We've expanded

Basically since Will was born Steven & I struggled with the decision to go for #3 or not. You think about it, and of course we knew we wanted to be parents so having #1 wasn't a question, it was just a matter of when, and then we didn't want an only child so it was a no brainer to have #2. But that #3...we thought about that one for a long time. Everything feels so nice and balanced with two and things are pretty easy. At least for now. Did we want to disrupt that nice balance and invite what we believed to be total chaos into our lives with a third child? Could we have 3 kids in this little house? Can I squeeze 3 kids into my Passat wagon? Can I stand to be huge and pregnant one more time? Can I commit to nursing for another year? Can I handle schlepping this poor 3rd child while I shuttle his older brothers to and from school? Will we have room for another fridge one day? Will we ever get out of this house? Will we ever be able take this group on vacations?

After much prayer and seeking the Lord's wisdom, I felt He gave me a clear answer. It got to the point where I couldn't get it off my mind, I was thinking about it constantly; I was ready to make a decision one way or another. God laid it on my heart that we should do it, and once I gave myself over to that I have had complete and total peace about it since. I know it's the right decision. I'm not so sure if Steven was quite at that same level of confidence as I was, but he willingly, if slightly begrudgingly went along. God is faithful and allowed us to get pregnant almost immediately. I am amazed at how He works and how He answers prayers.

The pregnancy has been great so far. I've felt great all along the way. A little tired in the beginning, but not too bad. I had a sonogram 2 days before Christmas where we learned it was another boy. My motivation going into this was not to "try for a girl" even though it would have been fun to get to experience raising a girl. As soon as the sonographer put the wand on my belly he said, "well, you sure you want to find out?" and there it was. Total boy! I'll admit I was initially disappointed, but that lasted all of 3o seconds. God had blessed us with another healthy baby boy, and I was excited. Matt & Will were there with us too. Matt expected a girl all along, but he was fine with the revelation that it was a boy. Will had no idea what was going on. He thinks he has a baby in HIS tummy. He'll get it here in a few months. :)

I am now 29 weeks, and my belly is HUGE. It's quite a sight for onlookers. At 4'8" I do look ridiculous with this huge basketball of a belly. But where else is it going to go? Straight out, that's where. I've had people ask me if I'm due any day. No. May 14th. "Oh honey, I don't know if you're going to make it!" Thanks for the encouragement!! Seriously people. Please don't say anything but kind, positive words to a pregnant lady. I'm emotional enough. I am most appreciative of those who tell me I look great or that I'm almost there. While I may not agree that I look great and I sure don't feel cute, I am counting my blessings that it's been a healthy pregnancy and that I feel great.

This sweet little boy is thriving in there and growing right on track. He's measuring a few days ahead and was already 3 lbs. last week. Could be another big one. I'm hoping to strike a balance between Matt's 9lb. 3 oz. 20.5 in. and Will's 7lb. 1 oz. 18 in. We shall see! His name has yet to be decided. We're still struggling with it. But, you all will find out when he's born! It's a 3rd c-section for me which hasn't been scheduled yet. Cut along the dotted line there, Doc. I pray the recovery won't be too bad. As the day approaches I get more and more excited to meet this sweet baby boy and hold him in my arms. What will he look like? What is his personality? Life with 3 boys is going to be a blast. It will be loud and messy, and they will eat us out of house and home, but I am so thankful for the blessing of these boys. God knew what He was doing when He gave us 3 of them, I am confident in that! This little guy is going to fit right in.

Clearly, I've fallen behind again

I think I'll start way back at the beginning of the month with the Super Bowl. It was another fantastic year playing for the Whole Austin Fantasy Football League or WAFFL as it is known. While I made the playoffs this year, I did not take home the trophy. This year Sarah was the big winner!!! A fine performance, Sarah, and way to bring it back to the ladies. If you're keeping score, that's 4 wins for the ladies and 1 for the dudes. Yesssssss!!

You can see the guys' distaste for the situation...

We dined on waffles and other breakfast delights as is our tradition.

At least we're guaranteed that every kid will be agreeable to eating a waffle, right? Even picky Will.

The kids piled in one of the guest rooms for a movie marathon while we watched the game. Matt kept running out to catch the score and watch a few plays. He was pulling for the Giants so he was more than exuberant when they won. And he of course now says that he will play for the Giants one day. Or the Cowboys.

Steven took the boys to get me some Valentine treats at Lammes candies, and they took some home for themselves as well. Steven & I enjoyed a nice little Valentine breakfast at Kerbey Lane while both boys were in school. Then we came home and cleared out Matt's room to get ready for the arrival of the new bunk beds. So romantic! But then every moment with Steven is. :) Aaawwww...

And apparently Valentine's Day is a big deal at school because Matt had a big party and everyone in his class exchanged Valentines. This is how he chose to decorate his bag while at school. While the words love are all around the edge, you'll find a fight to the death there in the middle. His dude won, of course, with 65 points.

