Saturday, May 28, 2011

news from 5 months pregnant lady

Pregnancy update from my doctor:
~ My blood pressure is low (normal for me).
~ I'm gaining weight.
~ I need to take prenatal vitamins.
The end.

Unless I'm getting an ultrasound, these visits are all the same and I wish I could just check in via email so it didn't take up 2+ hours of my day.  (I do love and appreciate my busy doctor though so it's ok.) 

More interesting than that is the repeat pregnancy experience from last night. 
The kids were swimming in Uncle Andre's pool while we were there cooking dinner.  This reminded Andre of 3 years prior when we were at a Superbowl party (or some sport I wasn't watching) and the kids were playing around the pool.  Dylan fell in and I had to jump in - fully clothed to retrieve him.  (He was almost 2 years old.)  So last night, Andre, foreshadowing, commented right when the kids went in the pool that he can't wait to see me jump in after one of them fully clothed in my maternity clothes.  Sure enough, I had to put Isaac down in a puddle (his lip had stopped bleeding by that point from a regular kid accident on the steps) and jumped in and swam little Noah back to safety.  You see, Malia wanted Noah to go to the deep end ladder, but Noah didn't like being pulled then shoved and wanted to go swim to the other side.  He got upset, and started kinda crying.  I told Malia to let go and told Noah to go to the side.  Noah, too upset/stubborn, bobbed under then looked back at me crying.  I asked if he could put his head in and swim to the side.  He said no and bobbed under again.  Alright, Isaac to the puddle, me and my panel pants to the deep end.  Noah wasn't traumatized at all, just upset at his sister for a bit.

So it's kind of funny that the two times I've had to save a kid (post lifeguard career) were when I was fully clothed and fully pregnant.  Barbie took a photo.  They were all pointing and laughing at me.  If somebody else had been the designated kid watcher and had to jump in, I would have been pointing and laughing too.   Luckily Andre lives close because skinny Barbie doesn't have anything dry that would fit me. 

The kids continued to be crazy through dinner, and I took all 4 home to spend the night. 
3 yr olds on the top bed.
 5 yr olds on the bottom bed.
Also, I've been having fun with maternity sessions!  Click here to see my latest labor of love.  I seriously spent so much time with the couple then way more time going through all of the fun shots.  It's a large share, so comment on that post for me and tell me what you think:) 

I also did a maternity session for Corrie which is always fun because, like with our previous two pregnancies, I'm right behind her.  I really want to let my boys finger paint on my tummy too!  I'll be editing her session later. 

It's hot, so I'm less and less in the mood to go for a jog or bike ride.  I'm just riding the bike w/ the kids behind me about once/week now.  Instead of going out my front door to exercise, I go out the back door and hang out in the pool all day and/or evening.  It's the BEST - hiding back there with a big watermelon, my diving Isaac, and my flipping Dylan.

Friday, May 20, 2011

Disney World!!!

Sometimes I love peer pressure.  Steven's friends take their kids to theme parks almost every weekend and it blew their minds that we had never taken our kids to Disney World.  We thought about it, and realized that we hadn't been on a family vacation in years and years.  So Steven gave in to the peer pressure - yay for us!  So, a day at the Magic Kingdom counts as our family vacation!  Plus, I've been busy with photography and can't take more time off than a day.  I don't want to keep people waiting!  So Steven decided we should bribe the kids with something, so he had Dylan read a "Bob" book all by himself each day and he really did it!  Isaac also was able to memorize read it. 
It's a good time to go because we figure it's after the Spring Break rush but before school is out and although I'm plenty pregnant, I'm not uncomfortable at all yet.  My friend came with us too:) 

 I was going to research a little on what we should do, but that's why I married Steven.  He's a good planner and since the night before, he was a man on a mission starting with getting us to bed early.  I have no clue how he maneuvered the heavy double stroller through the crowds, but Paige and I would have to run when he got too far ahead so we could keep up with him! 
Both kids were skeptical about the rides, probably ever since Steven took them on that roller coaster at Busch Gardens! 
 But they still both felt safest being by their Daddy.  Isaac also held the back of the seat tightly as if it was a roller coaster bar.  Our first ride was "It's a Small world."

