Sledding!

It's always a bit iffy when I hand my big camera off to a passer-by, but this nice lady did a pretty good job! Here we all are in one frame at our local rec center getting ready to go sledding. We have always loved our rec center but now we love it just a tiny bit more.

Nolan loved sledding and pretending it was "so scary, mom!" and then asking to go again and again.

The boys had happy determined looks on their faces as they trudged back up the hill. 

Even Mama went down a few times, encouraged by the fact that my coat still zips over my belly.

Couldn't resist a taste of freshly fallen snow!

I seriously love this picture!  I totally remember this feeling from childhood :)

The boys even had a neighbor friend meet up with us.  So fun!

I couldn't love my guys any more...

They make my heart swell and make me so proud.

Awww, feel the love! :)

21 Weeks

Yesterday was the big systems check ultrasound. We brought the whole Lawson crew. The kids did pretty good being crammed in tiny rooms at the doctors office and totally put on a hand puppet show with the examination light in the room. It was funny and mildly inappropriate. Fortunately my doctor is way cool and visited with me while sitting on the exam table with two of my boys while I sat in the little spinny doctor's stool thing.

The ultrasound went great! We have another perfectly healthy active little boy coming our way. He was moving a ton making it hard for the tech to get all the measurements, but we clearly saw his perfect 4 chambers heart and all limbs, digits, facial features, etc. His heart rate was 150 bpm, probably because he was running some kind of marathon in there.

We didn't get any great printout pics because he was a blurr of boy, but here I am at 21 weeks:

Even though the doc assured me I am on track with the exact same size and weight gain as the previous three, I feel HUGE! I guess each baby can carry a little different and our little Luke is all forward. I almost feel like this belly is a detachable prosthetic or something. He is so far out already!

Anyhow, it goes without saying that we are all so excited and in love with our little guy. I can't wait to see who he looks like and if his hyper womb behavior persists out here.

We took the boys to dinner at Texas Road House after the appointment to make it special and memorable and they all three proceeded to beg us to have a 5th. Already! What?! Daddy's not having any of that! ...(yet)...

Loving these visuals!

Found these in the crate of newborn clothes the other day. All three boys' hospital hats. They have all been born at the same hospital by the same doctor and Luke will be no exception! Thinking I need to make one of those corny shadow box things with these with all the birth stats under each one :)

The FOUR BOYS IN A ROW visual! We love the mall play area, especially when we have a friend to play with too.

I am really having a ton of early nesting lately. Luke's nursery is all set up and ready to go! Went and bought a few little items for him like a new bobby pillow, nap nanny chill, swaddle-pod, a mesh "breathebaby" crib bumper, white noise maker, a new bottle set (for when someone else wants to feed him breastmilk of course!), and a sophie giraffe toy...I know, how could I possibly need anything baby-related?! Well, new cool stuff comes out and our stuff gets gross and ruined. Bottles do not get handed down (umm gross chewed up nipples etc) and neither do the boppy pillows since each kid has become attached to their pillow and kept it well into toddler-hood.

The only other outstanding purchases are diapers and a stroller! This stroller to be exact:

The Wave stroller by First years. It will be a bit of a splurge, but considering that this kid will be wearing a wardrobe on its fourth go round for his entire childhood, I feel like we can swing it.

Anyhow, we have an ultrasound tomorrow, which the whole clan will be attending.  Kind of crazy to think this is the last time we will "see" him before he makes his debut in May.  I am 21 weeks and this pregnancy is flying by.  I am already so ready for him.  It may be silly to get ready so early, but I like to strike while the iron's hot and while I have the energy!

Getting ready so start a 6 week long after-school club on Rockets/Solar System--making the alkaseltzer rockets we learned about at the library a month ago and also solar system mobiles on coat hangers.  Should be good! 

7:46

Was woke up by a naked 2 year old telling/asking me "I want some cheese. Kayleigh and Alyssa come over?"

Stumble downstairs and get said 2 year old a bowl of shredded sharp cheddar and a spoon (he's an odd one!), load the dishwasher which really should have been done last night considering we made mussels and shrimp and that all sat in the sink overnight, pour a cup of coffee, hand out blueberry scones from Whole Foods to the kids so that they will eat them and not me since I already had three yesterday and my weigh in at the doctor's office of 125# ALREADY was a bit sobering, and then sit down to write this silly post.

