Matthew starts school

Well Matthew started school yesterday and so far so good.  He started at Fellowship Academy in the PreK-4 program which will be 5 days a week from 8:15-2:45.  So this is the real deal.  He wasn't quite ready for Kindergarten but since he is already 5 I wanted him in a full time program so it will be similar to Kindergarten but without all the expectations of Kindergarten.  Kindergarten is so different today.  I wanted him to have another year to mature and grasp some basic concepts and continue to improve his speech and language.  This school goes all the way to 12th grade so I am hoping this is his "one and only" school.  I found out that they have a program for learning differences.  How great is that.  I'm not saying that Matthew will need it but it is a definite possibility in the future. 

Baby Joshua is still cozy in the oven.  I must have a good oven because my boys like to stay in until the last minute possible.  Who can blame them.  It's a tough world.  I will be 39 weeks on Thursday and for the most part I feel pretty good.  I have had some pretty bad indegestion at night keeping me up at night and of course as always the peeing is just out of control, but that's to be expected.  I'm moving a little slower these days, but I am managing.  I am looking forward to being a family of 5.  Of course I always start getting a little anxious as the big day approaches.  Having a newborn stresses me out.  The 1st few weeks are always a little rough for me.  We did move Lukey into Matthew's room finally and so far no problems.  It's only been 1 night but I think he will adjust just fine.  For the most part we seem to be ready for Baby Joshua.  I have accepted that the house will not be perfect and tidy.  Well it may be before I leave for the hospital, but likely it will be a disaster zone again when I return, but who cares.  Some things you just have to let go. 

I will be sure to keep you updated on any new developments :)

Matthew's new school

1st day of Pre-K4

Shirts I made for the boys.  Aren't they cute?

Family pics

Got some great pics done by a girl from church.  She loves taking pictures and I have to say she did a pretty darn good job.  We definitely had her challenged.  She had never done maternity pics and of course taking pics of young children can be quite the challenge.  Luke did great, but Matthew was another story.  He just wouldn't cooperate.  I don't blame him though because it was VERY HOT as usual.  We did it in the evening, but it was still probably at least 100 degrees outside.  She did manage to get 1 great pic of Matthew which I love.  We only need 1 and we got it.  I really wanted to get some pics before Joshua arrives.  I do want to add that I know when I look at other people's family pics I always think they seem so happy and perfect.  Please don't look at our pics and think what a perfect family we are.  I don't mean that in a bad way because I think my family is perfect, but in reality we are far from perfect.   We have our daily challenges just like all of you.

Luke (17 months)



Matthew (age 5)



The family (this is the best we could do)

Me and the hubby

Baby Joshua

My handsome Lukey

Brothers (Matthew has always has a "thing" for Luke's head)

Enjoy the pics!

Getting close

Well I am 34 weeks.  Will be 35 weeks on Thursday.  I get the feeling baby Joshua may be here in a few weeks.  I went past the due date with the 1st two, but I have been having some contractions and some other prelabor signs.  Of course it could all mean nothing and I could easily go past my due date, but I am just getting the feeling that this one will arriving before the due date.  It is so hard to decipher real contractions vs. false contractions.  I am just feeling uneasy as if my body is getting ready.  I really need to get the carseat installed, get my hospital bag ready, etc...  I am feeling the overwhelming desire to keep the house picked up at all times which is unusual for me.  I wouldn't say I am "nesting" but I am needing some order to the house at all times.  I think that is definitely a sign that labor is near :)  I will keep you updated.

The trip to Del Rio went very well.  It was great visiting with family and Matthew and Luke did well.  Matthew did start to get home sick the last few days which can be expected, but overall we all had a good time.   Oma (my 94 year old grandmother) is doing great.  She looks great and is getting around wonderfully.  She is a beautiful lady. 

Can't think of much else at the moment. 

Blessings,

Matthew and Luke with Grandma and Grandpa Carroll

Betsey

All is well here

All is well here.  Saw the OB today and also had a sonogram to check placenta placement.  Today I am 32 weeks.  Everything looked great on the sono.   Placenta, fluid levels, cervix all look great.  Baby Joshua is right on target with his growth.  I bet I will be having another 8 pounder.  It was nice to get a peek at him today.  It makes is so much more real, but of course it really isn't real until that baby is in your arms.  I am hoping to make it to the due date just like I did with Matthew and Luke. 

Me and boys are going to Del Rio next week to visit family.  Looking forward to that.  I am planning on just doing nothing and relaxing.  Of course I will be taking care of the kiddos, but I will have help.  It will probably be my last trip to Del Rio for awhile. 

Work is good.  Still busy as ever.  I have been blessed to pick up some extra shifts.  Not that I want to work extra, but I really could use the money for maternity leave.  The money has been really good.  This next check will be a big fat one :).  I feel set now so I don't feel the pressure to pick up anymore extra shifts unless I want to. 

We are really enjoying the minivan.  Selling my car went very smooth.  Got decent money for it and I didn't even have to fix the dent or windshield.  The minivan is much roomier.  Matthew loves it as well. 

Matthew turned 5 recently.  We just had a low key birthday this year.  We went to a toddler/splash pool that Matthew loves and came home and had cake and presents.  Can't believe my 1st born is 5. 

Can't think of anything else at the moment. 

Blessings,

Farewell 2005 Camry

Splash park for Matthew's birthday

Splashpark

Splashpark

Splashpark

Birthday cake

Luke loves birthday cake

Matthew in a firetruck for July 4th

Betsey

Last day of school for Matthew

My handsome boy is growing up.  This is right before his ECYC graduation!

ECYC graduation!

Handsome boy!

