News of the Day

This morning I woke up to this wonderful email from my MIL. She is the best!

I have notes for you Becky...Cam has truly suffered Jet Lag, I woke him to talk with you last night and he immediately went back to sleep for another two hours. Lydia has a fever and cough but he said, "thanks to my wife I have stuff here to use for it" and they both slept well last night. And this morning Cam is starting to talk and think like himself. Truly Jet lagged the first day. As for Lydia - she has a dimple on her right cheek when she smiles and she smiles often. She sucks her thumb or first finger occasionally,. She will soon, I'm sure, learn how to roll over and she makes the most wonderful "brrrr" sound...like one of the boys playing cars. They will love that, I'm sure. She vocalizes, says "da-da-da-da" often and croons herself to sleep. She had a stinking stinky poo last night and this morning. I being the consummate grandma, woke Cam to change her. Sort of like sending the kids home when they get crabby. Ah, me. Such a naughty Gramma Sue. but the whole time Cam was changing her she flirted outrageously and I know you would like to know more details but that's what I wrote down for today. Thank you for letting Cam and I have this experience. It is, truly, not something words can describe as well as the being here, seeing, experiencing the sights, smells, sounds. Love you more and I know Cam will be more talkative tonight. Love,Sue

When I talked to hubby he was MUCH more talkative and sounded like his normal self. He said Lydia (her Ethiopian name and Patron Saint) does have a fever and diarrhea but is otherwise happy and so sweet. The Doctor at Layla checked her out and said it was a viral infection. Hubby said lots of the kids at Layla have runny noses right now. They had a tour of Layla and hubby got to play soccer with the older kids. They got video of it so that will be fun to watch. They were going to the pizza parlor at the Hilton after I talked to him. Tomorrow they are going to visit another orphanage called Kidane Meret. It is run by nuns. Our friend's new daughter is there and hubby is excited to meet her and take her picture. He also has lots of mail to deliver from families waiting to bring kids home.

On the home front...it's Birthday Day for Mr. P!!! We are going out to dinner. He chose McDonald's....oh yeah! I'll be eating something at home before we go. After dinner Nana and Grandpa are coming over for cake. He has an Indiana Jones cake and is very excited about it. It's still nice and sunny so we will play outside after we go pick up the cake. We spent some time yesterday watching home movies and we plan to do it again today too. It was so fun to see the boys when they were smaller. They really enjoyed seeing Papa on the TV too. They kept asking where I was...I'm rarely on the screen but they can hear me because I'm always the one doing the taping. I got really cute video this morning of Busy Guy singing Happy Birthday to his brother. Check it out!

He's Got Her In His Arms

I talked to hubby this morning and he was at the hotel with our baby girl! He said she is beautiful, sweet, chubby and just perfect! After meeting her at the orphanage they went back to the hotel where he bathed her and put her in one of her new PINK outfits. They had dinner at the hotel and were in the room dozing when I called (it was 7:00 pm Addis time). Hubby was really exhausted from the trip so it was hard to get many details out of him (plus he's a guy). I finally had my MIL get on the phone and give me the details I wanted...in depth description of my baby! I will talk to him tomorrow morning again. They plan to have a tour of Layla House and deliver all the supplies they took with them.
The boys and I went to church today. We are having really hot weather and the church was sooooo sweltering...especially to a pregnant woman who's due in 2 weeks! My hands and feet were all swollen. After church we came home and napped in our lovely air conditioned home. Then we went out to play in the pool and have snacks. Tonight we plan to watch home movies of the boys when they were babies. They are as excited as I am. It will be fun to see Papa on the TV too as we all miss him. Two days are crossed off our calendar...only 7 more to go....ohhhhhh!

Today's News

Hubby should be in Dubai for his layover now. They have a 13 hour layover which I think will be nice. They are being put up in a hotel right at the airport. They will arrive tomorrow in Addis rested, clean and refreshed after just a 4 hour plane ride from Dubai to Addis. I can't wait to talk to him tomorrow. We will be calling tomorrow morning before church. Hubby will have baby girl in his arms! Here are the most recent photos of her. Our dear friends just returned this week from Addis with their 2 newest boys...they are adorable. They took many wonderful photos of our baby girl.

