John Mark

Yes, John Mark is still keeping watch over us and we are enjoying him to the fullest.  Mornings are definitely a bit easier just b/c Landon is excited to find him.  I'm not sure what we'll do when John Mark goes home after Christmas.  I try to remember to take a picture of John Mark in his new location every day but I have forgotten a couple days. 

Here is John Mark in the entry.  We couldn't turn the main light on in there because it might burn his bottom so we had the lamp on so we could see him. 

Here he is eating a cookie and drinking one of Landon's apple juice boxes.  He even left Landon a note thanking him for the snack.  Landon loved this find! 

Yesterday John Mark was in Landon's room and hanging out with all his stuffed animals.  Well this morning he was getting a piggy back ride from Mr.Bear.  I guess he made a friend yesterday! 

Now off the subject of John Mark...yesterday Landon saw my boxes of candy canes for my class.  He asked if he could have one and of course I said yes.  He  wanted the entire wrapper off of it and I told him to try not to get sticky.  Well all I can say is...What was I thinking?  Of course his hands were sticky and I don't carry his bag which has his wipes in it.  So the hungry boy ate the entire candy cane but his hands were sticky.  Landon is kind of OCD like his momma and he doesn't like to be dirty.  I told him I'd hurry to get home and for him to try not to touch anything.  This is how he rode all the way home-15 minutes I'd say.

He's so funny! 

Tonight is my works Christmas party.  I love working with everyone that I do so getting together is always fun!  We eat, play dirty Santa, and just visit.  I will be sure to take pictures so I'll share those later.

28 Weeks

So I guess now is the start of my 3rd trimester.  I have actually been feeling really good this week which is a bit of a surprise.  Everyone acts like I should start getting miserable but I hope I do the opposite.  I did have major leg cramps last night.  I didn't think my calves would ever stop cramping.  Right after school I ran to the store to buy bananas so I'm going to eat one every night before bed just to see if it helps. 

I went to the doctor on Friday and the heartbeat sounded oh so sweet, I was measuring exactly where I should, and the doctor even got to see Bennett kick my stomach.  He was putting the tape measure away and as he turned around my stomach twitched pretty big.  I think he thought it was pretty neat and funny!  That is one thing about Bennett...he is a major mover/kicker.  My belly is always shifting around.  I sometimes think what others might think if they see my belly doing the twitching.  I can't hide it that's for sure.  I go back on the 23rd and I'll do my glucose test.  I was sure to schedule it in the morning b/c with Landon I did it after school and failed it.  I think the eating in the day ruined me b/c I did pass the longer test.  So with this pregnancy I am doing early and I'm hoping to pass the first time. 

Here is the belly at 28 weeks.

I have this baby app on my phone and it keeps up with the pregnancy.  I think what I like best about the app is that it tells me when Bennett will be here.  I think I'm at  82 days.  I know 82 seems far for some but not for me.  I know it is going to fly by. 

Christmas Fun

So we have been doing some fun Christmas activities here at the Newton house.  Friday Lance and I celebrated our 5th anniversary by going to Silver Dollar City with Landon and my mom & dad.  I worked 1/2 a day Friday b/c I had my doctors appointment and wanted to rest before walking around all night.  We were very surprised that there wasn't any traffic and not much waiting when we got there.  When we arrived we decided to get our family picture at the front entrance.

When we walked in Landon was so excited and loved the big Christmas tree.  I think he would have been happy watching it all night.

We then headed to the train.  When we got to the train area a new set of passengers were getting on to the train.  So we waited for that train ride to return and then we actually got on to the next train.  Not bad if I do say so...maybe a 20 minute wait.  We did snap a few pictures while we were waiting.

 Love my boys!

Me & the hubs...so proud of us for getting pictures of just us b/c we hardly ever do.

After the train ride we took him to ride the merry-go-round.

 He's so precious!

 But not sure where this ornery face came from!

After he rode that a couple of times, we headed up to the funnel cake area.  Yes, I was not leaving without eating one.  I think my fingers froze off eating it without my gloves on...but it was all worth it.  Landon and Lance watched the blacksmith and the man made Landon a little horse.  I thought that was so sweet!  We decided to leave before the parade so we could beat the crowd out.  We got home around 10:30 and Landon was up the entire ride home.  Wild man!

On Saturday Landon and I went to Wal-Mart to get our groceries and a few presents for his friends.  We also decided to purchase a gingerbread house kit.  He was very excited to make it that I could barely put the groceries away. 

 He really liked the icing.

 The finished project. 

