So, 3 months later, here I am. I’m not even close to being able to run a half marathon, so I signed up to run the 5K instead. A much more attainable goal for 4 1/2 weeks of training. I ran about 1 1/2 miles this morning. (Which sounds so little to me… ) But you have to start somewhere again, right? And Caleb did great too! So, here’s to many, many more runs!

So, I am officially asking for your name ideas. As I previously mentioned on facebook, I have only 3 criteria:

1. It has to work with our names, first and last. (i.e. One we actually both liked was Logan- but sounds too much like Morgan. And I always liked Mason, but that rhymes with Jason!) I haven’t always loved the double consonant sound, but I’m not yet officially ruling out names starting with “G.”

2. It has to be ALL boy! Because we like androgynous names for girls, we want our boy to have a name that won’t be confused with a girl’s name. (i.e. Not Taylor, Jordan, Bailey, etc. – all of which would have been in the running if we were having a girl.)

3. I would like it to be somewhat uncommon. It doesn’t have to be completely original or unique. I just don’t want it to be a name that 4 other kids his age have.

So, that’s it. Have at it! Maybe we’ll give a prize to the person who comes up with a name we end up using!

I have searched the house, garage, car, back yard, and called friends, whose houses we have, on many occasions, left things we’ve brought from home. I gave up hope a few days ago, assuming she took it somewhere (a store or park) and left it. It hasn’t made it easier for her, but at least I have stopped driving myself crazy looking for it.

Well, the girls didn’t have school today. And they subsequently spent a lot more time playing in their room. As I’m in the kitchen, I hear, “MOM!!! Sissy found her blankie!!” I run into their room, where we have a giant group hug for about 5 minutes. As we’re hugging, I look at them, and both are crying tears of joy! (Okay, so maybe those were leftover from fighting only moments earlier…) Still, it made me so happy to A. Have Morgan’s blanket back, B. See that Kendall was just as happy for Morgan as Morgan was, and C. Have such a simple pleasure bring about a wonderful moment!

In case you’re wondering, I asked Morgan where it was, and she said “under my pillow.” I didn’t believe her- because I had looked under her pillow only about 6 times. Then she showed me that it was in her pillowcase. I guess I didn’t look there. As embarrassing as this is to admit, last week Jason mentioned it was probably time to wash their sheets. (It’s always the last load of laundry I get to…) So, not only will it be nice for Morgan to go to sleep happily tonight, but it was also my “gentle” reminder that I should be more diligent about washing their sheets!

When she first “recommended” I start wearing them around 20 weeks, I kind of thought it was optional. And I suppose I could still choose not to wear them. However, if I get another blood clot, it could be life-risking. (And if it isn’t, Jason would probably kill me anyway!) So, for the next 19 weeks or so, I get to wear tight-fitting, sweat-inducing, uncomfortable, unattractive pantyhose every day, all day. And if you don’t live in the bay area, let me tell you that we still have summer weather. It’s supposed to be around 90 degrees tomorrow! (Did I mention we don’t have AC?) *sigh* The sacrifices we make for our children…

The girls were at school, and were counting down the days till they found out, so I took the ultrasound pictures when I picked them up. For those that don’t know, Morgan has been wanting it to be a boy, and Kendall has wanted it to be a girl. So, we knew someone was going to be disappointed. (I just didn’t know how much…) When I told them we were having a “B-O-Y,” Morgan said, “A Boy!!” Kendall stamped her feet, said, “Aww, darnit!” and about 3 seconds later, she started crying! It was sad, but still pretty funny. Her teacher was there, so she helped in cheering her up, telling Kendall all the fun things about having a brother. (And showing her pictures her son had taken with “Photobooth” on her mac computer.) Between that and being allowed to help come up with boy names, she’s been fine.

They gave me a due date of January 31st, and as nice as it is to have your due date moved up a couple days, it concerns me that he’s already starting to be a big baby. Plus, knowing that I have to be pregnant 4-6 weeks longer than the last (the girls were 6 weeks early) worries me that I’ll have a 9 or 10-pounder! Other than that, he is healthy and doing great. I feel him frequently now, and Jason felt him move for the first time last night. We’re already discussing names… but like the last, I don’t think we’ll have anything set in stone until after he’s born.

This second picture is a “face-on” shot. It was the least creepy looking one. I promise to post pregnant pictures soon. I have an undeniable pregnant belly now.

Anyway, it was so fun to have him come home early Friday, walk with me to pick up the girls from school, and have multiple outings over the course of the weekend. Although I felt bad turning down a few get-togethers from friends, it was nice to have a full weekend of doing stuff with just our family! On Saturday, we went to Castle Rock State Park, took a short hike to a bunch of really cool (huge) rocks to climb on, in, and through. It was a perfect “little” adventure for a man with a permanently gimped foot, a pregnant woman, and 2 5-year-olds. We then came home to watch a FABULOUS BYU football game!

And on Monday, we went to IKEA, which was not nearly as crowded as I expected, so the girls were able to go in the play area, while Jason and I wandered around the store. (So, a good time was had by all- except for Kendall who wasn’t ready to leave.) After IKEA, we went miniature golfing. It took Kendall a good 6 or 7 holes to stop picking up our balls and just moving them because… well, because.

We had a great weekend, which was concluded by a trip to Dairy Queen, and root beer floats after dinner. Here’s a little video Jason edited of our weekend.

Kendall: “Mom, this is Jamie. Can we set up a play date with him sometime?”

Me: “Sure.”

