Football

Xander calls every ball under the sun a football.  I say, "It's a soccer ball."  "No! Football," he replies.  It doesn't matter what type of ball it really is (basketball, tennis ball, baseball, golf ball, etc.), he always insists they are footballs.  Last night Brandon brought home a real football he just bought.  All day Xander says, "Baseball!"  For the life of me, I couldn't get him to say it was a football.  He still insists every other ball is a football, but again, even tonight, he keeps calling the football a baseball.  What a funny kid!

Baby #3 update

A little history:  For the past few weeks, I have been measuring small.  My doctor/midwives (yes, there are multiple of them in the same facility, and I see them all) have said that I have been measuring really small, usually at least 2 weeks small.  Last week I went it and hadn't grown at all, or gained weight.  I was now measuring 4 weeks small.  She asked to do an ultrasound.  I said no at the time, maybe in a week or two (for various reasons).  But I also kept telling her, this is exactly how it went with my other two pregnancies, and I was not worried.

So on 5/17/13 I was about 36 weeks and measuring 32 weeks.  I was also at 2cm and 80% effaced.
(I know, everyone is going crazy!  But, again, I sat at 3 and 4cm for about a month before delivery with the other two kids as well - I am Not going into labor any time soon!  :D)

Yesterday, 5/28/13, we did an ultrasound.  (I am over 37 weeks and still measuring about 33.) I told her the baby's head would measure 3 weeks big before she started.  Sure enough, everything was perfectly normal!  And, yes, all of the measurements were right on 37 weeks, but the head is now measuring 40 weeks.  There is plenty of fluid around the baby, and lots of movement.
Knowing it is completely an estimate, usually at least up to a pound off in either direction, the baby's estimated weight is 6lbs 15oz.  With 3 weeks left to go, I am thinking he is perfect!!
(My doctor even apologized for making me come in and pay for another ultrasound, although in her situation, I would have wanted to check as well, not having all of my history on hand.)

Also, in case you haven't heard, we are naming our baby Chauncey Joel Forster.  Chauncey is my great-grandfather's name.  I asked Brandon one day (back when we were pregnant with Xander) what he thought of Chauncey.  He was overly ecstatic.  We already had Xander's name picked, so he wanted to use it for our next son.  I obviously liked the name, but didn't realize Brandon was going to be quite so excited.  As it turned out, it is the name of his favorite basketball player of all time, as well.  Joel is a wonderful name in the bible, which we like.  It is also the name of one of Brandon's good friends. 

So, we have a healthy (as far as we can tell) little "Chauncey Baby" (as Xander says-or screams-everyday - He is very obsessed with the baby!), who will arrive in approximately 3 weeks!  I am excited to see what he will look like!

Gus the Bus & a Visit from Grandma!

 This past year was the first year the district implemented a new program called Gus the Bus.  It is a preschool on wheels, and actual school bus converted into a school.  It drives around to various locations throughout the week so it is more accessible for more parents and children.  I was very impressed with the program, with its few kinks, especially for being their very first year.  It is privately funded by various donors, which is also very nice for us and our pocket books.

 Picking up Bell after school.

 This little patch of grass was completely covered with dandelions a couple of weeks ago.  Every single kid left with handfuls of them everyday.  Isabela always tells me she wants a house with grass, but only if we can plant the yellow flowers she can pick, not the pretty flowers that we can't pick. I definitely agree on the house part with grass. And although I prefer to not have the "pickable" yellow flowers, I am sure she will get her way :D

 The little monkey swinging in the tree.

 Isabela and her friends.

 Xander sneaked onto the bus.  It's got to be hard watching your older sister do so many things, and not getting to do all of them, too.   Everytime we dropped her off, he would hold up his hands (palms up) and ask for "Be-a?"  Then after awhile it was "Be-a go? Suela?"  (Where did Bella go?  Escuela?)

It was pretty cute!

 Grandma reading us books in the mushroom chair!  Xander was COM-FORT-ABLE! I don't remember the last time he fell asleep in my arms.  It was so nice having her here!

 Making handprints.

 But Daddy still has the magic touch.  Xander still frequently will just lay on Brandon forever before he falls asleep.

 Slightly be-lated birthday gifts from Grandma.  But it was MUCH better this way, as Grandma actually got to be here with us!  Pretty princess shoes!

 and Princess books! (which are really short, and she can pretty much now quote).