I took the boys to my doctor appt yesterday. I am already up over 10#, so figuring I should probably chill out and possibly start to exercise...we'll see. Taking them to the Children's Museum today and maybe to the movies this evening if they behave today and don't give me too much grief.

Luke's heartbeat was 140 bpm yesterday, so it is finally starting to come down from "girl range." :) The doctor also told me most likely the reason I am feeling so much movement already (I mean he is waking me up at night already!) is because his placenta is in the back so there is no "blanket" in between his movement and my belly. Whew! I was seriously concerned he was in there just flipping out and couldn't help but wonder what kind of tempermented child was going to emerge in May. Chances are he is a typical boy. Nolan had even managed to get his umbilical cord in a perfect knot while in utero.

The whole notion of having these 4 boys has really had a chance to sink in over the past week for me. I am perfectly content with this family of mine. And for the first time during a pregnancy I am not even remotely thinking of "the next pregnancy" etc. I am done! My family is complete. Four kids (of any gender) is a lot of work and I want to maintain some level of standards in this house for the things that are important to us. Plus I just feel done. Done being pregnant, done having huge breastfeeding boobs, done not sleeping through the night, you get the idea. I am happy to know that it is true how people say you just know when your family is complete -- I was starting to wonder.

Anyhow, better hop in the shower so we can be on the road by 9:30 to get out of this house for the morning.  Hoping for a good, happy day!

Oh and just so as to not have a post without any pictures, here are Warren and Jack playing this great word bingo game last night in the living room...it was so idyllic and cute...until you zoom out and realize there is a toddler having a major meltdown tantrum less than 10 feet away.  Such is life in our house!  Never even did figure out what set Nolan off, but putting him in the bath immediately made him forget his woes :)  And then an early bedtime for all made us all forget our woes from a difficult and long afternoon too!

{This is such a great game for Jack, who is still learning to read, to help with confidence and making reading fun.}

{Warren clapping for Jack since he read a new word!  These are the moments I live for as a Mama}

{These are not the moments I live for...but they are part of the package nonetheless!}

{Oh, Nolan!  We tried everything to cheer you up.  Maybe you shouldn't fall asleep on the living room floor anymore, if you're gonna wake up so disoriented and mad.}

A big note to my little Luke

I want you to know that you are in no way a hail Mary pass to a hypothetical daughter.

We are so excited to have you in our family!

We expect as much from you as all your brothers -- no exceptions or lower standards for the baby of our family :)

You are one lucky little boy to be joining this family! We play hard and work hard and love to learn almost as much as we love to love. We all have hearts for a big family and look forward to what you will bring to the table.

We are also so very lucky to have you. You are one wanted and anticipated little boy! All your brothers already talk about you and throw your name around as if they've known you forever. It melts my heart to hear them talk about where you will sit in the bath and what toys they think you will like.

Your name already rolls off my tongue too, and it feels so good to say it, knowing I will soon get to say it in your little ears when I meet you and for so many years to come. I can't wait to find out what makes you the same as and different from each of your brothers.

Will your voice be raspy like Warren and Nolan's or higher and sweet like Jack?
Will you love pickles like Jack and Nolan or make puking gestures when offered them like Warren? Will you be off the charts tall like Warren?
A social butterfly like Jack?
A Mama's boy to the core like Nolan?
An easy baby like Warren or colicky like Jack?
Will you be the first of our babies to not love all vegetables?
Are you gonna insist on cosleeping like Nolan?
Love football like Warren?
Or Legos like Jack?
Will you have sparkly blue eyes and full ruby lips like all your brothers?
Or some new physical attributes we haven't seen yet?
I just cannot wait to find out! What an adventure it is getting to know each of my boys.

FOUR BOYS!!!!

I am one super fortunate Mama. This is gonna be a good life...

Grow big and strong little Luke, and then come out when you're ready, prepared to be greeted by a whole lot of love and chaos!

So in love with Luke Lawson!

We met our 4th son yesterday evening. Also known as "Wuke" or "Yuke" by his youngest big brother :)

The whole family was there to count his 20 perfect baby toes and fingers...

Ooh and Aah over his kissable lips...

And double check that he is indeed ALL BOY...

Mystery solved as to why his last u/s looked more girly -- little dude put his hand over his man package and the tech had to give him a little shake to get him to let go and show us what he was hiding. It was classic.

We all went to Benihana's to celebrate after the appointment:

He is perfect and we are so excited for May!

I am so relieved to know we have another awesome son joining us, and now I can relax for the next several months saying his name over and over and letting him get big and strong.