What was that thing all about, anyway?

We went to our neighbor's wedding reception last night. She is also a first grade teacher at Keegan's school and her son and Keegan are friends. We just stayed a couple of hours, the boys danced some and I ate the ENTIRE time! Keegan wanted to know what the dollar dance was all about and I explaines if you go pay a dollar you can dance with Mrs. Ferdig. He said, "Okay now that is freaky." Here are some pictures, not the best the flash was messed up and the battery was dying:

The happy couple. :)

Dancing...(Sam left in blue, Keegan right in stripes)
Eating cake...
With mommy...

When we left Keegan said, "What was that thing all about anyway?"

We would like to announce that we will welcome Baby #3 in April!

Side view of whole body, measuring from crown to rump as they call it!

Close up, fuzzy profile view...keep in mind that he/she is 2.5 inches long and I took a picture of a picture. Those are tiny feet on the left.
Looking down at face and abdomen.

We are just ecstatic! Yes we planned this! We want ONE more little baby! We realize that there is a high possibility of making a sacrifice for a couple of months to keep the little one in full term but it is worth it. A couple months in the big picture is not much. I had a sonogram today and we saw an active bay with a heartbeat of 163 bpm. The Dr was trying to get some measurements and said the baby was being a little rascal. We are just on cloud nine. I went to Midwest Perinatal group today, the same group of Dr.s that saw me last time, and sounds like we will be on the same plan. Progesterone shots and sonograms every two weeks to check for shortening cervix. We are praying to prolong bedrest or for go it ultimately but will make as many preparations as we can in case of bedrest.

I got to show the boys the sonogram pictures and try to explain what was what! Sam smiled and said "You have a baby in your tummy." Keegan plays it pretty cool these days not showing too much emotion over things! :) The due date is somewhere around April 25-28th, with a scheduled c-section if I go full term like with Sam. Could be Mom's birthday!

The baby news is out of the bag...(I wrote this a little over a week ago.)

We told the boys our family news today! I brainstormed ways to let them know that were playful and creative but couldn't come up with anything I was excited about. We let the cat out of the bag a little prematurely for three reasons: 1) A neighbor found out who is also a teacher at Keegan's school...so I preferred he hear from us first rather than by someone at school 2) Keegan was starting to figure it out (like asking me why I was using the blood glucose tester if I wasn't pregnant) and I can only be "sick and tired" for so long without having a good excuse 3) We were just excited!



We went with Josh's simple way to tell them...we called them into our bed where we often spend Sunday mornings and just said it. We talked to them about how Keegan was going to be a big brother again and Sam was going to be a new big brother. We explained how my stomach wouldn't get bigger for awhile (not too long though at the rate I'm at) and how the baby wouldn't be here until after Christmas, Valentine's Day, Keegan's Birthday and Easter!



Sam smiled and was happy about it. He smiled even bigger when we informed him that he would be both a little brother and a big brother. Keegan had a different response...he giggled non-stop and insisted that we were lying. I had my knee up under the covers and he said "Your leg is just up." I think he was looking for physical signs and I think because he is older the idea was initially a little bit funny, thinking about the changes...I'm not really sure. But we let him know that it is okay to feel lots of feeling...happy, unsure etc and he can come talk to us anytime. I told him that is the beauty of having 7 months to prepare for it.



I brought it up periodically during the day and he seemed to be a little more comfortable with the topic. He asked some questions like if I thought it would be a girl or a boy. They of course want a boy. I said I would be happy with either. I asked them if they had any name ideas- here they are so far. Sam's----Armyboy Keegan-I Don't Know or Lucy. I could go with one of them...you guess which one.



So we will spend the next 7 months casually talking about our newest and final addition to the Slaughter family. I want them to feel loved and part of the process, realizing that there are going to be changes but not life changing ones. It sure feels good having them know. Now just for the sonogram and all things will be right with the world!

Unique Reading Spot

Sam's New Do! :) or :(

OMG! The hairstylist talked me into having Sam's haircut short. His sweet, long, thick hair gone! I cried when it was done...but the good news is that Sam LOVES and we can see his eyes. I thought it would make him look older but I actually think he looks younger. Keegan said he looks like me!We may be growing it out again...

He keeps rubbing his hands through it and says "Now look at it guys!". He thinks it is the coolest that Jen the hairstylist spiked it up and gave him his own gel. The name of the gel- "short sexy hair". Good thing he can't read yet. I'm sure it will be much easier and he will be much cooler.

So here he is...

Some more pictures from our get together at the Slaughter Farm...

Here are some more pictures I just got from a couple of weekends ago when the California Slaughters were here.

Josh was the official BBQ-er! He had some helpers too!

Keegan and Aunt Ella pushing the little boys in the wagon.

Playing on the basketball court...We brought our bounce toy and it provided hours of entertainment!The boys also got to go to Paradise Park with their cousins.And the best for last. I'll call this one "At their Favorite Place".

A Family Hike

I love when we go do things together on the weekends. Josh even skipped watching the Chiefs game!!! We went and ate at Godfather's, where Josh got a peek at the beginning of the game. Then we went to Burr Oak Woods and went on a walk on the trails. We learned about acorns, poison ivy, different kinds of trees. It is so neat to watch the boys be curious and explore. Then we ended with a trip to the grocery store, where Josh got to listen to the end of the game on the radio. Here are a few pics from the day.

I am in love with this fall weather. It was hot yesterday but this week its going to cool down. Sure seemed like fall with the leaves on the ground.

Look at this grin! See his cute little dimples?We followed the trail to "the Overlook". Hi there Sambo!See how this tree grew?Our little raccoon!Keegan put on a short puppet show. He is a puppeteer master!Who knows how to prevent forest fires? Sam does, Sam does! Here is with "Mokey" the Bear. You push his button and he teaches you about forest fire safety!