21 weeks 5 days pregnant

It's July 4, 2010- And I'm 21 weeks and 5 days pregnant today. Still in the 5th month of pregnancy technically, but just on the cusp of being 6 months pregnant! I still find it hard to believe that Noah is going to be a BIG brother and that we'll have another baby boy NEXT 4th of July! Elizabeth said today, "Just think...next year we will have a new firecracker to chase!"

Noah's 1st Fireworks

Noah saw his first "fireworks" tonight. Michael just bought some sparklers and a few things from the fireworks store. It was much more fun than I imagined! When Noah saw the fireworks, he was captivated. He called it, "Colors!" When the fireworks started popping, Noah was the only child that didn't make a run for it...instead, he said, "Moooooore!" I hesitated to let him do a sparkler, but Michael got the long kind, so I figured it would be a safe distance from Noah, and I held onto the sparkler the whole time, too. (Even though he'd rather I let him hold it himself...no chance!) The kids ate cupcakes while we watched the show. They were so good. It was just perfect. It's funny....as I write this, I can hear the Hollytree Country Club fireworks show, as it's just about a mile from our house. No amount of fireworks I could see could top seeing my son experience this perfect 4th of July. Noah watching the fireworks for the first time.Susie, Nick Nick, Michael, & Noah watch the fireworks from a safe distance. Not to mention, I had an ER doctor supervising! Noah lights his first sparkler! (With Mommy's help).

I must say, these newer, longer sparklers, are MUCH safer than the short, little sticks of fire I grew up on!

The funniest part of the fireworks---Matthew---He was NOT a fan of the fireworks...and kept a safe distance behind...but the 2 year-olds thought it was just grand! Nick Nick & Doug liked the sparklers, too!

Happy 4th of July!

Happy 4th of July!

I have to say, 4th of July 2010 turned out just about perfect. I wasn't looking forward to this holiday much, so we didn't plan on doing any big bash or anything. Mainly because I'm pregnant and tired, and I have to work a long day tomorrow. It's funny, though. I just can't seem to let a holiday go by without celebrating and at least decorating a little for it! Rebekah recently told me, that one day my kids would really remember me decorating for the holidays, and would treasure that. I could just hear that ringing in my ears...not in a negative way, but in a positive way. So about lunchtime, I called Susie, and we decided to just cook out and swim for a low-key fourth. My good friend, Shawn, and his girlfriend, Amy, came as well. It required little planning, and it was just relaxing and fun! Not an ounce of having to have everything perfect, just enjoying the moment. Noah looking like a rock star in his 4th of July glasses. I love this picture!

Mommy & Noah- 4th of July 2010- Noah is exactly 2 years & 5 months old today & I'm exactly 21 weeks & 5 days pregnant with Noah's little brother today! Life is a changing!

Susie made homemade blackberry cobbler (even picked the berries fresh herself!) and we topped it with Blue Bell ice cream. And Amy made a treat where she put ice cream in between chocolate chip cookies! Yum! Later the kids had cupcakes! Of course, Noah chose red! We had plenty of sweets & treats! Of course, Daddy made a ton of meat, too--chicken, brats, hamburgers, & hot dogs!

Daddy & Mommy

Uncle Doug threw Noah waaaay up high in the air! Noah loved it!

Swimming with Susie & the cousins!

Shawn & Amy

Noah's 4th of July Pictures

Happy 4th of July from Noah Michael McBride

Slide Fun With Sarah & Paw Paw

I received a message from Sarah today. She bought Noah a surprise with her own money and wanted to bring it to him tonight. Just a visit from Paw Paw, Granny Meg, & Sarah has Noah over the moon, but when Sarah walked in holding a big box, Noah was elated! He had the GREATEST time acting a ham...and ever the daredevil...slid down the slide twice before he began JUMPING OFF! Only my child! Before the slide was put together, Paw Paw put the slide on the couch so Noah could give it a test run.

Paw Paw & Noah

There he goes!

Check out this face----He's soooo into it!

Good times!

Boys & Bubbles

The boys had a marvelous time playing with two bubble-makers. My neighbors were swimming and peeped their head over the fence and asked, "Who's getting married?" because all the bubbles were floating over into their backyard, as well! Luckily, I have awesome neighbors who thought it was cute.

Matthew tries out the bubble maker.

Noah thought it was pretty cool that he could eat bubbles that were on the edge of the pool.

Noah had the bubble maker turned the wrong direction and bubbles came out right in his face! He thought it was great, though, and some even stuck to his face! And he tried to eat them, of course:)

FUN day with Susie & Cousins

Susie, Matthew, & Nick Nick made a spontaneous trip to Tyler and we had the BEST day! We swam and swam and swam some more! Susie couldn't believe that Noah was "such a little fish!" While the boys were occupied, Susie & I actually had a few minutes to talk and catch up. We also perused baby boy names, but again, no final keepers yet! We also played outside and had a dinner picnic of Olive Garden outside. The boys (and the Mamas!) were all wore out, but it was SUCH a great day! Just what we needed. Susie played a game in which where all the boys line dup and then jumped into her arms. Matthew really got some air time!

Noah's turn jumping to Aunt Susie:)

Nick Nick jumping to his Mama. I was laughing because Nick is 5 months OLDER than Noah, and the swimsuit & shirt that he's wearing in this picture are Noah's swim clothes...FROM LAST YEAR! I just have a big boy!

Nick Nick & Noah

After a bathtub full of 3 boys, we gave hugs & kisses and I actually caught this one of Noah & Nick Nick on camera. Again, Nick is wearing clothes that are too small for Noah. So funny that we're the younger cousin but WE give the hand-me-downs to the older cousin!