Pre-Cautionary

We had our ultrasound 2 weeks ago. I first reported that everything was completely normal. Well, techically, they still are. However, the day after the ultrasound, I got a call from the nurse who told me that she just wanted to let me know that the doctor wanted me to have a follow-up ultrasound at 32 weeks to re-check the baby's kidneys.

While the measurements of his kidney's were still within the normal range, they were on the higher end of normal and the doctor is being thorough and making sure everything really is A-OK. The (little bit of) concern is that it could be Hydronephrosis. Basically, it's the dilation of the renal collecting system within the kidneys. Most of the time, if it does end up being hydroneprhosis, there's just a lot of monitoring both before baby is born and after.

I waited to say anything about this until now because we hadn't talked to the doctor yet to see what he had to say. I still think everything will turn out fine, but a small prayer that everything is normal would be really appreciated. I really don't want the next 12 weeks to be filled with worry over something that was in the normal range, but thought that prayers can't hurt! :-)

You can read the link that I included above for any more information that you'd like. I really just think it's this baby's way of being a stinker. He has shown me that he's going to give his brothers (and probably everyone else) a run for their money! Yesterday at the doctor's office, it took them 15 minutes of searching to try and find his heartrate. He just kept moving all around and hiding from the doppler. We would hear a few heartbeats and then he'd move. Eventually, they just brought in the portable ultrasound machine so that he couldn't hide anymore. :-) I could feel him moving all around and imgained him teasing us, saying "Na Ne Na Ne Boo Boo!"

Stay tuned for a name announcement soon! We have chosen what it will be and just need to tell a few more family members first.

The Realities....Full Force

The other day, Brian called his future unit to talk and see what they could tell him.

I got home from my Mom's Morning Bible Study and started in on lunch, not knowing that he had made this call. He came in the kitchen and said he had some good news and some not-so-good news. I don't like when he says that.

The good news is that he talked to the guy in charge of where he'll go. He doesn't know much about what he'll be doing but knows what section he's going to. Plus, he's excited that he will finally get that Airborne tab that has alluded him since he had to turn down a class spot due to our wedding (long story).

The not-so-good news is that deployment is a little sooner than we would like. Most likely when the baby's only 4 months old. The bright side is that he should still be home for Christmas.

We have a lot to do though. Preparing Austin is going to be tough. There's no way to prepare Colten or the baby, but Austin had such a rough time with accepting Brian after he got home from the last deployment. I'm hoping school is a good distraction for him...as well as his cousins being in the same area. I really worry about him this time around as he's older and will most likely have a lot of tough questions. Tough questions that usually have tough answers.

So, we are back to facing the realities of a military family full force. Before we even get to Fort Bragg. We knew they were there...I think we were just ignoring them until it hit us in the face.

Secret Hideout

There is a place outside where I know to look when I don't see Colten right away. Our grill.

I know, it's weird, but it's not like he's sitting on the actual cooking surface or anything! Our grill has a cabinet door and he has figured out that he can climb in there and shut the door and he can't be seen.

He thinks he's being sneaky, but I'm on to him now. It's the first place I look when he's not out in the open.

My only complaint is that it's a really dirty place to hide. We have to make extra sure he doesn't go near it when we are grilling, but he's starting to get the word "HOT" and walks away to find something else to do. It is pretty funny to look through a crack in the top of the door and see him peek back out at you and know he's smiling.

Arkansas Democrat Gazette Wildcats

Austin had his first t-ball game of the season on Friday. He was so excited! We had to be there a little early so that they could get their uniforms. Of course, when we bought his white pants (a mother's worst nightmare, right?) they were out of black belts and we waited until the last minute to try and find one. We went to three stores on the way to the game and finally found one at the 3rd store. Brian said his son was NOT going to play in a game with a non-matching belt.

Anyway, Austin got his uniform (shirt, hat and socks) when we got there and they all looked so good! Austin LOVES his hat...in his words, "it has holes all over it!" Very cool!

I originally had Colten in the stroller. He didn't last long in it. He played at the fence for a while, watching the older boys and shaking the fence. He walked around a bit as well, but never walked too far away from where I was.

Austin's team was in the outfield first. You can tell exactly what these kids want to do more than anything. They all looked so BORED out there! They couldn't wait to get their turn to bat! Most were looking all over the place, playing in the dirt, putting their gloves on their head and all kinds of other things instead of watching what was happening in the game. I didn't have my zoom lens, so I didn't get very good pictures of the outfield play. Austin watched pretty well, but looked a little jealous that he wasn't hitting. LOL

Finally, it was the Wildcats' turn to bat! In this league, every player gets to bat before the inning is over. In case you noticed, Austin bats left-handed. No, he doesn't throw left-handed. No, he doesn't write left-handed. He does some things left handed and some right. He is starting to switch hit a bit, but is still better at left than right. We'll see how he develops over the years.

He really keeps his eye on that ball! Brian said he's a little flat footed, but he hit pretty well the first time around.

Here he is on third base.

Meanwhile, Colten took to climbing the bleachers. I think he's trying to say, "Don't mess with me, woman!" He was doing his own thing and when he got to a certain level, I would put him back on the ground and then he would climb back to that level. He thought it was a fun game, and I didn't have to chase him, so it was a win-win situation!

Brian coming over to say hi when the teams were getting ready for the 2nd inning.

