It's Not a Lack of Time...

..... it's a lack of interesting stuff to write about! Christa graciously brought Flu A and B into our home nearly 2 weeks ago, so we've been home-bound since then. It made it's rounds to everyone except me (thankfully - not sure how we would have made it if I had gotten sick, too). Everyone seems well now, except Christa. She is still running fevers, and despite a quick burst of energy here and there, pretty much wants to lay around and watch TV all day. We've been to the doctor and will go again today if there is no improvement. So far, the consensus is that these lingering fevers are viral, and there's really nothing to do except wait it out. She's supposed to have her ballet pictures made today, so I'm hoping we can at least get that done, even if she doesn't get to be in the group picture (don't want to expose the other kids to anything).

She did have a good weekend. Thinking she was well, I sent her to see Beauty and the Beast with her daddy on Sunday, and she was so proud to wear a frilly dress. I'd gotten the dress for her to wear to a Daddy/Daughter dance, but they had to miss out on that because both Daddy and Daughter were still sick that night. She had a good time at the play, and is still talking about how it was scary at first when they were sitting toward the front, but she liked it after they moved to the back.

Other than that, and a couple of ventures out to eat, we have been home-bound. I did say I wanted a few weeks to relax with the girls before the baby comes! This isn't quite what I imagined, but the last week has been about as relaxing as I could ask, since I've cancelled all normally-scheduled plans and activities, and spent many hours napping, watching TV, and reading books with the girls.

The baby (who we are naming Elizabeth Claire) is doing well. I'm starting to get a bit uncomfortable - it's getting harder and harder to do simple things like bend over to pick up stuff, or breathe in certain positions. But I am still wayyyyyyyy more comfortable than I remember at this point in my other pregnancies, so I think I can make it a few more weeks!

Abby Kate is as cute as ever, and getting stronger opinions about things by the day. She will now bring her book of choice over to me, and sometimes tell me what the book is. Yesterday, she brought Fancy Nancy and said "Fanc Nanc, Fanc Nanc."

Well, that is literally all the latest news I can think of! Riveting, huh?? I'm not complaining - things are going to get very busy for us in a few weeks, so I'll take a little low-key schedule for now... as long as my little girl gets to feeling better ASAP!

Thank You, Pregnancy-Induced Insomnia....

...for this post!! I've been up since 4am!! Why do babies keep you up at night even before they're born?? My children were actually sleeping well through the night, and my compressed bladder and pre-partum hormones are interfering with precious, precious sleep!! Oh well - can't complain too much. I enjoyed a leisurely 5a.m. episode of Law and Order:SVU, followed by an On Demand episode of Teen Mom 2, then got some motivation to wash baby clothes and download months of pictures to Shutterfly - both tasks I've been hoping to accomplish to prepare as much as possible for Baby! Since I have some time to kill while those pictures are downloading, I figured I'd update you all, as well. We haven't been doing as much out of the house, so these pictures might be fairly boring to some of you. We've been spending more time at home, relaxing, and finishing up some home-decorating projects. It's been nice!! I almost feel ready for this baby, which is good, because I'm starting to get uncomfortable! Anyway, enjoy the pictures!

Cline dressed the girls for church a couple of weeks ago! He always does such a good job picking out their outfits and has them "match" as much as possible. We've been wearing a lot of nice hand-me-downs lately, so matching the girls has been more of a challenge, but here's what he came up with this day! The girls are so sweet to each other. Abby Kate smiles and does a happy dance when I tell her it's time to wake Christa up for the morning or from a nap and runs over to the stairs. She can say something that sounds like "Christa" or "Sister," and it is so cute. Christa is really sweet to Abby Kate and plays with her so well. She loves to review animal sounds with Abby Kate, and it's just plain adorable!

The girls were playing together not long ago, and Abby Kate sat down in front of the fireplace. Christa decided to pull out all of the stuffed animals and dolls in a nearby toy bin and cover Abby Kate with them. Great fun for both kids! On a side note, I am starting to wonder if Abby Kate is ever going to grow hair! It's getting thicker, but not longer. I keep thinking she'll be ready for hair bows soon, but they look goofy on her head. Even the small ones are just too big! People constantly ask if she's a boy (despite the insane amounts of pink I dress her in) and tell me she looks way to young to be running around and feeding herself like she does in restaurants. I respond that she's 17 months old (and in the 85th percentile for height, by the way), and that clears up the confusion, but it is funny to watch her do so many big girl things with her baby face!

Christa has wanted to wear her hair in a bun a lot recently, since her ballet recital. She got a necklace from her cousin, and wears that often, too. We are very much into ballet right now, watching the DVD from the recital over and over again, and reading ballet books at night before bed. I would be thrilled if Christa sticks with it - the recital was so much fun, and I love love love being a part of an organization that incorporates praising Jesus with extra-curricular activities! Christa has memorized the bible verse: "Let them praise his name with dancing, strike up the band, and make great music." Pslam 149:3. Love it!

Sweet girls, ready for church again this past week! Again, Cline picked out the outfits :)

I sure hope these girls love their baby sister as much as they love each other. I am amazed daily at how well they get along! Christa seems really excited about the baby, and asks every couple of days if the "baby is born yet." She talks about holding the baby and how small it will be. She tells me, "I want to kiss your baby," and then kisses my stomach. Abby Kate pushes in my belly button and says, "hee hee." I wonder a little how Abby Kate will adjust. She has no idea what's coming, and seems young for me to really prepare her. She throws a fit if we're holding her, and then try to pick up Christa, too, so I am bracing myself for some jealousy issues with her. But we will adjust, and I'm remarkably calm, cool, and collected about the whole thing at the moment!

Well, my pictures just finished downloading, and I'm out of stuff to write about. If I shower now, I might not be rushed getting out the door this morning :) Have a great day!