It's a..........

GIRL!!
I really had no expectations as to what this baby was going to be- so yes, I'm happy it is a girl. After the appointment I went to my sisters to pick up the kids and when I told them, Kate was thrilled and Clark was pretty upset. When I loaded them in the car, he kept making "humph" sounds. I asked him what was wrong he said, "Mom, I don't want a baby sister, I want a brother. I don't like sisters, I only like brothers."
I kinda felt bad for him, and had to explain that we don't get to choose what kind of baby we get. This morning he seems to have accepted it- eventhough it's not what he wanted!
I'm starting to feel excited for this baby. I don't know if it's because it's not the first, so it's not all new and exciting this time around, but I haven't really been 'into' this pregnancy. The last time I was reading books and magazines and trying to learn all I could about being pregnant and having a baby. This time I feel like 'whatever'. Plus it's still so far away- alot is going to happen between now and March. I also think I have so much going on in life right now, I don't have the mental capacity to think about or start preparing for this baby.
Anyways- its starting to sound like I'm complaining about being pregnant- I'm not, I am really excited to have another baby in our home. I guess I'm comparing this one to the last one, and they are totally different. At least this time, all things will be pink!

Childrens Museum of Phoenix

My sister Nancy organized a little play group to go and do fun things around the valley every third Thursday of the month. Today was our first play date, and we went to the Childrens Museum of Phoenix. It was actually really cool. I think what was really fun for me, is now Kate and Clark are the age where they can do everything. Most of the stuff was created around imaginative play, like a grocery store and a restuarant ect, and they just played! It seems like last summer when we did a bunch of stuff, it was fun, but alot of it was me trying to explain to them what to do and what all the toys were for. This time they figured it all out on their own and had a blast. (That, and I just got to sit back and watch!)
The museum has 3 floors with all kinds of things to do. A big jungle gym, a craft room where you can paint a play castle, a room to make your own fort, a grocery store, a restarant, a play house and lots of other cool stuff. Here's some pics of Kate and Clark doing their thing.


At this station they had bikes you could ride through a tunnel and then through a play car wash.

Here they had a dune buggy and dirt bike to play on, complete with gas pump and pinewood derby style car races.

Kate eating an ice cream cone from the play icecream shop.

Here's the restaurant with ovens, stoves, pots and pans, plates, cups, bowls and even a brick fire oven to bake pizza. Clark really loved the restaurant.

Here's the grocery store where you check out all your food.

Here's all the kids; Jack, Kate, Clark and Nolan.

If you want to join us on our next play date- let me know! The more the merrier!

Pregnant

Yes, it is true - I am pregnant with number 3. Yes, just one baby this time! Here's all the answers to the questions everyone asks: I am 14 weeks, and my due date is March 4th. I waited to tell everyone because I wanted to hear from the Dr that there really is a baby in there and that he/she is healthy. Also the pregnancy seems to go alot faster if you wait longer to tell people (at least I'm hoping!) We have been trying since we got home from Utah in February, but it didn't happen until June. I have been feeling ok, definitely better than with the twins. When I was pregnant with them I threw up everyday and was sick pretty much the whole pregnancy. This time I really only get sick at night and I haven't thrown up once. Although the sickness is starting to lessen the farther along I get.
Yes, I am starting to show. I kept it in for about 12 weeks, but now I don't even try. The great thing is that I just wear basketball shorts and t-shirts everyday. So no dressing up this time around.
I think that's about it. We go back the end of this month to find out the sex of the baby, and yes we are going to find out. I can't handle the suspense. Kate and Clark don't really get it yet, they know there is a baby in my tummy, but that's about it. My sister Bridgett is due next week, and I'm hoping that they'll understand a little bit when they see her baby.
Ryan and I are really excited for this ONE. I think we'll be able to enjoy it more this time around, and we've already done two at a time, so this will be a piece of cake!

Treehouse

I recently had to switch up my swimming schedule, and instead of swimming 3 times a week in the morning, I now swim 3 times a week from noon to 1pm. Because of the change I've had solicit more babysitters for Kate and Clark. One day my Mom watches, one day Ryan's Mom and then one day my sister-in-law Tiffany. Since my brother Rob and wife Tiffany live with my parents right now, Kate and Clark get to play with their cousins at Nanas at least 2 days a week. So what do they do while I swim?........

Thanks Tiffany for the awesome pictures!

Redemption

Yesterday I tried to redeem myself from being a horrible Mother this summer. I've used my excuse" It's too hot" to get myself out of doing fun things with the kids. I guess I feel guilty since we did so much when we were in Utah last summer. So My sister Nancy and I took the kids to Tempe Beach Park at Tempe Town Lake and then to Arizona Mills Mall for lunch at the Rainforest Cafe. Tempe Beach park has an awesome splash pad with tons of water toys for the kids to run around and play in. I feel bad that we hadn't gone earlier in the summer, as it won't be open passed Labor Day.

Clark using the big water gun.

Trying to sit on the water fountain

Kate in the waterfall

I love this picture of Clark in the waterfall. For once I had perfect timing with the camera!


The kids LOVED the Rainforest Cafe. It was funny, when I told Clark we were going to the Rainforest Cafe, he said "proud sponsor of PBS kids." Yes, we watch Sesame Street every morning.

We got to sit right next the elephants and near the monkeys. We must have walked around the restaurant at least 3 times looking at everything. It is very cool, but also pricey. But worth the experience.

Hopefully I can continue to do some fun things with the kids, as I keep telling myself, it'll cool down soon! Luckily there are alot of indoor museums we haven't been to yet!

Too Damn Hot

I'm having a really hard time being back in Arizona this summer, after having a beautiful, cool, green summer in Utah last year. I ask Ryan everyday if we can move-I just cannot handle the heat anymore. The 110 plus temperatures are just too much. It's hard with the kids too, since they can't do a whole lot besides play inside or watch tv. I hate that we have to run our errands before 10am, or the Tahoe heats up to 150 degrees in the parking lot. I'd take the cold and snow of the winter over the heat of the summer. Oh well, I'll just have to suffer - because until we win the lottery or Ryan miraculously finds a better paying job somewhere else, there is no escape from the inferno we call Arizona!

Like Father, Like Son

Clark has always been a 'mini-me' version of Ryan. For those of you who know Ryan, you know that he is a worker. He works at least 12 hours a day (usually closer to 16) and then comes home and finds something else to work on. Lately he has been taking the engine out of his blazer to replace it with another one. So Clark has been following suit. The last week or so he has been dressing up with all his gear to go out and work. I took this picture yesterday when he was heading out to the garage to help Ryan, Uncle Jeffy and Grandpa with the blazer. So dang cute. I love it! I especially love the Okland hard hat and his boots. ( Ryan wears boots and since Clark only has snow boots- I guess that works!)