Baby Stuff and More

A couple of weeks ago, I got stuck in a rut. I know it was mostly pregnancy hormones, but I was feeling depressed and sorry for myself, tired of being pregnant and hurting and being tired, etc etc boo hoo. Anyway, about 10 things happened in the following week, some big, some small, to make me realize just how good I have it. It was so humbling to see all these other people having problems so much bigger than my own, and then to see how they handled their problems with such faith and optimism. Well anyways, it's sad to say that's what it took to break me out of my little phase, but I just wanted to say how very grateful I am for soooo many things. For this healthy pregnancy and beautiful baby, for my wonderful husband, my awesome sister-in-law, my healthy and happy son, Nate's job, I could keep going for a while . . .
Here's some pictures of Ashlyn's cute room (thank you Melissa for kicking my butt and making me get it done . . . or actually for doing most of it for me!) and also some pics of my belly that I thought were pretty cute (the feet one is copy-catted from Sarah - hope you don't mind!).

Monster Trucks!!

We recently went to the monster truck rally with the best of Lubbock's rednecks. Caleb loved it of course! Although with his natural concern for others, he was a little worried when one of them "broke" their truck, and also when one was spinning around in circles (left over anxiety from our little blow-out incident a couple weeks ago).

"Caleb, can you go play in the front room and give me some space?"
With an adorable, confused expression - "What's space?"
Exactly my point.

Happy 4th of July!

We had a great 4th of July! Friday afternoon Jason and Steph and their kids came to visit and we all went fishing at the pond. Then Saturday morning, we went to the parade. God took pity on my giant pregnant-ness and the sun was shaded by clouds a lot of the day. After the parade we had lunch and a much-needed nap, then it was off to Joyland Amusement park. It is just a little park, but turned out to be absolutely perfect for Caleb and his cousins. They had so much fun! Nate and I were bewildered by Caleb's transformation into a dare-devil. He's always been the opposite of a dare-devil until recently. Anyway, he wanted to ride all the big rides and after riding the biggest roller-coaster at the park, he said, "I want to go again by myself!" Here's some pictures. I just can't believe he's big enough to do this stuff now!
Then after the amusement park, we had a bucket of fried chicken in the park while waiting for the fireworks. And of course the kids loved the big fireworks show, then passed out on the way home!

Blow-out

Last Tuesday Caleb and I were driving to Midland for Lauren's birthday party. It was sprinkling rain and there was a fresh layer of very loose gravel on the interstate. Anyway, I went to make a very calm, careful lane-change, and before I knew it, we were spinning down the road at 70 mph. We then went across the median and finally came to a stop half-way onto the opposite side of the highway. My entire focus was to get us out of the oncoming traffic before we got hit, which meant figuring out that the engine had died, putting the car into park, restarting the engine, back into drive, and pulling back into the muddy median. Once in the median, besides hyperventilating and crying at the same time, I also promptly got stuck in the mud. Upon further inspection, we found that the front tire had blown out, and the spinning had knocked both the front and back tires on that side of the car off the rims, which were all bent up. Well the point is, it was very scary, and having both a baby in my belly and my son in the back seat made it ten times scarier. We all turned out okay (except the car . . .) and feel sooo blessed that there were no cars or other objects in our pathway to collide with. Caleb now compares me to Lightning McQueen (remember his blow-out and spin off the road?) and also frequently asks me when we're driving, "Mommy, are you being really careful so you don't pop the tire and make us spin?" Again, so grateful to have my two kiddos still safe and healthy!

Birth, According to Caleb

Today Caleb was yet again walking me through what will happen when Ashlyn is born. Here's his explanation: "Mommy, when Ashlyn's ready then you will go to the doctor and the doctor will take her out and you will cry. But don't worry Mommy, the doctor will put tape on your pieces and it will make you all better so you don't have to cry anymore." And thus is a 3-year-old's understanding of the birth process!