Random Vic Tidbits

I know I haven't been on here much the past few weeks (months?).  Life has been very busy around here.  A lot of things happening at Haley's school, especially now that the end of the year is quickly approaching; dance recital coming up this weekend; doctor's appointments for nearly all of us; getting ready for baby; painting; getting my garden up and running; church activities galore; and much more.  Plus it doesn't help that I can't seem to stay awake past 8 or 9 o'clock.  By the end of the day I am totally fatigued.  I usually fall asleep in bed with one of the kids while reading their bedtime books.  That time at the end of the day with no kids used to be my "gather time".

So, I am now 17 weeks into my pregnancy.  At my last doctor's visit, which was at the beginning of the month, I had gained 3 pounds (my scales here at home at this point say I've gained 8).  My next appointment is next Tuesday when we will have our first official ultrasound and find out if pink or blue is in our future.  Of course, Haley wants a girl, and Parker wants a boy.  Parker wants a boy simply so he can get bunkbeds and have the top bunk, since one of them is going to end up sharing a bedroom.  As for myself and hubby it doesn't really matter either way.  Total cliche to say it, but as long as the baby is healthy and my pregnancy continues to go smoothly I'll be satisfied and happy with whatever we have.  Had hubby to take the first photo of me during this pregnancy last evening.  Figured I'd better get started taking some photos to document things.  It will be fun to compare these photos to those I took while pregnant with Haley and Parker.  Anyway, that's about it for pregnancy news.  Of course, I'll fill everyone in after Tuesday's big ultrasound event, which we're making a family affair.  Oh, and don't diss the photos - me, post-shower, make-up-less, and rather annoyed with hubby not being able to work the camera.  I especially look rather "psycho" in that second one.  LOL

I took Parker and registered him for 5K yesterday.  He's all excited and thought he would get to start school right after registration, so he was a bit disappointed when I brought him home instead.  I'll miss him once he starts, but it is exciting, and I know he'll have fun and enjoy himself.  Plus, I won't be lonely for long since I'll only have about a month with both kids in school before I have the new baby here occupying my time.  The crying at the thought of him going to school hasn't begun yet, so maybe I'll get through this time with no tears.  What are the odds, you think?  I'm thinking slim to none.

My garden is good to go.  If I can think of it and have time I've been meaning to take photos and post a photo essay for weeks now.  This year I planted strawberries, green peppers, tomatoes (cherry and big boys I think), radishes, cucumbers, lettuce, spinach, peas, zucchini and yellow squash.  Planned on planting eggplant and okra but never got around to it.  Anyone else doing a garden this year?

I've been painting Parker's room.  For some reason I think the baby is going to be a boy (so does just about everyone), so I wanted to update and redo that room.  Parker chose a rich navy color by Glidden, which is super dark, what I thought would be too dark, but it's turning out to be really nice actually.  I've got the trim around the doors left to do and the room will be complete.  I didn't take any before photos or I'd post some photos of it.  Might anyway if I ever have time.

Haley finally lost that second top tooth, so she now has the classic toothless grin.  So unbelievably cute!!  Here's a photo I took a few weeks ago of her with yet another award she received at school.  We actually had a breakfast on Friday in her (and some other children's) honor for being the best reader in her class.  She's doing so well in school.

I guess that's about all to share for now.  Not sure any of this interests anyone, but I at least wanted to give a pregnancy update.  Any guesses on what the gender will be?  I say boy.  I actually had a dream that it was a boy, and we have a name picked out already.  Same name that was in my dream actually.  My mom also had a dream it was a boy.  We'll see.  How's everyone else doing?