Soccer!

S starts Soccer Tots today! He is so excited to be participating in a sport similar to his big sis :-) I'll post more later on how it goes.

Baby #3 Update

We had an u/s today. It was our big 20 week ultrasound!! We don't find out the sex - leaving it a surprise until the big show. Daddy Piper was supposed to come with but problems with scheduling at the dr. office (they said my u/s this afternoon was actually yesterday - even though my paper says today - ARGH) so I threw a hissy fit and they got me in this morning. Daddy Piper couldn't be there which totally bummed me out. Anyway - everything looks great! We got to see all the major body parts and everything was functioning properly. I have been so worried that something was wrong since the baby isn't very active. I even had a dream last night that it was born without an esophagus (WTF?)! But everything checked out wonderfully. I had both kids with me and they thoroughly enjoyed the u/s. They love hearing the heartbeat, which was 140. We didn't want to find out the sex, which was good since the little one didn't spread his/her legs to show the tech :- ) Mother's intuition says boy, and it was right with S so maybe we'll be adding another boy to the family. Who knows though until the little actually gets here. All in all - another successful visit!!

Another Boy!

Found out today that one of my best girlfriends in the whole world is adding a boy to her collection of girls. Congratulations S family!!!!

Back to Reality...

Vacation is all done- BOOHOO! We had a nice time. It is always nice to see family and friends. If I have one regret, it is moving from the Midwest back to the southwest. This is a daily regret. I wake up regretting the move and go to bed regretting the move. I have been suggesting, requesting, begging to move back almost since we got settled here. It was my bright idea to move back here. Hopefully the time will come when we make the move back up there.

Anyway - vacation was fun. It was rainy and crappy weather for the most part but that's okay. Wednesday was the only nice day in ND. And it was only nice the afternoon :- ) The kids enjoyed playing with Daddy's old toys and sleeping in the same room where Daddy slept as a little boy. Thursday we had plans to visit either the local zoo or some Indian ruins and we awoke to rain so we changed plans and hung out with Grandma, Auntie Lisa and Lacie. Thursday night Daddy Piper and I had dinner out alone while Grandma watched the munchkins. It was a delayed celebration for my 29th birthday. Funny side story: Our nephew's graduation was on my birthday so it really wasn't much of a birthday celebration for me. I didn't even get a cake. L realized this on Tuesday. She said "Mommy you didn't get a cake or have your happy birthday song". I told her it was okay. She then told me how sad it was. She mentioned this a few times throughout the week. It was pretty funny how affected she was by this. Friday we woke up and got things ready to hit the road and head to our friends' house. First we said goodbye to Grandpa and had lunch. We had an uneventful drive minus the potty break on the side of the road :- ) Friday night was so nice hanging out with our friends. They have 3 little girls the same ages as our 2 and we are due within a few days of each other - my 3rd, her 4th. Friday evening the kids all hung out and we had pizza for dinner. S got to have a bath with 4 other girls - every guys dream! We stayed up till midnight just talking and laughing - so nice! Saturday, we rode to see the girls' at dance class. The boys stayed home. We don't all fit in one vehicle anymore!! After dance (which was so cute!), we went on a Gator ride at Great Grandpa's house and then L got to have her 1st tire swing ride. We also had to make a quick stop at Best Buy since I forgot my charger in ND and couldn't stand the thought of being with my camera. After the excitement of the morning, we headed back for lunch and naps. The neighbor had a waterslide blowup thing in their front yard so OF COURSE the girls all wanted to do this. We had lunch and then made our way over there. L had a blast on this slide. She had even more fun riding in the motorized Jeep though. (Guess what L wants for her birthday now? yep - the Jeep.) The kids all napped after the fun waterslide adventure. That evening we headed to a local hotel to enjoy their waterpark. And wouldn't you know it, we had a tornado warning! This was quite crazy. L was super scared. She kept asking to go home. S slept through most of it until we had to be evacuated to the basement. One of my close girlfriends drove up with her daughter and fortunately they made it before it got too bad, so they hung out with us in the basement of the hotel. We were only down there for about 20 minutes until the storm passed. Thank goodness the tornado didn't touch down where we were. So we headed upstairs to get ready for the waterpark. My other girlfriend and her husband and 3 girls drove over to spend the evening with us. Super cool though - this guy overheard us by the front desk and asked if we needed more tickets and he was able to get 4 free with his room so we all got in for free - can't beat that!! The waterpark was fun - not nearly as cold as it was when we were there in Dec. 06. We had a great time. S didn't really like it at first because he got coldy and hates water in his face but he warmed up and enjoyed his time there. L was happy to just splash around in the water - not up for trying the slides like Miss H. After about 2 hours there, L warmed up to the slides and started going down by herself. She even asked about visiting the waterpark at home! All the kids had fun and so did us adults :- ) We had dinner at the hotel. It was quite the chaotic scene with 5 adults and 6 little ones. It went well though. It was such a nice time with our friends. I miss having those friendships on a daily basis. Everyone headed home after multiple kisses and hugs and we headed to our room. While giving the kids a bath, I heard Daddy Piper talking with someone... his friend had stopped by to see him. 10:00 at night and more socializing - we are lucky to have so many people that want to see us! He left to hang out with his friend for awhile after arranging to have breakfast before we left the next day. Both kids slept fairly well in the hotel. We had a 3 room suite, which was so nice but will be even nicer when they are older. The only way to share a hotel room with kids!! We woke on Sunday, got dressed and headed over for some yummy breakfast and (more) pleasant company. I got to meet their new baby. It really made me excited to meet our new baby! We wrapped up there and headed to the airport. The car return, baggage check and all went smooth. We did cut the time close. After going through security, we only had 20 minutes to get to our gate. For me, that was nerve wracking but it was enough time to hit the potty and get some lunch for the plane. We boarded and while we were waiting for others to board, L noticed some chips outside. I thought she meant the cooler bag we checked that had chips in it but noooooooo, she saw the chips we had just bought. They were in the stroller we had gate checked and we forgot to grab them out! Even more amazing.... they were in the stroller when we got to Phoenix!!!! Plane ride was uneventful - everyone napped. We got our luggage, grabbed the van (with a minor sour milk explosion - GROSS!!) and went home.

