Summertime Memories

This was one of those dreamy nights for me.  It was beautiful outside (one of the first actual WARM evenings..which always is sure to give ya spring/summer fever), we were together as a family, and we fixed us some good food.  I marinated some chicken in pesto so that Josh could grill it when he got home from work.  He was excited and decided right then that he'd be getting the charcoal grill out.  It had to be done just like it was on vacation last summer, after all!

A little frisbee with Mommy while Daddy was grilling.  This is one thing that he actually does ask me to do with him - so I take advantage of it!  I don't mind throwing a frisbee and my bub is really good at it too!

Breaking in the sand box for the season.  Chase was still hesitant.  He hadn't gotten warmed up to the sand yet, as you can see.  Mr. prissy with his feet inside of the truck instead of in the sand.  Haha  : )  It was GREAT to finally spend some time outside and watch the boys play.

Pesto chicken, grilled asaparagus and pasta salad..that was what was for dinner!  We would have loved to eat outside but it had gotten a little chilly by this point..so inside it was.  Still delicious though and brought back great memories!  We texted Ryan a picture and said "thanks for the memories".  It brought us a calm to our day just like we had in Clear Lake.  It is awesome how food can do that, I think.  Ahh yes, nice weather does a body good!  Many more of these types of days ahead, I hope!

Picnic #1

Milo and I went to the store and grabbed lunchables for a last minute picnic surprise for Chasey after school.  It WAS really sunny and beautiful - UNTIL...we got to the park and sat down.  Haha.  Then it got cloudy, chilly and windy.  Boys didn't care though!  : )

Those are their wings, so they say.  : )  Little imaginations at work and I love it!

One of the cutest pictures I've ever taken.  I love these 2 with all my heart!  This was the first of many picnics for the spring/summer season.  These days when I have enough energy/mental clarity to do these things with them are the days I hope they remember the most.

Bunkin' Up

With baby #3 on the way it became time to bunk up Chase and Milo.  We wanted to do it well before baby arrived so that we could get baby room ready AND so that the boys could be nice and settled into it before we added more "different" to their lives.

We put off getting started on the room for quite a while and then finally just dove into it.  It was a good 2 week process before all was said and done.  So, in the mean time we put Chasey's mattress on the floor of Milo's room and crowded his dresser in there too.  They had fun camping out!  We started by emptying the room and getting the paint on the walls.

I had a strange sentimental attachment to Chase's first big boy bed.  It was just a cheapy bed that was starting to fall apart - but it was still his FIRST big boy bed.  And he loved stashing his stuff in that headboard.  I was feeling sappy about making him give up his own little space.

We decided to burn most of the best since it was falling apart.  We kept some of the big pieces and I did keep the headboard just incase we want to use it again eventually.  We'll see.

We had their bunk beds on layaway and made payments on them.  Once they were paid off it took about a week before they were to come in.  We could pay $50 to have them delivered AND put together for us - so we thought that was worth it.  Having a date when they'd arrive gave us a deadline to be ready by and was just the kick in the butt we needed to finally get it all done.  It turned out to be a bigger project then we thought it'd be.  I spent lots of time searching for pieces that were just the right size.  We are talking INCHES that make a world of difference in this small space.  For a while I really wasn't sure how the heck we were going to fit everything in there.

FINALLY!  The beds were here and we were able to start puzzling the room together!  Back when I bought Chase's dinosaur bedding I bought an extra set because I figured we'd be having a baby sooner than this...but, since we already own it all and the boys are still somewhat in to dinosaurs - we just stuck with it to save the expense of buying new.

Grandma got Chase a magnet board for Christmas.  I wanted him to have it because he loves to draw and put things on the fridge - so I thought he would like getting to put his drawings up to display.  Turned out they were more excited about the dry erase part of it than anything.  Totally works for me!

Chase's side of the room with his own dresser.  I had a new set of wall stickers (that aren't staying on very well, darn it) that we put up to tie everything together.

Milo's side!  Luckily Babies R Us still sells these letters so I was able to buy Milo's name to match Chase's.

Josh built the little shelves by their beds.  I wanted them to have a place to put a cup of water, a book, a flashlight, a little toy - whatever makes them feel comfortable.  They were a cheap project and turned out just perfect!

I had 2 of the dinosaur hooks from Chasey's room and found 2 more on ebay.  I love having a place that is within their reach where they can take responsibility to hang up their own coats and bags.

For space reasons - we needed to find a toy box with a book shelf attached.  I stumbled across this little thing at ShopKo for $40!  I was sold!  It is just cheapy but it is seriously perfect for what we needed.

Socks, shoes and laundry.

Chase's bedding is a lot more faded than the new set we hadn't used yet - but luckily it really isn't noticeable.  Josh and I felt such relief after finally getting it all done.  It was a long strung out process!  AND It turned out super cute and super cozy.  I was satisfied because I felt like I was able to accomplish giving them each their own space within the small room without making it feel too crowded - which was my ultimate goal.  I didn't want this to feel like a burden to them at all - but something they were happy about.  Yep, I am pretty proud of it!