With one of the nannies at Layla House.

All smiles!

The boys and I are hanging in there. We are having really nice warm weather so today we blew up the pool, cleaned it out and filled it up. They played in it as well as the sprinkler. We got to have lunch outside which is so nice for the clean-up! Now they all wanted to come inside and are playing SpiderMan. I'm without a camera this week since hubby took it with him. I did buy myself a little treat though. I got the Flip Video. I love it and have been learning how to use it and taking video of the boys. I will post something soon.

Double the Fun

Grandpa J. and Grandma B. bought us this awesome double stroller. So great...Thanks! I put it together and then tested it out with the infant carseats attached. It works great. This will be my life saver when taking Mr. P to school next year. I can quickly (that's a relative term) get everyone in and out of the car and manage to walk Mr. P in to his classroom.

The infant carseats snap right onto the stroller so I don't have to wake anyone or take them out of their seat. We still had an infant seat that both Mr. P and Busy Guy used and then my sister gave me her gently used car seat.
I installed Busy Guy's carseat into the back row of the van and then put one infant carseat into the van's middle row. So, we are ready to pick up Papa and new baby sister at the airport next week....or go to the hospital and have a baby. Papa left this morning. I shed a few tears but so far so good...I know it's only been 6 hours:) I'm in a "vacation" mindset which means the kids can have junk food, watch a little extra tv and in general have a more relaxed day. Bedtime is still the same...because I can't stay up any later to watch them. The boys started the day with Frootloops and have been running around in their undies playing with Mr. P's newest light saber (b-day gift from Grandparents). We are going to make a calendar to mark off the days until Papa and baby sister (I'm thinking of a good blog name) come home. I'll be posting about hubby's trip too as I talk to him. The first time I'll talk to him will be Sunday morning. He will have been in Addis for half a day and will have our newest baby with him! I can't wait to hear all about his trip and our sweet...and first...baby girl. So exciting.

Why I Love This Man!

One of the many reasons I love this man...my dear sweet hubby and best friend. He says to me, "I know I should be freaking out about having two babies at once but really I'm just so excited about how much fun it's going to be". I feel exactly the same way!!!

He leaves tomorrow morning....very early! Tonight we will spend time as a family and get the last of things ready to go. Keep him in your prayers as he travels to Ethiopia to bring home our new baby girl. Keep the boys and I in your prayers as we hold down the fort without our guy...and I try NOT to go into labor.

I Hate Bubbles!

I know, you're thinking, "what? you hate bubbles?". But, I really do! I mean the kind the kids want to blow with little wands. I didn't like them as a child. I hated to get the soapy solution on my fingers when you had to reach into the bottle and get the wand...and I still hate it. When I was getting my teaching degree we had a class all about "play" and the instructor took us outside, gave us a recipe for homemade bubbles and we mixed them up in kiddie pool and made bubbles with a hula hoop. I know most of you are thinking, "wow, how fun". Yuck, I hated the whole thing...intensely! I know...hate is a strong word...but it really fits. I could say I despise them, I don't like them, they sick me out, they irritate me...but it really sums it up to say I hate them. My parents are probably laughing...as well as the friends who know me well. This will come as no surprise to them. People are usually surprised though when a mom of 3 (soon to be 5) kids says she hates bubbles. I do like lots of other potentially messy things like finger paint, playdough (only at the counter!), arts/crafts, camping, digging in the dirt, etc. But NOT bubbles. It's kind of sad because my boys of course LOVE bubbles. The neighbor gal does bubbles with her kids every day and sometimes brings it all over to our driveway to "share". Yikes...I sit with my eye twitching and wishing she would have to go home soon as I watch our driveway and my 3 boys get covered in gooey sticky suds....blech! The same kind neighbor gal brought Mr. P his very own huge bubble wand and large, long specialty jar of bubbles yesterday. I retreated to the house so I wouldn't have to watch the bubble "mess". My hubby knows I hate them so he stayed outside to supervise. Why do I hate them....let me count the ways: They get all over your hands/kids hands/arms/feet/clothing/driveway/grass, the suds get tracked into the house and into the carpet which never comes out, everyone's clothes/shoes/body have to be cleaned off, and the little plastic wands don't ever work right. Or...it's just that I'm a neat freak and have OCD about bubbles...and maybe I'm Scrooge about bubbles. This morning my MIL came to watch the boys while I went to the Dr. As I left they were all on the front porch doing bubbles. My eye was twitching but I did have a small moment of happiness as I watched my sweet boys with little lips pursed blowing bubbles off into the yard and waving bye-bye to me. My MIL knows how I feel about bubbles...she's the best...she wiped all their hands and feet before coming inside and then changed their clothes! Whew! Disaster averted....at least until they find where I hid those bubbles and ask to play with them again:0
Are there activities that you hate to do with your kids? Leave me a comment...I don't want to be the only nutty mom!

