What a week it has been!

Blake turned 3 a week ago Sunday! It is crazy to think he is already 3 and becoming such a big boy. We had a great birthday party with family and close friends, thanks to everyone who came and made for a great day. At 3 Blake is very independent, he wants to do everything "by myself," he is very smart and VERY active! He absolutely hates to have his haircut and go to the doctor. He loves being outside, being barefoot, playing with his trains and chuggers and his puppy dogs. We are in the middle of potty training (one thing I have dreaded for a long time) and it is going well, hopefully the day will come soon that it will "just click." In addition to Blake's birthday, Friday (the day before Blake's birthday party) Josh had surgery to fix his knee, he torn his ACL, MCL and both meniscus, and pretty much put him out for just about a week and a half. The recovery has been very intense and not as fast as either of us would like but Blake has enjoyed the machine that Josh had to be in for 8 hours a day during the first week. As for me, I am now 19 weeks pregnant, at last visit our due date is Halloween and I have gained 2 and 1/2 pounds. This pregnancy has been totally different than my pregnancy with Blake. I was very nauseated the whole first trimester and continue to be nauseated every so often. I am very tired, I guess the difference here is I am chasing after a 3 year old instead of sleeping anytime I want (like I did with Blake). We will find out on the 15th if we are having a boy or a girl, my instinct is a girl and Blake has called it his "baby sister" since we told him about the baby. We are looking forward to vacation to Ono in a few weeks, something about the sand and salt water that does the soul good.

Blake loves to put his feet (and everything else, obviously) in the sand.

Giving DeeDee some love, we are so thankful that DeeDee was able to stay for a week to help with Blake while Josh was recovering.

Enjoying his birthday lunch, I think he enjoyed the chocolate icing the best!

These two have become great friends, they look like two old men with the lawn mowers.

Loving his new wheels.

An annual water fight at Blake's party.

Gotta love the wonder pets, thanks Grandma Metcalf.

Baby Will came to visit Blake the day before the party, Blake loved having him here and really wanted him to play with all his toys.

Hanging out with DeeDee.

Uncle John with Blake going down the slide.

Blake loves to splash in the puddles here he with the kids in the neighborhood enjoying the rain.

Stopping to smell the flowers.

Having breakfast on the patio with DeeDee

T-daddy and Blake.