Little Helper

Day 3 down

This morning we were getting Colin ready for school and Joel came up to me and said the following: 

J:  "Joel go skool too. Ride poolbus like Bubba.  Mommy home.  Boo hooo hooo." (Now pretending to be mommy with a high squeaky voice too - " I miss my Joely. booo hooo hooo."

He kept repeating it several times. Oh Joel.  I love him. Haha.  Made me laugh.  Guess he wants me to miss him too :) Yesterday he played with all of Bubba's toys and then after an hour figured out that Bubba wasn't there and then wandered the house saying "I looking for Bubba.  Where Bubba go?"  They are so excited to see each other after school.  Colin begged and begged to wake up Joel from his nap since he hadn't seen him all day. 

I did cry today on the way home. Colin is still excited.  He still thinks school is boring - just a bunch of rules. They haven't actually done anything - just learned the rules.  Which is important but he's ready to get to the learning and fun part. 

I did talk to the teacher about Colin's stuttering. He has been doing it off and on for a while now (the doctor told us it was his asthma) But this week its gotten so bad he can barely get words out.  It might be a lot of nerves about school but its hard to watch him struggle.  Especially the "w' sound.  And when he insists on starting each sentence with "well" it makes for a somewhat frustrated boy.  But the speech therapist will evaluate him soon and I can't wait.  Its so hard to watch him be so excited to tell you something and then take a long time to get it out.  He told us last night he knows what he wants to say just can't get it out.

Colin started sleeping until 8 every morning or later this summer so we're having to wake him up in the mornings. And then have breakfast all when he's still half asleep.  So to get him to eat and wake up happy we've been watching tv while we eat breakfast. Joel thinks its wonderful - Colin is still half asleep to really care at this point. 

Only 176 more days of school left.

First day of school

 Well we all survived the first day of school.  My kindergartener was bouncing off the walls so excited for school to start and all the new friends he was going to make. 

 He loves his backpack.  And a side note he loves to play ninjas. Only ninjas are stealthy and you aren't supposed to see them twisting and turning as they move across the room.  Sometimes mommy forgets he's a ninja and accidentally sees him. 

 But Colin was so excited.  And look - he's wearing tennis shoes. And socks. Thats enough to make this mommy cry right there. So grown up.  

 I think he grew up way too fast overnight.

 We have decided to take him to school and then let him ride the bus home.  It would take longer for us to walk to the bus stop than to get in the car and drive him to school. So we all took him to school yesterday. 

 Joel kept saying he was going to "ool" too and ride the "poolbus" like bubba. 

Colin walked right in his classroom and didnt look back.  I waited until we got outside before I started crying. And then cried the whole way home.  I can't imagine what it'll be like when I drop him off at college.  Joel cried too.  "I want bubba. I want bubba right here!!!"  so sad.  Brent didn't cry.  Thought we were both crazy

I pulled into the driveway to some great friends who were waiting with juice and donuts. I have amazing friends.  So instead of crying and worrying about Colin all morning, Joel and I had fun with friends.  Just what I needed.  Thank you so much girls!!!!  I can't even begin to say how much I needed that. 

This was Colin getting off the bus.  It was a little confusing because we were waiting on the other side of the street. And when I saw him my heart dropped.  He wasn't sure if he had a good day.  It was a little boring. They just learned a lot of rules and a girl sat next to him and cried the whole time for her mommy.  But then Ant Ant called and I got a little more information out of him and Daddy called and he told Daddy it was wonderful and then he told Ma-Ma-Maa that when he grew up he wanted to be a kindergarten teacher.  So I've learned to have other people call and ask about his day and he'll reveal a lot more information.  So overall I think it was good. Last night before bed he didn't want to go back but he went back this morning and as I walked him in he was pointing out all the places he went to yesterday (they did a tour of the school)  I think the first day of school is boring to go over all the rules and stuff and i think we had built it up so much it was a let down.  But he told Ant Ant that he would make friends eventually.  That will make it so much better. 

We got ready to leave today and my boy who never wants his picture taken asked me "aren't you going to take pictures this morning?" So I got out the camera.  And I didn't even cry walking back to my car today. A little sad but I didn't cry.  I'm still not a fan of having my kids leave me and go to school but I'm looking forward to my sweet boy having an amazing school year.  And for family members - get ready to buy lots of peanuts and wrapping paper. The stuff goes home next week :) 

Joel

 You give Joel a few minutes and he will always come up with something to do. He never stays bored for long and is very good at playing on his own and entertaining himself. Its fun to watch because he will entertain the rest of us with what he finds to play with. 

