September

I'm not entirely sure where the month of September went.  I know it started with a birthday, and now here we are, 20 some days later with October just around the corner.  This little life of ours better slow down or my kids will be all "hey I'm leaving for college now" and I'm still "do you want to wear dinosaur or puppy jammies tonight??"

Anyway, we've done stuff.  Fun stuff.  Fall is coming.  I love the cooler air.  Although I feel like the weather is a bit drunk right now.  Seriously.   It's 85* one day and 60* the next.  One load of laundry will contain both shorts & sweaters.  But it's what happens in the Midwest.  It's a blending of seasons if you will.

Anyway, here's some highlights of the month.

Touch a Truck

Every year the Sioux Falls Parks n' Rec department hosts "Touch a Truck".  Bascially it's a parking lot full of every kind of different truck and vehicle you can imagine.  Kids are allowed to climb, touch, honk the horn and dream that someday they, too, can drive a garbage truck.  (I'm gonna go ahead and assume - and hope - they'll grow out of that dream.  If not, it'll save a ton on college bills!)

Anyway, for my two year old little motor head, this was a dream come true.  Seriously.  He squealed with sheer happiness and his jaw nearly hit the ground when he walked into the parking lot.  Brooks hated it.  It was loud.  And he could care less about trucks.  But Carter literally dragged me from truck to truck, demanding I help him into the cab so he could "drive a cuck".

I couldn't even tell you what truck this was in.  To me, they all looked the same.  But he needed to sit in every.single.one. 

Preschool Started

For Brooks this year, we're doing preschool at home.  I didn't feel like I needed to pay someone hundreds of dollars to teach my child the ABC's.  That, and I really like teaching him.  He's a fun kid to learn with.  And this year, he's a part of a preschool homeschool group called "Backpack Buddies".  Cute, huh?  It actually started mid-way through last year, but we've revamped it some, added some structure and even have field trips scheduled.  There's five of us moms, 5 preschoolers and a whole bunch more "littles" added in.  We really look forward to our Tuesday morning group time!  We have a structured lesson for an hour and then play time for an hour (aka, the moms get to have actual adult interaction time.  yay.)

The first day of "school".  Carter received a new backpack for his birthday and he certainly wasn't going to be left out of the schooly fun.

And because one of the moms is a rockin' photographer, she did school pics for all the kids.

 Handsome little fellas, aren't they??

The Apple Orchard

Our latest preschool field trip was to the apple orchard.  It was a chilly morning, but that made it even more perfect for apple picking.  Our group participated in story time, sampled apples and juice, took a wagon ride  out to the orchard, picked a few apples, and then visited the animals and played in the hay.  Super fun morning!

most of the crew!

Look Who's Two!

It's true.  Our Carter James is two years old.  It's gone fast and very slow at the same time.  But we are so so blessed to have this little guy in our family.  He makes me laugh every day.  He helps me see a new perspective on life and he gives the sweetest kisses that melt this mama's heart.

For his birthday this year, we kept it really low key.  I mean, really.  Monday night we had Grandma and Papa Gale over for Carter's favorite dinner (spaghetti!) and cake and a few presents.

Singing "Happy Birthday".  He blew out the candles like a champ!

Mmmmm, frosting.

Papa & Grandma Gale

Then on Tuesday morning, we woke the birthday boy up by filling his whole crib with balloons!  Poor kid was still half asleep and slightly shocked, but eventually he realized a whole bed full of balloon is pretty awesome!

We ate Carter's favorite breakfast, oatmeal, then we packed up and headed out for a fun adventure.  We traveled to the Children's Museum in Brookings for the day to celebrate our birthday boy!  Chris took the day off of work so he could join us.

This was our first trip there in the summer time, so we were able to play with all the outdoor activities too.  And I'm so glad someone told us to pack extra clothes, because both the boys were soaking wet after playing outside! 

Where the "soaking wet" began

Playing in the river bed.  More wet fun!

The coolest giant lite brite EVER!

My motor head "fixing" the car.  He was totally in his element!

Painting windows

We finished the day with an ice-cream treat and headed home so our two tired boys could nap and rest.  I think Carter really enjoyed celebrating his birthday!  I know we did!!  

We came home to find a package on our front porch from Grandma Marty & Papa Dave.  Carter is definitely at the age where he understands and enjoys opening presents.  Thanks for the super fun presents!!

Both the boys sporting their Nicaragua shirts from Grandma Marty!

And now we begin the adventure of TWO!  Woohoo!

20 weeks. Shouldn't this be a little more "ho hum"?

