Sonogram Today

I was so nervous as I haven't really felt movement yet.  I always feel movement on the later side but this seemed really late.  All looked great - what a relief!  AND IT IS A BOY!!!

Cute

Chase is so excited about Christmas, as is Callie but I expected that.  Callie had wanted to decorate for a few weeks.  We got some stuff out two weekends before Thanksgiving, put the little tree up the weekend before Thanksgiving but waited until the Wed before thanksgiving to put the big tree up and finish decorating.  They have loved it all.
Chase calls everything hoho.  He has always called Santa that.  Sometimes now he says hoho santa clause.  He says hoho tree, hoho hat, hoho rain deer, hoho lights.  Too funny.
Last night Shannon was deer hunting so I let the kids eat while we watched Rudolf on TV.  Callie said to me does Santa really have reindeer and rudolf? I said I think so, as far as I know.  She said I think they just made him up when they made this show.  She was wanting no comment from me, just a statement.  It was the first time we have had any doubt of anything like that. 
On the Tuesday before Thanksgiving we took the kids to Chuck E Cheese - had been a long time and was a great night to go.  We got done at 7:30 so went into the mall for awhile before heading home.  Santa was already there.  They were so excited but once closer, Chase got shy and then Callie got shy so we talked from a couple feet away, no pic.  We walked out and there was a sign advertising pics with Santa.  Chase pointed out hoho.  I said yes that is what we wanted you to do - that little girl is sitting with Santa and you would be here and Callie here and we would get a pic.  He said I want to do that.  So we walked back thru - glad it wasn't busy and he sat right beside him with Callie on his lap and we took like 5 pics to pick from.  They were happy as could be - I have no idea what happened!

Unrelated to Christmas but Chase likes me to lay down with him at night and sometimes he likes to snuggle and get a close to me as he can.  One night he scolded me - don't put your hair in my nose!

Hanging Out

Matching snow man PJs.

Shannon has been playing boomboom with the a lot!

When we built the bar this is what I envisioned but we have rarely used it so when they did the other day I had to get a pic, even though it is out of focus.

Tubes

I made an ENT check up appointment for Chase (had to wait over a month to get in) because while he hadn't had many infections, I wanted to make sure his hearing was OK.  He couldn't seem to hear when in the back seat, even though Callie could.  When we were laying down at night or up in the morning before everyone else and I would talk quiet he would say "Talk louder Mom."  Seemed strange to me for a kid his age.  The ENT said both ears were full of fluid and did a hearing test that should have shown a bell curve line but instead was a flat light.  Said he was hearing like he had his fingers blocking his ears.  They could put tubes in the next week.
So yesterday was the day.  He couldn't have anything to eat or drink after midnight.  Chase likes milk in the night sometimes when he wakes up and of course that night he woke up.  I told him we were out of milk and would get some first thing in the morning.  He wasn't happy but finally accepted it and went to sleep.  The next morning I was in the shower and Shannon had already left.  Chase came charging into the bathroom "we no out of milk mom!" Bless his heart he had woken up, remembered, and checked.  I told him we were going to the doctor to look at his ears and we had to wait until afterwards to have milk.  He charged off to get milk.  Knowing he couldn't get to the cups and the milk jug was too full for him to drink out of (yes he has been caught doing this) I finished showing before going to check on him in the kitchen.  What did I find?  Faithful big sister getting him a cup with the milk jug out ready to pour.  I explained he couldn't have it and he was so upset.  Callie again to the rescue entertained him till it was time to go.  She has been so much help with him lately from the initial ETN appointment to getting fingernails clippered she has explained and entertained and helped so much.  It melted my heart to see her getting him milk cause he so desperately wanted it.
On the way to their he said after I done at the doctor I get a lot of french fries - you want to please that kid get him french fries.  So to sonic afterwards we went.
He did great with getting the tubes in and didn't seem to have a clue anything happened.  He went to the nurse fine and wasn't too upset when he woke up.  Just ask me where I had been.  I stayed home with him until lunch and then Grandpa John watched him in the afternoon while I went into work.

Potty Trained!

Who else looks this cute doing their business!

