SLIGHTLY (EARLY) NOT SO WORDLESS WEDNESDAY? So I know next Wednesday is going to be a bit nuts trying to get the house cleaned up and decorated for Thursday and get whatever food prep I can done ahead of time. Oh, yeah and Dealey doesn't have school next Wednesday, sigh....should be fun! You know I think MDO is like crack for moms, I mean I go through major withdrawal even after one day without it. Anyways, so here's a little something to make you smile. Dealey does have a few feminine characteristics but it's just normal toddler stuff he doesn't know what a purse is he just knows it holds his cars and thinks the fake flowers on the front smell pretty! But if I had any doubts this sums it up....HE'S ALL BOY.

Thank You Suz! (Rev. 11/18)

I got this amazing book in the mail through Amazon the other day and I have no idea who to thank for it. I think this person knows me very VERY well as the book is a children's book but it's based off the idea of typography, and the design is awesome, which just makes my heart flutter. The hard part, I love the book so much I don't know if Dealey or Cohen will ever be aloud to touch it. I guess I'll buy an extra just for me! However I'm still waiting at least another year before I let Dealey get is dirty, snotty, book tearing hands on it, he just might love it to pieces! So if you're reading this person who sent this most awesome book, Thank You! I'd love to thank you more personally as well so GIVE YOURSELF UP!

You can check the book out on Amazon it's called Alphabeasties but here's a few pics to wet your appetite!

OH HOW THEY GROW! Seriously. I went in for my 30 week sonogram today my cervix is still at rock star status says the doctor. And Cohen looks wonderful (a little squished if you ask me) but good none the less. However he freaking weighs 4lbs already. Yeah you heard me, he should be about 2 1/2-3lbs. Sigh so if I have him at the exact time I had Dealey he'd be 6 1/2 lbs to Dealey's 5lbs 14oz. Crazy, but it totally explains why I'm so freaking tired this baby is in over drive. Unfortunately I don't have any new pics to share as he looked angerly at the sono tech today and it literally took her 10 minutes to even get a clear picture of his heart because he wouldn't sit still so he was feeling a bit shy today but I go again in 3 weeks (last one before the circlage comes out!) hopefully we'll get a good picture!

Dealey is no exception he's a growing growing boy. He wears a size 10 shoes now and he's not quite 2 1/2. But pictures always have a way of making you see the reality of how your kids have grown and changed. His school pictures were no exception. One taking last Oct 2008 and then this years in Oct 2009. He looks like a little man now it's so crazy and I know it happened before our eyes and while we've felt the physical change trying to keep him in clothes that fit I don't think I realized how much his face and features have changed. I think he's officially starting to take on more Matty characteristics but he'll always have my nose and lips and one Rachel ear and one Matt ear. I think if he had dark brown hair like Matt did at this age he'd look even more like him. What do you think?

ANOTHER PROJECT DONE! I have been nesting for about 6 months now and it's not showing any signs of slowing down. We've been painting and sewing and fixing and we're about to rip up 3 rooms and hall of carpet so we can have it replaced all before Mr. Cohen arrives (hopefully!). So today I finished an ottoman re-upholstery for Cohen's room. What's more appropriate for a rock & roll room than a zebra covered ottoman to play on! As soon as the carpet is replaced we'll get the nursery together and I'll share pics of all the fun stuff we've been up to! Until then, a zebra covered ottoman.

This was going to be my Wordless Wednesday but that day was an emotional day of closure as we celebrated my gma's life as much as I'd like to leave the image of her up forever I know I shouldn't so I wanted to lighten things up and post next weeks Wordless Wednesday today!

"Got Knockulars?"

My Gma lived a long, adventurous and beautiful life.
I hope we all are so lucky.

WORDLESS WEDNESDAY

FAIR DAYS...So the Texas State Fair is one of Matt's most favorite things to do. He looks forward to it every year. This year however was especially cool as he got to share his joy with Dealey. They spent last Saturday afternoon riding the DART rail down (which D loved!) and walking around the fair, enjoying junk food and of course cars as well as a few barn yard adventures. Here's a few pics that capture their afternoon. The one with his mouth open he's imitating the sheep noise. Also the 2nd picture he's taking a picture of Matt taking a picture of him....they had a wonderful afternoon together and he was sad to come home as I think he'd be happy to ride the DART rail all day long back and forth.

SHOWING OFF....I got the opportunity to see Cohen a few days ago and see how he was growing. I'm measuring about a week bigger than average and he's weighing about 2lb 40z! He was so busy this sonogram much more than Dealey ever was. He started off in a fairly normal position. He's moved to the side to side position and was just kind of floating on his back hanging out but as the tech began moving around and looking at him he started his show. Before long the tech was cracking up which started me laughing about half way through his acrobatic show he straightened his legs out with his feet over his head and was bouncing them up and down, it was hysterical and then his final position he folded them slightly and rested his knees on his chest and relaxed there for the remainder of the sonogram....check out this active little boy.

