Updates, Inc

Toddler - Ok, how is it possible to be best friends with someone who may or may not clamp you with their shark, vice-like toddler mouth? I don't know, but I make it work. This little guy is coming into his own verbally. All my kids seem to wait until about 2 1/2 and then burst into consistent social niceties. After all my spring sneezes I hear, "Less you!!"

When I give him something he says, "Thank you," however it comes out phonetically spelled, "Kell ouuu." So funny. I think that was a variation of him flipping the beginning and ending of words, which he was doing quite a bit of a few weeks ago.

He also states the obvious, like saying, "Chilly," when it's windy and, "Safe," when I buckle him up. Ha ha, so cute.

He also has a HUGE sweet streak, which more than makes up for his temporary puppy biting. He loves being with his family, dancing, and just playing with his brother and sister. He's getting old enough to join in the make-believe!!

Of course he is loving the outside - he can definitely play contentedly out there for a very long time. He's been known to need to get outside more than once a day. He likes walks and checking out nature as much as he can!

Painting -

Not being creative makes me completely miserable. Especially lately due to feeling sick in my first trimester, I do nothing whenever I get the chance. That and sleep. But it's wreaking havoc on my happiness levels. Writing seems to take a certain level of 'with-it-ness' that I am currently lacking at the moment. I get many ideas about things I want to write, and then *poof*. Gone with the next sibling battle or immediate need. I'm thankful that I had paints, brushes, and some new canvases I got several months ago. Finally, yesterday during nap time I felt I could do without the afternoon power nap and I got everything out. I had been inspired and really loving all of the blooms, especially the magnolia. However, the photo I found was of a dogwood. Without really being conscious of it, I used the photo for the branch, background and flower placement, and then proceeded to make magnolias from memory. I don't think my consciouses communicate well sometimes, because I didn't even realize that I was doing that, and didn't consciously think, "Well, how does a magnolia petal go?" Very odd. But, I'm happy with how it turned out and hope to finish several more "bloomy" pieces soon!!

Pregnancy - 

image: babycenter.com

Well, after much due-date confusion, I can announce my due date of, September 19th! Also, in two weeks, I will get an ultrasound and we will hopefully be determining gender. I want to know what to call this baby, can't wait. We do have a girl name picked out, and a tentative boy name. Both names are completely uncommon and great (we think, and that's all that matters). I finally did get in to see a midwife. Around here, apparently the state really does have some sort of bogard on the midwives. Most only see medicaid patients. Completely opposite of my home-state. They must have realized lower intervention births for healthy moms and babies are by far safer and less expensive. Duh!