I think we are officially potty trained!  We had played with it over the summer and he would go but then 5 min later he would go again.  He just didn't have the control.  So we gave it up and have messed with it some this fall but not a lot.  I did notice though that he would not go poop unless he had a diaper on.  So, sometime around the beginning of Nov I decided we didn't have much on one weekend and he was getting too close to 3 and he obviously knew what he was doing.  When we got home on that Friday night I took his diaper off.  He did great going peepee on the potty that evening.  The next morning I took his diaper off when we got up.  It wasn't long until he ask that I put a diaper on him.  I told him we were not going to wear a diaper, he would go in the big potty.  I knew he needed to poop.  So he went into the bathroom and wanted the ring on the big potty.  He sat right down and pooped!  He hasn't looked back.  I think we have only had one or two accidents since then.  He does pee sometimes at nap time.  Not too often but enough we usually put on pull up on him and he still wets at night.  At home he has been in underwear only when awake and at Mary's he wears a pull up but always comes home in the one he went in.

After doing so great that first weekend, I knew the transition to Mary's house was key as he would have a pull up on and not underwear like at home.  Alex at Mary's had a Thomas Book that Chase had accidentally gotten home with once and he really loved it (could NOT understand why Alex's mom took it home).  So we told him that if he went on the potty at Mary's he could have a Thomas book. I really wanted to find that book but struck out at walmart, biglots, and dollarstore - not much left in Pittsburg.  Hastings has so many and the kids books are not organized.  Just when I was about to give up I say a box of Thomas books.  It was a set of four and exactly what he LOVED.  So he got a book each night that week as each day he had no accidents.  I was so excited to find them --- and to have potty training out of the way!

School Party

With Halloween on Monday, they did their school party on the Friday before, and they do birthday parties on the Friday after their birthday so she had a separate party this year.  I had a friend's teenage daughter make her cake pop treats to take.  She was so excited and they turned out so Cute!!!

Laid Back

This picture of Chase does not do how cute it was justice. He was on my lap on the sofa, leaned back, legs crossed, reading his favorite Thomas catalog.  So cute.  As I was looking at it, it reminded me of a picture of Callie.  She was much younger but I always loved this picture of her.  Miss little lady!

Halloween

I really didn't think Chase would put on his costume.  But we had been talking about it and Callie was so excited to get ready that he was all about it.  Here they are all dressed and ready to walk over to see Kelsey.  Then we loaded up to head to Mary and Pauls, do the church trunk or treat, and walk around one neighborhood in Frontenac before calling it a night at Shannon's parents.  Chase ran after Callie for the first 1/3 of it loving it.  Then he was done and wanted carried.  She would have gone all night.  Too bad it was a Monday night.  They got way too much candy as it was though.

WonderWoman helping the monkey ;-)

Birthday Party

 

Callie turned 7!!!  So hard to believe.  She wanted a butterfly party.  I thought when she initially said that it would be hard but it was great.  The party store at the mall had butterfly girl paper products and table cloth and I found an easy cake to make online.  Callie loves to decorate and it was awesome cause she could totally do it.  I hate to admit that I did the butterfly on the left and she did the one on the right - can't tell can you!!!  It was a great cake to do together and LOW stress so FUN!

 

We had her family party on Saturday.  She couldn't wait to open presents!  It wasn't until 4 so she had a long wait.  I did finally let her open her presents.  Then we had chili or chicken noodle soup, cake and pie, and played the evening away.  I guess I was too busy having fun to take pics of the evening.

Taken' Down Dad

 

Shannon had been helping me clean up for Callie's birthday party but then decided his job would be to entertain the kids while I finished up.  For him entertaining the kids was laying on the floor for them to "tie up".  Notice Chase with the chain saw and Callie with the yarn.  I have to say it entertained them forever - crazy!

Pumpkin Carving

 

Pumpkin carving is all Shannon's job.  I laughed that he had them each get a pumpkin but it is a good thing!  I can't believe I didn't get a picture of the finished product.  They did Callie's the first night.  She drew the pic on with a marker and Shannon "helped" with the carving.  The next night they did a template of Mickey on Chase's pumpkin.  Both were great and the kids loved it.  Although they mostly watched as you can see.  Also I promise they do not often each have a can of pop in the evenings - not sure how that happened on this particular night.

