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...

Life is a Zoo!

It always seems like a zoo at the Lord house! There is always something crazy going on, but we wouldn't have it any other way. Here are some pics of us at an actual zoo- The Dallas Zoo- just this past weekend. Nana, "Gwamma", Aunt Amy, Aunt "Wefunny", Madeline, Landon and I had a great time. We don't know if Jim-Susie had a great time or not- he/she is still not making any movements that I can feel. But, I bet even if I could, he/she could have cared less about the zoo. What do you think? Well, here are some pics from our zoo day.


Madeline in the bird's nest at the Children's Zoo.

Madeline, Landon and Aunts "Wefunny" and Amy

Landon overlooking the otters but no otters in sight!

Madeline, Mommy (with Jim-Susie) and Landon

Madeline, Mommy (with Jim-Susie) and Landon posing with a chimp bronze statue (Just in case you thought she was on the back of a real chimp). Surely, you didn't think that, did you?

Happy Easter!

Well, Easter was especially special this year since Grandma and Grandpa came to town and Grandma actually went to church with us! It started off with Bret getting the flu Friday, but by Sunday (after the Tamiflu- thank God for Tamiflu) he was feeling much better and even felt good enough to pose for a few pics. None of those turned out very good, so I don't have proof to show you, but he did participate- I promise! Here are some pics of our Easter Egg hunt in the front yard. We actually hunted eggs 4 times- once with candy-filled and money-filled eggs and three times just for fun because the kids though it was fun. Lunch was especially great with Amy's scrumptious broccoli cheese rice which Jim-Susie craved for 3 days straight! I am thinking Amy needs to cook that more often. What do you say Aunt Amy?


(above) Madeline counting up all her loot and eggs!

(below) Nana helping Landon find a hidden egg.

(below) Landon and Madeline posing with thier stash!

(below) Madeline looking for more eggs.



Landon showing us his "fandy". He was, however, more impressed with his bag that he carried his eggs in than the eggs themselves. All day he would show us his bag and say "My bag!".

Jim-Susie is an Apple!

Well, I am 15 weeks this week and according the BabyCenter.com, Jim-Susie is the size and weight of an apple. I have always wondered why they compare babies in the womb to food? Maybe it's because food is universal and everyone can relate to food. Who knows? Well, I am still feeling great and in all honesty, I am so busy with Madeline and Landon, I don't have much time to really think about the pregnancy. Don't get me wrong, I am doing everything to take care of my body and the baby but I stay so busy any symptoms go unnoticed. The only time I ever have moment to talk to the baby and feel on my belly is at night laying in bed. I felt a very faint movement from Jim-Susie the other night, but I don't plan on really feeling him/her until a couple of weeks.

I had a sonogram today to measure my cervix- which is normal, thank God! He said I am fine and sees no problems of having incompetent cervix. We asked him if he could tell us what Jim-Susie was (boy?, girl?) but he said he/she is too small to tell. So, my next appointment is April 16 and we will find out then. Man, this is going to be a long 4 weeks of waiting!

Easter Egg Hunt #1

Well, here we are at the city-wide Easter Egg Hunt. Landon had so much fun "hunting" the eggs (strategically placed in plain site on the grass, of course) but did not want his picture taken. We met up with some of Landon's good friends, Will and Anna (pictured here being so photogenic!). There was a petting zoo, balloon-making clown and even the Easter Bunny who Landon wanted absolutely nothing to do with. It was a fun morning! I have more pics, but sadly, I got this one from Anna's mom because I haven't downloaded mine off my camera yet. Maybe I'll get to that this week. Let's pray!

Jim-Susie is a Lemon!

14 weeks and only 182 days to go: Jim Susie can now squint, frown, grimace, pee, and possibly suck his/her thumb! From head to bottom, he/she measures 3 1/2 inches — about the size of a lemon — and he/she weighs 1 1/2 ounces. His/her body's growing faster than his/her head, which now sits upon a more distinct neck. By the end of this week, his/her arms will have grown to a length that's in proportion to the rest of his/her body. (Jim-Susie's legs still have some lengthening to do.) Aunt Amy seems to think that may be the cause of all the Peurifoy girls being so short- maybe our legs never grew to their potential. I knew there had to be a reason why we were all so short.
Well, I am feeling great, still have not had any sickness and this week I enter into my 2nd trimester. So, hopefully, I will feel great the remainder of this pregnancy. I go in next Wednesday to have Dr. Downey measure my cervix for incompetent cervix since I have had a LEEP procedure for my pre-cancer last year. Let's pray all is normal, otherwise, I have to have a cerclage to sew it shut until I get closer to my due date. Ouch! Sorry, I still haven't downloaded any pics off my camera...maybe I'll do that this week.

