Summer Vacations- Asheville and Memphis

We were back from Michigan for a week when we turned around and had to go back to Knoxville for Ben's work project. We came  home for another week and a half when we went back up to drop off the kids so we could go to a wedding in Asheville. It was a whole weekend away from the kids which was so weird for me. They are so much a constant in my everyday life that I admit, it was nice, but I felt a little lost. It was great to get a chance to get away before the new baby comes.

We went to the Sierra Nevada Brewery there, which seems so much fun to the pregnant girl that doesn't like beer but it actually was really fun. Ben and our friend Steve had a great  time trying different beers and the food was great. Plus, it was all really pretty.

The wedding was at a farm in the middle of a wildflower field. It was absolutely gorgeous and so much fun to just spend all afternoon in this beautiful location. It was like, we were in another world, far away from kids and whining. 

We had two more trips to Knoxville for Ben's project and then our last big trip was at the end of September for Ben's high school reunion in Memphis. We tried to do every family activity that we could.

A trip to the zoo. Miller was so excited to see an eel. He just sat here and stared at the thing. They freak me out but my kid thinks they are cool.

This is how I get myself in pictures since I am the one holding the camera most of the time.

There is a playground at the zoo that we wore the kids out on. She is normally really hesitant to go down the slides but she got brave this day and tackled that fear. We could not get her to stop.

Playing the piano at grandmommy and grandaddy's house.

The Botanical Gardens. They have a great kids section that they loved. They look like Jack and Jill here.

Feeding the fish.

The Pink Palace Museum. This dinosaur is animatronic and is activated when you get close. I did not know this last year and it scared the crap out of me. This year Miller was so excited to see dinosaurs so we thought we would surprise him. Yeah see how he is clinging to Ben. He would not let go of him the whole time we were at the museum. He was afraid that everything would come to life. It did not help that I let him watch "Night at the Museum" the day before.

We had free passes to the Imax theatre so we went to see a dinosaur movie. I thought for sure after the incident upstairs that they would not sit through it, especially Scarlett but they both did great. They sat and watched the whole 45 minute movie. Miller kept his 3D glasses on the whole time.

We went to our favorite park at Shelby Farms. This girl loves to swing.

Mud Island has this awesome model of the Mississippi River that we went to when Miller was little. It was so hot outside so this was a great activity for them. Scarlett kept falling on the topography and getting mad but refused to get out.

Ben's brother in law's parents have a farm with retired horses. Last year, Miller would only pet them and Scarlett sat on its back. This year, Miller was so excited to ride it and Scarlett was nervous.

We were there for 9 days and got to spend lots of time with Ben's parents. It makes me sad that we only get to go back once a year.

Summer Vacations- The Beach and Northern Michigan

We had some major trips to take this year, one on top of the other. At the beginning of June we went to Myrtle Beach with my dad's side of the family.

From left to right, my stepbrother Joe holding my nephew Deacon, my sister-in-law Leslie, nephew Silas, Ben, me, Miller, Scarlett, my dad, my stepmom, my sister Lindsey holding my niece Penelope, and her boyfriend Billy.

We came home from the beach for two days and then drove north to Michigan. It was a 14 hour drive that I was terrified of for months but for no reason. My kids did great! We drove 3 hours to Knoxville, which they are already pros at, to stop at my parents house and have dinner. We changed into PJs and diapers and I took the first shift of driving. I thought that I would only be able to do 2 or 3 hours but I did 8! I was so proud of myself but I was exhausted. Ben got to sleep while the kids did but when it was my turn, they were awake and I had to keep catering to them.

Michigan was kind of a funny coincidence. My mom's side of the family is from Michigan and we used to go vacation in Traverse City. My cousin happened to be marrying a girl from Traverse City so that is where the wedding was. It was a family reunion on our old stomping grounds. I had talked about wanting to take Ben and the kids for years and this was the perfect opportunity.

We got to do the sand dunes which was a totally different experience having to chase my kids and being pregnant. I was slow but I got further than I had before.

Miller completely left us but thank goodness there were other family members that could keep up with him.

My little ones got to be the ring bearer and flower girls. Miller looked so handsome!!!

This was my favorite picture of them. I was so afraid that they would not perform but they were perfect. They walked all the way up the aisle holding hands and then came and sat quietly with me during the ceremony. They always surprise me when I least expect it.

At the reception, they seriously never left the dance floor. It was 5 straight hours of dancing. They even just swayed around when slow songs came on, or tried to follow any line dance. They were the hit of the night and I got so much joy from watching them.

This was the best family picture that I could get from this trip, taken at my grandparents old campground.

Miller was not supposed to get wet while he was playing in the lake with my cousins but he was having fun and that is what matters.