Max's Spot

 

We have had a little more success with the "big boy crib" as Chase calls his big boy bed.  He hasn't slept in the crib hardly at all anymore.  He has slept all night in his bed a few times but the majority of the time by 4 AM he is in Max's spot.  It can't be comfy!!!

pumpkin patch

After Church we ate at Pizza Hut and headed to the pumpkin patch.  They were so excited and Chase just followed after Callie.  He wasn't quite as brave as she would have liked.  While he loves our blow up bounce house at home he has yet to like one with a bunch of kids in it.  There really weren't too many kids but he wouldn't get in.  Callie didn't stay long without Chase.   He also wouldn't go thru the hay maze with her.  He did love the corn stalk maze.  He loved the corn box but wouldn't get it, just sat on the edge for a long time.  She finally coaxed him in and then he didn't want to get out after forever.  It was the first time we had gone on the haunted wagon ride and they really liked that.  It was a great trip and made for some great nap time on Sunday afternoon!

This CANNOT be safe!

Out of the maze and off to the wagon ride.

Callie loving it and Chase watching from the edge.

Getting braver, she has him in the corn.

And he is off - enjoying the corn!

I was afraid she wouldn't want to go on this with him but she was excited about it too.  Chase loved the combine too!

Pictures

As they begin to play together more - it is interesting to see what they get into!

Everyone had to get in on the cooking for FESTA action - now aren't you sorry you didn't eat what we brought :-)

Daddy got in trouble for not "taking turns"

This and That

Chase was/is still in his crib.  The end of the summer Callie received a new daybed.  She and I have worked on a new patchwork comforter for her new bed - almost done.  She wanted to do a project and learn to sew.  More on that when I can post a pic of the finished product.  So for Chase, we took her old bed and Shannon painted it blue to make it more boy.  I found Thomas bedding and he was so excited for his big boy bed.  The first time we tried was nap time on a Saturday.  He laid down and called me back in after a couple minutes to quietly tell me there was a space he could get out :-)  However he napped fine and slept all night that night in it and then Sunday took a nap in it.  I thought wow that was easy but yet I knew better.  Sunday night he just wanted in his crib.  We left the crib in his room too for now.  So he slept in his crib.  For the first two weeks or so he slept on and off in his crib or big boy bed.  Now most nights he sleeps in his big boy bed but around 3-3:00 he slips into our room to sleep in "max's spot" (the overstuffed large chair in our room that Max sometimes sleeps on and Chase would full time sleep on if we let him).

End of September, John and Linda kept the kids while Shannon and I headed to Garnett to pick up our new Explorer.  Callie loves it - especially the rear vent controls!!!   We traded in the Escape we got when pregnant with Callie. 

One Friday Mary was off for a funeral and Linda was subbing so Chase got to spend the day with Grandpa John all to himself!

KINCAID FAIR WEEKEND - Friday after work/school the kids and I went up to mom and dad's to the Kincaid Fair.  We had fun at the fair and then Chase and I crashed while Callie helped Mom make salad's for the church dinner.  Saturday Mom and I did the walk in the morning while Grandpa kept the kids.  Chase was all ready to go feed the cows with Grandpa when we got home.  Mom went along with them.  Then he got to feed a bail of hay with the tractor - talk about a happy boy.  Shannon came up in time for lunch and the parade.  The kids loved the parade but Chase was so tried.  Who plans a parade at nap time.  So we rested for awhile in the afternoon and then headed back in to ride rides after supper.  Callie was so good to ride with Chase but she really loves the big rides.  She rode several of those with Shannon on Saturday night.  Chase was so upset he couldn't go.  I thought he would ride with Trenton or Trevor but no he just wanted Callie.  I finally figured out that his love of french fries would fix the tears.  I remembered my camera and then never took it out of the car. 

Callie decided after the first session of gymnastics this year that she wanted to switch back and give dance a try.  Her friend Catheryn switched to the same class.  Then when we arrived that day another of her friends was in that class.  A few classes in and they seem to be enjoying it.

The kids have gotten to having quite the conversations in the backseat and I just think it is too cute.  They were discussing something the other day and I was giggling in front.  Callie said don't laugh.  Chase said yah don't laugh I talkn' Callie.  So cute.

One Monday we were getting ready in the morning and Chase got a little booboo on his thumb.  He as quite concerned about it.  Then he said you call Grandma Peg and tell her bout my booboo?  When I get home from Mary's she come my house see my booboo?

