Are we ready?

The countdown has begun. Our third (and final) baby will be here in less than two weeks. Am I ready? Are the boys ready? Are we ever REALLY ready? For the most part, I'd have to say yes. I'm ready for less back pain and to start walking and stop waddling. Her room is pretty much ready. Although this is our third, family friends and coworkers have showered us with beautiful gifts for Baby Girl. She has more clothes than we have storage space. We've rearranged some things in the house to give us more room. I think we're "ready."

But are our boys ready?? Sam, you've been giving us a pretty hard time lately. As much as I love that you're breaking away from being Jasper's little shadow, you've definitely driven us more than a little nuts these past few months. Potty training was a major feat to say the least. And we're still working on that. In fact, just last weekend, we caught you in the backyard, relieving yourself (unfortunately not #1), but we just didn't have the heart to correct you because you were so proud of your big "accomplishment." Our laughter quickly turned into frustration when you put your hand in it. Just awesome. At least we were able to send you off to summer camp without diapers. You got Camper of the Week your first week there! We still need to work on sharing, and you still want everything that Brother has. You're obsessed with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles and you still call them "inja" turtles. One minute, you're telling Daddy how much you love him, and the next, you're telling him he's a bad daddy because he asked you to put your shoes away. You still call me a princess and you know that the baby is a princess too. You love Skittles--they're your favorite. You only eat the sprinkles off the donut, and the icing off the cinnamon roll. You take FOREVER to eat anything. You keep Jasper up late just about every night because you can't stop talking and playing, even after we've corrected you over and over again. As a result, you wake up grumpy each morning. Your facial expressions are hilarious. You've become adventurous and much more independent, which scares us a bit. You don't need to hold my hand, but when I ask to, you don't seem to mind. You love running around the house naked. When it comes to correcting and disciplining you, Daddy and I work very hard at maintaining patience with you because that's the only approach that works for you. You challenge us to be better parents. You're still a fantastic cuddler and you love touching my belly.

I just hope this new baby doesn't disrupt your world too much. I hope that you know you're still my baby, just as Jasper knew. I hope that you're as happy as we are to add her to our chaotic-yet-content family. I hope that you don't ever feel less special than you are. I hope that you continue to come into your own because I just love that silly personality of yours. I've read articles about the middle child, and I've listened to advice on how to be inclusive of my other children when bringing home a new baby. But nothing can really prepare me for what's going to happen because I just don't know how you will react to it all. But Sam, just know that a mother's love is never divided. It's multiplied. I love you more today than yesterday, and when we become a family of three, I'll love you even more for the new big brother you'll be.

We've known for six months that we're having a girl, and I still can't believe it. I'm going through the motions, decorating her room with more yellow and pink. I even made her yellow curtains with bows. But as much as I've always wanted and even expected a girl, I still can't mentally grasp it. Then again, I never dreamed of having three kids--til I met the right person to have them with. I cannot wait for Jeremy to have a daughter, and to see his heart melt a little differently this time around. I imagine that she'll have bows in her hair, and dinosaurs and trucks in her hands. I know she'll fit in just fine with her two amazing brothers.

Yep. I think we're ready.

I've found peace.

I've probably said this before, but I'll say it again. This time in my life has been filled with such extreme highs and such low lows. In one moment, I'm in inconsolable tears, grieving and overwhelmed with so much anxiety that I don't know how I'll get through the day. That was the day before Mike died. And in the next moment, just a few days later, my heart is filled with so much love, thankful for the goodness that surrounds me in the precious faces of my boys and my humble and giving husband. What a life this is. What a gift it is to be on this earth with one another.

