Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 9 weeks old!!!  Baby Sister and I are now at 33 weeks!  Wooooah.  Time is really starting to move quickly.  Now I have to prepare to HAVE this baby.  I am starting to feel a weeeee be stressed about that part.  I attempted to pass the buck to Blake.  I think he should have to give birth to one of our children.  It only seems fair, no???  He declined.  

I did get my way with him on one issue this week at least.  I pulled out my best nagging skills and coerced the guy into taking a day off.  Yes, he has to be coerced.  I had BIG plans for this weekend.  And they all involved manual labor, which I can't exactly do!  On Thursday night, he painted the trim and doors in Baby Girl's room.  Seeing how he did her walls last week, the task is now complete!  Thursday night was also Crosby's very last night in his crib.  Of course we had to document the occasion in pictures.  He was so proud of himself, if you can't tell...

Crawling in one last time...

Yes, it is a drop side crib and they are outlawed or something.  But let me tell you what a blessing that drop part has been for bed rest!  We have the conversion kit to prevent it from dropping in the future so fear not.

Would you look how big my baby looks in that bed now!!!  And to think he used to sleep with his head at the monogram and was lightyears away from touching the bumpers, which are also against the rules I suppose...

So very excited.  Poor Lloyd the llama (the new and very first lovey he has ever been attached to) got squeezed over it all!

Such a poser...

On Friday, morning Blake took Crosby to school and then we headed out for an ultrasound and visit with Dr. B.  All looked great with Baby Girl.  They estimate her to be 4 pounds 5 ounces!!  Did I mention I am getting nervous about the whole birthing part?  I think I may have.  Anyway, we could see peach fuzz on the back of her head.  Crosby had hair at this point, too!  Wonder what color hers will be...  The 'ole cervix was still up in the low 3's (cm), which is fabulous.  Dr. B even talked of letting me do a little more at 34 weeks if things are still looking good.  Oh the thought of it!!!  That is just a week away!!  After a quick bite for lunch, we headed home to start the BIG project!!  Even with a 2 hour time crunch to get it done, Blake was able to setup Crosby's big boy bed and move all of the baby furniture into Baby Girl room!  We were soooo excited to pick him up from school.  We had been talking up the move to his big boy bed all month.  It was all we talked about last week and it got Crosby so pumped!  You can see him coming in his room for the first time...

He cracks me up!  He thought every thing was new!  We have had that CD play for 2 years.  Move it from one side of the room to another, and you've got yourself a brand new toy!  Who knew?!? :-)  Here are a few pictures of the grand reveal...

One excited little fella...

We told him to get under the covers and try it out.  This is what he did...

Beginners mistake!! ;-)  We showed him the right way to sleep under covers, which he has NEVER done.  He refused to use a blanket in his crib 99% of the time he had a say so.  I wondered how sheets and a comforter would work...

Soooo, Friday night was the big test.  Would he sleep in his new bed?  He started saying he was "sooo tired" around 5:00, which absolutely never happens.  When we finally got him ready for bed, he was thrilled to go.  We had to come up with a new routine since the rocker is no longer in there.  If I am honest, it kind of makes me sad that we can't read and rock anymore.  I am going to have to take him to Sister's room on occasion just for old times sake!  Rather than rocking, I crawled in bed with him, read him a story and said prayers, like we do every night.  Then he calls out for Blake, "Ohhhh, Daaaaaaddddy!  Come sing me songs!"  Blake came into the room, crawled in the bed with him, and sang their favorite song, The Steadfast Love of the Lord.  Then he called me back in, we gave hugs and kisses, took a sip of water, and turned on his turtle light and music. Of course there were a few pictures to be taken before we said "good night"...

Yes, we wear the same PJs 2 nights in a row sometimes around here!!  No judgements...  

So excited to go to sleep...

I had to put this sweet one in twice!  This kid just melts my heart...