It was a wonderful time as always. Can't wait to be back up there full time!!

Still Vacationing....

We are still on vacation. I am trying to keep a log of the fun things we have done and times we have shared with family. Saturday was a restful day after the long drive here. I got my butt chewed out by Daddy Piper for driving around during a tornado warning. S needed diapers and the local store was closed so I headed across the river and without a cell phone. I was listening to my iPod so didn't hear the local report. So when I got home, he was very upset because he was worried. Funny now - not so much then. I was ticked he jumped all over me in front of his family. We went to a graduation for our nephew on Sunday (which also happened to be my birthday!). The graduation was so nice. It was very special that we were able to share his day with him. We went to his open house afterwards which was really nice minus the SAHM conversation. Why do people think SAHM's aren't to be respected??? Anyway - the party was fun. Monday we hung around the house because it was drizzly rainy like. I got my brother-in-law's laptop working for him but otherwise it was a hang around the house kind of day. Tuesday my SIL came down and we went to Space Aliens for lunch. The kids really enjoyed this. Way up their alley of entertainment. I also had my nails done and another pedicure for my birthday gift from my hubby. I have had Taco Johns daily - yummy! S has really learned his colors so we are quizzing him relentlessly on those. His vocab also seems to have exploded here. L, of course, is the star of the show. They both are enjoying the stairs (up and down hundreds of times a day) and playing in the house their daddy grew up in. So far relaxing vacation. Hopefully we can get out and do some touristy stuff before heading back home this weekend.

Somethings I want to remember...

1. Watching my babies share a seat on the airplane, watching a movie on their dvd player, eating cheerios/cinnamon toast cereal combo snack while wearing their headphones. There was something about that moment that made me want to capture it forever. The innocence, the realization that they really won't be little for much longer, I don't know but looking at them brought tears to my eyes. They looked so peaceful and happy. How do as I mother, help preserve those moments for them?
   
2. Holding L in the floorboard of the rental van because she woke up scared and crying and wanting her mommy. Unsafe as it was, it was a glorious moment I want to remember. The holding, snuggling, cuddly time with her is few and far between. It warmed my heart to hold her close and have her snoozing in my comforting arms.

Vacation Time!

Well the packing is done, house is ready, animals are lined up for care.... VACATION here we come! We'll be gone for 9 days but will have lots of stories and pictures when we return.