Chase's bed quickly became the new hang out place.  : )  Love my little sweeties!

First night in the new room!  We had been talking about this A LOT to get them mentally ready for it.  We made it FUN for them - and they were excited to go to bed for a change!

Night night, sleep tight!

They both ASKED to go to bed and fell sound asleep on their own.  I couldn't believe it!  This was a big deal for both of them - Milo's first time ever in a big boy bed and Chase's first time up on a top bunk.  Super proud of both of them!  Yet another sentimental moment for Mommy.  One step closer to adding to our household!

Super Cozy

Cozy little nooks made by themselves.  We like blankets around here!  So cute!

Mini Josh

My little buddy coming in with Mommy to pick up Chase from school...and looking EXACTLY like his Daddy!  Absolutely in love with him!!!

Little Milo tidbit - this was a good 3 weeks after his surgery:
I asked Milo how his taliwacker feels and he said "it just feels...normal". And I said it feels normal? And he said "yeah, I like it!" Haha he's hilarious!

Gender Reveal

Josh and I scheduled a gender reveal ultrasound in Peoria, just for fun.  I hadn't done it with Chase or Milo and after hearing the good review of the place from Colista - I really wanted to do it.  That AND Ft Madison waits even later in pregnancy now for their ultrasounds and I am too much of a planner to wait that long!  ; )

We scheduled it for a Wednesday (Moms day off) so that Josh and I could go alone and have a day date.  I was REALLY looking forward to it and was very excited.  Moms boss had some health issues come up and asked her to work her day off - so Mom asked if that was alright.  Honestly I was SO SUPER upset at first.  I had my mind focused on how it was going to be and was excited to do it that way.  I couldn't help but be upset.  I had looked forward to eating adult food, and shopping for something baby after we were done, and just having some alone time.  Sometimes longer drives like that are nice bonding time too.

We finally sucked it up and accepted that we were going to either have to not go at all (not a choice to me) or we were going to have to take the boys with us.  Well...we ended up turning things around and making it FUN.  Josh got home Tuesday morning from work and we just up and decided to pack a bag and go find a hotel for the night.  We picked Chase up from school at 11:30 and took off from there.  He was surprised when we told him what we were doing!!  We took Josh's car and had an "old fashioned" road trip.  One with NO tv and NO tablets.  Haha.  Josh and I were nervous about it and then realized that was our life growing up and we were just fine and dandy.  LOL!  The boys did great anyway.  They are good boys, I don't know why I always get so nervous.  Milo passed out as we were in the drive thru getting lunch on our way, of course!  I swear the drive thru line gets him every time!  It's super frustrating because it's always AFTER we order him food that he falls asleep too...and then there's no waking him.  Haha.  Oh well.

Mr. Goofball entertaining himself in the mirror at American Eagle.  : )  We pit stopped at the mall before going to our hotel.  Josh wanted to go and get him some jeans.  He is picky and they are the only ones that fit him the way he likes and are affordable too.  We went into Toys R Us across the street too to get the boys each a small new toy to play with at the hotel that night.

They both chose legos - surprise, surprise!  They had Daddy busy putting them together as soon as we got there!  We stayed at the AmericInn.  It was pretty cheap and I was super impressed!  One of the most comfortable feeling hotels I've ever stayed in.

Pool time!  They weren't excited at all! ; )

We stayed at the pool for a good long time.  We were the only ones in there....awesome!  The water was actually WARM and felt freaking great!  And it was clean too..another nice thing!  I didn't have to put up a mental germ block the whole time like I did last time we stayed somewhere.  Haha.

Mr. Milo and his awesome goofy faces.  : )  While swimming I said to Josh that I guess it was meant to be this way.  It felt truly good to relax and get away.  Clear mind, no distractions of home, smiles on all of our faces.  It was good!  Could we afford it?  Heck no!  Did we need it?  Heck yes!

After swimming we went back to the room and we all got showered up and ordered us some supper.  How cute is Milo all chillaxed watching tv?!  Josh has a fire stick for work - so he brought that and we had full access to netflix and whatever else we have instead of being stuck with the hotel tv channels.  Works out nice!

So, I went down to the lobby to get a bottle of water from the vending machine - and I look over where the continental breakfast is in the mornings and I see some bottles of beer, soda and water on ice.  I asked the person at the desk how much they were (I thought Josh might enjoy a beer) and they said "help yourself".  WHAT?!?  No way!  So, I went back upstairs with a soda for the boys to share, a bottle of water for me, and 2 beers for Josh....FOR FREE!  Crazy!  Did I mention this hotel was awesome?!  This made the hubs pretty happy too.

Snuggles with my big babe before our supper showed up.

