IT'S HOT IN ARIZONA!

In May we had this beautiful weather. I couldn't believe it. No matter how hard the weather tried it couldn't get into the 90s. That is not normal for AZ. Especially Tucson AZ. I was dreading this summer with being pregnant and chasing a toddler and trying to keep life normal, but May was gorgeous and made life a little easier. However, June came and with it we said goodbye to the 80 degree weather and we never saw the 90s. It went straight to the 100s! Y-U-C-K!

I bring that all up because I am miserable. I usually handle the heat fairly well. But this year with 26 extra pounds all in front of me I hate the heat. I can barely breath and I can barely get things done. But I am so looking forward to the phase of this summer when we finally get to meet Zachary!

Nathan has finally gotten past this terrible twos things! Thankfully in time for a little brother. And with it I have been met with an unbelievably compassionate son! I can't believe how much he cares for my well being. He is gentle and sweet. He cuddles and hugs. He never complains that I can't run or do stink bug rolls or jump on the bed with him. He asks if he can walk in the grocery store but when I say no not today, he says "ok mommy, when Zachary comes out of your tummy". Even his sleeping has changed but his happy attitude has not. He doesn't get cranky when he is tired, he now gets loopy. And just starts to giggle like crazy at nothing at all. I am loving this improved child of mine. The Lord has blessed us with a child that is easy going at the right time!!!! I believe with all my heart that God did this to help ease the pressure of being pregnant right now.

Joel is doing really well. Work is crazy right now with a remodel but his improvements as a manager has been noticed. Now we prayerfully hope that with that acknowledgement will come the pay raise. Our goal is for me to not to have to substitute teach to help make ends meet. And we our hoping that goal can happen by next April if not sooner! Joel is trying to survive the remodel at work and we are actually seeing the birth of Zachary as a two week vacation from the remodel and the crazy long hours that Joel has been putting in. He will go back to work and there will only be about a week left of the remodel!!! That's going to be nice.

We are hosting a small group at our house this summer. We did it in the spring and loved it. I hope we can continue to serve in this way for a while. I love how the Lord is moving in people's lives. Including ours.

Sorry there are no pictures, just an update.

May was busy!!!

I hate that whenever I go some where special I stink at taking pictures. But I have a few to show of my busy week in May. One of my awesome friends (Kelly Jarvis) got married and she asked me to stand up with her as a bridesmaid. I was completely honored to be there for her. She was the last of my college roommates to get married and I was able to stand up as a bridesmaid for every one! It was so special. I cried my eyes out. I loved being able to spend time with her and talk about her special day and all the stuff that was going to take place and dream with her about how awesome her marriage would be.

Getting our nails done the day before the big day and having a lot of girl talk!

We also spent some time with Joel's 96 year old grandma. She is amazing! I mean it. She still teaching Bible Study, plays piano for worship services and does a whole bunch of other awesome things. And Nathan loved her! She did treat us to McDonalds so I am guessing that's part of the reason for the love! :) We talk about his Ama so much that Nathan felt right at home with her. It was a truly special time.

Not the best photo but trying to get a toddler and timer to work together is hard!

It was also my 30th birthday while we were in CA. We stayed with my sister and spent a lot of time with them just hanging out. Nathan loves them. Especially Ethan who was always ready and willing to go swimming with Nathan. I love spending time with my sister. And she and my mom joined us for dinner at Chilis that night to celebrate. Although Nathan was exhausted and melt down city occurred so not that enjoyable but it was good to see my mom.

We also ended out trip with a night in Scottsdale to celebrate Joel's youngest brother's college graduation. And we got to see some cousins that were in town along with Nathan's other great grandmother that was in town for the graduation too. Whenever we go some where spending time with family is always our priority and we got to do that in abundance. It was a tiring (for being 8 weeks away from my due date at the time) but wonderfully special trip. So glad we did it!

One of my main reasons for wanting to be a Stay At Home Mom full time!

