A new baby is on the way and a new website is in order - long overdue actually! I have news and pictures to share of Kane's birthday, my cousin Adam's wedding and the first day of school/preschool for Liam and Kane. BUT, you will have to visit our new website to see it and read about it!

This website has been very tough and tedious to update and I want something simple so that I can quickly post news and happenings, without having to slave over html code. I'm a nerd, yes, but I have little time to throw around these days!

So look for the new site in the next couple of weeks. It is almost ready to go but I have to get the first few posts up and make up some graphics. I will post the link when everything is ready to go.

Okay - I know that boys will be boys, but seriously! Do we need to find any bit of mud and make an enormous mess out of it? The answer at our house is yes to that question. See the pictures below of what we stepped out of the house to discover. Leaving the kids alone for a few minutes in the backyard = big mess! I was happy to head off to yoga and tell Joe good luck with the clean up (hee hee). There is also a video on the video page.

On the pregnancy front, I'm feeling good - generally. Much better than before but I am still prone to the occasional nauseous moment and headache. More energy though so that is great. The barrage of Dr's apt's have begun! Had my first ultrasound today and it was SO awesome to see the baby. Only 12 weeks so it was moving around like mad and touching it's face. I fell in love instantly. Joe is now worried that we will have another little energizer bunny on our hands! I think the jealousy has already begun with Liam. I told him how the baby was kicking up a storm and how they would fit right in with him and Kane. So he instantly had to show me how good he can kick (then kicked me in the shin). Great!

Got my test screen results back yesterday so we are relieved that we are not at risk of any genetic problems (phew!). Also heard the baby's heartbeat yesterday - I just never get tired of it! Too bad I can't just hear it whenever I want (I guess I could buy one of those home Doppler's but that's probably not necessary).

I really want to savour every moment this time (even if I feel like hurling a little bit!). In other news - Kane is turning three very soon! Unbelievable! he has grown up so much!

Liam after mudding himself Aug. 4, 2010	You can hardly see the whites of Kane's eyes!	Working together on Lite Brite Aug. 16, 2010

	12 weeks! Aug. 14, 2010

Went out to Fork Lake for August Long Weekend, out to Deanne's parent's lake lot. We ended up running out of dry clothes in the end because the boys kept finding ways to get soaking wet and I had to keep changing them. Liam and Owen were joined at the hip and had a great time and Kane had lots of little boys his age to play with. Deanne's family had lots of games planned for the kids. The favourite was definitely the treasure hunt. It was fun watching the kids roam around for 19 clues and finally dig up a little treasure box on the beach. I think Liam and Kane were most content at the beach and in the water. They had a blast and we survived our second camping trip - even though our air mattresses (and backs) did not!

Liam and Owen Jul. 30, 2010	Slow demise of air mattresses Jul. 30, 2010	Liam and Owen at the lake Jul. 31, 2010

Kane in the lake Jul. 31, 2010	Obstacle course driving Jul. 31, 2010	Rolling fun Aug. 1, 2010

Cooperative treasure hunt Aug. 1, 2010	Boat ride Aug. 1, 2010	Kane has expired - thanks to Daddy for the wig

	Quiet ride home

So we survived our first Parrell family camping trip! We went to Crimson Lake near Rocky Mountain House and stayed in a tent for two nights. The boys of course LOVED it! Sleeping outdoors, eating outdoors, peeing outdoors and running around in the woods! What more could a little boy ask for? I on the other hand just tried my best to stay awake, not hurl and not complain too much as the pregnancy hormones really kicked in. Turns out Kane loves outhouses - much to my dismay. He kept wanting to go, even if he didn't have to go and he would chaperone anyone who had to go potty. Strange little dude! Liam on the other hand loved just peeing on trees. They both really enjoyed taking walks and especially playing at the beach and in the water. I got a little freaked out when they pointed out a little "black snake" in the water (was actually a leech), so we had a little talk about staying away from blood-sucking organisms.

I had my first prenatal appointment today and got to hear the baby's heartbeat! It was wonderful! The nurse said that I must be at 10 weeks as she was able to find the heartbeat. This pregnancy has been quite a bit different than the last two. I am tired like I was with the other two, but I feel so nauseous all the time that I just don't want to eat. When I do eat I get stomach pains. It seems to be getting a bit better now, but a couple weeks ago I could barely get off the couch with the dizziness and nausea. Joe has been a big help stepping in.

I've got an ultrasound booked for the end of September and I can't wait! We decided that this time we won't find out the sex of the baby. We want it to be a surprise. Exciting!

Camping at Crimson Lake Jul. 8, 2010	Outhouse escapades Jul. 8, 2010	Sleepy time after swimming Jul. 9, 2010

	Preggo pic - 8 weeks Jul. 21, 2010

We found out this week that we are pregnant! Baby #3 is on the way and due March 1st. I am currently 6 weeks. It was a bit of a surprise, but we have been contemplating having a third for 1/2 a year now. I'm feeling pretty good, although the tiredness has started to set in. I have next week off so that is perfect timing.

