Lacking Motivation

It's been a while since I've posted. Not necessarily because we haven't done anything post worthy (we've gone to the beach, gone to a gymnasium and watched the boys show off their tumbling, gone on countless picnics, gone to swimming pools and splash pads...you get the idea), I just don't take pictures. I bring my camera everywhere, but when we get where we're going, I just don't take it out. I really have no defense for that other than to say, I'm very pregnant and I don't feel like it. When my kids are having fun and I get to sit and watch, that's what I want to do...SIT and watch. When my kids are busy and require chasing, the last thing I want to do is chase after them AND remember to carry the camera. Lame right? Well, lame or not, that's my story and I'm sticking to it.

So this is going to be a picture-less update.

Justin is currently on a non-call block. That means that he's home for dinner (usually) and on weekends. To say that I love this schedule would be an understatement. It's glorious to have him home and I'm afraid I've already gotten used to it. This is just going to make it that much harder in a couple months when he goes back to a call block. As usual, he is his impressive self. The attending that he's currently working with is the recruiter for the Memorial Medical Group. He's been trying pretty hard over the past few weeks to convince Justin to stay in South Bend and join up. He even met me and the kids and told us that we were "South Bend people" and we should just be ready to stay here. Obviously we have no clue where we're headed after residency yet, but it's nice to know that we have at least one option (although, knowing Justin, there will be no shortage of offers when he's done).

I'm still pregnant. My due date is less than a week away. We are FINALLY ready! Well, I still have two hospital bags to pack (mine and the baby's), but I'll get around to that...maybe. Everything else is ready though. The nursery is set up, the clothing has been washed and put away, diapers have been purchased, formula has been aquired (I'm not planning on doing much breastfeeding...if you don't know my history with breastfeeding you have no room to judge), and (dare I say) a name has been chosen. I'm not saying what it is, but it's a good one. Don't worry, you'll learn it soon enough - hopefully. I'm still planning on going natural this time, I created a playlist for the delivery room. Justin informs me that it's not really the "typical" delivery room playlist (it's not what you would call 'soothing' music), but I need to do what I need to do to focus, and I just don't think that soothing music will help me out.

Clayton is enjoying the last week of his summer vacation. He starts second grade next week! I can't believe he's starting second grade...weird. He's still obsessed with all things geography - specifically U.S. geography. He knows all his states and capitals, where they are located, and a whole host of interesting facts about each state. He has a large U.S. map in his bedroom that he studies daily. I'm impressed at how accute his focus is. He loves this stuff. I'm a little embarassed to admit that he knows more than I do. He's grown up so much this summer. He's becoming this little man. He is able to take on a lot of responsibilities around the house and I'm super grateful. He's been a big help getting ready for the baby. I'm actually a little sad that he starts school around the time that the baby comes. I'll be loosing my biggest asset! Clayton is such a happy-go-lucky kid. There have been a few times this summer when I've thought that the school year couldn't start soon enough, but for the most part, I enjoy having him home to help me out. Everyone should be so lucky to have a firstborn as wonderful as mine!

Noah is also enjoying the end of his summer vacation. He doesn't start school until after Labor Day, but he can't wait. He'll be doing three day/week preschool again this year. He already knows his teacher (her classroom was across the hall from his last year) and he can't wait to be in her class. Talk about a kid that has changed over the summer!! Noah is now reading. I remember the first time I realized that Clayton could read (he read the peanut butter jar to me) and I was so amazed. Well, Noah is at the exact same age that Clayton was when he started reading and it still shocked my socks off. He can sound out most three and four letter words and knows several sight words. Justin and I were both impressed, especially considering that I haven't been working with him as diligently as I'd hoped to this summer. He also shares Clayton's geography obsession. If you think people are impressed with Clayton's knowledge of the states (and it's extensive) you should see how people respond when Noah begins rattling off states and capitals. It's too bad that his birthday is after the cutoff, I really think he'd be ready for kindergarten this year.

Josie is a two year old girl. I think that sums it up. Her current interests are anything pink and anything princess. Justin and I really don't understand where it comes from. We've NEVER watched a princess movie/show and I don't have an overwhelming fondness for pink and I don't particularly dress her in a lot of pink. Lately however, she insists on picking out her own clothes and if I don't let her do it then we have a fight on our hands. Because I don't like fighting about clothing every morning, she wears a ton of pink these days. She also thinks that anything pink belongs to her. "My pink!" is not an uncommon phrase around our house these days. Oooh is she girly. She likes accessories (jewlery, shoes, bags, etc.), baby dolls, My Little Pony, anything princess, make-up, twirly dresses (although I will admit it's super cute to watch her big smile as she spins around in a big skirt), and cute little baby animals. She also does NOT like bugs or getting her hands dirty. I'm telling you, G.I.R.L.Y. It's actually pretty fun, but she's a diva for sure and we honestly don't know where it came from. One thing I do know, baby sister's gonna rock her little world!

That's our update. The next post I do will be next week and it WILL have pictures. It will either be a post saying "Hooray! We've had a baby!" or "Hooray! It's Clayton's first day of school!" but rest assured, it will be one of the two and it will involve photos. So for all of you who are starting to get a little frustrated at my lack of exciting postage, take heart, starting next week I'm sure there will be no shortage of exciting/frustrating/funny/strange/hectic/lovely/nostalgic things to post about and pictures to go with them!