Beware TAKS testing!

 Often, when we take Jonathan to the airport, the girls and I head over to the Dallas World Aquarium.  After all, it's usually much quieter during the week, and we're able to take our time watching the animals, chatting with people who work there, and occasionally even being allowed to feed an animal or two.  Yesterday, I decided it would be fun to head downtown for an aquarium day, thinking "It's TAKS week.  No field trips today!"  Au contraire, mon frère!  Every child under the age of third grade was there.  Screaming, pushing, shoving and generally acting as though they had never been in public in their lives.  And the chaperones seemed to actually encourage this behaviour by screaming louder, and doing a fair amount of shoving themselves.  Quite a few animals weren't in their enclosures, and others were not completely open due to the massive numbers of people attending the aquarium that day.  We first went and had lunch at the Jungle Cafe, (hoping that most of the field trips would pass us by so that we could have a leisurely afternoon) where we were able to say "hi" to our favourite bird who likes to watch us eat.  When we finally ventured out, it was not much better.  They just kept coming!  After getting trampled by a dozen kindergarteners while trying to wait our turn to check out a new exhibit, we packed our bags and left.  As we headed to the parking lot to put the girls' new stuffed animals into the truck, we counted 16 school buses.  No wonder it was so crowded!

All was not lost, however.  It was a nice day, and we always enjoy wandering around Dallas, so we headed over to the Old Red Courthouse.  (I can't take credit for the picture here, because I had already put my camera away, and didn't think to take it out again.)  From there, we crossed the street to the Hotel Lawrence, where Jonathan and I stayed on our wedding night.  It was fun to sit in the lobby and tell the girls about our view of the Old Red Courthouse, and the carriage ride we took after having dinner.  To end the afternoon, we stopped at Sonic and got drinks to hydrate us after walking around downtown all day!

Despite the fact that our aquarium plans were thwarted, we enjoyed the day, and plan to go back to the courthouse and spend some time in the museum at a later date!

16 weeks

Not sure what Jonathan was saying, but it made me laugh!  :)

More baby buys!

Sooooo...  When I got the email confirmation of what I ordered from the cloth diaper site, the numbers were not what I had thought they were.  I'm really not sure if it was my fault, or something that happened in the processing, but the lady who runs the shop was nice enough to hold my order until she got more product in, and she's getting in more shells, too.  Naturally, I had to get a pretty purple one, and a blue striped one.  Aren't they cute?!  So now, I have enough for 8 diaper changes before I have to wash.  Of course, I'll need at least 3 times that, but it's a good start, right?  lol

Update: I may have splurged and bought a pretty green diaper before they were all sold out from another website!  That brings us up to nine!

First baby purchase!

Well folks, I did it!  I've been really restraining myself from buying anything for the baby since I found out I was pregnant in January!  I found out that the diapers I really want to try are being rebranded in May, and were on clearance, so I bought some!  These are a one-size, an all-in-2 type diaper, which means you have a shell that you put inserts (or prefolds!) in and you only have to change the inserts unless baby has a super messy diaper.  All the snaps can be taken in or let out to fit the baby for an extended period of time, so you don't have to buy tons of sizes.  I think both of these are absolutely adorable, and will go on either a boy or a girl, so I'm excited to get them!!!  :)

15 Weeks

Baby!

Today was a great day!  I got to go to my doctor to hear the baby's heart.  The little one was squirming away and although the doctor was able to find its heartbeat immediately, beating away at 156 bpm, the baby wriggled away a couple of times!  All my blood work came back with no major issues, my blood pressure was great, and I haven't gained any weight from my first appointment.  My next appointment is scheduled for May 17th, and that is the big one when we'll find out the sex of the baby!  Note that I have put a poll on the right side for you to vote if you think the baby is a boy or a girl.  The poll will close at 12:01 AM on May 17th, so you have until then to vote!
After my appointment, I met an old friend for lunch.  Katie and I have literally known each other our whole lives!  Our mothers went to church together and were pregnant at the same time.  It's been a few years since we've actually gotten together, and it was fun to catch up and meet her sweet little girls!
Following lunch, my mom took the girls and me to Buy Buy Baby to browse.  I loved looking at all the new baby stuff that I'll need soon!

14 weeks

*** Update ***  Jonathan called me last night and said "I'm sorry you don't like the picture.  I like it."  I have the best hubby ever!  :)

Today officially begins my second trimester.  Here is the first belly shot I've taken.  It's amazing how much quicker you look pregnant with subsequent babies!  In 14 weeks, I've gained a total of 6 pounds, but it looks like so much MORE!  To be quite honest, I'm not awfully fond of the picture, but I had the girls take a few this morning before church, and this one is the best.  I'll try to plan better next week!  As you can see, All the grass in our backyard has died.  We tried seeding it last year, but it didn't take.  Jonathan put out more seed last week, so hopefully it will take this time.  I think a large part of the problem is that half the yard is completely shaded in the summer, and it just can't get enough sun to grow.  ANYWAY...  I know you didn't come here to read about our grass woes.  I have another doctor appointment on Wednesday.  I shouldn't really have much exciting information to tell you, because it will just be a "tummy check" to hear the baby's heart, but we will also get an official date for the sonogram where we'll be able to find out the sex of the baby.  I can hardly wait!  :)

Happy Easter!

Our Easter was a pretty typical one.  We went to church in the morning and it was PACKED!  I forget how many people come to church who don't normally on holidays.  Afterward, we met my parents for lunch at the Olive Garden.  Then, it was home for a nice nap.  WHEW!  I needed it!  Jonathan worked in the yard, and the kids played outside with friends.  To end the evening, we watched The Princess and the Frog together, which was one of the girls' Easter gifts.  This morning, Celestia said "I just realised that was out last Easter as only two sisters!"  They're so excited about adding to our family!  :)

Life, lately

I have to admit, there's not much new going on in the Martin household lately.  What with me having pregnancy-induced narcolepsy (lol), we've been pretty low key.  I did venture out to the aquarium with the girls last week, just because it's SO much nicer in the middle of the week without so many people there.  Other than that, it's been pretty much life as usual around here.  I'm contemplating curriculum for next school year, and trying not to lose my mind thinking about all the things we need to get for baby in the next 7 months.  I'm nearing my second trimester, and can definitely tell that my energy level is starting to rebound though, so hopefully we will have more interesting goings on to report in the very near future!