Vacation Countdown

We are on countdown around here to our vacation up "North". Usually we go around the 4th but we have a nephew graduating high school so we are going early. I get to spend my last 20's birthday in a small town, far away from any excitement. AWWW - guess birthdays just aren't what they used to be, are they! We are busy trying to get things done around here to head out. Haircuts are done, packing has begun. Mama needs her eyebrows waxed. Other than that - I think everything has been bought that needs to be bought and we'll spend our very busy week fitting in the last minute stuff. S is excited about going on a "jet plane" to see grandma. L is looking forward to seeing some friends before we drive 6 hours to see my in-laws. Can't wait for some time away - especially from the horrible heat we already have!!

S is HEALED!!

S had his renal u/s and urology appt yesterday and his kidneys are healed! He is done with the prophylactic antibiotic. He was confused at bedtime last night, looking for his medicine. This has been a long year but it's over. The only downside is the dr still wants L tested along with testing the new baby at the hospital shortly after birth. We will talk over those situations and make decisions accordingly. But for now - S is healed!!

SOOO Tired

I am so tired these days. Both of my kids are back to sleeping like newborns - up every few hours. Is it preparation for the new baby's arrival in 5 months or just a phase? Either way - it stinks! Besides the all nighters, Daddy Piper is up and at 'em by 3:45 AM everyday so that means Mama Piper is in the kitchen making his lunch. I am ready for some sleep!!

Thank you God for letting me stay home with my babies and rest when they rest. Truly grateful this is my only job.

Little Tummy

First let me explain the rule at our house. You MUST finish your milk before getting down from the dinner table. You do not have to clean your plate but you have to finish your milk. S had 2 plates FULL of food and his milk was only half finished, so his daddy explained to get down like L, he had to finish his milk. He drank a bit of milk and turned to his daddy and said "I little tummy". So I guess his little tummy was so full of food, there just wasn't room for the milk. I couldn't control my laughing nor could Daddy Piper so S had one more drink and got down. Kids say the darnedest things!!

Conclusion to Mother's Day 2008

Today ends my 2008 Mother's Day celebrating. The morning was like any other but oh the afternoon was different, much different. I got my nails done and a pedicure. 2 hours of pure bliss. I LOVE having my nails done. They look so nice since they normally don't due to my dumb nail biting habit. The evening ended with dinner with my mom. It was a nice day. My hubby and kids made me feel loved and appreciated - the very thing Mother's Day should be about. I love you guys!!

Mother's Day 2008 continues.....

Today was a another round of Mother's Day celebrating for mommy!! We had a rough start to the morning due to S having a hard time urinating after his VCUG yesterday then L and I went to soccer, where I forgot the snacks and had to run to a local convenience store and spend $30 to get snack for 10 kids. By the time we made it home, I was already done for the day and it was only 10:30 AM! I cleaned out the van and cleaned the carpets good. By this time, Daddy Piper wasn't able to really get much done himself on the big truck since he had to leave at noon to get a haircut and he was taking Thing 1 and Thing 2 with him to pick up my gift. I then had the bright idea to go out to lunch today for Mother's Day rather than tomorrow so that Daddy Piper could get out early and work on the truck before the heat sets in for the day. It was more important to me to have him working in the cooler part of the day than it was for me to have a lunch out on Mother's Day. We all left together for Daddy's haircut. His stylist was running behind but oh well, whaddya do?!? So after the haircut we all went to get Mommy's gift. I knew right away when Daddy Piper turned onto the sidestreet where my gift came from... The Paint Store. L had told me last week that this is where they went and I thought it was the paint store to get paint to finish their bedroom and instead it was the paint pottery place!! After getting my gift, we headed to Red Lobster for lunch - my most recent craving. The other 3 Pipers agreed I could open my gift today and it was a ..... COOKIE JAR!! They had painted it to look like a chocolate chip cookie. I was so touched by this gift. Daddy Piper took the kids a week early to make this gift for Mommy and I think that is so special! Lunch was delish. Then home for naps. The kids didn't want to nap since it was so late so they played outside with Daddy Piper while Mommy took a 2 hour siesta. Today was so nice. It always feels good to be appreciated, especially by those you love so much! Now tomorrow, I get to get my nails done and get a pedicure in anticipation of our upcoming vacation.... what a way to finish my Mother's Day 2008!

L went trucking with Daddy Piper!

During the testing for S today, L needed a place to hang out. She was going to a friend's house but her daughter got sick, so last minute plan change - L went trucking with Daddy Piper!!! She got a new booster seat and everything for the big truck. Everyone on the jobsite fell in love with her immediately and she just soaked up the attention. She had a WONDERFUL day out with Daddy, even if she was super crabby due to missing naptime. She is looking forward to getting to do this again.