Knee owie

We've been in and out of our new place all week slowly moving in, cleaning, etc. On Monday night, my grandparents from CO, my sister and her family, my parents and our family all met for dinner and then went over to our new house to give them all the 'tour.' The cousins had so much fun sliding down the stairs and running all over the empty house. Probably too much fun b/c on the way home, the boys were complaining about knees, shins, and tummy's hurting. We lifted up their shirts/pant legs to see the damage and they had some major carpet burn where it was bleeding. Needless to say, this left some nasty scabs. Especially on one of Bryce's knees. It's all purple and thick like he majorly scraped it on the sidewalk. Anyways, now on Friday, it's still tender and scabbed over. I asked him how it was feeling and he said, it was getting a little better and said, "maybe Jesus should heal me." We just finished reading about the miracles of Jesus in the scriptures. Innocent faith. Love it!
And today while driving home, we passed a church with a cross out in front and Bryce said, "look mommy, a cross! Jesus died on a cross..." and proceeded to tell me about the nails in his hands, etc. Then he asks me, "when is Jesus going to come again?" I tell him I don't know, no one does, that's why we always need to be ready. Bryce then says, "But I AM READY NOW! He is taking a long time..." Sometimes I feel the same way...

New-ness

So a lot of change in the Darrington household this next month. First of all, we bought a single family home about 4 miles from here and we are so excited to move in the beginning of December! But before that adventure comes the adventure of trying to sell our townhouse which means keeping it clean. This has proven to be a little tricky the past 2 weeks as I need to have everything ready to "show" all the time and especially if I ever leave the house b/c someone can call at any second on their way. This is hard enough with two active boys, made a little harder by an ever growing little girl. Scrubbing and painting walls, doors and baseboards in addition to packing, organizing and cleaning is not exactly how I envisioned myself with 5 weeks to go (in theory).
So in addition to packing, cleaning and selling this place, moving into the other home in a little over 2 weeks, having a baby a couple weeks after that (again in theory), my little brother has decided to get married to a wonderful lady on December 29th, 5 days after my due date.
Needless to say, a lot going on which makes this an exciting/stressful time.
Oh, one more thing, Carter changes schools as well. He starts tomorrow but we've already met his new teacher on Friday and he knows 2 kids in his class which hopefully will make for an easier adjustment. We figure, new school first while still in the old house, then new house, then new sibling. A month or so is enough time for all those new things right? Hmmmmm.....
Still no baby name picked out, although Carter likes Sal-a-lean-uh. That's how it's pronounced anyways. His other top favs include, honey, sweetie or love. Bryce wants to name her "baby sister."
We'll keep you posted, but for now, that's the Darrington news!

Ghost-ez

Tonight while putting Bryce to bed, he said he was scared of "ghost-ez." I tried to reassure him that ghosts were not real and that Carter was in the next room and mommy and daddy would be right down stairs. He could always say a prayer to Heavenly Father who would help him feel safe. Bryce said, "let's do that right now. I'll say it first, then you have a turn mommy." He got out of bed and knelt next to it and asked Heavenly Father to make him "not scared of ghost-ez and feel love in his heart." Then he said it was my turn. What a sweet boy and what faith. Again, another testimony builder that we should truly all become as little children. Sometimes I wonder who teaches who more in this family because I learn so much from my children about unwavering faith and trust in the Lord time and time again. Thank you boys for your testimony and example. I am so blessed.

Reprimanded by a 3 yr old

Last night after the fifth time of telling Bryce to get back in his room and back in bed, I might have called the phrase up in a little less than loving voice. His response was a quiet but firm, "you need to speak more kinder to me mommy."
Thanks for the reminder buddy... you are right.

...it's keeps growing and growing...

My belly that is!
Here's me at 30 weeks... here's to another 10 weeks! (unless it's like Carter's pregnancy... then, here's to another 7)!
(Or if it's like the pregnancy with Bryce... then, here's to another 12! But I sure hope not... let's hope for a 2009 baby...)

