More Summer Fun

We have been soaking up all of the nice weather this past few weeks. We spent a few days at my aunt's pool and we have been outside a lot. Steven and I had a date night this past Saturday. We went to watch our friend's MMA fight. It was outside and very, very hot, but we had a good night...with the exception of a few bad contractions. I guess I should be expecting that to happen, now that I am in the home stretch.

I started contracting about a week ago. They can get pretty hard, but I am handling them well. My water is not broken, which is a great thing since it broke at 31 weeks with Carter. I had a doctor's appointment today and he did my glucose test as well as my Group B Strep test. He checked my cervix and it is still closed, thank God. I have been getting really nervous about having this baby. Last pregnancy, exactly 7 days from today, at 31 weeks, my water broke. 2 weeks and 5 days from today, at 32 weeks and 5 days, I delivered Carter. It was an unexpected and awful experience which I have no recollection of. Carter and I almost died that day, and I am praying that things go differently this time around.

For now, we will continue to enjoy this wonderful summer. Steven's birthday is this Saturday and my BFF Kelly is planning a weekend visit as well. It should be a blast! Here are a few pictures from the pool and the MMA fights...

From Crib to Toddler Bed...to Crib.

Steven and I have been discussing getting rid of the crib for a little while now. We thought that with the new baby coming, we should give it a try before Brooklyn comes home. We figured adjusting to her would be hard for all of us, so we wanted to do it while things were still calm. We have been slowly introducing him to the potty as well. We will get more serious about that in the next month or so.

We removed the front gate from Carter's crib and made a "big deal" out of his new big boy bed. We let him get his pajamas on a little early so he could settle down for night time. He chose stuffed animals and put them in there and we gave him his very own pillow. As soon as my mom came in the door, he brought her down to his room to show her. He was very excited!

When it came time to put him in bed, Steven took him to his room and tucked him in. He left the door cracked because we didn't want him wandering around in his room by himself if he got up. About 1 minute later, he came mozying down the hall. Steven brought him back in and kissed him good-night. Carter came right back out, laughing hysterically. We put him back about 10 more times before deciding that it is still a bit too early for the switch. He thought it was a game and he was not about to go to sleep when he could come and go as he pleased. Steven went in and put the gate back up and Carter was asleep within seconds. So, we will be waiting until after his 2nd birthday before we attempt the switch again. It was worth a try.

Today and tomorrow we are getting the house in order for my mother-in-law, brother-in-law, and Carter's godmother to come visit for the weekend. We are going to the zoo again on Saturday. We had so much fun a few weekends ago and I really wanted to bring my good camera and zoom lens to get some photos. Now that we will have a little more help, I can feel comfortable bringing it. So, hopefully I will have some great photos to post after the weekend! I am ready for some sun and fun!!

Car Shopping...FINALLY! And a Baby Update!

I have been going insane for months now, unable to drive my Escalade. My hand controls fell off...yes, I said fell off, in the grocery store parking lot and I have had to rely on others to drive me in my own car when I need to go somewhere. Not to mention the fact that the wheelchair lift has been broken since last fall. The company that made and installed it is no longer in production, so I have been unable to have repairs done on it.  I am done with custom modifications and refuse to ever drive hundreds of miles to get my vehicle serviced ever again!

I went car shopping with my mom on Wednesday and I have decided to go with a...wait for it...mini-van! Yes, I am officially a soccer mom, LOL! I have always been the first to say "Eew...I'll never drive a mini-van!" That was until I looked at one and thoughts of how easy life would be started running through my head. Seriously...having 2 or more kids should automatically qualify you for a "Free Mini-van" coupon. And best of all, it has a totally perfect automatic ramp and I can drive from my wheelchair. It also helps that it is half the price of a custom modified SUV. I would be a complete moron not to be excited!! 

I chose a silver 2010 Toyota Sienna and I will have it in about 2 weeks...if all goes well. It has to be customized a little bit, to ensure that my wheelchair will fit properly. I am biting my nails waiting to get a little independence back!

