extra blanket when your pregnant wife insists on running the ceiling fan when it is 10 degrees outside.
• busting your butt to get things ready for the nursery because the same pregnant wife can't lift, paint, sand or carry just about anything.
• taking two kids to the Magic House by yourself on a Saturday just so your wife can work in peace. 
• postponing plans to make upgrades to your jet ski to first make sure your"honey-do" list is complete (and not complaining about it at all).
• caring about the paint colors coordinating in the nursery because you know it will make her happy, even if you could really care less.
• telling your wife she looks really cute (and meaning it) when she is wearing sweatpants, a t-shirt, and no makeup.

I could make the list much longer, but you get the idea.  I am so thankful to have a husband that can tolerate my crazy, crabby, pregnant self and love me just the same as he did when I stayed up past 9 and liked getting dressed up just for fun. 

This picture is from when Billy took Audrey to her school's father/daughter dance a couple of weeks ago. 

Say What!?

We are all getting excited about the arrival of baby #3.  Audrey and Barrett's interest in the baby has grown in tandem with the size of my belly.  The past couple of weeks, they've started to talk more about the baby and ask more questions.  I wanted to share some of my favorites here so you all can laugh along with me.

• Barrett frequently asks if he can "see the baby," which entails lifting up my shirt to see my belly.  Fortunately, I have trained him that he can't do that unless we're at home. 
• Audrey inquired yesterday morning, "Mommy, why is it just your belly that is getting bigger and not your whole body?"  Bless you child...that made my day.
• The other day when my belly was exposed, Barrett walked up to me and poked my belly button.  Then he did it again and again as he giggled.  "Mommy," he said, "I am poking the baby's nose."  I explained that was just my belly button, but he continued to say it was his nose.
• Audrey and Barrett were playing the other day when I overheard Audrey tell Barrett, "Now Barrett, you are too small to carry the baby; only I can carry the baby, because I am a big kid."  I quickly jumped in to set the expectation with Audrey that she would not be carrying the baby either.  I think we are going to have to watch that very closely. 
• Last night, I was laying on the floor and Barrett came over and wanted to see the baby.  He was moving around a lot at that moment, so I put Barrett's hand on the spot where I'd felt him move.  The baby didn't disappoint, and seemed to do an entire gymnastics routine for his big brother.  Barrett was thrilled; he laughed so hard I think he was almost crying. 
• Audrey wants the baby to be born on her birthday.  It is a definite possiblity, and I appreciate that she is so willing to share her special day.
• Audrey and Barrett have both told their teachers now that the baby's name is Vladimir.  That is not the baby's name; that is just what we jokingly tell people who try to get us to divulge the real name (which we aren't sharing).  We continually explain this to the children, but I really don't think they understand.  I have a feeling it is going to take some time after he is born for them to adjust to his real name.
• Audrey is very fascinated by the size of the baby.  She is always asking me things like, "Is he as big as my hand," or "Is he as big as my head?"  Tonight, I had to laugh when she asked, "Is he as big as the TVs in the back of the car?" 
• I get a lot of questions from both children about what the baby is eating while he is in my belly.  I have tried to explain the placenta and umbilical cord, but I think that is just too hard for them to grasp at this point.  As such, I have reverted to just listing the items in my last meal to them.

I am sure the interesting observations from Audrey and Barret will continue, so I will try to do a better job of keeping up with this blog and writing about them as they happen.  I am officially 30 weeks, so we're almost there!

Chicago Fun

This past weekend, we took this kids to Chicago for a fun little holiday weekend adventure.  There were a couple of purposes for the trip.  First, to visit some friends that move to Chicago last spring and second to make good on a Christmas gift to my parents.  Here are some of the highlights of the weekend captured in pictures.

Our first stop was to visit the Krelle family.  We've seen them a couple of times since they moved, but never at their house.  This was a fun opportunity to visit them.  Our kids love playing together, so that makes it really easy.

After almost 6 hours in the car, as soon as we got to the Krelle's house, the kids were ready to play.  They discovered a little scooter that was the favorite toy of the weekend.

 

How many children can fit on one scooter? 

Nancy made a delicious cake that she let the kids decorate with lego brick candy.  They also got to decide what the cake would say.  

Since Owen was sick on his birthday, he got to block out the candles. 

Before bed, the kids had story time.

Posing for a few photos before our departure.  They only way I could get them to do a nice photo was to promise we'd do a crazy one next. 

 

 

Our next stop was in downtown Chicago where we attended the Chicago boat show with my parents, brother and sister-in-law.  The view from our hotel room was awesome.  We could see Lake Michigan and had a great view of the Chicago skyline.

 

 

 

At the boat show, the kids got to do and see many things I didn't even know existed at their age.  They were able to walk through a few million dollar boats, which they loved.  By the time we left, we couldn't get them to put their shoes back on between boats.

 

 

 They kids got to do a fishing simulation, which was hilarious.  I think Billy did most of the work on Barrett's turn. 

 

 Our room was great, because the hotel we were in connected to the conference center where the boat show was.  So, while everyone else enjoyed looking at boats for a few more hours, I was able to take the kids back for a nap. 

On our last day, we stopped by the American Girl store where Audrey got to pick out a doll for her birthday (which isn't until April).  So, she picked out Rebecca.  She doe shave to wait until her birthday to pen her though.

 

The next stop was the Lego store, where both kids were in their element (along with my husband).   

 Barrett was throwing a fit during the family photo, so he got left out.

So, we tried to get a picture of all four of us at lunch.

 

On the drive home, I started getting a little antsy, so I took a bunch of random pictures.  It was a nice drive to close out our trip though.  We had a beautiful sunset to watch, I got to watch my kids sleep peacefully, and they got to watch Frozen. It was a great weekend with many fun  memories!