The Farther Along

It has been awhile since I've blogged. I enjoy reading other people's blogs much more than writing my own.  I think it has to do with the farther along I get in this pregnancy the less downtime I have to do things like write.  I am getting into the "nesting" mode and trying my best to keep the house in order and get everything (and everyone) ready for the baby.  Plus, it doesn't help that snow is again expected this week and we are SO.over.winter.  I have taken very few pictures over the past two months, and need to get back into the swing of things.

That said, we have had a fun few months.  We did another overnight at the indoor water park, but this time with friends and had a blast. 





It is so funny how my boys have different swimming "personalities".  Nathan is very careful in the water and can't stand his head getting wet.  He wants to learn to swim on his own, but fear overcomes him and he isn't fully ready yet.  Nicholas on the other hand, well...



He thinks he can swim...and he thinks he can swim good.  So you end up doing the above for most of the time in the pool with him, which is essentially doing your best to restrain him from "taking" off .  But, he LOVES the water and who knows, he may learn to swim before Nathan does....

 We celebrated St. Patty's Day....

 And we are getting ready for the baby to come in a few months.  The c-section is scheduled and I am taking Nathan to a sibling class so he can learn how to be a helper big brother.  For Nicholas, we are going to teach him at home.  I don't think an hour class is going to help him learn how to hold the baby any better than he already does....

But, he wears his "Big Brother" shirt proud already (it was the only green one I could find that was clean for St. Patty's Day!).

On another note, today is World Down Syndrome Day.  I never thought that I would be celebrating this day the way I am today.  But, I am honored to join all of the other families that have such blessings in their lives. 

He's Three!

Our Nicholas is turning 3 this week!  I can't believe my baby is a little boy now.  And these pictures definitely prove it...

Remembering the day of his birth almost three years ago brings alot of emotions.  That day was one of the best and worst days of my life.  We had a beautiful baby boy, but one that was diagnosed with a scary diagnosis - - one that was foreign to our family.   Nicholas came four weeks early after an emergency c-section.  The Tuesday before he was born, I noticed that he was not moving very much in my belly.  I put it off for a few days thinking "I'm in my 8th month, I'm big and there is just not alot of room."  But in my gut, I felt something was wrong.  I saw the doctor that Friday and he sent me to the hospital to be hooked up for monitoring.  A few hours later I was having the c-section and delivering my baby boy four weeks early.  I didn't realize how lucky we were that I picked up on the failure to move in the belly until I told the story to the doctor who was doing a recent sonogram of the baby in my belly now.   She told me it was good I followed my instinct and detected the non-movement because many children with down syndrome are born stillborn.  So, this week I hold my Nicholas (still baby in my eyes) a little closer knowing that I am lucky to have him here with us.

Life with better than I ever could have imagined because of Nicholas.  He brings to our family...Humor:  I couldn't imagine our house without his dance moves, spontaneous sommersaults, and mischievous behavior (such as taking his boots and socks off in the car on on 8 degree day, climbing on the kitchen table and dancing, deciding to jump the stairs rather than walk).  Love:....he kisses his teachers as he leaves school and he hugs his brother (even when he is playing on his smart cycle or otherwise would rather not be bothered).  Patience:  It may take him a longer time to do some things, but he tries his darndest to do it.  He teaches all of us to be patient and pay attention to eachother because sometimes things can't be just said so easily. 

This week we celebrate our Nicholas and count our blessings for having him in our life.

New Year. New Stuff.

This year is going to be an amazing year. In June, we will be welcoming a new member to our family.  In November my little brother will be getting married....a baby and a wedding...it can't get any better than that! 

I've have a zillion "goals" for 2011.  Unfortunately, I'm an "all or nothing" type of person when it comes to goals and resolutions.  Dieting, working out, setting a budget, etc. etc...I start out in full force and then eventually fizzle out.  I have trouble finding the happy middle when it comes to these things.  So, my resolution this year is to find that balance in my life.

My first goal is to get Nicholas potty trained before the baby comes.  It has been three days.

 And it is hard.  But he gets it...

The funniest thing is that he will pee a tiny, tiny bit and celebrate like he just won the lottery.  So, we end up celebrating about 12 times during one pee session.  But celebrating is so much fun.

More goals for this year.,,.And many "post-baby delivery" goals for myself.  But I am taking it one step at a time and now running to put someone on the potty....