Kissing Nap Time Goodbye

Well, I never thought I would say it, but life is a lot easier now that Cal and I aren't always arguing about him going down for a nap! That's right, I gave it up. I never thought I would be able to do it, so I'm pretty proud of myself. Having previously thought of myself as sort of a Nap Nazi, I knew I needed that time to myself in the middle of the day and I trembled at the inevitability of it not being there anymore. But a few weeks ago I started realizing that, day after day, our afternoons were each turning into one long battle that just wasn't worth it. So now I won't even let myself hope that he's going to fall asleep,.. I have to expect that he's going to be awake and with me, and squeeze my stuff in around that. Besides his little body getting so tired every day right around dinner time (hence the picture), the results have been much more positive than I expected. It's helped me be a lot more flexible and remember that... this is life. It's what I signed up for when I became a mom! I have to make a conscious decision not to stress out about "everything that needs to get done" and enjoy the quality time that I get to spend with my son.

Our Trip to the Dunes

Here are some pictures from the Sand Dunes. We had a lot of fun even though it was HOT! (the sand, that is...) We were all in sandals in the blazing hot sand, so we didn't wind up staying as long as we were planning. Jeff hiked up one of them while the kids and I just watched and dug for treasure. Cal really liked playing in the creek. Monica, however, was pretty disgusted with the whole prospect. She spent the whole time on someone's shoulders. But we were so glad we got to go! It's always so amazing to visit a wonder of nature that is truly spectacular. It just makes me think of how many interesting and beautiful places there are on our planet. We look forward to taking our kids back and maybe camping

there... maybe when they're a little bit older and we're a little more prepared with our footware.

Yea!!! The Geoffy's Back!

Today, I hate to admit it but I was CRABBY... Or at least I should say, I was trying all day to ward off the crabbiness and not doing the greatest job. Something about being really big and tight and uncomfortable...and tired...and alone. Jeff's been in Alamosa all week and I was expecting him back Friday afternoon. I talked to him briefly at about 8:30 this evening, but he said his phone was about to die and he'd call me a little later. Well, at 10:45 PM tonight, I heard our garage door open! He'd gotten off of work a day early to attend a medical presentation this evening and he doesn't have to go back tomorrow. The best surprise ever! Anyway, it was amazing how quickly the crabbiness vanished. Everything feels a lot more right with the world.

Belly Pics

Okay, so here are the belly pics as promised.

This is at 34 1/2 weeks.

Colorado Gators

The kids and I have been visiting Jeff while he does a rotation in rural medicine in Alamosa, CO. Last week we went to see the Colorado Gators, which is an alligator farm just north of Alamosa and one of the only tourist attractions close by. It was pretty wild! We had a lot of fun. Here are some more pics:

Natalie Raye

Hey, blokies! Here are some cool ultrasounds of our baby #3.

The 2nd picture is a little harder to make out,
but it's her little face with her eyes open.
Hi, Natalie! We already love you!
(Belly pictures coming soon.)
(Sheesh, am I really going to have three kids??)