 He's growing up so fast though.  His favorite color is "bumblebee" (yellow). Anything yellow is Bumblebee (after the transformer of course)  He loves to drink apple buice and doesn't  really like anyone else drinking his apple buice.  NO MINE!!!! is something we hear a lot around here.When he is thirsty he will ask for "babbles" Which basically means he wants something to drink.

 He will constantly say "joel do it"  and will try to do everything on his own.  He's lost all interest in going potty so I'll try again in a few months.  He has figured out that he falls asleep during nap time in the rocker while I read him stories so he will say "no lap" and will stand there barely keeping his eyes open while I read him the story.  But if I put him in his bed he goes hyper and starts bouncing all over the place.  Sneaky kid. 

He always has this gleam in his eye and will always try to do whatever you tell him not to.  We're having a hard time figuring out how to discipline him because no punishment seems to phase him. He calls dogs shoe shoes for some reason and we've all started calling dogs shoe shoes. Colin loves to point out shoe shoes to his brother.  Oh Joel - we love you.  You  make our days very entertaining and busy.  Life wouldn't be the same without you.

Open house

Last night we went and met Colin's teacher.  As we walked down the hall Colin told me "Its like a whole other world Mommy" I really liked his teacher and her approach to learning.  I think it'll be a fun year.  Colin is excited about all the new friends he will make. He's excited but a little more nervous I think after last night about the whole school part.  The PTA had an ice cream party afterwards and the kids played on the playground. I cried. I'm excited for him but still not ready for all this.  But like it or not Tuesday will be here soon so we're making sure our school supply list is done and everything is ready for the first day of school. 

Sick but grateful

My sister posted this on facebook a few weeks ago with the caption "a glimpse into the Goedecke's life the next few months... Abigail pregnant and sick on the couch and the boys creating mayhem"  and this is pretty much what our days look like. I spent A LOT of time on the couch.  I guess I can't go through a pregnancy without being extremely sick.  The afternoons/evenings are the worse but I'll take it - it so much better than the all day sickness with Joel.  With Joel I would wake up and cry every morning because I wasn't sure how I could make it through the day.  But we're hanging in there and very excited about this next baby.  Being sick means a healthy baby so I'm glad about that. I got to hear the heartbeat today which is always amazing. Its amazing how you can love someone so much that you haven't even met and who makes you very very sick and miserable right now :)  

One good thing about feeling so sick is that the boys have been playing really well together. Its almost like they stopped the annoy my brother phase that they were doing and just bonded really well.  We've also come up with some really fun games on the couch. The kids would rather do that than go to the pool.  The favorite couch/bed game is where I'm the mommy kitty/doggie and they are my doggies/kitties who get into trouble - fall off waterfalls/into volcanoes and mommy cries and tries to save her babies.  All without my having to move.  Pretty ingenious if you ask me and they LOVE it.  So I'm hanging in there and hoping every day that I start feeling better. 

But some fun facts about me being pregnant - with Colin I could eat cottage cheese and feel better.  With Joel as long as I was eating I felt better (which explains why a doctor told me to join a rec center when I was preggo with him)  With this baby I can't eat - but Chickfila does get our business quite a bit during lunch since its the only thing that makes me not want to throw up. (the kids love that part)

I can't brush my teeth but not brushing my teeth makes me gag. I also can't stand the smell of deodorant but the smell of my sweat also makes me gag.  With Joel I couldn't let Brent make toast without getting sick. This time it seems all I want for breakfast is toast. 

I have this excess saliva that I've had with both boys (at any time during my pregnancy with them I could practically spit a cupful of saliva) Its a little better this time but still so gross.

I gagged while changing Joel's diaper yesterday and he looked at me and yelled "baffroom mommy hurry"  Guess he's figured it out.

Colin is very sweet and asks how I'm feeling all the time. He said the reason I feel so icky is because the baby is in my stomach and when you eat too much you always feel icky.  The baby is taking up too much room according to him :)

I've figured out dairy makes me really sick this time.  And eggs are the only thing I can eat and not feel sick afterwards.  

I haven't cleaned my house since getting pregnant.  Brents been taking care of  that.  I married a great one. 

