It Keeps Growing!

The end is in sight! We are in week 36 now, hard to believe in some ways. My belly just keeps getting tighter and larger. He's still moving around a lot but is starting to settle down and get down to the serious business of entering our world. I went to see Lonna yesterday she commented on how no one has been telling her a lie- I am big this time! After she washed my hair we got to laughing at how I was going to get out of the seat. Just so you know, this photo was taken before I left to get my hair cut and it was drizzling! Sorry for the bad hair.

Large white belly

Shea and I decided we needed our picture taken together. Normally I am the one taking the pictures. You Mom's know that all too well. As I was loading the picture on to my PC Shea commented to me that this one is her favorite picture. Ah..she knows how to get to her Mamma's heart!

Shea's favorite picture

Can you believe that Labor Day weekend is upon us? Where oh where did the summer go? It went way too fast. This weekend is our Lake's annual Community Days. The board serves you dinner on Sunday- they call it a hog roast but it's catered. There is a live band and the kids just love running around playing. For some reason we all look forward to this every Labor Day weekend. This year is no exception. We hope that you all enjoy this last fling with summer. Even if fall isn't for a few more weeks. Who knows...there could really be some real "labor" around here on Monday.

Preparing for Boy-Boy

The preparations for the nursery has been in high-gear this week! Wahoo, Shawn won't have to hear me talking about this room anymore. He keeps telling me it's alright if the baby were to come and the room not be done. What? I say to him. Nope, in my mind I want everything done for when he arrives. It must be girl thing. Last Saturday before we headed to the fair we did the first coat of outline in each paint color. On Monday night when Shea and I came home, Shawn was working on the second coat. I even talked him into doing a primer under the red paint. I of course had to show him proof that this would work better. Luckily I had kept the demo card the gentleman at Sherwin-Williams had shown me. Last night he had to patch some holes in the walls before we move forward with rolling the paint on. Note, the only holes I made were from hanging photos. Shea made a few boo-boo's on the wall. No fear, Spackle can cure it.

My spackling man at work

As you can also see Shea has been painting her name, on almost every wall in this room. She is so thrilled when Shawn lets her do this. I have to say that she does a good job! As for the colors, I'm starting to get nervous. I know the two I picked will look good, I just need to see them on the wall. The top portion is a tan and the bottom portion is red- both were color-matched to the fabric of his bedding. Then there will be a chair-rail border that also goes with the "Little Builder" theme.

I had to have an ultrasound this week and we found out things are fine! The baby has been measuring border line each week and the previous week he measured 1 cm small. Dr. Powell just wanted to take a look in there and see what was going on. His measurements came out to put him in the 61 percentile, which is perfectly fine. She believes that since he moves so much it's hard for her to get an accurate reading with the tape measure. The computer gave us all kinds of information, his weight is 5 pounds! All his organs looked good and yes, we triple-checked, it's a boy. Good thing since Shea's alright with this now. He was moving around a lot during the ultrasound and with his head down and going into the pelvic area we were not able to get a clear shot of his face. He kept opening and closing his mouth too, it was neat to watch but... I may loose the weight fast if I have to chase this boy as much as I think I will. Time will tell.

Happy Birthday, Grandpa Joe!

August 18th was my Grandpa Joe's 87th birthday! Monday morning we took our card down to him and sang Happy Birthday. I think he and Grandma were more thrilled to see Shea. After he told us what he wanted for his birthday- yes, I know, a little late- I took him to run errands. He and I went to the bank and grocery store in New Madison. I was glad he felt up to going out with me. That was a treat for me and it was his birthday! When we left Mom and Shea were going to change the bandage on Grandma Pat's knee. When Grandpa and I got back we opened the door to see Shea mopping the floor! I wish I would have had the camera for that! She did the door-way, kitchen and bathroom with out even being asked to. I asked her if she'd do that for me at home and she said, "No Mom. I only do it to help my grandparents". I can't fault her, at least she's willing to do it for other people, even if she doesn't do it for me! We visited them for a bit and then we were ready to go get lunch.

Grandpa Joe & Shea on his 87th birthday

I also wanted to take this opportunity and thank you all for asking how he is doing with his chemo and for keeping he and my family in your thoughts and prayers. It must be working! He is doing really well for having to go through chemo at 87! His last scan showed that the "spots" are shrinking and a majority have disappeared. His doctor was amazed, as we were too. He told him from the get-go that his age was a big strike against him. Grandpa decided to show them differently! He's showing us all how to be strong and amazing. He will continue to have this round of chemo and one more, taking him through the end of September. Then the doctor thinks that he can take a break and repeat the scan in a couple of months. If he continues on this path (there have been no secondary infections and his major organs are working properly) the doctor said we may even been able to call this one in remission for now! I'll keep you updated!