In the top of the 2nd inning, Austin was at 2nd base. He did really well. There were a few plays where he it was like he instinctively knew what to do, but they hadn't gone over that in practice, so he was a little cautious about it. He was correct though and it was neat to see it. Brian and I talked about it after the game on the way home and we are both impressed.

His second at-bat wasn't as good as his first. He hit the tee a bit more and although the ball looks like it didn't go very far, he made it to first base just fine.

While the rest of the team hit, there were a few boys sitting in the dugout and they figured out that if they pushed the fence out enough, they had a space to use as a door. I guess the coach telling them who was up next wasn't paying much attention, so they had fun "escaping" the dugout.

After the game, I went out to take some pictures of the two teams saying "good game" to each other. Colten went and got Austin's bat and this shot looked as if he was "on deck." Coach, put him in, he's ready to play! :-)

The boys being good sports. I love this part. It's so neat to see them give the other team fives after the game. Austin is number 10; giving the other team's coach five.

Austin will only be able to play 2 more games in this league. I thought I had searched high and low for a league in North Carolina and didn't find one that started later than what the ones here do. We asked Austin if he wanted to play even if he couldn't finish the season and that's what he wanted to do. He was still bummed about it though and I saw something online about a YMCA league that starts right when we move to N.C.

I called them the other day and got him on a team. I have to send in the registration and payment, but he'll be able to play more when we get there! This league is a little different where it's a combination of t-ball and coach pitch for his age. I think he'll do great as he's hitting balls from his pitching machine (thanks Aunt Nancy for that and his batting gloves!) really well. I think he hits better from that than he does off the tee. Anyway, he's really excited to be able to play more and we can't wait to see what his new team will be like.

Oh, and by the way, I got his white pants, the ones that had grass stains, dirt and who knows what else all over them, COMPLETELY CLEAN! :-) We'll see if it stays that way over the course of the next 2 months.

Standing Up for What's Right

Tonight, I had a conversation with Austin about standing up for what's right, even when we think our friends will laugh.

The other day, Austin's friends across the street had found a bird's nest and somehow, the older brother broke one of the eggs. Austin was pretty sure it was on accident. I found out that he had also held one of the eggs, but that it didn't break. I quickly explained that we NEVER touch a bird nest or the eggs inside and why.

Tonight, the topic came up again and I asked him if he would touch an egg next time he saw one. He said no. Then, I asked what he would do if his friends wanted to touch an egg; would he ask them not to or would he let them do what they wanted? He asked, "what if they laugh at me?" We talked a few minutes about how we would rather the bird egg be ok and that friends that laugh at you for standing up for what's right are not really good friends to begin with. He seemed to understand it, I guess only time will tell if he'll choose to do the right thing or not when it really matters.

We had a similar conversation almost 2 months ago when he didn't want to wear a shirt that he loved, to school. He was worried that kids at school would laugh at him for wearing it. Worrying about what other people think is something that starts so soon!

I want our sons to think for themselves; to know and do what is right, despite what other people think; to be self-confident even during those awkward teenage years; and to be comfortable enough with what they believe in to share that belief with others. The hard part is showing them this and getting it to stick. I can only hope that Brian and I are doing just that.

How's It Going To Work?

Yep, that's the question going through my mind right now! I know people do it everyday. Other families have 3 kids, other families have kids close together and all in carseats at the same time. I'm not scared of having another one added into our household, but the planner in me is trying to figure it all out now. :-)

I think I'm just trying to figure out how the day to day things are going to get done with the two little ones (I basically imagine them tag-teaming me all day!). I'm trying to figure out how the school drop-off and pick-up is going to go with both of them since Austin will be going to Kindergarten. How to get everything loaded into the car in a reasonable amount of time and how to get everything unloaded and in what order. :-)

I think I have some things figured out, but will just have to wait and see if it works in real life or not. The biggest area I have no clue about is how the evenings will go. You know how crazy that part of the day is. Everyone is starting to get tired, dinner seems to take forever to get done and I'm sure the baby will need to be fed at least once or twice in there! Oh, and did I mention that I don't even expect Brian to get home until dinner is done or even later? Yep, it's back to the realities of military life for us!

I don't think I thought about this stuff as much when pregnant with Colten. I mean, Austin was going to be 4 when he was born, I had Brian at home and I just felt that it wasn't going to be that big of a deal. And it really wasn't. We had a few snags here and there, but nothing bigger than we had when Austin was a baby. It was the normal crying and diaper blowouts to deal with.

So, while I'm not stressing about it (honestly, I'm not), I'm just trying to plan for things and see how it goes. I just think having a plan is much better than flying by the seat of your pants right away. If my plans don't work, then we'll figure something else out.

Anyone have any suggestions as to what worked for them? If you're in the same boat, what do you plan on doing when the going gets tough?

Bobo's Harley

While in Little Rock, Austin got to check out Bobo's (Brian's Dad...that's what the grandkids call him) Harley. He is interested in motorcycles right now and recently asked Daddy if he was going to get a motorcycle soon.

He asked very nicely if he could sit on the motorcycle. He enjoyed wearing the helmet and goggles and acting like he was really driving.

Of course, he had a little brother watching the entire time. Colten didn't make any move to join his brother, but I'm not convinced he's the cautious one of the two either.

Anyway, I'm just glad I don't have to worry about Austin trying to get a motorcycle anytime soon. And no, he won't be allowed to have one until he's out of the house and can buy his own! I think trusting him to drive a car safely is a big enough chance to take for me!