Braces Day

Yesterday was what the kids have been calling "braces day."  It was time for Isaiah to get braces to make room for those crazy giant teeth he has coming in.  We've had lots of discussions with the orthodontist and assistants and at home about what would happen and what to expect, and despite his nervousness, Isaiah woke up excited and ready to go!  He got to miss school since it was a short day and the appointment took up half the morning, right in the middle of the school day.  We went to the orthodontist's office and Isaiah learned all about how to brush his teeth and care for his braces, and we both signed a lot of paperwork.  Isaiah was so attentive and asked all kinds of intelligent questions so he would know exactly how things worked and what was expected of him.  Here he is, ready to go in and have an x-ray: 

Then they got to work!  He had to wear this funny thing to keep his teeth dry while they cemented the brackets on:

He got to choose the color rubber bands he wanted: blue glow-in-the dark and gold.  He was so patient while they got everything glued on, the wire threaded, and the rubber bands in place.  Here he is, our braces boy! 

We went to McDonald's for lunch afterward to celebrate.  Everyone has asked if they hurt, but so far he's always said, "Nope, not at all!"  (He has had a very little pain, but all in all it's been relatively easy.  Way better than going to the dentist!)  I just can't believe how grown up he looks and seems with braces in his mouth.  Where has my little guy gone?!  I'm so proud of how well he's done and the great attitude he's had, especially giving up hard and chewy candies with Halloween right around the corner. 

Way to go, Handsome!

Friday Favorites - Footwear Edition

I am not a shoe person.  I don't drool over Jimmy Choos, and I generally rotate between 2-3 pairs of shoes during a season and wear them to death.  This summer I have invested in about 4 pairs of different flip flops that I like, which is really branching out for me--I don't think any of them are worn out yet!  Here are my favorite flip flops from this summer, the most comfortable, cutest, most versatile of the ones I've bought:

 Teva Olowahu Flip Flops

So, they're nothing fancy--I bought them at Ace Hardware--but I love them!

34 week update

Okay, it's been a while since I've complained about being pregnant here, so this is the obligitory update to keep you all informed: yes, I'm huge, and uncomfortable, diabetic (and hungry!), and cranky.  But, we have been so blessed that Little Girl is healthy, growing and kicking (hard!), and that there have been no serious complications.  For all my whining about gestational diabetes, things have been better this time around.  My sugars are low, usually, even when I'm not exactly following my diet.  So low that I'm only having to test twice a day instead of four times, and there is not even a mention of medication (yes!). 

For those of you who don't believe I ever look pregnant, here is (very, very embarrassing) proof that my body is capable of looking huge (please be kind, Adam's suggestion was to cut off my head--it is not exactly flattering):

Some things I am loving right now:

• 
  
  Tums Smoothies, Berry Fusion flavor.  I need a hip holster, seriously. 
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  The pink shirt I am wearing in the picture above, and it's teal twin.  I also am loving a certain maxi dress from Old Navy (sorry, no link, they don't sell it anymore, I guess) . . . sooooo comfy.  And since I've outgrown about half of my maternity pants and capris, it's good to have a pantsless option. 
• 
  
  My body pillow.  And the Unisom my OB okayed for occasional use.  Because insomnia sucks, but it goes to a whole new level when you are pregnant and up several times in the night anyway.  Getting a good night's sleep around once every week or so really helps me not resent being a mom. 
• 
  
  Jimmy John's Beach Club (#11).  Yeah, still craving it.  I have to be a little smarter about eating it now, but dang it, it's so good! 
• 
  
  Adam's t shirts.  There are very few things that still stretch over my belly that I wear to bed, I'm so glad he has quite a lot of old shirts. 
• 
  
  Katie's excitement for her new little sister.  While Adam will not sit and squeal with me over pretty beaded binky clips and teeny tiny diapers, but I do have one person readily available who will as long as I am willing to count days and weeks for her every time we talk about it. 
• 
  
  My bra extender.  Because although my cup size doesn't go up too much, my band size definitely does. 
• 
  
  Up dos.  Yeah, I've been trying out some fancy (and some less-fancy) stuff with my hair to keep it off my neck in the 105 degree weather.  I think I've worn my hair up this summer more than I have in my whole life.  It's actually kind of fun, until I look at a picture of myself like the one above and remember why I usually keep my hair down. 
• 
  
  Nesting.  I am finally allowing myself to organize and prepare stuff for the baby.  I was going to wait another couple of weeks, but I've been going crazy trying to force myself to do other things, so I'm just indulging the urge.  Hopefully with helping Isaiah with homework, preschool, toddler time, karate, Katie's birthday, Adam's real estate courses, and preparing for Max's birthday and Halloween I should be able to fill any extra time before the baby's born.  Right?

So there you have it.  Six weeks to go, and still breathing! 

First Days of School

Isaiah started second grade Wednesday, August 11.  He's in Mrs. Thomas's class, and so far seems to be doing great!  (Of course SEPs are Thursday, then we'll really have a better idea.)  He was a lot more excited about the idea of school than the reality, but he is having fun playing with friends at recess again.  Here he is on the first day as he's leaving for the bus:

Today was Katie's first day of her second year at Aunt Shelli's preschool.  She was much more nervous this year than last year since her cousin Keirra went to Kindergarten and wasn't there with her.  But after she warmed up and started playing she felt a little better.  I think we're still excited to go on Thursday!  Here she is in her new "school dress" as we arrived at preschool: 

Another milestone

Look!  Sleeping in a big boy bed!  Tonight's the first night so we'll see if it sticks, but I have to say: he looks so big in that bed.  It's crazy how excited he was as we set it up.  He kept turning off the light, climbing in, and declaring a "nap." 

As a side note, isn't it cute that he's sleeping with a baby doll?  The last week or two he's been asking me to sing "Rock-a-Bye Baby" at bedtime instead of our usual "I'm a Child of God."  And he's enlisted Katie in sharing her baby dolls so that he can rock them and cuddle them, too.  I don't know if it's coincidence or if it's all the baby talk around our house, but he is definitely in a nurturing mood lately.  Either way, it's good timing.  Hopefully he will continue taking care of his "baby" alongside me in a few weeks. 

Rite of passage

08/10/10

Every little boy needs to get his hair cut at a barbershop, don't you think?  I just love taking Isaiah there, and was so ready for Max to have a real professional cut his hair. 

Yeah, he looks a little worried.  He handled it better than I would have expected a 21-month-old to.  He was so proud of his hair cut afterward (not to mention his sucker), and has never looked more handsome!

New freedom!

While we're talking about Katie, I just have to share her new accomplishment!  On Thursday, August 12th Miss Katie Ellis learned to ride her bike without training wheels.  We're still up for lots of practice before it becomes automatic, but look at the pride and accomplishment on her face!

Not one to be left behind, Max has also perfected the art of riding a scooter, pushing off with his foot.  With a little help he can also ride a two-wheeled scooter, but it is too big and unwieldy most of the time.