I love subbing. I also love doing childcare. I love that at this moment both are part time. I also love that at some point both of these things will be out of desire and not necessity. Joel and I are working towards that goal to be reality. And we are hoping for it to happen in the next 12 months.

But something hit me today that made me want it all the more sooner. I was sitting on the couch researching out our (hopefully) annual vacation. When Nathan woke up from his nap. Nathan wakes up differently each day from his nap. But one thing is always the same. He needs a good 30 minutes to be fully awake from his nap. During that time, I usually put in a little video and give him some strawberry milk and we sit and cuddle and talk on the couch. Today was a little different. I went into Nathan's room and found him sitting on his floor in the dark hugging his stuffed animals just waiting for me. He had no desire to leave his room so I just sat in the rocker and put him in my lap.

We were rocking for a good 10 minutes when I asked him if he was ready to go have some milk. All he did was turn around give me a hug and laid down against me. Not in any hurry to go to the living room. So we rocked for a good 30 minutes and just cuddled. This is the reason I love staying at home.

We had no where to go. Nothing to do. There was no rush. We were able to just sit and cuddle for as long as he wanted. I love that about our life. We are never in any rush. We play cars, trains, read books, race, build sand castles, color, play with playdough, take a bath, etc. all with no rush.

I know that when school starts and I need to get lunches ready, backpacks organized, and kids taken to school things will get crazy, but for right now I am enjoying the life of going with the flow.

Its Almost April

The time has flown! I realized that I have 3 months to go before giving birth. So not ready. Plus, with the waiting arrival of baby #2 I still have two trips to CA in the works and lots of cleaning, organizing and planning to do.

Joel's schedule at work is about to get crazy as well because of a super big remodel that is taking place in his department. Have you noticed produce sections coming to all your near by Targets? Yup, that's Joel's department. So he is getting prepared for being in charge of a whole new section.

Nathan is great. Except for the normal 2 year fits we get with his new found opinions! But his vocabulary astounds us daily since he barely said 10 words at his 2nd birthday! But now we get full fledge sentences 5 months later! We love it. Potty training is pretty much non existent right now because we are too tired to put the effort into it. But I have a feeling Mr. Nathan will be getting big boy underwear in his Easter basket! :)

And I am doing good. Getting more and more excited about another little baby in the house. But also enjoying my time when I get to work. Its been really nice to not to have to sub as much as I did but also when I do sub, I don't pay a sitter. That has been a really blessing! The Lord has been providing the jobs when needed and that has been wonderful.

Ok, its been a while so I just wanted to give every one an update on our lives. Not much going on but I couldn't believe how fast the time is going!

A house of all boys...

So before we found out the sex of the baby we had every one except for a very few people guess we were going to have a girl or hoped we would have a girl just so we could have one of each or so we could experience a girl after having such an energetic, outgoing boy. And to be honest both Joel and myself thought we were having a girl as well. This pregnancy was so different. It is so different that even after the ultrasound it still feels like a girl. I was talking to a teacher today who is also having boy #2 and how she felt exactly the same way. Does this mean we are disappointed? Not in the least. It just means that we were completely surprised. Having 2 boys has given us a lot to be thankful for.

I guess I am going with orange this time around for boys clothes. And monkeys!

I love my son. Does the idea of dealing with a teenage boy sound all that fun? No, but I am hoping with God's grace and wisdom we won't experience all I have experience by being a youth pastor. Teenage boys will tell their youth pastor anything. Even if that youth pastor is a woman! BELIEVE ME! Whoa! So one of the many fears I had when I first found out we were having Nathan was, I can't be a parent to a teenage boy. No stinkin' way! But the Lord has shown me some amazing things about boys.

First of all. They love you so much. Little boys are so funny! Nathan is a cuddle bug. For being as active as he is, he loves to sit and cuddle and hug and love up on us. He tells us daily that he loves us. And I need that.

Secondly, I have been reminded over and over again that I get to be used by God to raise up the godliest boys ever. All the Christian girls are going to want my boys for a husband!