I'm so blessed

I am so blessed with the friendship of amazing women. I have been working on my back-up plan in case I go into labor while hubby is in Ethiopia. He'll be gone June 27th-July 6th and I'm due July 16th. I have the most wonderful and giving friends! I can't count the number of friends who have offered to...be my labor coach, watch my kids, clean my house, make me meals, run errands, shop for us, send their teenagers over to play with the boys, help me in yard, and basically do anything I need. It is so comforting and I feel so surrounded by love. Thank you Lord for these wonderful women!

Birthday Celebration

Mr. P turns 5 at the end of the month. Papa will be in Ethiopia for the big day so we celebrated yesterday. We had a great time!

We rode the rides.

Had cotton candy.

Went for a scenic train ride.

Took an elevator ride to the sky!

Then we went out for dinner and home for presents and cupcakes!

Indiana Jones Lego for the X-Box!!!! He was over the moon and wanted to go play it before he even had a cupcake.

Other highlights of the day were Mr. P requesting us to sing Happy Birthday to him at various times such as waiting in line for rides...Busy Guy crying his eyes out because he was too small for the roller coaster...as it came to a stop he could see his Papa and brothers and was yelling, "My turn now, my turn now".

Happy Birthday to my sweet, sweet 5 year old! You are smart and active and kind. You are a great big brother and son. We all love you and enjoy being around you! May God Grant You Many, Many More!

On a side note...I was sooooo tired by the time we left for dinner that I could barely walk...we were all in bed asleep at 8:00 last night. Today I'm slightly better...but still hobbling around. It's the first day of summer vacation so we are all sitting around in pj's and probably will all day! Oh, except the boys have haircuts this afternoon...I'm sure the barber won't mind if we all show up in pj's and/or underwear:)

Home Delivery

I'm so excited! I just ordered groceries online from Safeway.com. The first order is free and then it costs about $12.00 an order after that. Well worth it to me. There is NO way I'm going to the store with my troop of kiddos any time in the near future. I can just imagine it....I'm in my pj's with uncombed hair...I've got one baby on my back and one strapped to my front, with Busy Guy in the seat of the cart, Mr. P riding on the end of the cart and Tuba running wild! I might have to open a bottle of wine and drink while I shopped the aisles. It was really easy to shop online...everything was organized by group or you could search for an item. You can even say how you like your produce...ie: green bananas. If you place your order by 9:30 a.m. you can have same day delivery! I'm just thrilled and I feel like it's one thing less for me to worry about once the babies are here. I just wish Costco would deliver to me too:)

Check it off!

We've been madly running errands and getting things checked off the list. Hubby is at Home Depot right now getting an accordion door for the kitty room. Unfortunately she is going to have to be closed in at night. She is such a snuggler that I know she will be trying to lay on top of the babies (since that is what she does to us). Plus, I'm losing sleep every night as she takes a 30 minute bath on my bed! If I move she gives me a little bite on the foot too.

I had my Dr. appt. today. I had to bring the two little ones as hubby was going to the dentist to have a filling fixed. I didn't think it would be a big deal since they really only listen to the baby and measure me. I was horrified to find out I had to have the beta-strep swab done today! They stood up by my head with the nurse while the Dr. quickly did the test. I hope they don't have that burned into their memory! Actually they couldn't see anything...but still...I would prefer them not to be there. Everything is going well. I'm getting more tired and more swollen each day though...I think soon I won't be able to walk:0 No problem...I'll just have the kids push me in a wheel chair the whole 9 days hubby is gone!

