Caroline is a Carrot and I am a Gong Stand, what?

OK, so I decided to measure myself today to see how round I was. I am measuring 38" around. So, in all my dorkiness, I decided to see what that was compared to. Here are my findings: A Gong Stand, A Lavatory for a Pedastal Sink, A Wall Clock, and a Fire Ring. Stange comparisons, huh! Which visual will you picture now?

Caroline is a Carrot!

Caroline now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — the length of a carrot. She is really on the move now and seems ready to dance the night away every night. This is my favorite part of pregnancy- I am finally REALLY looking pregnant, I can feel her move all the time and my energy is back. I know it won't last long- I'll get too big, she'll start kicking and punching in places where it's painful and I'll get tired again. But, in the meantime, I am enjoying this time.

Woo Hoo! I have finally gotten Madeline and Caroline's room planned. My friend, Alisa, went with me on Saturday to get the last of the fabric to decorate their room so I am prepared now to hand all the fabrics off to have them sewn into the adorable room decor and bedding that I have created in my head. I am so excited- I think their room is going to be my favorite in the house.

Caroline is a Banana!

Well, I've hit the half-way mark and little Caroline is weighing about 10 1/2 ounces now. She's about 10 inches from head to heel— the length of a banana, or so babycenter.com tells me. I am still getting a kick out of the food comparisons. I can't wait to meet her as I am so excited to be having another girl. It's been 7 years so I don't have anything girlie that she could have...time for shopping!

I also have to say, that although the reason is not pleasant, we have given up tv for 2 weeks. Madeline has gotten herself into a bit of trouble in school so we have grounded her from tv- which means we are all grounded from tv really. I have seen a whole different person in her since she has actually had to use her brain to entertain herself. We have played outside all weekend, cleaned out her room, gotten caught up on "to do" lists that were piling up and the house has been about 8 volumes quieter. I am actually liking this whole "no tv" thing. I challenge you to try it for a few days and see how your house changes. We've had nothing but positive changes in our home!

Celebrating another baby girl!

My dear friend, Erin, is having her new baby girl, Jenna, on April 30th. It is going to be so much fun! Erin's son, Will, is 4 months older than Landon and they occasionally play together. We are even guilty of getting Will addicted to the Wiggles- sorry Erin :). And now Jenna is going to be four months older than Caroline. Both Will and Landon and now Jenna and Caroline will all be in the same grades together. How fun! Here is a picture from last weekend at Erin's baby shower with all the hostesses: From L to R- Jen, Alisa, Erin, me and Brooke. I can't wait to meet little Jenna. I hope her and Caroline are dear friends.

Jim-Susie is a....

Girl! Officially, we can stop saying Jim-Susie and can start calling this precious baby Caroline Rene. Once I figure out how to scan the sonogram picture, I will upload it. Thanks for all your prayers and we will keep you posted!
p.s. By the way, this is not a pic of my belly- I just thought it was cute!

Madeline's first (and hopefully last) Fire experience!

While this scene is probably a bit dramatic, that is what it felt like yesterday when I picked up Madeline from school. Police cars, ambulance, fire marshall and a fire truck all pulled up in front of Dobbs Elementary. All the students were outside after the fire alarm had sounded and parents, hundreds of us, were parked and waiting outside of news of what had occured. A student had thrown a ball up too high in the gym and broke a light which started a spark which caught the entire gym on fire. When I finally was able to get Madeline, she was crying, having been very frightened. There were no injuries, thank God, and the damage seems to be only in the gym. But, this was a very traumatic experience for Madeline as the first time she felt her life may be in danger. Poor sweetie! Thanks to Noah, her dear friend of nearly 3 years now, as he comforted her as she gripped tightly to him the entire situation. Noah, you are good kid!

Jim-Susie is an heirloom tomato

OK, only 3 more days until we can officially give Jim-Susie his/her permanent name. I am counting down the seconds because I have not bought one thing for this precious baby. Such the planner am I that I am waiting until I know so I can go spend money that we don't have! You know how it goes!

