It's the final countdown!!!!

I always consider the last 10 weeks of pregnancy to be the final stretch (no pun intended) to a very long road. If you thought you were uncomfortable before the 30 week mark then boy oh boy! You are in for a LOOONNNGGGG 10 weeks. That's why I take all my pregnancy symptoms with a grain of salt. I know that it won't last forever and it's all for a good reason to be going through them. I think this pregnancy wasn't that bad aside from the morning sickness at the start things have been going pretty smoothly. They have also been speeding by WAY to fast. With Zack it felt like everyday second of everyday was an hour. I was so anxious to have things done for him and to meet him. With Eli I could honestly wait just a little longer (knock on wood) since I am busy all day doing other things with Zack. But like I said this is the last stretch for things and before we know it Eli will be in our arms. Every week from here on out I will be updating how things are going with the pregnancy. In new updates with things we got our 3d/4d ultrasound today. ELI IS FINALLY HEAD DOWN!!!! Thank you dear Lord our chances of c-section went down today. Unfortunately he is also extremely low already and the tech had a really hard time getting a good shot of his face. Below are the best ones out of the bunch. I hope you enjoy them!

Little chunky cheeks

He looks so much like Zack did when he was born

Yup still for sure a boy.

His big foot! Just like Daddy

Do you see the ear?

This was when he was being difficult but take a look at those neck rolls

Another face shot...so handsome

And here is just a reminder of what Zack looked like in the womb and a few days after birth. I think there are some similarities between them. The U/S pic for Zack was done at I believe 24 weeks. He wasn't as chunky but here you go.

Everyone have a wonderful 4th of July weekend. We will be at Busch Gardens for their firework show and then home. We really don't have much planned but I know we will have a great 4 day weekend. Love you all!
Lina, Steven, Zack and Eli

Busch Gardens

This year we decided to finally get season passes for Busch Gardens and Watercountry. We have been thinking about getting one for the last few years that we have been here and on our last summer here we decided it was time to get them. You pretty much pay for one visit and get in whenever you want all year. It's a great deal and Zack loves both parks. We went with our good friend Sara, Gabe and their sweet little girl Ella. It's great for Zack because Ella is 5 months younger than him so he always has a playmate and oh boy they are sure a pair of gremlins when together. Sara is also expecting their 2nd baby, Liam, July 23rd so I have someone to complain about pregnancy woes with while Steven and Gabe talk about work stuff. We had such a great time at Busch Gardens. Zack got to play in the Sesame Street water area for awhile which was a lot of fun we then went and had some yummy BBQ. We also saw two shows that were AWESOME! Zack loved the animal show because well of course there's animals. The other show he lost interest in quite a lot. It was a river dance style show but they had one number with tap dancers that was loud, fast and upbeat. Zack enjoyed dancing along with them (or at least trying) then we had to leave because he got really bored. Enjoy the pictures!

Going into the park with his cool new shades

Playing in Sesame street with Daddy

After playing in the water all dry and watching the sesame street show

Him and his little buddy Ella

Trying to steal a kiss from Miss Ella....good boy Zack....but her Dad is right there

Watching the animal show

Enjoying all the little animals doing their sill tricks

Mommy and her baby boy!

Lovin on my Bear

Playing in the tree that talks.

riding on the mini clydesdales

His absolute favorite ride he went around a few times

Meeting a beautiful clydesdale!

Portsmouth Childrens Museum=FUN FUN FUN!