I have also been reminded over and over that I don't have kids to please myself. I am their mother to love them, serve them, teach them, and help them grow up to be awesome individuals that love God and love others.

Does this mean we are done having kids? Not necessarily. But for the moment is does mean, that no one will make me feel like I missed out or my boys are less special because I didn't get that girl. They will be the best of friends and I love that I have the opportunity to be the mom that is so cool that all their friends want to come over to his house! Let's face it I will always have cookies on hand. :) I am truly blessed.

Well its another boy for the Zehrings

We are happy to announce that we are going to have a little brother for Nathan. July 11th is my due date and we couldn't be happier. Today was the big day to find out what we were going to have and it almost didn't happen. This little boy had his legs crossed for most of the exam and didn't uncross them until the very end. Giving us a nice shot of his little manhood! This baby is much smaller than Nathan was but I looked at Nathan's sonogram and their is no missing the resemblance! They will look like brothers. As for hair color, eye color and over all build they will look very much like Zehring boys!

Here are the photos from the ultrasound today...

Here is the awesome profile that we always love to get. Baby boy's arm is right at his side.

This is the point where the legs were crossed giving us a nice view of the bottom of his cute foot!

And the shot you can never miss when you are having a boy.

And our alien! This is the face facing us.

Thought this would be fun to do before Weds.

 So Weds. is the big day. Praying baby's legs aren't crossed and we get a good shot of what we are having! Can't believe we are half way through this pregnancy. So I thought I would go through these and try to predict what we are going to have...

Here’s a list of pregnancy old wives tales:
Old Wives Tale #1:  Heartburn
If a pregnant woman experiences heartburn throughout the 9 months of pregnancy, she’ll have a baby born with a full head of hair.  Ok, so with Nathan I had heartburn for the last half of the pregnancy and he was born with hair. So far I only had heartburn a few times, so its a toss up.



Old Wives Tale #2:  Cravings Curse
This old wives tale is fun to hang over Tarzan’s head.  Basically if anyone denies a pregnant woman whatever she is craving, they will get a sty in his/her eye.  Personally, I think all men should read this and always give into whatever us pregnant women want!  For their own benefit, of course. I know for a fact this doesn't work. With Nathan, I wanted Jack In The Box tacos so badly at 10 pm and Joel wouldn't go get them. Nothing happened except saving a $1.

Old Wives Tale #3:  Heart Rate
If the baby’s heart rate is above 140 bpm, it is said that the baby will be a girl.  If it is under 140 bpm, then it will be a boy.  Well, this is how the doctor already predicted what she thinks we are having and I don't want to give it away. So I won't comment on this one!

Old Wives Tale #4:  Ugly Baby
This wives tale is weird.  If a pregnant woman sees something ugly, she will have an ugly baby.  Um, ok. My babies are all awesomely beautiful. So this is not true! :)
 

Old Wives Tale #5:  Coffee
If a baby is born with light-brown birthmarks, it is said that the mom drank too much coffee or had unfulfilled cravings while she was pregnant. I drank more coffee with Nathan than ever. No birth marks. 

Old Wives Tale #6:  Full Moon
A full moon was believed to cause a woman to go into labor and give birth.  I can't remember if it was a full moon or not with Nathan. But I do know of quite a few women who went into labor at night. So maybe!?
 

Old Wives Tale #7:  Shape of Belly
If you are carrying high with a big, round belly, you are having a girl.  If you are carrying low with a smaller belly that sticks straight out, it’s a boy. I am carrying low with a big, round belly. What does that mean? 
 
Old Wives Tale #8:  Ring Test
Using a string, hang your wedding ring over your pregnant belly.  You are having a girl if the ring swings back and forth  and it’s a boy if it swings in a circle.   I  did this and it made a really narrow oval. Still don't know what that means.

Old Wives Tale #9:  Shape of Mom’s Face
When your face gets fuller and rounder when pregnant, it means you’re going to have a girl.  If your face is long and narrow, it’s a boy.  I do feel like my face is more fuller than last pregnancy. So 1 for a girl?


