You Can't Stop Them!

Once my kids had a taste of the outdoors, there's no stopping them. No matter that the temps have gone down quite a bit compared to a couple of weeks ago. They wake up in the morning and want to be outside!

Their latest thing is to tie stuff to their bikes and drive around. They love to collect things.

Their wagons are always tipping over. And chalk drawings never get old.

They always take a break for chocolate milk!

3 Years + 7 Months

Holy Cow! My kids are absolutely hilarious! I belly laugh with them every single day. Though this age is trying, it is also so entertaining. It's amazing how much they absorb from what they see and hear.

I also love their imaginations. They are constantly coming up with new games and they play well together...for the most part.

Lot's of changes going on around here. We've had a lot of construction goi

ng on with our master bathroom and getting the baby's room ready. We also switched Abby to a twin bed and now the boys are wanting ones as well.

Everyone is looking forward to Easter and visiting the Easter Bunny. Can't wait to see how that goes! The guy is a bit freaky, especially since he doesn't talk!

Here's what's going on individually:

Josh: Still my most mature. I can have a serious conversation with this kid and he understands. He still comes to me the most and cuddles. Funny how when he was a baby, I used to walk on egg shells to not make him upset. Now, we just talk about it. Josh is developing a sensitive side that I have not seen before. When Jack is being punished, Josh will usually cry and try to plead with us. So cute!

Still inquisitive and asks the best questions! I think he will be such a helper when the baby comes!

Abby: Getting smarter everyday. She knows all her letters and can spell everyone's names. I love that she is so eager to learn. She would rather put together a puzzle or go through flash cards than run around. I also love how she tries to be like me. She's always asking what color shirt I am wearing today or what color straw I will use so she can use the same.

Abs is doing so well in her big girl bed. We never have issues with her going to sleep or getting up and walking around. I think she is also looking forward to Baby's arrival. She asks what kind of things she can do with Baby when she arrives. I think she will be a little upset that Baby won't be able to play the matching game right away ;)

Jack: Currently, Jack is testing me. He can be the sweetest boy ever, but when he gets in a whiny mood, we butt heads. We are working on better communication. For example, he will come to me whining, "I want something". This will go on and on and on. Now, he knows he has to be more specific and this cuts down on the frustration.

He still loves to be tickled and cuddled. He and Abs are definitely BFF's. He also still plays well with Josh. Jack is very adventurous and is quite the klutz. He has no fear when it comes to jumping or trying new things. Such a boy!

A REAL Big Girl Bed and 35 Weeks!

Abs was the first to have her crib converted to a toddler bed. And now she is the first to get a real bed. We are using her crib for the baby, so that entitled Abby to a new bed and mattress. We went with a twin because her room is on the smaller side. I had a heck of a time picking out bedding that I liked.

The mattress finally arrived and Daddy went to work putting everything together. Abs was super excited! Now, of course, the boys want big beds. Maybe then Josh will sleep in his own bed all night.

I am happy to report that she slept in her bed soundly all night. I love that she used the comforter and didn't pile the bed with all her stuffed animals. She just had her 2 favorite puppies. She looked so tiny in this huge bed! As soon as Jack woke up, he wanted to go to Abby's bed. She's such a proud girl!!!

Well, I've made it to 35 weeks! Let me tell you, carrying around 50 pounds extra is quite the task. When I sit down on the ground, getting up is a challenge. Just rolling over in bed is painful. And the comments I get from people! WOW! Most think I am still having a boy because I am carrying so low. That's just the way I carry! Others think I am due any day now. I don't blame them. I am HUGE and my stomach is like a torpedo. Very similar to the way I was with the triplets. Finding something to wear is a challenge. Nothing covers this belly anymore.

I met with a surgeon regarding my umbilical hernia, and we decided it would be best to wait six weeks after giving birth to have it fixed. He said that it was a high chance that it would come back if we did it right away. I will make another appt. with him after the baby is born. He said it is a quick out patient procedure and insurance should cover it. I'm super excited to have my belly button back!

My doctor appointments will be weekly now. I feel much better about that. I am a little scared that this baby will come early. As long as she is healthy, that's all that matters!

Summer in March!

We've been setting all kinds of records here in Chicago for this warm weather. The kids absolutely LOVE it! As soon as they get up in the morning, they want to play outside.

So crazy that we are wearing shorts in March! Everyday involves us visiting a new park. Sometimes we go to the library, too. There is usually a trip to Target ;) I bought them each their own Slurpees for the first time and they drank them up.

Once we get home, we switch between playing in the front yard with our million toys, or the backyard with the trampoline and play house.

Nothing wears these kids out! But let me tell you, carrying 50 extra pounds sure does wear me out!

Yesterday was the first day we didn't get to play outside. The kids kept asking me why it was raining. Maybe it was to give Mommy a break ;)

St. Patty's Day 2012

St. Patrick's Day fell on a Saturday this year. And let me tell you, the weather was absolutely gorgeous!

The kids dressed in green. And Jack even let Josh wear one of his green shirts. Jacky was most excited about this holiday!

Grandma Cleys brought over some donuts with green sprinkles. They got to bake some cupcakes and go to the park.

They know that Easter is coming up next. They like all the colors involved! When you ask them what comes next, they'll tell you "the baby!"

32 Weeks

Well, I have made it 2 weeks longer than I did with the triplets. Everyday is a new experience for me as I have never been pregnant this long.

Sleeping has become quite the event. I feel like I spend the entire night hauling my big ole belly from left to right. And don't get me started on putting on shoes and socks. I should teach the kids to do that for me ;)

My belly seems to grow daily and when I step on the scale, I see a number I have only seen once before when pregnant with the triplets. I now officially weigh more than my dad!

Other than that, it's not too bad. Just praying that baby stays put for 7 more weeks. Chris has been so great and making me rest as much as I can. I'm also trying to get last minute things done. Let's see: we are still finishing our master bathroom, my dad has to convert the guest room to the baby's room, and we need to find a new car!

The kids have been more receptive to me being pregnant. They love feeling the baby and constantly ask questions about the baby arriving. Josh loves when I tell the story of his birth.

We are just so excited to meet our little girl!

Torpedo belly, similar to pregnancy with triplets, except that I am not lopsided!