Finally I post...

I apologize to everyone for my lack of blogging. Summer is so busy and relatively uneventful in terms of what I think you all would find interesting. Other than pictures I haven't had a lot to say.

In reality we do have a lot about to happen. We will be welcoming our little boy in just 19 days, my c-section is scheduled for July 30. Yikes!

In this post you will find pictures of the boys at the Fire Station in Manistee, Michigan. Blair has been doing an amazing job helping me to get Brady and Bryce out of the house. Lately my energy level has slowed way down and I haven't been able to keep up with them. He's constantly taking them places in the evenings after he gets home from work or on day trips on his days off. It has been wonderful, allowing me to get things done and recharge my battery.

Thank you Honey!

This particular day he ventured up to Manistee. We both were raised there. One of the many things they did that day was tour the Manistee Firehouse. The boys were in heaven and extremely impressed with their personal tour. So as I catch you up on everything I hope you enjoy the pictures of their day trip!

Like I mentioned, the biggest thing going on in our life right now is making room for baby. Nesting and therefore preparation started a little late this pregnancy so we've been trying to get a lot done in a short amount of time. Since Kaitlyn has just turned 11 months essentially it is going to feel like we have twins for quite awhile. (Very nervous about this!) We needed a second crib, highchair, another dresser, and even boy clothes. You see once we found out Kaitlyn was a girl we said sayonara to all of our baby boy stuff. God has quite a sense of humor and once again has showed us his plan is VERY different then ours! Placing my complete trust in Him has proposed to be quite a challenge the last 9 months but I'm getting there!

We have some amazing friends who have generously helped us out in numerous ways during our preparation for this little guy and we would like to say "thank you," it has meant so much to us and is humbling to say the least! Thank you to all of you, you know who you are!

I haven't spoke to much of my pregnancy the last month, in terms of my health and the babies health, things are going well. I am pretty confident (knock on wood) that this baby has zero plans of arriving before my scheduled c-section. Never in all my pregnancies have I gone into labor on my own. My babies like to stay inside. I am getting nervous about all that is to come though. The surgery, this will be my 4th c-section in 5 years, risks increase with each one. The baby and his health, even though we went through extensive screening for Ds I am still nervous.

Before Kaitlyn was born I had a different view on reality. Bad things happened to other families, not mine! Naive I know, but true. I think this pregnancy I am just more aware of what things could happen. Having a baby with a congenital heart defect, and a chromosomal disorder, and a Mother who developed aggressive cancer out of the blue tends to give you a jaded view, a realistic view, on what could be? It makes you appreciate the good and not take one moment of life for granted. I do miss the innocence I felt before all of this but wouldn't change any of it. I'm a different person then I was back then, a better person! And I LOVE my daughter just how she is...yes, I just typed that! I will do EVERYTHING I can to make her be the best she can be for her, I wouldn't change her, I wouldn't change Down syndrome!

So in the next weeks please say a prayer for me and my unborn baby, and our health. Please also pray for my two little boys who feel anxious about this babies arrival. They remember very clearly Kaitlyn's birth, her and I being in the hospital for a week out of town, and how unsettling that was for them. They're nervous, and a little bit excited! Please also say a prayer for my husband. Things are going to be crazy around here and a lot will fall on his shoulders. And little Kaitlyn, my poor baby, she is amazing and so laid back, I pray this is a smooth transition for her and doesn't cause her to have competitive emotions. God, calm my children and help me juggle all of their individual needs. (like I said, I am sooooo nervous)

On a lighter note,

Summer has been great!

(Other than this past week of 90+ degree heat we just had.....that made for a grumpy pregnant Mama)

We've been staying busy. Going to the beach, park, or simply playing in the back yard with the kiddie pool and sprinkler are amongst some of our favorite activities. We've gone boating with friends, I wish I had pictures of my fearless boys going tubing behind that boat. It was so much fun! We've spent time with our new friends over the 4th. Since Kaitlyn's arrival we've had many new friends enter our lives. They were definitely God sent! We also make an effort to have frequent play dates and the boys start two weeks of swimming lessons tomorrow.

So, yep, we are busy!!! But it's been...

So Much Fun!

Hopefully I will be able to do some blogging the month of August. So keep checking back. At the very least I hope to put updates and pics on facebook. You can friend me under Jenee Skocelas Ross.

Happy Summer!