FESTA - Oct 8th was Festa so mom again came down to help me.  Shannon was roofing at his parents house so Dad came down and watched the kids.  Callie had a bowling birthday party for Katherine that I took time to run her to in the afternoon.  I was exhausted by the time the food was over at FESTA so mom and I skipped the silent auction for the first time and headed home to get the kids in the bath.

Rylan and Dylan's 6th Birthday Party - Saturday the 15th we headed to their house for a fun birthday party in the afternoon/evening.  Chase LOVED all their toys - especially trains!  Happy boy!

Funny Chase - Lately he likes me to pat his back, but he calls it bump my back.  As I rock him or lay down with him he says "bump me mom" and lately it has been "bump my back for a long time" when he doesn't want me to get up from laying down with him to go to sleep.  But then I was bumping his back the other night he said "not to close to my face"  - guess I am a crazy mom huh?  He has to protect himself:)

I do not have many photos lately but I had a couple cute ones I was going to post but I can't get it to work.  So I will try to add pics later.  What fun is a post without some pics!

News - What do you think?

Callie's due date was Dec 2nd - she was born on Oct 31st at 35.5 weeks - 5 lb 12 oz
Connor's due date was July 13th - he was born on June 20th at like a day before 37 weeks - 7 lb 11 oz
Chase's due date was Jan 18th - he was born on Jan 4th at exactly 38 weeks - 9 lbs 4 oz
This one is due April 26-28th - when will he/she be born??????
Dr. Borello's words after Chase was born was something to the effect of if you ever went full term you would have a giant.  I personally thought 9lb 4oz was pretty good!!!

With Callie I was sound asleep and my water broke at I think a little after 1 in the morning and she was born at 12:20 right after noon so like 11 hours of labor,  a little more than 4 of which were after I had completely dilated - she wouldn't come out!  A LOT of pushing.

With Connor I was sound asleep and my water broke at 12:15 right after midnight and he was born at 7:55 AM so a little less than 8 hours of labor and less than a half hour of pushing.  I thought I had it made.  I had to wear oxygen as my blood pressure wouldn't stay up during labor so that was the annoying thing with him.

With Chase I had been having "leaking" type issues since nightime/early morning on the 2nd.  I went to the doctor on the 2nd because of it but they could not determine that it was fluid and since I was not far enough along could not admit me but said I would be back soon.  That night came and went as did the next day.  The the night of the 3rd into the 4th I had more "leaking" and I was so fed up.  It was a quarter till 3 and I decided I was calling my doctor who was on call the next morning!  As I was laying back down after nothing had come of it, I had a GOOD contraction.  So I decided to start timing them cause if I could get anything at all we were going.  It was 3:00 straight up.  Three minutes later another good contraction.  I decided to time them until 3:30 and if they were still going I was waking Shannon up and we were going. They stayed at 3 min apart and I was having a HARD time waiting to wake Shannon or laying still in bed thru them.  I waited though as it had been no time all.  He asked if he had time to shower and I said sure it has only been a half hour, they may still go away.  I had thought he would call his parents to get on their way to keep Callie before he got into the shower.  He didn't and I got a little worried at that point.  I wanted them on their way.  Yet still I thought I was being silly after all it had been no time.  So he got out and called them and they were there very quickly.  As I got around I was "leaking" enough to be pretty sure my water had broken even though it wasn't gushing like it had with the others.  The ride to Joplin was awful!!!!  And that doesn't even begin to describe it.  With the others we had talked all the way there.  Not this time.  I remember thinking I can do this.  Shannon can make it to Joplin in 30 min I bet and that is only 10 contractions at 3 min apart.  WOW it was bad.  When I stood up to go into the hospital I didn't think I could walk.  I did and they were taking their sweet time.  I told them it was one contraction on top of another.  They were wheeling me to L&D by then and the nurse said is this your first?  I said no my third and attitudes changed quickly.  I was logged in at 5:00 AM and with no time for an epidural Chase was born at 5:32 AM.

Sorry that was long but a history of my birth stories.  It should be interesting to see what is in store this time.

