Cast Your Vote, err, Guess

Charlie, 8 lbs 9 oz, 21 inches, born at 10 PM on the day we induced (at 40 weeks, 2 days).


Chance, 7 lbs 2 oz, 20.5 inches, born around 4 PM on the day we induced (at 38 weeks, 2 days).

One last nesting project:
How much do you think Chandler will weigh? Hint: The dr has said he's over 7 pounds as of 36 weeks gestation...He'll be 38 weeks, 2 days when we induce.

How long do you think he'll be?

What time do you think he'll come?


Cast your votes now and we'll see who is closest. And the winner will receive....bragging rights! Ha!

A Conversation with Chance

Lately, Chance has been flexing his newfound decision-making skills. Here's what I mean:

"Mommy, Choo Choo, TV!"

Me: "You want to watch Choo Choo? (Polar Express)"

"No, Mommy, No Choo Choo. Cars!"

Me: "You want Cars?"

"Umm, Nah, Choo Choo, Mommy, Choo Choo!"

Me: "Ok, I'm going to put on Choo Choo."

(He waits until I get past the menu, and the movie starts...)

"No Choo Choo, Mommy!!! Nooooo." He'll then go into convulsions until I change the movie to Cars. So I'll change it to Cars...

This happens daily, often more than once, and about everything from what to wear, to what to drink or eat. You gotta love the terrible 2s.

He also has a harsh tone, where he'll correct Charlie. For instance, if Charlie asks me for a toy, Chance will say "No, Cha-dee, no toy!" Then if I hand the toy to Charlie, Chance instantly changes his tone to a quiet beg, "Pweas Cha-dee, share toy..."

I really need to video these conversations. It is quite fun. And who said only women were moody?! ;)

Playscape concluded, Chandler's latest news

Ok, so two quick things before I go to bed, and obtain some of that precious sleep that I know I won't be getting after Friday...

(skip this if you're a guy, or don't want to hear about labor stuff...)
I saw the Dr yesterday, and got some very good news! 10 days before when we did the sono, she was a little worried about Chandler's big head, and how "high up" he was. Well, I did some walking, and he's dropped some! I've dilated to 2 cm, he's at -1 station, I've effaced a bit more (70%), etc - so we're progressing!! Who knows, maybe we won't make it to Saturday---maybe Chandler will come on Leap Day, Friday (2/29). At least that's what Chuck and many of his friends think would be cool... My practice contractions are getting stronger, so who knows...

Yesterday it was a high of 91 degrees (!) outside, so the boys spent nearly the whole day playing in the backyard...and I just knew you'd want to see pictures ;) Because, really, it's all about the pictures, right?! At least that's what I keep telling myself (as I feed the photography monster).

Didn't Chuck (and his dad) do a great job building the playscape!?! Basically we found that this was cheaper than buying a quality playscape that was already built...even including the cost of some new tools that Chuck's been wanting. It was definitely more work (like a full day more), but I asked Chuck if he thought it was worth it and he said "Yes, I'm glad I did it. I just don't ever want to do it again!" Ha!

Back to Chandler...
So barring any unforeseen events, we go into the hospital at 6 AM Saturday. I am hoping we'll have wifi there so we can update the blog soon after he's born. If you're a friend/family in the area, please feel free to email me this week (angie@thethiers.com) and I can make sure you're on the email list or phone list -especially if you want to come visit. I know some people like alone time after a baby is born...but I'm not one of those people. The more who come to celebrate with us, the better... And of course, "Thank You" to so many who are praying for us. That's a great source of comfort, and encouragement!

My Weekend Warrior

A couple of weeks ago Chuck and I were talking about how with each pregnancy he's had to do some big "nesting" project for me. With Charlie it was laying tile and laminate wood floors. With Chance it was moving to a new house, and lots of projects with that (like hanging blinds, blah!). We talked about how he was getting off easy this time. Um...I think we spoke too soon.

It all started when we found someone who could clear our backyard...our friend! We also didn't realize how great things would look once it was done (great job, Mitch!!). Then I asked Chuck when we should look into getting a playscape, and he said...let's get it now, put it in this weekend. I nearly fainted! I'd been dreaming of this since we moved here 2.5 years ago but I was not expecting it to be done before Chandler was born. So then we looked at all our options and Chuck decided he wanted to buy a kit from Lowe's and build it himself. He worked from sun up to sun down all weekend! His dad even came in from Austin today to help. It's just about done! What a relief, just in time. The boys will have something fun to do while Mommy's stuck in the house giving the baby all her attention soon.

