Baby Shoes

I made these shoes (with some help from my super crafty sister-in-law) while our husbands and sons were at father's and sons a week ago. We stayed up late and sewed and ate caremel popcorn... just us girls (Sarah and Elsa, and Gracie and I). We definitely need to do it again soon. Hopefully my baby's feet won't be too big to wear them when he is born (my kids have HUGE feet).

Getting ready for baby...

I had to order a new car seat for this little fellah that is coming to join our family soon. Our old one lasted through the other three kids, but it expired. I decided I wanted to make a cute car seat cover for the new seat.

I used my cute sister-in-law's car seat cover (that her mom made) as a pattern and kind of went from there. Thanks Sarah!

I think it turned out pretty good. Gracie's "baby daughter woodpecker" seems to like it too because I keep finding her in the car seat. Gracie and Sammy seem to think she belongs in there. "Woodpecker" is going to be in for a rude awakening when she gets kicked out of her favorite spot in a few weeks. We are one step closer to being ready for our new baby to get here.

The Tooth Fairy

Gracie lost her first tooth last night. I didn't think it was loose enough, but David did. He grabbed some suturing thread and tied it around her wiggly little tooth. He yanked up hard once and out came the tooth. Her grown up tooth has been growing in behind the baby one for a few weeks. The dentist said not to worry about it, but that it would move up on its own when the baby one fell out.

I feel just a little gypped that I didn't get a little jack-o-lantern smile just yet. I am sure that will come though.

There it is. Gracie put it under her pillow last night in a little bag. The tooth fairy was very generous, hopefully just because it was a "first" tooth. I don't think she can keep up with this. She even let Gracie keep the tooth too! Congratulations Gracie!

From round foods to large aquatic mammals.

I figured it was about time for another belly picture. I am a little over 34 weeks now, and really I feel ready to POP! This little boy surely can't really grow for another 5 1/2 weeks. David is doing a month of OB/Pediatrics right now in his residency. He is having a fun time delivering babies and taking care of them after they are born. He came home from work a few days ago and told me about a conversation he had with one of the other residents. When a woman first gets pregnant all the books, web sites, and doctors compare the baby inside of you to a bean, peanut, or other small food when describing to you how big your baby is. From there they use apricot, plum, apple, orange, gourd, cantalope, squash, etc... always using a fruit or vegetable to give you the general idea of how big your baby is getting. Then all of a sudden the next thing used to describe the baby/woman's size is whale... Why is that? They don't use other sea animals when describing the size. It's not like they say, "Your baby is the size of a minnow, or a trout or a salmon." Nope, just whale. Well, whatever, I am ready for this baby blue whale to come out whenever he feels like it (preferably sooner than later after 37 weeks). If all you are waiting for is an invitation little boy, consider yourself invited. :)

Benson hearts "Diedo"

(Pictures taken by Jonae Cheger)

This silly little boy woke up crying this morning at 2:00 asking to watch "Diedo" (which means Diego). He LOVES Diego. I wouldn't let him watch it. I know I am a really mean mother, but I am not willing to give up my sleep so that my 22 month old can sit and watch some animal rescuer show where the main character's head is too big for his body. I got him a drink of water and brought him to my bed instead. Big mistake! He wouldn't go to sleep. I already have pregnancy insomnia (I went to bed last night around 10:30 but just can't shut my brain off for hours after I turn off the light) and adding a little boy to the bed who keeps reaching up to hug me or pat my face or stroke my hair didn't help (I know all of those things sound sweet in the day time, but not so at two in the morning). I finally made him go back to his bed (now close to 3-ish) because I was close to crying over lack of sleep. David carried him back to his bed, and he didn't cry or anything. He just lay there in his bed for about 15 minutes and then I hear the sweet pitter patter of little feet (not as sweet during he middle of the night again, but still sweet). He came and climbed back into my bed again and this time curled up to me and fell asleep almost immediately. I woke up with him still curled up against my back like a little kitten. After breakfast this morning I finally let him watch Diego. I got comfortable on the couch next to all the other kids and tried to catch a couple minutes of sleep while they watched (I am not a good mommy when I don't get enough sleep, it was necessary to try and get a little more). Benson climbed up next to me in my arms and within just a few minutes of watching his favorite show... he fell asleep. Guess he needed to catch up a little bit too.

My BFF

(Pictures taken by Jonae Cheger)

Dear Little Gracie Girl,

On Saturday we went to a primary activity at the church. We played in the water and rode bikes and you had a great time... until a couple of unkind children told you that you rode a baby bike (because you still had training wheels on your bike). After that you wouldn't ride your bike any more and you only wanted to hang out with the adults and it made me sad. Last night your Daddy took the training wheels off your bike and we went to the same parking lot and you learned how to ride your bike without them. You are so big and smart and cool and you are 5 years old and I forget a lot of times just how big you are getting. Kindergarten starts in a few weeks. You can read and count to 100 and write and you love computers and science and Littlest Pet Shops and Polly Pockets and pump your feet when you swing and now you can ride your bike too. Don't forget that you promised to be my BFF. Last night we wished on the "first star I see tonight" and that is what I wished for... for us to be BFFs for the rest of our lives. I sure love you chickadee.

Love,
Mom

after 9 years...

(Pictures taken by Jonae Cheger)

We have been married 9 years today, and look what we have to show for it! 3 almost 4 beautiful children, not to mention you are one heck of a doctor .
I love you David. You have been an amazing father and husband. I need you in my life every day. Thanks for choosing me.