So you may have heard the news...

We have been up to a little something lately...our little something is about 19 weeks these days and weighs almost 10 ounces. And, as you probably read above this, or on the world of facebook, our new little project happens to be a feisty little girl.
We let the kids skip school today to go to the ultrasound with us. Ansley of course was rooting for a girl while Stephen was waving a blue flag. But baby, however, had no initial interest in showing off "the goods" as my sweet friend KPH termed it several months ago. We got healthy and normal measurements on head, limbs, back, face. etc - but little miss sat with her legs crossed under her, completely uninterested in sharing her news. The ultrasound tech (who I think was having as much fun as we were with the kids in there) poked, bounced, tickled and prodded - the baby pulled her legs in tight under her bottom. The tech went back to measuring other things, moved quickly back to side of the crossed legs and caught her in moment with her guard down. She was, indeed, a little girl! And no sooner had the tech shared the news (and at this point Ansley is bouncing up and down shouting, "Its a girl!Its a girl!") than little miss priss had recrossed her legs back in her original position. My first thoughts after that turned to my little man. I see a serious little face - "What do you think, buddy?" Pinching his lips together so as not to reveal the smile shining out of his whole face, "I guess it'll be alright if it is a girl." He tells me. He then gives me a high five.
What a morning of blessings - a morning that started out by a) my car not wanting to stay on and b) Stephen randomly throwing up in Jamey's truck on the way to the ultrasound and then seemingly healed of whatever had momentarily ailed him. As anyone with kids will tell you, sometimes there is just unexplained throwing up when kids are around. I am not sure what that was all about, but we made it through the appointment with no other incidents (and believe me, I WAS praying through that whole appointment as I had not thought about grabbing a plastic bag from the truck in case we were faced with it again.)
My car seems to have healed itself (sigh of relief) and Jamey just ended up saying - forget it - and just took the day off with us.
We have obviously known for a while that baby #3 was on the way. We waited until the end of the first trimester to tell family. Several people have stated how they could never have kept it a secret that long. But my motivation did not lie in any lack of excitement - but rather a mama's instinct to protect the hearts of the two little ones already living in our house and filling our lives with love. If this baby, this pregnancy early on, was not meant to carry to full term, then I did not want any of that sadness to fill the hearts and thoughts of the two babies I have here with me now. We are grateful that this baby girl appears healthy and growing. And God has brought me to a place where this baby is a part of me and a part of this family no matter what happens or doesn't happen ever. She is my daughter. One of my two daughters  who belong here with my son. Three children, three blessings,  for Jamey and me.

I have a dear friend Sarah - who at this moment is on the other side of the world with her precious family. She messaged me this thought a few weeks ago and it has resonated with me. She told me, "This is your family's baby. Not just a baby for Jamey and you, but  a baby for the four of you to welcome and love."

This is the Duke family's latest home improvement project. A project of love and adventure.

We are ready, thankful, and oh, so excited.

a few Disney Pictures for now.

Pictures from our trip are scattered through three cell phones, Elizabeth's actual camera, and two Disney photopass cards. I am attempting to sort through them all (minus Elizabeth's - I have to get that from her when she gets back next weekend) but all in all we seem to have ended up with some great pictures. It was a great trip. We were there long enough that we didn't have to rush. We tried new places to eat, midnight - ok, 2am shifts on Space Mountain for some of us (not me), a new hotel thanks to Elizabeth and made lots of great memories. My kids will REMEMBER this trip I think. Which is definitely a bonus when I think (or try not to think) of the money we spend there in 7 days. All worth it, of course. I do love Disney World.
Here are a few pictures.I haven't actually purchased the rights to the photopass pictures yet - good LAWD those are expensive - but some are so good, I may just have to do it. Especially b/c of certain life events that are upcoming may mean a good 18 months to 2 years before we make it back there again.  These are pictures from our phones I think:

Entering on the first day. I think Stephen was a little overwhelmed.

Elizabeth and the future Mr. Elizabeth :) AKA Capt Jack

Flick and the kiddos (I really like him, by the way)

I have a picture of Ansley and Steve with Mary Poppins from 7 years ago. I am going to try and find it tonight to compare

Ansley with Aurora. We have a picture of her with the real sleeping beauty, but just haven't purchased it yet.

Yes, she did eat this and then ride on Tower of Terror. Didn't bother her one bit.

Riding Partners

The kids and their DJo dancing in the street at Hollywood Studios.

Proud girl after riding Everest

The Mad Hatter and Alice make a breakfast appearance

Happy Breakfast Folks

Stephen in jail with Zurg. He insisted I take this picture.

4 days

So we leave in 4 days. My house is somewhat clean (all but the playroom and I am not tackling that without Ansley who was off with her Nanny all day today). Clothes are also clean (mostly) and since the kids wear uniforms every day until we leave, I can go ahead and pack most of their clothes. But right now Jamey is doing calculus prep work, Ansley is signing 125 Christmas cards for the residents of a local retirement home where her Christmas piano recital will be held and Stephen and I are watching Santa Claus is coming to town...or whatever the name of this movie is about Santa Claus. Stephen would like to know what a burgermeister is. I also would like to know, so we are about to Google it before bed.

Stephen has been a tad under the weather - cough, raspy voice. He and I stayed home today to give him some rest and hopefully get rid of whatever it is before we drive to Orlando at the end of the week. He is in good spirits though.
I am a little sad to be missing out on a Colorado Thanksgiving with Luke and Sara. My parents fly up there next week. But they are coming here for Christmas and then I think the kids and I (and hopefully Jamey) will squeeze in a trip to CO in January. A nice gentle snow would be nice while we are there - no blizzards or the like. Especially if I am there without Jamey!
Since my last post, Stephen Jack is officially 5 years old. 5 years old??? oh my. I was carrying him on my hip to bed last night. I really have to stop doing that. A) He can walk just fine. B) Its just not good for me to pick him up right now and C) he is 5. But my goodness, I just love my little man. We are on the countdown for my big girl to turn 8. 8???? Two years away from a decade she tells me :( They both just keep growing and learning. They both make me laugh everyday. I am thankful for them. And for the blessings God has for us down the road.
Did I mention 4 days to Disney/???

Losing my mind. Slowly. I hope not permanently.

So today I picked up Stephen from school and we came home. 20 minutes later, my phone rings. Its Jamey. Who is at Stephen's school to pick him up. "So, remember when you asked me to pick up Stephen?"
"Um, yes. Yes I do. And I offer no excuse other than I can't remember SQUAT these days."

I guess this isn't true. I haven't forgotten where I live or where I work. I can usually remember my children's names. I ALWAYS remember where the Halloween candy bowl is kept in the kitchen. Knowing the location of my car keys is always a toss up leading many times to me offering a prize to the kid who finds my keys the quickest in the mornings before school.

I made it to work each day this week. My kids were clean (mostly) and fed (not always the most healthy of foods). Ansley can pretty much check me on most of home tasks these days. For that I am thankful. "Did you put the clothes in the dryer, Mama?" Yes, these are questions she asks me.

This morning I was dressing Stephen in his Friday shirt. "It's not Friday, mama." he kept insisting. He does not care for his Friday shirt, which is where this protest was coming from... I had to stop for a full minute or two and make the case to myself that it WAS in fact, Friday. I finally decided that I was right and that it was Friday and that if we got to his school and it was not Friday that I would go back home and get him the correct shirt.

It IS Friday.

And for Fridays I say, AMEN.