Happy Halloween!

Family/Maternity Pics...

A HUGE thank you to Jessica Vaughn for taking these photos for us this weekend. We met her at a local park early one morning to get that beautiful morning sunlight in our photos. :)

Quick updates...

Isaac: He's growing up before my very eyes. He has been THRIVING at his gymnastics class at the YMCA. He is learning new skills and is actually doing very well. It's so fun to see him having fun and doing something SO well. :) He has memorized three Bible verses so far, and seems to enjoy the challenge of that. He has also enjoyed learning his sight words and has been having fun putting some of them together to form sentences. A couple of our favorites so far include: "God is my all." and "Isaac is my cat." Some of them are true sight words, while others he still sounds out. It's just so fun to lay out four or five words and have him read an entire sentence back to me!! :) He's learning how to read!! AND he's enjoying it! :)

Naomi: She's definitely showing her two-year-old-ness. :) She is quite possibly the sweetest thing on this planet, however, she has her moments. The latest is that she INSISTS on doing things herself. When I go to change her pull-up or take off her clothes, she'll shriek, "NO, MOMMY! I WILL DO IT BY MYSELF!" This is totally new territory for us. Perhaps it's a second born thing or maybe a girl thing or maybe just a personality thing...but Isaac still doesn't care if we help him get dressed. Pretty funny. We are continuing to encourage her to use her words, as she is definitely prone to crying and whining. She is still SO polite, though...readily apologizing if she hurts someone, and saying please, thank-you, and you're welcome usually without prompting. :) She also just started playing the "you can't see me" game, in which she covers her eyes, then tells you that you can't see her. Pretty funny.

Sarah: We just had our 28-week u/s this week, and are pleased to announce that everything looks WONDERFUL. We've been praying that the placenta would move over the past eight weeks, as it had been partially covering the cervix. It moved and all is clear for delivery (in another 10 weeks or so, of course). :) She looks healthy, but is measuring a bit ahead. Looks like we may be on course for another large baby. :) I am feeling more like I'm 34-36 weeks along, as I am HUGE and feeling VERY worn out these days. We have spent the past several days moving/painting/decorating Isaac and Naomi's new rooms, to make room for #3. :) Naomi will be in a big girl bed for the first time when she switches over to her new room. Both kiddos are super excited about the changes. I'll post pictures once they are completely finished! :)

I tend to be one of those annoying women who actually ENJOYS being pregnant. I LOVE it. I really do. Now don't get me wrong. I could completely do without the constant back pain...the gazillion trips to the bathroom because my bladder is about to explode every minute of the day...the leg cramps...the headaches...and the list can go on and on. And I certainly don't love how exhausted and totally spent my body is...but I love how I feel on the inside.

I'm carrying new life. I'm glowing...even if that glowing comes with some new break-outs of teenage acne. :) I love the "oooohs" and the "aaaahs" from complete strangers. And being treated like the awesome princess that I am. I like having doors held open for me, and for people to let me go in front of them in line at the grocery checkout. For a nice change, I feel really comfortable with my body. My belly is bulging and most people find it beautiful. I know I certainly do. :) I also love the anticipation of wondering what this little baby is going to look like once she arrives...and wondering when that day will be. It's all so...FUN!

But this third time around has been a little...different. I'm not sure what it is, but I have gotten more negative comments about my body than I care to ever hear. I look no different than I have with my other pregnancies...like I am carrying a basketball under my shirt. I'm what some may call "all belly" as I haven't gained too much weight anywhere else. And yet, the comments come. Daily. They usually start really sweet, smiling...and then the dreaded question: "So when are you due?"

"December."

And then come the crazy comments, served right along with raised eyebrows and dropped jaws. Anywhere from, "WHOA! You're HUGE!" to "Wow...are you sure you're not having twins?" to "Oh my...you have quite awhile to go still...and you're...already...so...big." to "Geesh! I thought you were due any day! You look like you're about to pop!" to "Oh...wow...I thought you were going to say this month!" And they go on and on and on.

Some people are more polite about it than others. Their first words (with raised eyebrows) are always, "Wow!" And the newer mommies will usually say something like, "Well you have a little bit more to go." or "Well you look great...you're all belly!" I'm okay with comments like these. Even though I know what they are thinking. I can see the surprise in their eyes. But I am grateful for their desire to say kind things to encourage me.

Others nervously ramble on, trying to make up for their embarrassing reaction. "Wow...you're huge! I mean...in a good way. Like...look at YOU! You're just all belly. Just think how big you're going to be in a few months! You look like you have a bowling ball in there! It's just WAY out there. But nowhere else. Just right there. You're belly's just so...big."