Father/Son outing

(all ready to go!)
Brady and the boys took advantage of the beautiful fall weather by going on a bike ride. The boys were very excited about riding in the trailer (most likely b/c they knew they could pack snacks). So geared up with their two big packages of Costco sized fruit snacks, they were ready to go. They drove first to Bethesda and took the Capital Crescent Trail all the way to DC! I was SO surprised the boys lasted that long. I thought they'd sit about a half hour- 45 minutes tops, but all together they rode about 2 hrs and 14 miles. Apparently there was a lot to see and changes of scenery between the Potomac river, tunnels, trees and wildlife. They both brought a pair of toy binoculars to see animals along the trail. Bryce was so tuckered out, he just fell asleep on good ole big brothers shoulder for part of the ride home. I can't wait until I can join them, but I have to say, I did enjoy the quiet at home getting things done knowing they were having a great time. When is the next one scheduled???
(all tuckered out!)

Armor of God

(Carter. Check out those gold painted Nike's)! - My mom taught seminary for several years and did this with her class. The apron as the "loins" and shoes are courtesy of her and her creativity!
(Bryce. "Hey! Who turned out the lights??")















For family home evening I gave the lesson about putting on the armor of God each day to protect ourselves from Satan's influences. I thought this would be especially good since Carter is out in the "world" not home near as much as he used to be.
As I read in the scriptures what each piece of armor represented, the boys took turns putting on that piece until they were completely covered and protected with the breastplate of righteousness, loins grit about with truth, feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace, shield of faith, helmet of salvation,and the sword of the spirit.
The boys - well mostly Carter understood it all when we broke it down piece by piece, concept by concept and it was really fun and they had a great time!

Welcome fall!

The boys and two neighbor friends laying in the leaf pile they raked up. The two younger kids would pick up leaves one at a time and put them in a little wagon and bring them to the pile. Carter used a little plastic rake.

Go Sharks!

The soccer season has started once again and Carter is on an instructional league through OBGC (Olney Boys and Girls Club). They play games like sharks and minnows, and passing drills for the most part and then the last 20 minutes or so, they scrimmage against each other. Their team is called The Sharks which Carter thinks is "cool." You know what else is apparently cool? Wearing shin guards and getting a treat after each 'game.'
(Go Carter Go! Check out his face. That's his 'game face' when he gets excited and determined. He juts out his lower jaw and sticks his neck forward, tightens his shoulders and makes fists. It's too funny and cute. He makes the same face when trying to catch up with the big kids in the neighborhood or at the park on his bike).

