Spring Is Almost Here...What?

I can't believe that spring is just around the corner. It seemed like it would never come, and now we're just a few days away from March. I'm a little nervous that baby Collin will be making his debut in just 9 short (sometimes longish feeling) weeks. I have diapers and bottles, but I also have a very long list of things to check on, organize, and buy before he gets here. I can feel my blood pressure rising by just typing that. Better get on it!

This pregnancy has definitely been very different from my first two, especially the second and third trimesters. I'm altogether way more exhausted. Thank you anemia! The nausea that finally went away after 5 months has started to return in the morning. What's up with that? I've also had to take an unexpected trip to the women's center for stress induced preterm labor. I'm working on limiting any extra responsibilities, but work alone is enough to stress me out! Fingers crossed and lots of prayers that baby Collin stays put for a good while longer.

In recent McLain news, my boy wonder competed in his class spelling bee, which he won. Then, he competed against the top two fourth and fifth graders from each class in our school spelling bee. He placed first runner up, and we were shocked and so very proud of him. I knew he was a strong speller, but I didn't realize how good he was. All that reading has really paid off!

Next week, McLain will start his third season of soccer. He's really excited, but I'm a little less than thrilled to have to run him to practices and games. However, maybe that will make the time until the third manly Brooks arrives go a little faster.

In November, Keaton started going to Cheatham Hill ES for speech services. I have been worried about his speech since he was about 12 months old, so I am very appreciative of his being able to work on his articulation well before he gets to kindergarten. So long Curious George/Caveman talk!

On February 7th, we celebrated Keaton's fourth birthday with the family. His big request for the day was to go to the "Beans Re-Ta-Want." The boy really loves refried beans and would eat them three times a day if I let him. We are planning on having his actual birthday party with friends this Friday at an aquatic center. He loves to swim almost as much as he loves beans, so I know he'll have a great time. Who wouldn't want to swim in the winter?

It's a Boy!

On Friday, Clay, McLain, my mom, and I went to my OB/GYN to have an ultrasound done of Baby Brooks #3. When we got in the room and I was climbing on the table, the technician apologized for being behind schedule. I told her not to worry, that I knew it was a boy, and that I just needed her confirmation. :) While she was scanning various body parts, she zoomed in on two tiny little feet with precious little toes and then up two skinny legs. After about three seconds, I asked, "Is that the penis?" Oh, yes. Mama called it! Brooks #3 is a boy! We can't wait to meet our Collin Xavier. Hurry up April 27th!

So Much To Be Thankful For

This fall has flown by in so many ways and just crept along in others. The boys both started school in August. McLain is in fourth grade (wasn't he just in kindergarten???), and Keaton is in three year old preschool. Both boys love their teachers and are doing well despite the changes that are about to occur in our house. We are really grateful for how much they love their schools and teachers.

In late August, we were grateful and happy to discover that I'm pregnant with Brooks Number Three. Yes, we were trying for this addition, but it was still a shock that it actually happened. Because we knew this would be our last baby, Clay and I decided to surprise our families with the news. One afternoon after church when I was eight weeks pregnant, we went with Clay's parents, my parents, my brothers, and our boys to Los Bravos. While waiting for our lunch to be served, Clay and I passed out envelopes that had a baby announcement in them. They said, "We are excited, joyful, and blessed to say that Brooks #3 is on the way!" Needless to say, our families were in shock and very emotional about this unexpected news. In true Brooks' fashion, my in-laws cried while my parents sat in stunned silence. :) McLain was ecstatic and immediately began rooting for a baby girl, along with my Dad.

These past 17 weeks have been rough. My mornings have been filled with a lot of dry heaving and vomiting. I finally was prescribed a medication last week to help with these pregnancy side effects, and words can't explain how different and BETTER I feel. God bless the person who invented this fabulous anti-vomit pill! :)

We are on the count down to find out what Baby Number Three is. Just nine more days! Fingers crossed that this baby will not be modest, so I'll know whether or not Clay has to repaint the nursery. While of course a girl will not hurt my feelings (I could buy pink!), I will be equally as content to have another boy. I have this Star Wars and Legos thing down.

This Thanksgiving we realize that we have so much to be thankful for: two healthy boys, another mischief maker on the way, steady jobs, great friends, and wonderful families. God's blessing are so abundant in our life. Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!

Almost Over...

Sadly, our relaxing summer is coming to an end. I go back to work on Thursday, and the new school year starts in a week and a half. While I love my job, it just doesn't seem right to be stuck in a classroom when the weather is perfect for the pool. Too bad I can't teach poolside! Oh the possibilities...