We finally closed the door on Friday night, wondering what lie ahead of us.  How many times would he call us in?  Would we hear his little feet pitter pattering around the room? Much to our surprise, there was nothing!  He passed right out and we didn't hear a peep from him until 8:20 Saturday morning!!!  "Ohhhhhh Mommmmmmyyyyyyyy!!!"  We told him the rules before he went to bed.  "As long as the rail is up, you have to stay in your bed.  There is no getting out unless Mommy or Daddy come in and get you.  Call for us if you need anything.  Okay??"  So far, it has worked like a charm!  We are so proud of our big boy.  Here he is on Saturday morning...

Taken with my phone.  I just now figured out how he managed to change the camera settings to this weird color...

Here are pictures of the near complete room without a wild boy in it...

I just knew it would feel tee tiny in there once we moved his "big 'ole bed" in place.  Much to my surprise, it actually feels a lot bigger without the rocker and crib!  Go figure?!?  The only piece of furniture we lack is the headboard.  We have actually had it since his 1st birthday but needed to have it sturdied up a bit before we installed it.  I will be sure to post a picture when we get it in place!

And his newish dresser.  We have actually had it a while, too.  I love it...

Have I documented this momentous occasion well enough??  I don't know.  I may should have taken a few more pictures!! ;-)

Now for the other bedroom!!!!  We have a fabric picked out.  Lulu says the panels for the windows (the strip below) are complete and the top treatment is almost there...

The light has been switched out to this delicate little thing....

If you look about halfway down the picture, you can see the transition from the ceiling to the wall.  The color could not have turned out more perfect. I was hoping for a faint shade of pink.  Not a "gag me this room is so pink" pink.  I love it!!  More pictures as things come together!

For fun, I took a few pics of the babe in the belly.  I suppose I need to document these things so I won't forget what I look like pregnant!  Here we are at 32 weeks 6 days.  From the right...

From the front...

From the left...

It is a good thing I can't take a picture of the back side.  She has been camping out back there since day one and it ain't pretty!  Oh well.  She will be so worth it.  And this is how I know it...

Oh my goodness.  Are these not the cutest you have ever seen???  

I cannot wait to meet her and to see this face in person.  Oh how I already love this little girl...

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 8 weeks old!!!  I would normally say Crosby was at school all day today.  But not this Monday.  I was once again reminded that choosing a Monday/Friday school schedule was not the best financial decision I have ever made.  I am pretty sure we have missed at least  one Monday a month, every month for one holiday or another.  Today was one of those days!  Don't get me wrong, I love having my little man at home with me.  But bed rest and holidays don't exactly work well together.  It means I have to ask for help one more day out of the week.  What would we do without family and LeAnne for covering all of these holidays?!?  I am pretty sure making it to 32 weeks would have been impossible!  That is right!!!  I am officially a silver medal recipient for reaching this HUGE milestone.  Blessings abound...

Speaking of blessings, Otter Creek had the year Baby Blessing service this past Sunday.  We had 2 special members of our family being blessed.  Harper Jean and Malone Alexander were both part of the baby dedication.  I wasn't able to make it to the services.  But, I did sneak out in order to attend part of the luncheon afterward.  Too bad my presence caused a certain 3 year old to get a bit whiny!   I attempted to get a picture of Crosby with both of his cousins.  It didn't go so well...

Crosby and Malone...

It only went downhill from there.  Here is the one and only of Crosby and Harper...

Major meltdown mode.  That was until he locked eyes with his girl friend, Addy.  Funny how a girl can turn his frown upside down already.  I am thinking I should be worried!

As for today, if you haven't guessed what we are doing around here based on the first picture, I will explain.  Somebody will be making a pretty big boy move this week!!!  Crosby will be sleeping in a twin bed by the end of the week.  Let me just say he is SUPER excited about the plans for Friday.  See...

The final "accessory" we need is a bedrail, which we should be getting tomorrow.  Other than that, we are pretty well set for the transition.  Much like the friends of mine who have already taken this plunge, I am experiencing the typical nervousness about him adjusting to his new sleeping arrangements.  They all survived unharmed so I am sure I will too.  I am excited to see how everything will come together.  Of course there will be pictures of the occasion for next week.  There may also be a few pictures of the progress being made in Baby Girl's room!!! ;-)  Things are really starting to change around here!  I have mentioned this is all exciting and scary at the same time??  We will see how this all goes...

Gotta love that new smile!!!

