Chicago

This weekend we took a quick trip to Chicago. We decided to stay in Schaumburg so we could take the train into the city. On our first night, we went to the Rainforest Cafe (Andrew loved it). On Saturday we headed to the city. The boys really liked the train ride!!!! We WALKED from Union Station to Navy Pier and stopped at Grant Park on the way. There is a really cool structure there where you can see your reflection and the reflection of the city. At the Pier, we went on a boat ride and walked around. We finished up at the beach and then headed back to our hotel. We were all exhausted!!!!! I think the boys had a good time! I love the city, what a great place to visit!!!!

Rick's mom came along with us. Here we are at the Rainforest Cafe. 

I bought Andrew this plate and he loved it (he even slept with it!) Here he is showing off his plate!

Here are the boys waiting for the train. Andrew was afraid it would be too loud so he is covering his ears.

I actually took this picture... it is our reflection in that structure at the park.

I just thought this was funny... look at Rick's expression and look where Matthew is stepping. Ha!

Our family on the boat

Matthew took a little snooze on the boat ride... thank goodness! It was such a pretty view from the boat, we really enjoyed it!!!

More Chicago

The view from our boat... I love it!

There was a small train on the pier and of course, the boys just had to ride it!

Rick and I on the beach in Chicago

The boys digging on the beach. Much different than Florida... brown and dirty in the city, but they didn't care!

Last T-Ball Game!

Andrew finished up the season with North Oldham Little League! He had so much fun playing baseball this year. At his last game, he got a trophy... and he thinks it is the coolest thing ever! He has carried it with him everywhere and he even slept with it last night. He said that Saturday was his "special trophy day." Here are a few pictures.

His last time up to bat

Coming home...

Several of his teammates did not show up to the last game. But, here is the team with their trophies.

Andrew and Papaw

I love this picture... he is so proud of his trophy!!!!

Boy #3

Today we had our 20 week u/s and I am so happy to say that everything looks great! He measured almost exactly to the day, so he is right on schedule. The placenta is still right there in front of him and it was so funny to see him playing with it and hugging it.... like it was his teddy bear! He was kicking and squirming but I haven't felt any of that! The placenta is just one big buffer for him to kick so I don't feel a thing. The doctor seems to think that he will really pork up in the third trimester (now what would give her an idea like that!?) We already have my c-section scheduled bright and early in the morning late in October. The doctor doesn't want to take a chance of me going into labor because with my previous surgeries it can be a little risky. So, now we just wait.... and try to think of a name! 

Matthew's 2 year Pictures

Well, these were supposed to be Matthew's pictures.... but Matthew would not cooperate! So, we only got one shot of him. Not the most successful photo shoot ever, but I'll take what I can get. Andrew is making a horrible face in the family picture and I look fat and pregnant, but again... better than nothing! Some of these pictures are mine... I really wanted a picture of Matthew with one of his trucks because that is what he is into right now. 

19 weeks pregnant!!!

The belly is growing!!! This picture is actually 3 days before I hit the 19 week mark (which is today!) So, I am half way through this pregnancy. Although my belly is growing, I am not near the size that I was with my other boys. I have an u/s in a few days to see how this little guy is measuring. I still haven't felt any movement, so I guess that placenta is still in his way! We still don't have a name but we have plenty of time for that!

Happy Birthday Matthew!

Matthew is now a big boy... 2 years old! We went to Kazoing to play in the morning, then to McDonald's for lunch. After a really long nap, we went to my parents house for dinner, cake and ice cream. It was a busy, busy day!!!!!

Matthew with his new laptop he got for his birthday

our family

Blowing out the candles...

Matthew loves inflatables and especially the ones with slides!

Going down the BIG slide all by himself!

Family

When I was little, I wanted nothing more than to get married and have my own children. I felt like I was destined to be a mother and I COULD NOT WAIT to have my own family and create my own memories as a mom. Rick and I have always been on the same page as far as the family we wanted. At first we said 4 kids, but then we had 2 and reality set in.... and we thought 3 would be a good compromise.

