Pregnancy Update

I am officially 33 weeks. The baby is over 4 & 1/2 pounds (According to the measurements...which is always just a guesstimation) It will be safe for me to deliver in just 4 more weeks!!! I am feeling pretty good, trying to stay cool and comfortable. The doctor is expecting me to deliver anytime the week of September 21st...but we'll see. LOL, I am expecting this baby to stay in until 42 weeks and have to be pulled out kicking and screaming. He just seems way to comfy in there to want to leave. He still isn't very active. He has certain times during the day where he will get going, but generally he is pretty content just laying around in there. I am ready for him to come out, so I can meet him, and also so I can get my body back to normal. We still haven't even started getting things for him, or getting anything ready for his arrival. I really need to get motivated!

~Summer is coming to an end~

WOW, I can't believe only 1 more week left and school starts again! We have had a lot of fun this summer. Here are a few pictures of some recent events that we have been to.

Ricky's friend Brady had a Cowboy B-day party, the kids had a lot of fun!

Build a bear

Boys Day Out

On the days that Eevie and I have something planned, Rick and Ricky usually do something fun too. Well, recently Eevie and I had a girlscout event at a pottery painting place and Rick and Ricky went golfing...I left my camera at home, so no pictures of Eevie painting. :(

This was Ricky's first time getting to really golf. He putts around, and hits a few balls, but this time dad actually kept score and everything!!! HOW EXCITING!!! Ricky seemed to have a lot of fun...he always does when him and his dad go out. Here are some pictures of him out on a little course.

MY 2 FAVORITE BOYS!!!

Dad's B-Day!

This year for my dad's b-day the whole family went to one of my favorite resteraunts to eat*TEXAS ROADHOUSE* YUUUUUMMM! It is always fun to get together with everyone in our family, we have a good time together.

THE BOYS(-Ricky)

THE GALS (+Ricky)

HERRERA FAMILY

JOHNSON FAMILY

BIRTHDAY BOY

(picture taken by Lil' Ricky)

Eevie, Mom, Dad, Cheryl, Tari (Cheryl's BF)

Singing In the Rain

The other day while we were outside enjoying a very unusual 80 degree morning, some rain showers rolled in. I have never let my kids play in the rain, because here in texas usually rain showers bring in severe thunderstorms with lightning, thunder, high winds, etc. So boy was it a treat for them to be able to play outside in the rain. Ricky is very very scared of thunder and lightning, so when he sees rain clouds coming he immediatly starts to get tense. But after a few minutes of being out there he relaxed and was able to have fun outside. Kids out with umbrellas-Eevie, Skylar (our neighbor), Ricky Kids in the driveway

4th of July 2009

4th of July this year was busy, busy, busy. We have been lucky enough a few times to be out of town at the beach during the 4th of July. But this year we stayed in the great state of Texas for the summer! We all got up early to go and see the annual 4th of July Parade in Arlington. Then we went and had lunch at Mercardo Juarez. (My favorite Mexican Resteraunt!) We went home for a quick rest and back off we went...Out to Burleson to a huge 4th of July celebration at Rick's friends Ranch! All of my favorite Firefighter wives & families were there (basically my 2nd family) Of course we had to stop at one of the millions of firework stands and get some fireworks and poppers and sparklers etc. In Burleson it is legal to shoot of your own fireworks. So we were out there for Hours & Hours eating, drinking, and just having a good time. They have tons of animals that the kids just loved! Chickens, 5 or 6 horses, dogs, rabbits, etc. My kids aren't too much into doing their own fireworks, they like to see the proffessionals do it. BUT my husband spent the whole time there shooting off fireworks. They were realy beautiful and neat to watch. It was a fun 4th of July!!! I only have a few pics of the Ranch, but a ton from the parade.

"In the summertime; when the weather is fine"

Summer is going great so far!!! I love spending time with my kids, so this is a treasured time of the year for me. Usually this is the time of the year that we are out of town at some beachy place enjoying the sand & sun, but with the terrible economy, gas prices being so high, and us holding on to every penny we have, we decided to pretty much stay close to home. Here a few of the pictures from recent activities the kids and I have enjoyed. Vacation Bible School Performance Vacation bible School Bubble Show

Bubble Show

WaterParks

Waterparks

Swimming

Swimming

Movie Theater

The Pythons Vs. Boa's Snake Show (An educational show about snakes)

Baby Warming in progress...

Our little baby in utero is growing well. At our last OB checkup he was over a pound and a little bit ahead for his gestational age. We have about 3 1/2 more months until we get to meet him and I am starting to get a little nervous about the process of labor...The things moms do to have kids.

We still haven't even began to get the baby nursery ready. I have been saying that I am going to get it started, but with keeping up with the other 2, by the end of the day I just want to put my swollen feet up and take a load off. None of us seem over extatic about the upcoming arrival of a new baby... well we all don't know what to think yet. :) I think we are all a little nervous to see what sort of changes the new baby will bring.

(About 6 months Pregnant)

So far I am feeling pretty good. I have gained about 9 pounds (I started this pregnancy over weight so I am trying not to gain too much) I have still managed to stay active in the kids activities and things they want to do. Usually by the end of the night my feet are like 2 balloons, but I am not in any pain. It is getting a little hard to balance my growing belly. LOL, I don't want to start the waddle walk. So everything is going well with this pregnancy so far.

What's going on?!

YEAH!!! I officially made it through the first week of summer! Eevie finished off her 1st grade year absolutely wonderful!!! Every 6 weeks she consistantly got perfect conduct, the reading award, and got perfect attendance all but once. She also got the PE award one 6 weeks, the technology award, and art award! She finished off the year with a handful of award certificates! I am so proud of her, she is a hard working student. Her reading level is unbelievable as well!!! It was a great year for her. Rick's Sister, her husband, and their kiddos came down to celebrate Ricky's 4th birthday with us! It was so nice to get the cousins together...we don't get together nearly enough. We really enjoyed their visit. All the kids were actually really well behaved, I think the pool wore them out! This picture of the kids is like the 5th one that I took, it is really funny. I think someone was telling Skylar to look up as in "look at the camera" and Ricky is fed up with taking picture after picture so he has this aggravated look on his face, Eevie's smile is nearly diminished, and Brooks is just as cute as he could be. This next picture is Ricky having his yummy birthday breakfast! Even though we have a huge birthday bash for our kids each year, I always do special things all day for their actual birthday. They usually start off with a homemade yummy breakfast, and we do whatever they want all day long. Birthday's are a super special event at the Herrera house. For Ricky's birthday party this year we had Spongebob Squarepants party. It was a pool party. We had Crabby Patties (Hamburgers) and Plankton Planks (Hotdogs). It was nice to see all the kids laughing and having a good time. Ricky really enjoyed his 4th birthday! It is so hard to see my kids growing up so fast. It just seems like the other day he was a tiny infant, and now he is a energetic 4 year old, he rides his bike without training wheels, and swims without floaties. Where did my baby go? :( Ricky with his presents Swimming in the pool Happy Birthday to you...!

Ricky & his pal Elias being sharks.

So about 2 weeks before the party I start going back and forth..."Should I make a cake or cupcakes?!" So I finally ask Ricky "do you want cupcakes or a cake for your birthday" and he said I want a spongebob cake! So I am freaking out, I am not an artist! I can barely draw a stick figure. So about 2 days before the party I bake the cake and freeze it so it is nice and cool for decorating. My plan is that I will make the cake if it doesn't come out right I will have time to make cupcakes for the party. The next day I make Icing and color the icing. Then I finally begin on the task of making a spongebob freehand. It ended up coming out pretty good, and it tasted so yummy!