Phone Pictures

Unfortunately the pictures are still stuck on the camera. I've tried everything I can to get them off, but maybe Eric will be able to. Instead, I'll share some of my cell phone pictures. I know the quality is not as good, but the boys are just as cute!

This one is my most favorite picture ever. I wish it was on a high megapixel camera and not on my phone because I would blow it up. I love how Samuel is looking at Judah like he's thinking, "wow, you're my big brother!"



Even when they were sick they were still happy!



Smooches for Papa!



Sweet Judah



30 week (tomorrow) belly

Wishlist- Baby Edition

Looking for something to buy Baby Tiny/Me? You've come to the right place! This, being our third boy, there isn't a whole lot of stuff that we need. There are a few things I'd really like, though.



I LOVE this Beco carrier! I used only the Bjorn with Judah. I always wanted one of those hiking backpacks, but never got one. I'm glad we didn't spend the money now. With Samuel I used the New Native sling when he was tiny, the Moby when we were at home (it was too hot to wear it anywhere else), and then the Bjorn when he got big (I got a REALLY cute Asian brocade cover for it). I carried him until he was 12 months and by that time the Bjorn was REALLY hurting my back! My friend made me a mei tai, but by that time I was pregnant with Baby Tiny, so I haven't used it since.
With the Beco you can use it, with a special insert, from birth. I don't plan to use it, though, until he's a few months old. As a tiny baby, I love using the sling, and I'm hoping Jenna will make me a cute one. (Buy her stuff, it's super cute!) I love the Beco because I will be able to carry the baby on the front, back, and side. I'm most excited for the back when he gets bigger. Before Samuel could walk he'd always want to be out of his stroller, but it was hard to just carry him, especially when we were at the park. It is really similar to the Ergo, just a whole lot cuter. I love the "Avocado" one.



The pack n play is definitely one of the items that we've used consistently...definitely gotten our money's worth (ok, not our money. Whoever it was that bought it for our shower...thank you!) Judah slept in it until around 4 months when we moved him into his own bed and we always use it when we go on trips. That one is now at Eric's parents house for Samuel to sleep in when he's over there. I'm definitely planning (hoping) that Samuel will take a few naps over there when Baby Tiny comes, so it would be great to have another one. I've looked on craiglist, but I don't think this is one of those items that I'd want to buy used. You can't wash it and I've had a previous experience of buying something, bringing it home, then finding out it smells like smoke. Yuck!



The Bumbo allows a baby, starting at 3 or 4 months old, to sit up and see the world. Neither of my boys have one, but I've heard so many good things about them. This little boy, especially with two older brothers, will want to be in the middle of the fun. This way he can sit up and see what's going on without me having to hold him up.



Both of my boys loved their gyms, but we don't have one anymore. This Baby Einstein one is so cute and, supposedly, the best! The boys started laying under there and checking it out when they were only a month or two and continued to play with it until they were crawling around and not wanting to stay in one place anymore.



We NEED a new camera...asap! We'll probably buy one as soon as we have the money. I don't like not having a way to take pictures of our boys! We have pictures on the camera right now, but they won't upload to the computer. I think it's just time to get a new one. We haven't really researched them, but Canon is good, right? (Suggestions welcome!)



And, last but not least, ok this one is for me. I've been wanting this necklace since, like, forever. So, I'm defintely going to buy it for myself after Baby Tiny is born as a "good job me" gift. Is there such thing?

What are some of your baby must have items?

Kid-Free Weekend

Eric and I had such a fun, relaxing weekend! We ran lots errands and were amazed at how much we got done in such a short time when you don't have to buckle and unbuckle two boys. We went to Barnes & Noble both Friday and Saturday and just sat in the cafe and READ. It's been years since I've not sat at the train table and chased around little boys! For Valentine's Day I told Eric I wanted a pedicure, so I got that on Saturday. I'm definitely going back right before baby!

We went out to dinner both nights, too. On Friday we celebrated Valentine's Day and went to Basque Norte, a restaurant we'd never been too. (And that's rare when you've lived here forever). We'd heard a lot of good things and they were all true. There was just SO MUCH food! Eric got steak and I got the raviolis. This was all accompanied by a relish tray, fresh baked break, green salad, potatoes, green beans, baked beans, spagehtinni (thin spaghetti in olive oil), and ended with chocolate ice cream topped with whip cream.

Friday night we went out with some new friends to Sin of Cortez, our favorite breakfast place that just recently started serving dinner. Last time we got the seared ahi without knowing that seared means just throwing on the grill on each side for a few seconds. Being pregnant, I can't eat raw fish, so I didn't enjoy my meal much. This time I got the Bonzai quesadilla. A chicken quesadilla with salsa and a side of black beans. It wasn't as exciting as everyone else's meals, but it was really, really good. Eric got the Double Happiness, a stir fry with both chicken and steak.