Today

The weather we have had this Spring is hideous...and that might be an understatement. At least we are not faced with the terrible flooding in other states. We have had rain, rain, rain, and cold. It's been the coldest Spring in 80 some years...since they started recording weather! It's dark and depressing and I REALLY want the kids to be able to play outside. Next week is the last week of school for Tuba. Mr. P was done as of last week. We have lots of time in each day to fill and not too many options until the sun comes out. I mean for major energy burning activities! The boys will start swim lessons but that is only a blip on the schedule each week. Hubby leaves for Ethiopia in 13, YES 13 days!!! I really hope the sun comes out while he is gone so the boys and I can fill our time playing outside (or me sitting and watching them play). It's too hard, actually impossible, to take the three boys to the park or any public place by myself as Tuba will go in one direction and then the other two will go the opposite direction! We sometimes play at the local school playground since we are the only ones there I can easily see all three at once. Tuba will be doing summer school but it's only 1.5 hours a day for two weeks. Not much...but it does help him burn some energy. He really misses school during the breaks.
Hubby has the next 6 days off and we will be madly getting the last things done for his trip and the babies arriving. Then he works 5 days and leaves! He works 12 hour shifts so it is nice that he gets a bunch of days off in a row...not so nice when he is working them back to back to back though. Tonight we are going on a date.....YAHOO! We are actually going to a friend's b-day party but it will be a nice date for us. I can't wait to put on a cute dress and go....only 9 more hours....and counting.

Ultrasound Update

I had my doctor appt. yesterday...sort of. I arrived to find that the Dr. was at the hospital delivering a baby. So, I saw the nurse and she measured me and weighed me, etc. I asked about having an ultrasound to see how big the baby is so she got on the phone to schedule it and said, "how about today?". Oh, that soon, I asked if I would have to have another one at the end of my pregnancy? She cracked up and said, "you are at the end of your pregnancy!". Oh, I think I'm in a little bit of denial:) I really don't see the end of this pregnancy yet...not until hubby is home from Ethiopia! I am 35 weeks right now. If I get to have this baby boy early that means at least 4 more weeks. Now, I'm starting to panic...I have things left to do...I need nursing bras...I need a new nightgown, and toiletries for the hospital...and oh yes, a bag packed for the hospital!!!! I'm making lists like crazy and trying to calm my panic. I did go have the ultrasound yesterday and hubby got to come too. It was great since he hasn't been to any of the ultrasounds this time around. He's always with the boys at home. We got to see a good shot of the baby's face and he was sucking on his hand too. His lips are adorable! They estimate his weight right now at 6 1/2 lbs. That means if he gains the average 1/2 lb. a week then he will weigh 9 lbs. at full term. But, the estimate can be off...give or take a pound. So,he could weigh 8-10 lbs. at full term. Personally I think 6 1/2 lbs. sounds lovely and I'd like to have him now (well, give me 2 days to complete my list of tasks). Tuba weighed 8 lbs. 7 oz. and Mr. P weighed 8 lbs. 11 oz. so I'm not envisioning this one weighing any less. Although both the older boys were each 1 week overdue. I for sure won't be overdue with this one....the diabetes rules that out. Also, the doctor has my due date as the 16th and not the 18th? I don't know how they got that but after I started to argue about it I thought, "okay, Becky you are arguing about 2 days!". I'm waiting for the hospital to call me and schedule me for my stress tests too. I will see the doctor next Tues. I'll be going in weekly now to see him. I have all the rest of my appointments on the calendar and was even able to schedule baby girl's first checkup after she arrives home the same time as one of my check-ups....how crazy does that sound?

What a beauty!

I got some new photos of our sweet girl this morning. She looks so great! Only 18 days until hubby will leave to bring her home!!!