Ms. Coleen at ECYC.  One of his best teachers ever!  She has the biggest heart for these kids.

Matthew's friend Luke!

ECYC classroom!

I had to include this pic of Lukey. Isn't he a hoot?

Mansfield graduation.

Ms. Bannister (speech therapist)

Ms. Smith, Ms. Fehse, and Ms. Gray

Class party at Mansfield. 

Enjoying the party!

Today was Matthew's official last day of school at his preschool language class with Mansfield ISD.  Bittersweet!  They had a little graduation and class party.  Too cute.  He also had a graduation ceremony with ECYC last week and that was awesome.  They did such a great job.  They have been very good to him over the years.  ECYC is affiliated with First United Methodist Church in downtown Arlington.  He has been going there 2 days a week since he was 2.  They have a wonderful program.  He will be done with ECYC on August 1st.  Hard to believe.  Matthew is growing up and moving onto bigger and better things.  I am very excited for the new adventure, but I am scared for him as well.  Mixture of emotions.  Pic overload coming up!

24 weeks!

I am 24 weeks pregnant today.  Can't believe it!  This pregnancy is flying by.  It is kinda of sad.  When you have 2 kids you are just so much busier and I am not finding the time to sit down and cherish this pregnancy.  I know the summer is going to fly by and then baby Joshua will be here.  Can't wait to meet him though.  I feel that our family will be complete after baby Joshua arrives.  Of course I thought that after Luke, but 3 is definitely the max.  There is no way a 4th would be an option.  3 sounds like a good number to me.  The pregnancy seems to be going fine.  Had a follow up ultrasound last week and the placenta has moved.  Still low but not covering the cervix anymore so that was good news.  Other than that everything looks great.  Baby Joshua looks great and is growing perfectly.

The van that we will be inheriting this summer :)

Silly Lukey!

In Brownwood visiting with family at Hannah's college graduation.

Matthew and his fire hydrants.  His obsession is showing no signs of slowing down. 

Out for our neighborhood walk and checking all the fire hydrants.

One of Luke's favorite activities (eating) at our new table.

Ducks in our front yard.  How cool is that.

All is well on the homefront.  Matthew will be done with school the week after next.  I am glad.  I won't have to get up and get him off to school.  It will be a nice break.  I am very grateful to his preschool language class and what they have done for him over the last 2 years.  He has grown and matured so much since starting.  I am looking forward to him starting his new school in the Fall.  It will definitely be a change, but hopefully a good one.  He will be in a full time Pre-K program so it won't quite be the expectations of Kindergarten quite yet.  The expectations of Kindergarten are definitely much different then when I was in Kindergarten.  They seem to expect so much more now.  Luke is good.  He is turning into quite the little character.  I am really enjoying seeing his personality blossom.  Mark had a birthday recently.  I won't tell you his age but he doesn't look a day over 30 :) 

Work is good.  Got some extra hours last week which was a big blessing.  Trying to save up for maternity leave.  We are very busy right now.  We have more babies than beds.  Just crazy!  Hopefully it will calm down soon. 

Can't think of anything else. 

Enjoy the pics!

Blessings,

Betsey

Lots of updates!

Looks like boy #3 is on the way!  We are very excited!  I am thrilled to have 3 boys.  No disappointment whatsoever!  Sure, I would be thrilled with a girl, but I really don't care either way.  His name will be Joshua Scott.  Can't wait to meet him.  Joshua looked great on the sonogram.  I do have a partial placenta previa which basically just means the placenta isn't exactly located where it should be.  At his point not really a big deal and most of them move as the uterus expands so at this point no worries.  I will get another sonogram next month to make sure that it is moving.  If it doesn't move it could mean problems but that's not going to happen :) 

Easter came and went.  This year sure is flying by!  Went to church with the in-laws which was nice.  The boys got Easter baskets with lots of candy.  Watched the Passion of the Christ Easter night and that has to be the most intense movie ever.  I have seen it before, but I haven't seen it in a while.  It is an excellent movie, but so hard to watch, but at the same time your eyes are glued to the screen.  It amazes and humbles me to know what Christ did for us.  It is life changing.

Work is good!  Still busy as ever.  For the most part we are always running a high census.  Good for job security.  Took care of a little peanut yesterday.  She was just 1 day old and was 490 grams at birth which equals 1 pound 1 ounce.  Yep, you read right.  Just amazing.  I still feel so blessed that God has lead me to this profession and given me a passion for these sweet innocent babies.  I am starting to feel the itch to move on from my current job though.  Of course not right now with baby Joshua on the way and I will be staying put his 1st year as well.  That would be way too much change for me.  Don't get me wrong I love my job.  I am very comfortable there and I have grown as a NICU nurse soooo much while at my current job.  My dream though is to work in a NICU in a Children's hospital.  The variety of what they see is amazing and they don't turn any baby away.  The see it all.  Don't ge me wrong I get to see a lot in my current NICU but obviously not quite as much as a children's hosptial NICU would see.  I would still want part time though which shouldn't be a problem.  Most hospitals provide a variety of schedules and option for nurses which is wonderful.  I will probably try to get on at Cook Children's or possibly Children's Dallas.  We will see how I feel next year.  Of course it is possible that I may change my mind :)

The boys are good.  Luke is doing great!  He is a funny little guy and loves to eat.  I love seeing his personality develop as he gets older.  Matthew is good.  Can't believe he will be 5 this summer.  He is doing good at school.  He still struggles with certain aspects of his speech and language but has made a ton of progress. 

I can't think of anything else at the moment!

Blessings,

Baby Joshua

Love this pic of Matthew

Sweet Luke

Smiling boy

Easter

My handsome boys

Betsey