Loving the "choo choo"

I am the worst blogger in the whole wide world. You would think that being home all day means I have tons of time to just post whenever I want. Ummm...no. Have you people seen Zack and his obsession with any and all electronics? Well I am sorry for being so bad at updating but I promise after tonight I will be better at it. I pinky promise ;)

Anyways....a few weeks ago the new childrens museum in Portsmouth opened. Since it's been so hot we decided to check it out. Well we loved it so much that we paid for a 1 year membership. It's like a tired mother's dream come true. Everything is up for grabs, Zack can touch, tug, jump, run, pull (you get the idea) on anything he wants. The whole bottom floor is set up like a little city with a grocery store complete with shopping baskets, food and a farm in the back. There's even a music shop (noisy!), fire house, vet clinic, tug boat, bank, dentist, doctors, train station, library and Zacks favorite a bus. I just now realized how much is on the bottom floor. The top floor has a lot of older kids activities and it's a little over stimulating for Zack but he still has a good time. Oh! There is also a bubble room. I could seriously go on and on about how amazing this place is but I will spare you the details and just let you explore with pictures. Enjoy...

Vet Zack about to examine a "down"

Awww...how he won my heart...

Learning the ins and outs of a kitchen

hmmm...I think you're to small for that chair baby

Clear the roads Zack is driving a bus!

Fishing just like his Grandpa

Playing in the bubble water....

Making giant bubbles with Daddy

A Blessed Mothers Day

Mothers day was perfect. I got to spend it with 2.5 of my favorite people in the whole entire world. The .5 is Eli since he is not quite here yet. I have compiled a few of my favorite pictures of Zack and I. Followed by a little poem thing someone sent me today that made me really emotional (thank you pregnancy) and it is to all the moms out there who have sacrificed more than their bodies and minds for the joys of just a giggle, hug, and kiss.

I would say this was taken around early November. Can't you tell by my face I am so excited to be hugely pregnant. ;)

The day he was born November 22nd 2008, 7Ibs 9oz. I believe I was sleeping I really don't remember and wish I did. All I know is I was completely in love with that little man.

This was about a week after being home from the hospital. I really wanted to take a pretty picture of Zack and I for Steven.

Zacks first 4th of July 2009. I was so concerned for his little ears but just look at that face, totally confused.

First family pictures. They told me to be natural with him so he and I just looked at each other and started laughing. We have had insides jokes and looks since he was very little.

Waiting for Daddy. This was Daddies homecoming gift from Mommy.

His first time at the pool. I cannot believe Eli will be sitting in this next summer.

I just absolutely love him but this is from about a year ago.

And finally my most recent picture with him. Of course I am more concerned with what he is doing than smiling at the camera.

Before I was a Mom,
I never tripped over toys
or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not
my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom,
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind
and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held down a screaming child
so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night
watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom,
I never held a sleeping baby just because
I didn't want to put her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces
when I couldn't stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small
could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could love someone so much. I never knew I would love being a Mom.

Before I was a Mom,
I didn't know the feeling of
having my heart outside my body..
I didn't know how special it could feel
to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond
between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small
could make me feel so important and happy.


Before I was a Mom,
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night
every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth,
the joy,
the love,
the heartache,
the wonderment
or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,
before I was a Mom

Easter

For Easter we had a little joint party at a friends house this year. We had such a great time and Zack really enjoyed himself. Especially after he figured out all the eggs had either chocolate or jelly beans in them. Lesson learned from this year, don't put chocolate in Easter eggs not realizing they probably will melt. The kids hunted and got there fill on eggs while the adults indulged in some ribs, hash brown casserole and a yummy trifle. All in all we had a great day but we were exhausted.
Two days later it was my birthday and although Steven had duty that day, I felt the love from everyone. Thank you for the birthday wishes and gifts everyone. It really made this busy, tired, pregnant moms day. Enjoy the pictures below!

When Zack met Mario

So Zack really doesn't know who Super Mario is and I don't really think he cares that much about it. He prefers Gabba and well....Gabba. The other day we had a nice little family outing. I (mommy) HAD to have some Tropical Smoothie. So we jumped in the car and went to ease my craving for a yummy get up and goji smoothie. Right next to the Tropical Smoothie on the CNU campus is an arcade place. They had a guy dressed as super mario. Zack went right up to him and enjoyed every minute of it. Enjoy...