Mike passed away peacefully Friday, March 24, 2017. He was 62 years old. As quickly as the disease took him from us, I think the family will agree that it was a long and difficult time for everyone involved, especially Mike. ALS took so much from him and us. Aside from the obvious, the muscle movement, ability to speak, eat and ultimately breathe, etc., what I hate most is that it took away his cheerful demeanor. He always seemed so carefree and content. If you were lucky enough to attend his service and hear the words spoken about him from his oldest friend Lynn, his client Wanda, and Jeremy, all three eulogies had the same exact takeaways. First, he loved his LSU Tigers. I think that will be the hardest part for Jeremy moving forward; not getting to talk LSU sports with his dad. But wouldn't you know, just last month, Jasper has finally started coming around to the idea of sports and he's suddenly interested in learning baseball with Jeremy. They've been practicing catching and throwing the ball, and Jeremy has been explaining the game as they watch tigers baseball. I bet Mike had a hand in that. Second, he loved his friends and his family, and spending time with them. When it came to vacations with the family, the cost of the trip didn't matter. What mattered was that we were all together. And when it came to standing up for his family, he'd never back down. And finally, how he loved his grandsons. I think the thing Mike was most sad about was not getting to see his grandchildren grow up. His last words to me were "Take care of my little buddies." He was such a proud pawpaw. When Jeremy was pulling files from his computer for work after Mike had passed, he came across so many saved pictures of the boys. I'm sad that they won't know him the way Jeremy did. Thankfully, and possibly the reason Jeremy is handling his dad's passing so well is, Mike truly is a part of Jeremy. They are one in the same, and Jeremy finds peace in knowing that. He is made up of some of the best things about Mike, and there's no doubt that our children will grow up knowing who PawPaw was and the kind of man, husband, father and grandfather he was.

This was Jasper and Mike's last hug and kiss.

This is the last picture that we took of Mike, with Joy, Jeremy and Patrick 

praying together for him while he slept, just before he passed.

As difficult as it is, and as insensitive as it feels for me to begin this next paragraph and simply move on from the tragedy of losing Mike, that's how life is--it keeps going. Just like starting a new chapter in a book, we have started a new chapter in our lives. We'll forever keep Mike and his memory in our hearts. But with two children and one on the way, we have no choice but to keep going. With that said, we've found a new normal; celebrating birthdays, Easter and Mother's Day, just as we did before, with family and good friends, and creating happy memories for our boys.

In April, we celebrated quite a few birthdays, but Mom's was especially significant, as this was her 70th. She was surrounded by her favorite people, especially her boys, as we enjoyed a jazz brunch at our favorite restaurant, Muriel's.

We hosted another successful Easter Egg Hunt on Florida Blvd., providing over 300 Easter eggs for all the neighborhood kids, along with games and freeze pops. The Easter bunny made an appearance and was a hit with all of the kids. Grandpa joined the boys to help them collect all of the eggs that their baskets couldn't hold. We'll most likely have a supply of skittles, gummies and other candies til Halloween. Oh, and as an added bonus, I'm happy to report that BOTH boys smiled for this year's picture with the Easter bunny!

On Saturday, April 22nd, Jasper and Sam visited Tiger Stadium for the first time as they attended the LSU Spring Game. We spent the entire weekend, just the four of us, in Baton Rouge, enjoying LSU, the parade grounds, the stadium, The Chimes, Mike the Tiger (the bronze one), and we even fit in a nice visit with Nannan and Uncle Timmy, along with Brittany at her baby shower. It was a positively wonderful and well deserved family weekend for the four of us. I know Mike was there with us, smiling as our boys cheered on our tigers.

We spent Jeremy's birthday with our boys at their school's field day. The weather was cool and breezy, and all of the kiddos had a fun day running around, jumping in the bounce houses, riding tricycles, and especially throwing water balloons at the teachers. I look forward to more vacation days when I don't have to save up my maternity leave. I can guarantee that it will involve being at as many school events as possible, holding their hands and kissing their foreheads while they still let me.

Jasper graduated from kindergarten Friday, May 12th. I'd be lying if I said that we breezed through the year. He certainly kept his teachers on their toes, often getting more red, orange and yellow checks than green. In fact, I think he only got three blue checks all year. One was a half day and one was a substitute teacher. I have to admit though, some of those notes home were pretty entertaining. I think that my favorite one was "Jasper slapped a girl on her bottom, told a kid he wasn't a cool kid and had trouble listening." And yes, that was all in one day. In fact, there were often footnotes used to better explain his orange and red checks, simply because there just wasn't enough room on the calendar day. We're hoping son, that you eventually learn some self control. In the meantime, we'll be praying for your first grade teacher.

Jasper and Sam's last full day of school. 

We just celebrated my 6th Mother's Day, and forgive me if I get a little sappy at 28 weeks pregnant... It's impossible to put into words the fulfillment I get that comes from being a mom. When I was younger, I always assumed I'd get married and have a family. Just like that! But I can't tell you how much I took those two remarkable acts for granted. First, God brought me the best person for me there was. And as if that wasn't a big enough gift, He created these two perfectly spirited, kind and loving boys for us to love and nurture, along with a daughter on the way.