After a few days in Traverse City, we traveled 3 hours north to Mackinaw City. None of us had ever been there and we wanted to visit the island. We took a day trip over to Mackinac Island and had a great time. We rode an "outside bus" (a horse drawn carriage) according to Miller, and got to ride the ferry and see lighthouses. We all just wished that we had been able to stay on the island.

We drove back during the day which made me nervous, but again, the kids did great. We stopped in Knoxville for the night and then Ben, Scarlett and I drove back to GA while Miller stayed with my mom for a few days. Scarlett and I were like a couple of lost puppies without Miller around but it was nice to give her a few days to be an only child. It just made us appreciate all the chaos and fun he brings with him.

Summer Update

I am playing catch up here but I needed to post some Summer pictures before we move onto Fall.

I make a bucket list most years and berry picking is always on it but we never do it. We took advantage of Ben's half day Fridays and went one week. It was sooooo hot and we only lasted about 30 minutes but the kids still had fun. Scarlett sees the pictures on my phone from this and says, "hot", everytime. 

I love seeing my kids play together. It has been one of my favorite parts of this whole year. They were really quiet one day and I found them under the dining room table with a snack.

He won't always smile for pictures but he is so handsome.

 

After almost 4 years, I finally released Miller into the world. We signed him up for a one day a week preschool program. He really loves it and Scarlett loves her time with just mommy. In November he starts two days a week. 

First game of the season. Go Vols!!!

My cousin, Callie, was born in Tennessee but raised in mostly Oklahoma and went there for college. It is a funny thing when we end up playing any of my cousin's alma maters because they are torn who to cheer for. They came to TN for the game so we went up that weekend and went down to campus to tailgate with them. The kids had a great time getting to be in that atmosphere and had so much fun playing with their cousins.

Miller started a small soccer program this fall. Unfortunately, most of the games have been rained out but for the two that he has had so far, he has shown improvement in following directions.

Pregnancy #3 Update

So I am awful about blogging now, aren't I?!?!? In my defense, it has been the busiest year.

It all started with our trip to Disney last year, then our grandmothers getting sick and passing away around the holidays. This year, Ben has had a project back home in TN so we have gone up once a month for his meetings and this is on top of our other trips up there. In June we had back to back trips, one to the beach with my dad's side of the family and then a 14 hour car ride to Michigan with my mom's side of the family. Throw in a pregnancy and you have got one exhausted family.

This pregnancy has put me in major nesting mode. I think it mostly comes from the fact that we just bought our first house last year and I want to feel really settled here. Don't get me wrong, we have done some things over the past year but knowing that this baby is coming and my energy will be spent elsewhere, I want to get some things done now while I have the time. I have hung lots of pictures on the wall (which after years of renting is such a relief). We rearranged the basement so that I have a more functional craft space, and a guest room/nook and fixed up the bathroom. We painted and added molding to the kids bathroom (I love it!!!!). Of course I made the baby a nursery and finished up a few things in the kids rooms. I promise I will post about all of these, I just have a few last touches to finish up.

Obviously pregnancy posts have been missing. I have still been taking weekly pictures and keeping a journal but I have blanked on blogging. Here are some of the weekly pics. (I do not have a good starting picture because I did not find out until later this time then we kept forgetting to take a weekly picture).

The journal entries are more or less the same as before. The only difference with this pregnancy and the other two is that it is so much harder. I remember when I was pregnant with Scarlett, my doctor told me that the third, and subsequent pregnancies are harder than the first two. I figured that she had to be wrong because why the third but not the second? Well she was right. My muscles and joints are so much looser and sore. I can sit in the most comfortable position and I am still sore when I get up. I get cramps from the slightest movements.

I was in love with being pregnant with Miller. With Scarlett, I was so grateful to get to experience it again. This time, I am so distracted by the kids, trips and nesting, on top of being sore, achy and tired, that the miracle and magic that I once found in pregnancy, is mostly lost on me this time. A few weeks ago, for the first time ever, I was sick and tired of being pregnant. Now I am starting to feel sad that I am entering my last trimester. I just want to feel that enjoyment again, at least for the next 3 months.

I am going to try to enjoy the next couple of months, even though they are busy too. We have a two more trips but after that we have a few months at home. Miller is starting at a mothers day out program and soccer. Then October is busy with lots of Halloween events and Miller's birthday. I will try to be better about posting updates and about projects that we have been doing. I am not making any promises though.

Scarlett's Monthly Update:18 Months

My girl is now closer to two than she is one. I do not know how but somehow in the last few months, she has transformed into a big girl. Her hair has gotten longer, she is talking more, she is walking around holding our hands when we go places rather than being carried.

