Brothers

Just watching my boys play together today was the biggest blessing. It hasn't been the best week (or month really) for us or for many family and friends of ours, so I've been feeling a bit weary and discouraged. Both boys have been sick in some way recently and Jack was so feverish this week that we were stuck at home for two full days, which is about 46 hours longer than I like to be at home at one time during the day! We've all been a bit cranky with each other and stir crazy. Anyway, finally today everyone was well and we had a pretty normal routine of snuggling, playing, breakfast, gym, snack, etc. Then we headed for Unpluggits so the boys could play without being out in the heat. And just watching them brought me back to reality, to the realization of how amazing they are, how blessed I am, and how precious this time is that I have with them. I also realized how blessed THEY are to have each other. So many days throughout this pregnancy as I've been sick and my energy has lagged, I've questioned whether having three kids was the right decision for us, us meaning me and Randy. It was a very well thought out decision but happened quicker than we thought it would so even though this was the plan, it honestly took me by surprise. I've nostalgically remembered the days of having one small toddler who went to bed at 7pm, leaving Randy and I plenty of time to be together, and plenty of money to spend. I've thought how easy it would have been to stick with one or two kids and just focus on them, how hard our schedule will be next year, how much money we'll spend (private school for three, aughhh!), how many things we're sacrificing for me to stay at home, etc. But as I watched Jack and Graham play together and heard their joyful squeals and sweet voices yelling out, "Graham, come on, follow me!" and "Wait for me, Brubber!" I realized how much we have blessed these sweet boys by giving them each other. Even at a full three years apart, Jack and Graham are like two peas in a pod. Jack has a built in buddy for life and Graham looks up to Jack and learns so much from him. Jack protects Graham. Graham makes Jack laugh. Jack helps Graham reach things. Graham lets Jack choose what game to play and then joins in happily. Jack tickles Graham. Graham tackles Jack. They are such good friends and I can't imagine either of them without the other in his life. At night, Jack always prays for Graham. It is so precious. I usually have to remind him that there are others who need prayer as well and encourage him to include them but even when he does pray for others, he never leaves his brother out. The other morning when I woke Jack up, the first thing he said to me was, "I want to play with Graham!" and when I woke Graham he said, "I want Jack!" I pray that my sweet boys will always love each other this much. Even though they fight and argue like all brothers, they have a deep love for each other that is different from the love they have for Mommy and Daddy. It is special. And I can't wait for them to meet baby brother and discover a new bond and a new best friend in him! I know there will be many days that are hard and when they're not getting along (or when they are but it's because they're ganging up on me!) and many more sacrifices to come, but honestly I don't think life is worth living without people you are willing to sacrifice for and who bring you the kind of joy in one short moment that could make any tough day, month, or year worthwhile. Randy and I are so thankful for each other and for our three boys. We are blessed beyond belief. We can imagine an easier life for sure, but we can't imagine a better one!

Summer Fun and Pregnancy Update

The boys and I have been having a great summer! And since Randy hasn't been tutoring as much this month, we have been able to spend lots of quality time with him in the evenings as well. I am really loving the family time! I have to admit, when I made the decision not to enroll the boys in any kind of playschool or mother's day out this summer (for the first time), I was a bit terrified that I would go crazy. But honestly it has really been relaxing. The boys are sleeping in every day and it is so nice not to be in a hurry to get out the door with everyone's bags and lunches packed. We have been able to snuggle and eat breakfast leisurely before heading out the door to the gym, park, church library, or a play date. We have been doing some swimming at my parents and have science museum and movie plans coming up. We also have so many family plans in July with reunions, weddings, etc. that I don't see us having any time for boredom! I am so thankful for this time with my two boys before Jack heads to kindergarten and we add a third little one into the mix.

