Birthday Photo Blues

Zach had one simple request this year for his birthday, a bowling party.  And that is exactly what we had last night at Mel's Bowling Alley. Zach invited 7 buddies (his brother made the cut) Rick and I took them all out the alley where they had an hour and half of bowling fun, hot dog bar heaven, unlimited drinks, and an awesome party hostess that waited on them hand and foot. She was replenshing french fries and corn dogs before the kids knew they needed more. It was really a great experience.

Now what wasn't so great was that I took tons and tons of photos but because of the lighting (fingers crossed it really is the lighting and not something wrong with my camera) only one photo actually turned out. The rest of the photos are blurry and miserable. I am really sad about the lack of photos but love that that one photo that turned out is of Zach and one of his best buddies Izzy (although adminttingly as I stare at it, this really isn't the greatest quality photo either but better than the others!)

Zach is besides himself with excitement about getting have a party and as if it couldn't get any better, he received his birthday money from Nana Juju and Grandpa Pete along with Aunt Paula and Uncle Ed, which meant he was able to go out today and purchase  the long awaited Nintendo DS. He was especially excited that Aunt Paula sent a check that he got to trade in (according to Z) for real money (a couple of twenties and a ten).

legos and other stuff

Note: I tried posting this a few days ago but I guess it never made it! Lucky you, two posts in a day!

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I am remiss on posting some photos. I won't go in to details but I am still just coping right now. Rick is busy planning an addition to the house while I am trying to figure funding. working and getting ready for our road trip.

Over the fourth of July weekend there was a lego convention in town. It was a Texas group (whose name I forget) but basically a bunch of Lego geeks lovers. The focus of the event was MOC (my own creation) so everything built was from imagination not based on a kit. The boys came home with tons of ideas and as usual legos dominate our family room.

 We also had a one day tournament over the 4th weekend and one team had the cutest bat boy ever. He took his role very seriously.

The Hutto All-Star team participated in the 100 year parade in Hutto. Check out JT's awesome parade wave.

As I mentioned we are gearing up for our Southern Road trip. I think I've been so busy and overwhelmed that I haven't realized that it is here (and may be our last for a while). I hope to get more excited in the coming days. Tonight we kick-off a busy last week in town with a birthday celebration for Zach. Pictures and details to come.

Coping

We are still trying to absorb the twin news. I admit to having a few breakdowns. We went back in on Friday to redo the ultrasound testing that looks for downs and indicates whether we should look for other genetic concerns. We won't have results until next week

We have temporarily opted to name the twins, Chip and Dip so we stop referring to them as Twin A and Twin B. JT will be responsible for Chip (formerly A) and Zach will get Dip (formerly B). No word on the sex of either just yet (and I promise we will find out) but my entire OB office staff is hoping for girls.The ultrasound tech said she felt like they were girls, which gives me a little hope because I think she secretly knows more than she lets on to when she is searching and looking at the babies. But  until I get the official confirmation, I will stick with boy names (I think I have one in mind).

I appreciate every one's well wishes. It is hard to feel blessed and that all of this will work out just yet but I know it will eventually. I did have one well wisher who pointed out that with the age difference between the boys and Chip and Dip it will be a blessing because the twins will have each other rather than a 3rd child that feels left out. That thought definitely helped out as when these guys go to enter kinder (in 2016  if I did my math right) JT and Zach will be in middle school.

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.

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.

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.

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.