Charlie often supervised and was a big helper to Daddy. He just didn't like the sound of the tools.


Chuck and his dad.

And while the boys worked hard outside, I enjoyed the company of Chuck's cousins, Lacey and Sarah. They both have attended/do attend UTSA nearby, and I just adore hanging out with them...makes me feel young again. ;) They are so sweet, and the boys just love having these beautiful young ladies' attention. Today Lacey and I took the boys to the La Cantera playground to get them out of the way while the playground was being built at home.

Lacey took some pics of the boys with me, something I have been wanting to get before the baby belly is gone.

Speaking of baby belly...I go the the doctor tomorrow for another check up so I'll have more info then, BUT I do know this much...we've changed the induce date from Monday, March 3rd to Saturday Match 1st! :) Less than a week before we get to see his sweet face!

Backyard Adventures

So the big news around here is our backyard is prepped and ready for a playground. Chuck and I spent the last two days consumed with this issue: what kind of playscape should we get? We've learned this is not an easy decision. There are so many things to consider: safety, quality of wood and hardware, the layout (and how could the boys get hurt on this?), and of course...price. I knew these things get expensive fast, and now I can see how. Chuck has been on a mission, reading reviews, visiting stores, etc. We have it narrowed down we think, but still no decision.

All that to say, what did the boys do today while we were preoccupied with this matter? They played in the dirt! Something about the simplicity of it all made me think, why even bother with the playscape hunt? Let's just give'em shovels and let'em have at it! It was a beautiful day, which they enjoyed to the fullest. And I enjoyed that they did something besides watch tv all day. It's SO nice to have a backyard...and kids that keep you grounded.

And here's Charlie afterwards, because he had dirt in every crevice of his body!



Also, here are a few more of what the boys have been up to...I'm still trying to get a photo a day of each of them:


Charlie found this strawberry and said it's like his Big Daddy...and wouldn't let anyone eat it.


A couple of evenings ago, even though it was cold outside, Chance refused to come in. I thought he looked so cute in his matching Thomas pjs.


Chance recently decided that his booster seat belongs on the ottoman. We call it his "throne."


Charlie enjoys the ottoman, too. You gotta love that "just woke up" hair.


And here is why I've given up on nesting. Every time I seek to do something, the boys want right in the middle of it. It's too cute to be irritating. The clothes in the dryer are wet, but that didn't deter Chance from enjoying it.

A Post a Day

That's been my average lately, and while I didn't have anything too exciting for today, it felt kinda weird not posting one. So I thought you might enjoy seeing what the boys have been up to. That, and blogging helps me feel somewhat productive, considering I'm to the point that I don't want to move anymore. Ha!

As I mentioned before, Charlie was gone a few days this week, and you could see the effect on Chance. He was simply lost with Brother. He kept asking for sink baths, I think because if he took a bath in the tub, he'd miss his playmate. So I managed to get a pic of him in all his sink-bath cuteness. It won't be long before he's too big for the sink...

And one thing I've found difficult since I've had these boys is finding time to study. While Charlie was gone, Chance was happy to sit and color, so I managed to actually get my study done! This is truly a rare and momentous event. I have a feeling it's about to get even harder once Chandler's here, too. So this photo just gives me all kinds of excitement!

But once they were reunited, the boys were back to being partners in crime. Here's how they told me they wanted to drive the car...they just climbed right in!

Here's Chance pretend-driving. It's one of his favorite activities these days. He tells us good-bye, then makes driving noises and messes with all of the buttons he can find.

And because I'm attempting to do a picture a day of the boys, here's the only real picture of Charlie he would let me take...Little smirker! He definitely has photographer's kid syndrome.

And Friday we had an exciting event, in addition to the sonogram for Chandler. A friend came over with his bob cat (Chance calls it a "trac tra" for tractor), and started clearing out our backyard so we can get a playground back there. This is something I've looked forward to since we moved in 2 years ago. I have big dreams for the boys for that space. And for you cedar sufferers, may you get as much glee out of seeing that cedar tree uprooted as I did! :)

Anyhow, the boys decided to imitate the tractor and work hard with the dirt, as you can see. Charlie preferred to get covered in it...

