Blood Lines

Love of painting MUST run in the family. Pearson (looking like a true tortured artist) used paints on an easel for the first time yesterday afternoon...and really took to it! Andrea set up an artist loft in her garage for the girls to paint; so much fun and definitely an idea I'm going to steal! Below is Pea's work which I'm positive will be worth millions some day:

Dairy (Queen of Shame)

This is what happened to me literally 5 minutes ago and I am laughing so hard tears are streaming down my cheeks. Really, they are the hot tears of shame. Here goes nothing:
At 7 months pregnant, frequent trips to my local DQ are a nightly affair. I now recognize most of the "Blizzard Techs" who work there. My favorite, a 16 year old boy who is always so nice, was working the window this evening. I order my usual drug of choice; i.e. the small Oreo blizzard otherwise known as heaven on earth. As I go to hand him my debit card a sudden gust of wind blows through our hand-off and with it flies my card. Let me set the scene: somewhere in the dark abyss between my car and the Dairy Queen lays this precious jewel. So I tell him, "No worries, I'll jump out and get it."
Famous last words.
I, NO JOKE, proceed to get my belly stuck in between the car door and the window of the Dairy Queen. STUCK, like absolutely cannot move. I stammer, I falter, I tell said kind Blizzard tech I'm pregnant like that's an excuse for getting my entire body wedged in between my car and the actual DQ building. I HAVE been more embarrassed before, but not more physically incapacitated. I felt like the golf cart in that Austin Powers scene where Mike Meyers gets said cart stuck between two walls. Inch forward, inch back. Repeat. All the while, shame is hitting me like a ton of bricks. Finally I uncork myself, pull forward, motion for the car behind me to stop, retrieve the debit card and my blizzard, but not my dignity. Then I genuinely prayed for anonymity to befall me...now THAT is a world-class pregnancy story.
Non-fiction.

January JONES

We are jonsing for spring in this household. The beginning of new life, blue skies, Easter, and outdoor fun!
Pea said yesterday, "I no like rain."
Yeah? Me either, girlie! We're over it. I think this may be more of the depressing feeling of after Christmas? Not sure, but January has not been a barrel of laughs what with failed potty training, etc. We need refreshing of some kind!
While we're on the subject...didn't I just say in the last post that I was pledging to enjoy these last months before Harper's arrival? How ironic, but at the very least a true depiction of what is going on right now...
February will bring some good times! Tyler turns 28 on the 4th, Valentine's Day, & at least one girl's night out (thank you Kell)!
Anyone else feeling the January blues?

TRY(mester)

Hello! Pregnancy update: It's Baaaaaaaack. And by back, I mean back PAIN, waking up every three hours at night, insane nesting capabilities, and (for me) the possibility of gaining 15 pounds in the last month (again)...
That's right kids, the third trimester is upon us. I officially got word yesterday that I can go in a week early to have Baby Bell barring any complications and so that makes today the countdown of 12 weeks until Harper's arrival! Can you believe it? Nor can we...
I hereby state that I will TRY to attempt the following during these last precious weeks:
-Rest.
-Spend quality time with Pearson.
-Mentally & Spiritually prepare for the addition of this new little girl.
-Not focus solely on the physical pressures (though there are many!)
-Enjoy these last few months as a family of three!

Three's Company

Ask me why I have All the Single Ladies stuck in my head...
Answer:


Got to LOVE those Bell girls; they know how to put on a show! As a father, Tyler is most happy that Pea loves to sing the line, "Put a ring on it."

Shout Out

Today I'm shouting out; telling you to read this for amazing confirmation on how much God truly is for us. When we seek Him, he'll meet us in that place...

RoomMATE

As of right now, Pearson Chase has TWO rooms. This weekend has kicked off the process of moving her into her NEW room and gearing up to do Harper's room (i.e. pea's old one). As of now, there is no bed in the new room so she's still sleeping where there is one. Thankfully, she doesn't seem to mind, in fact, I think she digs having two spaces specifically devoted to her. However, we've expressly told her that it will eventually be Harper's room so she'll have to share once the blessed event actually occurs. Here are the first pictures of her new room! It feels good to have this much accomplished & honestly I took some pictures because it may never be this clean again...

