Our baby is here!!

Here he is: Lando James Neal and we are all in love with him! He is such a great baby. He is very content and I must say that we are spoiling him a bit. We all hold him a lot and kiss him like crazy. Lily probably holds him 5 or 6 times a day for 20/30 minute periods. She is such a great helper. Lincoln is ready for him to grow up so he can teach him how to wrestle and play legos. My recovery is very slow, but I am taking one day at a time....trying to figure this mom of 3 kids thing out.

Our home=Lego land

Check out the detail on this thing!!

The feeling of accomplishment!!

Don't ask....

Here are some pictures of our latest Lego project. We have been working on this Creator House for a little, over the past 3 days. Both Lily and Lincoln are obsessed with Legos and I must say that Link and I enjoy building as well. Link loved them as a kid. He would build his latest project and display it...never to touch again. Lincoln's only career aspiration is to be the next Brickman. ENJOY!!

7 weeks to go....WHOO-HOO!!

As we approach the end, I am getting super excited and ready to hold this baby. Link and I are getting Lily and Lincoln's new room ready. They really want to share so after their room is finished we will get the nursery ready. I can't wait to get out his clothes, set up his crib, and organize the baby toys!! (hey, I haven't seen them in 4 years). We set the c-section date for February 23, exactly 7 weeks from this past Tuesday. Unless he wants to come earlier, the 23rd will be his birthday!! We are diligently praying for his health, his delivery, and his life.

How far along? 32 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: lost some, but gained one pound over the holidays!!
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks?Yes:(
Sleep? Not very well, I have to be totally elevated, on my side, with a pillow underneath my baby. It is quite the set up...and then when it's roll over time watch out Link!!
Best moment this week: Seeing the baby respond to my reading voice. He is SO active during story time.
Movement: yes, especially at night and when I read to Lily and Lincoln
Food cravings: Olives and Chick-Fil-A Lemonade
Gender: Another little boy
Name: Lando James it is....the family members that don't approve will call him LJ
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Out with a blue ring around it...this ring is new for me with this pregnancy. I didn't have one of those with my other 2. Doc says it's a vein, nothing to worry about.
What I miss: Bending over, walking upstairs w/o getting winded...basically my "energetic body"
Weekly Wisdom: If it doesn't get done, it's okay.
Milestones: I shaved my legs this week!!

26 weeks down, 12 to go....

How far along? 26 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: gain...that's all I'm saying
Maternity clothes? Yes
Stretch marks? Yes :(
Sleep: Not great, b/t pregnancy and having bronchitis for 3 weeks, I am not getting a lot. Just getting prepared for this little guy, right?
Best moment this week: Having the kids talk and sing to him.
Movement: yes, especially at night
Food cravings: no, I am really not enjoying food, the first or second time I see it.
Gender: Another little boy
Name: Link likes Lando and I like Leo, my mom likes neither.
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? Flat
What I miss: The GYM!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Having Thanksgiving at our house....very tiring.
Milestones: 3rd trimester is here!!

Week 17 Update

How far along? 17 weeks....beginning month #5
Total weight gain/loss: not sure...I'll find out next week at the doctor
Maternity clothes? Yep, got out my stash yesterday
Stretch marks? Not from baby #3 yet
Sleep: Not sleeping great at night and must have 1 afternoon nap (30min-1hr)
Best moment this week: I think I am starting to feel the baby move.
Movement: yep
Food cravings: Mount Olive Baby Dill Pickles...I have been eating these by the jar!!
Gender: Girl, we think. This pregnancy feels just like Lily's pregnancy.
Name: A couple of options...no decisions yet
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: The GYM!!!
Weekly Wisdom: Enjoy each day that God gives me to be pregnant with this baby, it may be my last pregnancy.
Milestones: My only form of exercise...walking around the neighborhood and chasing my kids. I am so thankful that I am feeling up to taking good walks!!

Baby #3 Update

Here are some fun updates about our 3rd pregnancy. I "borrowed" this from a friend of a friend who is at the same stage as me, with #3!! It's kind of exciting to know someone that is due the same time as you, with the same number of kids already!! Congrats to Daniel and Danielle!!

How far along? 15 1/2 weeks
Total weight gain/loss: Lost 11.....but gained all 11 back. I am exactly where I was before I got pregnant!
Maternity clothes? Not yet, but no favorite jeans anymore....wearing lots of elastic skirts.
Stretch marks? Not from baby #3 yet
Sleep: Not sleeping great at night and must have 1 afternoon nap (30min-1hr)
Best moment this week: Only vomited once so far.....that makes a great week!!
Movement: I think I am feeling some movement at night, but it's still kind of early to know for sure.
Food cravings: This week...salads with cold, shelled, edamame and walnuts
Gender: Girl, we think. This pregnancy feels just like Lily's pregnancy.
Name: A couple of options...no decisions yet
Labor Signs: No
Belly Button in or out? In
What I miss: Wanting to eat Italian and working out
Weekly Wisdom: When I feel like I have to stop....STOP!!
Milestones: Hello, Second Trimester!!!!!!!!!!

School Days

A break from hardwork

Here's Lily painting China

Here's Lincoln painting the Taj Mahel

Well, since I haven't posted since July I thought I would post a few pics of the kids during school. Lily started 1st grade in August and Lincoln is doing preschool. I am really enjoying the kids this year. First grade is a lot of fun so far....and a lot of Lincoln's work involves Legos. I may have an architect on my hands. Lily loves science and "encourages" me to do a science experiment everyday....of course she is disappointed many days, but I have her in many science classes outside of the home. We are having a lot of fun and I am interested to see how things are going to change at the beginning of the year when the baby arrives.