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...

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 5 weeks old!!!  His Baby Sister and I are now at 29 weeks!  I think this is the second time in my life I have said I was ready to be in my 30's.  I am pretty sure the last time I uttered those words I was 29 weeks with Crosby.  Waaaay back then, I was a newbie to the 30's (age-wise).  Now, I am more like a pro.  And to think half of my friends aren't even there yet.  Yikes!!!  But I can't complain.  The 30's have been good to me.  The obvious reason is pictured about.  My sweet boy, Crosby!  By far the best thing that has happened in my 30's.  Or in my LIFE, for that matter!!  He is such a doll.

Last night, we were getting him ready for bed.  He said, "I want to rock with Mommy and Baby Sister.  But I don't want to sit on that big 'ole belly."  I laughed so hard I nearly sent myself into labor.  Tonight he just rubbed the "big 'ole belly" while we rocked.  So sweet...

I thought it would be a good idea to take perspective pictures since it has been a while.  He is so compliant with having his picture taken these days!  I don't know what happened but I am loving his little smile.  So forced but cute nonetheless...

Crosby and his bear...

 Big hand, not-so-little hand...

 Mug shot...

 Big feet little feet...

You can look back here to see the little Fox over the years. (Couldn't find them...will later!) I cannot believe how big my sweet boy is now.  How time flies...

We had and eventful weekend to say the least.  Lulu managed to land herself in the hospital with a kidney stone on Friday morning.  She ended up having surgery Saturday morning and was discharged later that day.  Thankfully, she is feeling MUCH better and is on the road to recovery.

Sweet friends gave me a Blessingway on Saturday afternoon.  What is a Blessinway, you ask?  I will have to tell you all about it!  Only it deserves a post of it's own.  Hopefully I will get it up in the next few days!

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 4 weeks old!!!  I am glad to report this has been an injury free week!  Well, I am sure there have been bumps and bruises along the way but nothing like last week!  Although we have had our share of items knocked off the wall thanks to soccer balls being blasted through rooms and "pretend falls" in the hallway.  Oddly enough, Crosby is not the reason for all of the above.  His oversized, child-like father is to blame.  I watched him do the same in his mother's house all through high school and am not sure why I am surprised.  I guess I thought he had outgrown such behavior.  Nope.  Not at all.  Quite the opposite in fact.  Rather than recalling his mother's constant pleads to take it out doors, he has found it necessary to pass his rowdiness down to the next generation.   And it seems the best time to engage in such activity is en route to bed!!!!  have been told I might as well get used it because it appears somethings are just never going to change!

Baby Girl and I are now at 28 weeks!  It is one of the big milestones so we are more than happy to be here.  Womb life still appears to be stable.  Friday's fetal fibrinectin test came back negative, which is what we were hoping to hear.  Technically, that means I won't go into labor in the next two weeks.  If that is the case (and I think it will be), it puts us right at 30 weeks.  Boy am I ready for the 30's!!  I actually have my eyes set on March 26th...37 weeks.  That is when she will be considered full term.  I would have no qualms with getting up on the 25th in an attempt to get things moving!

This week Crosby gets to share the limelight with two baby girls.  He was able to meet his sweet cousin, Harper Jean this week!!!  Justin and Katie welcomed the newest member to the Lipscomb family on Wednesday, January 18th at 10:52 am.  We took a little trip to Baptist that evening so we could meet Little Miss...

For the first time in his life, Crosby was shy when we entered the room.  Several of our friends were there visiting with the new family of three.  For some reason, Crosby was a little intimidated.  Hence the face in Blake's chest above!  Fear not.  It lasted all of 3 minutes.  All I had to do was ask if he wanted to hold her.  He was alllll about holding Miss Harper.  Justin and Katie were kind enough to let her be our guinea pig!  Luckily, the wild man did pretty good!  There is hope that he will be gentle with Baby Sister...

Of course I mentioned wanting to visit Harper with Dr. B.  (Katie uses him as well...)  I can't say that he exactly knew I was going when I went.  But, we left things with playing it by ear based on how I was feeling. I was feeling good! And I figured, if I was going to go into labor that night, I was in the best place to do it!  Fortunately, that was not an issue.  We got to have a nice little visit before heading back to the holding cell...I mean house. ;-)  

We are so very thankful Harper's got here safely and is so healthy.  It is going to be so much fun watching these cousins get to know each other.  And of course we are hoping to make our final contribution when the Good Lord says it is time!  Hopefully He has a little more baking time in mind!!  

