In search of a "swagger-wagon"

Well it's about to happen.  The kids are soon going to outnumber us.  Time to re-group and prepare for battle.  First up?  Car wars!!  Loading the boys in and out of the SUV gets a bit tiring.  I have to keep two (almost) three-year olds close at hand while opening doors, juggling purchases, buckling them up and making sure no one bolts in the process.  Adding a baby to the mix?  Ack!!

The first time I saw my friend magically press a button to her minivan and her two side doors slid open - I fell in love.  Her kids ambled inside while we chatted...her tailgate popped open with the push of a button and she tossed bags inside.  So much room to lean in and buckle belts....it was like mommy nirvana!!!   I knew then that I would be joining the ranks of soccer moms all over the country.  When you have multiple kids...sensible takes over "sass" any day of the week.  And so our minivan hunt has begun...

I was convinced that the car for us was the Toyota Sienna.  Kevin urged me to look at Odysseys, but I thought I knew better.  The Toyota has AWD!!  We need that in the snow!  Look at the leather interior?  It's so plush!!!  But after test-driving both cars...the Honda won out.  Not only did it have leather seats, a nav system and built-in DVD, but it was really fun to drive.  All of the features were really designed with the family in mind.  From the center console that folds flat so I can easily pop into the back seat for a feeding or to break up a fight, to the DVD system with a pop out remote so I can control DVD watching from the front...or when they get older...they can control it without bothering me.  Brilliant.

We've narrowed down our color choices thanks in part to the boys.  Tommy would like fire engine red (Honda called it Dark Cherry Pearl...its actually pretty) and Cole would like "big truck" silver.  A dark gray that apparently reminds him of trucks.  As for me...I'm just patiently awaiting my own "mommy nirvana" moment, when I can hold that key remote...press the button and watch the magic unfold in front of my eyes.  :)

Flowers and Flour

Yesterday, we received the most incredible bouquet of roses from Kevin's mom and sister for our 5-year anniversary.  (Has it REALLY been 5 years?!?)

As I was admiring the beautiful bunch and trimming the stems for the vase, Tommy took it upon himself to continue our adventures in baking whoopie pies for daddy on his own.  We had stopped just after sifting ALL the ingredients together into a big bowl.  In one swift move, he dumped the ENTIRE bowl of our sifted mix over his head.  LOL  It was EVERYWHERE!!!  It took us a good 45 minutes to clean up the mess.  Probably because we were laughing so hard.  :)

Happy Anniversary to my amazing husband!!!  It's hard to believe just what we have accomplished in such a short time together as a couple.  We've traveled to six countries in 6 years, will have welcomed three children in our five years married, we fell in love with...purchased...and renovated our home and the adventures just keep on coming!!  Everyday is a blast when you are married to your best friend.  We are so lucky.  :)

And the winner is.....

Add the new baby to this blog...just rename it!! 
I'm going to make it so no matter what address you type in (www.tommyandcole.com; www.coleandtommy.com; or www.tommycoleand_____.com) you'll end up here.

Thanks everyone for voting!  Now back to business as usual.  :)

A Visit to the Zoo

Checking out zebras and giraffes with our buddies.

This gorilla decided to take a nap right in front of us!  You may not be able to see it in this photo...but he had one eye slightly open checking us out the whole time.

Checking out the lion - he was VERY loud.

Exploring in the Jungle Jeep!

Measuring up against the animals.  Tommy is apparently the same height as a Pigmy Hippopotamus.

The most exciting attraction of the day was a crane truck located in the zoo's service area.  BOYS!

Moving and shaking!!!

I had felt a flutter here and there over the past couple of weeks....but last night it officially kicked off.  My little gymnast has kicked into high gear!!   It is so cool to feel those movements again...and this baby is really moving.  (I think the chocolate I had just before bed helped with all that movement.  :)  I feel him/her moving the most when I am lying on either side.  It is simply one of the most amazing sensations I have ever felt.

So far, my cravings have been so different this time around.  Here are my most cherished food items:  WATER (if I could have a poland springs water dispenser beside my bed it would be perfect), Orange juice, apple juice, jolly rancher candies, twix bars and milk.  Everyone who knows me will see a vital food group missing here....NO ICE CREAM!  Insanity.  Yes...this baby has a sugar/sweet tooth for sure, but no ice cream?!?  I've even stood with the freezer door open staring at the Brigham's chocolate ice cream willing myself to want it...only to close the door with a sigh.

With the boys, dairy made the top of the list.  Milk was number one...followed by ice cream, ice cream and oh yes...MILK.  Peanut butter was my top food item.  I definitely drank a lot of water with them as well.  Very different cravings, for very different kiddos.  :)

I am also having a sneaking suspicion this one is a boy.  Granted...I am TERRIBLE at this game.  I thought I was having a girl last time and ended up with TWO boys.  But...I have gotten a few clues that lead me to believe I might be right.  First off, my ultra sound tech said "he" a few times during my last scan and asked me what we had at home - then was quiet.  I've heard some of my friends getting predictions at these early ultrasounds, but mine?  No prediction.  Just kept referring to the baby as a "he".  Second would be my actual pictures.  In one of them, there is what appears to be a boy bit between the legs.  (Pretty BIG clue, don't you think?)  LOL  We'll find out in September for sure, but either way...we're happy.  I've certainly got enough boy clothes!!   Heck with two of every outfit, I won't even have to do laundry for the first two years!!

Okay, baby report over for now.  Back to the potty training story.  Will update shortly.  Sadly...not the best news to report.  Complete revolt over here!!  Oy!