{ 29 Weeks }

29 Weeks along.
28 pounds later.
11 more weeks to go.

People always ask me, "How are you feeling?" out of common courtesy and sweet gestures. I never know how to respond. Most people don't really care to hear the sob story of all my {oh so Lovely} pregnancy symptoms. (And I don't blame them.) So I politely respond, "Good... I mean... Normal."

I guess that it is Normal that I am gaining weight rapidly, struggle to fit into my clothes or find a comfortable position, have mixed emotions most of the time, sleep lots- or very little, and am worried that I will not get everything done in time before this baby comes. The new "normal" is teaching me to try and be as balanced and happy as possible in a BIG belly, busy and tiring daily routine. Am I ready? Nope. Am I nervous about life with three and all the other responsibilities and things going on right now? YES! I just hope that this "nesting" phase will last a little while longer! It's easy to get lost and focused on the HERE and NOW. But... sometimes... my world pauses for a moment when I see this handsome little guy's picture on the side of my fridge.

Commonly referred to thus far as Baby Jack (or "Baby Dack"- depending who you are) has already entered all of our hearts. Emily has made cards for him and prays for him every single day, and is planning gifts already. I am sure that Scott is counting down the day that he will at least have on more testosterone buddy on his side. And I can't wait to meet our little man. I am so curious as to who he will really look like and what type of personality is entering our family.

So come June 4th, or hopefully sooner, we should have One Happy Day.... in more ways than one!

{ Rain on our Parade }

This past weekend, our family packed up the car and headed to Covington, LA for some family Mardi Gras time. We were only planning to stay the weekend before Mardi Gras, since Scott had to get back to the office. Longviewians don't quite party like New Olreanians! So in the attempts to go spend some time with family we thought we would trying and squeeze in as many parades and good food as possible.

We got in early Friday morning. DARK Friday morning. We started of the day with Cafe Du Monde Beignets for breakfast and planned on attending the Northshore parade in the evening.

{ Check!} and {Check!}

We all consummed our fair shair of King Cake and quickly realized the next morning that we hadn't had our fill. So we made more. Two more homemade King Cakes were on the order and were also consummed before we left town. {Check!}

Endymion parade was also on the TO DO List {FAIL!}. The weatherman had other plans for us that day. Instead of tromping the streets of New Orleans for an overcrowded, standing only spot in the rain- we put on our galoshes and had ourselves a crawfish boil. The first one of the season!

Nothing says a good vacation like consumming over a thousand calories, playing in the rain, and catching up on some "Nana Time"! Laissez le bon temps rouler!

(Pictures courteous of the iphone. Lame, I know! Call me a slacker- it's the truth!)

{ How it All Went Down... no pun intended }

... Potty Training that is....

Things learned:

1. You shouldn't compare your own children to one another. Each child is so different!

2. Don't waste your time in potty training, if they are not ready. It only causes frustrations, tears, and HUGE messes!!!

3. The child may display SIGNS of readiness, but until it truly Clicks... then they are not ready. (refer back to #2).

You would have thought that I learned these things the first go round... But nope! For months I clearly thought Maddy was ready to be potty trained. She could recognize that her diaper was dirty and she would bring us the diaper and wipes. One time I caught her trying to change her own wet diaper. Hmmm... So we attempted, several times, to potty train our daughter. I would wake up and say, "Maddy, today is the day!" I would force her, cold turkey, to wear "Big Girl Under ware". And by the end of the night, I was cleaning up every single mess around the house and had enough! I would throw the towel in and say, "Forget it! She is not ready. That or I am not ready!" I wasn't fully convinced that she could really understand what it meant to recognize the Need to go and inform us, before it was running down her leg.

Until.... February 1st, when it finally "clicked"!

Maddy woke up with a dry diaper. She went to the bathroom on the toilet before taking a bath. I put her in panties. Not even five minutes later she was peeing on the bathroom floor, looking at me in horror, and saying, "Pot-eee". ( Oh great, another failed attempt?)

I put her back into another pair of clean panties and explained that she had to tell me BEFORE she went, so I could help her to the potty.

20 Minutes later, Emily comes running to me saying, "Mommy- Maddy was playing and stopped and told me she had to go potty and went all by herself!"

Hal·le·lujah !!!!

That called for an immediate party. We sang and danced the potty song right then and there! I also told her that if she would tell me before she goes, that I would give her a piece of candy. Thank heavens for gummy bears. They work like a charm!

Now we are at Day 3. No accidents (even with going out in public and leaving the confines of home). No wet diapers.

One excited momma and her "dry" BIG two year old!!!

{So Long.. Farewell..}

If any of you have ever known ANYTHING about our family, since day one, you must have known about the trusty blue Escort. { Old Bessie }. She has been a part of the Roberts family for over a decade. We're taking about Roberts History! Which rightfully it deserves a post in and of itself. And a long one might I add... not to boast about our blessings or bash our hard life- but simply to always retain a rememberance of our humble roots....