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 3 weeks old!!!  His baby sister is now at 27 weeks in the womb!  Sister is safely tucked away.  Meanwhile, the big boy took a knock to the face on Friday night.  I guess it is part of being a boy.  Daddy/son chase time leads to son tripping over his own two feet (we are hoping his coordination improves...;-) ) and landing near eye first on the corner of the magazine rack!  The son's response was as pitiful as you can imagine.  Fortunately, the Daddy was still able to scoop him up and soothe his broken soul.  Of course, preggo was about to fall apart and go into labor all at once.  "Blake can handle this...Crosby does not need you to hold him...Blake is perfectly capable of comforting Crosby just as well as you can...But, nobody can comfort him like his mama. He neeeeeds me!!!  Step back mother hen and let Blake be his hero right now..." Can you tell it took every ounce of energy I had to sit on my tush?  Did I mention it gave me a nose bleed?!?  It is probably just one of the lovely side effects of being with child. But the timing sure was ironic, no?

I just knew his eye would be black and blue after that hard knock.  So I thought it would be a good idea to document his first black eye!  This is him 30 minutes or so after the initial blow...  (the picture above is too)

And don't judge me over the Bubba.  Yes.  He is 3 and still sleeps with a Bubba.  Yes.  I should have taken it away 2 years ago.  I didn't.  My guess, he won't go to college with it.  And he is not seen in public with it.  We ran it by Dr. P and he agreed it is not the time to be fooling with Bubba removal.  So Crosby wins!  And I get to enjoy all of the sweet loving he gives as soon as you pop that bad boy into his mouth!  Okay.  Back to the eye...:)  Day 2...

Not too bad!?!  Where is the black I was anticipating?  Surely it will be black tomorrow...

Yea...nope!  It ain't turning black!  How disappointing.  I mean, if you are going to whack your face on a magazine I think you should get the shiner to show for it!   He looks proud of his wound on Day 3, regardless...

And Day 4...

The best we got was a little, yellowish, green discoloration and a couple of scabs...

What can you do?  We talked the black eye up but it never happened!  Something tells me there will be more bumps and bruises in our future.  I pray they are all as minor as this one.  I seriously don't think I could handle much more.  Oh how it broke my heart to see my little man screaming his head off after this   injury!  I have already tried to ban Daddy/son chase time with absolutely no luck.  Crosby would never go for it.  He LOVES playing with his Daddy.  The first words out of his mouth when Blake comes home are, "You better ruuuuuunnnn!!!!"  Maybe we can just remove all furniture and pad the walls and floor!  

As for Baby Sister...the fetal fibrinectin goes, we are good through tomorrow (Tuesday).  I will have another test on Friday that should let us know about the next 2 weeks.  No ultrasound.  As of Friday, she was 2.2 lbs and looking good.  The ole cervix was still in a safe range but I am not even really worried about those numbers an more.  I am having minimal contraction activity.  Probably what the average pregnant gal experiences.  And I am still on a super low dose of barely any meds.  There is a lot more that can be done if things start to go haywire.  How nice it feels to be pregnant and relatively calm!  

And here is the most recent picture of the little lady...

I thought this was such a clear picture.  They took three 4-D pictures and she looks like a different baby in each one!  So who knows if this is really what she will look like!   We will know soon enough.  For now, this will just have to do.  I am fine with that!

And, she remains nameless.  Not because I haven't thought of names.  Somebody, whose name I will not mention, is not really into discussing names just yet!  The best I can get is "fine" as a descriptor for each name I throw out.  I am pretty sure this anonymous person and I have a million conversations (like, since we were 15...) about how the word "fine" is not an acceptable way to describe anything in this household.  My clothes.  My hair.  My cooking.  A child's name.  You get the idea!  So, until I can get a response that is better than the one that makes my skin crawl, Baby Girl/Sister she is!  It seriously could be after she is born...

Sigh...

Mondays with Crosby

At 11:24 am, Crosby Fox turned 3 years and 2 weeks old!!  His Baby Sister is now at a gestational age of 26 weeks!!!  (Although I think technically her gestational age is really 24 weeks but that will just do nothing but confuse folks so pretend you didn't even read that.)  I am 26 weeks, and feeling good about it.  More on that later...