Speaking of baby Biggs #3, I am happy to report that I am finally past the sickness stage! It took 25 weeks but it has finally happened! Of course now, at 26 weeks exactly, I am starting to feel some of the aches and pains that come toward the end so I didn't get much of a honeymoon 2nd trimester. :( Luckily though it is just a little pressure here and there and slight discomfort when sleeping. Overall, I am feeling great and have lots of energy. Baby is moving like crazy and sometimes I can even see him moving. I'm looking forward to hitting the third trimester milestone next week and beginning to really prepare for this kiddo. We haven't don't much in the way of preparation other than moving Jack and Graham's things into the same room, including their new bunk beds! We still have to transition G into the room though as we still have him in the crib in what will be the baby's room. I would also love to have G potty trained before the summer is over. Wish us luck!

Here are some pics of my sweet boys:


And a video of them singing their favorite song:

Lake Trip!

Well, this lake trip was a bit non traditional and we had our share of crises but all in all we still had a great time. We were planning on leaving Wednesday evening and on that morning I got a phone call from my mom saying that my sister was in the hospital with stomach pain again (she had an emergency appendectomy a couple of weeks prior). So my mom needed to head to Dallas to be with Hayley and to allow Nick to go to work the next couple of days. This meant that we would be going to the lake without my mom which was very disappointing and obviously we were worried about Hayley as well. My grandparents were supposed to join us on Friday but never made it either as my grandma wasn't feeling up to the trip. So it ended up being just us and Grandad! The boys are total "Grandad's boys" so they were in heaven having so much time with him but of course we missed everyone else. Jack and Graham's favorite lake activity is... swimming in the lake. We have such a nice boat, skis, tubes, etc. but they are content to boat over to a cove, anchor, and swim for an hour before heading back to the house for lunch. Then after nap, repeat! I was hoping Jack would try to ski and he did get out there in the water and get the skis on but chickened out at the last minute. Maybe next month or at least next year! Graham is pretty fearless and did a little bit of tubing. We may have him skiing by age four or so. The only thing that bothers him is the cold water so it takes a bit of coaxing to get him in at the beginning. Another milestone of the lake was Graham having to sleep in a "big boy bed." We have not made the transition at home but he did great while we were there! There was one time that he appeared downstairs wanting to play when he was supposed to be napping but otherwise he stayed in bed and slept great! We'll be making the transition at home in a couple of months. When we weren't on the water, we enjoyed watching Cars 2 20 billion times, eating yummy food, swimming in the pool, reading, playing Toy Story Uno, playing Thomas, playing Checkers, and watching the Thunder game. We allowed Jack to stay up late to watch it and the sweet kiddo passed out with about two minutes left and missed the ending. He was so excited to be up so late but just couldn't make it all the way. Here are some pics from the long weekend:

