6.29.2011

life lesson

This morning I learned an important life lesson: Ultrasound technicians do not like to joke around.
About a month ago Rick and I learned that we were unexpectedly expecting a third Lucas child. It has taken a good month and lots of ice cream to process this news. Since I am advanced maternal age, I went in today to have the ultrasound that measures for downs and based on results they decide whether to do additional genetic testing. Since I didn't have this with either boy, it has been causing me a bit of angst.

My appointment didn't start well as I had the times messed up. The ultrasound tech took me in despite being late and she pulled up an image of a cute stretched out sleeping baby. My immediate thought was that he was enjoying all the room he had but what I said to the ut was "Still just one in there right?" The ut immediately turned off the machine and said she couldn't continue with today's testing. I thought she was disappointed with me being late but she turned back on the machine and told me that there actually were two babies in my belly. Yes, twins. I tried to cry but all I could do is laugh. I think I asked her at least 10 times if she was sure and then the only thing I could think to ask was "Are they conjoined?" (they aren't)

We got some shots of the babies, both sleeping in identical positions. I will go back in on Friday to do the testing on both babies to ensure everything looks good and then we will move on from there. These little guys will come in December instead of January (new baby doctor rules say you keep twins in for 36 weeks instead of 40).

Good times ahead for the Lucas clan. Zach is excited that he gets his own baby as he firmly believed JT was going to hog the one baby. I will keep you posted on how things go but I will have to admit that I don't plan on taking photos of my weekly growth especially since it will be hard to tell how much is due to ice cream.

6.26.2011

lazy sunday

Since we are on a brief baseball hiatus we have time on our hands to relax and catch up with other activities.

We explored our cultural side by going to see JT's and Zach's buddies Rhys and Griffin (along with their sister Avery) perform Hamlet with some of their home school mates. It was truly impressive what this group of kids were able to accomplish. Rhys played Horatio and I couldn't help but wonder if he spent time in center field rehearsing his lines. Griffin stole the show as the actor who plays the king  in Hamlet's play Mousetrap and his stellar poisoning scene. JT has taken the challenge of finishing the Phantom Tollbooth before Rick finishes his book. Meanwhile Zachy has taken up hand-stitching a Tooka doll from his Star Wars craft book. And of course I am supposed to be busy cleaning up my office so I can temporarily relocate for an upcoming guest

Happy Sunday to everyone.

6.21.2011

Let's Ride

Someone in the Lucas House is coming up on his 6th birthday and ever since a friend mentioned he looked like a Shriner Clown on his old bike the only thing he has requested is a new bike.Since we didn't have baseball on Sunday we took a family trip to Ozone Bikes where Zach locked in immediately on a red Redline bike. Even luckier they had one with coaster brakes in box, which meant Zachy fell asleep talking about picking up his bike and woke up Monday asking how soon until he could leave to get his bike.
He spent the greater part of the morning riding and then also requested a night time bike ride. He is up again waiting for Rick and JT to go on a ride.

6.14.2011

Getting Crafty Jedi Style

A couple of weekends ago Zach and I were out and about having some serious Zach and Mom time when we serendipitously came upon a gem of crafting book that was just too good to leave behind (especially since I couldn't seem to find a second copy).




Our first project is underway although I noticed today that he isn't aging just right and we are getting some mold. There is a warning about humidity that I pretended like it didn't apply. We may have to scrap this one until the fall and move on to one of the many others that he is interested in.

6.05.2011

Summer

Summer has officially started although it feels like Texas has been in summer since March with temperatures in the 80s-90s and little to no rain. Any attempts I had at gardening have died a slow, dry death. I am trying to adjust to working from home with everyone else home and with one week under my belt, I think it may be doable. Rick has been good about getting everyone out in the mornings, which is when the bulk of my work happens.

Our summer this year is broken in to four phases: 1) All-Stars Baseball, 2) First two weeks of July, 3) Zach 4)Vacation

All-Stars - JT is ending his league ball career by playing on the Hutto All-Stars. It all gets very confusing with the various teams we have played for this Spring but this group is made up of all league kids, some of which will go on to play select with us. All-Stars basically takes up our entire month of June with practices two days a week and games on the weekend. I have some shots of this weekend's events that I will upload once we finish our last game on Monday.

First two weeks of July - Once All-Stars ends we go full swing with JT's next phase baseball, select baseball. The Voodoo team and family will be hosting a tournament on the 4th of July weekend. If things go well, we will raise enough money to cover our expenses for the fall and maybe even part of the spring season. Once all of our tournament efforts are complete, the Voodoo then hosts tryouts to fill a few open spots.

Zach - Not to be overshadowed by baseball or vacation, Zach will celebrate his 6th birthday. Unlike his brother, Zach makes very few requests for his birthday but this year he specifically said he would like to have a bowling party. He and I have been working out details and I think we have a good plan coming together. It is nice that his requests are so much simpler than his brother's. JT usually has grand ideas that involve me making baseball uniforms for 20 kids, feeding 20 kids, and then a portion of these kids spending the night.  The only request that I haven't figured out how to work in to Zach's birthday is apple bobbing. Perhaps we can do that at home with some buddies.

Vacation - Summer wouldn't be complete without a Lucas road trip and this year's is shaping up to be good fun. Our final destination will be Charleston, SC the new home base for Pete and Judes. En route we will of course stop in NOLA for some time with Lee and Rebecca and a Zephyrs baseball game, we will then see a game in Montgomery, stop for some time with my bestest bud Lexi and her family in Warner Robbins, head to Savannah for a Sand Gnats game, and finally cruise in to Charleston. We will make brief overnight visit to Myrtle Beach before heading back for some more time in Charleston. We don't have an official route home yet but I imagine we may try to squeeze in one more game.