Finn

So, we finally decided on a name.  Drum Roll.....our incoming little guy will henceforth be known as:

Finn Michael Richardson

I've received some mixed reviews, but Mikey and I like it, and Marlee and Parks say it really cute, so that's all that matters, right?  ;)

My favorite reaction so far:

Grandpa:  So have you named that kid yet?

Me:  Actually, we just decided today on "Finn Michael."

Grandpa:  Huh?

Me:  Finn Michael

Grandpa:  What?

Me:  FINN MICHAEL RICHARDSON (loud)

Grandpa:  Say it again...

Me:  FINN MICHAEL!#!%!$!  As in the "fin" on a fish.

Grandpa:  Oh.  Hmmmm.  Well....I guess I will call him "fish.

NO MOMMY, NO MOMMY, NO MOMMY

Parks' favorite word for the past few weeks:  No.
My least favorite word for the past few weeks:  No.

I am going to lose my mind if he goes on one more rant of "No Mommy, No Mommy, No Mommy..."

It's hard not to laugh sometimes, because it is just his go-to phrase, and even if he wants something, he starts with "No, Mommy" and then processes for a few seconds before frantically correcting to "yeah, yeah, yeah."

"Parks, do you want a cookie?"
"No Mommy, No Mommy, No Mommy"...[pause]...."yeah, yeah, yeah!!!!"

I hope this passes....quickly!!


Marlee has recently developed an extreme fear of BUGS!  She loves her little sandbox in the back yard, and will play with such focus for hours...but if anything that even remotely resembles a bug enters her area, SHE.FLIPS.OUT.  She freezes...she can't run away, she can't take her eyes off it, she just screams for me to come get her.  It's really sad, but so sweet too...because as soon as I pick her up, she turns at it with disgust, points her finger and authoritatively says "GET OUT BUG!"  I love it!!

Is it bad that I have considered buying some fake bugs to put in all the "danger areas" in the house, like my desk drawers and near the cleaning supplies?


Oh...and one more thing for today...I am down to 16 days til my due date.  Yikes!  I've been feeling light years better as far as the debilitating heartburn, but my hips are starting to move (I think) and it makes it difficult to get around...especially to chase kiddos.  Not much longer, I can do it!  He is also getting super strong and he kicks me so much from about 8pm - 3am.  Starting to get some strong (but irregular) contractions, too!  Tick, Tock....

4 weeks left

I had my 36 week checkup today and everything is looking good.  Kim came over and watched the twins while I went to my appointment...and I had to wait the longest I've EVER waited.  I waited for the doctor for over an hour and the actual time with her was under 5 minutes.  Lovely.  

I am measuring right on schedule, and actually feeling tons better than I did a couple of weeks ago.  During the week leading up to my 34th week (AKA...the time I delivered the twins), I think my nerves and anxiety of going into preterm labor again took a major toll on my body and I was feeling terrible.  We had some sickness rampage through our house too, which didn't help.

Now I am feeling more positive about hanging in there for a few more weeks.  

I really can't believe how quickly it is approaching!!

Big Sister:

Marlee is getting so independent, and loves to help whenever she can.  She is going to be such a great big sister.  She arranges her stuffed animals on chairs and tells them to "SIT!!" 

Today she walked in looking like this...

Is she the cutest girl you've ever seen or what?

Big Brother:

Parks' favorite word these days is BIG.  He loves it.  He also enjoys putting trash in the trashcan and cups/forks/etc. in the sink...which is AWESOME for me.  Unfortunately, he wasn't feeling too hot today.  Actually, he was literally feeling HOT so I gave him some tylenol and he perked right up.  I don't know if allergies can cause a fever, but I think that might a big part of it.  I hate when my kiddos aren't feeling good.  Hopefully tomorrow will be a fresh day for him.

I've got to figure out how to post pics to my blog without having to put them on instagram first.  I am so lame.  Sorry, Kim.

Two 2-year olds

Parks and Marlee turned 2 today.  I can't look at them without seeing babies, and at the same time I see them and can't believe how big they are.  They are actual KIDS.  I can talk to them and they understand.  They follow directions and LOVE to follow the leader/play simon-says and show off all the things they know.

Marlee is talking so much these days.  She will repeat anything and everything, and it is the cutest thing in the world...especially when she tries big words like spaghetti and refrigerator.  She identifies everything she sees and will point it out and repeat it until you acknowledge that you see it too.  I think I mentioned it in the past, but she loves greeting strangers too.  It's hilarious how she does it, because she waits until it is past the normal point of greeting someone, and just as they begin to walk past and ignore her, she says (extremely loud and clear) "HI!!!!"  They have no choice but to respond.  I love it when it is a tough guy or a coooool teenager.  She counts to ten in English, Spanish and is pretty good in German, and can get into the alphabet through about "K" on a good day.  Her favorite songs are "Bayou (Bayou Bayou Baby)," ""Bitsy-Bitsy (Itsy Bitsy Spider)" and "Pay Cake (Patty Cake, Patty Cake)."

Parks is such a boy.  He would rather jump back and forth from the ottoman and sofa for an hour than talk or count or sing.  He really enjoys follow the leader, but isn't really very into practicing his speech. He loves milk, running, outside, hammering things and his mommy and daddy.  Every single time I go into his room to get him up from sleep, he looks at me with huge eyes and says "HI!" in a really high pitched and excited sound.  I stinkin' love it.  It's the sweetest sound in the world and makes me excited to go get him each time.  His teachers at Children's Morning Out say he is a good leader and loves to do all the hand motions to the songs they sing.  My favorite Parks-ism is how he loves to be held and will come up to me unprovoked and grab my head to give me a kiss.  Melts.My.Heart.

I'm no good with words, but I love these two kiddos with all my heart and am so thankful for them daily.  They mean the world to me!

Happy Birthday, Parks and Marlee!!

Shayla in Elmo Shoes

Babymoon Pictures

I posted about the trip Mikey and I took to Orlando for our Babymoon, but I couldn't remember how to pull the pictures off instagram to post here until I asked Kim...AGAIN.

So, as promised...

At Rainforest Cafe...had to get this pic for Parks

Mikey at Universal Boardwalk, carrying my purse

Elephant Twins

This was just the APPETIZER at Bubba Gump's

Sprinkles

This morning I got the kids up for breakfast and took them downstairs.  Then I BRIEFLY walked back up the stairs to get their clothes and came back to find this...

Yes, they are sitting on the end table.

At least they are sharing, right?