silly, silly boy

So, Colton told his first "joke" last night. I was getting him ready for bed. I put on his jammies, and he said, "I take a nap ... (pause) ... (silly smile) ... nooooooo!" (big grin)

This kid makes me laugh so many times a day. Sometimes, I hear him grunting and grunting ... only to find him reaching to get a toy or trying to climb somewhere. He makes this sound like it's the hardest task in the world! Other times, he says things that just crack me up. Today, he opened his toy chest and said, "Whoa! Look at all the cars!" Just the expression and complete sense of 'WOW' in his voice made me smile. Or, he'll try to jam a toy truck under the couch, and I'll hear him say, "Oh, no, truck! You're too big!" Or he'll talk to his trucks ... just now, he said, "Hello, truck! How are you doing?"

Sometimes he is the naughtiest boy ... he'll try my patience by stepping on something I told him not to step on ... or hovering his foot over it just to see what I will do. Other times, he will be frustrated with getting in trouble, and he will throw a toy as a reaction. Or he will run away to some couch or corner to hit the wall or the couch. Other times, I make him throw his fit in his room until he's done ... then he comes out usually with a huge grin and says, "HI, MOMMY!" Then I know it's over. I guess he's entering that stage of testing me.

Then he will make me so proud with his questions. Like ... just a minute ago, we heard a honking car outside. Colton said, "Who is that, Mommy?" Or yesterday, he heard me cleaning out a cabinet in the kitchen. From the living room he asked, "What is that, Mommy? What is that sound?"

Each night, as he lays in his bed (which is ever increasingly shrinking), I wonder how this baby boy got to be such a big boy. With his statements, jokes, reactions, questions, or incredi-Colton sounds (pow, pow! ka-boom! crash!, etc.), I realize that my new little baby will be the baby I remember having, and Cole ... well, he will be my big boy--growing and changing and showing me how smart his little brain is working each day.

I'm so thankful for each stage, but if I'm already sad about him growing up now ... and he's only 20 months ... how will I ever bear the real life changing moments to come?

Sissy Wally's Latest Update

I went to the doctor this morning, and all seems to be going well. Sissy Wally's heartbeat was 132. My blood pressure was excellent. I have had no swelling. All of my tests/blood work/swabs have come back normal. Baby is still head down ... but she hasn't dropped into the pelvis yet. I'm okay with that, but I guess she has to move there to be born without a c-section. So, the doctor said that he isn't too worried about that yet. He said we still have plenty of time, but to work on getting her to drop down into place. I will try ... but I'm not too keen on pushing at that too hard until we've moved! Though, I don't want that to keep me from the VBAC, so we'll see. I'm going to check to see if there are any exercises I can do to encourage her to drop down.

Other than that ... all is well. Nothing standing out to be worried about ... and full-term means when she does decide to drop down into place, we are more than happy to have her come into the world, because she's all developed and ready to go. I'm fully okay with her waiting until her due-date, though!

Back to packing up the kitchen! We're moving it to Tampa tomorrow night, so I better get going. AND ... I'm almost done with painting the dresser! Can't wait to show everyone the finished product.

P.S.--On a happy note ... I found my camera last week! I guess I had pregnancy brain (that's what I like to blame all mistakes on right now). Billy said I may have packed it. I was SURE I had not been that careless. While looking for a check last week, I opened a box to grab one from the check book, and there was my camera! Whoops! I guess I was that careless ... I mean, pregnancy brain!

Full Term ... and Nearing D-Day #1

I am now 37 weeks, and that means I am full term. I'm pretty excited to know that all will be okay, if Sissy Wally decides to join us. This little Walnut is fully cooked ... and even though I would be happier if she stayed in there until we completely moved to Tampa, it's good to know that there should be no problems if she is born any day now. Yesterday, Colton lifted my shirt up to see my belly, as he does quite often. He rubs my tummy and gives it kisses. When I ask him, "Who's in there?" He says, "Baby Sister!" Then he says, "Come out. I want to play with you!" I'm not sure he really knows what he's in for, but it's so cute to see him give her kisses and ask her to play already. I know he will be the best big brother! Sissy Wally is doing well. She continues to move and kick around in there. Other than that, no change in status or update. I have a doctor's appointment tomorrow, so I'll let you all know how that goes. I'm not expecting much change. I hope she's still happy to stay in there ... at least for another week and a half. If she can make it through close on our house here in Orlando, I'll be a very happy Mommy!Okay, this is not the best picture of me for my 37 week photo, but today, I was out weed-eating and picking weeds ... and I look all melty and yucky. So, for now, you'll have to do with this picture of me at the park yesterday. It's the best I have right now.

