Old jammies...

I found these jammies last night as I was going through old baby clothes. I grabbed them and put Elise in them right away because I knew I needed pictures of her in them!  Andrew wore these constantly!  And I wanted to see how much they looked alike.

Andrew is about 7 1/2 months old -- Elise is 6 months old.

I can see how much the look alike, but how different they look.  And I think that Elise is "girly" looking. Anyone else think so, too?!

Andrew

Elise.

Andrew

Elise

Andrew

Elise

Elise being spent.  She doesn't like tummy time.

Humor in tornado season...

I wrote several weeks ago on Facebook that I firmly believe preparing for childbirth and tornados are very similar.  Since that post, I can't stop thinking of things that make me believe that even more!

We are in the thick of a pretty active tornado season right now.  And by season I mean, the last two weeks.  It's been quite since February.  But May, May is busy for the weather guys around here {and they love it}.

Either way, here are the similarities I can come up with {feel free to comment your own!}

Preparing for tornados is like preparing for childbirth because:

*You always want to look presentable -- showered, hair straightened, a little mascara... It goes a long way. You don't want to be the one person they interview on TV that looks like you rolled out of bed and into your shelter. Or have someone take your picture post-delievery with crazy hair.

*You go into nesting mode.  Except in tornado season, it's pretty urgent and you don't wash baseboards.  Instead, you clean out a shelter and make sure you have the file box nearby.

*You make sure that food and water are available and handy.

*You try to be as rested as possible. You don't want to be cranky in the shelter.  Or when you're already overusing your body to birth a child.

*You try to be as informed as possible.  The more you know, the better you'll handle the event!

*You remain as calm as possible, but there is always a string of emotions running inside your head.  Excitement, fear, discomfort, anxiety.

*You want to make sure that your head is clear and your mind is set on the goal -- survival.

*Keep your focus.

*You rely heavily on the rational perspective and rockstar-ness of your husband.  He seems unshaken by either event.  Although, childbirth is the one time I can count on Patrick shedding a few tears ;)

*You sing a lot of songs and recite memorized scripture to muster up strength and joy and a positive attitude.

*Mainly, though, you just keep wondering when this whole ordeal will be over and done with...

And now that I look over these again, I nod with approval that I've done each of these things for childbirth and during a tornado watch.  Such is my life, I suppose.

Happy tornadoing or laboring! :)

The best I could do...

With these boys, taking pictures is as bad as cutting finger nails.
Even with bribery, everyone still scream and cries and walks away.

But still -- I do my job.
I take a lot of pictures and I cut 20 fingernails and 20 toenails regularly.
And one of these jobs is completely disgusting to me because boys. are. gross.
We will all be happier when they are able to groom themselves.

I digress...

It took these pictures to announce our pregnancy, but then I started reading Deuteronomy and told God's story of our lives instead.  And I'm glad I did.  It was sweet to remember and to rejoice in God's faithfulness to us -- through valleys and hard days and on mountains and in joy.

Either way, here is evidence of picture day  -- just for fun :)

Eyes closed.

Benjamin hiding.

Andrew leaving.

Benjamin spitting on his finger and wiping off the chalk.

Everyone is annoyed.

Good news! Andrew hears the dog next door.
And Benjamin has started wiping off more words with spit.

Andrew wants to talk about the dog...while Benjamin is hiding again.

So! Happy day.  My due date is October 5th -- and that is forever away.  But when you're taking care of two small boys, time flies.  It may go faster because I sleep so much.  I'll never know the real answer. 

The end!

Halloween!

We carved pumpkins on Sunday after lunch.  Benjamin was very excited.  VERY excited.  Andrew was somewhat excited/clueless.  He took a nap while we finished up.  But next year, he is going to be really excited, too, I bet.

B drew the face, I carved it and then he drew all over the pumpkin.  It was a Benjamin original to the MAX!

On Halloween, our church had a pretty big event called Light Up The Night -- complete with a little kid worship concert and A TON of candy.  I think this was the perfect thing for my kiddos!  Andrew and I danced and sang away while Patrick and Benjamin contently sat still and watched.  I love how different we all are!