I can't wait until it starts getting dark and Brent is home earlier.  There have been a few nights where he's walked in the door at 7:30 and I head straight for bed. (but I can't sleep because I feel so sick - Unisom has been helping but I have to be careful not to take it past 8pm because then I'm in a fog most of the next morning - so much that I'm afraid to drive)

So I'm just trying to make it through most days.  Really most afternoons.  Yesterday was a good day but this morning has been pretty bad so far.  But I am very grateful for this baby and can't wait to meet him/her.  Its all worth it.  And last night Colin came up and kissed my stomach - so sweet.  We're all excited.  Just hope the next few weeks start getting better. 

Hurricane Irene

We ended up evacuating to my parents house.  And ironically they got hit harder than we did.  But they had no trees to worry about and all the flashlights/lanterns needed when the power went out. 

 We celebrated Brents birthday early with my parents.  Right before we left we got Joels birthday present from Japan (thanks!) so he was convinced it was his birthday again.  You can see he was so excited and thought people were singing to him.

 We made it most of Saturday without losing power.  Joel kept complaining that the "wain too woud" and Colin kept asking when the hurricane was going to get here since all it was doing was raining outside.  We played legos, colored pictures, brent played on his iphone, and more legos all afternoon.  I took a great nap in the afternoon. 
The power went out right as we were finishing making dinner. 
Colin was introduced to Jenga.  And loved it. Ma-ma-maa and Grandpa played endless rounds with him. we found out Colin is a great storyteller.  He would take the glow-stick and wave it around and give us sound effects and everything. 

We came home to power but my parents just now got it back. We have a little bit to clean up but overall it wasn't too bad.  Colin still isn't convinced the hurricane got here but thats ok with me. 

Bart and Linda Visit

 Yesterday we had Uncle Bart and his girlfriend Linda come visit us all the way from Wisconsin.  We haven't seen them since Brent's mom's funeral 6 years ago - so it was well overdue.

 We went on a Naval Base Boat tour - only thing is when there is a major hurricane coming instead of the 35 boats parked at the pier there was only 4.  But it was still fun.  We got to see a bunch of boats going up river to ride out the storm and some big container ships moving past us hoping to beat the storm.  The kids loved it.  Colin and Brent saw a few dolphins.

 Then we went to Nauticus.  I had no idea how hands on the museum was and there was a ton of stuff for the kids to do.  We stayed all day. 

 It was a welcome change for the boys since the afternoons are when I feel the worst and we end up playing games on the couch or watching tv. 

 This water part where they built the paths was a huge hit.

 Then we went on the USS Wisconsin. 

 One worn out boy and momma.  I am tired but it was a great day.  And my belly is already huge.

It was a really fun day. Bart and Linda loved playing with the kids and they adored Bart and Linda.  With the hurricane coming they are leaving in the morning.  Hopefully we wont go another 6 years before we see them again. 

To stay or go

Should we stay and ride out the hurricane - which might be a cat 4 or do we go?

Our neighbor spent the summer building his new shed and isn't taking any chances. There are a few more ropes around it now.  Makes me a little nervous about staying...

We already survived an earthquake this week  Joel was napping, Colin was watching tv, I was on the couch (this baby is trying to out-due its brothers in making mommy extremely sick) Colin never noticed.  I felt the couch move but thought it was my medication I've been taking for the nausea. 

Home made Ravioli

 "We're Making da Ravioli"  is what Colin and Brent sang out Saturday night (in what they thought was Italian accents).  We haven't made it in a long time and Colin kept asking this week so Brent got all the stuff together and they got to work. 

It takes a long time - at least it seems to take a long time. You make the dough and then have to let it sit. And then you roll out the sheets of pasta. Let those sit. And then stuff the pasta and make the ravioli.  Brent and Colin made spinach and cheese which was really very good. I keep asking them to stuff the ravioli with chocolate but so far they haven't thought that was a good idea.

Joel liked to eat the pasta before it could be rolled out. 

Bubba told him he couldn't eat any more pasta dough. 

Joel didn't think too much about that. 

 Colin was very proud of his pasta.  He counted each and every one. 

We made enough for two meals. Its so good. There's nothing like it.  Hopefully the pasta making will continue on a more regular basis. 

Boys

Colin has decided he wants this baby to be a boy.  So he'll sneak up to my stomach and whisper "please be a boy" throughout the day.  He's also very sweet and will talk to the baby and say "I love you baby." He loves the fact that the baby can hear his voice and will come out recognizing him.  So he's taking it on himself to make sure the baby also becomes a boy :) Joel at first looked at Bubba like he was crazy but yesterday came up and asked the baby if the baby "heard dat motorcycle?"