On to the baby update...we had (what was supposed to be) our 3D Ultrasound appointment yesterday. Brooklyn is measuring perfectly and looks great. She is weighing about 2 pounds, 3 ounces. I wish I had some awesome 3D pics to share, but our stubborn little princess was head down and facing my back, so other than confirming that she is indeed, a girl, we couldn't see much of anything. I took the plunge and signed all of the paperwork for my tubal ligation. Delivery is way too dangerous for me being paralyzed. I have a family to think about and I know they need me, so we have decided that Brooklyn will be our last baby. I am OK with it and absolutely know that it is the best decision for all of us.

In lieu of baby pics, please accept a belly shot from fireworks night.

Happy 4th of July!

We have already had an eventful weekend...and it isn't even over yet! Thursday was the annual Mardi Gras parade. Carter really liked it. I thought he might be afraid of the sirens on the firetrucks, but he wasn't. It probably helped that they were throwing candy out to the kids! He had a big bag full by the end of the parade!

Friday was Kids Day down at the Mardi Gras, so we brought Carter to ride some rides and play some games. He played games last year, but wasn't big enough for any rides, so I wasn't sure how he would react. Let's just say its a "no go" on the rides! My mom took him on the carousel and he flipped out. It was certainly an experience. Maybe next year!

Carter has a new obsession...Elmo! We were in Walmart the other day and he kept saying something that we didn't understand. "Ulmo! Ulmo!" Steven turns to me and says, "Can...what's he sayin'?" I had no idea. So, some guy walking by goes, "He's saying Elmo." Of course, I was thinking, "Thanks a lot sir...but I think I know my own kid...and he doesn't know who Elmo is." So, we went on our way and ended up buying Carter a Buzz Lightyear action figure, which he loves. We also got him a booster seat for the table because he is a little Houdini and can escape his high chair. Anyway...so we get home and grabbed a toy with Elmo on it..."Ulmo". I felt like a total jerk! He was saying "Elmo" at Walmart! So, I immediately put on Sesame Street and he was riveted! He kept saying "Elmo...Dorothy!" So, this morning we went to the pet store and bought him a little goldfish, which we named Dorothy. He loves to watch her swim...and its adorable hearing him say her name!

We are off to our family cookout today. I hope you all have a safe and happy 4th of July!

Date Night: Eclipse Premiere

Steven and I were able to go on a much needed date last night. We went to the midnight showing of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse. We are really both into it, so it was a lot of fun. The movie was excellent and psyched us up even more for Breaking Dawn. Its nice that we were able to get out for the night and enjoy some time by ourselves.

The traditional "in the car before the movie" shot!

Tomorrow is our town's big "Mardi Gras" parade and the beginning of the 4th of July festivities. I was asked to judge the parade, so that should be interesting. Actually, my mom was asked, but volunteered me because she wants to be able to watch the parade with Carter and help him catch the candy and prizes that the floats throw to kids. Last year, he slept through the entire parade, sirens and marching bands included! 

Friday is Kids Day at the Mardi Gras so we will bring Carter down for some games and rides. It will be so much more fun this year since he is bigger. I am really excited to see how he reacts to the whole thing.  I remember going to Mardi Gras as a kid...it was the highlight of the summer. I hope he likes it, too!

I hope you all enjoy the food, fireworks, family, and festivities this weekend. Be safe and have fun!!

Right where they belong...

I know it seems like I have been posting lots of photos of Steven and Carter playing in the yard, but it is just about all they do these days. I have really been enjoying watching them together...they have so much fun! So, since this has been our life lately, here are a few more good ones of my 2 favorite boys doing what they love most! Enjoy!!

Am I the luckiest girl alive, or what?

Makeovers and Monkeys

Well? How do you like it?? I made this layout all by myself. I thought it was time for a new look. I have made my own layout once before and it really wasn't to my liking, so I have paid for them ever since then. I am so glad I gave it a try because I really like this one...I'm kinda proud of myself!

We took Carter to the zoo yesterday. It was his first time and he had a blast! He really enjoyed all of the animals and even though it was very hot, he never whined once and had a smile on his face for the entire day. He loved the orangutans in the Rainforest and I'm pretty sure he had a conversation with one of them. It was such a fun day and I cannot wait to take him again!! Excuse the picture quality...for some reason, my point-and-shoot doesn't deal with red very well. 