We look-ee here.  20 weeks!  (Well, I'm actually 21 weeks.  But let's just pretend I posted this on time) Half way done with this pregnancy.  Well, half-ish.  My first two babies came after their due dates and I'm expecting the same with this one.  So I suppose I'm close  to half way.  To be honest, I really don't care or keep track.

Anyway, I'm 20 weeks and here's some thoughts ....

• Time during the beginning of this pregnancy was very definitive.  Not long days, not short.  Time just trekked along at a normal speed.  (Profound, right?)  I think it was a combination of anxiousness to meet our new family member and wanting it to slow down a bit so I could remember and enjoy it.  I also love this stage of our life.  Brooks is 4 and a super fun kid to hang out with.  Carter is just a few days shy of turning 2 and is becoming much more verbal and independent.  And they both sleep through the night (hallelujah!)  Not that I'm not excited for baby to come, I'm just super enjoying being a family of four right now!  Plus .....
• I like being pregnant.  I really do.  I know some mamas have awful pregnancies and for many reasons, they have every right to totally hate being pregnant.  But I love it.  I love knowing there is a small human being growing inside me.  I love my expanding baby bump.  I love taking on the extra responsibility of eating really well, exercising, and praying more.  That, and I feel great!  People don't believe me, but I do.  Now, keep in mind that I'm in the 2nd trimester "sweet spot" of pregnancy, but I'm pretty sure when all the "oh, my aching lower back" and "I think I just peed my pants" comments start coming .... I'll still love being pregnant.  Maybe.  But how often in life does one get to do this?  I better enjoy it while I can.
• I felt the baby move right around 17 weeks.  It took a while to distinguish the gas bubbles from baby flutters, but now they are definite little kicks.  And kiddo is getting stronger.  Chris even felt him/her move around!
• This is baby #3.  We've done this twice before.  I feel like this should be old news.  Ya know, the "been there, done that" kind of stuff.  It's totally not!  I still nearly cried the first time I heard the heart beat.  Chris still runs to my side to put my hand on my tummy when I tell him the baby is moving.  I'm super excited (and a little bit nervous) to meet this new person.  I bought my first new gift for the baby last week - a hand knit newborn hat.  It's adorable.  Seriously, adorable.  And I get all misty eyed looking at it, thinking that a real baby will be wearing it.  But not just any baby ... my baby.  Weird.  And totally awesome!
• I've gained a lot more weight with this baby than I have with my other pregnancies up to this point.  It may have something to do that I was also my smallest weight when I became pregnant with this baby. I mean, I'm still not huge, but some days that extra 25lb really makes me feel like it.  Normally I can wear my pre-pregnancy pants unbuttoned at this point but now I can't even get them over my rear end.  (sigh)  Oh well.  I know I'm eating healthy, getting enough protein and fruits & veggies and exercising regularly.  I just eat when I'm hungry to make sure baby is receiving the nutrients it needs.  It will all come off (at least that's what I'm telling myself ;)

Poop

This morning while getting dressed, I can hear Carter downstairs hollering about something.  I go to check it out.  He meets me at the bottom of the stairs and says,

"Poop."

Ok buddy, let's go change your diaper.  He grabs my hand, says "poop" a few more times and starts walking with me.  Then we walk past the diapers.  And I become increasingly more concerned.

"Carter.  Where is the poop??"

To which he replies in the most adorable sing-song voice you can imagine ......

"Floor!"

And sure enough.  We end our journey in the kitchen.  And there is, indeed, poop on the floor.

Fortunately, Carter saw the situation as a problem that required my attention and not an opportunity to finger paint.  And I'm thankful it was on the kitchen floor and not the carpet.  But still....

So I removed the leaky diaper, threw him in the shower, hosed him down, dressed the child and cleaned & sanitized the floor.

Just another day.

I miss Mama

Mom.  That's my name.  Sounds obvious, right?  Except it's not always been my name.  From the time Brooks was born I've been Mama.  I like Mama.  I've embraced Mama.  It sounds loving and sweet, yet can grow with a child.  Or so I thought.

A few weekends ago, Chris and I got away.  Not too far away.  Just to a Bed &Breakfast in Lennox.  But it was the first time ever (yes, ever) we left our kids overnight.  We had a great time and I don't think they even noticed we were gone.  But something changed in that 24 hours we were away.  During that time my four year old grew up.  And I became "Mom".  Not Mama.

I thought it would just be a phase.  Carter still calls me Mama.  Chris still refers to me as Mama.  But no.  I'm Mom.  And it seems the more I try to encourage Brooks to call me Mama, the more he calls me Mom.  Perhaps he feels more grown up saying it.  Or perhaps he likes pushing my buttons.  Because when he's not thinking about it, a "mama" will slip out.  And he seems to weave it into every sentence he speaks to me.  "Hey mom.  Mom, what can I do now, mom?  Let's do a puzzle mom.  I have to go potty mom.  Mom, what are you doing mom?"