Dealey's gotten ahold of the camera a few times,
he's good huh?! hee hee.
He'll be shooting shots like his daddy in no time!

BEST FRIENDS....I went in to see if Dealey was awake this afternoon and he was laying in his bed singing so I put a few clean clothes up and then laid down next to him on the bed and he leaned over and got right in my face and said, "Your my best friend." My heart melted, I don't know where he heard that phrase but after some rough times with him the last few days it made it all better. I told him he was my best friend too, he replied, " thank you mommy."

He has such a sweet heart, most of the time, and it makes me wonder if his recent attitude issues have anything to do with Cohen, we've been doing lots of stuff for Cohen and we talk about him a lot. I think too that every 2 year old is bi-polar to some extent and well, that would explain a lot.

A SORT OF "HOLY CRAP" MOMENT....I had my monthly check up with the doc today and Cohen of course is doing great. I'm measuring about a week ahead right now which is fine. After the routine stuff the doc. and I were chatting about life and Austin and a host of other random things when she said, " do you realize you're only 10 weeks from when you had Dealey?" I'm sorry, what did you say...10 weeks? I know that's 2 1/2 months but when you say 10 weeks that seem so fast. So it just reminded me that I need to stick to my "to do" list and keep my projects on schedule so if that were to happen I'd be ready. I was thinking yes to Christmas cards this year but I think I should use the baby excuse and go ahead and cut myself some slack on that one after all we'll be sending out birth announcements sort of at the holidays so I'm thinking that will have to count this year.....man time has flown by.

A BIG BOY MOMENT...Well, we did it, we switched Dealey over to a big boy bed and moved all his toys into his room. I feel a bit insane for doing it but it was something we wanted to do well before Cohen gets here so we just took as big a step as we were asking Dealey to do and did it.

My parents kept him Sunday morning through his nap time and we switched everything over. He came and we told him we had a surprise for him in his room. He ran back there opened the door and was giddy with excitement. I thought he'd be excited about the bed, but no, what he was really excited about was the train set that he got for his birthday and we had put it back for this transition. About 30 minutes later he finally noticed the bed ad jumped in it. He seemed excited but I remained terrified of the night before us. We spent a bit longer just hanging in his room, he discovered how to turn his lamp on and off which I thought " this can't be good" but oh well.

So night time came and when we first went to bed he wasn't too excited so we told him we'd watch one show and then go to bed. He seemed agreeable so we watched a little Phineas & Ferb and then he said to us, time for night night. So Matt took him back there and he laid down and was quiet....so we thought. A few minutes later we turned on the monitor and we heard, ca-ching, slam, ca-ching, slam. He was playing with this cash register he got as a gift a while back. We laughed and thought, at least he's not crying. I looked down the hallway and he had turned on his lamp :o) smart right, he needed to see to play. We decided to give him 30 minutes or so and about half way through it got quite but we decided to wait a while. We went in about 30 minutes later, he had turned his lamp off, changed the noise on his sound machine and fallen fast asleep on his pillow on the floor. So Matt picked him up and put him in bed and we all went to sleep. He did fall out once during the night but climbed back in bed and went back to sleep.

So altogether it was a pretty good night, better than I expected I think but as tonight as come upon us it's been a challenge to get him down so I'm just trying to remind myself that he'll adjust, he always does and we were definitely smart to do this months before Cohen will be here and it will be second nature to him by then. Tomorrow is our first nap time in the bed, not sure how that's going to go but we'll see!

SET THEM FREE! We ventured out to our favorite park this morning because today is the first day in nearly two weeks it hasn't rained. It's looking a little gray right now, but it wasn't raining this morning so we jumped in the car and took advantage of the nice cool weather.

We got to the park not knowing what to expect since it rained all day yesterday and the 12 days before that. We were amazed as we pulled into the parking lot to see kids galore. All of them running about as if it was the first time they had seen a playground. Of course Dealey joined right in as he's been asking for DAYS to go to the playground. All these poor kids, it's like they've been in prison for two weeks, I would have gone crazy was it not for MDO. it was so nice to set him free!

Wish I would have had my camera to take a picture of the insane number of people there...next time.

What's your role? This is a question I've been struggling with for a few years now, definitely more so since Dealey came along. But honestly I feel like it's something I've struggled with for a good portion of my adult life. It's nice when your a kid, your role is, to be a kid. But when you feel the pressure to take on and be successful at so many roles how do you do it? Some role has to take priority but is it every changing or do you set the priorities and stick to that? So here's what I see as roles I have and one role I'd like to take on (in no specific order other than number one).

1. Mom
2. Wife
3. House Wife
4. Graphic Designer
5. Household Finances
6. Social Coordinator
7. Friend
8. Entrepreneur (this is one I want to add)

So where do you start? And most importantly how can I possibly do all these things well? Better than well, great. Because I don't settle for adequate when it comes to myself.

Where this whole discussion leaves me is confused and frustrated. Should I eliminate some of my roles? How? Which ones? They all seem untouchable except maybe number 8 but it's not one I'm currently doing, it's something I think would make me feel like I'm doing something specifically for me, but then the question is raised, is that selfish? At this stage of life is there anytime to do something that I feel passionate about? What would I have to sacrifice to do it great? Is it worth it?