Kendall: “So, Jamie, do you want to come to my house, or should we go to your house?”

Jamie: “You should come to my house. I have a puppy.”

Kendall: “Hmm, maybe you should come to my house. Your puppy might bite me.”

Jamie: “No, my puppy doesn’t bite anyone.”

Kendall: “OK, so, Mom, can we set up a play date?”

Me: “Yes, but I need to find out who his mom is first.”

At this point, Jason and I are trying to drag both girls out of class to go home.

Kendall: “Jamie, what’s your Mom’s name?” “Mom, her name is Sharina.”

We’re now leaving and walking down the hallway.

Jamie: “NO! It’s not Sharina. It’s (no clue what he said)!”

Me: “Okay, I’ll figure it out and call her.”

Fortunately, we happened to pass them once more before we left the building, and I realized I know who Jamie’s mother is- “Trina.” We both laughed at our children trying to set up a play date, and promised them that we would do it.

Later that evening:

Kendall: “Mom, I have a secret to tell you… I kissed Jamie at church.”

I’m pretty sure 10 hairs turned gray. (Kendall recently kissed another boy on the cheek- and said to him, “We can’t kiss on the lips until we’re 16.”) So, Jason and I then had the discussion with the girls that they shouldn’t date, or even kiss boys on the cheek, until they’re 16. Well, I told them 16… Jason told them 21!

While all of this is slightly amusing, I don’t know if I’m ready to deal with this for the next 10-15 years.

So, as I mentioned in my last post, I’ve been looking forward to this day for awhile. It wasn’t until recently (when Jason started crying as we discussed splitting them up) that I realized it might actually be a little sad too. But, that feeling was easily pushed aside as the girls woke up promptly at 6:45 am, jumped around, ran down the hallway, and cheered for their first day of school. Needless to say, we were plenty early. (We had to wait 10-15 minutes before the teachers opened to doors.)

It’s a good thing Jason and I both went, so we could each take a girl to her class. I noticed immediately their teachers have different personalities/teaching styles. But I actually think both are going to be a great fit! I took Morgan to class, whose teacher (Miss Rosa) seems a little less experienced, young, soft-spoken, but firm about rules. After 10 minutes in Morgan’s classs, she taught the “attention signal” and they jumped right into their schedule, and started music time. So, I signed “I love you” and waved goodbye. (Morgan was hesitant, but smiled when I told her to look for Kendall at recess.) I then went to check on Kendall, say goodbye, and let Jason get to work. Her room was a little more noisy and chaotic. But her teacher (Mrs. Stapes) seemed more experienced, a few years older, and very friendly and outgoing. After Jason left, Kendall sat at a table, waiting for instruction. I think between being new, not knowing anyone, 20 parents still wandering around the room with their children, and 6 or 7 kids playing at different places, Kendall started to get nervous. And just as I was about to leave, I saw her put her head down and her eyes welled up. I found her teacher, and asked if she was allowed to play, and pointed out that she was getting sad. Mrs. Stapes said, “Oh, yes, they have free-play time for another 15 minutes. Don’t worry. I’ll go talk to her!” So, Mrs. Stapes went over, said a few words to Kendall, and immediately, Kendall got a smile on her face and went and played with some blocks with a few other kids. She then pointed out to me what she was making, and I was able to say goodbye to another happy child.

Of course, as soon as I walked out the door, I totally got emotional! My eyes welled up and I literally had to tell myself not to cry. I didn’t feel so bad when I went to the parent orientation, and the principal literally walked around the room with a box of kleenex! (And I found out tonight that Jason had a much more difficult time today than I did… at least he didn’t see Kendall cry.) I just worry for them… being away from both Mom and sister, all day! I know they’ll be totally fine… and they were. Both were happy and smiling when I picked them up. Although, when I asked them to tell me about their days, Morgan only remembered that “the teacher talked, then we had music, then she talked some more.” And Kendall recalled, “We went to the cafeteria. Oh, and we played… hide and seek.” Morgan did mention, when we got to the car, that she wants to back to this same school “again and again and again and again and again…” I think there were even a few more in there.

*sigh* I’m gonna make it. I’m sure by this time next year, I’ll be counting down the days till I can get them back in school…

We had a few friends over to celebrate- and of course put our grill to good use with another BBQ. The girls had a blast, and I’m sure got more presents than they needed. Between presents on their actual birthday from Mom, Dad, Grandma, and Grandpa, and then presents from 4 friends at their party, I’m pretty sure they’re set until Christmas. I’m hoping as we add more children to the mix, maybe we’ll try and simplify!

So, our next big step is starting (FULL-day) Kindergarten next week! And we found out who their teachers are today. Kendall asked last night, “What will she look like? What will she talk like? Will she be allergic to us?” I can only imagine the last question had to do with a cartoon she saw. Jason and I thought about it a lot, and we decided to put them in different classes. While we know it’s going to be for the best in the long run, I’m trying to prepare for whatever issues/meltdowns may come not-so-far down the road. Fortunately, they’ll still have recess and lunch together.

As sad as it is to say, I’ve actually been looking forward to this for the last… um… 3 1/2 years? Don’t judge. However, over the last couple months, as the girls have grown into little ladies, I’m realizing that I might actually miss them. I mean, I can certainly think of 800 things I’ll be able to do now with my time. But, until this next baby comes, I am going to miss hanging out, playing, and having dance parties with my little buddies! (However, I will love my childless errands to the bank, post office, and any other terrible place to take kids!)

See the whole birthday album here!