July Highlights

Seven favorite things from the last month:

1. Beach trip
For the first half of the month, the boys and I traveled! (I count it as a business trip because flying/packing/living with a 3 year old and1 year old while7.5 months pregnant means I took my work with me.)  First we went to Texas for a beach weekend.  Two of my close friends have two boys each, just about the same ages as Scott and Mark.  We've been talking about a beach weekend FOREVER and decided that we had to make it happen.  The littlest boys stayed home with dads/grandparents and we took off with the 4 bottle-free, nap-flexible blondies.  While we did run into a few snags (thunderstorms and general preschool cooped-up fuss) it was a great trip.  The boys swam, flew kites, and watched movies together, and the 3 of us stayed up wayyyyy too late talking. It was worth the trip for that alone.  A weekend with these women is better than a year in counseling. 

Biggest regret of the trip: we have so few pictures! As in, 2 total and no group shot. 3 moms (2 of us pregnant) + 4 boys + gear + rain forecasts = no hands for cameras.  Here's one Shanna got of the boys, ready to swim but stuck inside due to lightning:

They're awesome, aren't they?

2. Blue Ridge
Next the boys and I flew to Georgia to see my parents, my aunt and uncle and cousin, and the cabin.  We had such adventures!  Scott is an adorable and enthusiastic fisherman:

We love picking blueberries:

Mark is happy to model Mardi Gras beads:

And we love the river, especially in 100 degree heat.  Pregnant tubing lady from the front:

VERY pregnant tubing lady (and family) from the side:

3.  Homecoming
When we came home, it was so good to be reunited with Luke.  2+ weeks apart is a long time for us. We missed him like crazy.  All 3 of us love him to death.  We've been hiking (slowly), riding kiddie trains at parks, eating burgers and hot wings, and generally enjoying our last weeks as a family of 4.

4.  Wagner visit
More family fun! The Wagners visited!  I don't have a single picture; so upsetting.  After weeks of grandparent attention from both sides the boys were terribly upset to be left alone.  They kept wondering why no one was getting them dinner, doing the dishes, and offering to take the boys while they took a nap ... OH WAIT THAT WAS ME. 
5. More friend time
Last weekend Karen threw a party to celebrate Baby Wagner's anticipated arrival. I got to go out to tea and then have craft time with wonderful ladies I'm lucky to call my friends.  It was so fun.  My sister is the best.  Everyone else wishes she was their sister!  But she's mine! Hah!  And I don't have to share her with any other siblings!

I also have NO PICTURES of that event, but look at the cute invite K made:

 6.  The boys' independence
This month I celebrate not only our nation's independence, but my sons'.  Mark is officially out of the crib and sleeping in the bottom bunk!  Very sweet.  He's a funny one: in the mornings, he gets up and explores the house a bit before waking me up.

And Scott?  Scott is car independent.  He opens and closes his own door and does all his own booster seat buckling and unbuckling (with the aid of a buckle extender, which is a NECESSITY for parents of 4-year-olds, especially if you're planning on putting 3 car seats in a row).  It's a new world!

7.  Making it full-term
Okay, technically I'm not full-term (37 weeks) until Thursday, but I think I'm pretty safe assuming that the next 26 hours will not include delivering a baby girl, so HOORAY!  NO PREMIE WAGNERS!  I am so excited to meet this little lady and so is Luke.  She is going to have some mighty protective big brothers.  Her cradle is almost ready and I need to finish washing her clothes, but the teensy car seat is by the door and we are thrilled to meet her! 

Also, before she's born I must get my camera working so I can share her sweet little face with you all.  TOMORROW.