Surprise Ultrasound

My OB office usually only does an ultrasound at the 8 week appointment and 20 week appointment, however at my last appointment - 11.5 weeks - we were supposed to hear the baby's heartbeat for the first time on a special machine called a "doppler" that picks up early heartbeat tones from babies, usually the earliest is around 10 weeks?
However, my Dr. couldn't find the baby's heartbeat and so to ease my mind, and hers too - she did a quick ultrasound.

I was very nervous and praying for strength in case it was bad news, I had never had trouble with hearing my other babies' heartbeats at this point in pregnancy before.

Thankfully though the ultrasound showed a healthy, and very active baby - thus why she couldn't pick up a heartbeat. He/she was moving all over like crazy! My Dr. said that was a good sign of a healthy baby. yay!

I even got to see fingers and toes as you can see on the labels...for size comparison, the baby is only about 2" in length (curled up..."crown to rump") right now.

Technology is amazing!

Fourth of July Camping

(Can you tell that I'm trying to get caught up on all of my photos this past few weeks? So don't forget to scroll down for any other new posts you might have missed!)

For the 4th of July this year we decided to go camping up near where my parents have a little piece of property. It was nice, but HOT. I'm not used to going camping when it's HOT! Usually it's too cold. Billy had taken his vacation this week as well so we left on Wednesday and camped until Saturday.

We took Lady with us for the first time as well, and she enjoyed it I think although she had to be on the chain the whole time. The night I took the boys into town to look at the little town's fireworks (they don't have a show, but just everyone sets their own fireworks off over the lake so you can watch everyone else's fireworks at the same time) - when we came back Billy said that there had been coyotes and "tough" Lady jumped in his lap and was shivering! She was scared of those coyotes. haha

On day two of our camping trip, there was a horrible downpour. I got a picture of everyone sitting under the canopy my mom had bought at a yardsale for $0.50 the year before and we never had used it. Thankfully Billy had the insight to put it up! Lady biting and jumping at the rain drops!
One funny story to share...the boys brought their bikes and one particular day my dad and I were watching Brayden ride his bike through the brush and trees and I was telling Brayden to slow down and not ride in that area, only on the "road" in front of our campsite...right at that same time Brayden was getting awfully close to the edge of this little "cliff" and I yelled at him to stop but suddenly you couldn't see him anymore. We went running over to check on him, and he had ridden his bike all the way down this steep embankment to the very bottom, thick with brush and plants. He was okay, not even a scrape but a little shaken up I think! My little Evil Knievel. Uggh! It was funny later when we were all telling the story.

The boys enjoyed playing in the creek near our campsite, and Lady enjoyed the water just as much I think!

We went on a "nature" hike and took some pretty pictures of the flowers (and I managed to capture one butterfly) all around us.

The end! Owen was so worn out he fell asleep at the campfire.

Sunny Day...Sweeping the Clouds Away...

What's more fun then getting wet on a hot day?

I went out and bought the boys this little kiddie wading pool. It was enough for them to splash around and cool off in. Even baby Billy got in on the action, however he was enjoying the sun in his birthday suit so I decided not to share those pictures here...haha.

Baby Billy enjoying a nice refreshing watermelon. yummmm!
Alex at Cub Scout camp! He was actually at Hoopfest in Spokane with his dad when we bought the wading pool, but the following weekend (?) he had Cub Scout camp. The last day was for parents to come and watch the boys do games, competitions, etc. however I got there late so all I got pictures of was his den's skit they did. So I included the picture in with these summer photos. I believe their skit was something about a pirate ship that they were all rowing - until it ran out of quarters? I still don't get it.... haha

Look Mom - No training wheels!

Brayden came inside yelling "mom, mom come watch! Alex taught me how to ride my bike with out training wheels!".
So I snatched up my camera and ran outside. (Can't forget the camera!)

He was very proud of himself! And a very quick learner. I just wish I had gotten pictures of Alex pushing him off and teaching him to ride by himself. Priceless. :(

Oh well these are fun pix too!

Brayden's Kindergarten Graduation

I forgot to post about Brayden's kindergarten graduation (or rather a "moving on celebration" as they called it in his class). Alex (who had the same kindergarten teacher as Brayden did) never had a moving on celebration or graduation, so this was fun!

Instead of a certificate or "diploma" the kids all did a questionnaire about themselves that was really cute, a good keepsake, and the teacher read each child's questionnaire one at a time. They sang some songs and then afterwards we had cookies and punch. :)

Brayden's questionnaire follows: (the words in bold italics are his answers)

My name is Brayden. I am 6 years old.

My favorite things about kindergarten are:
learning, doing stuff, homework

My favorite color is red.

My favorite shape is hexagon.

At home I like to play outside with my brothers.

My favorite food is spaghetti.

In 20 years I will be building houses.

Will I be married? - Yes

Will I have children - Yes
Boys or girls? - A girl and a boy

Will I have a pet? - Yes
What kind? - A monkey

Where will I live? - In East Wenatchee

I can't believe that Brayden will be in first grade this fall!!

Enjoy the pix...

~Bethany

Brayden's little questionnaire being read, he was standing up. Looking rather embarrassed!

The teacher had just handed Brayden his questionnaire back, he grabbed it too quick before I could snap the picture of the "hand off"!
Brayden's friend. I asked him to point out his best friend so that I could take a pic of them. I forget his name though...maybe Isaiah or Isaac? Those are the two he talked about most during the year.