We told the boys tonight that a baby is coming. Liam instantly wanted to know when and what the baby would be. I told him that we won't know until the baby arrives. I asked him what he would want and he said, "well, I already have a brother so I'd like a sister". He is adamant that the baby sister be named Suzie. Not sure where that name came from!. I asked Kane what he would want and he said "I don't want anything!". I'm happy that they are old enough to see the progress and understand what is going on - at least somewhat. Exciting times to come!

	Liam hiding from the rain Jun. 21, 2010

Liam finished his first Phonics reading set (kindergarten level)! We are so very proud of him! He is reading so well and getting better at picking up new words and recognizing the "sight words', like what, where, are and this. I'm even learning about the English language! My favourite is "when vowel pairs go a walking, the first vowel does the talking" (e.g., for the word neat). Having the internet makes learning way more fun and easy!

Kane is hilarious! He is starting to pick up that 3-yr-old character and the incessant "why" asking. We had friends over last night for a BBQ and he must have asked me 10 times, "why are some bottles brown and some green?" Nice to have to explain to your 2-year-old about beer and coolers! And my goodness, does that kid ever love to throw rocks! Kane could stand and throw rocks into a lake or pond forever! And he doesn't care if he gets all scummy in the process! He is so sweet and caring though and always ready to help out. He sure loves his big brother too. I like to give them time apart to do things they like, but Kane just keeps asking where Liam is. They sure love to play together now, although before long there is usually a battle and tears.

We made the mistake of introducing Liam to Playstation and the Crash Bandicoot game. He LOVES it and we can't tear him away from it! Uh-oh!

Liam trying to touch pig bum Jun. 13, 2010	Carriage ride Jun. 13, 2010

In May Kane and Liam were both rolling in the grass and a bit later they were both covered in hives. Liam also got a bit wheezy. I don't know if it was because the grass is all dead and scratchy and hasn't really come in yet? Kane didn't get hives as bad as Liam but he was really itching himself.

Kane LOVES avocado and guacamole. He calls it "rock-a-moley", so now Joe calls it "rock 'n rolly". Kane is also using the past tense really funny. He says "dided" and "saided". Like "Liam dided it Mommy". Also "I fellded" instead of "I fell" - and he seems to fall a lot!. Very cute as he tries to figure it out.

So we put the garden in on May Long Weekend. Of course the boys were part of the action. Hope the veggies survive the frost! Joe planted lots of sunflowers and we are trying out pumpkins this year.

Kane and our garden May 15, 2010	Liam and Joe planting pumpkins and sunflowers	Playing in the sprinkler

The boys have been quite a handful lately. They are smart - yes, but sometimes too smart! One day Liam wrote all over the wall with pen and all over his bed, dresser and night table. Kane decided the other day to get the paints out while we were sleeping, 1st thing in the morning, and him and Liam covered the kitchen in paint! Seems as though the only time they are in agreement with no fights is when they team up in crime!

They do love to play together though, especially in the backyard. Kane really adores his big brother and often will give things up just to please him. He has been quite sweet this week. Liam is afraid of the shadows in his room so Kane has been laying books out in a long line on Liam's floor, saying that they'll block the shadows. Liam is also becoming quite accommodating when Kane really wants something (like a particular movie) and will not budge on his choice. Liam is now quick to let Kane have his way.

Below are some pictures of the Easter petting zoo we went to back in April. It was cute when Liam held the guinea pig - he wasn't too sure about it. Both boys potted plants too.

Kane with the oinkers Apr. 5, 2010	Liam holding a guinea pig	Kane's bean plant

We were in Two Hills this weekend for Easter. Kane had a bite of a square that had peanut butter in it and he had an allergic reaction. At first he just started acting really weird - scratching at his neck and face and irritability, although he wasn't saying much. Then he got all red in the face and neck and broke out in hives on the neck and face. We gave him some of the allergy medicine that we had for Liam (Aerius) and thought he was okay and put him to bed after a little while. At this point we weren't even sure it was the peanut butter. Then we heard him crying and trying to cough. Luckily he threw up and instantly started to improve. He was instantly himself again, talking away and jumping around. We settled him down shortly after and he slept next to Daddy - just in case. Wow! What a scare! Poor little Kaney - I really hoped he would be allergy free! I now remember back to February when Kane first tried peanut butter (in ice cream at a friend's house). He was fine, but kept scratching his throat, which made me wonder. When I asked though, he kept saying he was okay.

Besides that incident, the boys had a great time at Baba and Gee Gee's with Grayson and Payton and it was a lovely day to play in the yard.

The Parrell Brothers April, 2010	Kane's Easter snooze Apr . 4, 10	Sweetie-pie Payton Apr . 4, 10

Joe getting artistic Apr . 4, 10	Kane and Grayson Apr . 4, 10	Hack time for the boys Apr . 4, 10