On Sabbath afternoon, the humidity finally calmed down a bit, and we went for a nice Sabbath walk and to the park to play. Cole loves, loves, loves the slides! He could go down them over and over for hours. He likes to throw bits of small sticks and acorns down them first before he ventures down and then ... of course, he expects Daddy to follow right behind. He zips down the slide while Daddy says, "Here comes Colton!" When Colton gets to the bottom, he looks up to the top of the slide, and he enthusiastically says, "Here comes DADDY!" He is actually getting quite better at swinging. He will willing walk over to the swings, and he lets me or Daddy put him in. Then he will say, "Wee!" ... at least for a little while, he smiles and seems to be having fun. Then he wants down. It used to be he cried as we placed him in the swing, so I count this as a win for swinging! He, also, has to ride the dinosaur every time we're there. It's funny, because Billy always makes a sound when he rocks the dinosaur back and forth ... and Colton, now, makes that sound, too. It's very cute!Running off and headed to the slide as soon as we got there.Ready to head down the slide!Look at that gorgeous smile!Yay! Headed down the medium slide!"Wee!" he squeals all the way down the slide.What fun! Waiting for Daddy to come down the slide, too.Peeking at Mommy through the rails.Ready to go down the "BIG" tornado slide.And he's off ... Here comes Colton!I guess this is what little boys do ... Colton picks up all of the sticks and acorns he can .... then .... He runs them over .... to Daddy!Colton enjoying his ride on the dinosaur!Big cheesy smile on the swing! Yay, for Colton liking the swings again!
After the park, Brenda came over to visit, and we all had dinner together. It was nice to see her. We haven't seen her in a few weeks, and it seems like her pregnancy is coming along well. She should find out sometime in September what she's having. I suppose the guesses will be coming in soon.

Just 2 1/2 more days until we close on our house in Tampa! I'm pretty excited to have a place to live down there. I will spend some time over Labor Day weekend painting the kids' rooms. It will be much easier with only myself to worry about. I will miss Billy and Colton ... as they will be celebrating Dad H's 60th birthday in Minnesota, but it will go much faster without Colton around to "help" paint. Once we close in Tampa, we'll only have 1 week before we close here in Orlando. Time is going by so quickly! I have plenty to do today and this Monday and Tuesday. I would like to get most of the rest of the house packed, so all I have to do is find the small items here and there during and after Labor Day weekend.

This morning, I ran to Publix (our grocery store) to get some boxes. While I was gone, Colton was being a "big help" to Daddy while Daddy swept up from edging our yard. I guess, Billy heard Colton sneezing over and over again. He thought he must have some grass allergies or something. Come to find out, Cole had picked up the dust pan full of cut grass and dirt, and he had thrown it full in his own face! His face was COVERED in dirt/grass/ants/mud and sweat. What a silly boy!Colton's dirty face.Look at all of that sandy dirt around his eyes!Even when he's a mess, he's a cute mess!Colton did get some sweeping in to help Daddy clean up ... but mostly he just ruined the piles of yard waste that Billy had already swept. At least he tried ... and I know that, for now, he loves to help Mommy and Daddy outside! I hope that continues into his future.Big boy Colton helps Daddy sweep the front sidewalks.

Well, I'm off to Target, Pinch-a-Penny (our pool store), and Caleb & Elizabeth's house ... errands never seem to be completely done around here. Then I hope to get some of the dresser painted this evening. Hopefully, Billy can take a little nap while I run errands. It's been a long week for both of us! Happy Sunday!

