It's a good thing she is cute!

I haven't been feeling well today.  Mostly, I feel like someone is sitting on my chest and choking me at the same time.  It's a cold, but it's not a fun one.  Melanie and Noelle have been good helpers today, folding towels for me, picking up little things here and there, and just playing nice with their brother (which is the greatest gift of all).  Which was why this little conversation with Ms. Melanie was extra humorous.

Melanie: "Mom, I think you are sick because of the baby"

Me: "I'm not sick because of the baby."

Melanie: "Well, you are fat because of the baby".  

To make this even more innocent humor, my little 6 year old proceeded to demonstrate my "fatness" not just by patting my belly, but also patting down my legs.  Because, lets be honest, pregnancy doesn't just effect our stomachs.

Melanie: "I don't remember what you look like without a baby in your tummy".

Me: "Well, I suppose you will get to see soon."

Can I just say, it's a good thing she is cute and lovable?  Not anyone can tell me they think I'm fat and get a smile out of me.

4 weeks left!

Surprise Party

Today, I surprised the kids. 

 

When they got home from school, there was this box sitting on the kitchen table.  And it sat there...  all afternoon and evening... until dad got home.

 Then the excitement started...

 And they started opening the box.

 Next thing they know....  a party appeared.

 But what are we celebrating?  They had to search a little deeper to find out!

 Surprise!  It's another boy!  Our family has finally reached a good balance.

Pregnant Mama

My dear friend, Ms. Lybi, took some pictures of me nice and pregnant a few weeks ago. I just got them yesterday and thought I'd share them because she was mucho talented. I have to admit, having pictures taken of me... and me alone, is really weird. I feel awkward standing out there all by myself. But, this was a lot of fun. I think it's because Lybi is just so cool and we had fun chatting and joking.

So, Melanie askes me today: "Mom, where is my baby brother?" I tell her "He is still in my tummy, silly". And she responds "Well, I want him out!" Too Cute!

Every time we drive pass the Banner Gateway hospital, Melanie informs me that is where her baby brother will be born. And then she asks me what his name is...

Brandon says this one is his favorite.

I think this one may be mine. Look how cool and relaxed I am... not something you see everyday... ha ha!

After the pictures, I decided to put on my super woman cape and try the impossible. See, Lybi had some how got her car stuck on some rebar that was poking through the curb. She tried to back out, but it was just not happening for her. So, in crazy woman fashion, I tried to push her car off the rebar (while she was trying to reverse). It didn't work... but it sure makes for a good story. (Lybi, the slave driver). I'm joking, she is most definitely NOT a slave driver. Thank you Ms. Lybi, for the beautiful pictures (some not posted). I love them.

Welcome to the Circus!

I am so spoiled. My sister in law, Amilee, threw me a beautiful baby shower this morning. I am seriously so lucky and so grateful. It was so much fun. She picked "Welcome to the Circus" for the theme, and it was very clever. All the Smithson's are so talented (and clever) when it comes to planning and decorating for parties. I'm hoping that it will rub off on me someday (well, it's almost been 8 years since I joined the family, and so far, I haven't gotten any better). On each of the tables, she had little gum ball machines, some animal crackers, and a fun cup full of little mustaches. It was super cute, and a huge hit with the kids (which you can see from these pictures)

Check out these cute decorations. It's that awesome? I love it! There is also a popcorn machine next to the table that I didn't get a picture of.

Everything was just perfect.

And I am so blessed to have so many friends and family that were able to come.

I have to admit, it was really fun to open all the boy stuff. There are a lot of really cute boy clothes out there... and my friends and family have great taste! I am so excited to finally have a collection started (as I haven't bought anything yet myself). Here are a few pictures of me opening my gifts.

This bib is hilarious. Susan said she had to get me it because I'm an engineer... It is literally called the "nerd" bib. hmm... I wonder what she is implying.

These booties are a special gift to Baby Smithson from Grandma Great, and they mean a lot. All the grand and great grand children get a pair.

And this fun basket was from my Aunt Tammie. I love the basket, and all the fun things in it!