When we got home, Patrick put Andrew to bed and B and I walked down our street for a little old school trick or treating.  

He loved it. 

Obviously.

Patrick, B and I were sitting on the kitchen floor checking out the loot and Benjamin looked at me and said, "MOM! I love Halloween!!!" 

Benjamin wanted to be Yoda.  He does not know that he is a regular jedi.
Praise God he has no clue about Star Wars!

I made this up about an hour before we left!

Sweet tiger.

This tiger loves blankies.

both boys!

B and Averie walking across the stage!

Happy daddy with a tired tiger.

Family shot!

Some of the kiddos from our flock.  Notice Andrew trying to sneak Mason's candy!

A little {raw} humor...

Here's the deal: I have done a lot of rounds of Clomid lately.  

And I have gained a little weight.  

And I've probably been a little moody.

Praise Jesus for Patrick's faithfulness to me!

And even after eight years of being "infertile", it's still hard when we are trying to get pregnant.  I'm overly blessed and humbled that I have two beautiful boys.  And Patrick and I desire more children.  It's just this third time around, man!, things are harder than ever.  Mostly with the drugs and my body. 

And less about me emotionally.  

But I'm still emotional.

Sometimes it's hard because "trying" isn't just counting a few days and seeing what happens next.  There is medicine to take, and then a few more medicines to take.  And doctors appointments and ultrasounds and blood work and waiting.  And, usually, it starts all over after one pink line and a few tears. Sometimes, though, I remember my sweet boys and what a joy it is to be their momma and that I would take Clomid every month if it meant having them again.  

I remember it's worth it.

I don't question God, though, about this trial because I set my mind a LONG time ago to not waste my infertility.  I knew that this was our lot and the road in which we would walk for babies.  And I pray that God has been seen and made known.  But that doesn't make it an easy road to walk.  I'm sure you know this.  We all endure and walk roads that were made just for us that are not easy, just beautifully sanctifying and humbling.

But after these years of trying and negative pregnancy tests and a lot of drugs and even more doctors appointments and being stuck with a lot of needles and some tears and a little laughter, I find it easier to laugh with each passing day.  Not because I'm cynical, but because I realize that a lot of laughter makes everything easier and a little more tolerable.

For example:

If you are reading this and pregnant.  I won't slap you.  I promise.  I'll be very glad for you.  But I can't promise that, in my sin and struggle, I may cry a little.  But please, for goodness sake, don't leave me out and not tell me you're pregnant.  Don't "protect" me.  Just treat me like your friend and let God do the "protecting".

That was just a side note.

I may have a lot of fertility posts coming up.  I'm in a place where I can talk freely about it without crying hysterically.  Aren't you glad I waited a month from our last negative test to process to the entire world?

 Me too.

Anyways, here is my favorite.  It makes me laugh out loud every.single.time.

{disclaimer: some of my favorite people in the world got pregnant in two months or less, this is not a personal attack. Simply infertile humor}

I need this...

{Pinterest}

Does this not speak to anyone else? I need to purchase this and hang it in my living room for comic {and truthful} relief!

DMX would be proud, I think ;)

And if I can't be in France...

...I'll go to Scotland. I loved being in Scotland. Specifically, St. Andrew's. I even asked Patrick if we could sell all we own and open a Bed and Breakfast there. I think he said no. I should ask again :)

There is a certain part of me that is very sure that I was not meant to live in the United States. And I love that.

And let me say, in all honesty, there is absolutely no way I would sit on a plane for nine hours right now. I just wouldn't make it. But it is fun to think about the places Patrick and I have been together. What a joy it is making memories with him!!!

In Inverness. Looking for the Loch Ness Monster. Duh.

Castle ruins in St. Andrew's.

Us. And ruins. And St. Andrews.