Weight: 24lbs 5oz (+15lbs 10oz) (Miller was 24 lbs)

Height: 31.5in (+9.5in) (Miller was 32in)

Head: 19in (+6.25in) (Miller was 20"in)

Sleep: She sleeps through the night just fine. She puts her self to sleep at night and at naptimes now. I will admit, I miss her falling asleep on me and getting to look at that cute, squished up face, but I am so proud of her for being such a good sleeper. The only times we have had issues is when we are out of town and sharing a room. She must hear me move when she is a little bit awake and then wants in bed with me. It is rare though.

Eating:  She is a toddler so some days she eats great, and the next she refuses all foods. All in all, she is a pretty good eater though and a lot less picky than Miller.

She was not nursing too much and then we went on vacation and she has pretty much stopped since we got home. It is alright because I know with the new baby, things would change but I was hoping that she would nurse longer. The funny thing is that this is the exact same place in my last pregnancy that Miller stopped nursing. I would say that my milk must change then but I think both times had more to do with traveling than anything.

Best Moment:  In the last month, she has started talking a lot. I was really trying to work with her so she would have a few more words in her arsenal for her 18 month appointment, then something just clicked. She says so many words and pretty much understands everything. We have to mark her first words as "Thank you" and "shoes". Those sum up my girl to a tee!

Milestones: This is hard to pinpoint a real milestone but talking is a pretty good one. Also that she will be a big sister soon.

Monthly Wisdom: She has been really clingy to me and an all around pain and it was really stressing me out. Then Ben reminded me that Miller was the same way at this exact age.

Goals for the Upcoming Month: Now that we are back from vacation and I am feeling better after a rough 1st trimester, I am working on setting up a good routine with the kids to be in when the baby comes. So far so good. The house is running smoother and they seem to be responding well.

Things Scarlett is doing

- She is getting into EVERYTHING. She figured out how to climb into our barstools so now my safe space in there is no longer safe.
-She is so sweet and affectionate.When I get her out of bed, she wraps her arms around my neck and squeezes. There are so many spontaneous hugs, kisses and snuggles.
- Her bowleggedness has gotten better but she still turns in at the knees. We talked about it with our pediatrician and he said that it should straighten out in the next 6 months to a year.
- She is such a dancer. At my cousins wedding she never left the dance floor. She dances to TV shows and commercials and even the timer for Miller when he is in timeout.
- There are a few songs that she starts and mumbles a little bit and claps like she actually sang the song.
- She is so stinking funny. I can not even tell you all the things she does to make us, and herself laugh.
- Her and Miller are starting to play together all the time. It makes me so happy!!! When we came back from a trip to Michigan, Miller stayed in TN with my mom for a few days and Scarlett was lost without him. Anytime we would facetime with them, she would start squealing.
-Some of her commonly used words- thank you, please, welcome, byes, nigh nigh, kiss, love you shoes, teeth, bites, drink, mama, dada, ninny, ally, miller (sort of), Scarlett, sister, all gone, go, Tennessee (not kidding, she can say it), Rocky Top (so proud of this).

I love being able to do her hair. 

My little snuggle bunny. 

I love this one of her!

This is, "Miller leave me alone. I do not care what mommy says, I do not want to hold your hand". 

She is a happy girl most of the time, she just has her sassy moments. Those are the exact things we have said since the day she was born. 

It's a .....(Gender Reveal)

With Miller and Scarlett, I was so anxious to find out the gender that we did not really do anything special to celebrate it. We found out at the anatomy scan and then started calling family.

This time around, I really wanted to find out with the kids. I wanted to do something special since we had not before and because this is our third baby and I want them to know that we did something special for them that we did not do for the other two.

With the first two, we both knew what the babies were before our anatomy scan. We just had a really strong feeling. This time around was no exception. We both thought it was a girl and it did not help that Miller swore that it was too. We tried to tell him that it might be a boy and he would not budge that it was a girl. 

I was really nervous because I really wanted it to be a girl. It was not that a boy would not be great, I just wanted to be right.

This is my genuine surprise that it was pink to come out of the box. I was so excited that I started to tear up.

I was trying to get the kids to understand. I had been practicing with Miller for days what it meant when we would see pink or blue balloons.

It looks like Scarlett is upset to get a baby sister but really she just wanted to run down the driveway and was mad about us putting her in the box. They were really more excited about the balloons than anything.

Something else new this time is that they have a blood test out now that can tell the gender of the baby as early as 10 weeks with a 99% certainty. We decided to do it and actually found out when I was about 15 weeks along (this is when the pictures were taken). We had our anatomy scan and even though the blood test is pretty certain, I was still relieved to see her little girl parts at the ultrasound.

We already have a name picked out (actually we have had it picked out for years) but are still working on a middle name. This is so unlike us to not have a middle name but I have two names that I am just sitting on and seeing how I feel about each one.