Old Wives Tale #10:  Key Test
This test involves a key.  If you pick up a key at the top (the roundest part), you are going to have a boy.  If you pick up the key at the bottom (smallest part), you are going to have a girl.  If you happen to grab the key in the middle, congrats, it’s twins!  I pretty much grab the bunch from my purse and go from there. But as I think back I do grab by the top round part. Huh. 1 point for boy.


Old Wives Tale #11:  Mayan Tale
The Mayan tale adds the mothers age at conception and the year of conception.  If the result is a even number then mom is having a girl.  If the result is an odd number then a boy is on the way!  Ok so 29 +2010 = 2039 which equals boy.


Old Wives Tale #12:  Acne
If you have acne while pregnant, it’s a girl.  It’s thought that acne during pregnancy is caused by the extra hormones.  One of the things I was looking forward to during pregnancy was how awesome my skin was going to look, but nope acne from day one and it never gets better. Another point for a girl. 


Old Wives Tale #13:  Cravings
People believe that if you are craving salty foods while pregnant, you can count on having a boy.  If you crave sweets, fruit, and orange juice, you are having a little girl.  I like my meat and cheese and pickles but I have been eating cookies and fruit snacks and smoothies and chocolate. And if you know me I don't like chocolate. So one more for a girl.


Old Wives Tale #14:  Smell of Garlic
If a pregnant woman eats a clove of garlic and the smell does not come out of her pores, it’s a girl.  If the smell seeps out of her pores, it’s a boy.   I would never eat just a clove of garlic so I can't try this. 


Old Wives Tale #15:  Skin under Left Eye
The eye test is when a “V” or “branches” appear when you pull down the skin under your left eye.  If you see a “V” or “branches” in the white part, you’re having a girl.  I just did this one right now. I have a “V”, so one more point for a girl.
 

Old Wives Tale #16:  Previous Kids
This tale only applies if you have had previous kids.  If you have and that child’s first word was momma, you will have a girl.  If your first child’s first word was dadda, you’ll have a boy.  Nathan's first word was neither. But he did say daddy first before Mama. So another point for a boy.
 

Old Wives Tale #17:  History of Parent’s Kids
You can find out the sex by going off of your parent’s kids and the order.  If you are the first born, you will have what your mother had but starting with her second child.  If you are the middle child, you will have what she said, but starting with the third child.  If you are the last child, you will have what your mother had in the exact order.  I think this tale only works when the parent’s had three kids.  Ok, so since Joel is the first born and I am the last I will say this is so far accurate. Joel's mom had all boys. So we obviously had a boy first. My mom's order with my dad (not previous spouses) was girl, boy, girl. So that would be I am now having a girl? I don't get this since the man produces the gender. 
 

Old Wives Tale #18:  Time of Conception
The person that is most aggressive in bed at the time of conception is the opposite of what the baby will be. I don't even know how to comment on this. Plus, I don't exactly know the time of conception. 
 

Old Wives Tale #19:  Legs
If your legs get really big, you’re having a boy.  If your legs stay in shape and lean, it’s a girl. Legs haven't really changed. I don't work out as much but they are not bigger. So maybe a girl?
 

Old Wives Tale #20:  Moodiness and a Little Pecker
If you are really moody, you are having a girl since you have another extra girl hormones in you.  Your pregnancy will make you smile and be more happy if you are having a boy because there’s a little penis inside you.  Well, I would say I cry easier but not really moody. How should I answer that? 
 

Old Wives Tale #21:  Bread
If you eat the ends of bread, it’s a boy.  If you eat the middle of the load, it’s a girl.  I’ve never liked the ends of bread and always have eaten from the middle… Another point for a little girl.  
 

Old Wives Tale #22:  Chinese Gender Chart
The Chinese Gender Chart claims to have an accuracy rate of over 90%.  It is based on how old the mother is at conception and the month that she conceived.  This tale tells me that I’ve having a girl.  
 

