trencher

Yesterday when we went to visit Mike at work, Caleb and Logan got to ride a trencher!  The guy running the thing was very nice and tried to get Logan to help him in, but Logan was NOT going to let this man pick him up.  He threw himself on the ground  - in the muck...he got pretty dirty...  I think he stayed calm through the ride, but he still didn't look happy at the end.

In other news, Caleb peed twice in the potty today!!  We haven't been trying or anything, but this morning he said, "I want to pee in the potty" so Mike got him in the bathroom and he went after a few minutes (standing up...no aiming problems yet...).  And then he did it again later!  He still went in his diaper throughout the day, so it's not like he's magically potty trained.  :)

big brothers

Caleb and Logan talk alot about Baby Brother, but I really don't know what they comprehend as far as the fact that we're actually going to have a baby in this house soon.  Last week I braved taking them to my doctor's appointment, and they did pretty well!  They were especially intrigued to hear the baby's heartbeat.

On Saturday I had another NST and it again took a long time because baby wasn't cooperating.  Mike and the boys had dropped me off and then went to run an errand, and when they came back to the hospital and I still wasn't done they came up to my room.  So, the boys have seen me in a hospital bed with a few things hooked up to me so maybe they won't be too freaked out when they come after the baby's born??  It'll still be different, though.

We'll be inducing soon if the baby doesn't come on his own.  Have really been hoping it would all happen on it's own, but it doesn't appear that that's the Lord's plan.  The doctor was joking that the baby's got it too good in there - all by himself with room enough for two, why would he want to leave??

Last weekend we got to see my sister and niece who were out here for a quiz competition with their church.  It was great to have the chance to see them!  Bummer baby didn't decide to show up early, though, that would have been neat.

We have been thoroughly enjoying the bird feeder I got for my birthday.  At mealtimes the boys inform me if there's a bird there, and they can pick out robins, blackbirds, and woodpeckers.  The birds eat like crazy, though!  I think they're going to cost us as much as having a second dog did!

A few funny things lately:  yesterday evening the boys were pretending to go "nigh-nigh" on the living room floor.  Caleb was putting Logan to bed and he said something like, "You have books, you have doggies.  Stay in your big boy bed."  :)  Caleb has been saying "honey" alot lately.  It was bound to happen, that's what Mike and I call each other, and I also call the boys that.  It's just so cute to hear Caleb say it.  Both of them like to have "naked man" time.  Sometimes in the evening for a while before bedtime we'll get them down to their diapers and let them run around - they get a real kick out of this.

As long as the weather's decent, all my boys have been spending a fair amount of time in the woods next door.  Mike picks away at cleaning up the deal fall.  Caleb and Logan enjoy watching Mike push over dead trees (they are very impressed by this).  And, they're even building a fort!

38.5 weeks

could it be?

Just put the boys to bed and it is QUIET already.  Seems too good to be true...

Last Thursday, for something to do and because it was only $2, I took Caleb and Logan to a "siblings" class at the hospital.  They got to hold baby dolls and feed them bottles, which they enjoyed, and they also got a tour of the birth center (still carrying the dolls, so cute) and were able to see a real baby.  Caleb wanted his doll to be naked and walked around with it that way, and Logan couldn't decide on what hat his doll should have.  :)

We got another report from the church nursery that they just love babies.  They pay alot of attention to them and are very gentle.  It's looking like until the newness wears off with their baby brother, our biggest challenge with them will probably be how much attention they want to give him.

Friday they boys went to Grandpa and Grandma's for the day, and I had quite a list of shopping things I wanted to accomplish.  Of course, I didn't have the energy to do it all, but I did manage to get a fair bit done and feel good about the day (after I got over the exhaustion).  Did some birthday shopping with my mom and got some clothes.  Getting groceries was the last thing I did - sat in the car for a bit working up the energy to go into the store, made it through, and then once I got home I put away what I had to and then fell into bed for awhile.  Nice to have the freedom to do that.  :)

Saturday I had another non-stress test.  Baby was being a stinker for this one so it took longer than normal.  When he would move his heart rate would drop off and that's what they need to record.  After making some adjustments he fell asleep and wasn't moving at all, so we still weren't getting what we needed!  Finally, just a little bit before my doctor was about to come in to the hospital and check things out, he woke up and passed the test.  :)  Mike and the boys had dropped me off at the hospital and ran to the grocery store to get a cake, but when things started taking longer he took them to Zeeland where there happened to be some "young child day" going on or something, so they had fun walking around there (activities for the kids, balloons, fire trucks, etc.).