The Great Darke County Fair

It's mid-August so that means it is time for the Great Darke County Fair! We went on Sunday & Monday. Sunday, we spent the day with Shawn's family seeing what they wanted to and on Monday Shea and I went with my parents. Last year, we had just come back from Dale Hollow and we didn't know at the time but Shea had a middle ear infection. She hung in as long as she could but we had to come home and go to the doctor. Not this year! She's healthy and ready to jump. Jump? Yes, the fair was able to get the "bouncy thing", as we call it, to return this year. You are harnessed and then they put tension on the lines and you start jumping and go up in the air. Shea loves it! Sunday she was able to get three flips in and Monday she just wanted to jump. It really is fun to watch.

Shea is ready to jump!

A new attraction this year to the fair is Camel rides. Darke County is far from the desert but you guess it... Shea really wanted to try it! She was even going to do it by herself. Good thing, I wasn't getting on it. Maybe next year! She stood in line patiently only to find out that on this day they were not letting single riders go. We are not sure why. Daddy volunteered to go. He too enjoyed it. At least the guy walking the camel was nice enough to take the cigarette out of his mouth for the photo! Also, when I snapped this photo Shawn had just seen our friend, Eric, and they were chatting (see, I told you below, it's like a reunion each year). That's the reason for the look on his face

Shawn & Shea ride the camel

Another thing that we have to do each year is go through each barn. This is the dairy cow palace. Shea was totally flipped over this cow having a pink halter on. This particular cow was friendly and kept trying to lick Shea. Wonder what good fair stuff she had on her that the cow liked? I sat on a nice shady bench but they continued on to see the beef cows, dogs, rabbits, pigs, goats, sheep, ducks and even a glimpse at a cow show in progress. And yes, for those of you in Madison County each animal has it's own barn- no sharing! The horses are at the other end of the fair and Shea did see and ride on a few.

Stop licking me!

On Monday, there was a new arrival to the fair. Tigers!! Real live ones. We had to see this show. The gentleman was very informative. He was the 9th generation in his family to save and train tigers. They raise them and they do try to save ones from people who no longer can care for their exotic animal. He told a lot about why Tigers are endangered and then the fun began. Pictured is Conan and he was the "comic" of the group. There were five Tigers in all during the show. This one even kisses! Can you imagine??

Conan

We had a terrific time this year, although I'm still tired! Shea opted to not ride any rides this year, I'm not sure why. She did play a few games and won prizes. Oh, my Mom let her play the golf fish game. You know, throw the ping-pong ball and try to get it in a gold fish bowl. She bought 12 balls- I would have had a heart-attack if she would have won that many. Luckily, the first ball went in and we now are the proud parents of Goldie. I'll have to take a photo to share. Shea even got her pink rocks for her habitat! Happy fair going!

My belly is bigger than yours!

You tell me, who's bigger?

Monday, we were at the Great Darke County Fair. Shawn and I grew up in Darke Co. and try to make it back for "fair" each year. It's a "big" social event of the county. Joking aside, it is fun to see old friends each year. Supposedly, our county fair is one of the largest in the state of Ohio. As I was walking with Shea, my parents and cousin, Danielle, to get dinner before we left I hear this familiar voice coming from a booth...

It's Robbie. My old pal. We first met in Mrs. Schultz' class and I think that was fifth grade. We have been friends ever since. There are many funny stories from the two of us. Anyway, he says to me, "Good golly woman you are huge this time and your belly is bigger than mine"! Now, I had to doubt him. True that my belly is bigger than when I was pregnant with Shea. Mom just had to whip out the camera so we could "see" who was bigger. They tell me that I am. I choose to believe it is by a small margin ;) What do you think?

Shea Learns a New Game

Sunday was a big day for miss Shea bug. Daddy had to fly out again this week. Shawn had to do a lot of things for work during his 36 hours or so he had a home. He did as much as he possibly could with Shea and Chief and they were glued to him!! Saturday night we did get to go and have some fun. Our neighbor, Debbie, is turning 40 this week and her husband threw her a surprise party. It was complete with a musician and a HUGE bounce house for the kids to play in, they played hard! Sunday he and Shea took a bike ride and she showed him the new play set up at the beach area. Then, she wanted to see the airport. How can you say no to plllleeeasse daddy??! We decided to drop him off and she could see it in the day light. There is a ton of construction now at Port Columbus but she was able to see a couple of planes on the run way and the big air traffic control tower which she thought was very neat. I told her when we come back to pick him up that I'd take her inside the airport and show her as much of it as I could before the security check point.

