Two Weeks

Two weeks (give or take) until my due date. We got some of our "baby gear" back out and the kids are having fun putting their dolls in the swing, bouncy, and bassinet. Hope the baby has a place to sleep when she gets here:) Baby girl's room is ready, clothes are in her dresser, and mama is definitely getting ready. I have two more scheduled appointments in the next two weeks. Although it would be nice to have her a little early, I'm not banking on it. We'll see....

June

This summer has been full of fun, and it's nice because Oliver and Meredith are playing so much together. Last summer, Mer wasn't quite old enough to play independently with Oliver, and it's been fun to see them interact.

They got ball caps for the sunny weather, and for evening t-ball games.



Shucking corn



Watering the flowers



Getting ready to ride his bike...I know, what's the point of all the pads when you don't have a shirt on?



Father's Day at the farm with the kids and cousin Graham.





The highlight of Oliver's summer thus far was helping Grandpa harvest the wheat on the combine. Wouldn't you know, I didn't get any pictures of him. Bummer. The combine broke, and Oliver waiting patiently all day and into the evening for the guys to get it fixed. He was covered in dirt from head to toe, and couldn't have been more happy.

Three weeks until the baby is due. We are just relaxing and enjoying the summer days. Thank goodness for air condiitioning and swimming pools.

Swimming in my Own Head

So the past week or so, I've had that kind of "swimming in my own head" feeling. I remember feeling this way at the end of my pregnancies with Oliver and Meredith. Yet, even though I know it's coming, I'm kind of in the throws of it before I realize it. I feel like I'm watching the world pass me by and I don't know quite how to engage it. Doing my best as a mom, but feeling like I'm never quite handling things the right way...not to say that when I'm not pregnanct I feel like I always deal with things the right way.

It's a season. In four weeks (or less), we'll have a new baby girl and a new normal to adjust to. Oliver and Meredith are really excited about the baby. Yesterday Oliver told my mom that when the baby pops out of my tummy I will be able to hold him and carry him because my tummy won't be big anymore.

I guess life is all about seasons, and it's probably time for me to stop thinking life will or should be "normal," right? Always something new, different, and challenging. I guess that's good and stretching for this girl who has a hard time with change and likes to be in control:)

Oliver's First T-Ball Game

We have officially entered the world of "organized" sports (and I use the term organized loosely because the kids are 4 and 5). Oliver started t-ball this summer, and our good friend Vail is the coach. We were lucky to get on a team with some of our friends kids, which makes it even more fun. Last night was the first game. I love watching all the little kiddos bat, then forget to run to first or run onto another field. It's sweet to see them all learning the game. Oliver enjoys it, and we like to cheer for him.

Oliver's 4th Birthday

Oliver's birthday is tomorrow, and his cousin Owen's birthday is Wednesday, but we had their party this weekend. They both like the movie "Cars"...surprise, what four year old boy doesn't, right? We did a Cars theme, and my sis-in-law Kelli made some amazing decor, and even sewed matching shirts for the boys. They are such good buddies.

It amazes me to look back on the past four years, and how life has changed. Oliver has been such a blessing and joy to raise. I'm thankful I'm the lucky one God chose to be his mama.

Baby Shower

My sweet friends had a joint baby shower for my friend Tara and I. Tara had her baby girl, Hope Rebecca two weeks ago, and I have about 5 weeks to go until my baby is due. It was at Olive Garden and it was so fun and relaxing just to eat and hang out with friends and family. I felt so loved and blessed. I'm getting pretty puffy, but I'm feeling good otherwise, and getting really excited to meet our new baby girl.