15 Week Pregnancy Update

Sorry I do not have a newer ultrasound to post. I don’t even have a picture of my belly because I think I just look fat right now. Ben says I look pregnant. I don’t believe him. The baby is about the size of an apple and I think I felt it moving Monday night. Today I am 15 weeks and can finally say that the morning sickness, aka all day sickness, is passing. I have felt pretty good the last week. I'm no longer nauseous all day, but do get sick when I need to eat. I've had a few instances of feeling crummy again and food hasn't helped but at least they are less frequent. I still avoid certain smells, foods, and even thinking about some foods and probably will for a few more months.
I am ready to make a very scientifically sound prediction on the sex of the baby. It is all based on dreams I've had and what more solid foundation can there be than the dreams of a pregnant lady, right? With each of my children I have had vivid food dreams during the months that I have been morning sick. Lauren's dreams were always about eggs, bacon, sausage, and other savory breakfast foods. I would gorge myself in the dreams even when the food fell on the floor. With Spencer I dreamed of chocolate and candy. I was usually buying bulk items at a store and unable to eat them because I never got to pay for them. So far this pregnancy I have had a dream about standing at the closet in our house in Chicago trying to stuff a bunch of chocolate into my mouth but being prevented because people kept walking by in the hall. The dream was about chocolate and I was unable to eat it therefore I conclude we are having a boy. Yes, yes I know, flimsy at best, but hey, I haven't much else to go on right now. In about 4 weeks I'll know if I'm a prophetess or just your run of the mill crazy pregnant lady.

Spencer Turns 3

Happy Birthday to Spencer! He really enjoyed his presents, but when I told him he would now be three fingers old instead of two he got really sad and started to cry. Two is his favorite number. Some other facts about Spencer and then on with the pictures and hilarious videos.

Favorite color: red

Favorite foods: hot dogs, Doritos, mac and cheese, broccoli, pancakes, gold fish

Favorite character: Link, especially Little Green Boy aka Windwaker Link

Favorite songs: 3 Little Monkeys and Popcorn Popping

Favorite phrase: "Let go of me!"

Favorite game: Motor Boat, the frog game, anything with running

We sang Happy Birthday to Spencer before he opened his presents. He does not like being sung to.

This was one of his favorite gifts. I missed the shot where he first opened it and his eyes got really big. He still looks pretty excited here. He already wore out the batteries that came with the little car so now we must hurry to the store and buy some more.
Ben and I have begun giving educational gifts now. We got him a learning laptop to help with his word pronunciation and letter recognition. Sometimes he'll get frustrated when I try to have him repeat words I say, but he really likes saying what the little monkey on his laptop says. Doesn't he look studious? Ben got the fun job of testing out all the laptops at different stores until he found the best one. Good job, Ben.We also picked up a little calulator that does math and numbers and things. It's a bit over Spencer's head right now, but Lauren really likes it.

Here is Spencer's very own big chair. It's about time too. The kids were starting to fight over Lauren's chair. Spence is holding a dinosaur that came with a paint set.
Here is his birthday pie. Once again he does not like being sung too.This is the Sunday afternoon nap he wasn't supposed to take. Grandma and Grandpa Stanley sent the cute little outfit.

We also got Spencer a gag gift. The first time he opened it he almost cried. But rest assured, he learned to love it pretty quickly.

Peasant Skirt for Reunion

I decided Lauren and I would be medieval peasant folk for the reunion. Spencer will be our heroic protector. Here is Lauren's skirt. Mine is the same just longer.

I still need to make the blouses and possibly a small pouch bag since there are no pockets. We are getting very excited about the reunion comming up.

It's Just Not Fair

I've been nauseous for almost two months now and yet I've managed not to throw up. How you ask. . .sheer will power I guess. Now I am in danger of forces beyond my control. My darling little children have picked up some horrid bug and I just know I'll get it. They have runny noses, croupy coughs, fevers, and vomiting. Have I gone this far to throw up because of a virus? It's just not fair!

The kids really were so sad today. Lauren's eyes were puffy and sad looking all day and Spencer has not been his happy mischievous self. They have both been lethargic and icky. I have been the nurse, orderly, and waitress. Three loads of laundry and two moppings of the bathroom later I am done because the children are in bed. I have wetted the last washcloth, filled the last cup with kool aid, read the last thermometer, and dispensed the last meds. Sleep my children and don't wake me until 7 am tomorrow. Ben got to go golfing today with the summer associates at his law firm. I think he just volunteered for the night shift.

I did try to sneak a small period of rest in this morning. The children found me and crawled into bed too. I felt drowsy at points but only they got any sleep. They looked so cute together even if they were feverish and coughing in their sleep.

A- Attached or Single: Attached
B- Best friend: Ben is definitely my soul mate, but I value all my girl friends too
C- Cake or Pie: Pie, right now I’d kill for mom’s blueberry pie
D- Day of choice: I really like Mondays because I have renewed energy and motivation from Sunday. It usually lasts until Wednesday
E- Essential item: Lauren and Spencer’s blankies
F- Favorite Color: Blue and green
G- Gummy bears or worms: Bears
H- Hometown: Burlington
I- Indulgence: chocolate, usually with peanut butter
J- January or July: November, fall and just before Thanksgiving and Christmas
K- Kids: Lauren-5, Spencer-basically 3, unborn baby-13 weeks
L- Life is incomplete without: Family
M- Marriage Date: April 22
N- Number of siblings: 6
O- Oranges or Apples: Apples with cheddar cheese
P- Phobias or fears: spiders
Q- Quotes:
“After all, to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind is the truest greatness.” Joseph F. Smith
R- Reason to smile: I am a Child of God
S- Season of choice: Fall
T- Tag 3 times: Marcia, Vagi, Kristin
U- Unknown fact about me: I love to dance
V- Very favorite store: Target
W- Worst habit: biting my nails
X- X-ray or Ultrasound: Ultrasound
Y- Your favorite food: pasta
Z- Zodiac Sign: Aquarius

Inocence and Cuteness

On Wednesday I reached 13 weeks in the pregnancy. Almost out of the first trimester. I won't be missing it that's for sure. I was showing the kids pictures of what the baby looks like and how big it is. Lauren asked me, in a very serious tone, if the baby would be born with clothes on. I tried not to laugh too hard as I explained that everyone is born naked.

Yesterday Lauren wanted everyone to draw elephants. Her drawing was really cute. If you have seen the movie "Horton Hears a Who" then you'll understand when I say that her elephant makes me think of Horton when he fills himself with air to cross the wooden bridge as it collapses.

Another sketch of Lauren that cracks me up is on the wall of her bedroom. She drew it about a year ago. I began keeping a growth chart of the kids in the family room on the wall because I know they will be repainted when we move and I like seeing how the kids have grown. Well Lauren thought that meant she could draw on the walls too. I can't really blame her. So she drew a picture of Link on her bedroom wall. To me, though, with the pointy hat and big eyes every time I see the picture I think of a KKK member. I can just imagine what the painters will think when they get to the kids' bedroom. By then we will be long gone so it won't matter anyway.