But perhaps it's just a sign that he's growing up.  That happens I hear. (sigh)  But I miss Mama.  I miss hearing it.  I miss my little boy's first word.  And now when Brooks says it, Carter will repeat it.  It won't be long until Mama is phased out all together.  But at least I'm not alone.  Chris has morphed into Dad too instead of Daddy.  I guess we're growing up into our "big kid" names.

Growing ....

Yep, it's true.  Our family is growing.  And, consequently, so is my belly!  Quite rapidly I might add.  We're all so excited as we prepare and await for Baby #3 to arrive sometime in January.  This baby is what we'd like to call a "planned surprise" ... or something like that.  Back this winter/spring we knew that we were wanting to grow our family.  We made some plans, set a timeline for when we would get pregnant (bahahaha ... are you laughing yet?  Because I am!) and (surprise!!) none of it came to pass.  So the positive pregnancy test came a little sooner than we had "planned" but we're still so happy!

And to answer your questions ....

... I'm feeling great!  I was really tired & starving the first trimester, but not sick.  And now that my energy has returned and my appetite has subsided some, I'm feeling pretty much back to normal.  Whatever that means.
... we're due the middle of January.
... no, we don't know what we're having and no, we're not going to find out.  No ultrasound = no gender reveal.
... we've nicknamed the baby "Poppy".
... yes, I'm really only 16 weeks pregnant, even though I look much bigger than that.  (ok, no one's really asked that question, but I know some are thinking it)  When pregnant with Brooks, I wore my pre-pregnancy jeans until 16 weeks.  With Carter, I fit in them until 10 weeks.  Baby #3?  6 weeks.  Six whole weeks before having to break out the stretchy pants.
... yes, we would like a girl and no, we won't be disappointed if we have a boy.  We're looking forward to the surprise and will obviously be happy either way.
... Brooks wants a girl.  He's made that very clear.  His reasoning?  "Well, I already have a baby brother.  Now I need a baby sister."
... We're still seeing a midwife with this pregnancy, but not the one we saw with the boys.  We hired a homebirth midwife.  Because we're having a homebirth!  And we couldn't be more excited about it!!! I'll tell you more about that later.

All in all, things are going really well.  I love being pregnant and I'm looking forward to when I can start feeling baby move around!

Once upon a time we went on vacation....

... and here I am a week and a half two weeks later telling you about it.  (it's been a busy summer friends and we've been soaking up this short lived warm weather while we can.  Which, unfortunately, means less blogging. Oh well.)

Anyway ..... during the week of 4th of July, we ventured on what I would call the "Anderson family tour".  We covered a whole lotta miles in just six days.  But it was so great to visit family - some of whom we haven't seen in almost 5 years!

We started our trip on Tuesday, July 2, which, I would like to point out, was our anniversary.  Driving 10+ hours in a van with two small children was not exactly my idea of a fun way to celebrate, but I guess that what's happens after 8 years of marriage.  We did make up for it later.

Our first destination?  Crosby, ND.  Go ahead.  Google it.  It's in the middle of nowhere - which, let's be honest, is most of North (and South) Dakota.  Chris' Grandma Ardis (his dad's mom) lives there along with many of his aunts and uncles.  We hadn't been to Crosby since his Grandpa Jim passed away in September 2008.  A visit was long overdue.  The boys had fun playing with Grandma's piano, swinging on swings and discovering her fun new toys.  We spent Tuesday evening and all day Wednesday there.  Wed night all the relatives gathered at Grandma's house for a BBQ and the boys had a few cousins to play with.  Well, not first cousins.  In fact, I have no idea exactly how they're related.  They're Chris' cousins kids.  Whatever that makes them.  Anyway, we had a great time visiting!  Family is such a blessing!!

Chris and his cousin Ryan

Getting a ride from (great) Uncle Doug

the boys with Grandma Ardis

On Thursday morning, we packed everything up and drove two hours to Sidney, MT where Chris' parents live.  They moved there about three years ago and this was our first visit (ooops).  The boys, as always, had fun seeing and playing with Grandma Lue and Papa Les.  We ate good food, lit a few quiet fireworks (to appease my noise-sensitive first born) and mostly just hung out.  Chris and I did sneak away one evening for supper while Grandma & Papa watched the kids.  That was nice.

Papa Les & Grandma Lue

Uncle Tim introduced the boys to his bunny "Baxter".  They both loved him!