Saturday night Mike took me out on a date for my birthday.  Ended up deciding Olive Garden sounded good.  Ran a couple errands after dinner and then killed time until the babysitter had the boys in bed.  :)

Sunday was a nice relaxing day for my birthday - I didn't have to be in nursery, Mike didn't have to usher (which means no rushing to get to church early), and no other functions to attend.  Caleb and Logan enjoyed giving me my birthday present (the bird feeder they spilled the beans on a couple weeks ago), and having cake (with candles, of course!!).

Fairly busy week so far.  Playdate/lunch with friends and last hair appointment before baby (very important!!) yesterday, plus running out to buy a new modem since ours went kaput.  Today Caleb had his last follow-up appointment after February's surgery (everything's great, don't need to go back again!), and so Logan went to a friend's house.

The last couple nights Caleb has been listing off family members in his prayers.  It's pretty cute, he'll randomly mention names, not necessarily sticking in family groups, and then after a bunch he'll say, "Who else?"  :)

Oh yeah, after a very windy day on Sunday and yesterday, and giving the birds time to find out about the bird feeder, we finally saw some birds on it today!  Caleb was the first to notice.  We were pretty excited!

musician

Sometimes you can't hear good over the music, but you can kinda tell how well Caleb is memorizing this song. :) Cracks me up to listen to him.

bird chasers

The boys, especially Caleb, are determined to catch a robin. Caleb also wants to give them "lunch". This is at the park last week - they ran back and forth all over the park chasing robins.

excavators

Logan operating crane today...


Caleb has a turn, too!


He especially enjoyed spinning in circles.

gymnasts

In developmental news, both Logan and Caleb can do somersaults!  For awhile Caleb was sort of doing them off the footstool, but the other day Logan randomly did a perfect somersault on the floor.  And, last night Mike and Logan were doing somersaults when Caleb decided to join in.  I can't even imagine doing a somersault right now...  :)

Also, a couple different times now Logan has actually asked to have his diaper changed after going #2.  I know this is one of the signs of readiness for potty training, but I'M not ready and probably won't be for at least a couple more months.  We are not going to try and tackle this too close to baby time!

Not sure if I've mentioned it or not, but the boys have been doing much better at bedtime.  They don't fall asleep quite as soon as what I would choose, but they're staying in their beds again.  Sometimes they get a little rowdy and need a reminder to settle down, but for the most part it's much better again.

35 1/2 weeks

Macy

Well, we are now a one dog family.  :(  It feels really strange!  Friday night around 10pm Macy, our cocker spaniel, was hit by a car.  From the way things appeared she probably died instantly, so at least she didn't suffer.  And, also on the positive side, she was getting fairly old with not the best health, so now the decision was made for us rather than us having to make a difficult decision a year down the road or something - that was so hard with Brandy a few years ago.  (Note: we put Brandy down when I was pregnant with the boys, and now we lost Macy...if we have more children later on the odds are not in Sadie's favor!!)

Macy was a good dog and will be missed!  She joined us right at Christmas of 2006 as a stray that we took in - she showed up at the house of a sister of a coworker of mine, they couldn't keep her so my coworker asked us and we agreed to take her.  What a cutie!  And we knew right away she had a rogue spirit.  :)  I believe on Christmas morning Mike spent some time chasing her down (and many times again after that...).

Between all of our nieces and nephews, and then our own kids, she was around many children and was ALWAYS great with them.  Cockers can tend to be temperamental, but she was so laid back and I never once saw her get upset or aggressive with a person.

A few memories:  not wanting any toys (the boys didn't quite understand this since Sadie has to have a ball or a stick), giving a bunny a heart attack in our garage at the Bauer house, catching a bunny first thing when we were moving in here (really, it happened within about 30 seconds), getting in fights with Harley (a dog we watch once in awhile), "chasing" Harley, sleeping in our bed upstairs when we first moved in here and were remodeling downstairs (it was hot, the house was a disaster, our mattress was on the floor, she was dirty...I'm glad that didn't last long), her boyfriend across the street (and subsequent puppy that didn't make it), pulling my grandma in her wheelchair down the hall at her nursing home (and pulling her into the door because Macy just wanted to keep going, Grandma didn't want to let go of the leash, and it was all a little hard to manage!), and trying to swim after some ducks in the pond at Mike's parent's (she was NOT a swimmer, but she would go after what she wanted).

 Brandy, Sadie, and Macy waiting patiently for a treat.

 Macy

The last pic of the three girls together.

Macy checking out the boys when we brought them home from the hospital.

tick-tock

Only a few weeks to go.  Yikes!  Still almost done with the nursery.  Last week was busy, and if I do have a few minutes of free time to work on things I'm just too tired!