And poor Chance, he was just a little afraid of the trac-tra. Anytime it got loud, he'd just stare at it, or go running into the house for awhile.

But when he wasn't scared, he would find his construction trucks and have them dig in the dirt, too. It was so cute.

There now, I feel better, don't you?! I'm thinking that since things will be getting hectic in a couple of weeks, and because I physically can't do much else, I might as well take as many photos and blog as much as I can. So stay tuned for more childhood fun...

Any Day Now

So our sweet Chandler isn't going to disappoint us...he'll be coming early! At the doctor's office this morning, Chuck and the boys and I all got to see his sweet face, which looks very similar to his brothers, imagine that. He's got the same button nose and puffy lips. And he looks like he may favor Charlie more in his anatomy. He's 36 weeks, but measuring 39 in his head size, legs, and lung function! In other words, he's really full term now! He's already the size that Chance was when he was born (7 pounds 2 ounces), maybe even bigger. I've dilated a little bit more, but just like Charlie, he's "high up" which means Momma may get to push a lot.

We've scheduled induction for Monday March 3rd (2 weeks from this Monday). If you have any suggestions on how to induce labor naturally, please let me know. I have a friend who said a certain soup works every time...I wish I had that recipe! LOL It's gonna be great...

Happy Valentine's day!

In honor of Valentine's Day, and especially if you happen to be without a valentine today, here's my post from last year. Hopefully it'll be of some encouragement to anyone who's single. I must say, though, I've been studying I Corinthians and I realize now that some people were meant to be single - and I don't give them enough credit. Maybe we should have a Single's Day where couples feel left out, just to turn the tables a little bit? ;) But if you're single and hoping to someday not be... then last year's post may inspire you...

Anyhow, here is what my valentine gave me:


It amazes me that even as life gets more stressful, our marriage seems to get even better. That's all a testimony of what only God can do! :) And to think, 11 years ago today we met for the first time...

Also, I found some templates and made some cards (in other words, I can't take credit - they weren't my creation) for Charlie.





And, I have to share my favorite from last year. Again, not my idea, this was at a photo place.

One of these days I'll get Chance in on the action!

So if you are taken, may you honor and demonstrate that love for your partner today. If you're not, may it not bother you one bit! Happy Valentine's Day!

What NOT to say to a pregnant woman.

Here are a few comments I've heard while I've been pregnant, mostly from well-meaning strangers (who think they're funny):

"Wow, you're only six months? I'd hate to see you at nine!"

"So, how many minutes until you're due?"

"Is it triplets?"

"Wow, you're just about to pop, aren't you?"

"I bet you feel miserable."

Since it's my third kid, I really don't care, but thought I'd share ---those things really aren't funny to someone who's big and pregnant. LOL ;)

Speaking of which, I'm now so big that I can't wear my wedding rings. This always happens in the final days...water retention. So this time I decided to have fun with the rings:

[C is for Chandler. The bib was handmade by Les Sacs By Amy.]

And one more thing for Chandler. My Ladies' Bible Study Group presented me with this basket of gifts for Chandler, and prayed over me yesterday. It was SO sweet.

We've traumatized our kids

It struck me that all of our kids have been traumatized lately, LOL. Here's what I mean:

1. Charlie. Last night he found a book that I've never read him before called "I love you forever." I already knew I couldn't read it without crying before I started, and not just because I'm pregnant. If you haven't read it, it shows a mom holding her son thru various ages of his life and singing "I love you forever, I like you for always, as long as I'm living, my baby you'll be." Then the son grows up, comes to see his dying mom and she tries to sing it but is too weak, so he holds her and sings it with "as long as I'm living, my mommy you'll be." Then he goes to his home and holds his newborn and sings it to her. See, I told you it was a gusher!! But Charlie's old enough now to really understand it, and I wasn't the only one crying! He told me that the part where the son holds the mom is what makes him cry! We were both bawling. LOL.

