And We Never Even Noticed

It's universal, really. A mother's love & protection. Dads do it too, I know, but there's something unique about the way a mother protects her young. They're ever thinking, always scanning the horizon, and always aware of exactly where they can spot the kids, even when they're not directly at her side. Constantly looking at every scenario & plotting out the worst possible ending, then deciding with quick wit how to prevent it from happening. I'm not talking about overbearing, wringing of the hands, keeping their kids Ralph Lauren spotless at all costs, though I know they exist too-but those real, down to earth moms. Let the kids get dirty, but evaluate the situation to see if the worst possible outcome is bad enough to prevent the kids from slinging the mud.

Today I was driving through the small alley up towards my house. It only allows access to one car at a time, and anyone walking along is forced to scoot over to a very small dirt path while the vehicle passes. As I was driving, there was a woman and her small child, and as I approached, I noticed her switching spots with her son. She was now the one closest to my car, and without a second thought, she had moved him away from my vehicle.

My speed was slow, I was in control of my car, and I slowed down even more as I approached. Yet, like a mother only would do, she moved herself into a possibly hazardous situation to protect her son.

How many times in our lives did our mother do this for us? Not just cars in slow alleyways, but in every day little things. How many scenarios ran through their heads? How many millions of ways did they see an arm breaking or a broken back, or worse yet, the unimaginable? How many times did we get frustrated, stomping or pouting-just knowing that our mothers were being meanies? How many times did it pass through us like a breeze, not realizing that in those small gestures, our mothers were risking their own lives for us.

Not that I feel every situation is life or death-but really-do we expect the unexpected?

It's not until we, ourselves, become mothers, that we realize just how many times our own lives were scanned, evaluated, and remedied in case of the unimaginable.

Grandma's, Grandpa's, and Puppy Love!

This past weekend we got to visit with Steve's Mom & Step-Dad. It was a really nice, relaxing visit, and we really enjoyed having them over. Andrew & Hannah had a half weekend with us, so the kids got to come home after Andrew's game (which, of course, his team won again). Also, Vickie brought 2 of her dogs-Justice & Austin. Hannah & Roxy both were having such a great time with Austin. Roxy spent the entire visit wrestling around with him, and Hannah was always trying to walk him around w/his leash. She even begged for him to be able to sleep in her room-which also entailed her speed demon like cleaning abilities when it meant he would be able to be in there if the room was clean! She was upset when she found out he would still have to sleep in his crate, but realized very quickly why he had to stay in his crate. He absolutely loves pulling every single stuffed animal & barbie she owned out of her container & into the living room for a puppy snack!

All in all, it was a really great weekend, and it was nice to be able to really relax & take it slowly. Sometimes we're in such a rush to get so much accomplished on the weekends, or we're out doing stuff that leaves us happy but exhausted, that we don't really have a chance to recharge our batteries.

Here's some pictures from the visit:

They look so vicious when they're having fun!

Poker, being the referee as always!


Austin loved biting at Roxy's opened mouth.

Hannah being our little puppy!

Look at that gaping grin! :)

Ok ok ok, here's some pictures!!!

This is from November-back when I was 10 weeks pregnant. A.K.A. "Forever ago"

And now, at 30 weeks. I'm pretty sure he's transverse still, and all the way up at the top.
Again, 30 weeks
One more 30 week for good measure!
Here's Andrew as a full fledged White Sox ball player~funny to think just last year we were anti-White Sox, pro-Angels :)~
This is from Andrew's birthday at Rock-N-Bowl. 10pm-1am nonstop bowling.
Hannah, at the beginning of Rock-N-Bowl

I really like this picture of Steve!

Hannah by 11:15. Routine definitely suits her!

Another update

So, Thomas is getting really squished in his little habitat. He gets really mad at me if I lay, sit, stand or, do anything that prevents him from getting a full stretch in at his beck & call :) Also, the doctor has me doing this kick count chart, where I count 10 kicks within an hour period. It's really kind of pointless, because I feel him kick/squirm/hickup/stretch/jab/poke/prod/(getting the point?) at me CONSTANTLY. His favorite playtime seems to be 4 am. Which is great, because after I turn, squirm, use the "facilities" a million times, and FINALLY get comfortable-around 3, he's like "OOOH-the playground is OPEN!!" Hmm. Wonder what midnight feedings are going to be like.

I think Steve's starting to get a little more nervous (Shh, don't tell him I told you, he'll deny-it I'm sure). I mean, 10 more weeks-who wouldn't be? I'm nervous too, but I think this time around, it really is more about making sure that the schedule fits. I know, I know, I was one who scoffed at women who tried to "schedule" the birth into their hectic lives. Lord knows, I'm gonna be that girl begging them to figure out a way to stop labor if it's before the 17th! The nurses will quietly giggle & make fun at me too, I'm sure. Really, though. Andrew has an end of the year blowout celebrating their transition from the "little kid's school" (my words-not his!) at the beach. Hannah gets her first field trip to the Wave Waterpark for school. Should Thomas come before that, chances are, they're going to miss this stuff. It really isn't fair now, is it? So see-the scoffer has a reason to become the scoffee!

On side notes-Andrew got to do a hitting clinic for baseball. I was fortunate enough to join the last 1/2 hour of the 2nd day. The guy was REALLY good. I think Andrew gained a lot from it, and will be able to take it with him for the rest of his life-if he can remember it, the stinkin' preteen! We got done with the clinic, went to a scrimmage, and already he was forgetting what he learned. It wasn't till the game was over that he was like "oh yeah-I completely forgot to do what he said huh huh huh" <---that's a dopish laugh by the way :)

We had a great Easter Vacation. Spent a lot of time hanging out with a good friend, and got to see the kids go to their friends houses. Each kid got a special day with me. Little bit of summer clothes shopping, little bit of household stuff shopping, and a great lunch. It was really nice to reconnect with both of them again, as individuals. Knowing that it'll be a while before we get to do that again made it even more special.

Hmm. I think that about sums it up. Steve's and my life are right about where they were last posting.