I wish I could come up with a funny comeback to comments like these on the spot. Like, "Oh...and when are YOU due?" to someone who is obviously not expecting. ;) But I'm not gifted in that way. I'm a mostly shy girl...polite and sensitive. I just smile, probably blushing from embarrassment, and move on. And really the comments don't bother me TOO much. But it does make me wonder...am I really THAT big? I mean...the doctor says I am progressing great. At a 25-week appointment, I was measuring 26 weeks. Just one week ahead of where I should be. I haven't gained an insane amount of weight...right on for where I should be, actually. And aside from the aforementioned common ailments that just go with pregnancy, I feel GREAT. :)

But it would be nice to go out and not be pummeled with negative comments. Or to not have people be SO shocked when they hear that my due date is still a good 14 weeks away...if I were to go full-term, which I've yet to do. So really it's more like 11-12 weeks I have left. :) What if I just started lying to strangers, telling them that I'm due next month? ;) I wonder what they'd say then? And does any of it really matter? No...not really.

Cause this mama ain't lettin no silly people steal her joy! No ma'am! I am proud of this big belly...because you know what's growing inside? One amazing, healthy, little miracle...that's what! :) She's just taking up all the room she wants right now because that's what she wants to do! :) I LOVE being pregnant. And I'm not about to let something as silly as stupid comments take that away! :) So take THAT, people! I LOVE my belly! And I wouldn't trade it for the WORLD! :)

Almost 26 weeks...

So I rarely put photos out here of myself. But I had Kevin snap a few this weekend, so I thought I'd share. :)

Bible Memory Verse

So part of our homeschool curriculum includes Bible verse memorization. We've never done this with Isaac before, so I wasn't sure how it would go. The first verse (to correspond with "A" week) is Romans 3:23. And he memorized it in THREE days! :) Here's a short video of him saying it:

SO proud of him!! :) And Naomi's teachers at school can't say enough great things about her too! When I picked them up today, her teacher said, "She's really smart!" :) So it seems that she's adjusting and doing well!! Yay! :)

Back to school time!

This week, we have celebrated two different first days of school! Monday was our first day of homeschool, which I have enjoyed calling, "The Ober Homeschool Academy." :) And Tuesday was their first day of preschool at a local faith-based montessori school. They will be doing two days of each "school" a week, and having one day off.

First day of homeschool

First day of preschool

 
So far, they are both very into it all. I love teaching, and they love learning, so it's a win-win all around! The first thing Naomi said when I picked them up from preschool was, "That was FUN!" :) Naomi's favorite part is her new Tinkerbell backpack, which she wears ALL day long! Next week, we'll be throwing in a new activity into the mix - gymnastics classes for BOTH kids. Isaac took a class this summer and did VERY well...you can see a recap video here:

This session, Naomi and I will be doing a parent/child 2's class, and Isaac will be doing the same tumbling tots class again. Once he gets his backward roll down, he'll move up to the next level, called "Invitation Tots" which is by instructor invitation only and designed for 3-4-year-olds who are ready for some extra challenges! :) Either way...this seems to be a really good fit for him, and he LOVES it!

Kid Quotes...

I know I have been TERRIBLE about keeping up with this blog. I hope to get better as time goes on, rather than worse! Hehe. We'll see how it goes! Part of the problem is because I post so much to Facebook. But that is all so temporary...immediate, but temporary. And the whole point of a blog is to have it as a sort of journal/baby book for my children. They won't be able to look back at Facebook to see what was going on in their lives during this time. :( I WILL get better about this!!

To start, I have been keeping an ongoing list of cute/funny things that the kids say. It's getting quite long, so I figured I'd dump it on here before I start a new one! These are all from the past few months or so. But here they are...

Naomi

She has started saying "big ole" like her brother. One morning, when I went to get her out of her crib, she was saying, "I heard a big ole, big ole noise, mommy!"

"Let's go downstairs an eat breakfass...so my belly won't hurt anymore."

She says "Oh" before she answers a question:
Me: "Naomi, how old are you?"
Her: "Oh...I'm two!"

Still calls herself "Mimi" and Isaac is usually "Ike" but a lot of times she'll even leave off the -ke and it just sounds like she's saying "I" which is SO confusing. For example: Me: "What happened?" Her: "I hurt my arm." Me: "How did you hurt it?" Her: "No...I did it!" Me: "Isaac?" Her: "Yeah...I-yak." :)

Still very polite, saying "I'm sorry" if she accidentally bumps into anyone. SO precious.

While riding in the van, she'll say, "Scoo-me, mommy...scoo-me, mommy..." (excuse me) over and over again until I say, "Yes, Naomi?" To which she'll usually reply, "Um...where are we going?"

If I ask her to do something, she'll say, "Okay, mommy...I will!"