9th Month Begins

This weekend I started my 36th week ... which means I'm in my 9th month. It's hard to believe that time has gone by so quickly, and Sissy Wally will be here soon. I have a really hard time trying to think of how I will handle being a mother of two little ones, but I know that God will help me to adjust. I know Cole will be a great big brother, so I have no worries there. I really hope this baby girl stays in until her due date! We just have too much happening to add a newborn to the mix quite yet. I'm feeling really good, and I'm sleeping really well. I find that this time around, I'm having a much easier time than I was with Colton ... though, she's much smaller than he was ... and therefore, much less of a pain on my body. I feel like I'm about 7 months pregnant--which I'm thankful for! I probably did look like this at 7 months with Colton!!! It's strange to know that in less than a week, I'll be full-term. I haven't been paying as much attention to this pregnancy as I did with Colton. For one, I have too many other things on my mind, but also, I think it's slightly less exciting the 2nd time. I have more of an idea of what to expect and where things are headed. I feel pretty comfortable which is a blessing ... but it keeps me unaware of my stage of pregnancy. I'll go into labor and be like, "What!?! I'm not far enough along to be going into labor!" And I'll be 40 weeks! Oh, well ... I can't complain. Just celebrating the start of my 9th month, and all of our new changes that we are in the midst of now.

Here are some pictures of me at 36 weeks:With the thermal camera.Black and White.Just me.What it might look like if I had a twin pregnant at the same time!In Sepia.

A Big Week

This has been a full week here in the Heinrich household. Billy started his new job on Monday, and as it is with any new job, he had some boring moments and some stressful moments. I'm sure it's always tough starting a new job ... but with this one, the system is different than the hospital system in Orlando, so he's learning a new way to do things and new people with which to do them. By Thanksgiving, all should be rolling well, and he'll be feeling comfortable, I'm sure. Luckily, his temporary housing is right next to the hospital, so he doesn't have far to go to get to work (or home from work). Colton and I visited him Wednesday night through Friday afternoon (then Billy came home with us to Orlando for the weekend). Cole was excited to see Daddy ... he had been asking for him the two days that we didn't see Billy, and I know that it was good for Billy to have us there when he got home Wednesday night from work. We stayed with our friends, Brian and Gwendy, while we were there this week. I always like staying with them. Colton loves to play with Mason, and he loves to be around Brian and Gwendy. We always have a great time with them, too. It was a fun couple of days with the Adams ... which is good, because they are being gracious enough to let us come back this coming week. We'll do Wednesday through Friday, again. It helps break up the fact that Billy is living in Tampa 5 days a week.Colton and Mason ... matching jammies! They looked so cute.

On a sad front, the red car had some issues on Thursday. Billy drove it to his apartment after work, got changed, and started to head back to the Adams' house to see us ... when he got into his car, it wouldn't start! Luckily, I was in town, so I came to get him. We tried to jump start the car, but to no avail. Pep Boys had it towed to their store for a decent price, and they found that the starter was out ... as well as, a broken oil cap, and a main belt. So, we are glad that they could fix it ... and it wasn't too expensive, but right now--as we are buying and selling two houses, any price is a bad price. $10 is something we didn't want to spend on car repairs this month ... let alone hundreds of dollars. Oh, well. This is the price of owning a vehicle. Just makes me realize that our first car purchase after the house buying/selling and loan repayments are under control will have to be a car for Billy. He needs something reliable ... not this car which we seem to have in the shop several times a year. Well, on the bright side, I was there to help Billy out and give him a car to drive to work on Friday, and we could afford the repairs. So, God blesses ... even in tough situations.Billy's car ready to be towed away.

On a productive note, I painted half of Sissy Wally's crib this past week. I will finish it Sunday or Monday. Then I'm ready to start on the dresser and bed-side table. I plan to pack up the living room, dining room, and kitchen this week (well, most of it ... I'll need to leave some kitchen items to survive the next 2 1/2 weeks. Hopefully, next week I'll get the remaining part of the house done. I have a lot to do ... and only getting the master bedroom and bathroom done last week just wasn't enough. I have to pack more quickly, since I'm out of town a few days a week due to visiting Billy in Tampa. I'd like to be all packed and ready to move by the time Billy's parents get here after Labor Day.Before I painted the crib all white.After I painted the crib all white. It's looking pretty good. I have to roll over it once to smooth out the spray paint job but not a big deal. I think it's coming together.