Then Matt expressed his nerdy side with a written forecast for Austin, Taos Ski Valley, Goldthwaite and Port Aransas. He is one funny and complex boy.

With this "winter" we're having, we've been able to get outside quite a bit. The boys have enjoyed stomping and sprinting across the bridge at the park by our house.

And....(drum roll......)....Steven has purchased his first bike! I know, you're like what? Steven is a cyclist? He's into that? Tight pants and tiny seats and all that? Well, not exactly, but he is sure excited about his new form of leisurely exercise, and his kids are thrilled for him too. He looks ready to ride for his country, doesn't he?

Matt got a sharp new yellow helmet to wear while riding his bike. Lately though, he's enjoyed Will's Stryder more than his own bike. He's ridden it down the street with Steven in the lead on his bike, and they've taken it down to the park. It's pretty cute.

And, this is what Will did for about a week. He had some kind of virus or something that left him feeling puny, fussy, sleepy, whiny, and generally miserable. Praise God he is finally feeling better and acting like my silly little Will; strong willed as ever. Believe me, I'll take that any day over limp, holdmemommy, don'tleavemysightmommy, crywhinecrywhine Will. Good to have him back.

He's growing up

I'm not sure why...maybe it has something to do with him going to school and being around lots of other kids, or maybe it's his age, but since Matthew turned 6 some things in him have begun to awaken...things about him I didn't know were there. It's been unfolding over the last few months, and it's fascinating to watch.

Matthew has always been the cerebral type; an intellectual if you will. He's been known to spend lots of time drawing maps but never really drawing pictures. Lately though, he's been drawing very elaborate pictures of his school. He's drawn his classroom, his art class, and a detailed drawing of him and his classmates running around the track. Track days are a big deal to Matt. Apparently, they have broken themselves down into teams and collect points for the number of laps they run and what place they finish. This has breathed a whole new spirit of competitiveness in my son. It sounds like he and his classmate, Finn, are always battling it out for first place. I've learned that there is a punk kid named Max who likes to push. This doesn't seem to bother Matt though because he just breezes through fighting for first. He did confess that he teases the others as he runs past them. He's said he even runs extra laps so his team will get more points. The kid is motivated and he likes to win. He is always so proud on the days he comes in first place.

Matthew has begun some creative writing as well. This piece he wrote right before Christmas. He had told me that he and his friend Anna write stories for their chapter book while they're at recess. This one he wrote down one day in Art class after he'd finished with his work. This is what it says......The Adventures of Matthew and Anna; Book 1: Super Kids. One day at dawn some zombies showed up. They took us to jail. But Matthew Gun Boy got some break out of jail juice. That was our first book 1. So awesome. I can't wait for the second installment!

Matt has never really been interested in sports; viewing nor participating in them. As football season progressed, he became more and more excited by watching the games on TV. By the time playoffs came around, he had favorite teams and would sit and watch the games with us. He nearly cried when the Saints lost in the playoffs. I think the original pull to it probably had to do with his love of numbers. He was interested in the scoring and how the game was divided up into quarters. Then he began to pay more attention to the actual game, and a passion for football developed.

Now, he plays football in the house and out in the backyard almost daily. He tries to convince Will to play with him, but when Will isn't agreeable he plays the most hilarious games of football outside all by himself. It's like he's play-calling and running the plays at the same time. My favorite is when he tells me to watch the replay of a certain catch, tackle or touchdown. He re-enacts the entire sequence in slow motion falling dramatically to the ground or reaching up with a face torn in concentration to make an amazing catch. It's a sight to behold, let me tell you. He will either tell me to keep score on a sheet of paper or he will run inside after each play and keep score with his magnetic letters and numbers on the fridge. What's confusing though is the matchups are often a college team versus a pro team. Baylor has been known to play the Redskins. And Texas has been known to play the NY Jets.

Matt really loves the afternoons that Steven is home and will actually play football in the yard with him. They run and throw the ball and tackle each other and imagine all kinds of glorious scoring drives. Again, it's a real treat to watch. What's my favorite part? It's difficult to choose between Matt's sheer determination and tenaciousness, Will's enthusiasm and complete non-understanding of how the game of football is played and his natural instinct to run in the wrong direction, or Steven hustling back and forth across the yard being brought down by two small people. There's a lot to love about this particular photo: Steven's face as Matt wraps his arms around him and crushes his tenders, Matt's unrelenting desire to bring Steven down, and that Matt lost a shoe in the process. So, so funny.

Riding on the heels of his recent love of football, I have signed Matt up to play flag football in March. He is super duper excited. If he can match the intensity and enthusiasm with which he plays his games at home with playing on a team, I think he's going to be amazing. Can't wait to watch him!