Summer Coming to an End

Our summer vacations are 42 days and tomorrow da boyz will be going back to Houston.  They have been busy doing martial arts and have earned 10 stripes, with only 8 more to get to the next belt.  This was a huge mile stone for them; but also for me because I was promoted to "step-mom" and not just Barbie.  After three years of being called Barbie, I am okay with "step-mom" because it means the view that da boyz have on me in changing.  

We have also found out that BabyBaby is a BabyBoy.  Not just a BabyBoy but a healthy BabyBoy.  I am still in shock because I was totally sure BabyBaby was going to be a BabyGirl.  A week later, I am reminding myself that BabyBoy's are a mama's joy.  I have ruled out name's that start with the letter "J" but that is as far as I have gone.  

Joe and Kris's birthday (Kris is also in the above picture) is today and we will celebrate with a pizza party and a pool party, to follow, at my parents house.  Even though these boys are not technically mine, they are mine for right now.  I don't sleep when they have bad dreams or when thunder wakes them up. We wake each other up in the mornings and we spend our days together.  

I am going to miss being a stay at home Mom for the summer and now I go back to work to be a working mother for the rest of the summer. 

BabyBaby

Expecting a baby is the hardest secret to keep.  Slowly, I am noticing my belly grow and my clothes are not zipping and buttoning any more.  I always told myself that I am going to be one of those bikini wearing Mommies sporting a big belly pump, so far, I have been true to my word.

I am three months along and BabyBaby is the size of a lime.  As of yet, we do not have a gender but we are hoping for a girl.  Her name will be Gabriella Marie (or Maria), Gaby for short.  

We really wanted to tell da boyz first before we shared our baby news. Overall they took the news well and now they are super excited to be biggest and big brothers to the baby that is in Barbie's Belly.

The hardest transition for me has been that I am not riding my road bike any more.  My doctor is pretty conservative, and considering my age, we are playing it safe to keep BabyBaby protected.  For the next nine months, I will be #barbieandherbaby instead of #barbieandherbike.  

Come ride the journey of life with me.

Summer Progress

The summer is progressing with great strides.  We found our routine and a chore list so the days are flowing smoothly.

We have attended Vacation Bible School where I volunteered in the Arts and Crafts room.  There I was in charge of 13 teenagers (only one boy),  who lead the group activities- now that is some teenage drama.  

Da kidz practiced and synchronized their jumps.

They slid down water slides.

They swim at Grand-dad and Nina's pool for four to five hours at a time.

Last but not least, the boyz are learning martial arts. Here Joe is sporting his proudly earned white belt.

Jon is showing off the board he broke.  This is such a memorial day for the entire family because Jon acknowledged me as his "step-mother" for the first time- in front of the entire class, AND he earned his white belt, AND he broke a board.

In martial arts we are learning three main principles: 

1. Respect.  Respect for yourself, your parents, and all those around you.

2. Mind control.  You can control your thoughts and actions.

3. Speed

These are great lesson for da boyz and they are improving daily with their instructions. 

Wishing you a fun and safe rest of the summer.