Supper time!  I told the boys to give me a thumbs up.  Look at Milo's!!!  #1...thumbs up - it's all the same! ; )  I love him!

Then I had Chase take a picture of Daddy and I doing thumbs up too...and he got his own thumb in the picture.  : )  Josh and I decided that made it the perfect picture!!

I ordered myself a piece of cheesecake for dessert.  I wish I could have it again right now.  It was like...the BEST cheesecake ever.  Yum!  I savored every bite!

I brought appropriate books for bed time.  "I am a new big brother" and "I love you all the same".  : )  I'm cheesy and sappy like that.  Sentimental moment for Mommy.

Chasey out of the blue came down with a fever right before bed.  He was PERFECT...energetic, happy- everything all day long and then all of a sudden he was icky.  So, we gave him some tylenol and hit the sack.  Just incase he had something we had him sleep with Josh (so not to make pregnant Mommy sick) and I slept with Milo.  We were up doing tylenol again the night ...but overall we all slept good.  Simple things like being the Mommy who has tylenol when my baby needs it is "fun" for me in a weird way.

Milo and I were the early risers the next morning...as usual!  Him and I went down and got some breakfast.  There were donuts and waffles and all kinds of UNhealthy choices that most kids would choose.  What did my Milo choose??  Yogurt and a banana!  He is awesome like that!

Finally, Chase came around and woke up.  The boys had gotten balloons out of a quarter machine at the mall.  Chase used his to wake Daddy up. : )  Good boy!  Guess what Chase chose for breakfast??  A donut!  (of course)  Haha.  So typical of my babes.

We pulled through Panera on the way and got me an iced coffee to drink before we went to the ultrasound.  I didn't want the baby to be sleeping in a position that we couldn't see what we were going for - so I was sure to drink something to wake him up.  (ever since this - every time I get a coffee Chase asks me if it's to wake up the baby : )

We found the place fairly easily and got right in.  Wasn't long and we spotted "it" on our baby and found out we are expecting another baby BOY!  It turns out that I was SUPER glad to have the boys with us because I would have totally been in tears if they weren't!  I had to keep my composure in front of them and not seem disappointed.  My initial reaction was "are you kidding me JP?!"  Haha.  The boys (especially Chasey) had been talking about wanting a baby sister the whole pregnancy up until this - but I was pleased when they were still very excited to find out it's a brother, not a sister.  The lady made them each a picture to bring home that said "I love my big brother, Chase" and "I love my big brother, Milo".  Very sweet!  Made them feel even more involved.  Awesome place! It was only $60 too...totally worth it.

There it is....Haha!  No denying that I am brewing a little mister!

Our reactions ; )  This was the picture we sent out announcing our results.  Haha.  Of course, Josh was thrilled to make another BOY and I was like Oh my goodness I am even more outnumbered!  So..many...boys!!

We decided to take a little pit stop at Target before we left Peoria.  The boys had slushies.  They associate Target with slushies now.  Haha.  Cheap satisfaction, I'm okay with it.

We walked through and checked out some baby stuff.  I had moments of excitement, followed by moments of "are you kidding me?!".  It was an emotional whirlwind!  We were already walking around talking about having #4.  Haha.  We'll see about that though!

Chase had a good morning but then got really puny on the way home again.  We decided to just go straight to Fort Madison hospital before even coming home..and it was a good thing we did.  Poor babe had come down with strep throat out of no where!  : (  We got him home and started on antibiotics ASAP.  So, we didn't end our outing the best way - but overall it was an AWESOME little spontaneous adventure.  I love to be spontaneous and am so blessed we live a life that makes us able to be from time to time!

After the "calm of the storm" as I sat back and looked at our pictures - I couldn't help but feel so excited.  I'll take another BOY..I mean, look how precious he is!!!  Such a beautiful creation.  We came up with a few positives (other than having a healthy baby in general).  1) we have a boy name we agree on and hadn't come up with a girl name yet. 2) we have boy clothes still (no, I haven't gotten rid of much still.)  Those were our initial positive thoughts...and they are among many we've thought of since then.  I'll get my girl someday if it's meant to be.  If not then it's superheroes and boy stuff all the way for this Momma!  I have already been introduced to so many things I never thought I'd have interest in...and it will just have to continue from here.  It feels so much more real and I am so much more excited now knowing what we are expecting.  Babies are fun!

Eat Fresh

Sometimes Daddy is gone at work a lot.  Sometimes Mommy doesn't want to cook when Daddy's gone.  Sometimes we need to bust out of the house and do something when Daddy is gone.  Sometimes we go to Subway and eat fresh.  ALWAYS I have the cutest dates in the world!  : )

3/2/16

Chase just said awesome and opossum rhyme. He's getting so smart! This is a new development. So fun to watch him grow!

MMP

Mickey Mouse pancakes for breakfast.  Only sharing because of this little goofballs fake half smile he gave me.  Haha.  He's adorable, that's all!