 Visiting the doctor with Mom and Baby Chauncey.  3 weeks until the due date and we are already 3cm and 80% effaced.  (The week before I was at a 2 and 80%, which has been typical of all three pregnancies so far.)

Happy Birthday Isabela!

Yesterday morning Isabela got up and put on her swimming suit.  She said, "I'm ready!"  I asked for what.  "To go swimming with Abuela at the motel."  That's not 'til tomorrow night, Silly.  She has been UBER excited!

Then last night, talking to Abuela on the phone.

Abuela: "I'm excited to see you for your birthday!"

Isabela: "I'm excited for my present!"

(My child is not vain at all :D)

Brandon talking to Isabela as she is waking up in bed, about 6:30AM.

Brandon:  "Happy Birthday, Isabela."

Isabela:  "Happy Birthday?"  

Brandon: "Yeah, it's your birthday."

Isabela:  "Am I four?"

Brandon: "Yes, you are four."

A minute later she comes running out.  "Mom!  It's my birthday!  I'm fooouur!" (as she holds up four fingers.)

 

Me: “Isabela, what do you want for breakfast?  Do you want some avena?”

Isabela: “Ooohhhh!!  I need to eat my birthday cake first!”

Me: “We are going to eat that later tonight when Papi and Abuela get here.”

Isabela: “I don’t want anyone else to eat my birthday cake!”

Me:  “You’re not going to share?”

Isabela:  “Well,  I guess I can share with my friends.”

 The morning of Isabela's birthday, we drove to Daddy's school so his class could sing to her.  They were super excited!  But they always love visiting him at work.

 In the hallway.

 Xander refusing to take off his glasses the entire time we were inside.

 Daddy may have sprayed Isabela with Silly String when she came in the door.  She wasn't all too happy about that.  It was silly string we initially gave daddy when we came and surprised him with our Valentine's Day gift.

 Slightly happier....

 And then MUCH happier after she got her sweet revenge!

 And then Xander got to join in on the fun!  He cackled and made the entire class laugh when he did it.

At the "Motel" with Papi, Abuela, Kim & Bill, and Tio Brett

 Xander didn't get pictures on his bday blowing out candles, so he got a turn, too.

 Her princess castle, that she slept in, ate in, and lived in for the next couple of days.

 What a pretty princess!

 And handsome prince?  Such a funny kid.  I can't believe how content he is sometimes (apart from the major tantrums he also throws... we may sometimes refer to him as our bi-polar child, although don't go thinking we are "labeling" our child, because he definitely is not bi-polar--he's just 2 years old).

 My new strider bike.  The seat is still a little low, but after a few times out on it, she really has been getting the hang of it.  Good thing it will last for all of the kids.

 Bellie's Birthday Buddy Papi got a new Kindle Fire.

 Yep, a little more Xander's size with the seat that low.

Gymnastics!

 We were lucky enough to be able to put Bell in gymnastics for a little while.  She absolutely LOVED it, and we were very impressed with how well she did.  Every week before class, Brandon told her she had two rules: 1) Listen to your teacher, and 2) Have fun!  She always did really well, maybe a little talkative at time, but what did you expect from a 4 year old?  

Love the glasses!

With my very supportive brother!

 Her favorite trampoline.  It was really long, and the kids did all sorts of jumps from one end to the other.

 

Cheese!

 Practicing a front roll

 I was impressed with how many of the bigger things she could do all by herself.

 Working on a full body spin around the bar (and I am no expert on gymnast terminology, so please feel free to correct me).

 Jumping to do a pull-up.  I never could do a pull-up myself growing up.  Hopefully she will take after her Aunt Misty and do much better than me.

 What a good girl, waiting in perfect form for her turn on the beam.

 Even when she stepped off for a bit, she kept form.  I know she is only 4 and this class was just for fun, but she impressed me every time with how well she did following each technique she was taught.

 Hanging out in the corner, waiting her turn again...

 Another front roll...

 And she won!  I love how proud each of the little kids were to stand up there and receive their cute little medal.  We just signed up for 8 weeks, but I think the sessions are usually 12 weeks long.  I wonder how much it goes to their head when every couple of months the kids get another medal.  Isabela sure has been proud of this one.

 At the end of each class, they sing a little song, "Put your hand on your head for a stamp."  She would do it, and sometimes Xander as well.  Right after, though, she would ask her teacher if she could give her Dad and Mom a stamp.  The teacher was so nice, she always did.  So we all got to leave with rainbows, dolphins, and other pretty pictures on our hands after gymnastics!