It's not easy.

It's not easy being 2 1/2.  It's especially not easy when Daddy isn't around every day like normal.  This little munchkin has kept me on my toes over the past month and questioning my ability to manage a third child on top of her and her big brother.  She is such a strong-willed independent little girl.  She wants to do everything herself and has to do everything big brother does.  She knows how to upset Landon and his favorite toys have become her favorite toys-just because she likes when he gets upset.  She has been very dramatic about everything lately and sheds many real tears.  She has decided that she doesn't like to go to bed at night anymore.  But she has decided that she does like to get up earlier than she used to.  She hates wearing pants and getting dressed in the morning is quite the ordeal.  Have I mentioned she also likes to hit when she doesn't get her way and she has even bit big brother a few times.

With all of that said, I still love my little girl to pieces.  I laugh when I think of her as a baby because she was so laid back and so quiet.  She has changed so much and has quite the personality.  I am trying to be as positive as possible with all of the testing she has been doing lately.  But I will be honest, it hasn't been easy with Ryan being gone and being so far along in my pregnancy.  But...there are just so many things I love about my little girl that I never can stay frustrated for very long.

I love the way she is always prancing around singing and dancing.  She sings "you are my sunshine" and it is the most precious thing ever.  I love how she loves reading books to herself and "for your baby, Mommy."  I love how she remembers everything you tell her and repeats things back to you that you never thought she would even understand.  I love her nasally voice and how she has a really hard time being quiet when she talks.  I love how her thin, wispy blonde hair floats in the air when she is running and dancing.  I love her big blue eyes.  I love how she makes the cutest "mad face" I have ever seen and how it only lasts about a second before she gets a big, bright smile on her face.  I love how she asks me, "How are you doing today Mommy?" and when I respond and then ask her how she is doing, she says, "I'm Tadence."  I love her love for stuffed animals and all things pink and purple.  I just plain love her.

It still amazes me how a little person can be so frustrating but when you sit down and think about them at the end of the day your heart smiles and is filled with so much love.

36 Weeks.

This is just one of many great maternity/family pictures Arin took for us.  She does such a good job and they turned out absolutely adorable!

It is official...just 1 month to go until my due date!  I have been feeling fair the past couple weeks.  The normal ready to be done feeling is sinking in.  Unfortunately, I have been having horrible heartburn at night which has not been pleasant!  I am continuing to try to keep up with my kids but find myself exhausted by 3 in the afternoon.  

I had my 36 week appointment and am now on to the lovely weekly visits.  The baby's heartbeat was strong in the 140's.  I am still measuring small at about 4-5 weeks behind where I should be.  Dr. Kemper ordered an ultrasound just to make sure baby was still growing fine.  It was actually the most enjoyable and fun ultrasound that I have had yet and just wished Ryan could have been with me.  It was exciting because I had never had an ultrasound this far along and it is pretty neat to see a fully developed little one in there.  The ultrasound showed a happy, healthy baby.  It is head down and sitting very low in my pelvis.  They approximated the weight at about 5 pounds 13 oz (which can be off 1/2-1 pound each way).  All the measurements placed baby in the 50th percentile.  It turns out I just don't look or measure very big but everything is just fine and the baby is a good size!  The ultrasound tech commented on the hair baby had and I could even see it when she pointed it out!  She tried to get some 3d pictures, but baby was positioned too low and not cooperative.  Also, she said we wouldn't be able to determine the sex by the way the baby was positioned even if we wanted!  This baby doesn't want us to know much about he/she or have many pictures...just wants us to wait until its birth day!  

The monthly countdown begins.  When will we get to meet baby?  Is baby number 3 a little girl or little boy?  Who will the little one look like?  Will we be blessed with another happy baby?  How will the big sister and big brother react to the new addition?  Will I ever sleep again?  

Landon's 4 Year Check-up

Landon had his 4 year check up with Dr. McKercher today.  He was a very good boy and looked so grown up in his gown.  He checked out just fine and is where he should be for his age.  He weighs 35 pounds and is 41.5 inches tall.  This puts him in the 50th percentile for weight and the 75th percentile for height.  He is growing up too fast!

Landon's Birthday Fun.

Landon had a fun-filled birthday weekend!  The day started out with the annual balloon delivery from Grandpa Ken and Grandma Debbie.  Landon gets so excited when the doorbell rings with a special package for him!

Daddy and Aunty Arin arrived at about 6 and the kids were so very excited.  Landon wanted to open his presents that he had been anxiously awaiting all day long.

Landon was thanking Kadence for the movie in this shot.

Landon was so very excited when he opened his "shake-bridge."  He had seen this toy on TV and had been asking for it for his birthday for over a month!

Kadence thought the "shake-bridge" was just as much her new toy.  They played really well together and we had a somewhat difficult time getting them to stop playing so that we could have some birthday ice cream!

We had some birthday ice cream.  Very yummy!

Sunday Papa Gary and Grandma Sue came to celebrate with Landon.  

Landon had a good time opening presents.

Kadence was excited to have her sticker book :)

We finally got to eat some birthday cake!  Arin and I had made this caterpillar cupcake cake which turned out pretty cute!  

In addition, there was football watching, football playing, a trip to the park, good food, and great family time.  Happy Birthday to my sweet boy.  

Happy 4th Birthday Landon Gary!

Happy Birthday Sweet Boy!

Where does the time go?  I can not believe my baby boy is 4 years old already!  We have been talking about Landon's birthday for a very long time, so the week countdown (in number of sleeps of course) has been very exciting.  Happy Birthday to the best little boy, I love you Landon Gary!  

Thank God for Moms.

I have been blessed to have my Mom here for the past week.  I am not quite sure how I would be handling this new temporary single parenting life had I not had her company and help.  It was so nice to have her around and the kids loved it of course.  Ryan and I even had a few hours to ourselves over the weekend when he was home which was much needed. 

I am so very sad to see her leave but feel lucky that she was able to come and spend some much needed time with us.  

Lets just hope the kids and I can make it through 2 more nighttime sleeps until Daddy comes home:)  Ryan and I certainly are not known for our great planning skills, but I just want to say...this sucks.

Daddy Time.

The kiddos have learned to really enjoy the weekends and the time they get to spend with Daddy.  They make sure to get a lot of snuggle time in.  Of course having Daddy around means more rough housing and wrestling which is definitely lacking during the week with mom's growing tummy.  With just 2 weeks down in this long 8 week process the kids are still adjusting.  It is obvious, although they may not know how to express it, that they are missing their Daddy.

It was a sad night when we had to say our goodbye's after just 2 wonderful days of Daddy.  Thankfully it was a fun-filled relaxing short couple of days.

After Ryan had gone, Kadence came out of the bathroom and with her big sad tear-filled blue eyes pointed to the chair and said, "I want Daddy to be sitting there."  Then next said, "Mommy, I want Daddy to take me to bed."  I think our little Daddy's girl is missing her Daddy time the most!  After reassuring her that in just 5 short (or long, but I wasn't going to be the one to tell her that) nighttime sleeps, Daddy would be back home, she was smiling and said, "tomorrow I talk for Daddy on the puter and he make funny faces."  We were back to being happy.

Onward until the next weekend, thank goodness Grandma Debbie was still here or Mommy would have been the one crying and pouting.