They also weren't too sure about the characters at first.  They wouldn't go up to Pinocchio. 
 Steven and I both had cameras.  I think that's the way to go.  I didn't get any quality photos, but I just wanted to have fun and have my hands free.  I would have been too worried about the better camera.  Here's me taking a photo of Steven taking a photo of the kids.

 Isaac did NOT like the Peter Pan ride. 
 Poor baby boy.  He's so sweet. 
 They went shooting next. 

 Dylan said the most "jungly" thing we did was probably the Swiss Family Tree House. 


 Isaac's favorite ride was Aladdin's "magic blankies."  He told me that later.  I think it's cute that he thinks the magic carpets are blankies. 

 The other "jungly" thing, and Dylan's favorite ride, was the Jungle Cruise. 
 Isaac liked it at first, but then got terrified because the guide had everybody duck down and had the suspense going.  Isaac cried. 
 I love his little face. 


 After the boat, Isaac took charge of the camera for a while.  There are a lot of photos of pure yellow - my big shirt!  I'll spare you. 
 We saw a show at the castle. 
 We went on a fun ride that I recommend - the Buzz Lightyear one. 
 It's fun for everyone!

 The boys finally got to hug a character.  They both hugged Stitch then posed next to him for a photo.  I liked this character because he knew how to be silly.  Look at how they're all 3 posing the same way. 
 Welcome to the hottest part of the day.  The sun was right overhead when waiting in line for the cars. 
 Steven and I are taking photos of each other here. 
Dylan asked, "Mom, is it like we have a sister now?"  I told him, yes, it's like you have a sister.  It's cute because Dylan really wanted a sister but he's getting a little brother. 


 On the People Mover, I think we all rested and wished we were taking a short nap.  It was a good little break to see the sights. 




 While the non-pregnant/non-children went on Space Mountain, we went on Buzz Lightyear again!  Those fast passes are such a good idea. 
 Chip 'n Dale
The plan was for Isaac to nap in the stroller while the others went on the Pirates ride.  We figured it would be too scary for Isaac any way.  Isaac was content with the idea, then popped up and said "I changed my mind.  I won't be scared.  I want to go."  So he and I went in line.  That's my favorite line to wait in, it looked like a pirate museum inside. 
 "Is that where they hide the treasure, Mom?" 
 Isaac couldn't keep his eyes open (or maybe he wasn't digging the flash.)  He was so brave on the ride!  I'm the one who got nervous when it took a tummy flipping little dip in the dark near the beginning.  I was worried I would have a crying 3 year old, but he faked a smile the whole way!
The kids got to pick ONE thing out from the pirate gift shop.  They got cheapo pirate swords.  I know, swords?  Really?  and plastic cheapo ones that will break before leaving the park?  When in Disney . . . Plus, they were only $4 each and came with pirate patches. 
 We saw Mickey and Minnie! 
 But wait, there's more.  Dylan and Isaac wanted to hug a princess.  They really did.  Who cares that they were the only male kids in line besides brothers of princess dressed toddlers.  Malia went for her birthday and told the boys all about the Disney Princesses, so, naturally, that was on their list of things to do.  But when it came time for it, Isaac was really tired, and the pretty princesses were more real.  They weren't all covered in fur like the other characters the boys hugged. 

 Sleeping beauty told the boys that they must be brave if they went on the Pirates ride and she asked to see their strong muscles.  The boys loved it. 
 We saw our 2nd parade of the day. 
 Have I mentioned it was past nap time for Isaac? 
 He slept.  Paige babysat him while we went to Tom Sawyer Island. 
 Dylan went spelunking and was our leader.  He went on the barrel bridge,
 shot from the rifle roost,
 and I found what I had been craving, he he.
 What a perfect adventure. 
 While Isaac slept. 

 We had a perfect day, seeing and doing everything on Steven's list (except for the night parade because they don't have one on Wednesdays.)  Not pictured: Monsters, Inc. Laugh Floor, the Plaza restaraunt, and another restaraunt I wouldn't recomend.  The memories castle show and fireworks were amazing. 
 Isaac wasn't interested though. 
 They changed into their Wal-mart Buzz Lightyear PJs and slept all the way home.