Growing Family is Right...

When I titled our blog, I never imagined how true its name would become.  This last week came with a big announcement.  We are expecting QUADRUPLETS!

Ten Weeks Pregnant with Quadruplets!

Yes, it's true.  No, we're not lying (like I'd ever do that about pregnancy, geez!).  This is really happening.  We are still in a bit of shock, but every day is filled with prayer and a little more clarity as to what life may be like for us in the future.  So, here's the full story.

After it took us two and a half years to get pregnant with Mason, we never went back on birth control.  After another two and half years (almost) when it was time to really start thinking about having another baby, we went ahead to our specialist since things hadn't happened on their own.  We didn't want to go through the mental agony of last time--we were determined for me at least not to go down that road.   I also went back to acupuncture and took part in a 28 day detoxification and cleanse.  With no toxins in my body, I felt amazing.  Duh, eating only fruits, vegetables, and lean protein makes you feel amazing...go figure!  Well, we realized through this process I have a wheat intolerance which is linked to infertility.  

We were scheduled to start our treatments with the fertility specialist right as I finished my cleanse.  So apparently, detox plus even fewer drugs than with Mason equals quadruplets!  I knew I was pregnant after one week and I knew that something was different this time.  I was convinced that it was twins when we went to our first ultrasound with our specialist.  I was shocked to see three and an empty sac.  Imagine my shock when we went to the ob-gyn the next week and that empty sac had a baby the size of the rest.  (At this point, I informed Shawn Thomas that I wasn't going to the doctor the next week!)  

We quickly got set up with a specialist for multiples.  So we have twice the doctor's appointments, but we feel well informed at this point with a long road ahead of us.  Our goal is to get to 34 weeks with me working until the end of January.  Our specialist says that 32 weeks is more realistic, but we want to have the most positive outlook as we possibly can.  That's what we have to surround ourselves with!   We have an amazing support system which is loving and prayer-filled.  So many people have already offered their help and support...we so appreciate it all!  

My favorite is when you ask Mason what's in Mommy's belly, he says, "Babies!"  When asked how many, he says, "FOUR!"  It gets people every time!

Sometimes all we can do is laugh!

Pumpkin Patch!

Okay, these are about a month late.  But, when you see the next post, you may understand why!
Mason loved, loved, loved the pumpkin patch.  Here are my favorite pictures from last year and this one:

What a difference a year makes!  Mason would barely sit still this year long enough for a picture, but we got some good action shots.

What an amazing, big boy!

Fall is here!

We've been having much fun since fall is here...now if the weather would act like it, we'd be good!  Shawn Thomas and I are trying our best to find things for Mason that are fun and interactive for our weekends.  So far, we've been to Touch a Truck out at the Richmond Raceway and to the pumpkin patch.  He's always so curious so if you don't find a smile on his face, it's because he's concentrating on his exploration.
Mason also started a two day a week preschool at our church, Bon Air. To say he loves it would be an understatement.  He loves to play, paint, and get dirty.  His teacher as also told me what a great friend he is to his classmates.
This season is off to a wonderful start!

The Faces of Summer

Here it is, the Saturday before we get back into our regular routine, and I haven't posted our summer fun.
The short version:  Massanetta, bubbles, puzzles, stickers, pool, Knoxville, Montreat, rain boots, new cars, Seagrove Beach, Birmingham, Children's Museum and trains.  These words best depict our summer.  These pictures show Mason enjoying it best!

I'd say that this summer was a success!

Happy Birthday, Mason Man!

Well, we celebrated a month ago and I'm just now doing the blog.  Life is full!  Mason had a wonderful birthday party with his friends.  It was a perfect morning. I remember growing up that Mom always worried about my May birthday parities being outside and it being too hot or rainy.  We really lucked out because here it was the middle of June and we had perfect 80's weather for Mason's party.

The Sesame Street theme was a success...especially the icing!  Whoa, I didn't realize how much food coloring would make Elmo and Cookie!  Mason loved unwrapping and playing with his presents.  His two favorites were a bubble machine (he got two of them!) and a Critter Clinic with a set of keys for the animal cages.

On his actually birthday, Shawn Thomas and I were in the middle of keynoting the Massanetta Middle School conference.  But, everyone there made his day very special.  My favorite memory is when our friend Stuart, the music leader (or as Mason calls him:  Suarp!) called Mason on stage and 350 middlers and their adults sang to him.  We watched his face turn from a cautious look to a full smile.  It was a perfect day!
We are so blessed to have Mason as a part of our lives.  We feel like he shines his light brightly on this world that so needs it!  (Massanetta Theme reference!)  We love you, Mason Man!

Catching Up...22 1/2 Months!

Well, I could give many excuses, but I'll just hold on to those as to why I haven't posted in a while!  Mason has made this spring so much brighter.  He's into everything and talking in sentences.  He'll come up with the funniest things and share new words everyday.  Mason has begun to pretend.  His favorite things to do are pretend to be asleep and then shout, "I awake!"  He loves to pretend to call his friends and babysitter on the old flip cell phone.  Just this morning, he was crawling around the house being a frog saying "Ribbit, ribbit.  I frog!"
Mason adores being outside and we are loving it too since we put out 10 yards of mulch in the front and back yards.  It looks lovely and we love being out there in the beauty.  Mason tries out his tricycle, swings, slides, see-saws, bowls, plays with chalk, and loves to help Mommy water and prune flowers...mmm...got a lesson or two there!
Here are a few of our favorite pictures from the last month and a half.  My favorite is the one above with that sweet crooked smile marking his 22 and 1/2 month with us.  Whoa, what did we do before now?!?

Birthday giggles for Mommy

At the playground with the youth one night!

Getting a closer look at the giraffes

Happy Easter!

Look at this big boy!  Mason had a wonderful morning!  He enjoyed his Easter basket and immediately sat down to read his new books.  That's my boy!  Once we got to church, Mason loved the Egg Hunt and took it all very seriously...note not too many huge smiles.  Maybe that's because I didn't take the camera out of his face.  After a big nap by all, we played the rest of the day away.  What a wonderful way to start spring break and celebrate a new day!

Easter Goodies

New Monkey plate

Pom pom filled eggs!

Happy to be at church

The hunt begins!

Daddy helps!

Loved this!

Helping Daddy with the butterflies

Checking it out!

A bit tired!

Mommy won't stop making me take pictures!

Happy Easter!