Transitioning

     We've been home for almost a week now and Marcus has made a few new transitions.  He's been in big-boy underwear for almost 3 weeks now and averages one accident a day.  He typically waits until we're in the car to go pee, even if it's just a 5 minute car ride to church.  Overall, he's doing well, but it's still a major test of my patience some days (especially when it's not a pee accident).
     But in other news, he's made the transition into a big boy bed!  I know some of you are like, "FINALLY!" but he could climb in and out of his crib with ease so we didn't see the need yet.  Anyhow, a dear friend gave us a toddler bed and he's slept in it a few times during nap, but never at night.  Last night (3/23/13), I took the mattress that came with it out and put the mattress from his crib in it.  We used his same blankets, stuffed animals, etc and tried to make it look, feel, and smell as close to his old bed as possible.  He got up 3 times after putting him down, but slept all the way through the night and even slept late this morning.  We are thankful that he likes it and is doing well (so far). 
     And finally, baby #2 is still doing well.  He or she moves around a lot and it is still a joy to feel and experience.  I'm not sleeping well but I still feel good, overall, especially compared to the first half.  I have a glucose test on Tuesday (Mark's birthday!) to make sure I don't have gestational diabetes.  I'll let you know how the results for that end up.  Until then, have a great week and enjoy the few pics we took this week.

Can you tell he dressed himself?

His balloon was a source of entertainment for at least 4 days this week.

Using his front loader to move his colored pasta around.

While inside he was SO HAPPY with his new raincoat, but once we got outside, he threw a fit and demanded to take it off.  Why?  I have no idea.  Even when he's made, he's still cute, though.

28 Weeks!
-Sleeping well about every other night
-Baby is kicking so hard that you can see it from the outside on most days.
-Glucose test coming up on Tuesday.
-Ready for Spring & warmer weather (I'll regret saying that in a few months).

Our final day in Charleston

     Tuesday morning, Greg and Lisa were up early, packing their van.  They rounded up all the children and left before 6:30am.  Mark and I went back to bed for a few hours after they left and then took our time getting ready because no one was scheduled to stay in the beach house again until the following weekend.  Weeeeellll, little did we know that they were serious about a 10am check-out time.  The maid service showed up at 10:30 while Mark was in the shower and Marcus was running around naked.  Luckily, they were sweet about it and allowed us to stay an hour longer to pack it all up. 
     Upon leaving, we went to John's Island ventured down a dirt road to see the Angel Oak Tree.  Depending on the website, the tree is said to be either 400 or 1,500 years old.  Either way, it's HUMONGOUS and very beautiful.  We took plenty of pictures, then Mark and Marcus played tag together in the park area.  Marcus just loved being outside and running.  It was a beautiful day for both. 
     After leaving, we drove back to downtown Charleston and saw a few more things that were on our agenda like the athletic facilities of the College of Charleston and the big suspension bridge.  We had wore poor Marcus out and before we could stop for lunch, he sleepily announced from his car seat that he was going to sleep and he'd eat after he napped.  We just love that boy!  So while he was sleeping, I made Mark and I peanut butter sandwiches so we could drive while the little one rested. :)  We did, however, stop in Spartanburg, SC for supper and Marcus was elated to get a blue balloon.   It was 8:30pm before we arrived safely back at our home, and might I add, it was MUCH colder than the beach.  Either way, it was a great trip out of town, but it was especially wonderful to see such precious family.

After his shower, Marcus was checking out the boats, one more time.

Our first glimpse at the Angel Oak Tree.

The branches were propped up all over the place.

This was a major no-no, but I couldn't resist a quick pic.

Family picture :)

Isn't this beautiful!?

Running around a bit

Playing his stick flute.

My two loves in front of a maze of branches.

Crossing the massive suspension bridge.

A First for Me!

