Soaking up Sunshine

The Houston weather has been fabulous the last couple of weeks. Now that I am out of my "tired all the time" first trimester, we've been taking advantage of my energy and the sunshine to get the kids out and about. Last weekend there was an art festival in town at our biggest local park. We strolled under the trees, painted rocks, and talked to a tree.









The kids are doing great! Zach sang ABCs for the first time last night. It wasn't that recognizable but he was definitely keeping in rhythm and tone to sing along with his sister; along with clapping his hands and shankin' his booty. He continues to use new words each day and stay interested in the potty. Bad thing is he tends to want to play with the potty more these days than use it. He is also pushing his "terrible 2s" to the limit; randomly screaming/crying and pitching fits when he doesn't get his way. Praying that it will be short lived and out of his system before baby gets here!?! Bella's new vocabulary and phrases still amaze us on a daily basis. I think that is one of the funnest parts of being a parent, never knowing what your child is going to say next. Chris took her to a liver/short gut specialist this week to do an evaluation based on her billirubin and bowel resectioning history. Her GI specialist thought it would be best to add that to our list of yearly monitoring. Better safe than sorry I say. Luckily they thought all of her history was normal given her surgeries and care and sent daddy and baby girl home with an appointment for next year. Other than that she is becoming more girlie by the day wanting to wear dresses and flowers/bows in her hair all the time. And she loves it when mom gives her pig tails for school.

As for me and baby, God still continues to bless us with a safe pregnancy. What more could we ask for! No problems since the cerclage and have had 3 shots of progesterone. D3 is almost at 19 weeks of cookin' and starting to kick more and more each day. I've felt fluttering since 13 weeks but this morning s/he gave me 3 solid jabs to the left side. Guess I shouldn't have made the comment to Chris last night that this one wouldn't be a soccer player like the other 2.

Here are more pictures from the last couple of weeks. Peace, love and blessing to you all!

Bella Day Dinner


Love on my doggie!


Refusing to sleep in my big boy bed!


Playing with our super cool dodge ball!

Bella Day #4

Three years ago today we got to bring home our first bundle of joy from the NICU after 99 days of loads of medicine, 4 surgeries, super long days and nights, amazing medical attention, and one super awesome, fighting spirit!!! We couldn't have made it through as well as we did without the love and support of all of you...THANK YOU!

THEN: March 14, 2009


NOW: Keeping in true Wonder Bella tradition...today's school outfit

LOOKIE, LOOKIE, SEE...

...we are expecting #3!!! Just shy of 16 weeks to be exact!


Yes blog family, we are pregnant and is a large part of the reason we have been gone for so long. Between 2 very active kiddos, 2 busy jobs, and a pregnant me that can’t do much and is constantly tired…we have neglected our friends and family by not posting anything for almost 3 months. But we are back now and hope to keep it that way.

The great news however, is that we are ALL happy, healthy and growing! Bella is a whopping 40lbs, 38in tall and soaking up life like a sponge. Zach is 28lbs, 33.5in tall and a crazy, adventurous, conniving mess. They are both so much fun. There is so much that both of them do on a daily basis that keep both of us on our toes and laughing loudly.

As for the pregnancy, things so far have gone smoothly. Well, as smoothly as possible for me that is. I have had my typical bumps, but nothing major or alarming cause for concern. Cerclage went in last Friday and Dr. B was very pleased with how securely everything seems in place. I start progesterone shots next Wednesday, so I am trying to prepare myself for the serious weight gain.

As for D3 (or Littlefoot as I like to say), s/he seems to be doing great. Oh, and I have requested that with the surprise of a pregnancy that we also keep the gender a surprise. Yep, not going to find out what we are having until s/he comes screaming into the world with all the additional joy it will add to our lives. And as I mentioned, this pregnancy was a surprise…we were not planning to have another natural pregnancy. I’m still apprehensive about the fact that there will be 3 so very close in age, but much more excited now that I can feel the little hands and feet whacking at my abdomen.

Bella and Zach aren’t quite aware of what is going on, but steadily look up and touch my ever growing belly. We continue to ask Bella if she wants a “little sister or brother”. Without fail she wants a little sister. I think she gets tired of Zach bullying her around. Man, what is she going to do with 2 little brothers!!!

Well, on to the good stuff…pictures…


Little Man's first hair cut!

Getting ready to share a room!