Summer already??

It sure felt like summer this past week. The kids spent time outside in their kid pool, the sprinkler, and even tried out the slip 'n slide. We have been using the a/c for the past week since this pregnant mama just doesn't do very well with the heat! :) I am thankful for the rain that we have had and that it isn't so humid right now! School is almost done. Seth has 6 more days and then he graduates from SK. And 12 more weeks until baby's due date. It may still seem far away, but the weeks just seem to go by so quickly (at least for now).

Ethan had more fun drinking the water, than going down the slip 'n slide

Seth sure enjoyed it though

Seth's first Track and Field Day

Seth had his first Track and Field day this morning. He wasn't too crazy about it because he thought he wouldn't be very good at it. But I encouraged him to do his best, and to do it for God. We went to see him for a couple hours and he did good and had fun. It was a busy morning, but enjoyable for him and for us to watch him and his classmates as well!

getting ready to do high jump

Ethan was having fun watching Seth do his events

getting ready for the 50 meter run

he tied with his good buddy Ethan (on the right)

and running long jump

We missed seeing a couple of his events in the beginning of the morning since we came later, but it was still lots of fun to see him participating in this day.

25 weeks along

25 weeks along in the pregnancy very thankful that everything is going well. I am feeling great, and have been off diclectin for 6-7 weeks now, and have more energy too. So thankful for this pregnancy. I just love feeling the baby move and the small kicks inside of me. What a miracle and blessing from God!

Just some happenings in the last few weeks.

Sorry for the lack of posting! I don't really have any excuse. We haven't taken many pictures lately, and I guess I just don't feel like we have had much to blog about.

Here are some of the things that have happened in the past few weeks:

I was blessed with another birthday and this year celebrated my 30th. I was spoiled with gifts, flowers, an date night with Paul while my parents watch the boys and even a surprise party planned for me by my sweet hubby! I had a hunch that something was going on, but didn't have the day correct. So it was a surprise party indeed!

Paul and I were able to go to Toronto to see the Michael W. Smith concert. The group Downhere opened up for him. It was a very enjoyable evening out! We even met up with some friends who ended up going as well. And after the concert, we went out for something to eat. It was a late night for us and a special thanks to my sister Danielle who babysat for us. :)

We are trying to potty train Ethan but he seems to have a mind of his own. The idea was to have him trained before the baby comes, but I have a feeling it is going to be a long road. It was long with training Seth (1 full year), so we put if off until Ethan turned 3. Now I am thinking, we should have started earlier?? We will keep at it though and see what happens. Ethan managed to sit in church on Sunday and made it through both services. Although he still needs to learn to sit still and to whisper instead of talking out loud, it went pretty well. Now, not sure how this Sunday will go since I am on my own with both boys since Paul is working. We shall see.

Seth has a little over 1 month left of school. It is hard to believe how fast the school year has gone by. In September, he starts going every day and that will be a change for all of us. No more sleeping in on certain mornings. We will have to be up every morning for school. Seth seems to be doing well in school, and is learning to read and spell words. Next week, Seth has his first track and field day and we are looking forward to watching some of the events. Hopefully I will remember the camera, take some pictures and post them!

3 1/2 more months until our baby arrives (or at least until the due date). Time has been flying week by week! More than likely I will go over though. We are all very excited about the baby!! I have been buying the basic supplies that you need for baby over the past couple months. And we are planning at the end of June to move Ethan to the bottom bunk in Seth's room and then get the baby room ready. I always enjoy getting ready for a new baby.

We are looking forward to meeting our baby girl. After a couple months of going through baby names, Paul and I have finally come up with one that we both like. It was hard to find one that we both could agree on. We are also going to have a boy name picked out, just in case. Even though we are counting on a baby girl, we just want to be prepared, just in case. We have heard stories from people (not that we know, but people you meet when shopping or out and about) that someone they know of was going to have a girl and had a boy instead. Just curious of any of you ladies who found out what you were having and when the baby was born, the ultrasound results were wrong?

Well, I think that is all for now. I am hoping to get a 25 week picture and will post soon. I am 25 weeks along tomorrow. Hope things are well with all of you and hope you have a great week!

head shaving for cancer cause

Paul signed up for raising money and having his head shaved for cancer research. He also convinced Seth to join him and get his head shaved as well. Seth was pretty excited! And he raised $30 for the cause. We were pretty proud of him, since we weren't sure if he would follow through. But he did.

The before picture:

During:

the after picture:

The whole group who did this event raised $21,000 for the cause.

Ultrasound results

And it is a GIRL!

Now we can buy dresses, and clothes in pink and purple! :)

Ethan's 3rd Birthday

Ethan celebrated his 3rd birthday yesterday. It was pretty neat since this year he understood about birthdays. He kept talking about cake, presents and counting on his hand to 3 to tell how old he was going to be. And he picked his birthday meal to be hotdogs and french fries. :) He had a great day. Opa and Oma came over for a bit in the afternoon. We spent pretty much the whole day outside since it was so warm and beautiful out! On Sunday, we plan on having a party for him with my side of the family.

pretty excited about the monster trucks he received, and he even shared with Seth!

and he enjoyed his cupcakes too

He sure is growing up very fast and won't be our "baby" for long!

growing up

After 2 weeks (or maybe even a little more) of 2 loose teeth, they are finally out! Seth is becoming such a big boy...kids, they just grow up so fast!

March Break

Oh, how I do love the spring season!! And what beautiful weather we have had over most of the March Break. So thankful!! We have enjoyed the week by sleeping in, taking it easy most mornings and spending time outside playing, taking walks, and bike rides. We have very much enjoyed being out of routine. We were also able to celebrate my Mom's birthday last Saturday. I also had a prenatal appointment on Wednesday and was able to hear our baby's heartbeat for the first time. 158 strong beats! In a couple weeks, I have an ultrasound scheduled and we will hopefully find out what we are having (that is if the baby cooperates). Hope you all had a wonderful and enjoyable March Break!

our bathroom paint job and pregnant belly photo

So far in our home, we have not had to do any paint jobs, other than touch ups. We like most every colour in our home. Although the basement bathroom still had a light pink beige colour and it didn't really do anything for the room. Paul had a couple days off in between shifts, so we tackled the job of the basement bathroom. We (as in Paul does the painting, Jennifer picks the colour, and helps by keeping the boys out of the way)!! ;) Here are some before and after pictures of the job. We are pleased with the outcome.

Before

After

I still hope to find some decorative items to help out the room, but will wait until we see something we like.

15 week belly picture

Things are well with the pregnancy. I am starting to get my energy back and not needing to rest quite as much. I am able to skip afternoon naps (except a Sunday nap!), I just make sure that I get to bed on time each night and get plenty of sleep. I am still taking diclectin and will wean off of that eventually. I even started exercising a bit the past couple of days. I want to try to stay in shape while pregnant. I was even able to take the boys for a walk yesterday to enjoy the very beautiful spring like weather out there. Looking forward to spring coming! I really LOVE spring. It is my favourite season.