She is very expressive and joyful. When she gets excited about something, she shouts, "Hooray!" as she jumps with her hands up in the air! :) And she's always saying that she LOVES things or people. For instance:

Me: "We're going to Miss Mary's house to play.'
Naomi: "Oh I LOVE Luke! And I like Miss Mary too!"
Me: "Are you excited to play with Luke?"
Naomi: "Yes. And baby Ava too!"

She has recently been interested in watching me go to the bathroom. I have assumed it's because she's super interested in potty training, so I don't see a problem with it. When I go to wipe, she quickly goes to look around at my behind. Each time, she points at my bottom and inquisitively asks, "Is that your suitcase, mommy?" LOL. I have NO clue where she got that one!! But apparently my backside reminds my daughter of a piece of luggage!

Naomi tends to be very sensitive to the sun. And when riding in the van, gets very frustrated when it's shining in her face. A pretty regular comment that I get from the back seat is: "I don't like the sun!" Quickly followed by, "Can you turn off the sun, Mommy? Cuz it's too bright!" :)

Isaac

"Here...I have a plan..." or "Oh...I have a REALLY good idea..."

Often refers to things that are big as, "big ole, big ole" like, "Then there was a big ole, big ole dragon coming after him."

Instead of "Lollypop" he'll say "Poppylot" :)

"I'm the TOUGHEST!"

When his Nana asked if he'd like to try her soup, he said, "Well, actually, I'd like to HAVE your soup."

Uses words like, "probably, actually, maybe, especially, etc" which make him sound like a little professor.

Enjoys saying, "That would be DISGUSTING!"

Still enjoys using potty talk ("tootie, poopy, bootie").

Me: "Where could your flashlight have gone?"
Isaac: "Maybe to Mars?"
Me: "Do you even know what Mars is?"
Isaac: "Yeah...it's a planet!"

"She doesn't actually want to be keeped. She wants to play with us, because we're kind of fun."

Instead of saying "Soda Pop," he says, "Papa Sode"

When asked why he wanted Kevin to leave the bathroom, Isaac said, "Because I'm doing my business. And my business is none of your business!" LOL. Gotta love that kid! :)

He keeps using "like" when talking, for instance: "So, like, were they going, like, to their house?" or "Like, what do you think we're, like, having for dinner?" He sounds like a little valley girl! Wonder where he got that from?!? :)

Rather than asking "Can we?" he sometimes uses something much more sophisticated: "Do you suppose we could go to the park, mommy?" Makes us laugh every time!

(After playing downstairs by himself for a little while...)
Isaac: "Oh, is that you?"
Me: "Yep!"
Isaac: "Oh good. I was like a little lonely down here by myself."
Me: "Awe."
Isaac: "So, um...you wanna come play with me?"

Instead of "Meatloaf," he referred to dinner as "Loaf Meat" :)

Our Baby's Name...

Anyone who knows me well knows that I am a bit crazy when it comes to baby names. I LOVE having the responsibility of naming a new child. I do an insane amount of research regarding the names and their meanings. I tend to prefer unpopular or non trendy names. And yes...I'm a sucker for Biblical names...mostly due to their rich meanings and heritage. :) I just had to share the story of how we have come to know our baby girl's name today. Yes...we went into the ultrasound without a name, and by day's end, we know her full name.

While waiting for the doctor after the ultrasound and still coming off of the shock of finding out we are having a girl, Kevin breaks the silence with, "I think we should name her Sarah." Really? Sarah? Where did THAT come from? We have a list of about 10 names at home...and that one hasn't even made it onto our list yet. I mean it's a beautiful name...and I love the meaning: "princess." But compared to Isaac and Naomi, it just seems so...common. I went to school with SO many Sarah's growing up...there were a few in each class, actually. So that is my only hang-up...that it's so common.

But then talking to my sister, I realized that while it may be common among my generation, it most definitely is not all that common for babies being born today. Perhaps that's because the generation having the babies today was one that was saturated with Sarahs! Hehe. So that did make me feel a little better about the name.

And then I received an out-of-the blue email from my stepdad...casting his vote for baby girl names. He gave a list of four names, with an emphasis on one that was "by far" his favorite: Sarah. SERIOUSLY? Did he and Kevin talk? No...they didn't. He just really liked that name for this baby girl. The coincidence was almost too much to bear.

And then something happened tonight that completely BLEW me away. I was talking to my dad on the phone, telling him about the ultrasound and everything. Naturally, he asked if we had any names picked out. I made mention of a long list of names that we're sorting through, but did not tell him any of them. But then I said, "I'm not too worried...God already knows her name. We just need to pray and ask HIM and I'm sure He'll reveal it to us!" After a brief moment of quiet, my dad said, "Sarah." To which I screamed, "WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY?!?" And he calmly said, "Sarah." I told him to SHUT UP! And was just in AWE...complete giddiness. And I nearly peed my pants! When I mentioned that the Lord would tell us the name, he said that the name "Sarah" was what he heard, so he shared it.