{Old Bessie}

Old Bessie was given to Scott, by his parents, when he got off his mission and went back out to BYU. The car had already been in the family for nearly 6 years at that point. When Scott and I met, we spent many of hours sitting, talking, and dreaming of our future plans long into the early morning hours in that little car. She was a good little trusty car until winter came. Back in '04 we thought that for sure we wouldn't make it out of Utah with that little car.

Several years, miles, and accidents later.... (like a...)

{hit back bumper by a Coca Cola truck on BYU Campus

Hit back bumper by a man pulling out of his own driveway

Headliner was falling off- pins were the next best option

No auto locks or windows

Passenger door locks were broken in half- screw drivers were needed to open the doors

carpet stains

permanetly melted gummy bears to the console cup holder

the lights were broken on the dashboard displays

Front right end of the bumper, hood, and door panel were smashed in

Engine mount was held on with leather straps bolted to the frame

Front bumper was held on with zip ties.. extras were always carried in the trunk... for safety...ha

MAJOR exhaust leak.. you couldn't sit too long at red lights, and windows down were not an option

The car's computer had to be replaced

Tires were patched constantly

The back seat seatbelts were nearly always jammed

Transmittion was slipping from 1st to 3rd gears

Brakes needed to be replaced

Check Engine light was always on

Engine oxigen sensers needed to be replaced

The battery was constantly needing to be recharged/replaced

AND Scott drilled holes in it and took a hammer to it}

PLUS

{ countless trips:

from Louisiana and Dallas to Florida, New Mexico, Wyoming, Idaho,Texas and New York and daily morning trips to Destrehan and back}

AND

{ it got 30 m/g in town and the air conditioner and heater worked like a charm!}

In '10, we still thought that for sure we wouldn't make it to the end of dental school graduation with that little car. It had lasted that long we started to pray that the car would make it until we could truely afford to by a new one. Scott counted down to dental school graduation and I counted down till I got a new car.

Graduation came and gone. Moving to Texas came and gone. Buying a home and a dental practice came and gone. Then it was time to renew our license. Safety inspection was up. We had our doubts it would even pass! It was time to retire Old Bessie. Christmas was on it's way. It was becoming inevitable as to what we were buying as a joint Christmas present. A new car.

Christmas Eve was approaching and Scott's brother (Daniel) came into town. We'd given up on the fact that Old Bessie wasn't good for anything but the junk yard. Daniel had other plans. We made a deal with him that if he could sell it for more than we could get at the junk yard- he could get 30% commission off the sale. Done Deal. By the end of the day- Old Bessie was driven off our driveway for the last time by some desperate poor college student. We were $1000.00 dollars richer, Daniel made some last minute cash, and some guy was thrilled to have his own car for Christmas. I guess it was a win win situation.

So Long... Farewell Old Bessie! Thanks for the MANY humbling rides!

Sending our Christmas Love ~ 2011 ~

Looking at 2011 in recap form- this truly has become a year of FIRSTS for our family!
At the FIRST of the year- we were anxious and excited for the promising health of our littlest daughter Madison (2). She was on Propanolol since Christmas of 2009 and showing vast improvements in the shrinkage of her subglottic hemangioma. In April, she had her last OR laryngoscopy in which the doctors declared her 100% free of her vascular tumor and all medications. She is now a very active two year old, complete with tantrums, morning snuggles, and a love for Elmo and anything princess. She admires her big sister in every possible way.
Emily (4) is becoming our FIRST ballerina of the family. In the fall, she started dance class which consists of ballet, tap, and tumbling. She is thoroughly enjoying being the eldest child in the family. Learning how to read, writing sentences, earning money, and helping around the house with chores have become a common occurrence in our home. She delights in anything girly and finds a “treasure” out of anything ordinary.
Scott was the FIRST in our family to graduate from Louisiana State University Dental School in May. We are so proud of his accomplishments and looked forward to what lay ahead. A few months later he became the proud owner of his FIRST dental practice in Longview, TX. Our first business adventures quickly consumed us and we are now pleased with the decisions and success of Forest Square Dental. When Scott is not working on the business stuff, then he is often found working on home improvement projects or serving with the Young Men as President.
After a long battle, we were thrilled to finally be able to purchase our FIRST home in Longview, TX in August. We are really enjoying home ownership. Playing in our 2.2 acre backyard and cleaning 3300 sq. feet has truly given us reason to count our blessings! This will also be the FIRST home that we welcome our third child.
Aimee just completed her FIRST trimester carrying the soon-to-be newest Roberts baby. She looks forward to having a little one to rock to sleep. However, the demands of two very entertaining little girls keep her on her toes.
We loved living in New Orleans for so many years. All of the memories of family, friends, callings, and attractions will always hold a tender spot in our hearts. However, we were excited to plant some roots in the great state of Texas. (It has been an easier transition than expected- thanks to the availability of authentic Cajun seasonings, seafood, and some of the best snowballs around!)
May you find your Christmas filled with love, laughter, and the spirit of remembrance of that FIRST Christmas night of the birth of our Savior. May your New Year be one of health and happiness. From our family to yours-
Love
Scott, Aimee, Emily, and Madison Roberts