Poor baby

Bryce has been having these abnormal bruises with masses behind them all along his spine for several months off and on. Sometimes they are directly over the vertebra and other times spotted along side of the spine. Always looking like an index finger print. He also has a sacral dimple the pediatrician has been watching since he was an infant. With those two things, his pediatrician recommended we go see a neurosurgeon at Children's National Hospital in DC. The same place he has surgery on his arm last November for a consult. We talked to the neurosurgeon who wanted to do an MRI. So, here we are on the MRI day to rule out any spinal issues such as a tethered cord or abnormalities that would require spinal surgery. It was such a long day and Bryce was such a trooper. Being almost 3, they needed to sedate him to keep him completely still. The MRI lasted just over an hr. We practiced for the big day by using a oxygen mask my friend gave us (she is a nurse) which I think helped a lot. Poor thing just looked at me with his big blue eyes and whimpered as I held him, with the mask on his face giving him "laughing gas" before they inserted the IV. He didn't try to pull away, but just looked into my eyes with his eyes so big with fear and wet with tears. I bet his body felt funny and he was scared. All I could say was "mommy's here" over and over as I held him. After laying him on the stretcher to get the IV with propaphol to sedate him for the scan, and being told to go wait in the waiting room, I left, went to the bathroom and balled for a good 15 minutes. My little baby, so trusting, so innocent, and not even fighting, just scared and tearful whimpering... I could not stop picturing his eyes. I didn't want to be away from him. I didn't want him to be scared. I suddenly was scared. What if something was really wrong with his spine?
They came and got me when he was done so I would be there when he woke up. It just an unsettling feeling seeing your baby with an IV, hooked up to monitors, and an oxygen tube in his nose. He woke up about a half hour later and didn't cry or anything. He wanted the tube out of his nose and IV out of his hand. The tube came out, but IV needed to stay a bit longer.
He was a little loopy and said, "My so brave at the doctors. My didn't cry like this, wah, wah..." I told his he was so brave and he could have a Popsicle if he wanted one. He was very excited b/c all morning he kept saying, "My SOOOOO hungry!" He couldn't eat or drink anything for the day and he last ate/drank at dinner the night before and was up at 6am. Poor thing. He kept the Popsicle down and so a bit later was able to leave to go directly to see the neurosurgeon for the follow up appt and read the results. All in all, we were there from 7:15am and after seeing the neurosurgeon, left at 1:30pm. LONG DAY!
Turns out, his spine is okay. Thank goodness! The dimple is just a deep dimple with no connection to the spinal cord which is great. The bruising however is still a concern for the doctors. The next step is to do a full blood work up and check for blood disorders. But for now, the MRI is done and Bryce is doing well. I just hate putting my baby through these tests- especially after all he's gone through, and continues to go through with his arm. I wish I could take it from him and do it all myself!
(playing Dr the night before his MRI. This is Bryce's turn to be the Dr. Check out those glasses!)
(Bryce's turn as the brave patient. We practiced taking deep breaths and counting slowly to ten).

(Bryce thought it was so special he got his own hospital gown. He said, "now I'm a princess!" Clearly he needs more guy friends! :)
(waiting, with sheepie of course for the anesthesiologist. The whole MRI process from start to having him wake up again was 4 hrs. Too bad the DVD player only had 10 minutes of power in it. Grrrr!)

Happy Birthday Brycie!

Whenever I hear or say this phrase now I hear a parrot in my head repeat it twice in a high pitched voice. He got this parrot as one of his birthday gifts from us and loves it. He really thinks it is talking back to him or something. But for the whole day he said to it, "Happy Birthday Brycie!" and when the parrot said it back, he was so thrilled!
Anyways, we celebrated his third birthday this past Saturday at my parents home. They just got one of those huge trampolines that we played on, rode bikes and scooters, threw rocks and walked in their little pond in the back, ate hot dogs (one of his favorite foods right now... gross, I know), ate cake and opened presents. Whew! The Harris's came, and his little friends Ethan and Brianna Martin with their father, and of course my mom. Dad was away on business. :(
It was a nice day and they all had a lot of fun.
Bryce has blessed our lives so much with his gentle, easy going nature. He is always smiling and loves to share and play with other friends. He is so incredibly active and very coordinated for his age. He loves to ride his tricycle, Thomas "big boy bike" with training wheels, scooter (2 wheels), climb, run, jump...
He loves airplanes, trains, and boats right now and one of his favorite games other then pretending he is a puppy is to pretend his is water skiing. He shouts "hit it" and holds on to an imaginary rope for a few seconds then falls down to the floor. He puts his imaginary ski's back on and starts the process over again. Sometimes he likes to be the boat driver- on his trike with me being "pulled" (walking) behind. This gets us to and from the bus stop faster. :)
He loves books and will sit and read to himself, sing to himself, and talk to himself or stuffed animals and that darn parrot. He loves animals- especially puppies. He is fascinated/scared/loves the Grinch and the story of the three little pigs. He loves Carter coming home from school and hugs him for a long time each day when he gets off the bus. He also blows hundred of kisses to him as he gets on the bus and leaves for school. He is so funny and has quite the sense of humor. Each night he prayer for our neighbors hamsters, sunny and sky.
I can't believe he is three already. He lights up our lives and home and we are so grateful to have him as part of our family. We love you! Happy Birthday Brycie! Happy Birthday Brycie..... (- the parrots echo in case you missed that... :)
(starting the birthday off right with breakfast in bed. Carter almost more excited than Bryce at this point and insisted on being the one to help make it, tuck Bryce back in bed before he carried it up,etc... Bryce wanted big brother to eat with him in bed which Carter was more than happy to do)!