2. Chance. His is more of a physical trauma. Sunday night we were sitting at the dining table with some friends, and had the windows near us open. They're really low windows, so he goes up and pushes on the screen to the point that it falls off, and he falls out with it!! It was the weirdest thing seeing him go head first, with his feet straight up in the air, right out the window! He got some scratches above his eye from the impact on the ground. Our friends were laughing about how the last time they were over, Chuck was throwing Chance in the air and he got hit by a ceiling fan blade! And THEN last night Chance was playing with Charlie and he ran into him, noggin to noggin, and we were worried he might have a concussion because he was wanting to fall asleep. The good news is, he's fine...just a little beat up!

3. Chandler. Monday night Chuck and I went to see Beowolf in 3D on the IMAX. While it was worth seeing, it's a total guy-flick, with lots of violence and adult humor. Anyhow, while I often would just cover my eyes to avoid seeing the blood splatters, there wasn't much of a way of covering Chandler's ears to the screams as monster and humans killed each other. He would move a lot in my womb when it would get loud. I told Chuck Chandler hasn't even been born yet, and he's probably already scared! LOL.

4. Charlie & Chance. I don't know if a new brother coming is exactly traumatizing, but I think they can definitely sense the winds of change. They have been so close lately. Last week on the playground, they stuck together, which is quite rare. Usually Charlie finds (older) kids to play with and Chance wants to play alone. Yet I saw both of them give up their preferences to play side by side. Then Charlie spent a few days with Big Daddy & Nana, and I saw how much Chance missed him. Every time Chance would wake up he would go looking for Charlie, and even as we went to church yesterday, he said "Yay! Bible class! Char-dee!!" So they were quite excited to be reunited yesterday afternoon!

[On the playground.]

Charlie's 4th Birthday Party

Each year as Charlie's birthday approaches, I usually agonize over whether to gamble with the weather and have the party at home, or have it elsewhere. This year, for the first time, I choose to have it at home...and won the gamble! It was a beautiful day, and we had a great turn out! Charlie had a blast. And of course, I have pictures to show for it. Can you tell Charlie wanted a "Pirate" party?!






[Charlie's friend Rachel. She was the only girl, and the only one to pose for me!]


[Grandpa got into the spirit of things, too. He doesn't look very mean though, because he couldn't stop laughing!]



[All of the kids painted and assembled pirate ships...which went over even better than I thought!]


[A few of the finished ones...]


[The pirate pinata...can you tell Charlie loved it?! Those things always scare the mom in me... I'd put them on the scale with bottle rockets for "dangerously fun things for kids."]


[As Charlie blew out candles, he got all but one, which Chance blew out for him. It was so cute.]


[Opening presents.]


[The kids all got pirate tattoos.]


[Then as the kids played outside, I caught Charlie and Chance sitting and playing together. They are such great brothers!]


[My friend made these cookies for the party. If you want to order some from her, check out www.imageincookies.com.]

Don't you feel like you were there? Oh, and if you were there, thanks so much. It really made Charlie's day so special!

3 Cheers for My Hero!

After blood, sweat and tears...Well, ok, maybe just some frustration on Chuck's part... We have our "new" site. You may think it looks oddly like a blogspot site, and um, that's because it is! But the point is, we're live! And my pupils will now enjoy a break from sorting thru the 100+ spam comments on my blog each day. If you ever left me a comment but never saw it approved...I'm so sorry! In my daily haste, I might've deleted it with all the junk. You can leave me hate mail now and it'll actually work here. :) With all the extra time I'll now have, I may even read it! Ha!

Now if only I could stop all the junk mail I get in my mailbox...

1 cm and counting - and Charlie's 4th Bday Feb 6, 2008

Well, I'm sorry if this is more info than you want to hear (especially you fellas that might happen by)... but I'm 1 cm dilated!! Woo hooo! I'll be 35 weeks tomorrow, and we have the sono next Friday, Feb. 15th, in order to see if this boy is gonna be big. My doctor and I already think so, plus I'm over being pregnant (as you saw a few posts back), so she said that we'll most likely induce in that first week of March. So, my fingers are crossed for Monday, March 3rd... although all these things are up to God and Chandler, so we'll see.

One detail I wanted to remember is that I actually lost a few pounds. Not that it matters much, but I'm actually exactly the same weight now as I was with Chance at this point. That makes me feel a little better about how I've let myself go somewhat, and eat whatever I feel like. LOL.