After dinner we saw a movie (another rare treat). We enjoyed Bucket List a lot, although it was sad! All in all a GREAT weekend!

I love my Valentine!

Last Saturday I fell in love with my husband again.

Eric and I were asked to teach at the Marriage Encounter at our church. It's basically a marriage seminar where someone teaches on a topic (for example, forgiveness) and then they do ministry (lead the couples through a time of repenting and then forgiving eachother). I taught on communication, which is such an awesome topic. I chose it because God has been speaking to me so much on the power of MY words towards my husband, no matter how I feel or what he does/doesn't do.

Eric didn't choose his topic...I did. I came home one night and said, "Oh, I told the Pastors you're teaching on romance." I don't remember what happened after that, but somehow the joke never got worked out that it was indeed that, a joke. So, Eric told Pastor Scott that that was what he was going to teach on.

The name of his lesson was, "Keeping the Flame of Romantic Love Alive." He did such an amazing job. The first surprising part was how HILARIOUS he was. For those of you that don't know Eric, he is a man of few words. He doesn't talk a lot, he's not loud and obnoxious (like his wife...haha). One of the things he said was, "For those of you that know my wife you know that she talks about three times as much as me..." Yes, very true! But, he was on a roll with this joke thing. It was a side that none of us, me included, had ever seen.

A few examples of things he said, "For you women you need to dress to impress your husband. Not just when you're going out somewhere or going to church, but even if it's just you and your husband. My wife, when she gets home she likes to put on 'comfy clothes.' She'll put on some lounge pants and one of my big, long sleeve tshirts. But, when she's not pregnant....no visitors." I was like, what!?!? haha

My section was right before Eric's and I told this joke about a pastor that would greet his wife every morning saying "Good morning, little fat one." A missionary was staying at his house and rebuked him and told him to say, "Good morning, perfect one." So, when it was Eric's turn he said, "I don't call my wife 'little fat one,' she reallly is pregnant." Everyone was seriously laughing hysterically!

My favorite part was when Eric started to get choked up. Just like he's a man of few words, he doesn't cry often (also unlike his wife). So, he started talking about me and he had to stop because he started crying. He said, "I'm so proud of my wife. She loves her disciples and she really has found her place in ministry." And then later he choked up when saying, "I love my wife.I just want her to feel loved." (I can't remember all that he had said, I wish I would have written this earlier. I know it was filled with love and emotion, though. And, that's what really mattered to me!)

While Eric was teaching it was like I got this window inside his heart. His guard was down and he was, seriously, just flowing in the Holy Spirit and I got to see his emotions and feelings, which haven't always been as apparent (but they are now!). I'm just so proud of Eric and I love him so much!!

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Happy Valentine's Day! We didn't celebrate tonight/today, but my mother and father in law offered to let the kids stay at their house all weekend. Yay!!! I'm so excited, I don't know what to do with myself. We've never been away from the kids other than for conferences, encounters, etc... I can't wait to sleep in on Saturday! Thank you so much Robb and Ellie. We love you guys so much!!!

Ash Wednesday

Four Ash Wednesdays ago (it was actually February 25, 2004) I had the hugest surprise of my life. The day before I went shopping with my friend, Kristina. I was feeling slightly crampy and just thought I was about to start my period. We met her and her family at her brother's soccer game, then went out to dinner at Carl's Jr. I got some chicken sandwich meal with fries and a soda and ate the whole thing.

Afterwards we went to Target to see if they had the swimsuit she wanted. I was soooo tired, I had to sit down. I asked her what time it was and it was 6:30 or something. What? Why am I so tired? On our way home we stopped to get donuts. Yum! An hour later we got back to her house and I was starving, so she made me some bagel bites. Weird.

She was like, "What if you're pregnant?" I remember I had the strangest response," Well, I know I'm not. But, I guess I'd rather be pregnant now than not be able to have kids." Then, after watching some show I went home and went to bed.

The good thing about working at a pregnancy resouce center is free pregnancy tests. Although, I had no use for them before then. I had given lots and lots and lots to our clients, though, so I knew how they worked. I took 3 home.

I took the first one and the 2nd line came up. From working at the clinic I knew there was no such thing as a false positive (unless you JUST had a baby or a miscarriage). But, I took the other 2, anyway. What the heck??? This was not good planning. Eric was at a training meeting for the apartments we managed. It seemed like forever waiting for him to get home. I gave him a little baby bootie with an 11-12 week preborn, plastic baby I had gotten at work. I cried, but he was so happy. Even though the timing wasn't what we planned.

It didn't take me long to be excited. This was a BABY. My baby! My miracle baby who God used to heal my marriage and heal my heart and completely change the direction of my life. I love my Judah Paul so much and that day (almost) 4 years ago is so special. Thank you, Jesus!

27 weeks, 1 day