Another major happening this week was on Wednesday I saw the doctor. All went well ... I did not get a good picture during the sonogram. Apparently, she is head down/face down--which is perfect for labor and terrible for pictures! We couldn't even confirm that she's a girl, because she was all scrunched up with no where to go ... and she wouldn't move to show us. Oh, well. I did find out some great things ... first, she is 6 lbs. 15 oz. (give our take a pound--but they guess on the high side, so she may be 5lbs. 15 oz.). She seems to be a decent size for a VBAC. She is in the 84th percentile (give or take 10-15%). My doctor said she isn't measuring too big, so we don't have to worry about a Colton sized baby! I, also, found out that I have the right amount of amniotic fluid ... which is fabulous. With Colton, I had an excess amount, and I felt all fluidy. With Sissy Wally, I'm right on track, and there's nothing to worry about there. My uterus has not dropped into place, yet, and ***TMI warning*** ... my cervix is closed, so it doesn't look like she's ready to come out quite yet. I am very glad for this, because I hope she stays in there until after we've moved to Tampa! Finally, the doctor said that there's nothing that shows cause for concern. All seems to be going well and on schedule for the original due date--no changes there, either.Sissy Wally ... face down/head down. This is her spine and back of her head. All we could get out of her this time around!

This weekend has been wonderful! It's so nice to have Billy home. I hate that I have to spend the next two days without him, but at least we'll head down to Tampa on Wednesday, again, this week. Colton has really enjoyed playing with Daddy ... climbing all over him ... watching Disney clips on the iPad with him ... playing cars and trucks with him. It's hard to not have Daddy here for a couple of days, but I guess two days is much better than five days!Colton spending time with Daddy.

Okay, I better be off to continue packing and painting. Have a great week! To put a smile on your face, I'll leave you with a video of Colton dancing.

frustration

I am very angry right now. I have lost our camera! I feel like I've looked EVERYWHERE. With people coming by to view the house ... the appraisal and the inspection, I have to put everything out of sight and keep the house in viewing order. I must've stuck the camera somewhere to get it out of the way. But I have NO IDEA where that place is located. I usually keep it in my purse ... it's not in there. I looked for it all day long, and I found nothing. I pray that I find it soon. Today, Colton had a crayon sticking out of his ear and a look on his face that seemed like all was normal and well. I wanted to take a picture so badly. I was laughing so hard! I had no camera. Grrrrrr .... I guess I'll just be using my camera on the phone. Must find it soon.

Tomorrow, I have another doctor's appointment and a sonogram. I'm so excited to see Sissy Wally at nearly 36 weeks. It should be a good sonogram. Then Colton and I head to Tampa to stay with the Adams' and to see Billy. I'm very excited about that. We have really missed him these past two days.

I've spent the past two days packing. I've made good progress. Two rooms down. I'll just keep working on it, and hopefully, I'll be ahead of schedule by Labor Day weekend. That's my goal ... to be 99% packed by Labor Day. I have also been painting. I have finished two of the four sides of the crib. I did the ends first, so all I have left are the crib rail sides. I hope they use less paint. I have also been embroidering some underoos for Sissy Wally to wear to my sister's wedding. I feel like I've been working hard ... but that's probably because it takes me twice as much time to do anything a non-pregnant person can do.

Please pray that I find my camera ... it's driving me nuts!

set to close

We're on the move! The home inspection went very well, and we are set to close on September 8. I feel like God has really had His hand in this entire opportunity for us. With this job opportunity for Bill to grow in his career, finding a home (by accident) right away in Tampa, and selling our home immediately here in Orlando, I feel like God is watching over us. I mean, we put our house on the market on a Thursday, the next day (Friday) we had our first interest, the following day (Sabbath) they put in an offer, and by Monday, we had signed the initial offer papers and were on our way to appraisal and inspection (not including that we had another offer that same weekend from different buyers, as well!). Then ... although the appraisal came in lower than we would have liked, it was still at a price with which we could afford to close ... and the inspection went through very well, too. We even found out that the people purchasing our home are currently living in the same duplexes that we lived in when we were buying this home almost 2 1/2 years ago! We were neighbors then!

