27 weeks

Hello blogging world!

I am 27 weeks now! Although, I think I'm somewhere between 27 - 29 weeks. My lil'guy is measuring really big and developed for his "age". The glucose test came out negative. I go back for an ultrasound next week. I think my due date is just off. We found out I am low on iron, so they've added that (and vit. C) to my list of supplements. I am enjoying my chiropractor visits. I bought some comfy slippers for around the house and ballet style pair for church. My feet thank me everyday! Nick and I are signed up for our hypnobirthing class. We are very excited.

The boys are doing wonderful!

Alvin received a 96% on his unit test in math. I assumed we'd spend two years on the higher math, but he is cruising through. He's also started seeing the chiropractor. We did x-rays and found his hips, neck, and skull were out of alignment. His spine is also twisting to the right, due to his muscle weakness on the left side. His sacrum (tail bone) was completely out. He's been complaining about knee pain off and on for two years. No one could figure out why. After 5 adjustments, the pain is gone. Now, he can do somersaults, skip, steadily stand on one foot, and hop around the room on one foot. He's done these before, but it takes about 2 months of physical therapy and the abilities fade 2 - 3 months after we stop. We are so happy for him!

Paul is doing really well too. The school isn't sending home notes anymore and tell me things are going much better. His penmanship is amazing! Writing and reading are coming along incredibly. At bedtime, we leave the light on for reading, but if we hear anything the light goes off. Now, we are always hearing their voices, but it's because they are reading out loud. Paul is also seeing the chiropractor. He is in good shape, for the most part. His spine curves to the right toward his neck, but that usually self-corrects. If it doesn't, then he would be more prone to injury in his teens/young adult. Most commonly seen in high school sports injuries. Our insurance covers it, so we thought what-the-who and he gets adjusted with Alvin. He is responding quickly to it, so he'll probably be done in a couple adjustments.

Rilie is a typical two year old, bipolar. Our days range from super cranky to laughing with delight. He isn't talking much still, but slowly getting there. He enjoys wrestling, hide-and-seek, playing with cars, and all time favorite: watching movies. Alvin and Paul are learning how to set good examples. Rilie likes to copy them, but isn't as gentle. Right now, he is chasing Alvin with a foam bat and hitting him. He's being gentle and Alvin says he likes it... I just remind him that it's our job to teach him how to be soft, because he won't figure it out on his own. He still loves taking showers and baths. It's the best way to get him out of a grumpy mood.

Nick is enjoying karate and his sensei wants him to advance. We aren't sure if it's something we want to stick with. He really enjoys it, but it is late at night 2x week. As he advances, he'd go 3x week. I want to be supportive... but I won't be broken-hearted if he decides to stop at the end of the school year. His studying is going well. He a little more than two more chapters to go. He took a day off this month to study. That was very helpful. I'm really hoping he can take the test in May. He is at a point where he is learning a lot of new stuff and applying it at work.

Last Saturday, we went to my parents cabin. There is a GIANT snow hill.... around 10 - 15 feet tall. My dad dug tunnels in one side that end with sledding hills on the other. Uncle Josh began building a snow castle on top.  The kids loved it! They were out there for hours. Rilie lasts for about 20 - 45 minutes at a time, only because he takes his gloves to better eat the snow. When I got him ready and was walking him outside, he saw some snow on the floor. He couldn't pick it up, so he laid down and began biting it off the floor. I had to carry him outside, screaming, to show him where there was better snow. He face planted himself into a berm and began eating away.

April is full of doctor's appointments for me. I will also go to the curriculum fair, which I am very excited about. I am still planning on homeschooling both boys next year.

I have a camera!

I have a camera again!

I went to check on a sleeping Rilie, to find him inside his car drawer.

Paul making snowballs. 

Goofy goof balls! 

Alvin's sweet smile. 

I'm watching a movie, I'm not going to smile.

Family of six...

Life is good. I feel like I already have 4 kids, in a good way... exhausting, but in a good way. I know it will be very different when little Kael, Jackson, or Andrew comes along (I can't decide for sure what name we're going to use).

I am still really enjoying homeschooling. I'm switching to Well-Trained Mind schedule/philosophy. It will be different, but I am excited. It's a lot more intense, but I feel like we could be doing more... although Alvin is enjoying his independent learning. We'll see if I can continue to give him that independence with more direction. Paul is excited to switch to homeschool next year. The biggest challenge I see to continuing homeschooling is getting out and about. I want them to have the benefit of going out, meeting new people, working with other adults. I think that is important. With a 2 year old and pregnant, it's nearly impossible.

Pregnancy is going well. I'm feeling a lot more movement, which is wonderful. Time feels like it's going faster, now that I'm over half way (24 weeks on Sunday). I started seeing the chiropractor, which I love! I'm not in any pain. I've had friends that used a chiropractor during their pregnancy to stay off alignment issues, discomfort, and help them with an easier birth. Dr. Jessica specializes in pregnancy, infants, and children. She works with a lot of special needs kiddos and uses manipulation to take pressure off the spine and nervous system. I'm interested to see what she can do for my boys.

Things continue to go well, one day... one dinner... one lesson... one errand... at a time. I'm enjoying this new phase. Hopefully, I can keep up this perspective. The last few years have been tough.