But onto other exciting news....Yesterday was Charlie's 4th Birthday. Chuck and I talked last night about how suddenly he turns four and acts more like a teenager... what's that about?! He had a bit of an arrogant/punk attitude at times... I don't know if maybe I've given him the impression that because it's his birthday he can rule the universe or what? LOL Despite his punk moments, he was great yesterday. And Chuck is my hero. Originally I had gotten cupcakes to take to his class that morning. He goes to a class of 4 year olds while I go to a Bible study on Tuesdays. We'd also planned on celebrating his birthday at McDonald's after class with some of his friends. But then Monday night Chance started acting sick, so we couldn't go. I was worried he would be disappointed about missing out on his birthday plans, but Chuck saved the day by taking Charlie to lunch and a movie. They saw "The Pirates that Don't Do Anything" and if you have kiddos yourself, Chuck said it's a good one to take them to. This was the third attempt Chuck's made to take Charlie to a movie, and the first time Charlie actually managed to sit all the way through!! Mr. Energetic doesn't like to sit for very long. :)

We also started the morning off with our little tradition of cinnamon rolls with a candle with the birthday boy. It is so neat having Chuck home, because he was able to join Chance and I in waking up Charlie with the special breakfast. And then for dinner he opened a few gifts and had cake and ice cream. Saturday is the big celebration, and it's looking the weather is going to cooperate, so we're quite excited! It's weird to think that next year (Lord permitting) we'll have 3 boys, and Charlie will be gearing up for kindergarten. It all goes so fast!







[I love this pic because Chance is so mesmerized by the ice cream!]

And for your viewing pleasure, I've decided to get gushy for a minute and review Charlie's 4 years of life. What a blessing he is, (teenage attitude and all, ha)!! ;)


2004



2005





2006




[Doesn't he look like Chance here?!]



2007



2008

Haircut Follow up and Zoo Adventures Feb 3, 2008

Ok, so I attempted to touch up the boys' hair after my last post. I'm happier with Charlie's, but afraid I overdid it a bit on Chance's. Oh well, here are the pics:









Oh, and for fun...here's one of Charlie before the haircut (and part of why I decided it was time, ha!)


Anyhow, today was a beautiful 80 degree day, so we were able to check out the new exhibit at the zoo. As many times as we've been there, this was the first time for us to go as a family, just the 4 of us. Anyhow, here are some highlights.



Chance loves the turtles.




I found some dark tile that was very clean...


In the Africa Live exhibit, there was a snake with a weird nose.


And here's how we wrap up a trip to the zoo...everytime!



And now life will revolve around Charlie's impending birthday. Tuesday he'll be four...wow!

The Boys' First Haircut in Mom's Barber Shop - Jan 30, 2008

I recently decided that if I'm going to have 3 little boys that need haircuts often, it'd be much cheaper to trim their hair myself. So I got out what I thought were clippers, and bought some scissors and was all ready to naively attempt to cut Charlie's hair. Then I realized the "clippers" weren't going to work, because they were actually Chuck's beard trimmer. But since I had Charlie revved up, he asked that I cut his bangs, which truly were just about in his eyes. So here was my first attempt:



I know this pic was on my last blog, but I'm posting it bigger here so you can see what a sham I am! :) I have a lot of respect for hair stylists now!

Anyhow, I had a couple of hairstylists give me tips, and decided that I could indeed do this. So I bought the clippers today, and Charlie begged me to cut his hair before bedtime tonight. It even came with a dvd lesson, which Charlie watched with me. Then we got all set up. I felt like a kindergartener pretending to have a barber shop with my dolls. It was kinda hard to shake the memory of trimming my riding horsey's hair when I was little...I got in big trouble for that one! Yet I gathered my strength, and Charlie, thankfully, was a fairly cooperative first subject. The only problem was, Chance kept coming in and trying to wrestle me. His new thing is to poke his head between my knees and push to try to make me fall. Not fun for someone who's already off center with a baby belly. It was especially challenging when I would be in the middle of cutting Charlie's hair. But all in all, and despite getting itchy from all the hair, Charlie managed to sit long enough for me to trim his hair. He bangs look much better, by the way. Hopefully tomorrow I'll update with a photo. I left the top pretty long still because I was afraid of cutting too short...baby steps.