Old Wives Tale #23:  Mom’s Beauty
Basically you are having a girl if your beauty disappears during pregnancy.  It is said that the girl “steals” the mother’s beauty.  If you think that pregnancy has never made you look more beautiful, you might just be having a little boy.  I definitely don't feel as attractive as I did when I was pregnant with Nathan. But that could also be because I am almost 30!


Old Wives Tale #24:  Dream of Sex of Baby
If you have dreams that you are having a boy, you will have a girl.  If you dream about having a girl, it will be a boy.  Dreams show the opposite of what you are having.  I haven't had a dream either way yet. So I don't know. 
 

Old Wives Tale #25:  Clumsy vs. Graceful
If the pregnant woman is graceful throughout her pregnancy, she’s having a girl.  If she becomes clumsy, she’s having a boy.  I am always clumsy. So this would be a point for a boy.
 

Old Wives Tale #26:  Toddlers
If a toddler boy expresses interest in a pregnant woman, she is having a girl.  If he doesn’t show interest, she’s having a boy.  Nathan is my toddler boy. He loves "baby".  But his toddler friend hasn't noticed either way.  So one point for each? 
 

Old Wives Tale #27:  Side You Most Rest On
If a pregnant woman prefers to lay on her left side, she’s having a boy.  If she prefers resting on her right side, she’s having a girl.  I have always preferred my right side because I face out from the middle of the bed. So one for a girl. 

Old Wives Tale #28:  Dad’s Weight Gain
If the dad-to-be gains weight while you are pregnant, it’s a girl.  If he doesn’t gain weight, you’re having a boy. Joel has just had a physical a few days ago and gained a pound. So one for a girl.

Old Wives Tale #29:  Necklace Over Hand
Have someone hold a necklace over your hand.  If the necklace swings back and forth, it’s a boy.  If it moves in a circle, it’s a girl. Joel just did this and it was back and forth. So one point for a boy.
 

Old Wives Tale #30:  What Do You Think?
71% of the time, the mom-to-be knows what she is having.  Joel thinks its a girl. And mine changes daily. Yesterday I though girl. Today I think boy. Maybe this means I am really ok with either.  
 

Old Wives Tale #31:  Morning Sickness
If you had a smooth pregnancy with no morning sickness, it’s a boy.  If you were sick or felt really nauseous during your pregnancy, count on a girl. I was never sick with Nathan. And half way through my pregnancy I am still vomiting. One for a girl.
  

Old Wives Tale #32:  Protein
When a pregnant woman craves meat and cheese, count on a boy.  I like my meat and cheese. So one for a boy. 
 

Old Wives Tale #33:  Feet
Are your feet colder now that you are pregnant?  If so, you just might be having a boy.  If your feet have stayed the same before pregnancy and during, you’re having a little girl.  Well feet are cold, but it is winter and with Nathan I was pregnant all summer and wore flip flops. So this is toss up but since it says colder, the point is for the boy.
 

Old Wives Tale #34:  Hair on Legs
If the hair on your legs has been growing at record speeds, you might be having a boy.  Um, I would say that they have stayed the same. So one for a girl. 
 

Old Wives Tale #35:  Hands are Dry
If your hands are constantly dry, it’s a boy.    Yes. But again its winter. But follow the rules. One for the boy. 
 

Old Wives Tale #36:  Urine
What color is your pee?  If it is bright yellow, you will have a little boy.  If your urine is a dull yellow, plan on a girl.  It is duller than normal. So one for a girl. 


Old Wives Tale #37:  Headaches
If you are having headaches, you might be carrying a boy. I have had headaches but I don't remember having them with Nathan. So I guess one more for a boy. 
 

Old Wives Tale #38:  Baby Names
It is said that when you can only think of specific names for a boy or a girl, you will have that particularly baby. This was the opposite with Nathan. We had a girl's name from the start and could not come up with a boys name. But this time we got both names right away! So I guess we will see. 

So this was fun and I am excited to see what the outcome is and introduce all of you to our little one... name and all. After we call family of course! 

Final tally:
Boy:10
Girl:13