This last year was hard for us. Really hard. I feel like a cloud was lifted though. For me, this Mother's Day wasn't about what I do for my family, and getting cards and presents. All I could think about this Mother's Day was how my family makes me feel; the satisfaction I get from being married to such a good person, and being loved so much by my children. Getting married and having a family wasn't just something that happened to me. It has become my purpose, and I am both thankful and at peace.

You wanna go see the Mardi Gras!

Another Mardi Gras has come and gone. The seven days of consecutive parades, sunshine, ladders, king cake and fun are over. But before getting back to reality, I have to reminisce some. Thankfully, our boys love Mardi Gras as much as we do. On the way home from Rex, Jasper looked sort of down in the dumps and when Jeremy asked him what was wrong, he said that he was sad that Mardi Gras was over. Jeremy responded, "That's what's so great about Mardi Gras though, it happens every year!" Not to mention, we have St. Patrick's Day parades right around the corner.

So we lucked out big time this year with a great apartment only a block from the route. We all had a place to pee, and I made hot food for each day. Not that we needed hot food though. The weather was perfect--cool in the morning, a little warm during the day with sunny skies, and not a drop of rain for seven straight days. It took Aunt Carol, Aunt Debbie and I about 30 minutes to figure out how to reassemble the kids' platform, but once it was up, it was a great way to keep the kids all in one place. Aunt Carol bought me my favorite, a box of moon pies, just in case I didn't catch enough of them. Aimee and I had silly costumes, masks, and headbands for each day. The people were friendly. Jeremy had a great ride in Druids. I had fun marching and dancing with the Nawlins' Nymphs in Krewe d'Etat. Jim Caviezel smiled right at me as he threw me a doubloon in Bacchus. The boys caught so many toys, including plungers, toilet brushes, frogs, snakes, hats, swords, dinosaurs and more! I wore wigs for five straight days. We had more light-up stuff than we knew what to do with. So many family and friends met us out at our spot to enjoy each day with us. Some of my favorite moments were the simplest ones, like holding Sam while he napped, watching the floats go by and seeing everyone's hands up in the air waving and yelling. There is nothing like Mardi Gras with children. As hectic and chaotic as it was carrying ladders and chairs back and forth, changing diapers on the neutral ground (YES, he's still in diapers), the memories and photos we captured last week are priceless. I know I wouldn't trust my Mardi Gras to anyone else but Mom, Aunt Carol and Aunt Debbie. Thanks y'all for another amazing and delightful Mardi Gras! Sam is still singing Mardi Gras Mambo in the car.

Our first big parade of the season was Callie's parade, the Krewe of Barkus, and the theme was "Pirates of the Crescent City: Barkus tells tales of Jean LaFleabag." As always, Callie was the best looking pup in the parade, by far! And she made an adorable parrot! While my corset vest didn't fit quite as well as it did back in October, I think we all still fit the part as pirates very well. Aunt Debbie didn't even recognize us! Oh, and thanks to Jonathan, Micah and Logan for the potty break!

We're happy to report that the work on Napoleon was finally complete and the neutral ground has never looked better. New lights were installed, grass was laid down, and the giant hole was finally filled in. Napoleon and Prytania is THE place to be!

Despite being almost 16 weeks pregnant, I kept up with my girls, dancing and marching with the Nawlins' Nymphs. We saw so many friends on the route, and our light-up tutus were a big hit. So glad to have Tracey and Sara join us this year too!

We joined in Jessica's new tradition of brunching at Arnaud for Lundi Gras and it was fabulous. First off, we were BY FAR, THE BEST DRESSED in the entire restaurant. People started clapping. The food was delicious and the company was even better. Looking forward to keeping this new tradition alive!

Monday night was entertaining to say the least. Boys, remind me to tell you the story about Granny moving someone else's car that blocked our friends in, and parking it down the street--when you're older...

I sewed the last bead on our skirts sometime around midnight Mardi Gras morning. But the stress of all the Mardi Gras costumes was totally worth it. Aimee and I had a blast in our poodle "bead dog" skirts, and the boys were precious in their shorts that matched, and green suspenders. This may be my last year of Jasper letting me dress him in what I want him to wear. But fingers crossed that he'll continue to be up for dressing in costume! Happy Carnival Y'all!

And check out this lucky guy! Man, he had his hands full with us this year! I'm very thankful that he's always up for whatever crazy/silly costume ideas I have. Just wait til our little "girl" joins our krewe... Can't wait til next year!