So it's been a few days since we cut the cake and I found out I'm having another boy... It's been a few days of hard processing made harder by some ugly comments from people but I'm so excited about Cohen and can't wait for him to be here.

Sunday (not even 24 hours after I found out) I regrouped and decided on a color scheme and idea for his room. I was really frustrated when I first got to the fabric store but after 3 hours (yeah, that's right 3 hours) there it finally started to come together. It's going to be a totally cool Rock room, with a palette of soft grays & some black & white and a few punches of color in blue and gold. I will of course post pictures of the process and the final room. Lots of pieces to pull together but it's going to be awesome!

I mentioned his name in the first paragraph, Cohen, we've decided for sure on that but the middle name maybe isn't decided. Originally we were thinking Anderson but Matt thinks it's kind of a mouth full so I don't know if anyone wants to have input in the naming of our little one, toss the ideas out there!

Dealey started school on Wednesday and it was awesome, I unfortunately had lots to do that day and didn't stop but to each lunch so I was just as exhausted as usual, but tomorrow I'm looking forward to painting one wall in his room and hopefully taking a nap before I have to go pick him up. I have to remind myself sometimes that I'm carrying a package that requires my body to take a break every once in a while so that's my goal to accomplish much but rest even more over the next few months.

Everyone's been asking to see a pic of the cake, my dad caught this one which shows the blue inside...and my big fat arm :o)

It's A....we had such a great night last night surrounded by friends and family we got to find out what we're having...couldn't have imagined it any better. The sound is a little low in the first part, but the important part you can hear just fine.

THE DAY HAS COME....to find out what we're having. I can't believe how nervous and anxious I am. Matt says he doesn't care what we have, that a boy would be fun for Dealey but a girl would be a fun new adventure. I really want a girl, I haven't been too quite about that but obviously I'd be happy either way. I wouldn't be honest if I didn't say I'll be a little bit sad if it's a boy because I'll have to come to the realization that I'll never get to experience what it's like to have a daughter. No cute clothes or fun hair, no one to teach how to do make up no prom dresses to buy and most sadly no wedding to help design....

I also feel a little scared about spending my life with three boys. Boys are dirty and smelly and their feet, let's face it, they're just not right. A girl would be such a nice balance. We'll see, I have lots to do to finish up getting ready for tonight so I better get to work but I can't wait to write again to let you know what it is!

the anticipation is killing me.....so I had this "wonderful" idea that I saw on a show sometime to have a cake made that would have either pink or blue icing filling on the inside and that's how we'd find out what we're having. So the party is planned and September 5 we will find out what we're having. Most people seem to think it's a girl but I think they're just being cruel and getting my hopes up but I don't know this pregnancy has been very different from the last (thank goodness) so I don't know.

So to fill some ime up and get my mind off that I went shopping today with my mom and got Dealey's new big boy bed frame, didn't get a mattress yet because I just can't decided what to do so if anyone has suggestions. I don't want to spend a fortune on this mattress but I don't want it to be crazy cheap and we just have to replace it in a couple of years so any thoughts? I'd be happy to hear them. Anyways, the thought is to move him to the bed in October and move the crib out so I can begin preparation for the new baby and that will give him about two months in his new room so hopefully he won't feel like we're taking his bed (which on several occasions he's told me he loves) and giving it to the new baby.

He's seems super excited about the baby right now he hugs and kisses my belly and has affectionately named the baby Purple. So for that reason alone we better hope it's a girl or it may come out traumatized forever. Last week we got to spend a day with Matt's sister and her two sweet girls Ella (20 months) & Livi (2 months) and Dealey loved on Livi all day he wanted to hold her and he gave her kisses and touched her so gently so here's hoping he'll be just as sweet and kind to his new baby.

Other than baby stuff our summer has been wonderful filled with lots of adventure and fun with daily trips to the playground, swim lessons, plenty of time at Nina's & Gaffers a restful vacation for Mom & Dad and some fun weekends with my brother, thea & sweet Ethan....but it's over now and school starts Sept. 9 and oh how I can't wait for it to get here.

Sorry no pictures I haven't taken many this summer...not sure why, just haven't.....I'm sure Sept. 5 or 6 will be my next post will a video of the sex reveal...pink or blue, pink or blue the yummy cake will tell all!

MUST STACK THE CARS...I have to share some funny things about my dealey man. He's a bit obsessive compulsive (I know you're all wondering where he gets that from :o) But he really does have some strange neurotic behaviors such as.

1. putting his cars in a neat nice row, but even more impressive arranging them according to size.

2. his cup must face a certain way and always be a certain distance from him when he's in his chair eating.

3. stacking the train cars, he does it with such carefulness and sometimes he even does it by car color. In this picture he was alternating colors.

There are more strange oddities but they just crack me up. It's nice because I can always count on him for a laugh or two everyday and some days it's much needed.