News Just In...

A minor vacation posting break because Friday, the day we left the cape to rejoin the McCarthy side of the family, was the day we found out the sex of baby #3.

Let me explain.

I was feeling a little like this baby has been neglected compared to my other 2 pregnancies, just because there was more excitement, more anticipation, more rumination, more daydreaming, but now with too munchkins running around, I just don't have the time to really ponder the joys of pregnancies.  Let's face it, the belly is kind of a nuisance when you have 2 kids wanting to sit on your lap, toys that constantly need to be picked up off the floor, kids who need help putting on shoes, etc. etc.  Not to mention the whole "I'm-tired-allll-the-time" thing...  In a lot of ways, I'm more excited to just get this baby here and get my body back so I can function like a proper mother.  And it's caused me to skip over the enjoyment of pregnancy that I had the past two times.

So, I felt like I needed to spice things up a bit.

I thought about not finding out the gender in advance, but Jay wasn't too thrilled with that idea.  (we have a boy and a girl already, right?  we're prepared...) So, I went to the ultra-sound appointment and had the technician put the "telling" picture into an envelope, sealed it, and bestowed the privilege of decision to Jay, as aforementioned in his birthday post.

He decided to give it to his mom when we arrived on Monday, and much to my surprise, she opened it, showed her husband, and then left the room without saying a word.

Interestingly enough, having the info in an envelop in my possession for a couple of weeks didn't bother me a bit.  But after I knew that someone else knew...  I needed to know.

However, off we went to Cape Cod and then on Friday when we returned, we drove into their driveway with balloons flying everywhere and a big banner made by Jay's little sister:

It's a girl!

So, now we know :)

And now, the first thing on my mind is, what are we going to call her on the blog?  Any suggestions?  I have a few ideas...

Mass Trip- Cape Cod Day 3

Today, my sister, N, planned for us to head out to Heritage Museum's Hidden Hollow in Sandwich, MA.  It was super cool, and I feel like I could have easily spent all day there, if we didn't have to get kids back for naps.  We didn't get to see the antique car museum or the special Porter Rockwell exhibit they had going on.  The grounds were also very extensive and beautiful and I feel like we only really saw a small portion, but such is life when you have young'uns in tow.  We'll just have to go back again :)

Packing the picnic- the sandwich line up

 We spent most of our time in this kids' play and explore area where there were all sorts of great nature-centric fun activities for kids.  I HEART that the whole place was well-shaded and I was very inspired by some easy activities we could maybe do at home.  Some things not pictured are a playhouse, a puppet show area, binoculars for animal watching, and so many other stations I can't remember.

The hut building station was especially cool.  They had 3 large sticks that were sort of permanently tied  into a teepee, and then a pile of others for you to add onto it any way you wanted, with a bunch of fabric strips to use to cover it.

Uncle J and cousin L's fort

They had wooden blocks, and here, The Frog is looking at the "blocks" made of thick sticks, sawed into about 1-4 inch pieces.

And here's peach building towers with them.

 Our family set up a picnic right there so we could eat and watch and the kids could come and grab bites and run off again, kid style.

 They had several really cool xylophone-like instruments made of wood, in several sizes.

 We overheard another family talking about riding the free carousel again and we decided we had better check it out.

Cousin A, Auntie E, and cousin L

We, of course, couldn't leave without riding it about 4 times...

Peach, Daddy and The Frog

Cousin C and Uncle J

The Frog usually wants to sit in these on carousels, which I think is so funny.  For me, I always wanted to ride an animal that wasn't a horse.

This place was sooo big and thankfully, they had a "shuttle" that would take you back to the entrance when you were ready to leave.  We miraculously all fit and I made everyone sit tight for a picture.

 Of course, The Frog didn't want to participate and jumped off...

the runaway

 After naps, The Frog convinced Jay to swim with him again in the salty water.

 And after another delicious dinner (Auntie E, I meant to ask you for that recipe...) some of us went out for ice cream.

This is how he looked right when we sat down.  By the end...  **shaking head**

Jay always goes for a vanilla malt

Cousin L is always generous with grins

Peach let me "help" her with her potential drips, so she actually stayed pretty clean...

Peach on sugar, in the car ride home

 More random play ensued on the front lawn

 And we somehow managed to get all 6 kids in a photo together:

Watching the fun

 I thought this was hilarious...  Apparently, ticks are a major threat at the cape, and the D-family has discovered that Uncle J's lighted bike helmet is the best way to find them.  Here's Auntie N performing the nightly tick check:

And that wraps up the first part of our trip visiting family in Massachusetts.  The next morning, we all just packed up, cleaned out, and went our separate ways, though our vacation was still just getting started.

To be continued...

Mass Trip- Cape Cod Day 2

On the 4th of July, all the kids were just everywhere doing everything.  I didn't think to pull out the camera very often.  Here are a few random in action shots:

Cousin L keeping Grandma company

Grandma, ever doing something in the kitchen

Jay, showing off how relaxed he must be- he seriously NEVER naps.

My sister's family and The Frog, taking a sailboat ride.

When in boats, The Frog spends most of his time sticking his hand in the water

Peach, trying on The Frog's life-vest.  (which he calls "the big boy vest")

yum!

Grilled eggplant makes me want to give eggplant another try.  I usually am not a fan, but this was super tasty!

Peach loves her some good "walamela"

Jay is happiest with a good burger in front of him :)

Cousin C, chowing on corn

Auntie N, the grill master

The water's fun, the sand is fun, even the rocks are fun!

Goin' for a dock walk

The Frog wants in

Auntie N's special sugar-free (i think they use honey though?) chocolate rice puff ball thingies.  These were super good.

hosing off the kids after the meal

Most of us went for a swim off the dock after dinner.

Peach with Grandma

Jay is somewhat of a "lake snob" in that he hates the salty dry feeling you get after swimming in the ocean.  Luckily, they have this awesome outdoor shower to help prevent that.  Cool eh?