Anyhow, next it was Chance's turn. And as if to return the favor of sabotaging the moment, while I was clipping Chance's hair, Charlie decides to grab the scissors and nearly cut the cord to the clippers! I'm so thankful our outlet was a protected one, otherwise it would've fried him good! He cut deep enough that we'll have to wrap it in electrical tape. Yet I was able to finish clipping Chance's hair, but then he didn't have the maturity to sit and let me do the rest. So, I guess that's an advantage to doing it this way, I can finish later. The disadvantages?

1. I'm way slower and less capable than a pro.
2. I have to clean up the mess afterwards.
3. I can't blame someone else if I don't like how it turns out.
4. I don't have extra hands around to prevent the disasters.

So if you'd have any advice on how to do this, or make it go smoother...I'd greatly appreciate it! I have no advice yet on if this is a better way to go...

I Should be Sleeping... Jan 28, 2008

It's 11:30, the kids have been in bed for an hour, and I should totally be snoozing, as I'm exhausted...BUT here I am, blogging ;)





These past few days have been fine on the surface...no big news to report. Charlie was throwing many fits as he readjusted to life at home last week, but then on Thursday he magically stopped and began being a great little boy again... so Chance decided it was his turn to be the fit-thrower. At least they are alternating, because if they ganged up against me right now, it wouldn't be pretty.

But for the last few days I've really been struggling with the blessed misery of being big and pregnant. I feel like all I do is complain. "Oh my aching swollen feet!" "Oh how I can't wait to be able to be reach things on the floor (like all those little legos I step on all the time!)" "Oh how this heartburn makes me nauseous," "Oh, I'm so tired of being tired. I can't wait to have energy and movement again so I can play with the boys!" etc, etc. I am constantly reminding myself that I've still got 5-7 weeks to go, so it's time to chill out and be patient. I am very thankful that we have another son coming, really I am! I'm just so OVER being pregnant. I'm really not wanting to be pregnant anymore...like ever. I think God's way of speaking to me is that Veggietales song that keeps ringing in my head: "A thankful heart is a happy heart. I'm glad for what I have, that's an easy way to start..."

But then I read this article. It says that Asian elephants have a gestation period of 22 months (almost 2 years!!!!) and this one elephant had contractions for 2 days(!)...then she died in childbirth. And one third of all Asian elephants are born stillborn. So could you imagine being pregnant for almost 2 years, then your baby is born dead?!

Alright, God, I get it. Thank You for not making me an elephant.

Freedom? Is It Truly Possible? Jan 25, 2007

There's a philosophy blog that has been swimming in my head for awhile, and as usual, you get to witness it's outpouring. Sometimes these thoughts consume me until I get them out, it's like it burns within me or something. I'm a freak, I know. ;)

Anyhow, this one is inspired by a book I recently read (see photo above). It's called "Mercy Moves Mountains" by Nancy Alcorn, and it's a collection of life stories of women who have come thru the "Mercy House" that Nancy Alcorn manages. "Mercy House" is kinda like a maternity home, but has a broader audience. It's for women, ages 14-29 or so, who are in crisis. They come to this home where all their needs are met (for free), and they are immersed in Truth. They're taught the Bible intensively. Almost like a rehab for drug addicts or a counseling boot camp. Anyhow, Nancy simplified the stories into about 5 pages each, and recorded the stories of a dozen women who have come through the home. It's a very uplifting read, a nice note to end your evening on. I would read a story (sometimes 2) a night, and have sweet dreams thinking of the incredible power of God to change people from the inside-out. And that's what I want to talk about...

Of course, most of us (believers in Christ) would agree that God has the power to overcome sin in a person's life. We mentally ascend to this idea, but do we really believe it? I've heard well meaning believers say, "I just don't know if he'll ever be able to stop using drugs." Or, "When you've lived in that lifestyle for that many years, is it possible that there's brain damage done, so that you can't get out?" Usually that's saying that the person in the lifestyle won't turn from it. And I've even heard believers say this: if a person has come to know Christ, experienced freedom from a certain bondage (drugs, alcohol, eating disorders, etc), then returned to their old ways, there's really not much hope for them.

On the one hand, I understand where these ideas are coming from. The idea is not that God lacks the power to change a person, it's that the person won't repent. I have a cousin who took his own life at 25 years old, because he was miserable on drugs. I think what made him the most miserabl