Baby and family update

It is almost embarrassing to even write a post having missed so many months. I have given up on the idea of catching everyone up on all the things we have done, but thought I would give a quick update.

First, the baby is due in just one more month. Despite all the warnings and exhortations received before deciding to have this baby, he is doing very well. We count it as another miracle in our life. We have still had to go to Iowa City about every 2 weeks to the specialist hospital so they can continue to monitor him. That is difficult sometimes, but we are glad to have a close watch kept on our baby. We have just one more visit in 2 weeks. It has been so nice having my brother and his wife in Iowa City. Deanna has been so gracious and has watched the kids a few times for our appointments. She even seems to enjoy it! Thanks Deanna! We are still open for name suggestions. Just when we think we are getting close one of us finds a problem with the new promising name. We will not leave the hospital with a no name baby! I am sure it will come to us. Hopefully, sooner, than later.

Next, Ben. I have been wanting to get him potty trained before the baby comes. I like to stay home for about a week and just get it done, but there has not been a week where we haven't had anything. Then he had refused to wear underwear for months now. I was able to convince him to try pullups and we began to make a little progress, and just last week, in a moment of weakness he agreed to wear underwear. There's been no turning back since. He asked for diapers especially the first day, but I have held strong and he is only allowed to wear them to bed now. It has been a busy week with very little time at home so it has made for some interesting experiences (you'll have to ask Greg about bringing Ben to the bathroom at a restaurant). He is really doing pretty well, but we have yet to have a full day of no accidents of any variety, including church, restaurants, etc. It is not the funnest thing to do while I am this pregnant either. It seems like there is a lot of squatting and bending involved in helping him, which are not my favorite positions right now. Other than that Ben is doind great. He is really growing up. He communicates SOOOOO well and is generally a lot of fun to be around. He has a temper too, but his good naturedness seems to make up for it.

I think the kids have enjoyed being home for the summer. We have had several weeks of swimming lessons. Even Ben and I took a class together for two weeks. They all have loved it and made great progress. We have gone swimming several other times this summer too. I don't know why, but it seems kids love swimming. I like how it makes me feel more weightless:) We also went on a short mini vacation, spending one day in Nauvoo and two in Des Moines. We also did some fun things close to home, including sleeping in our family room altogether and a trip to the toy store for no good reason at all. It is always fun to be all together as a family. Adam also enjoyed his first year at Cub Scout Day Camp. He LOVED it. I thinks he wishes it were all summer.

Greg and I were able to have one last shabang before the baby came. Our kids split time with our friends the Jensens and my brother Todd and his wife, Deanna, while we spent a night and a day in Chicago. We went to see "Wicked", on Friday the 13th of all days. It was so much fun. We both loved the show, and even with all the traffic loved being in Chicago together. We slept in and ate at restaurants and went to the temple together. It is so wonderful to get time for just the two of us. I know with a nursing baby it will probably be a good little while before we get to do that again. I highly recommend all of you out there go on a date with your spouse sans children. It so good to focus on just each other.

Other quick news. Our basement flooded the other day when our sump pump quite working. Greg, the superman, fixed it and did most of the cleanup, with little to no help from the kids and I. I got a new calling at church. I am not the nursery leader (much to Ben's chagrin), I am now the Laurel adviser (translation: I teach the 16-18 year old girls). My doctor in Iowa City told us yesterday that I should be induced at 39 weeks so I have about 3 weeks or less until we have this baby. If I do get induced right at 39 weeks, it is the day after my kids start school, how's that for poor timing? Also, some guy in the elevator at the hospital asked me if I was having twins or triplets. Yes, people I am big, but NEVER ask a pregnant woman such a question! Greg and I have been following the presidential race alreday, as we do live in Iowa, and he is planning to attend the straw poll August 11th. Any bets that I will go into labor that day?

Well, I know there is not a lot of details, but hopefully you know a little more what is going on with us. Life is full and busy and wonderful (OK, and sometimes a little tiring). We have felt so blessed over the last few months, especially with the unexpected good health of our baby. We are often reminded of the Lord's love and care for us individually. He truly is aware of all of us.