Number Four

Jackson, Cooper, and Charlie are going to have a new baby brother or sister this March!
We are very excited about a new baby. Jackson is thrilled, and tells me all the time, if it's a girl, now there will be two girls in our family and 4 boys. If it is a boy, there will be 5 boys, and still only one girl! : )
We are just praying for a healthy baby - and will be thrilled with a boy or a girl. Just so thankful to God for this gift.

On Friday, I went to my first doctor appt - and I was 8 weeks, 6 days. Charlie was with me (the older boys were still in Louisiana). Colin surprised me and showed up, and I am so thankful that he did. We were there for almost 2 hours. ick! The doctor had been at the hospital for an emergency c-section. And when we finally got in the room, and she started the ultrasound, she immediately noticed a "GIANT" cyst on one of my ovaries. Anyway, It won't hurt the baby, so that is good news! Evidentally I had developed a little cyst, and then it filled with blood to the size of a baseball. So, then the doctor had me go into the sonographer because they have a better ultrasound machine. She confirmed that it was a blood filled cyst, and then let me listen to the baby's heartbeat, which is the best sound ever!

They will just keep an eye on it, and continue to measure it and make sure it is not growing. I had some serious pain at the beginning of my pregnancy - and thought I had miscarried. But it turns out it was probably related to the cyst - either filling up with blood, or twisting on itself. Charming, right?

So, I have an appt with a specialist in a few weeks, and we will just see what happens. Just so glad the baby is healthy and doing good!

I've been feeling pretty lousy - mostly in the late afternoon and evenings. Lots of headaches and nausea - but I know it won't last forever. I have been going to bed early everynight, and that helps some. Thankfully, Colin hasn't kicked me out yet, but instead manages to be amazing about everything. He fixes something for dinner when he gets home. And basically picks up all my slack. Jackson and Cooper got home last night (HOORAY!!!) and we'll see how I feel this week now that I am back to reality with three!

Here's the little nugget ... And yes, there is only one. the doctor thought for a second she saw two. Whoa.

Last weekend

Jackson and Cooper had their last swim lesson on Friday.

They got to swim through hoops at the bottom of the pool - their favorite.


Jackson thinks he is a dolphin.

Stephanie cheered Jackson on as he swam the length of the pool.
I wish I had pictures from the first lessons back in April.


And after their lesson, we hopped back in the van and headed to Shreveport for the weekend. On the trip over, Jackson and Cooper colored on their new "Dry Erase" boards. I wish I had a picture of Cooper's. Well, his board didn't have much on it - but his face and clothes were covered.

Here's Jackson's picture. I was blown away. He told me about all the details, like the mailbox, and the circle windows in the attic.

On Saturday morning we went over to our friends, the Speckmans, and the boys played on their giant inflatable water slide.


Surprisingly, no one broke anything. They got a little rowdy.
Unfortunately, Jackson ended up in an ant pile and got covered with them.
He was screaming, and we dunked him in the water. eek.
Lots of bites, but once we covered him in benadryl cream he told us he was okay, but didn't want to go back into the water slide : )

This picture makes me laugh.
It was so great to see Peyton.
He is so smart and very funny.

Colin brought Jackson and Cooper down to Alexandria after lunch, and spent that first night with them at his parents house.
Sunday he returned to Shreveport to pick Charlie and I up.
Jackson and Cooper are spending a full week in Alexandria (with Colin's family) and then Lake Charles (with my family).
I am really enjoying the quiet here in McKinney.
Ahhhh, one child.

Soccer

Jackson had his first soccer practice on Tuesday. Complete cuteness. He was very excited. Excited to meet his new friends. There are 5 boys on each team, so they get lots of chance to play and learn. I think there are something like 60 U5 and U6 teams in McKinney. Crazy, right? anyway, his team, THE ROCKETS! are definitely going to be the best. : )

I mean, really, could the cleats be any cuter? And the socks?

