Magic Milk

Ok, so I spend too much time surfing the web these days. I saw this idea about "Magic Milk Paint" and knew we had to try it. I gotta say, even as an adult, I was impressed. All we needed was milk, food coloring, a toothpick, and dish soap.

Add some food coloring to milk (we just poured milk into a tupperware lid with a lip):

Dip your toothpick in dish soap:
And watch the colors disperse away from the toothpick:
Yep, it was impressive to him too:
Oh and the M&M's are not involved in this experiment....but I highly recommend them.....any time.

Video from Sleep Over

Here's a cute video Uncle Patrick made from the boys' sleepover. I thought I had posted it already but apparently pregnancy brain hit me again. Aren't they adorable together?!?!

37 Week Update: Well, I made it to 37 weeks this time without being induced or hospitalized! YAY! BUT, boy did I miss out on the fun last time b/c this far along is pretty uncomfortable. Sitting, standing, laying, sleeping....none of it is easy. I am 2cm dilated now. I only saw the NP today b/c my Dr is out for the week but she seems to think they might induce me next week IF he doesn't decide its time on his own:)

Hurricane Irene

In preparation for Irene, we stocked Vince up on PUZZLES. This kid is obsessed!!! Here's 14 (we had already done the other 7 before Irene got here). We started in on these first thing Saturday morning while it was rainy and nasty outside.

Of course, we had to sing the corresponding song when we finished (as usual, I didn't catch the first part of Wheels on the Bus).

Later in the day, Tony and Vince built a model airplane and jeep. I'm really not sure who was more excited.
We were lucky and managed to keep power until about 9pm. Being that the safer place to be during the storm is downstairs, we all had a "campout" in the living room. I slept on the couch, Vince slept on his mattress we brought downstairs, and poor daddy got the hardwood floor. Vince was excited b/c he got his own little flashlight for our "adventure" (its the little things, right?). Surprisingly, he slept through the entire night. Again, we were lucky because our power came back on around 9am....YAY!!!

While we had Vince's bed in the living room today, Tony showed off his mad kid-like skills and made an awesome fort.
I'm not sure Vince enjoyed it....what do you think?
A fort AND slide? Heck yeah, he was in love.

So, that's how we spent our quality time with Irene. We were some of the lucky ones. Hope everyone else fared ok. If anybody needs a hot shower, come on over :)

Driving Range

We are trying to find special things to do with Vince before Dominic gets here and he LOVES golfing so I managed to get my (big) butt off the couch long enough to take him to the driving range with Tony last week. We picked him up from school together and told him we had his golf bag so we could go to the driving range.....his excitement was priceless. Here's a little clip of his impressive golf game.

Keeping busy

You may be asking yourself...what does a girl on bed rest do all day? Or maybe you really haven't given it another thought but I'm gonna tell you anyway. Well, it involves a LOT of internet browsing and Pinterest stalking. There are so many great ideas out there....I wish I was creative enough to come up with them on my own but instead I have to copy them.

Here was one I saw at No Time for Flash Cards. It's a word search game for Vince. I tried to make words that I knew he'd recognize such as zoo, dog, Vince, mom, dad, roar (we read a lot of dinosaur books), etc.

He was pretty excited about it. He didn't find them all but he did a great job!
I also found this at Target's dollar section a few weeks ago and tucked it away. It was the greatest $1 I've ever spent. Not only does he have to recognize letters by sound (such as "what is the first letter in Hat?") but by sight too. He has to scour however many cards he has to find the right letters. He LOVED this game! I highly recommend breaking the bank to get this game!
I also saw this marshmallow sculpture idea and knew he'd like to build something....and we had all the equipment (marshmallows and toothpicks) at home. Just look at the concentration on his face!
Ok, so I helped "a little"....

And the best part: We got to eat the tools! Did I mention that he apparently loves marshmallows???
Lastly, I made a fall wreath. This was my first attempt at a wreath but I happened to have extra yarn from wrapping the letters in Dominic's room and felt from a craft I tried at Christmas time. You can't see the colors of the flowers very well against my table but it turned out pretty cute. I can't wait till fall so I can hang it up proudly!
So, that was Sunday and Monday. At this rate, I should have a genius child and be fully decorated for the holidays before Dominic is born. I just hate sitting still and watching tv all day....I have to be doing something productive!

Oh and a quick 36 week update: BP was "ok". She took more blood for labs but so far no sign of pre-eclampsia (yay!). I am 1cm dilated and 50% effaced. She hinted at inducing in 2-3 weeks so he'll be here SOON!

Sleep over

Uncle Patrick and Aunt Julie were nice enough to let Vince have a sleep over with Nathan so Tony and I could rest a little before Dominic arrives. From what I hear the boys had a great time playing and playing and playing some more. Patrick did get a few super cute pics of the boys. Look at these preppy boys....who would've thought they were the ones wrestling and jumping and chest bumping each other just a little bit earlier.

Sure can tell they're related, can't you?!?!?! Thanks Patrick and Julie! We promise to repay the favor.....one day :)

5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree

One of Vince's favorite stories is 5 Little Monkeys Swinging in the Tree. When I saw this idea on my new favorite blog, Preschool Alphabet, I knew he would love it!!! Here's a cute video of him singing the song. He whispers the "along comes Mr. Alligator quiet as can be" part so you can't hear him but you can see his mouth move to the words.

35 Week Update

I had my 35 week appt on Tuesday. My blood pressure was high enough to put me on bed rest but low enough for it to be AT HOME this time! YAY! The one plus side was that she wanted me back in 2 days for a BP check and ultrasound. We weren't expecting to see Dominic before he got here so it was a special treat. They estimated him at 5lb 12oz (which is exactly 1 lb less than Vince was at birth...and which means the other 45lb weight gain is all cookies and ice cream...my bad). Everything else on his ultrasound looked great and he was absolutely precious (I think he has daddy's nose and lips)! Here's one of the better pics we got. Keep in mind he's pretty squished in there right now so its hard to see him very well.

Float like a butterfly....Sting like a bee

Introducing the new lightweight champion of the world:

Maternity Shoot Video

More Maternity Pics

I'm SO lucky to have not 1 but 2 super-talented photographers in the family! My brother very willingly took pictures for us last weekend (at 7:30am on Sunday morning!!!!) and they turned out better than I could've ever imagined. He also compiled a video that I'll post separately. Enjoy!

One of my favorites:
Another one of my favorites:


And another:

Ok, so I have a lot of favorites:





I just can't decide:






Ok, how am I supposed to pick one?:





Tony's favorite:

Yep, love this one too:
THANK YOU SO MUCH for taking these amazing photos, Patrick! We LOVE THEM! Even Tony's glad he got up at the crack of dawn to take them :)