February 16th will now be EXTRA special!

I've just returned from the doctors office with the plan of being induced on Monday-7am.  Since Blake needs to be out of town on Thursday and Friday and being overdue as it is, AND to fit into the OB's schedules etc., Monday was the best date we came up with.  I feel a bit guilty as this is Jack's birthday as well but am trying to play it up to him as "SO COOL"! to have the same birthday as his sister.   He's, however, very hung up on not wanting to share his cake or ANY of his presents with the baby.  He did offer to "throw her just one crumb" though.  It's a start.  So after several promises that he would ALWAYS get his very own cake and NEVER have to share his presents, he's somewhat appeased.  I now need to get over feeling as though I've trumped my big boy's special day.  So that's the plan for anyone waiting to hear.   Naturally I'll post pics as soon as I'm able.  Till then.

It's nearly someone's birthday!

I needed to get a jump start on Jack's birthday this year due to baby-coming-any-minute-now and fear of missing his celebration, which he would NEVER let me live down!   Therefore, we spent this weekend en fete even though his actual birthday isn't until the 16th.  It's been slightly confusing for an almost 4 year-old mind.  Basically he thinks he should be getting a gift every day until the 17th...

Anyway, oblige me this post where I just gush over my first born; a boy who just rocks my world and fills me with pride and joy.

Jack Dylan Shirley

Jacky Noodle

Jack-a-roe

Ronie

Jackhead

J-dog

Boney

etc.

You are our sweet, coy, witty boy and we are so blessed to be your parents.  We realize what a unique person you are.  At just 4 years old, you understand so much of the world around you.  However, I worry that your wisdom is making you grow-up too fast and become concerned about things you shouldn't be thinking about for another 10 years...  You have been a little scientist from the start and I marvel at the things you are interested in.  I hope you never loose your insatiable curiosity and appetite for the unusual wonders of the world around you.  You make each day a new adventure for us.  Every day and night your dad and I pray that you will be healthy, safe and happy.  Please be happy!  Please love life.  Please choose the right.  And please never wonder if your loved.  You are so valuable to this family.  You know how your brother goes crazy if you happen to not be right there when he wakes up or we run an errand on our own.  He will call your name over and over until he sees you again.  I'm sure your sister will be just as much in love with you as Theo is.  You are special, matchless and irreplaceable.  We love you like crazy!

  Happy Birthday Jack!

A few shower pictures

My mother, sisters and me.

Sisters and sis-in-law

The guests

The cake with a pic of myself as a baby.

This weekend

My lovely sister Jillair, wonderfully thoughtful friend April and  talented mother Cindy put on a baby shower for me at my mom's Bed and Breakfast this past weekend.  I was quite surprised that so many of my friends and sister-in-law took the time (3 hour car ride!) to be there.   I really felt quite honored and blessed to know such good people.  Until I am able to get my pictures situated, see what Amanda has posted concerning the weekend.  I was overwhelmed with beautiful girlie gifts that contained quite an amazing display of handcrafted goodies.  What talented friends with amazing taste I have!  This girl is gonna be a stylin' little thing.  I hope it was worth the time away from home and the car ride to be there.  I really can't find the right words to express how glad and surprised I am that so many good friends made the effort.  THANK YOU!

These days

On these cold days when I just don't have it in me to haul my swollen body and two boys out the door, this is what we find ourselves doing.  Theo's new found love of Play Dough and Jacks amazing computer skills on pbskids.org can (thankfully) occupy them for a while.  No, not long enough for me to get a nap or cook a real meal, but enough to go to the bathroom in peace or make a quick phone call.  Small blessings.  I love that Theo can roll little ropes and balls and rarely eats them.  And that Jack knows how to get himself back to his page should he hit a wrong button and has the patience to figure out a game now.  I guess it slightly beats all the TV watching we could be doing and probably will be doing when Harper arrives.  (How else will I be able to feed this baby in peace?)  

The wait is over; destiny calls...

Does anyone out there care that the season premier of LOST is about to start in 10 minutes? I could pee my pants from excitement (or is that just my pregnancy stress incontinence acting up?)! What has become of the island? of those left behind? What will become of Kate and Jack? What really happened to Claire? Did Jin die in the explosion? Is Benjamin Linus good or bad? Will Charlie return? But most importantly, will we see Sawyer shirtless? Are you sensing what a looser I am yet?

I have been trying for days to change my background and something I did erased my whole blog. Or so I thought until my frustration was so great that my husband ("you know I don't believe in this whole blog thing") took a look at it. Have I mentioned how technically inept I am. Yes I have. So I have this beautiful pink background which when not reminding me of childhood stomach aches and my mothers favorite remedy, hints toward my soon to materialize daughter. Yikes. I mean YIKES!! In less than a month or there abouts I will have myself another baby. I say another baby because my Theo is still such a baby to me. Oh what will I do? I guess we will all simply "do". Aside from being thoroughly freaked out about it I am excited to see my baby girl. I do so love those frilly little clothes that have so generously been given to us. I will try to fix my background as soon as I calm down over my near loss. Until then try not to puke.

what has happened to my blog?

Where's the snow?

Well, It's been some time since I've posted.  Nothing very extraordinary has been going on so don't feel too left out.  As seen below, we shopped for our Christmas tree on my birthday, spent some very chilly afternoons just playing outside and attempted to (very last minute) take some Christmas pictures of the boys.  It's a very good thing that my husband is much more savvy and able to take pictures than I am or nothing would have come out.  We have been "decked" and ready for Christmas for sometime now that  Jack is beginning to think Christmas day is all a hoax for as long as it's taking to arrive.  The patience of little boys...  Theo has his"HO HO HO's" down and has basically given up attacking the Christmas tree.  For some reason he hasn't even attempted to open any of the gifts from the grandparents that are under the tree.  I assume he doesn't understand that you can rip the paper, thank goodness.   What we are really awaiting is a good snow storm.  We have cut out more than enough snowflakes and have hung them ALL on the walls which is nice for a time but we are desperately seeking the real stuff.  Jack gets up in the AM before I do and comes down stairs to turn on PBS.  Lately he has started to watch the news for the daily weather report before flipping over to Reading Rainbow.  He is my weather man as he gives me the forecast each morning.  So we are actually expecting a good amount of snow today, tomorrow and Sunday (according to Jack).  There will be some major disappointments if it doesn't materialize.  Is 3 years old too young to loose faith in the weather man?   Well, I wish all who may read this a very Merry Christmas! and in the likely case I don't get back to this blog before then, a Happy New Year! too.

We celebrated Blake's Birthday on Friday and in loo of his special day and much to his resistance (if he only knew) here are some reasons why we think Blake's the best around these parts.
1. He's sooooo handsome
2. He appreciates the little things
3. He has an incredible amount of patience
4. He's definitely more fun than mom
5. He's quiet and peaceful when everyone else, well, isn't
6. He's well read
7. He's the only one around here who knows whats going on in the music world
8. He's able to stick to a task for FOREVER
9. He's funny. Really, he is.
10. He loves us for some crazy reason
11. He randomly brings home flowers for his wife
12. He never complains when I buy myself something, in-fact he encourages it
13. He's not a stinky man (my pregnant olfactories love that)
14. He'll eat anything I cook
15. He's a simple man

The list could go on but I'll keep it as minimally embarrassing as I'm able to for Blake's sake should he accidentally happen onto my blog. We do love Blake around here and hope his 32nd year is the best ever. Happy Birthday!!