An entrance to University of St. Andrews. Which, did you know, Prince William went there and that's where he met his bride-to-be? I don't remember ever knowing that until I was watching the Today show while working out a few weeks ago. Maybe I knew before, I just didn't care. But now I think, "Oh that's fun. I've been there."

And so tell me, where are some places that you would love to be right now? Any favorite vacation spots? Or just somewhere you'd like to go? I can't be the only one who wants to travel :)

Homemade bubbles...

Maybe your child does not love bubbles or maybe they do. Mine does. And because he's just two, they get used up very easily. For instance, a little cup of them disappeared just a few minutes ago. Lucky for me, I have a very honest child. When asked where the bubbles were he simply said, "Piper's water". Sweet boy.

Instead of buying bubbles this spring and summer, why not make your own? It's so easy and I bet you have everything on hand. Plus, it's so much cheaper. And I feel a ton better about bubbles ending up in the dog's water or on the ground or in shoes if I didn't just spend $10 buying them!

Here's the recipe:

Homemade Bubbles!

1 cup water
2 tablespoons light karo syrup or 2 tablespoons glycerin
4 tablespoons dishwashing liquid

(I used karo syrup and it worked great!)

Enjoy!!!

An almost two kind of day...

This is the thing, Benjamin is going to be two tomorrow. I kid not, my friends. I'm amazed and so excited and kind of shocked at how quickly two years jumped by. Sure, day to day seemed to creep by sometimes, but two years just showed up.

Since we had family visiting this weekend, we made the most of our time together by doing fun things for B's birthday. I made plans in my head and then worked them out. Everyone was kind enough to go along with me :) I just knew B would love a day of things he enjoyed!

So, I called the local fire station last week and asked if I could bring my going-to-be-2 boy over for a look at the trucks. The lady was so kind and they set up a tour. When we got there Saturday morning, Benjamin was greeted with excitement from the firemen and was given a "junior firefighter" sticker to wear. We toured the station, which was really cool for the six adults in attending, and then headed to the garage. We B saw the trucks, life was perfect. He ran around, "drove" several times and got to shoot a water hose. The fire fighters giving us the tour were so great! Even the adults had a good time!

I think the first words from his mouth were, "Oh. Wow. Fire truck"

Taking B to drive!
Climbing the ladder.
Little family! (PS I'm 28 weeks pregnant here - hey, Beta!)
Driving! After he would get out, we would do something else and then he would ask to drive again.
My little boy!
Spraying the hose. This was also a highlight :) Patrick liked it, too!
This may be the only picture I have of Benjamin looking near me while we were at the fire station. His head was constantly moving! But I'll take what I can get :)
Family picture!

Also, Saturday was the first day of "swim lessons" for B. A friend of mine found out about them, so we signed up together. Um. Benjamin was thrilled, to say the least. He didn't stop moving and kicked the entire 30 minutes! He loved the water and listened pretty well as we were learning things.

Uncle Kent and Aunt Sarah got Benjamin some really awesome gifts. He was so excited to open presents! This T-Rex has been a hit around here since he pulled it out of the bag!

We decided to give B the presents we got for him, too. We got him a tool set, power drill and mini construction trucks. He loves all of it! I can't tell you how awesome it is to see your boy light up at the sight of plastic tools that you picked out because you knew he would love it! He has been building and fixing constantly since.
And finally, we went to Cuppies & Joe. Benjamin has never had an entire cupcake from there and I thought he would like one. Not to mention the cupcakes are incredible and I really wanted to take Kent and Sarah there! We all got cupcakes (and for the full experience, Kent and Sarah got 3 to share. I think this was a good idea)

Benjamin picked out a chocolate cupcake with chocolate icing - like father, like son! B ate a few bites and then decided he was done. His self control is something I do not have. Patrick and I shared the rest of his cupcake :)

McBride boys :)
It was a fun day, indeed! Benjamin had a blast all day and even took an awesome three hour nap! I loved doing things with and for Benjamin that he loved. He might not remember it, but I know that he had a really incredible day! And I think we'll have to do something little tomorrow on his actual birthday. It may be a momma/B breakfast date kind of day :)