Clara's Recital

Clara wrapped up her first dance season Saturday with her spring dance recital. She was excited and ready to show off all she had learned, not at all intimidated by being up on stage. We were not allowed to take pics during the recital, as they had professional videographers there, but we took lots of pics in her costume before and after the recital.

Here she is ready to leave the house for the recital.

After the recital, Jonathan had flowers for his big sister.

They were her favorite colors, pink and purple. She couldn't help but kiss him!

and the posing began.

She's not at all fond of being the center of attention!

Beautiful! - I love this girl!!!!

...and sassy, too.

Two of my most favorite people.

Grandma and Grandpa were able to come into town for the recital. Clara did great! She remembered more of it than I thought she would. Her class danced ballet to "Don't want to live on the moon". She had a lot of fun and loved getting all the applause and attention.

Posing like she's a celebrity -- what am I going to do with her?

11 years!

Yesterday was Chris' and my 11 year anniversary. It's hard to believe it's been 11 years already, and all at the same time, hard to believe it's been only 11 years. Chris was not able to be here once again, thanks to his deployment, but his parents happened to be in town for Clara's dance recital, so Chris' mom took me out to dinner instead. We went to Olive Garden, just the two of us, and had a nice dinner. It was only fitting, since after all, technically it was an anniversary for she and I as well...for 11 years now, we have been family!

Chris sent me these gorgeous red roses, there's 22 of them -- 2 for each year!

I was shocked by the roses, because Chris doesn't usually send them. Usually he chooses some other collection of beautiful flowers, so the roses were a nice surprise. I was a little down yesterday, for not having him home with me, but I wouldn't change a thing about the last 11 years. The good times and the bad times have helped us grow together, learn more about ourselves and each other and made us stronger as a pair. Without a doubt Chris is man I was meant to grow old with and I look forward to doing so.

I love you, Baby!

Happy Anniversary!

Daddy's Jelly Bellies

Chris left again last Friday for a 4.5 month deployment, so the kids and I have started another countdown.

I'd like to take credit for this idea, but the wives' club is actually who dropped this off at my door. I only altered it a little so both kids could be involved.

The kids wasted no time digging in to see what was in that bag!

A Jelly Belly Jar! Originally, the jar had one jelly belly for each day Chris was gone. I got some more jelly bellies, so now there are 2 for each day Chris is gone.

Each day the kids get to eat just one jelly belly a piece, and when the jar is empty, Daddy will be home! How great is that? The jelly bellies are appropriately red, white, and blue. The kids love the idea, but Jonathan is still upset every morning when I make him put his handful of jelly bellies back and take just one. Hopefully he catches on soon!

28 Weeks

A neighbor asked me the other day, "So you're 28 weeks?" I corrected her and said, "No, just 26." Later that night I looked at the calendar and saw she was right, I was wrong. When I was pregnant with Clara I could tell you at any time how far along I was - to the day. Just goes to show it all changes 3rd time around.

So technically, I'm 28 weeks and 4 days. I look unmistakably pregnant now. A month ago, I'd mention it here or there out in town and people looked shocked and embarrassed they hadn't noticed on their own. I thought it was pretty obvious then, but wasn't at all offended no one seemed to notice. However, I don't know if it's the belly or the 'pregnancy waddle' that has replaced my normal walk, but no one's missing it now. I occasionally get some minor swelling at this point in my ankles. Not much -- in fact, sometimes I wonder if it's swelling, weight gain, or just my mind playing tricks on me because it's that slight. My leg joints ache and I get leg cramps fairly often. Pregnancy simply doesn't agree with my body, but I'm happy to go through it all this one last time. Really, I can't complain if these are my worst symptoms at this point. Thankfully the summer heat hasn't hit yet, I think we're actually in the low to mid '70's today. My exhaustion seems to have subsided some and the nausea is still long gone. Surprisingly enough, I'm still able to sleep on my tummy, though I fear that won't last much longer. It's still usually pretty comfortable for me, but sometimes the baby takes objection and kicks until I move onto my side. Just within the last week the baby seems to have started moving a good deal more, and not in the fun 'Aww, how magical!' kind of way; more in the 'That feels weird, please stop kicking me' way in which you can see my belly going into convulsions with each of the baby's movements.

My next routine doctor's appointment is on Friday the 12th, but this Monday, the 8th, is when I get to go meet the little guy in 4D -- so exciting!!!!! I also get to go do the routine test for pregnancy diabetes this week. Many women dread that one, because they don't like the taste of that orange soda drink they make you take. I don't mind it's flavor though, and I look forward to taking along a book and having some quiet time to myself while I have to wait that hour to get my blood drawn - the inlaws will be here to watch the kids!

So here I am at 28 weeks. I've gained about 21lbs so far, so I don't think I'm on the small side anymore!

Once again, Jonathan wanted Clara to take a pic of his 'baby belly' too. He finally has begun to talk about his 'baby brother', and share in some of the excitement, but I know he still doesn't understand. The other day in Target, he told me he had a baby in his belly and later that day he and Clara took turns sticking a stuffed animal under their shirts to prove it. He's more attentive to babies when we see them around town and has even stopped pleading with me to 'Give it back!' when I hold the neighbor's new baby. There may be hope -- though I think he's still going to have the biggest adjustment.