There were a lot of kids at the party, and they all seemed to have a fun time. Here are a few of the wild animals they have at the circus. :)

If there was any questions as to whether or not the food was good, these pictures of Noelle will clarify... it was WONDERFUL!

So, thank you EVERYONE that was able to come. I really, truly, appreciate it. I feel guilty asking to get me things when it's my third child, but I also truly appreciate everything that I received. It is so nice to have a collection of blue and green things started. THANK YOU!

Thank you to Amilee for organizing the entire thing. Thank you to Kathe and Gary for letting us use their house and for all the cleaning and prep work I'm sure they did before hand. Thank you to Amilee and Amber for making the wonderful food. Thank you to Litisha and Erin for helping out with everything as well. Thank you to Jen for taking pictures while I opened the presents. Thank you to Brittany for recording all the gifts for me. And thank you to my kids for playing nicely and having fun so that mom could have fun too. :) (If I missed someone that was working behind the scenes, I apologize, and THANK YOU as well!)

Swim Lessons

Our family has been engaged in... SWIM LESSONS! The girls have done two sessions of them at the Fremont Jr. Pool and today was their last day. (I'm not doing any more sessions this summer).

Melanie is really good at swimming on her own, as long as it's a doggy paddle. (Now that she knows she can do that, she has a hard time with learning new arm movements). She can float on her back all by herself, and she loves getting into the water. In fact, she has become quite independent in the water (which is both a good and bad thing). I love watching her enthusiasm. She is truly a fish! (Though she thinks she is turning into a mermaid, not a fish!)

Noelle too loves the water. She is pretty good at everything, except blowing bubbles (not going to happen!). She can even climb out of the pool all by her self! She is turning into a regular little fish herself!

Here she is climbing out of the pool! Don't you just love her little bathing suite. It's too stink'n cute, if you ask me!
And Baby Brother is quite a swimmer too. He is more of a synchronized swimmer, doing somersaults and different kind of kicks!

Check out his little feet in the water! Aren't they cute?

3 Common Questions: Answered

I thought, now that I have already surprised everyone with my random picture, I should answer some questions. These seem to be the 3 most common questions I have gotten.

1. When are you due?

According to the ultra sound I had, I am due November 21st. (Which makes me a little over 11 weeks). So, for once, it's not a December baby... but we still really like the end of the year. Brandon thinks that we should "shoot for" December 5th... but I think 14 days over due is just cruel. I'm thinking I should keep with tradition and try to get a holiday. Veteran's Day or Thanksgiving come to mind. And Veteran's Day would give baby Smithson a birthday of 11/11/11. That's pretty neat, right? But the day we are really hoping NOT to have the baby is November 22nd, which is our anniversary. (knock on a TON of wood).

2. How do I feel?

Once word: Sick! ALL the time. I'm not one of those extremely unlucky people that are throwing up all the time and super dehydrated... but seriously, I think I may feel better if I could just throw up, period. And being sick has made me oh so crabby. It's like patience has gone out the window, seriously! My doctor gave me a prescription to help, and it does a little, but with how I have been feeling the last few weeks, if makes me wonder how bad it would actually be WITHOUT the prescription. The smell the anything wet and or steamy seem to make it worse. Like, the washing machine, the dish washer, the shower, cleaning supplies. ugh!

So, I have to send out a huge THANK YOU to an amazing friend who knew I was so miserable (one of very few that actually knew I was pregnant) and last week showed up with flowers, oranges (which seem to help) and CLEANED my house for me! Seriously! I love you Lybi! You are an amazing friend. Talk about selfless service. And I feel guilty, because she surprised me on one of my better days.

3. Am I going to find out the gender?

Before I start to answer this question, I have a disclaimer: I get the claim the privileged of changing my mind. I plan to be surprised in November! So, as it stands, we will NOT be finding out the gender of the baby during an ultra sound. If it turns out to be a boy, I'm hoping some of my wonderful friends and family will find a place in their heart to through my a baby shower (hint hint... love you guys!)

Those seem to be all the questions I have had so far. :o)