What does Jackson want to be when he grows up?

On our way to school this morning Jackson told me he's been thinking about what he wants to be when he grows up.  He said he wasn't sure yet but he had a few choices.  He said either a doctor, a race car driver or a balloon man.  It was very hard for me to contain my giggles!  We talked about it a little bit and I explained that a balloon man doesn't really work every day all day so maybe that could just be a hobby or something he did on the side.  Thankfully, he agreed!

And a little back story to the balloon man...we went to the Meridian Mardi Gras festival on Saturday and waited in line forever to get a hat made out of balloons.  When we got home, Jackson started taking his apart and making different things out of it so I think he was just fascinated at how you could manipulate the balloons and use your imagination to create anything you wanted.

My Sweet Benny

When I pick up Bennett from preschool in the carpool line, the teachers put him in the car and he immediately comes to my side and gives me the biggest hug!  It is the sweetest thing and makes my day.  The only downside is that sometimes the teachers actually put him in his car seat right away even though he's reaching for me saying "hug" and then he cries until I stop the car and get out to give him a hug.  I don't always give in but I just can't help since all he wants is a hug and I know one day that won't be the case.

Bennett's Potty Training Success (months late!)

We started potty training Bennett in the same way we did with Jackson, right after he turned two.  Stripped him down one Saturday morning and hung out at home while giving him lots and lots to drink.  He wet himself a few times and really didn't get the concept at all.  So just like I did with Jackson, we didn't force it and we put him back in diapers for several weeks and just kept talking to him about the potty and even let him sit on it while getting the bath ready or waiting to brush his teeth.  I would have liked to attempt it again a month later but we were heading to the beach and I knew it wasn't a good idea to try it when we would be out of our routine for a week and then home for a week and then in Atlanta for another week.  I decided to wait until we were home for a longer period of time which was August.

So on August 10th, we started out the morning the same way stripping him down and giving him lots to drink.  I wasn't really confident that it would work this time either but Bennett totally surprised us and he nailed it!  Immediately!!!  He definitely had a couple accidents that first day but the second day he only had ONE accident and by the third day, he was totally going on his own!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  This Mama was shocked and of course over the moon excited after the horrible potty training experience I had with his older brother.

The only set back we had was when he started preschool a couple of weeks later.  For some reason, he did fine the first week but then the second week of school, he wouldn't go at school.  His teacher said she asked him and would try to take him but he refused.  He had a couple accidents at school but in general he would just hold it....for four hours!  He definitely has better bladder control than his big brother!  Luckily he snapped out of that phase after a few weeks and went back to using the potty at school.

He also stopped wearing diapers for naps almost immediately.  I kept him in them for a few weeks just to be sure but he continuously woke up dry so I figured I should stop wasting diapers.  Here's hoping his next big boy step (moving to a regular bed) goes as smoothly!

Baby Update 21 Weeks

How far along: 21 weeks 

Total weight gain: 11 lbs (My how things are different with the third!)

General disposition: Great!!!

Sleep: Eh, not so great but it's ok.

Best moment this week: Seeing the look on Jackson's face when he felt the baby move!  Love! Love! Love!

Movement: Lots and lots and finally getting stronger and strong enough for others to feel.

Labor signs/Body changes of note: Nothing really.  

What I miss: This week I really wanted some sushi!!!

What I am looking forward to: Meeting my SON!  We decided to find out the gender this time and now all I want to do is hold my baby boy and see his sweet face!  I am trying not to rush through this pregnancy because it will more than likely be my last and I know I will miss it but I'm so anxious to meet him!  First things first though...we have to decide on a name!!!

Baby Update 18 Weeks

How far along: 18 weeks 

Total weight gain: 8 lbs (Whoa!!!)

General disposition: Generally good.  I don't know if that means I'm getting used to the headaches or they've almost gone away but either way, I'll take it!  And the nausea only hits about once a week so that's good too.

Sleep: Having a hard time getting comfortable and staying asleep.  Only getting up once to use the bathroom but I can't always fall back asleep right away...or for hours!

Best moment this week: Emerson asking where the baby was :)

Movement: No big kicks or localized movements but I can feel him/her moving from one area to the other.

Labor signs/Body changes of note: Just getting rounder in general.  

What I miss: Eggs.  I could really go for a couple eggs over medium right now.

What I am looking forward to: Feeling the baby move more often.

Who's in control?

For over a year, I have debated in my mind and with Nick whether or not we should and would have another child.  We had always said we wanted three but sometime during Bennett's first year, Nick said he wasn't set on three anymore.  So if you know me at all, you know that this uncertainty drove me crazy.  I am a planner.  I am a planner.  I am a PLANNER.  And while this third child we both dreamed of previously was never going to be an Irish twin (born within a year) of Bennett's, I had still planned he/she would arrive sometime in our future.  We talked about it many times and neither of us knew how to make the decision.  There was the rational way about it taking into account finances (loans, private school costs, etc. etc. etc.), logistics (car, bedrooms, etc.), and what we wanted for our family.  Then there was the somewhat irrational way of talking about it and I only say irrational because there wasn't anything specific backing up us "wanting" another child, we just wanted them.

During this last year, I kept thinking of advice I had given friends and friends had given me.  If you're unsure, you should go for it.  In twenty years, you will never look at that child and regret them.  But if you don't, you may regret not trying.  I also had a friend tell me she knew her family wasn't complete.  She always felt like someone was missing until she had another baby.  I wasn't sure if my wanting to have another child was the same as feeling like someone was missing.  Since our first two were kind of far apart at four years, we didn't want to wait and have another four year or even three year gap.  Bennett just turned two so that meant we were theoretically running out of time.  After realizing, we were never going to rationally and absolutely come to a decision, we decided it was time to let go of our control and planning (yes, I was able to do that and it was even my idea!), and leave it up to God.

So today, on July 12th, 2013, I type this through tears of joy and anticipation (and a little anxiety of course) because I am 4 weeks and 3 days PREGNANT!  I am due March 18, 2014...yes you read that right, March not May in case you're thinking of the same joke Nick made when I told him ha!  Our hearts are full and my cup runneth over.  Thank you God for another beautiful miracle and choosing me to be a Mama all over again.

How do you want your eggs?

We can finally ask Benny how he wants his eggs!  A little over a year ago, we found out Bennett was allergic to eggs (http://thekellylife.blogspot.com/2012/02/allergieschild-2-round-1.html).  Luckily after a visit to the allergist for the skin and blood test, we learned that he had a high possibility of outgrowing his allergy.  Since it had been over a year, we decided to give it another shot.  Nick made himself some eggs for breakfast on Saturday and naturally Bennett wanted some of whatever was on Nick's plate.  Nick gave him one bite and waited a few minutes.  Nothing happened.  Bennett wanted more so Nick gave him a couple more bites.  Still nothing happened.  Last year the reaction was immediate so I was very hopeful but Nick said sometimes it can take a couple hours.  I am very happy to say that hours later, Bennett had NO reaction to the eggs!  It isn't likely Jackson will outgrow any of his food allergies but I am thankful that Bennett has outgrown his egg allergy.  I don't know if this Mama can handle many more allergic reaction scares!