We are super busy now! Billy starts his new job in Tampa tomorrow as the Assistant Vice President of Finance. He is excited (and I'm sure nervous). I will start painting some of Sissy Wally's furniture ... crib, dresser, bed-side table ... white tomorrow. I want them to be done being painted, so we can just move them into her room right away when we move down there. I will, also, be packing, packing, packing. I am going to take it one room at a time. I'll start with our master bedroom and bathroom ... and move through the house room by room. I have 3 1/2 weeks to pack ... and maybe a little less, since I'll probably spend a couple of nights a week down in Tampa with Billy. I am so thankful for Brian and Gwendy who have offered their guest bedroom to us when I come down for the next 3 weeks. We'll only be inconvenienced until Labor Day weekend ... then we close the Thursday after that and move down that day, so we'll have our own place with everything moved in by the time I'm 39 weeks! I am in the midst of picking out paint for Colton and Sissy Wally's rooms. I am struggling, because I want the same color in each room ... but I don't! I have a lot of figuring out to do--at least it's fun decision making. I'll fill you guys in when I figure out just what I want to paint them. I will, also, have to paint the kids' bathroom, guest bathroom, and guest room, but I think I can wait on those for a little while. I'm just in a hurry to get the kids' rooms done, so they can feel moved in and the paint fumes will be gone by the time they sleep in there.

I just have to post a picture of Colton. Billy brought home a hat from his Town Hall meetings. It was a Yacht or Cruise theme, so the hat is a sailor's hat. Colton LOVES it! He puts it on himself a lot and wants to wear it around everywhere. It's a little big on him, but he turns it inside out ... this way it stays on his head. I think it's pretty genius that he figured that out on his own! Anyway, he looks super cute in the hat, so I thought I'd share it with you.

home inspection

We had our home inspection this morning. I was nervous and anxious the whole time! We are pretty much selling this house "as-is", because of the terrible appraisal. I just hope these nice people still want our old house now! I know there aren't any really huge problems, but I feel nervous that they will just walk away. They have put money into two houses (inspection and appraisal) already and lost them both due to bad appraisals. So, I'm hoping for the pure feeling of wanting the house to go through finally and to just get into a new home, they will just deal with the little issues and forge ahead. We will see. By tomorrow, we should know if they plan on continuing this sale. One funny note ... these people are living in the same duplexes that we lived in when we bought this house! Funny, funny. Please pray for us! We need to get this house sold and moved on!

I'm a nervous wreck.

love for the new baby

Yesterday, Billy had his going away party at work. The people he works with are wonderful! I will miss them, too. Billy has really enjoyed his current job, and God has blessed him with some amazing people to work with. He has loved going to work these past two and half years ... which makes every day more of a joy. His co-workers are so nice that they gave us some gifts for Sissy Wally. Here's what she got:A cute outfit from Kimberly.Some adorable bath stuff including a princess duck from Michael and Amanda Maggard.Super cute onesies and jeans from the GAP from Andrea.Jammies, bibs, and girly teething toys from the CNO, Heather. She just had a baby girl (after having a boy, too) in April of this year.
Everyone was so nice ... they were even kind enough to get Colton a singing bear and crayons with a coloring book. Billy got a gift, too. What a sweet group of people! We will really miss them! Hopefully, God will allow Billy to work with some of them again someday.

I have been working on an outfit for Sissy Wally this week. I am making the outfit she will wear to my sister's wedding. So far, I have the onesie done.This is the front of the onesie. One of the "necklace" pieces is a vintage button I found.And this is the back of the onesie. I wasn't sure how the bow would turn out, but it looks pretty good, I think. I like how it looks like a real necklace.
I have started on the tutu, but it's boring. So, I took a break from that, and now, I am working on some bloomers. I bought tights already, and I will continue to look for the right shoes. Since she'll only be about 3 weeks old, I'm not so set on shoes, but we'll see if I can find some I like.

I had to capture this cute moment between Billy and Colton. Billy was reading a magazine, and Colton wanted to join in on the fun. How cute are they!?!Like Daddy like son.

I had another doctor's appointment today. I am 34 1/2 weeks along. I asked for another sonogram, and my doctor said that he could probably swing it ... he'd use that my previous baby was large, and they want to make sure this one is not showing the same signs as an excuse for another sonogram. Sounds good to me! I just wanted to see her one more time ... and to make sure she's a girl! She was moving around pretty well. The nurse said that when you find the heartbeat, the baby hears a buzzing sound that it's not used to and that's why it moves around and away so much. Anyway, she said the heartbeat was 138, and everything else seems to be good. Still no swelling ... which has been really great for me this time! Measuring well, and I'm looking forward to another sonogram next Wednesday.