So, I am 19 weeks today and the baby weighs 8.5 ounces and is 6 inches long now, the size of an heirloom tomato. I am not privy to the various types of tomato, so here is a picture of some so you can see. I don't know about you, but these look like your every day tomatoes to me. Sorry, expert gardeners, I am not a tomato expert!

What do a Burn, a lost Tooth and a Bell Pepper have in common?

You're thinking- What? Well, those three unlikely matches make for an interesting weekend at the Lord house. First, Landon knows not to touch the BBQ grill, but for some curious reason, he decided to walk right up to it Saturday night and burned his tummy. He has a huge burn across his belly below his belly button! He keeps touching it and saying "Hot, momma!". It is cute but so sad. We keep cream on it, but I am betting it leaves a scar. I am sure this will be the first of many as I have mentioned in his description- he is our rough and tumble boy!

Then, Thursday Madeline had her 6-month check up with the dentist only to find out she has 2 cavities, her bottom tooth is loose with her permanent tooth growing out behind it and the other 3 bottom front teeth coming in as well. So, last night, the bottom tooth was loose enough to make its grand entrance into Tooth Fairy land. With the permanent tooth already growing up behind it, Daddy had a hard time getting a grip, so it took a while to get out. But, Madeline was a trooper, a bit over dramatic, but a trooper still. So, now she has 2 teeth missing- one on the top and one on the bottom.

Then, I checked my email last night to notice my weekly pregnancy email (I am 18 weeks now). I discovered that Jim-Susie is the length of a bell pepper, about 5.5 inches and weighs 7 ounces. This food comparison is hilarious to me, but it makes for a great visual as I show Madeline and Landon how big their brother or sister is now. Madeline thinks it is so cool- she tells all of her friends, teachers, and whoever will listen. It's so precious to see her so excited!

I'm a bit late...

Yes, I admit, I am really bad at uploading pics. As a result, here are pictures from my mom's birthday party in JANUARY and Landon moving into his big boy bed which daddy made for his birthday on January 28. First- Nana's birthday party- We surprised Nana with a bowling party (she talks about bowling all the time!). The kids had so much fun and Nana had a blast, too. Landon did a great job using the ramp, but the most memorable experience was Madeline getting a better score than Daddy! We got a kick out of that and Madeline was very proud of herself.




Then, for Landon's Big 2 Birthday, Daddy made him a big boy bed. He kept climbing out at first, but finally figured it out and now stays in bed when it's nite-nite time. He loves his new bed. Thanks, Daddy!

Jim-Susie is a Turnip!

I just get a big kick out of my weekly pregnancy emails that compare this precious new life growing inside of me to foods. I mean, an apple is pure so I can handle that, a lemon is sweet/sour which is definitely true of a child, but a turnip? I mean, what are you implying? That my child will be dirty and no one will like him/her? I don't know anyone who likes turnips, do you? Oh well, it seems little Jim-Susie is 5 ounces and about 5 inches long and apparently is about the size of a turnip as far as weight. For being so small, it is amazing that I actually felt him/her last night. Bret even felt Jim-Susie very slightly. I am 17 weeks this week so I guess it's about time I began feeling him/her. I will be so glad once April 16 rolls around and Jim-Susie will get his/her official name and I can stop writing out Jim-Susie and him/her. I am ready for this baby to have it's own identity and I am sure you are tired of reading about Jim-Susie already. We are getting a bit tired of the name in our household as well.

Well, I think we have finally settled on names but we will continue to let you vote. Just don't be surprised if our names weren't on the NameList. I have to admit, I am very fickle when it comes to naming this baby. I like a name one week and then all of a sudden, I don't dig it anymore. But, we have officially settled on 2 names so on April 16- this baby will have it's official name. Only 15 days remaining...