(Carter decorating with streamers all over the front and back yard. Very excited to help).

(Bryce LOVED the cake I made him and all day asked people, "you want to see my motor boat cake?" It was so easy to make and quite clever too might I add...:)


(just laying on the ground talking to his new friend...)

(Ended the party off right by "wading" in the little pond).

Labor day weekend

Posting this a little late, I wanted to put up pics of our labor day weekend at deep creek lake. We are so blessed to be able to go there so often- whenever we can! It is getting cooler, but we still managed to get out there and ski and tube. The boys go SO fast now in the tube and Brady tried his hand... or leg at slaloming which didn't end up so well (as seen below). At least he was still in one piece!
(the boot of the ski stayed on his foot, but the rest of it not so much... how weird is that?! I've never heard or seen anyone literally break a ski before).
(The boys always start by throwing rocks in the water with clothes on standing on the dock or shore, but somehow they always end up in underwear, cold weather or not!)

(Carter quacking, trying to catch the duck).
(Early enough in the day- and cold enough that not many boats were out so I could go with the boys tubing without many waves and just glide over the water... at the beginning anyways).
(Bryce "water skiing." Check out those huge ski's and don't forget the pretend rope he's holding on to! It's so cute. But he doesn't look so happy I am taking a picture of him playing one of his favorite games).
(The boys with Grandma and Grandpa Petersen in front of their lake house).

What to say...?

What is one supposed to say when walking along minding my own business and a neighbor asks first, "how are you feeling?" as if I just recovered from a major surgery or accident. Feeling actually pretty good today having worked out this morning by choice and not being paid to teach, I respond, "good. I'm doing well, thanks."
This is then followed by, "you look miserable."
Seriously??!
Good thing she didn't catch me on a day when I actually felt miserable. In fact I had just showered and rested a bit before seeing this neighbor. Hmmm... do I really look that bad? Maybe it's time to start wearing make-up on a regular basis and not just for church? Nah. She was probably just referring to my ever growing baby belly. And yeah, at 6 months, one might develop a swagger of sorts (okay, it's really more of a waddle, but still...). And yeah, I have 9 pound babies and this being the third, I'm showing sooner and bigger. Does this really warrant such a comment?
Although, I suppose I should keep in mind that this is the same neighbor who asked me when I was due when I had already delivered Bryce about 6 weeks prior.

First Day of Kindergarten!

Well just sent off a part of my heart to kindergarten. I can't believe that Carter started school today and although I'm happy and excited for him, I can't help but be a sad for myself. I know, it's not like I'm sending him off to college or anything, but it still feels somehow that this is the beginning of the end. He is in the 'system' now. I won't have the majority of his time anymore. I know that this is part of learning and growing (for both of us) and a good and necessary thing. However, sometimes people have growing pains and I guess that is what I've having right now in the pit of my stomach and my heart.
I am just so happy that he was excited this morning and smiling. He is decked out in Spider-man with his backpack, lunchbox and water bottle. He seems ready for this new adventure and I'm so grateful for that. Hopefully I'll feel ready soon- is it 4:00pm yet?
Play by play of Carter's morning on the first day of school...

Tying his shoes getting ready to leave to catch the (gulp) bus.

Picture time


Walking to the bus stop with a neighbor we watch in the mornings before school

Watching the bus make it's way down the street

Getting on the(double gulp)HUGE yellow bus







Not pictured:
Mom giving several hugs, kisses and waving probably a little too enthusiastically with a big ole over excited smile plastered to my face before coming home, turning on a movie for Bryce to collect my thoughts/feelings and answering the question asked by Brady "what do you need?" by tearfully saying, "I need to hold Carter" and thinking "and never let him go."
Growing pains. A good, needed, painful thing.