Tomorrow, we have our home inspected. If all goes well ... which it should ... we'll just be waiting to close on September 8! I am looking forward to having this all over and done with. It will be nice to start getting everything packed up. I'll have about 3 1/2 weeks to get it done. I may not have to move it, but I'll have a big job packing and labeling ... and figuring out what to pack last--since we'll need to live on some of it until we move!

I'll leave you with something that Colton said today that cracked me up. He was standing next to me, and he said, "Alright, Colton ... let's get going!" Love that kid!

one more grandchild

I can't believe I haven't posted this until now ... I think I didn't want to tell before I was allowed to talk about it ... then time got away from me, and I'm just now realizing that I haven't announced that there will be another Heinrich grandchild coming this January!

It's not me! That would be impossible and creepy.

Brenda (Heinrich) and Gerson Araujo are expecting their first baby on January 31, 2012.The cute announcement that Brenda made.Baby boy or girl Araujo ... currently dubbed "minnow" by Brenda.

So, in the span of 12 months, Grandpa and Grandma Heinrich will go from having 1 grandchild to having 4 grandchildren! Baby Elle Eno was born on April 10, 2011 ... Sissy Wally Heinrich is due this September 19, 2011, and Baby Minnow Araujo will arrive sometime after the first of the year. Colton is excited, I'm sure, to have more kids around to play with at family holidays and reunions. He will probably miss all of the excessive attention, but I'm sure he'll also be happy to have cousins/sister to play with him.

Congratulations to the Araujo family! We can't wait to meet Minnow ... and to find out if baby is a boy or a girl!

to the beach ... one more time

We decided to spend the Sabbath at the Atlantic side of the beach one last time before we move to Tampa and enjoy the Gulf Coast more often. Our favorite beach, New Smyrna, did not let us down. It was a pretty hot day out there, but the water was SO nice! We spent most of our time in the water. Colton has become braver by each visit to the beach. He said over and over, "Here comes the wave!" Then he would run into the water to make sure he got splashed by it. He, also, likes to throw the shells back into the ocean, and so the ocean gives them back to him ... and it's a repeat process of fun. We ate lunch out at the beach, too. I packed egg salad sandwiches, cheese sticks, sliced green peppers, granola bars, peaches, water, and gummies. It was a good lunch! We enjoyed it, and because we spent most of the time in the water, it was a less sandy lunch than usual.Daddy & Colton headed straight for the water.The spectacular view on a hot summer's day. Colton bends down to play in the waves. He's loving it!Daddy and Colton play in the sand ... digging holes, no doubt.They stop for a smile.Yep, definitely hole digging! You can see Colton getting into it. This is before he ran right through the hole and face planted in the sand. I was there enjoying the sun and surf, as well. I tried to get a good picture of my belly getting sun, but it just looked like I had no clothes on. The belly is too big now ... it covers my bottoms while sitting. Does not make for a good picture.

When we got home, Colton took a small nap (he also napped most of the way home), and then we all swam in the pool for another hour or so. We had a fun Sabbath of cool dips in the ocean and the pool. I like to see Colton more and more excited to be swimming, splashing, jumping in, going under water, etc. He did not want to leave the beach. Every time I said, "Colton, let's go home." He'd say, "Here comes a wave!" And he'd head back out to sea. At home when it's time to go inside from the pool, he'll cry and beg to go swimming. It makes me happy to see he likes it so much. We had a really fun family day today, and I will miss New Smyrna. It makes me feel better that we will have plenty of ocean where we're going ... and pools ... and splash parks. I'm pretty sure we'll be fine!

Tonight, we'll probably go for a walk and then Colton will most likely crash ... he'll be so tired. I'm enjoying what little relaxing time we have left ... as I will be packing up the house by the end of the week, and moving, and doctor's appointments, and having this baby ... busy, busy, busy! Today, is relaxing and all about family. I am happy for that.

Happy Sabbath!