Nap time

As a parent you learn very early on that there is nothing more important than nap time.

You plan your day around it.  You arrive late to parties.  You leave parties early.  You eat in the car.  You drive around with no where to go because someone is asleep in the back seat.  You plan trips around it.  You avoid shopping during it.

Nap time is important for child and parent.  It simply gives everyone a much needed break.   It gives parents time to cook, do laundry, clean, or just sit and relax.

I have never had anything rule my life and schedule like nap time!  But as a mom I will do whatever it takes to make nap time happen!  And that is what it means to be a parent, to put your child's needs first.

Even if that means standing guard in the dessert with your spouse and creating shade for your sleeping child.

Of all the pictures Nick took in Africa this is the one that struck me the most.  Even elephants get it.   It's not about you.   And everything stops for nap time.

Blueberries

Saturday Cali and I started the day with hair cuts.  Cali went first and sat quietly watching Dora while I got my hair cut.

Then we went to a local farm to pick blueberries and peaches.  Cali had so much fun running up and down the rows picking berries and putting them in her bucket.  I didn't even have to tell her which berries to pick and which ones not to.  She did great!

After nap time Cali helped me wash the berries and we made muffins!

If you want to keep up with Nick's Africa mission trip go here.  I'm trying to update it daily.

18 Weeks

We are halfway there!  With twins the average delivery is at 35 weeks (instead of 40) so we are at the halfway mark.  It seems crazy how fast it has gone.  The second trimester has been much more enjoyable.  My energy level is higher, I feel better and I don't have to eat all the time.

18 weeks 

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 18 Weeks

Size of baby: The twins are 5.5 inches long

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 14 lbs 

Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants, t-shirts and maternity tops.  

Gender: It's a BOY and a GIRL!!  We are having one of each! 

Movement: The babies move a few times a day.  Bending over gets them really excited.

Sleep: I get up to pee once a night and I'm still having crazy dreams

What I miss:  Fitting into my non-maternity clothes

Cravings: Pizza, sweet potato fries, onion rings and chips!  I do eat a lot of fruits and veggies but I don't crave those :)

Symptoms: My belly is big!  

Best Moment this week: We had two ultrasounds this week.  One at our regular Dr apt and one at our anatomy scan ultrasound.  Praise the Lord everyone is healthy and active! 

We also joined the minivan club this week with the purchase of a Honda van.  There was just no way we could fit 3 kids in our current car.   

Catching Up

We have been busy busy lately! 

Nick took a group of 15 students and adults on a mission trip to Mexico last week!  They had a great time playing with orphans and pouring concrete in 106 degree heat.   It was a wonderful week and there were a lot of  "God Moments".   

Working in Mexico.  Nick is in the blue shirt on the right.

Cali's souvenir - a sombrero!

With Nick gone it meant Cali and I were on our own.  Cali came to work with me a couple mornings before school and had a blast.  She even got to "mow" grass.  I put her on one of the machines and she played with all the buttons.  A few afternoons she played with a new babysitter until Nana came on Wednesday.  Nana and Cali had a lot of fun playing for 3 days.  By the time I got home from work they were both worn out from all the playing :)  

Enjoying ice cream at a local snow cone / ice cream place.  Cali dropped her's shortly after this photo!

Saturday Nick helped our good friends move and we headed off to Michael's 3rd Birthday party!  Man these kids grow up fast!  He got a lot of good, loud boy toys like trucks and cars.  It is always so much fun to see all the cousins get together and play.  Cali mostly just goes through all their toys and ignores the other kids.  Cake time brought them all back together!

The birthday boy opening presents

Cake time!

Weekend Recap

We had another fun filled weekend with family and friends.

Saturday we celebrated Leigha's 7th Birthday.  It was held at a family sports center in Nick's hometown.  Cali got to play putt-putt and bowl for the first time!  The kids had a great time playing and of course eating cake!

Uncle Andy showing Cali how to hit the ball

Daddy, Cali and Leigha playing putt-putt

All the birthday party kids.  See Cali's small head on the right side!

Cali bowling.  She pushed the ball and hit 6 pins!  The ramp and bumpers helped.

After the party we went over to Maw Maw's house to play and nap.

Then we headed back to town to celebrate Cindy Bailey!  After 26 years at our church as the Children's minister she is retiring.  If it were not for her there would be no Nick and Pam.  She and Eric introduced us, 11 months later we were married!  We will miss her so much.

CB and Cali

14 Weeks

We are 14 weeks today!  WOOHOO!!  Goodbye 1st trimester!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Size of baby: The twins are 3.5 inches long, about the size of lemons

Total Weight Gain/Loss: Gained 8 lbs (as I get bigger I may stop filling this one out)

Maternity Clothes: Maternity pants and mostly t-shirts.  I did empty out my closet of the all the clothes I won't be able to wear for the next year and put in 2 tubs of maternity clothes.

Gender: We find out officially July 8th, but we have a good idea now!  

Movement: The babies move when I pick up Cali, bend over or twist

Sleep: I get up to pee once a night and I'm having crazy dreams

What I miss: Energy!  I am super worn out! When Cali goes to bed I sit in the recliner till bed. 

Cravings: Pizza!  And considering Gluten Free pizza just isn't the same this crazing is getting depressing.

Symptoms: Hungry and tired!  I eat 3 meals a day and around 9 snacks. 

Best Moment this week: Our 13 week Dr. appt.  We got to see two wiggly, healthy babies!

Memorial Day Weekend

We had a busy 3 day weekend.  It included 3 birthday parties, 2 moon bounces, and 1 swimming pool.

Saturday morning we had a birthday party for one of the little boys in our small group.  He and his friends had a great time on the moon bounce and trampoline.  His little sister, Anna, and Cali mostly played inside away from the loud boys.

After lunch and a nap we were off to my sister's house for party #2.  Kimmie turned 7!  The cousins had a great time playing and chasing each other around the house.

Sunday evening while Nick was at youth Cali and I went to Landon's 4th birthday party!  The girls played in a toddler size moon bounce and after dinner stripped down to play in the sprinkler system.  The teenagers even joined in on the fun.

Monday we spent at Nick's moms house.  Cali had a great time playing with Maw Maw.  Cousin Leigha came over to play in Cali's frog pool.  The girls had fun pouring water on each other.

It was a busy weekend full of family and friends.  We are so lucky to have wonderful people in our life who invest in us!


And yes, I know it is Thursday but this is as soon as I could get to blogging about our busy weekend.