I was praying with the boys last night and I think I said something like "Jesus thank you for my 2 sweet boys" and out of the corner of my eye I saw Colin start shaking his head and muttering "3 sweet boys Lord Jesus.  Thank you for 3 sweet boys."  haha so we'll see in about 10 weeks if Colin  is right. Good thing we will have another 20 weeks to get him excited if this baby is a girl. 

Ears

Joel has always rubbed his ear when he's tired, upset, overwhelmed. Which was cute and also always attached to his body so we've never had to go looking for a blankie or a pacifier.   Lately (in the past few months) he has decided mommy's ear works better.  I've had to stop wearing earrings because he would go to rub my ear and get frustrated.  At night he'll sometimes come crying into our room and climb into bed and frantically search for my ear and then once he's found my ear he goes right to sleep.  He likes to rub his friends ears which they don't really like too well.  And he'll try to rub Bubba's ears throughout the day :) 

Baby Due Date

We officially have a date - March 20th.  Happy Birthday to my dad.  Guess I get the favorite daughter award this year :)  haha

But I'm farther along than I thought - a little over 8 weeks which is so much better than being less.(and gives me a reason why I am outgrowing most of my clothes already)  So now I just have 7 more months.  Makes the extreme nausea worth it - and hopefully means I only have a few more weeks of being sick.  Hopefully this baby wont be like my pregnancy with Joel with over 20 weeks of awful morning sickness. (its that feeling you get right before you throw up - only I can't throw up and I have it basically all day)

Colin is disappointed there isn't two babies in my tummy but the one I have is super cute already.  It never gets old seeing the ultrasound.  Can't wait until we find out if its a she or a he. 

Baby's First Race

 This weekend we headed off to Richmond so Sarah and I could run the Henricus Dauber Dash.  We ran it last year and had so much fun we signed up again this year.  I had been back up to running 6 miles every other day or so this summer so figured it wouldn't be too bad if I just skipped some of the obstacles. Its a 5 mile run though the woods/along a lake and they have maybe 10 obstacles to do through out the race.  This year they had 2 mud pits and actually made you wade almost neck deep in some parts  through the water twice.  I didn't do half the obstacles.  And when I went around some of the the workers (all male) would yell at me to come back and do it but then when I would reply (I can't I'm pregnant) they would be very apologetic and then made a big deal about the baby as I went past. Then everyone who heard them would start sprinting past me - I guess they didn't want to get beat by a pregnant woman. So that part was embarrassing but it was a good race overall.  I ran/walked it. The first race I've ever walked - my goal usually is to do it without walking but I didn't want to push myself this time.

 The kids were entertained by the mud pit. Colin can't wait until he's old enough to do the kids mud run. Its also the first race that Brent has been to.  But I don't think he caught the running bug watching all of us run.... maybe next time :)

 My friend Jess now lives in Richmond and has become great friends with Sarah.  Which was great because she came to watch the race and hung out with us the whole day. I don't think we've seen her since Colin was a baby so it was fun to catch up. 

The rest of the weekend was spent hanging around Ant Ants apt and swimming in her pool.  We finally got a few videos of Joel in the water. He was even more fearless in the water and would stay under so long.  He's so proud of himself each time.

Training

Thanks everyone.  We're pretty excited. I go to the doctor Friday and will get an official date then and hopefully I'm farther along than I think because all of a sudden this weekend I'm thinking I might need to get some maternity shorts. You take a test one week and the next you pop out.  Hopefully thats normal :)  Or at least I'll keep telling myself that.  I'm feeling pretty yucky which is good I guess - it means a healthy baby just makes for very very long days.  My neighbor just had a baby and wasn't sick a day the whole time.  Not sure how people get so lucky but for now I'm just trying to make it through the next few weeks. 

Colin has decided to take on the role of training Joel to be a big brother.  This is a conversations I overheard the other night. 

Colin:  Joel I'm going to train you how to be a big brother now.  Ok?"

Joel: "otay"

Colin: The first thing to be a big brother is not whining or complaining a lot -


Joel :"otay"

Colin: To be a big brother you can't cry or complain.  You just do it when you're sad about something.

Joel:  "otay"

Colin: You have to be strong.  You have to be strong. Ok joel?

Joel: "otay"

Colin: Ok Joel another training is big brothers have to be gentle.


Joel: "otay"

Colin: And there's one more thing I'm going to teach you today - ok?  The last thing to play angry birds you have to ask dada.  Ok?

Joel: "otay"

Colin: I'm going to teach him a lot more things tomorrow. teaching him before the baby is good right?  Then he knows.

Coming in Spring...