Labor Day Weekend and on

Callie didn't have school on Friday so she and Chase got to stay home and play with Grandma Linda and Grandpa John.  Saturday Shannon went Dove hunting while Mom and I took the kids to ride on the train and to the petting zoo then to eat at the Deli.  They had a great time, Chase especially.  Chase needed new tennis shoes as all he has are sandals. He refuses to wear socks and shoes or even try them on.  That is until we introduced light up shoes (Callie also has light up shoes).  He wouldn't take them off and loves them!

 Callie went home with mom for a sleepover and we headed up there Sunday after church and lunch.  Chase was not happy at all that Callie left with Grandma Peg and he didn't get to.  So I spoiled him that evening while Shannon hunted.  He got a new thomas train piece at Walmart that he carried all the way thru the store.  We went home and I was letting him stay up late to play with it.  We have been playing with potty training.  I knew he had not done #2 the day before because he wouldn't go on the potty and he didn't have a diaper on.  Well he had one on from the trip to walmart and he was obviously trying to go so I asked him to get on the potty.  He didn't want to so I decided to go ahead and let him go as I didn't want him to keep holding it and we haven't been working on it that much.  He was squatted down grunting and Max walked over to him.  He said "I trying to go poop Max" in a grunting voice.  It was hilarious.
Callie had fun with her sleepover but then woke up Monday sick.  She went to school on Tues but ended up staying home on Wed.  Grandma Linda stayed with her.

Wednesday morning we were all getting ready and Chase had gotten a couple left over rolls to eat.  He was carrying them around and I knew feeding some pieces to Max.  He came up to me and said "tell Max to stop spitting.  I no yike that."  So I laughed and told Max to stop spitting.  Not really thinking anything except how funny Chase was.  I walked into the living room and realized Max had not exactly spit, rather thrown up.  I asked Chase if that was the spit and he said Yes like you crazy lady I just told you.  Nice.  I think he had choked a little on a piece of roll.

The sickness went from Callie who just couldn't shake it to me to Shannon to Chase.  Callie went to school on Thursday but started running a fever again by the time she went to the little raider cheer practice after school.  She went to school fine on Friday but same thing had a fever by afternoon.  She missed the little raider pep rally and the first half of practice.  But after laying in my office and letting the Tylenol kick in she went to the second half.  They only do this twice a year and she loves it so much that I let her do what she could.  We went to the game that night and she preformed with them.  Although I don't think she really felt like it so I am not sure how much she enjoyed it.  But she was so glad she got to do it.  I started running the fever by Friday night.  Shannon the next week and then this week Chase.  Although I am not sure if Chase's was the same thing.  If so it went to his ears.  He really fared the best of all.  As he never ran a fever just had an ear ache for a night before we could get him antibiotics.  Long couple of weeks at our house.

Callie had the school carnival last weekend and enjoyed that.  Hopefully we are all finally well for this weekend.
Here are a couple pics.  I forgot my camera a lot lately and haven't been good at getting pics.

Chase snuggled up with me and fell asleep one afternoon.

Again my husband found a snake for the kids to play with - yuck!

He LOVES her so much - we often hear "wait for me Callie"

What she does, he does.

JC Penney Photos

With Callie's busy summer schedule a trip to KC to get photos didn't work out well.  So the second to the last week of July between morning swim lessons and evening Bible School at our church, Mom and I ran them over to Joplin.  I hadn't planned well so I really didn't have outfits that I wanted them to wear.  They both had Mizzou shirts that looked cute and coordinated well and I knew Shannon would love it.  Plus I really gave it no chance of being successful.  We took Chase to watch Callie at swim lessons, changed at the Y, ate lunch and headed over for our 1:30 appointment - yes right at nap time.  Chase has never been a fan of cooperating at pics.  They did great.  Callie helped with Chase and he hammed it up.  We got great pics in no time.  The photographer was great but too good at his job - he kept making up collages which I am too weak to resist.

First Day of First Grade

Callie has been counting down till school started most of the summer.  We have had a great family summer.  This was what I came home to one of the last days of summer.

She really didn't want to slow down much she was too excited.  The first two days have gone great.  She bounces out of bed to her alarm.  Chase on the other hand isn't too excited to get up.  He usually tells us to turn off light and close door.  He has to have some snooze time.  He has enjoyed being back at Mary's and playing with his buddy's.  There is a new baby there and he LOVES the baby.  When we pulled in this morning the baby was being dropped off and he yelled out baby here!