After we dropped him off we headed over to Aunt Nan and Uncle Red's house. It's about 10 minutes from the airport. It's slow getting through the construction and the further we got from the airport the tears started. Which of course then I start. Here is what Shea said to me.

"Mamma, I'm really trying not to cry but the further away from Daddy we are...sigh...I just cry."

Heart-breaking moment. I told her it was alright to cry. She says, "Seeing Nanny will cheer me up!". I had to chuckle.

After blowing bubbles for an hour and then an hour of shopping- Shea and Nan wanted to look at shoes, go figure. We had dinner and then Uncle Red promised Shea a game of Cornhole. She was very excited about this. She must not have remembered playing it before. She decides she and Red are on a team.

Team 1- Shea & Red

We let her scootch up to the board when it was time for her to throw. It took her just a couple of times to learn how to throw the bag so it hit the board. Most of the time she did it. A few times it went in the hole and you should have seen her face- JACKPOT! She thought that was the cat's meow as she says.

Team 2- Nan & I

Needless to say I didn't have as much mobility as the other's playing nor had I played the game in a year. I was rusty to say the least. The sun was in Nan's eyes making it hard for her to see the board. Well... guess who won? Yep, team 1. Shea was SO SO SO excited to beat us. I told her once this baby comes and I can move better I want a re-match!! Now she thinks she is hot stuff.

A First Time for Everything

First of all, sorry that it has taken me a while to post a new blog. I've been busy try to get the house organized for our new arrival. Mom and Dad were able to help me with a lot of this task. I'm happy to report that Shea is all settled in her new "pink" room. She seems very pleased with it.

Last weekend, before Shawn had to head to Texas, we crammed as much as we could into our day and a half weekend with him. First up on Saturday was putting the attic floor down in the shed. He needed an assistant for this and Shea volunteered. Shea has never, ever, ever had a problem climbing a ladder. When we were building the garage, she wasn't even two and flew up a 40 foot ladder with out blinking an eye. She'd sneak off and do this! Talk about give you heart attack. Now that she is four, fear must actually be setting in that she could potentially get hurt. I'm glad to see some of that set in, but not a whole lot of it. Shawn helped her get up into the attic and she held the light for him while he hammered the boards in place. It was so cute!

Team work!!

The shed is starting to look so much better!! It's now lifted off of the ground and no longer sinking. It has a new roof, all new sheeting and a new feature-- A ridge vent! The house wrap is all on. Next step is going to be for Shawn to make the new doors, put the window in and start siding it. Now you may be thinking why on earth re-build a shed? Ah... You'd understand if you lived at our lake. This way it's a remodel and we don't have to apply for a permit (it is considered an existing structure). That's a big reason. Plus, we don't have to submit plans, we can just re-build it and do a good job.

Good work Shawn, it's looking great!

Saturday afternoon we decided it was time to go have some fun. We had cleaned the garage out and now we could get the boat out with out moving a ton- literally- of stuff out of the way. We headed out! The lake was actually crowded but most people were parked in what we all call the big cove- George's Fork. We threw out the anchor, swam and had a snack. It was relaxing. Shea jumped off the front, side and back of the boat at least fifty times. She wanted to show Shawn everything Miss Colleen is teaching them in swimming. I even read a few more pages of my book (Eat, Love, Pray). We asked Shea if she wanted to go tubing. This time she actually said YES! Can you believe it?! She is going to go out in the tube by herself. OMG! Shawn very quickly got the tube down so she didn't have time to change her mind. She just asked that we go as slow as we could. She said to me, "Mom, I'm not going to be a dare-devil like Kendall". I laughed and told her that was alright!

Here we go!

She was able to make it half way around the lake before she asked us to stop. We didn't think that was too bad for her maiden voyage. We went around 15 mph and she thought that was the bomb. Prior to this she's always wanted an adult to go with her. We were just so thrilled she did this on her own.

Go Shea Bug!

After we got back and I grilled us some dinner, Shawn changed the oil in the vehicles. Shea was helping him and asked her Dad.. This is the conversation,

Shea "Do you remember me trying that skimmer board last year"?

Shawn told her yes.

"Dad, I want to try that again this year".

WHAT!? One tubing adventure and now she's ready to try skis. WAHOO! This girl is amazing us the last couple of weeks with her wanting to try so many things on her own. Now, we just have to get her out there and do it before it frosts!