Luckily he was ok with it falling down b/c it started falling apart as we were decorating it.  I guess the silly thing wasn't worth the money but that's ok.  We enjoyed doing it together!

We have been enjoying John Mark and look forward to finding him each morning.

Here he was in the bathroom and he knocked our towel down.

John Mark landed in our Christmas tree one day.

 Then he arrived in the kitchen window and he got in to the Hershey kisses!

 Hanging out in the stocking.

I forgot to take a picture of him Saturday but here he is today.  Hanging from the blinds.  Wonder if his head is hurting yet?!?  I love having John Mark in the mornings b/c Landon is easier to get up and get going.  Some mornings can be rough but not lately.

Today Landon drew us a picture and he said it was a football player.  I thought it was a good picture for an almost 3 year old.

 Well tomorrow I will be 28 weeks pregnant so I'll post my belly picture and the stats from my doctors appointment.  Only 8 more school days left before Christmas break!!!

27 Weeks and Where is John Mark

So today I am 27 weeks.  I was thinking it was the start of my 3rd trimester but now I'm not so sure.  But either way I am almost there.  Here is my belly shot from today.

Today we also had an exciting day because it snowed!  I guess it was a good thing that my blinds were shut in my classroom because the minute I opened them the got a bit excited.  But I wanted the kids to see it!  On my lunch I stepped outside to snap a few pictures since it is our first snow fall of the school year. 

So this morning Landon had to find John Mark.  It took him a bit to find John Mark but we finally found him....

hanging out in the dining room.  It is so sweet to see Landon get excited about our new friend!  Glad we started this new tradition this year. 

Our Special Visitor

After Landon's nap this afternoon we decided to read our new book.

I figured Landon was old enough this year to understand so I finally got one!  First we read the story and after we discussed the rules/idea of the elf.  He could tell me why the elf came (to tell Santa if we are good),  why we couldn't touch him (hurts his magic), when he reports to Santa (when we are sleeping), etc.  He's pretty smart!

Then after we read the story the doorbell rang. 

Landon had a surprise package at the door from Santa.   

 Love that surprised face :)

And here is Landon with our new family member-John Mark.  Yes he named his elf John Mark.  When we first asked him what he wanted to name him he said Mimi (which is Aunt Janice) and we said but who does he look like to you and he said it was Peter Pan.  So we thought he'd be Peter Pan but during dinner he said no it isn't Peter Pan he is John Mark.  The funny story about that is when we were at Viola for the Marvin Newton Classic, Landon took up with a friend of Lance's named John Mark.  Landon would not leave him alone or leave his side.  Well apparently Landon still remembers him and that is what he wanted to name his elf.  Lance and I cracked up when he named him. 

So John Mark is sitting on the mantel watching us and waiting for us to go to bed so he can fly to Santa.  I wonder where we'll find him tomorrow.



Weeks 24-26 & More

So I am 27 weeks now which is the beginning of the 7th month and the beginning of the 3rd trimester.  YEAH!!!  Lots of exciting things there.  I go to my doctor this Friday so I'll have to update my stats then.  I haven't been to him in six weeks but with Thanksgiving and the Kindergarten conference I just wasn't able to get in.  Here are the belly pictures and yes I know...my belly is large.  I think I get told that way too much. 

 Week 24

 Week 25 (I was off all week and I wasn't about to get dressed up for the picture.)

Week 26

So Landon has started to go poo on the potty.  He's only done it a couple times but we'll take what we can get.  Lance did promise him a fishing pole if he did so we had to keep our word...and Landon was super excited!  But we are now dealing with him not wanting to poo in his unders but not going on the toilet.  Poor kid is scared and this breaks my heart.  Any suggestions will be gladly taken!

Last week I attended the Kindergarten conference in Little Rock.  I really enjoyed it but I am definitely a person who likes to be home.  We got back Friday afternoon and I was super excited to see my boys!  Landon told me to never leave again.  That made me feel loved. :)

Last night we finally went to the Benton's.  We used to always get together but lately we've just had so much going on and just plain lazy.  So Gwen cooked us dinner and the big boys played.  They also got to decorate cookies and let me tell you...the cookies were awesome!  I think I ate way too many.

 I got to hold this sweet boy!  He's so cute and he gets me excited for Bennett to get here.

Landon loves going to church and getting dressed up.  He always picks out his clothes and then he'll make me spray cologne on him.  Then he asks me if he looks handsome.  Well I think he looks handsome all the time.  So I snapped a few pictures before we left the house.  I love this boy so much! 

The boys just woke up from their nap so I think it's time for Landon's surprise.  I'll blog about that later.