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 7 weeks old!!!  Does he not look every bit of it in the picture above?  Kills me...  This was a big week for Crosby.  Blake and Chad had a little surprise up their sleeves for the little fella.  I wasn't so sure about the idea.  But the guys were so excited about it I had to go along with the surprise. So what was it?

Tickets.  Tickets to see one of his most favorite things in the world.  Live and in action.  Monster trucks!!!!  Heavens to Betsy!  It was pretty fun to watch Blake plan for the big night.  He would like to claim it was all for Crosby but I think Blake has a secret love for monster trucks himself!  ;-) I jest.  This one was most definitely ALL about Crosby!  Blake decided he wouldn't tell Crosby about the big plans until the night of the event.  We couldn't decide if that was a good idea or not. Apparently these shows are really loud.  Blake headed out to find ear protection in hopes that would help keep him from getting scared.  Fortunately, Crosby was all about his new pair of noise silencing headphones!

For the occasion, I pulled out the overalls Blake wore when he was a little boy.  Then I found a plaid button up to go underneath.  As we were getting his shirt on, he looked down and said, "I look like Daddy!!!"  So funny.  So true!  Here is a picture of my boys before they headed out the door.  I just love Crosby's new "smile"...

I think they got a mile or 2 down the road before Blake called to tell me the little man was out!!  With his sunglasses on.  At 6:00...

Ha!  It was the end of a school day with no nap!  At least he got in a quick snooze before dinner and the truck show.  I sent the boys with a camera but a few phone shots is all I got!  Here is Crosby with his ear protection in place.  And Blake with his! ;-)...

 Can you tell how close they were???

And in case you are dying to experience it for yourself...

Crosby ended up doing GREAT once he was there.  He was a little nervous at first because it was so loud.  But he settled in quickly.  I think he was probably ready to head home by intermission.  Even he can only handle watching trucks riding in circles for so long!  Yet he got a second wind after running up and down the isles and was able to make it through the entire thing. ( I think it was about 2 hours long. )  From what I understand, the crowd was pretty interesting sight.  Blake was amazed to see how many people took the event so seriously!  I am glad I just have to take his word for it.

The next morning, Blake got up and drove down to Columbia.  They hoped in the car with Lulu and headed down to Birmingham for Gid's 5th birthday party...

Crosby with a sweet smile and Charlottle licking her fork!

Sam and Gid enjoyed the cake too!

It was a quick trip but sooooo worth it for Crosby to spend time with his cousins.  Busy but fun weekend for the Malone boys!

As for the Malone girls, we are still hanging out.  Status quo.  Thankfully no drama to report.  I only have an ultrasound report that estimates her to be 3 lbs 9 oz.  And she passed her biophysical profile with and 8/8.  She was a champ with practice breathing this week.  I will get another fetal fibrinectin on Friday.  But according to the last test, I shouldn't go into labor before then!  Yay for 31 weeks!! Aiming for 6 more.  We can do this!!

I will end with this sweet note...  Crosby comes in from church, school, CBS singing all kinds of songs.  He learned "He's got the whole world in His hands" somewhere this week.  He sang it over and over one afternoon, switching up who was in "His hands".  Blake and I made it in there with him a few times.  The most precious was hearing him say, "He's got little bitty sister in His hands..."  Melt my heart this boy!!!  I am so thankful HE does!!!

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 6 weeks old!!!  His baby sister and I are now at 30 weeks!!   And according to my fetal fibrinectin test from Friday, she is going to stay put another 2 weeks.  What great news.  Slowly but surely, we are getting there.  Crosby will be meeting his sister before we know it.  I am excited and nervous all at the same time!  I am trying not to give it too much thought.  I am pretty sure there is no way to really prepare for the jump from one to two kiddos.  I have just been watching everyone else and praying we can do as well as they have!  Soon enough...

On Sunday, we had our small group over for a Super Bowl party.  It didn't matter that I barely even knew who was playing in the game this year.   It was a great reason to gather with friends and we had a house full!  I think the final count was 24, including kiddos and babes.  I had every intention of taking a group picture. But, that never happened!  It was too wild for all of that.  But I did manage to snap a few pictures of 2 silly kiddos who managed to make their way into my closet!