Home Sweet Home

Tonight we went to drinks and then to see David Bazan (formerly of Pedro the Lion) at a house show on Capitol Hill. Before 5 PM, I'd never been to a house show; it's literally sitting in someone else's living room with 40 other someone(s) watching another musically gifted someone in concert. Actually, it was perfect: I got to sit on a comfy couch (which let's face it at this point in my pregnancy is a MUST), listen to some quality tunes, hear about this guy's life, and generally transport my mind somewhere else. Bazan took questions; some of which inspired meaningful conversation between Ty and me. Who could ask for more? Not I! After this week from the H-E-doubles, it was a godsend! This house show was one of Tyler's most prized Christmas presents and he felt it totally lived up to his expectations:) GO Me.

This is me at week 26 of pregnancy. Tyler drinking a beer, me reaching for my non-existent drink. Oh, excuse me, I'm being reminded I had a vanilla latte in lieu of an ale.

At the House Show...

P.s. If you're reading this, THANK YOU so much for watching Pea and painting her NEW Big girl room Tawdry Pink; I LOVE you Mom and Dad!

Throwing in the Pee Stained Towel

After 5 horrific days of potty training we are stepping back for a couple weeks and starting up again at a later date. After many tears on both sides and a total lack of willingness on Pearson's part to even go NEAR the potty we've been advised to stop for a bit. It has been horrible and from what I can gather-it shouldn't be THIS hard when a toddler is truly ready. What sealed the deal? Pea saying, "I wanna be baby, wear diapers." haha...umm though I cried then I'm actually smiling now thinking it's a clear sign she's NOT ready. ugh-failure on first attempt hopefully round two will be just what the doctor ordered. I'll post again on this topic when we try again...
Thanks for all the comments and prayers! We continue to welcome them!!!

Potty Mouth

I really, really want to use a string of dirty words to describe in detail how much I abhor potty training. Right now, it looks bleak and we are definitely going stir crazy being cooped up in the house all day! We've had a total of 5 successes and about a million accidents and I'm literally exhausted...hmph. BUT with each new success I'm seeing some semblence of hope...keep up those prayers!

Potty (t)Raining

It feels like its literally raining pee in my house. Right now, the laundry is being done and Pearson is taking a bath after her only REAL "success" today because she was so excited that she peed in her potty she knocked it over and got it everyWHERE. She has had COUNTLESS accidents since we started this adventure today so I've decided to count successes instead. TWO (See number of princess stickers below) out of maybe 20 and in all serious I'm tempted to quit. This is no joke and let me say it isn’t easy for a pregnant lady to bend down to clean up pee all day long, but we've committed to doing this consistently for a week and see what kind of progress we make... Say a prayer for us, we'll NEED it!

Week in Review

This past week has been hectic, BUT in a good way! There has been the returning of some gifts, buying of new items for baby, frantic playing of new toys for Pea, and above all cleaning out of the old and making room for the new (p.s. this included the fact that Tyler cleaned out his side of the closet and his office; the best gift I could have received this season...hands down)
I believe my nesting instincts have kicked in full force and I'm feeling so ready to move on from the Holidays and into preparing for baby Harper's impending arrival! I'm 25 weeks today. 15 to go and when it gets to 10, you can count on me doing a weekly count down! We all can't wait to meet her, see what she looks like, discover her unique personality and officially become a family of four. I AM dreading the sleepless nights, but I know they are but a blip on the radar of raising a little girl...two little girls actually. wow.
Oh, and next on the agenda in this odyssey of parenting girls? Moving Pea into her new room and full on potty training starting today or Sunday depending on how we feel...I'll be posting our progress, no doubt...

Happy New Year!

Today marks many things, but mostly the saying goodbye to one year and the hope and embracing of a NEW one! 2009 was definitely a hard year for our family in terms of business & health, but it was a chance to change perspective and priorities. A learning year if nothing else! Some wonderful things happened too... We learned of Harper's impending arrival, Pea turned two, and countless other wonderful things. As we say goodbye to 2009, I wanted to wish you rest and contentedness for 2010! May God bring you a peace that surpasses all understanding & the kind of joy these little ladies inspired in me last night on New Year's Eve!