My main man!

The photo shoot quickly shifted to super hero poses -- here's Spiderman...

...and Superman...

Not to be outdone, Clara passed the camera off so she could get in a princess pose! Clara's excited as ever about being a big sister again. My only concern with her is that she'll try to help too much. For example trying to pick the baby up or feeding the baby when I'm in the shower. We've already begun talks with both kids about things that can and cannot be done either at all, or without parental supervision. I look forward to letting Clara help more this time around, as she's excited about the prospect, but I think she one of those kids that may easily start to belive she's 'mommy #2', so hopefully we'll find the right balance.

I started to pull out Clara's old clothes and separate out Jonathan's for the baby. I have kept pretty much all of the kids clothes from day one and just stored them in those big 45 gallon Rubbermaid containers. After separating the boys clothes out from girls clothes, I found that I had 3 of those containers full of Clara's old clothes and only one of Jonathan's! Looking at Clara's old clothes got me emotional, thinking about how little she was and how cute those things were on her, how fast she's grown, places and times she wore certain outfits. I didn't expect to cry, but I did. Chris kinda laughed at me in an understanding sort of way and offered to try again and maybe end up with another girl (that part was sarcasm, I'm sure). We're both content stopping at 3, neither of us really has a desire to go for 4 kids and I know that we have no need for Clara's old clothes anymore. I always thought women were foolish when they cried over giving away old baby items, maybe that's just because I haven't really had to get rid of anything yet...it's just not as easy as you may think when it's your memories you're letting go of.

Goodbye Again!

The good news is that with this post, I am finally caught up on all my blogging! The bad news is that this post is about saying goodbye again - so soon.

So we sent Chris on his way this afternoon. I was successful at maintaining a state of denial right up to the end. Clara had a few panicky moments in the last week or 2 when she'd realize Chris was going to be gone soon and she would turn into a monster child, rivaling those you see on Nanny 911. I'm sure Chris is enjoying his downtime from that now...and now that he has left and the mere 'threat' of him leaving is gone with him, Clara can get back to normal, keeping busy with our summer activities. We have a similar line up to the one we had last year, because it worked so well to keep us busy and happy. We will be finishing up dance class, and going to zoo camp, swim lessons and gymnastics all over the summer. Not to mention visits from grandparents and a new baby by summer's end! Once again, potty training Jonathan is on my list of goals to achieve while Chris away.

Jonathan understands that Daddy will be 'at work' for a long time, but having no real concept of time, he hardly seems phased by it all. Clara started crying as soon as Chris got out of the car to walk into work, it was difficult to watch her little heart break. Jonathan saw her cry and so now anytime she mentions that she misses Daddy - no matter her tone, Jonathan asks in the most sympathetic of tones, "Are you OK, Sissy? Are you gonna cry?" It's precious to see him worry about her.

I, of course, cried too -- Right at the end, hugging Chris goodbye. He stayed strong as he does, but I could tell he was no more looking forward to this time away than we were. So everyone just keep Chris and his friends in your prayers -- that they keep each other safe, that they do their jobs as they've been called to do and make it back home to their families in 4-5 months, that they never doubt that their families are thinking about them in all they do, missing them in good times and bad, and proudly standing behind them until the very end.

Shaving

Since it was Chris' last morning home this morning, he took the time to teach Jonathan some things about being the man of the house!

I think he's ready!

Putt Putt

Wednesday night was supposed to be Chris' last night home before his 4.5 month deployment so we set out for some family fun. Turned out the ship had some problem leaving, so Chris' flight to it got pushed back a day, so he didn't leave until this afternoon. Still we made the best of Family night at the local miniature golf place -- Adventure Park.

Clara and I got on the bumper boats. Jonathan wasn't quite old enough or tall enough. You had to be 3 years old and 40" tall. We were willing to say he was 3, but there was no way to fudge the height requirements. The poor guy stood against the wall where they had their ruler and then stood up on his tippy toes to be tall enough -- it was heartbreaking to tell him no. He handled it alright with the bumper boats, esp once he saw my lack of driving skills, but once he saw Daddy on the Go Kart he got a little upset.

Chris laughed that some nice girl about 10 yrs old, took pity on me and the fact that I was only going in circles and pulled up alongside me to give me a tutorial on how to drive the thing. It was that bad!

Strapping in to the Go Kart!

Clara had a blast with Chris driving.

Next, an activity we could all do -- Goofy Golf!

Clara feigned paying attention, while Jonathan saw no point in wasting time with golf clubs when you can just throw the ball in the hole with your hands!

At every hole, Jonathan went straight the end and set his ball down about a foot away from the hole and then tried to hit it in. I don't think he understood why the rest of us started so far away!

There were 18 holes, but after about the 12th, the kids traded in golfing for some roly polies they found along the way.

Whatever makes them happy, I guess!