Charlie was happy to be stealing some of his brother's water.
It must taste better than his own, because he is always stealing it.

Group talk

Practicing toe touches

Dribbling the ball... he takes this very seriously.

Was wondering if Cooper would have a hard time not running out on the field to join in...

but he had a blast playing fetch with Colin.

He told me he had to be 4 before he could play soccer.

Go ROCKETS!

I feel like we've started something that we will be doing for a very long time.
Looking forward to smelly socks and shoes.
Hooray!

Just Keep Swimming

Jackson and Cooper started swim lessons in April. They started out not thrilled about getting their eyes very wet or even monkey-walking around the sides of the pool. Cooper drank the pool water. We only had 4 lessons in April, and then we had 8 in May. Took off June. July - they had made lots of progress, but still not swimming on their own. But, they had gained alot of comfort/respect for the water. By the end of July, Jackson started swimming on his own. And now, Cooper has joined him. Whew, so glad it paid off!

I'm so glad we stuck to it - and kept forking over the money; it was worth it. I feel like I can take all three to the pool by myself (for a small amount of time at least) and they don't have to have floaties. They just hang out on the steps, and take turns swimming with me (while I'm holding Charlie). I'm so proud of both of them, especially since it didn't come without a lot of fear and hesitation. Neither was the kid who just jumps blindly off the side of the pool. LOTS of convincing before they decided to really give it a shot.

Jackson floating by himself

And Cooper doing his jelly fish float with just a little help.

Coach Stephanie always asks them to jump in, but sometimes Jackson combines his dive with his jump and does an awesome belly flop.



Cooper waving as he waits on the steps


Cooper swimming alone to Stephanie. He looks REALLY cute doing it.

Jackson - also very cute, of course.

Practicing splashy kickers

That's Jackson diving for toys at the bottom of the pool. He is one determined kid and will stay down as long as it takes him to get all the seahorses.

Cooper almost always goes after the blue one. He only needs a little push to get him down there. Just so glad that he isn't swallowing the water anymore.


We're so glad to have Stephanie teaching the boys. She does a great job with them.

Stop, Drop, and Roll

Last week our mom's group met at Fire Station #1 in downtown McKinney for a tour. We've been to quite a few stations since it was just me and Jackson, but we had never been to this one before. Of course, even if we went to the same one, once a week, for a year, the boys would never get tired of it.

Here are the boys, looking awkward.

Thought it was cute how I caught Julia just touching Charlie's face.
Ah, girls.

Jack in the truck

Some very determined friends
using all of their effort to try and pull the pole and open the shoot.

Pawpaw and Charlie with their matching dimples in their chins.
So glad he and Mawmaw were here!

Jackson - not feeling it
Cooper - loving it

Jackson - coming around

Hamming it up

We all loved having y'all here, Cynthia and Kevin.

This just made me laugh so much. Once Heather put Davis' hat on, he immediately tried to look up at it, and his eyes crossed. It was the cutest moment.

Group shot.
None looking at the camera, but 2.5 hats on, so, that's a success!

After the tour, we went out to eat lunch at Square Burger.
The boys had sandwiches for lunch ...
Cooper- Nutella and marshmallow fluff on white bread
Jackson - Peanut butter and marshmallow fluff on white bread.

Can you imagine? Complete sugar high.
I don't remember what I fed Charlie. Maybe part of my burger.
But he loved sneaking some of Jackson's milk just before we left...

He wasn't naked through the whole meal ...
He spilled water all over himself just before this, and was soaked.
So he just rocked his diaper.

The Greatest Show on Earth

Colin's parents were in town last week for a visit. Colin and I took the older two boys to the circus on Sunday while they watched Charlie for us.

We got this hat for FREE with our $12 cotton candy!

7 Motorcycles in the ball. Crazy.

The boys LOVED the elephants.
Especially when he carried the dog around in the basket.

All four of us had a wonderful time.
More pictures to come of our visit to the fire station with Mawmaw and Pawpaw.