 Fireworks ....

 Brooks really does hate loud noises.  And even not-so-loud noises.  He was covering his ear while doing snap pops.  Seriously.  Snap pops.

Brooks was able to open his birthday presents from the grandparents too.

A new pool and squirt gun!!

Reading stories is a MUST with Grandma Lue.

Saturday morning we packed up all our stuff (again), left Sidney and drove another two hours to Baker, MT for Chris' cousin's wedding, in which Brooks was the ring bearer.  About 45 minutes into the drive, the alternator on our van decided that the "middle of nowhere" would be a fantastic place to quit and die.  Quit. and. die.  In the middle of nowhere.  Awesome.

Fortunately, Tim and his girlfriend were close behind us and pulled over to help.  We found a little "drive" into a field and pulled over there.  We moved the boys' carseats into Tim's car, moved all our stuff over and headed to Baker, while Chris stayed with the van.  And there's a few things we learned during this whole van breaking down adventure.
~ Glendive (the nearest town) has four mechanic shops.
~ Apparently in Glendive, a Thursday holiday warrants taking the entire weekend off from work.  This includes mechanics.
~The nearest tow company (who actually answered their phone) was 100 miles away.
~My in-laws SUV is capable of towing a mini van.
~Glendive (thank God) has a Napa auto parts store that carries alternators.
~Chris' Uncle Dan is a great mechanic and is capable of replacing an alternator in a K-Mart parking lot at midnight.

So yeah, that was fun.  Anyway, while Chris was dealing with van stuff, Tim, Jennifer, the boys and I pull into Baker, have lunch with my mother-in-law's family and get Brooks ready for pictures.

And I would like to throw out there, that the boys were totally cool with this whole adventure.  Sleeping in different places all the time, hours and hours of driving, meeting dozens of new relatives they've never seen before, not having Daddy around for half a day, being thrust in front of a camera for wedding pictures.  I, on the other hand, was getting a wee bit stressed.  But we survived.

After lunch I began my duty as "keeper of the ring bearer".  It started with the multi-piece tux.

Oh my beating heart.  I definitely had one of those "I can't believer you're my baby" moments.  I hugged him and made sure to tell him just how very proud of him I was!  And I also made sure to take this picture before we left the bedroom ... you know, before the cheek-pinchers got to him.

And Brooks absolutely amazed me during the whole wedding celebration!  He was so patient waiting for his turn for pictures, he actually looked AND smiled at the camera when asked to (shocking!), he performed his very important ring bearer duties flawlessly (including standing ON STAGE for 45 minutes during the ceremony) and then not eating supper until 8pm.  The kid was a champ.  Seriously.  I couldn't have been more proud of him (and Carter).  There were no tantrums from either of them all day.  

At the reception, they had a whole table filled with bowls of candy.  And for once, I gave Brooks carte blanche.  Here's a cup kid.  Fill it with whatever you want.  You deserve it.

This flower girl (I can't even remember her name) cracked me up!  After the ceremony, she kept toting Brooks around on her arm and calling him her "prince".  It was hilarious.  And apparently Brooks is cool with being bossed around by girls, because he just happily went wherever she told him to go.  (We may have to work on that) 

Before the wedding, Brooks kept asking ,"Carter, do you want to watch me get married?"  To which Carter emphatically replied "Yes!"  And seeing these two, they were like a little mini bride and groom :) 

We left the reception pretty much right after we ate.  The boys were exhausted.  I was exhausted.  And Chris headed out with Uncle Dan to fix our alternator.  We all slept hard that night.

We stayed at Sue & Steve's house (Chris's Aunt & Uncle and parents of the bride).  They're farmers in Plevna, MT so on Sunday morning while Sue cooked breakfast, Steve took the boys out for a spin on the four wheelers.  Brooks had fun but Carter was in heaven!  He hopped right on, grabbed the handle bars and was ready to drive!  Then Steve showed them the tractors.  I didn't think we'd ever get Carter to leave!

Being on the farm, even for such a short amount of time, made me wish we owned some land instead of just a small patch of weeds in the middle of the city.  (sigh)  Perhaps someday.

After breakfast, we said our good-byes, packed up all our things one last time, and began the eight hour trek back to Sioux Falls.  Our boys traveled so well during this whole trip.  I think I did more complaining than they did.  But by the time we hit Chamberlain (two hours west of Sioux Falls) we were all getting pretty crabby and were ready to be home.  We powered through the last few hours and finally made it home Sunday night around 9:30pm. And although I had a mountain of laundry and a filthy van staring at me, we were at last home.  And happy to be.