As we were walking at the zoo, it hit me that we will not be able to do things like that with our family of 4 as easily once Brooklyn is born. Steven is amazing when it comes to making sure Carter and I get around easily. He came up with the idea of putting Carter on my shoulders and resting his butt on the handles of my wheelchair so he could push us both around comfortably. It worked perfectly for us and we did it all day. Having another baby may make things like that impossible. We will probably need help when going on trips like that. As much as I like to think that my disability doesn't hold me back from being the mother I want to be, reality sometimes puts me in my place. As excited as I am for Brooklyn to be born, I will be enjoying the rest of the summer as a mommy of one. I plan on taking full advantage of being able to go places and do things as a family with ease. Then the fun begins!

I hope you all have a great week. Be sure to stop by theschulerfamily.net for an adorable giveaway from Bloomz! Also, don't forget to check out the Baby Flair giveaway at oxboroughchaos.com!

Relief.

As of the beginning of this week, all we had for Brooklyn was 3 packages of Tommee Tippee bottles. 

On Monday, at my OB appointment, we discussed the possibility of delivering at 37 weeks. He said that he would be comfortable with that and pending amnio results, the week of September 13 will be our tentative birth week. So, I basically have 12 weeks remaining in this pregnancy...which is scary considering all we had were bottles. Last time, we had 4 baby showers. Being our 2nd child, we are kind of responsible for everything. If it were another boy, we'd be set...but now we need pink things. Clearly, I was stressed.

God has always provided for us...I don't know why I was thinking that would change now. Yesterday morning, I received an unexpected (and fairly sizable) refund from school. I was able to purchase Brooklyn's car seat, Pack n' Play, bedding, diaper bag, more bottles, Boppy with extra cover, and a few other odds and ends that we needed. Other than more clothes, nursery decor, and a hamper, we have everything we need for her! What a huge relief!! Here is the bedding and the car seat cover...

Somebody is going to be a little diva!

We were also able to buy Steven a new riding lawn mower, and a push mower, for Father's Day. Ours broke last week and we were kind of fumbling to figure out how we would prevent our grass from reaching knee height. So, we went to Lowe's and replaced our old mower. Just one less stress for me!

So, I am feeling much better about things. Now, we can just grab an outfit and some diapers here and there and we will be all set. Breathe Candi. Breathe.

Busting out the big guns...

I am shooting a wedding reception today, so I decided to take the Canon outside this morning to get it all set up. As you can tell by the quality of my pictures normally, I use my Kodak point-and-shoot most of the time. Now that I am actually being paid for my photography, I guard my Canon with my life...taking it outside while Carter is playing scares me to death! I have no back-up camera, so if it breaks, I lose money. Anyway, here are a few of the 150 shots I got this morning outside...

Summer Fun...Butchino Style!

We are home from NY and trying to get into the summer spirit! The weather has been awesome and we have been taking full advantage. I thought last summer with Carter was fun...but this summer has been awesome!! He is getting so big and is such a blast to play with. My Toys R Us habit has gotten a bit crazy, just because there is so much fun to be had outside. 

Yesterday, we went to Toys R Us to buy a birthday present for Carter's friend Delaney. We ended up letting Carter choose between a giant dinosaur and a bubble mower. We kind of decided for him since we wanted something he could use outside. We got him the bubble mower. While we were there, we looked at Power Wheels to see if they had anything that Carter could operate by himself. After seeing prices, I decided we should wait until he's older. We went back tonight to look at car seats for Brooklyn and ended up buying Carter a Power Wheels 4-Wheeler. Yes, I know...I have issues. After we got it home, I was so glad we decided to buy it for him! He loves it and totally knew exactly what to do! He was like an old pro, although turning isn't his strong point. But he's only 19 months old...he will learn. 

Here are some pictures of our summer fun so far...

And here's a video of the action...

We have a very busy weekend ahead of us. Tomorrow I am shooting a wedding reception and Carter will be having a fun-filled evening with my aunt. Then, Sunday we have a birthday party to go to. Monday, we have a doctor's appointment and will hopefully be able to see our little one then! We are thinking of going to the zoo on Tuesday or Thursday, so that will be lots of fun!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!