Staying home is a privilege

"Staying home is a privilege, staying home is a privilege, staying home is a privilege... " Sometimes chanting the same thing over and over while you are fuming on the inside helps. And sometime sending both kids to their rooms, chanting and blogging helps. (I'll let you know).
I need to remind my self that staying home with my kids and having the luxury to be the one to raise them, especially in this economy is, in fact a privilege.
Sometimes it's hard to remember that when you wake up to whining/crying/fighting, get out of the shower to whining/crying/fighting, finish breakfast with whining/crying/fighting, turn off the blow dryer to hear... can you guess??? It's a stumper. Anyone else see a pattern developing? Sigh. (That felt good). Bigger sigh. (Even better). Maybe I should take time to breathe more. People have said to me, "you are so busy, how do you have time to breathe?" Maybe I don't. Time to start putting into practice some of my social work skills I learned from a Stress management class and breathe. (I know can you believe that counted towards three of my masters level credits)? Regardless of how simple it sounds, I need to remember that.
Yet, I would not have it any other way. I want to see them learn new things, and the light in their eyes when they learn it. I want to be the one to kiss away their "owies" after they try to climb on top of the washing machine to help add the soap and are too impatient to wait for me to help them up, so climb onto a flimsy plastic laundry basket that of course collapses under them resulting in the long bloody scrape on the thigh from the dryer door being open (hypothetically speaking of course... not like this happened this morning or anything).
I want to read to them, to sing to them, to fix them healthy meals and to play with them. I want to be here when someone hurts their feelings to learn a life lesson and how to deal with it. I want to see and hear them laugh, sometimes being the cause of that sweet sound. I want to chase the "real Grinch" away with a flashlight when we play monster while the other uses the pincher to tickle it's tummy or grab it's nose.
Yes, staying home is a privilege. And I am privileged to be these two active, independent and sometimes stubborn little boys mother. I guess they can come out of their rooms now. Gosh, I love those kids.

Funny boys...

Maybe I'm a bit biased, but I think my kids are the funniest kids ever. They say the funniest things.
Bryce while grocery shopping, tripped over his own feet because he rarely walks- he runs, gallops, jumps or skips. Poor thing landed smack on his belly with his little hands smacking the ground by his face. I go to help him up and he looks at me and says with a smile and little embarrassed giggle, "Woah! That hurt my baby! My need to be careful" and rubbed his belly.

And I don't know why but Bryce seems obsessed with death. When I say something like, "be careful Bryce, I don't want you to get hurt" when he's from the coffee table to the couch or something like that, he replies, "yeah, my probably die." Almost EVERY time. Maybe b/c his little friend hamster who lives down the street just died, but I think he said it before that. Sometimes after saying, "yeah, my probably die", he says, "You want me to die mommy? Yes or no?" My reply always the same, although now without the horrified feeling I used to feel at such a morbid question which is, "of course not Bryce. I love you and don't want you to die." I tell him that we have rules, etc to keep him safe because I love him so much I don't want him to get hurt- and especially not die.
It's just so weird how non-chalantley he says it like, "do you like ice cream? Yes or no?" Yesterday my friends neighbor was mowing the lawn without any shoes on and I made a comment without thinking to my friend about how he could cut his toes off and how dangerous that is. Bryce overheard and said, "that'd be sad mommy, then he have no feet and not walk and probably die."
Kids say the darnedest things! I have to say though, now hearing him say stuff like that all the time kind of makes me chuckle inside- yeah, now who's the morbid one??

What to do...