McLain will be going into the fourth grade (oh, how time flies!), and Keaton will be headed to three year preschool every other weekday morning. They both are excited to go back to school, and I'm grateful they are.

We've had a fabulous summer filled with the beach, lots of swimming at my Mom's and friend's pools, and our traditional morning trips to White Water. Hopefully, my boys have made a lot of good memories that will last until we can do this all again next summer!

Summer Time

Words cannot express how thrilled I am that school is out. I love my job, but man! It's so nice to have 9 weeks off to do nothing. :)

We started our summer of nothingness with a trip to McLain's teacher's pool and then a morning at White Water. Oh, how we love that family tradition.

This past Saturday we drove to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina and stayed for a week. Clay's parents have a time share at a villa/resort, which was phenomenal, and we loved being able to spend a lot of mellow time with them. McLain spent hours in the ocean body surfing with his Pop Pop, while Keaton alternated between jumping waves and hunting for "he-hells." The high light of our trip was when Pop Pop (our fierce family fisherman) caught three baby sharks! Both the boys touched a shark, and McLain even held one. Did I mention it was still alive??? Oh, the things that mommies of little boys have to cringe and watch.

Happy summer! May it be relaxing. :)

Teacher of the Year!

I am going to break my norm and write a blog about myself, not my boys. On Tuesday, I was able to check a very important item off my bucket list. I was named Mableton E.S.'s Teacher of the Year! This honor was one I thought I might earn half way through my career, not just five years after I began.

The day didn't begin too well. I woke up with an upset tummy and really was not feeling well enough to go to work. However, I knew that I needed to go in because the T.O.T.Y. was being named at that afternoon's staff meeting. By midmorning, I was shaking and couldn't stop. I felt dreadful, so I stopped by the nurse's clinic after I dropped my kids off at lunch. The nurse took my temperature, which turned out to be 100.7. I knew that I was sick! I called the school secretary and begged her to ok my leaving early. After putting me on hold to confer with adminsitration, she gave me the green light to leave.

I came home, threw on my pajamas, and crawled into bed where I promptly passed out. After three hours, I woke up and began to veg out with my DVR. About 3:15 the doorbell rang, and I stumbled down the hall to open the front door. Much to my amazement, my fellow teammates and most of Mableton's staff was on my front lawn to let me know that I had been chosen Teacher of the Year. I just love my co-workers. :)

Never did I visualize myself winning this award standing on my front porch in my pajamas and Hello Kitty bathrobe. Nevertheless, I am one happy teacher and can't wait to see what else I can check off my bucket list!

Springish Things

Our family has been pretty busy this spring. McLain started his second season of soccer and is loving every minute of it. We've given up sleeping in and being lazy on the weekends for cheering on the sidelines and watching McLain run furiously up and down the field. Keaton loves to watch McLain play this year (very much unlike last season), but he isn't quite convinced that he shouldn't be on the field with his big brother.

McLain turned nine at the beginning of April, which was also the start of our Spring Break. Instead of a typical party, he invited his two best friends over. They chowed down at McDonald's, saw How To Train a Dragon at the movies, and spent the night camped out in our living room. We followed the sleepover with a family night at Howard's where McLain ate his favorite wings and opened presents from all the grandparents.

For the first time since I became a teacher, I actually went somewhere for Spring Break! I packed up my boys and we traveled for five and half hours to Jekyll Island. We went with McLain's third grade teacher (one of my b.f.f.s), her mother, and her two year old daughter McKenna. We spent three glorious days watching our babies alternately play in the sand, ocean, and pool. As expected, Keaton was completely fearless of the ocean. From the moment we first stepped on the beach, he took off running for the water and crashed in the waves with nothing but laughter. Both my boys would be content if we moved to Jekyll Island permanently. :)

Keaton had his first of what I'm sure will be many trips to the E.R. last weekend. He dislocated his elbow at McLain's soccer game when my Dad pulled him up from a sitting position. He tried to get Keaton to move quickly from behind the big kid's soccer goal, but it didn't work out quite as planned. I think my Dad was way more traumatized by the event than Keaton who was up and happily running around two minutes after the doctor set his elbow back in place. Glad to know he is resilient!

I can't believe that the school year is coming to a close. Just 19 days left! McLain and I are already plotting our days at White Water. We can practically smell the sunscreen and chlorine. Hurry up summer! :)