Crosby came down in my cowboy boots at one point...

Miss Addy made herself at home in my tall, black, leather boots...

We might land ourselves on Inside Edition alongside Toddlers and Tiaras with these Julia Roberts look a likes!?!  ;-)

The heels came out as well!  I am pretty sure Crosby started out with the red pair.  They were so sweet to share with each other...

I will definitely have to keep this as blackmail!  There is nothing quite like a football shirt and cords with high heels!  Silly kids.  At least they are being worn by someone.  I would hate to see myself waddling around in those these days.  Something tells me that would NOT be pretty.  And I am confident my back wouldn't hold me up anyway!

Blessingway

I was treated to the most precious gift on Saturday, January 28th.  Two dear friends, Melissa and Joanna, hosted a Blessingway in honor of me and Baby girl...

What is a Blessing way, you ask?  Well, here is what was printed on the back of the invitation...

I had never been to a Blessingway until I helped give one for Joanna (with Melissa) last year.  For several years, I had heard Melissa talk about the Blessingway her sister gave her before Margaret was born.  It sounded like a lovely idea but I didn't really get until I helped host one myself.  

Most people were a little confused as to what they could expect that day.  We are so used to the way showers flow.  Cake, punch, nuts, games, gifts and mingling.  While the traditional shower is FULL of blessings for new parents-to-be, the Blessingway is an intimate and special way to speak blessings to a mom-in-waiting.  Don't get me wrong, there were plenty of sweet treats and tasty beverages to enjoy while mingling with all the guests!  But the majority of our time was spent listening to the beautiful words of family and friends who have been and are supporting me in bringing this Baby Girl into the world.  Everyone's bead(s) were different.  Some brought one.  Others brought four.  Some read meaningful scriptures.  Others wrote out prayers.  Each bead was representative of the person who brought it and the words they read to me.  It was seriously one of the most precious gifts I have ever received.

To give you a better idea of what I mean, here are a few pictures of each bead I received...

Each bead was beautiful and significant in it's on way.  But to see them all together...  Beautiful!  I will save that for the end!  In the meantime, I have to share all of the candid pictures from the day.  For the record, I was on the couch most of the time.  I just had to stand and take a few pictures with the gals!

Joanna, Me and Melissa...

The beautiful table and decorations...

A little closer...

Beautiful AND delish.  Makes my mouth water just thinking about the food!

I could hardly look at this table.  Sweet Finley and Caroline were a special part of the day.  Each of my children were remembered in a special way...

I could see all of these pictures hanging as soon as I walked in the door.  Needless to say, I couldn't look at those either!  Just seeing all of the pictures of my sweet boy and our little family made the ole eyes start watering!  So emotional.  The center picture was an ultrasound profile of Baby Girl...

Okay.  These are seriously the BEST cookies I have ever eaten.  I am still waiting for this recipe. Ahem... Not that I am really cooking right now.  I still need to be prepared for the future!

Sweet Margaret climbed right up in my lap for a picture.  She is just a doll...

Me and my sweet mom!

Jaclyn and me...

The two Danielles!

Me and LeAnne...

Lexi getting a few snuggles in with Malone...

Playgroup picture.  Kara, Anne Claire (she is a little more than just a play group member ;-)), Courtney, Jenny, Bethany, Me, Heidi and Kristen...

Anne Claire and me...

Veronica and me...

Several friends weren't able to make it that day but sent their beads and messages in the mail.  So special!  Unfortunately, a kidney stone kept Lucy from making the occasion.  She literally had surgery that morning!  But, we called her at the end of our time and she closed us in a prayer over the speaker phone.   You know your are in a good spiritual place when you can manage a beautiful prayer while under the influence of heavy narcotics!!! :-) It was a great close to a perfect day.

Finally, a picture of the BEAUTIFUL necklace Melissa created with all of the beads I was given that day...

I LOVE IT!!!  How special it will be to have this necklace with me on the day we meet our sweet girl.   What a beautiful reminder of all of the words spoken to me by friends and family I dearly love.  Friend and family that love her already!  What a special day...