     Today (Monday) Mark made a big breakfast for everyone so we'd be full and last a long time at the beach.  We had home fries, eggs, toast, and bacon.  I think the baby and I ate more than our fair share!  After breakfast, everyone got ready and we headed for the beach.  The weather said it would be a high of 70, partly cloudy.  Weeeeeelllll, the wind was HOWLING and the sun was no where in sight, so for me, IT WAS COLD!  Truth be told, it wasn't bad at all, but I've NEVER been to the beach when it wasn't hot.  It was a first.  It was so unnatural for me.  But I thought, it's better to be cold and at the beach than not at the beach at all!
     We placed our chairs beside a pool of a local condo compound and that helped block some of the wind.  The children had a really great time digging in the sand and just playing outside in general.  Emma and Sam even found some jellyfish down the shore.  About lunchtime however, the troops were cold and getting hungry, so we came back to the beach house (which was only a few blocks away) and had a simple lunch.  We had decided that it'd be best if the two younger children napped today since they didn't much yesterday.  So Alyssa went to bed & not long after, Mark took Marcus to bed as well. 
     Within a few minutes, I knew Mark had fallen asleep with Marcus, Lisa went for a quick stroll around the block and Greg took the two older children out to the pier to go fishing.  I stayed back with Marcus and Alyssa for when they woke up.  Soon after, Alyssa did but wasn't cranky in the least bit.  Picture this scene with me:  Both my boys were resting, I was sitting comfortably on a couch in a beach home, holding a precious baby girl (who, by the way, fell back asleep on my shoulder, and I LOVED it), AAAAAND I was watching Braves Spring Training. All was perfect in my little world at that point and I would've been ok if time just stopped.  But it didn't and that's ok.  I still enjoyed every minute of it. 
     Everyone eventually woke up and returned and we were excited to hear that Emma caught a fish!  Apparently she's quite the patient little fisher-girl.  When we were all back, Mark and I left to pick up pizza.  We returned to quite a hungry bunch of people and we all SCARFED it down.
      Our evening ended with the children playing.  Can I just tell you?  It was goodness to my heart to see Marcus playing with his cousins.  Emma and Sam are SO GOOD with him and he has a lot of learning to do regarding sharing and dealing with smaller children, however, he enjoyed himself so much.  After Alyssa went to bed, the older three wrestled with Uncle Mark and tuckered themselves out.  It was a fun way to end the evening and ultimately our mini-vacation with them. 
     We are SO THANKFUL that Greg, Lisa, and the children met us in Charleston and we got to see them.  There's NOTHING like spending time with family, even if it is only for a short amount of time.  I'm especially grateful because, with the baby coming in June, we won't be making it up to Canada this summer, and I'm not sure when we'll see them again.  Nonetheless, good times were had by all.

He loved this shovel so much!

Building sand castles with Daddy.

Cutie pies.

Here's our crew.

Mark dug a hole & Marcus thought it was great.

And so did she. :)

The older two weren't going to be outdone & dug a REALLY big one.

"Ahh!  This is the life!"

We tried to get a cousins shot, but the younger two weren't having it.

Fishing on the pier.

Pizza time!  (note: one precious little boy was straight up hiding from me when I was taking the picture)

Wrestling with Uncle Mark (not sure who had more fun)

Mini Vacation to Charleston

      Yesterday, Mark, Marcus, and I drove to Charleston, South Carolina to meet up with Greg, Lisa, and their three children.  We rented a condo with them and thus far are having such a fun time.  It was good to just BE TOGETHER yesterday, letting the children get re-acquainted while we rested from driving.  Today, however, we went to downtown Charleston and took in all the historic sights.  We rode a trolley (total highlight for Marcus), saw all KINDS of sights, took in lots of Southern history, ate amazing food, and played on the beach.  I know that's a brief synopsis, but just being frank, I'm POOPED and want to go to bed. :)  But I did want to post this before I forget.  I'll post more pictures in a day or so.

Waking up with cousins, checking out the boats

Riding the trolley

We LOVE this beautiful family!

Our family of three (just for a few months longer)

I had no clue Charleston was a port for cruise ships.

They were buddies today

Swinging on the pier with my buddies

The infamous Charleston City Market - very cool

Horse & carriage rides - too expensive, but Marcus loved seeing all the horses

Mark took this picture, I think out of sheer curiosity as to who they are.

Some streets were very Beverly Hills-esk.

We ate at the famous Hyman's restaurant and it lived up to every bit of hype (and more).

The owner came by & gave the children vouchers for free ice cream.

He literally fell asleep on the ride home like this: legs crossed, hang in the goldfish bag.

Doing puzzles with Sam.

Ready to dig!

Even though it was chilly, the kids LOVED it.

Pretty girl!

I was freezing, he was as happy as a pig in a puddle.

Marcus Paul and Mama - LOVE THIS BOY!

Precious girl.

He looks so much older than four here!

It's good to be at the beach, no matter the weather.

Yes he did...

27 Weeks!
-Feeling good because we're at the beach for the weekend!
-Not sleeping that great this week
-Hips are widening, aka hurting
-Stiiiiiiiill happy because I got to walk on the beach with our family today! :) Life is good.