Hello 3rd Trimester

Today marks the beginning of the 3rd trimester of my 3rd pregnancy!  Crazy!  I only have 12 weeks to go, and it seems like we have a lot to do/get through before then.  There have been those who have requested baby bump pictures ;), so here are a couple.  Or, I should say...here are the only ones I have.  I guess that's what happens the third time around.  I'm pretty sure we have weekly pictures from Ethan's pregnancy and maybe bi-weekly or at least monthly pictures from Nora's.  Anyway, moving on...

Me at 20 weeks (half-way there)

And 28 weeks (Yikes! This baby is growing!)

I've been feeling pretty well.  But chasing after 2 kids everyday does make me sleep well at night ;)!
We have chosen to not find out the gender this time and couldn't be more excited about it!  We knew with both, Ethan and Nora and I can't wait to experience the surprise of the gender reveal at birth!  We are still working on a boy name, so any suggestions are welcome (but don't be offended if we don't use your suggestion).  Check back in about 12 weeks for some exciting posts!!

LEGO Plate

A few weeks ago,  I took Ethan to our pottery painting store, Next of Kiln.  They had a LEGO plate painting class and I signed him up.  So, along with a couple of his friends and Nora, we went to paint.  There were several LEGO faces you could choose to paint...Ethan chose a ninja.  He had a great time and is so proud of his plate.  I will admit, I helped him a little, but he did the majority of the work.  (It was hard for me to let go and not help more!)

Ethan, Brennan and Soren- getting started.

This girl did great!  She was kept busy with some children's scissors and a little paper. (She doesn't get scissors very often, if ever, at home!)

Finishing up the front

Making the LEGOish bumps on the back of the plate

Finishing up and ready to let it bake.

We just picked up the plate a few days ago, and here's the final product!

All bright and shiny!

And the back with the LEGO bumps

It looks like the blue Ninjago guy, right?!  He loves it and I love that he had so much fun making it!

Baseball Summer

Ethan's baseball season is coming to an end (1 more game) and he has loved it.  He has learned a lot and improved a lot!  He is hitting pitches, catching balls, throwing farther and learning the game of baseball.  Here are some pictures from his last couple games!

The boys on the bench, waiting for their turn to bat!

Cutest 3rd baseman ever!

#7 is my favorite

Ready for action!

Getting ready for his turn in the lineup

Good form :)

Here's a little video of some of Ethan's baseball hits from this season!

Grandma Terri and Pop came up for Ethan's game on Thursday.  We decided it was worthy of a visit to Krekel's afterward for dinner and ice cream!

Cute kids at Krekel's

Pink and yellow ice cream are the best!! (Some would disagree)

Weekend on the Meramec

 Last weekend we headed to Steelville, MO to spend the weekend with my parents and Abby & Alex at Cobblestone Lodge (check out her blog here).  It was a lot of fun!  We had sleeping cabins, all the playgrounds Ethan and Nora could handle, 3 meals (provided) each day, a pool, 2 float trips per day and lots of planned entertainment.  Saturday morning after breakfast, we headed out on a raft for a float down the Meremac river.  I was nervous about how Nora would do, but she really liked it.  She wanted to swim the whole time...but still did great!  Ethan loved every part of it.  Here are some a lot of pictures from our trip.

Ethan and Jared- climbing to the top

Nora, digging in the dirt

Heading to the river

Ethan and the open river :)

Nora wanting a dip in the water

First swim in the Meramec River

Loving it!

Sister selfie!

Capitan Pop

Nora loves her Pop

Stopping for the play time in the river

Throwing rocks. (Yes, she is shirtless...she got cold in her wet shirt)

Just lounging in the river

Ethan found a good stick

The 4 of us

View down the river

All of us...floating down the river!

On Saturday after lunch (did I mention the cooked every meal for us?!), Jared and I and Abby and Alex went back on the river.  This time in canoes!  Jared is a canoe paddling rockstar!  I sat in the front and didn't have to paddle at all.  Such a sweet husband I have!

Abby & Alex

Canoeing fun!

We also spent some time swimming in the pool!

Pop, Ethan and Abby

The 4.5 of us :)

Nora and Daddy

Ethan has been practicing his swimming.  He's getting good!

Nora loved this water gun...and didn't care who she shot.

Saying goodbye to cabin #6

Sunday, after breakfast, it was time to check out.  We all decided we weren't ready to end the trip that early, so we made plans to stop 30 minutes down the road at Meramec Caverns.  It was a fun tour and the kids did great (even if Nora had trouble understanding the "don't touch" rule).

Ethan and Nora- hanging with the James brothers

Ale and Abby

Jared had to duck a few times...especially with Nora on his shoulders.

Ethan, hanging out in the "Wine Room"

"The Stage Curtain"

Grandma Terri and Pop, with some silly kids!

Thanks, Mom and Dad for a great weekend!

We had such a fun weekend!