Make your vote count!

Bret and I have been thinking of names for baby Lord. Currently, his/her name is Jim-Susie since we don't know if it is a boy or girl. Story? Well, when my mom was a little girl she got a kitten and couldn't tell if it was a boy or girl. So, to spare the poor kittens feelings, little Becky named her tiny kitten Jim-Susie. So, I was telling Madeline that story the other day and so she decided that it would be the perfect name for baby Lord during this time of unknowing. But, we think Jim-Susie just isn't a very fitting name for this little one, so we are enlisting our friends and family's help. We may choose your vote, we may not, but either way it will be fun to see what you all think. So, please click on the link at the top right of our blog where it says "Vote on my NameList". We want to know what you think of the names we have thought of so far.

...and baby makes Five!

Well, we found out last week we are having another little one. Funny story actually... We had JUST started trying in early February so when I got the flu last week, I thought I'd be on the safe side and tell the nurse that we had been trying. You know, just in case he prescribed me medicine that might not be good for the baby in the event I was indeed pregnant. "Congratulations!" she said when she returned 5 minutes later after I took the test. I was so excited and thought, "Wow, that was fast! I must be only 3 weeks along." So, I got my medicine for the flu and was on my way. I immediately called my ob/gyn to schedule my first pre-natal appointment. Thursday, Feb 28 at 4 pm- today is the day God got a real good laugh! So, I went today to see my doctor- prepared for an end-of-October due date and a pea-sized baby on the sonogram screen. SURPRISE! The baby is 5 centimeters, heart-beat, tiny hands and arms and 12 weeks! I laughed the entire time at the doctors in a state of shock to say the least. Our "planning" had been an afterthought in God's plan! So, the due date quickly jumped from October to early September and from thinking I was only 1 month along to already being 3 months pregnant. What a glorious surprise and blessing. So...here comes baby #3.

Pancakes for Preschoolers

Today, the Lord family went to the church for Pancakes with Preschoolers. The Children's staff served over 500 families and over 1000 pancakes to preschoolers and their families. The morning was so much fun with all the kids wearing their PJ's, eating pancakes and sausage, and watching a magic show. Landon actually sat still for most of the magic show, but was anxious to run around toward the end. We sat with his friends Faith, Anna and Samuel, and of course their mommies and daddies, which are all in our Sunday School class. It was so much fun! Here is a picture of Landon with a mouth full of pancake!

Merry Christmas 2007!

Well, Christmas this year was like any other...the traditional Christmas Eve service with all the Peurifoy's at Lake Pointe Church, dinner at my mom's and off to bed to await Santa's surprises. Landon would have been just as happy if Santa had just brought paper and boxes, but the basketbal goal and basketball did just fine! Madeline passed Santa's nice list, too, making out with an ipod and idog this year loaded with all her favs (Hannah Montana, BarlowGirl, Hilary Duff, Cheetah Girls, etc.) And mom and dad must have been super good for Santa to have hired a plumber to finally complete the kids bathroom! How did Santa know just what we needed? That makes 6 rooms down and 3 more to go! One day we will have the whole house completed...but, one day at a time. Here are some pics from Christmas day. Merry Christmas!

Making Elves of Ours"elves"

Well, we decided to become elves- well, not really. But, my friend Sara sent me this and I couldn't resist turning us all into elves for the day. So, I hope you get a chuckle out of this like we did. Merry Christmas! http://www.elfyourself.com/?id=1390916136

Jump Rope for Heart

Well, I remember my elementary days at Montgomery Elementary and how much fun Jump Rope forHeart was. Already, the American Heart Association meant so much to my family. My dad suffered his first massive heart attack when I was only 4 and thanks to God and His sovereignty, I would have him for 22 more delightful years. Well...the jump lives on as Madeline participated in her first Jump Rope for Heart event at her school. She practiced for 2 weeks just to show off her skills for a few minutes to benefit the AHA. What an energetic and loving spirit she is. She was so proud of her self and not to mention, so excited that she raised enough money for the voice changer...that is a whole other conversation...! Thanks to everyone who donated to support her and the American Heart Association. The voice changer will live on as her reminder!

Madeline is Red Hot!

Madeline competed in her second gymnastics meet for Team Red Hot. She did fabulous and scored an overal 34.5 out of 40 possible points earning her the highest level ribbon- BLUE! Way to go Madeline- we are so proud of you!

Here she is (the one in the middle standing up) as she stretches with her team before competition begins.