Andrew was first. Oh, my.... maybe I wasn't destined to be a mother. That boy wore me out. I cried for the first 14 weeks of his life. I didn't know it was possible for a baby to scream that much. But, Andrew eventually let go of the screaming and four years later we have this amazing, smart and incredibly handsome little man. Everyday he amazes me with the things he says and knows and wants to learn. I see so much of myself in that little boy. His desire to be a perfectionist, his weird little quirks, and his controlling nature.... yep, that is all from mama. And, his stunning good looks... that is from me too. (Daddy might have contributed to the intelligence, but until Rick learns to use the washing machine I won't admit to that!) Andrew is such a blessing to us and we love him more than words could ever express.

I was certain baby #2 was a girl. My pregnancies were so different! I had no symptoms with Andrew... nothing! But with Matthew, I was throwing up, I had headaches.... I carried the baby different. I thought for sure... this is Emma Grace. Then, we found out it was a boy and I cried. Like a selfish brat, I just cried. But then, on June 11 this perfect little creature was handed to me. Oh my gosh, I was in love. From the moment I met him I knew he was a good one. The most laid back, tender hearted little boy you could ever imagine. I remember rocking him as a baby and thinking "how could you cry about this..." My little Matthew, which means "a gift from God" was really just that.... a true gift from God. To this day, he fills me with so much happiness that it is almost overwhelming.

After Matthew, I prayed hard. Every night. There was not a night that went by when I did not pray. I asked God to give me a girl. I prayed for Emma Grace. But, I always had the same prayer. I told God that if I was not meant to carry Emma Grace that he would lead me to her in another way. I knew that if I was meant to have a boy, I was going to have a boy. There are no mistakes in this world. We got pregnant again, but the excitement did not last long because it ended quickly in a miscarriage. Maybe that was my Emma Grace. Maybe I won't meet her until I get to heaven.

But, God gave me another little baby. Oh, the excitement. The boys love talking about their baby. Andrew wants a sister, Matthew wants a "girl" but he doesn't even know what a girl is. Mama wants a healthy baby. I want a little baby that is so happy and so healthy. I want to see this little baby grow to do good things in the world and create memories with our family. I want to see what God has planned for my family. I want my boys....ALL of them, to be strong Christian men that are nothing but a bright light in this world. I know God heard my prayers about Emma Grace. But, he has a bigger plan for our family right now. I am excited to see how Emma Grace will join our family. But enough of that.....we have some celebrating to do. I am so happy to announce that the Fischer family has another boy on the way, and there won't be any tears this time!

Baby

Here is #3... we will tell the sex one day, just not today.... and probably not tomorrow either :)

Boys, oh boys!

I was out back cutting the grass and Andrew was just walking around playing. (Matthew was sleeping). He comes in the backyard, and I see his face covered in grease so I have to stop the lawnmower. Andrew says, "I'm gonna need a little help getting cleaned up." Then he goes on to tell me that he was playing under the car, as if it was no big deal. So, we walk in to clean him up and my camera was right there.... this one was too good not to get on tape! He later confessed that he was picking flowers and putting them in the exhaust pipe.

Oh, man.... this week has been a doozy. As my boys get older, I feel like I get gray hairs by the minute. They are such a handful, and no one could really ever understand it until they have both of them for an extended period of time AND have the task of taking them into public. The other day I had to stop and say "did that really just come out of my mouth?????" To an outsider, the things I have to say might seem a little comical, but to me.... it is just life! For example, I have actually said the following to my children:

*** Don't climb on a glass table, that can break

***Probably not a good idea to tie a rope around your neck

***Did you poop in your pants....NO???? What is that smell????

***Andrew, quit strangling your brother

***You were playing UNDER THE CAR??????? WHAT?!?!?!

***Where is Matthew? Did I lose him AGAIN? 

***Please don't stick that knife in the outlet again

***Get your hands out of the toilet

***Why did you punch Matthew in the face?

And the list goes on and on and on.... I could probably add to it daily because EVERYDAY my children do something that make me say "did he really just do that?"