Plagues

The boys and I were out watering the garden after school today, and they found 12 little tiny frogs. I mean like a centimeter in length, tiny. I thought it was neat when they found one...then they kept finding more...and more...So we made a terrarium out of a large glass jar, and we studied them. They were jumping and leaping all around. I have to say, they are pretty cute little guys, and the boys love them! I couldn't believe that they found so many in such a short time...then Luis came home from work and he said, "Did you hear about the plague of frogs in Georgia?" He began to tell me how there is an infestation of frogs in a certain area of Georgia...there are tons and tons of them, and are getting into people's houses. Suddenly, our new found friends didn't seem so appealing to me anymore.

The Diamondbacks won tonight 13-2! What a great game! They are in second place right now. It is so nice having Josh and his cousin Matt on the same team (with Uncle Robbie as coach). The boys all have such fun together.

chocolate, chocolate everywhere...

I don't know if your family is anything like mine, but somehow, after any holiday that features candy (Valentine's day, Easter, etc) we have tons of left-over goodies. The Easter basket was still sitting on our counter, and the boys had long since forgotten about it's sweet treasures inside. Even Luis's last two bites of his white chocolate cross were still in there. Normally, the chocolate would call my name, and I would be the one who sneaks a piece here and there. But when I am pregnant, I have this incredible will power to stay away from things that are not healthy for me and/or the baby. (I have to admit, I choose not to exercise that will power when I am not pregnant.) Therefore...the candy has just sat there for weeks. So today, I decided to do something about it. I pulled out the double boiler, and began unwrapping bite sized snickers, and foil eggs. I looked in my snack cabinet, and found some caramel marshmallows that no one was eating. I added a little butter, and a bag of popcorn that just came out of the microwave. I made some mean looking caramel, chocolate, marshmallow popcorn balls. OK, they are probably not as good as the Harry and David popcorn with chunks of chocolate, but hey, they smell fabulous! So far, I have resisted (unless you count the time I licked my fingers after packaging all the balls)....Hopefully I can stay away altogether! The real test will be Josh, who doesn't care much for popcorn. I might have to bring them to the ball game tonight, and have my sisters kids eat them. Even so, I just love experimenting with left overs...it's always an adventure!

whoa, Nellie!

After being the only female species in our home for the past twelve years, I have grown accustom to the amount of testosterone that flows within these four walls on a daily basis. Growing up, I was always the "tomboy" type. My younger sister and I would find more pleasure playing with trucks on the dirt pile in Dad's back yard, than trying to match heels with Barbie's latest fashion. About the only contact we had with dolls of any type, were the poor little ones who became victim to our scissors. We would attempt to turn their long curls into a short, not-so-chic haircuts. After that, they couldn't hold our attention any longer and we would return to the back yard on another adventure. So, you can imagine my surprise finding out that I am 20 weeks away from giving birth to a baby girl.

I have been window shopping (online) just to get a glimpse at what is out there. After all, it's been nearly four years since I had a little one, and all of the baby paraphenalia from Jonathan was donated to various locations in Arizona before we moved. It is as though I have stepped into a different world, complete with lace and frills and bows. I must say, I don't really fit into this dimension yet, but I can slowly feel my estrogen increasing with every click of the mouse. When I shopped for the boys, it was so easy...striped shirt, and shorts...solid button down and church pants...white socks, or if I was feeling daring, maybe tan or even navy. That was that. I didn't have much to choose from...a quarter of the boys sections in most stores was overburdened by the girl's clearance pink foo-foo dresses that wouldn't fit into the already buldging girl racks.
I find myself thinking often about her...she might either be a tough little gal, able to hold her own against two older, full of life brothers, or she'll be our little doll baby, with hats and socks that match her pristine dresses. Most likely, she'll fall somewhere in the middle. It has been nice to not have to worry about circumsision...and trying to come up with another boy's name. I am thinking that maybe she'll be a little less energetic than the boys...but then again, she'll have Luis's genes, too, so probably not. One thing is for sure, if we aren't careful, she's going to be one spoiled little girl! Luis got all teary when he heard Jonathan tell him "I am going to have a little sister" for the first time. On my side of the family, there hasn't been a granddaughter in fourteen years...almost sixteen years since the only girl on Luis's side. I can tell this is going to be an adventure of a lifetime. One that I'll be easing myself into over the next four months.

then along came Liliana...

This last picture are Liliana's feet! Can you see her little toes??!!?? :)



So after a visit to the hospital for my ultrasound today, we found out we are having a girl! I am writing this before even telling Luis, and I can't even imagine his excitement when he gets home and we tell him. Aunt Marybeth, Nani and Papa already know, because I couldn't wait to tell them! At the appointment, Josh and Jonathan went into the room with me. Josh was mesmerized as he watched the screen. He would come over and tell me "I see the head" or I saw the baby's legs". Then, the tech turned to the boys and asked what they were hoping for...and brother or a sister? Josh piped right up and blurted out "A brother!". She turned to Jonathan, and he said "it's OK if it's a brother or a sister". Jonathan and I have been having long talks about how God sends babies, and He send what He thinks each family needs...some girls, and some boys. He had finally gotten over the "it has to be a girl" phase, and would have been happy either way. When the tech told us it was a girl, Jonathan looked at me with excitement and exclaimed "I was hoping it was a girl!" haha...it was so fun to let them be there, and see their baby sister first hand. After the ultrasound, I headed across the street to see my midwife. Josh was showing off the ultrasound pictures, and beaming when he told Leigh and Ana that he was going to have a baby sister. He was not disappointed in the least! In fact, when Ana asked him what he thought about having a baby sister, he told her "I am soooo excited!" I am still amazed, even after having two babies, to see how amazingly God fashions life together. Baby Lily is already so loved, and will be doubly protected by two big brothers, I have no doubt!