Is that picture of Crosby not precious?!?  Answer only if in agreement!  He looks soooo big to me.  And the hair is kind of tousled.  Almost like he is posing for an add or something.  Once again, I can take no credit for these pictures.  Melissa Rick saved the week!  If you have been following our family for a while, you know Margaret!  Well, Little Miss had her 3rd birthday party on Saturday.  (Her actual birthday is today, so, Happy Birthday Margaret!!!)  

I didn't know if Crosby was going to make the grand occasion.  On Friday afternoon, he came in from school acting pretty normal.  He was a little whiney and said he was tired.  Who knows how well he napped and he went to Monkey's Treehouse from 3-5.  I figured he was just worn out.  Then he started saying his mouth was sore.  I used a flashlight and take a look, thinking it could be strep.  Seeing how he has had a cough on and off for a few weeks, I have been watching for other symptoms.  But, his throat looked fine.  I noticed he had bitten down on the inside of his cheek, probably a few days before, and commented on it.  Next thing you know, all he talked about was the sore in his mouth.  And there was NO way it was sore.  Yet he kept talking about it.  And the whining increased.  And he kept crawling in and out of my lap.  Again, I just chalked it up to being exhausted.  By the time Blake got home, he was falling apart.  Tears started flowing and he was a mess.  By 7:00 pm, I was rocking him and trying to get him to bed.  But he couldn't settle.  The tears really started flowing and he started saying he needed medicine, needed to go to the doctor, etc.  You may remember my saying he has been doing this A LOT lately, when he is fine.  But this was different.  He really acted like he was in pain.  It was breaking my heart!  I was ready to throw him in the car and head to the ER.  Instead, Blake ran to get ibuprofen.  Meanwhile, I called the doctor and spoke with the nurse, while Crosby cried his eyes out.  Pitiful!!!  We followed nurses orders, gave him Motrin, and attempted to distract him with Mickey.  It didn't work initially.  But after 20 minutes or so, he calmed down.  Next thing you know, he is trying to play with Blake?!?  Then he was asking to eat dinner?!?  What in the world had we just witnessed?  He is a good actor but this was a completely different performance than we have ever seen!  One that lasted over 2 hours!  I kind of felt like I was out of my mind when I saw how quickly he changed his tune.  

When I was talking to the nurse, she went ahead and made an appointment for 9:10 Saturday morning. He was acting so normal, I considered canceling.  But, I couldn't send him to Margaret's party without having him seen based on Friday night's drama.  Lulu and I got him dressed for the party, just in case, and headed to see the doctor.  Sure enough, there was something wrong alright. My little fella had an ear infection!!  Who knows how long he has had one.  He had no symptoms other than a cough.  No fever.  No complaints.  Nothing, until Friday night!  Totally explained why he was pointing to the back, right side of his mouth, saying it hurt.  Totally explained why he couldn't get comfortable enough to sleep.  Pressure must have built up in his ear, causing him serious pain.  Not sure if Motrin relieved the pain or if the pressure just released on it's on.  I am just glad something helped ease my little man's pain.  Seeing him hurting was definitely enough to send me in to labor!!!  Thankfully, that didn't happen or we would have been in a real bind!  WIth a diagnosis in place and a "he's not contagious" from the doctor, off to the party Crosby and Lulu went!

Margaret had a fairy theme this year.  Needless to say, we are lacking tutus around here.  But I did find this sweater with a castle that was handed down from cousin Gid!  What better time to put it to use.  Our "prince" even had a finger puppet horse in a little pocket attached to the sweater.  You can see the poor thing dangling by the string in all of the pictures! Don't know that he rode in like a night in shining armor but he definitely made an appearance!

This one cracks me UP!!!  Talk about blackmail. I am going to be pulling this one out when he is 16 and sharing it with all of his friends...

After a nice, long nap, the little guy was out the door again!  This time he and his Daddy went to John Christopher's birthday party.  Unfortunately, I failed to send the camera with Blake so I have no pictures to enjoy!  JCLW's party was at Gymboree.  I have never been there but Blake says he had a blast!

As for Baby Girl...her environment has been so calm the past few weeks.  My numbers were normal again on Friday.  I cannot tell you what this has done to my mental state.  I am in such a good place right now as a result.  What a blessing!  Praying it stays this way for at least 8 more weeks.  11 would be nice too!

In the meantime, we will just wait for my niece to make her grand appearance!  Come on Harper!  It is safe to come out now.  I know your parents would appreciate it!!