What are the freaking odds that THREE men in my family would all come up with the same name like this on the same day? And these are not heavily opinionated men on the name front. They haven't done their research and don't have lists of baby names scribbled on random journal pages since they were teenagers! I am AMAZED at how God has showed us her name today. I was fighting it for the better part of this day...trying to come up with other names that would appeal to Kevin (or myself). But after the conversation with my dad, I have decided to give up and just accept that I will not have anything to do with naming this baby girl! Well...except that I have had a middle name chosen for her for a little while now. :)

The daughter growing within my womb has a name! And I LOVE it! Her name is Sarah Elizabeth Ober. And I LOVE how God made it so perfectly clear to us today. He is SO good! :) And I can't WAIT to meet our little "princess."

Isaac and the No Good Very Bad Day...

Our day begins as my son SLAMS his bedroom door. He's awake (about 1-3 hours earlier than he should be) and mad at the world. I sigh and think to myself, "Here we go again...it's going to be one of 'those' kind of days." He has never gone back to sleep, even though his body is BEYOND exhausted, going on only 7 or 8 hours of sleep...far too little for a 3-year-old boy.

Our entire day is filled with this angry little boy who spews rudeness all over the place. "I don't WANT you!" or "Don't look at ME!" are staple phrases. He makes threats all day long: "I'm gonna throw this at you!" or "I'm gonna hit Naomi." or "I'm gonna spit at you!" His tone is mean, his brows furrowed. I try different things on different days to combat this angry little thing.

Sometimes I'll try humor...whether making jokes or tickling. I can usually get a quick smile out of him and even some forced laughter with the tickles. But I pay for it, because it only ticks him off even more. He comes out of the laughter with even harsher words and brashness.

I have tried ignoring it altogether. And all that does is make it escalate. If I pretend to not hear him, he yells even louder. I have also used a removal tactic. If he can't get himself together, I can't trust him around his sister or me or the dog. So he spends some alone time up in his room. He has plenty of books to read up there and usually throws complete tantrums before finally calming down to read by himself. I usually give him anywhere from 5 to 10 minutes of alone time when things are pretty bad. And tell him that I'll wait until he calms himself down before I let him come out.

I have used vinegar water in his mouth...reminding him the importance of cleaning out his mouth. He hates this method and ends up smelling like vinegar all day long. But it still does not deter him from letting his anger and rage torment our family. We have used other discipline methods, such as redirection, time-outs, spanking, and removing privileges. So far, we haven't found anything that has really worked to curb his negativity.

I spend lots of time praying over this child. I rebuke the spirit of anger that is covering him. I pray for peace and for love to cover his heart...fill him up...and overflow. But the problem is that he is perpetually over-tired....exhausted from not getting enough sleep at night. He is also ALWAYS hungry. Combine the two...and he is a MONSTER of a child. Unless he is being entertained. Then...he seems to forget about his "act" and seems quite enjoyable. He also has good days, when he is well rested and well fed...but those are few and far between right now.

I just don't know how to deal with the constant negativity from him. It really starts to wear on me after a few days of it. I just can't win. And I'm exhausted too! I confess that his negativity wears me down to the point of responding in anger myself. He pushes and pushes until I explode at him. Again, some days are better than others. But I spend most of my days, putting my hands up in the air and asking him, "WHY?" And then asking the Lord..."What is WRONG with my child?" Surely this can't be normal. Do all families deal with this? How are there not lines of people awaiting admittance to the insane asylums? ;) I feel like I'm about to go crazy!

When the day seems to be going especially difficult with many challenges, I will often resort to using the television. He enjoys it, doesn't yell at it, and it keeps him quietly engaged for 30 minutes at a time. But I am begging to know and hoping to find other answers to this challenging behavior. I am currently reading through TWO books on strong-willed children, and am fully expecting to gain some wisdom from these books. But he is more than strong-willed...he is ANGRY, moody, and just down right MEAN. And this mommy knows what it is to be strong-willed. But these constant attacks of anger and aggression are really throwing me for a loop here.

In the meantime, I will continue praying for him and for his little heart. I will continue to rebuke that spirit of anger in the name of Jesus (for all of us). And I will continue praying for wisdom to know what to do next. May I respond always in loving kindness...with a gentle heart toward him...regardless of how he treats me. May I be consistent in whatever I choose to do with him. And may I honor God in this important role that I have! I wish that I felt like I was on top of my game right now...but honestly, I just feel like I'm enduring this difficult season. It can't always be like this...it WILL get better, right? God I hope so!