Last Thursday a few of the boys' friends from church came over so their mom could go to the eye doctor.  Thankfully it was nice out so they pretty much just ran around outside the whole time.  And they really did just run and run and run!  They would run way out into the yard, pick a bunch of dandelions, and then run them back to me or they were running/riding bike/pulling the wagon up and down the driveway.  It's not like I could just sit back and put my feet up, but the older kids did a great job tiring Caleb and Logan out.  :)

Baby checked out good at both my regular OB appt and the non-stress test.  I told my OB what some people have the nerve to say to me ("Am you sure you're not having twins again?", etc.) and after he asked if I hit them, he actually gave me a pretty good line to say.  He said to just tell them that he said thin people can look bigger during pregnancy because we don't get fat all over - and he did add something about commenting on the weight of the other person, but I'm too nice to do that.  :)  Anyways, he said my weight is good and I'm measuring right on track.  I'm still hoping to convince him not to let me go past my due date, but he's not easily swayed like that.

I'm definitely getting into the end of pregnancy uncomfortableness.  Today is some better, but yesterday was pretty rough.  Please pray for my dear, patient husband as he puts up with me.  :)

Friday night we went to a Good Friday service - our church combines with a few other area churches for a special service.  It was a very nice and meaningful service.  It was at a different church and thankfully they did have nursery that the boys could be in, but they were NOT happy to be dropped off in an unfamiliar place.  I had Caleb and Mike had Logan, and they were both clinging to us with all their might.  But, as usual, they were fine after a few minutes.

Saturday Mike had to work in the am (I know, it's only the beginning of April!!), and I had to go to the hospital for the non-stress test, so the boys went to Auntie Em's to play for a bit.  As far as I can tell they had a GREAT time.  :)  Beforehand they were talking about Jason and Nathan and I kept telling them they weren't going to be there right away because they were had a church thing, but thankfully they came home later and the boys did get a chance to play with them before I came to get them.  And they got to watch some Dora, which I'm sure they enjoyed, and I won't watch it at home because it drives. me. crazy.

Speaking of tv, the last few weeks Caleb and Logan have really been into Backyardigans (soooo thankful for Instant Netflix!).  It's a really cute show that I can enjoy watching too (they have great music throughout the show), but beware, the theme song gets in your head and will never leave.

present

On Saturday, Mike took Caleb and Logan shopping for my birthday present - I knew that's what they were doing, there's no way of hiding that from me.  :)  When they got back Mike said I'd better not ask the boys what they got because they'd probably tell.  (My how things change in just a few months!  At Christmastime I couldn't get anything out of them!)  He also bought a bag of M&M's to give me right away and tried to distract them from the real present.  Good strategy, but it didn't work.  :)  About half an hour after they got home Logan just came out with it and started talking about it, and of course that got Caleb started, too.  Mike knew the risks, so hopefully he wasn't too disappointed.  :)  I got a good laugh because it was just so cute!

I decided to paint a border in the nursery.  It looks really cool so far, I just don't think I'm ever going to finish.  :)  Plus, Mike needs to get the ceiling fan/light hung in there and he hasn't had a chance to work on that.  None of this HAS to be done before the baby comes, I just really, really want things wrapped up so we don't have an unfinished project hanging over our heads when trying to enjoy our new addition.

Caleb has started to figure out how some things in life work - like whoever is driving controls the radio.  :)  He was saying something the other day about how he was going to drive somewhere and then he said he'd listen to "Bob & Larry" (that's what they call Veggie Tales).  Mike and I had a good laugh about that one.    They are always asking for Bob & Larry - I don't mind it too bad, but in the car we only have 1 cd to listen to and it goes through kinda fast, so we hear it LOTS (I know my parents are laughing right now thinking of the cassette tapes we listened to over and over and over again as kids...).  Sometimes I just say it's Mommy's turn to listen to her music and they've gotten used to that so I don't get too many complaints.  :)

Also, one of their favorite books is "Miss Spider's Tea Party".  Logan has told me he wants to drive to Miss Spider's house for a party.  :)

The other night Mike took the boys for a LONG walk out back.  They were gone so long I was starting to get worried because I figured there was no way that Caleb and Logan were lasting that long on a walk.  But, Mike said they did great!  It wasn't until the very end that they didn't want to walk anymore.

Sunday morning I was in nursery at church, and there was just a little jealousy when I was holding a baby.  :)  Not too bad, but it will be interesting to see how things go when there's a baby here all the time.  Both boys seem to love babies and are very gentle with them, but when I was holding a baby they both wanted to be right by me and on me and I had four little hands trying to help hold the bottle, etc.