Space and Rocket Museum

Ristow has been such a champ with me not feeling well most days, so we decided to take a family trip and head to Huntsville to the Space Museum. It was AWESOME! Not only did Ristow think it was the coolest thing ever, Christopher and I thought it was pretty great too. I felt great and Ristow didn't whine once until we hit the parking lot to leave.

When you get there, you can pick up an experiment back pack to take through the museum with you. It had trivia, a toy rocketship and astronauts and cool experiments to do as you go. Ristow loved toting that thing around. I think the alkaseltzer rocket experiment was his favorite but it could have just been wearing the safety goggles that he liked best.

We even did the IMAX movie theatre and saw a film that the astronauts had taken from the shuttle. Very cool. At the end of the day we hit the gift shop where Ristow picked out a patch with a shuttle and Space Camp on it. Ofcourse he even had to wear it pinned on his shirt to church today. He is so proud of his "astronaut training". He will proabably be talking about it for days and days to come.

14 Weeks

I made it to 14 weeks, the 2nd trimester and am thrilled! Unfortunately the nausea has not subsided at all but increased. I definitely have my good days and am so thankful for them. I am praying that this will pass soon, but if this is a side effect of my body developing a healthy and fabulous baby then I will take it! In the meantime, I'll take another bowl of cereal please.

Nicky the Oragami Crane

Yesterday Ristow got a new book in the mail. In the back of the book was a detailed picture of how to make an oragami crane. Ristow was beside himself with excitement and took the book and some paper with us to meet Christopher for dinner.

After we finished eating, the challenge was on. Christopher was a champ and knocked out the crane like nobody's business. Ristow loved it!

On our way out of the restaurant Ristow said that Nicky the Crane was going to be a Jet plane when he grew up. Not only had he named his paper crane but he had already developed hopes and aspirations for it! I love the mind of a 4yr old.

Though I wasn't prepared for the attitude and independence that faced me yesterday morning.

We went to our friends pool where Ristow was meeting two other buddies there to swim and play.

While he was waiting for one of them to finish getting ready, I said " Ristow, don't go in the house while you are wet" to which he replied " com'on mom, don't call me Ristow, call me Ris. I want to be called Ris!"

I think my mouth actually dropped open and I thought is this kid serious?

I guess he had to develop his own preferences for what he wants to be called sooner or later but it just took me be surprise. To him, it was a big deal what I called him in front of his buddies.

Today he reminded me of his preference with some serious tones and I had to use everything in me not to start laughing right then and there. This parenting thing cracks me up.

12 weeks

12 weeks along and growing each day!

A Homemade Triathlon

As many of you know my husband is a huge fan of triathlons. We have attended many of his races and Ristow is quickly becoming a huge fan as well.

This past weekend I went outside to find a race about to start in my backyard. Christopher had set up a "Tri" for Ristow. The swim was running through the sprinkler, the bike went across our driveway and the run finished up the hill. Ristow was so excited and proudly displayed the race number Christopher had written on his upper arm, and ofcourse his age on his leg as per proper triathlon protocol ;)

Here are a few pics from the day. Ristow ended up running his "race" about 10 times and then wanted Christopher to do it with him. They make a great team. I love my boys!

The Big News!

The other reason why I haven't been posting quite as much is because I have been waiting. Waiting for what you wonder....... well waiting for the day I had my doctor's appt and got to hear my new baby's heartbeat! That's right world. Another McClintock is on the way.... watch out!

After two years of trying we are so excited to announce that we are expecting our second child December 8th. I am 11 weeks pregnant and praising God. At 11 weeks the baby is the size of a fig.

We have been able to share the great news with both of our families and felt like it was the right time to share with all our friends too. We recently told Ristow and he is very excited, he was running around the house with his hands on his face yelling "oh my goodness, I'm going to be a big brother!"

In fact in March he asked us why he didn't have a brother or sister and he decided he would pray for one, right then and there he prays to God for a sibling, it was so sweet. That next Sunday I had a weird feeling and took a pregnancy test, well what do you know, a baby was on the way!

Ristow also talks about what he is going to teach the baby and about how it is growing. He is going to be such a great big brother, as long as the baby isn't born on his birthday (Dec. 2nd) I think he would have some serious issues with that, since he talks about his birthday all year long and makes continuous plans for it. ;)

I have a lot less nausea than when I was pregnant with Ristow and am feeling pretty good. Again the joy overcomes the nausea most days and I celebrate this next stage in our life!

Please pray with us for the safety and development of this new life and know that we are thankful for all of your love and support.

My Hiatus

I apologize for the month hiatus from my blog posting. This last month has been very introspective for me and I haven't had many times where I have felt like posting all my thoughts.
Today, however, I have two fabulous boys in my life telling me how beautiful I am and what a great mom I am. How could I not feel beautiful and full of love and life, so much so that I need to let that feeling escape my fingers onto the computer screen.
This past weekend Christopher treated me to a night away for Mother's Day at a four star hotel, which was so wonderful. It was a blessing for my parents to watch Ristow. And while I adore my son and love being his mother, being alone as husband and wife was a much richer gift on Mother's Day. I am so thankful to have a life where I am appreciated and loved so dearly. It is the days like today that I need to write down and look back at often, especially days where I feel like the worst mom or my least favorite person. I will remember this feeling and cherish it because it is truth to me and a reminder of how God feels about me each day no matter what.
I am thankful!