Memorial Day, My Boys, and Pregnancy Update

We had a great Memorial Day weekend this year! It started out with a fun birthday party for Jack and Graham's sweet friend, Stella, on Friday night. Then on Saturday we spent the day at my parents' pool with Hayley and Nick. On Sunday the rest of the family joined us for swimming and a cookout. The boys are just relishing in the summer fun! The only downside of the whole weekend was that Hayley had an emergency appendectomy earlier in the week so she wasn't feeling stellar and wasn't able to swim. I was so glad she could be there though and we enjoyed laying out and chatting while watching the boys. Jack is becoming such a great swimmer! I am so proud of him. I thought we would want to do a couple refresher swimming lessons at the beginning of the summer but he really is doing well. He's remembering good technique when swimming and can also swim down to the bottom of the deep end now. He can float on his back and swim back stroke and is learning new tricks to do off of the diving board all the time. He's my little fish and I could even see putting him on a swim team at some point. He's really looking forward to our first lake trip in a couple of weeks and says he is going to try to ski. We'll see! I think I was six when I first attempted it and seven when I really skied so he's starting early! Graham has always been a water baby. He uses his puddle jumpers (best product EVER) and is very independent in the water. BB and Grandad bought him a little Nemo toy that could keep him entertained all day in the pool. Graham is growing up so fast all of the sudden. He is stringing together so many sentences now and it amazes me that every day he talks more than the day before. He continues to be a riot not only in what he says but in the looks he gives us. I don't think anyone in the world can make Randy and I smile like Graham can. He has a gift that way and I really can't wait to see how God plans on using it. He has become obsessed with Thomas the Train. Jack likes Thomas now too, but Graham is particularly attached to his Thomas toys and books. He likes to push his little engine "down the tracks." Just now, as he's supposed to be going to sleep, I can hear him saying to his train across the room, "Thomas, can you hear me???!!!" He can name all of the other engines as well and this has been helpful for us in teaching him his colors, which he refused to learn until recently! Sometimes I think we don't give him credit for being as smart as Jack but he certainly is. They are both so smart but in different ways. Jack is very curious, very intent on learning every detail, and very focused on being right and knowing as much as he can. Graham really only focuses on something if he's particularly interested in it and even if he knows the right answer, he likes to say something silly instead to get a laugh. He does enjoy being praised though so he impresses us with his knowledge when he can. As for me, at 22 weeks pregnant, I am still suffering from morning (which is really all day) sickness! It really is not pleasant and I can't believe it's hanging on so long this time! It isn't every day anymore so I do think it's slowing down but really, this is ridiculous. On the days with no nausea, I feel great! I am sleeping pretty well still and have plenty of energy on most days. The exhaustion that I felt the first 16 or so weeks has let up and I'm able to stay up later at night which is nice as Randy and I have time to spend together now. I am starting to feel big but my weight gain is pretty much on track with the other pregnancies (maybe slightly higher this time). I am feeling baby kick lots now. He is very active and I think pretty soon we'll be able to see him move! I feel like this pregnancy is flying by and we haven't done a thing to prepare for his arrival. Life is busy with two active boys already but it will all come together at some point! I can't wait to meet baby Reid!

Spring Program and More Soccer

Jack's preschool put on a very sweet spring program this year. He did great and was so cute up there! Unfortunately we didn't get a very good video this time but here are some pics:

The soccer season was so much fun this year! It's amazing how much better the kids played this year at five vs. last year at four. They had so much fun and we really enjoyed watching them. I'm so glad Jack was able to participate in a fun sport with good friends.

Last Day of Pre-K

Jack's last day of pre-k was Thursday! it is so bittersweet to say goodbye to preschool and begin looking forward to kindergarten next year! Jack had such a wonderful year and was blessed with sweet teachers and great friends. He has grown and learned so much over the year. His teachers made a binder for us filled with work from throughout the year and I love seeing how he has improved in writing, coloring, drawing, etc. He has also mastered holding a pencil correctly and is beginning to be able to read. We are so proud of him and are loving watching him grow up and mature. I will say it makes me a little sick to my stomach to think about sending my baby off to school all day every day next year, though. :( Thankfully he goes to a wonderful school and we know he'll be in great hands! Here is a picture of the first day of school and the last day:

And of course Graham didn't want to leave without having his picture taken as well!

It's a...

BOY!!!!!! And we couldn't be more excited! The ultrasound was just wonderful yesterday. The minute the tech put the camera on my stomach, Randy and I both saw clearly that it was a boy. The tech said, "I think you all already know, but I'm going to wait until the end to tell you." I didn't want to be too sure just in case but was already overjoyed. The best part though was seeing everything measure exactly right, seeing the four chamber heart, five fingers on each hand, etc. What a blessing to have a healthy baby. I am so thankful. I commented to Randy halfway through that this baby wasn't sucking his thumb like the other two. But I spoke too soon because a few minutes later, there went his hand right to his face and stayed there the rest of the time! Just like a Biggs boy. :) Of course we would have loved a girl too, but I really feel complete with my sweet boys and feel like I was always meant to be a mom of boys. I can't wait to meet baby Reid and see how his personality is similar/different to the other boys. I hope they will grow up to be the closest of friends! Randy and I decided to surprise the boys after school with cupcakes that had blue filling inside. Jack was very anxious to find out and had actually been praying for a girl so I was just hoping he wouldn't be completely heartbroken. The cupcake must have softened the blow because he took the news well when he discovered the blue icing and was very excited! Graham was happy to have a cupcake but other than that showed no signs of having any clue about what was going on. :) I think he's in denial about not being the baby anymore but I have a feeling he will love being a big brother once it happens!