I got luggage today so that is checked off the list of "to do". IYesterday the lovely ladies at church had a shower for me and the babies. It was so much fun to open girly things. Today I have been washing baby clothes and getting piles ready to put into the luggage. I'm going out to buy her some pj's today...she has so many beautiful dresses...her closet is a dream!

Tomorrow I have a check up and I'm anxious to see when they will be doing another ultrasound. My diabetes has been fine. My sugar levels are very controlled....as long as I don't eat pizza!

It's Raining...It's Pouring!

Yesterday morning as I buckled Busy Guy into his booster seat for breakfast I said to him, "look, is it raining?". He replied, "No, it pouring". I couldn't believe he said this and then I thought....well, he's right, it is pouring!!! It's June but it's not even close to summer weather...or even spring for that matter. We've had dark rainy days one after the other. So, to have some fun inside we made a Camp. What better way to spend a rainy day? We covered the dining room table and Mr. P and Tuba had popcorn in the Camp.





The Baby room is finished. It looks so sweet with the two cribs. Half the room is flowers and butterflies and half is trains. Now, I can't wait to see my sweet babies in their cribs:)

Tickets are booked!

We were able to book tickets today! Yeah. It was harder than I thought it would be as many flights were sold out. So, everyone will have a bit of a longer trip than originally anticipated. They will leave on June 27th and return on July 6th. There will be layovers both ways but I think it will be fine. I'd rather have a long layover than the 1 hour connecting flight we had in London....which caused our luggage to not make the flight...both ways! I'm feeling very excited. In 3.5 weeks hubby will be leaving to bring home our baby girl:) Now...for what I have left to do on the "to-do list"....so many things. I think tomorrow I'll be off to buy luggage!

Cheetos in one hand...ready to explore the beach!

Holding the tiniest of crabs...they can't pinch you that way.

The little boys and I went on a field trip to the beach today. It has been horribly rainy and cold but we braved the weather. It turned out to be fine...overcast and not too cold. They had a blast looking for crabs and other sea creatures. I've never been so tired though after two hours of navigating the rocks, helping Busy Guy over the rocks, turning rocks over and bending down to pick up creatures. We came home, the boys had a bath, Busy Guy went down for his nap, and I laid down on couch after getting Tuba off the bus. Next thing I know it's 2 hours later and hubby is up and it's time to make dinner! Mr. P had crawled onto the couch next to me and fell asleep and Tuba was lying on the carpet sleeping! We had a quick dinner of pancakes...since nothing else was de-frosted. Now, I'm trying to ignore the disastrous kitchen that needs to be cleaned. I have to stand up to do that...but I can sit and type;)

Update on the Update!

Okay, after talking to our agency again we have picked July 2nd as the embassy date!!! YEAH! They felt there was no sure thing for the date of the 9th either...so the 2nd it is! My hubby, MIL, Dad and Stepmom will leave on June 28th and return on July 5th! I'm so excited:) My baby girl is coming home....soon!

Update

We received an update today on our sweet baby girl. She now weighs 13.2 lbs. and is 24 in. long. She is getting big so fast! We also heard about our embassy date. We can choose July 2nd or the 9th. If we choose the 2nd we run the risk of having to re-schedule the trip if all the paperwork doesn't make it to the embassy in time. It makes more sense to pick the 9th which is a sure thing...but it's soooo hard with my due date looming so near. We will decide today...and I think we will go with the 9th. That means hubby will leave on about the 4th and come about the 12th of July. I'm due the 18th but possibly having to be induced early! Oh, I'm feeling the stress again today. Back to reading the Psalms for me tonight.

C-Section

Busy Guy decided I need to have a C-Section! The boys all took turns cutting my belly open to deliver their new brother. I hope they don't know something that I don't know:0 I really don't want a C-Section...unless of course this baby boy is HUGE.

We should hear tomorrow...please let it be tomorrow...of our embassy date and when hubby will leave for Ethiopia!!! It's getting so close. It should be in early July sometime. I can't wait for him to see Addis Ababa and meet our baby girl. Since we can't go together to Ethiopia we can have the shared experience of it from each of our trips. You can hear about it and read about it but nothing compares to seeing it with your own eyes.