...with a little GIRL???! Yep, that's right folks, somehow we've broken the boy trend and are expecting a little girl. I think I'm still kind of in shock, and although excited a little bit unsure.
During the ulrasound this past week after she told us it was a girl, we kept asking, "are you sure?" Brady kept saying, "that's awesome!" when she said yes.
That morning we asked the boys what they thought we were having and Carter said a "girl baby" and Bryce likes to say the opposite of what Carter says so he said "boy baby." Carter was thrilled to hear he was having a little sister and has not stopped kissing my growing belly and talking to her. (He is very excited that she now has grown ears and will be able to recognize his voice as her big brother Carter).
That afternoon we made sugar cookies with pink frosting and star sprinkles to pass out to family and neighbors to announce our exciting news. (We even gave the trashmen their own tupperware with cookies). Carter made a card and drew a "girl baby" with longer hair and earings "because she's a girl." He traced the words, "it's a girl" on the inside. Very cute. Bryce ate frosting. :) Okay, we all did a little of that.....


So, we find ourselves now contemplating girl names and as for myself wondering if there is a book out there titled, "how to do your little girls hair without pulling out your own."
We are so excitied to welcome this new sweet little child into our home in December!

Here are the ultrasounds we got that day. The top one she is covering her face with her fists, and the bottom is a side profile. Isn't she cute? :)

Happy 4th of July!

(both boys fell asleep on the way back to the house on the boat. This pic is just after they woke up and realized we were back, so that's what's up with the sleepy, where am I eyes).

We went to Deep Creek Lake this year again for the 4th, and it was cold and rainy... again. At least this time on the fourth it was more cold than rainy so fireworks were not cancelled like they were last year. It was so fun to watch them from the back of the boat and the fireworks were really good. I was impressed! Why go through the chaos of DC again?
(My mom, Brian and Carter up front on the way to fireworks).
(watching fireworks from the back of the boat).

(Sparkler fun)!


Brady and my brothers Matt and Brian all went tubing in the freezing, wavy lake. They like to have competitions on who can stay on the tube the longest so they try to push or kick each others tubes in addition to the crazy high waves that were sending them flying. Crazy boys.
They kids love to drive the toy motor boats in the little pool and go on boat rides to the creamery for ice cream cones.
At one point on the way to see fireworks, we almost had a casualty. Sheepie. One of our own. It was so windy he went flying off the boat. Luckily I noticed just a bit later and shouted to my dad to stop and turn around. After driving back with big eyes, I finally found him. His little head floating just above the surface of the cruel, cold water fighting to stay alive in the middle of that big ole lake. My family was laughing at me as I almost fell in to rescue poor sheepie. I missed the first time (I think my mom was hold my foot to prevent me from falling in off the front of the boat but also impeding my rescuing ability). I shouted to Brady to run to the back b/c "I missed him! I missed him!" and ran back as well. I told Brady as we were looking for him to come up the other side, if he missed, I was jumping in. And I was serious. Brady was the hero of the day and grabbed soaking sheepie and gave him CPR. WHEW!
(hero in action)
After that, I put on a life jacket in the case of another emergency, we could spot him easier and he wouldn't sink.

This might seem a little much for some readers out there. I assure you, it's not. We've even bought him a new sheepie- exactly like the old one. Except this one has paws that have not been sewn back on 50 times, and is actually white and doesn't have little holes/tears in his paws that I can't sew. He doesn't like the impostor. He knows his best friend. Sigh. The things we do for our kids.

When we got back from fire works on the boat, Matt and Brian (after driving to PA the day before to spend too much on fireworks) put on their own show. It was actually pretty impressive and I can't believe they sell those fire starters! Has no one read the book, "Follow my leader???" I must have referenced that book a million times throughout the course of the weekend. Does any one listen to me? No? But did anyone lose their eye sight and need a 'seeing dog?' No. But it would have served them right. Okay, I don't really mean that last part.
(Carter watching the loud home show).
All in all, it was a great weekend. I love this country that we live in and am grateful for our freedoms and the men and women who have fought and fight for us to have that great gift in this wonderful land. God bless America!