Baby #3: Boy or Girl?

At 19 weeks, we had our ultrasound to determine the gender of baby #3.  We have had the same ultrasound tech for all 3 children, so we trusted her first guess at 12 weeks, but it is during this ultrasound that the gender is very obvious.  So, what is your guess?

Zoe has wanted a sister from the beginning.  Bennett initially wanted a brother and in true Bennett fashion switched to, "When this baby comes home you won't care for us anymore."  

The first thing Cathy said when the ultrasound began was....

I was hoping to share of the ultrasound photos and a short video, but I can't get the CD to open on my computer.  Everything from the heartbeat to the bladder to the long bones to the brain looked good during the ultrasound, which is always a relief.   

Glory to God that He creates and knits babes in our wombs and through all of the ups and downs His purpose in fulfilled and He is glorified! 

And for an outtake....

Now on to choosing a name, putting Bennett and Zoe in the same room, surviving pregnancy in the summer heat, getting rid of all Zoe's clothes (BOO HOO!), preparing the nursery.......

A 5 Year Old Interview: Bennett

I have asked Bennett the same series of questions a few days prior to his 3rd, 4th, and 5th birthdays.  I forgot to post his 5th birthday interview in March, because I was behind on editing his photos.  So better late than never.  

1. Favorite Color: Red
2. Favorite Toy:  Legos
3. Favorite Fruit:  Apple
4. Favorite TV Show or Movie:  Inspector Gadget, Turbo
5. Favorite thing to eat for lunch:  Cucumbers and Hummus or Pretzels and Hummus
6. Favorite Game: Sequence
7. Favorite Snack:  Trail Mix
8. Favorite Animal:  Lizard
9. Favorite song:  Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star
10. Favorite book: The Day the Crayons Quit
11. Who is your best friend: I don't have one.  I like all my friends the same amount.
12. Favorite thing to do outside: Jump on the trampoline
13. Favorite Drink: Chocolate Milk
14. What do you like to take to bed with you at night?  Stuffed Gorilla
15. Favorite thing to eat for breakfast:  Dino Oatmeal
16. What do you want for dinner on your birthday?  Broccoli, Carrots, Cucumbers and Hummus (this momma says what??????)
17. What do you want to be when you grow up?  A Taxi Driver
18. Imagine you can become invisible, what would you do?  Climb around sneaky and take stuff
19. I am very proud because I did something that was very hard.
20. I am afraid to sleep in the night by myself.
21. Name one thing you do really well?  make sand castles
22. Describe what it means to be a good friend?  Don't hurt them and play with them.
23. Favorite time of day?  School time
24. Describe your best day ever?  Saturday when I get to play soccer, when it is my birthday, and it is a rest day.
25. Describe your favorite hobby: playing any type of Angry Birds
26. Climbing is teaching me how to climb high trees.
27. I wish there were a law that said I can play Angry Birds any time, all the time.
28. What makes you feel sad?  When mommy yells
29. What makes you feel happy?  Eating pepperoni pizza
30. Pretend you can fly.  Where would you go?  Angry birds space land
31. Where do you want to go on vacation?  Montana and California
32. If you could choose a different name what would you choose? Under Pants Blah
33. What is your favorite thing to do with mom and dad?  Wrestle
34. What would you say about Jesus?  He is so nice and He takes away your sins.

Thanksgiving 2013

Sadly, I have not blogged any family experiences since late summer 2013.  There are a few reasons, but this is not the post where I should share them.  Instead, I am going to attempt to play catch up (maybe, one day that will include photos from Zoe's birthday).  

This year we had planned to drive to Nashville for Thanksgiving.  We now have a van, which is more comfortable when traveling long distances, but after a road trip to North Carolina in October we seriously reconsidered 13+ hours in the car with our two young children.  We didn't immediately buy plane tickets, but a few weeks after returning from NC there was an excellent deal through Southwest that we couldn't pass up.  The 3 plane ticket purchase was TOTALLY worth it.

Sam, Zoe and myself (B was already in Nashville with my parents) flew out the Tuesday before Thanksgiving.  The flight went smooth and we were very glad to be greeted by my dad and B at the airport.  Bennett had spent 10 days (the longest he has been away from us) with my parents.  He had a wonderful time and didn't miss us one bit.  As a matter of fact, he only asked to call home once.  

Our first few days in Nashville were unseasonable cold.  To be honest, I was thankful.  I was so tired of the HOT weather and was ready for cooler temperatures.  With that said, I was glad when it warmed back up into the 50's too.  

This was the first year B and my nephew Braxton slept in the same room.  It went well, but B always seems to struggle when sleeping away from home.  He had several nights where he cried out which forced us to go in and sleep in bed with him. 

The day after we arrived my sister had to work, so my nephew suggested we go to Goof Balls.  It is an indoor play area.  All of the kids really enjoyed themselves as did the adults.  

Thanksgiving day came fast and unfortunately our turkey didn't turn out as good as it did a few years ago.  Sis and I (and Sam) have figured out how to make holiday meals.  We made turkey with dressing, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green salad with nuts/brie/etc., pumpkin cake, and a brie appetizer.  My mom and dad made broccoli casserole, deviled eggs, and banana pudding.  It may sound like we overdid it, but compared to previous years we kept it much more simple.  It was an enjoyable day of eating, resting, playing outside, napping and so on.

My sister and I contemplated black Friday shopping, but decided against it.  If I remember correctly, she had to work a few hours again on Friday.  Honestly, at this point I can't remember what we did on Friday.

Saturday morning my sister and I went to a local boutique.  Every time we are together I look forward to the short times we spend alone together.  Time spent together with our kids is nice, but it is not the same as our one on one time.  I really treasure it.  We had a lot of fun trying on various outfits and looking at jewelry.  We each bought an outfit that was unique and something we wouldn't buy on a regular basis.  My sister always encourages me to step outside the box.  She is much more trendy and a lot less paranoid than I am when it comes to clothing, so it is fun for me to shop with her.

Saturday evening my parents watched all four kids, so we could go out on a date.  We have not done this in over 5 years.  Again, I am grateful for the time spent alone with my sister and brother-in-law.  We went to downtown Nashville and ate at the Flying Saucer.  We chatted for a while, then toured downtown a bit (in our car) before heading home.  We did get to play a little of our favorite card game at home.

Sunday we went back to Goof Balls, then to mom and dad's to visit.  They took us out to dinner at Granite City to celebrate my brother-in-law's birthday.  We had such a fun time.  The food and atmosphere were great.  We ate and laughed and took lots of photos.  It really was the perfect way to end our time with my family.  

Sorry it's blurry.  It is from my mom's phone.

Monday morning we packed up, left my sister's and headed to my parents.  We were able to visit for a few minutes before leaving for the airport.  My dad dropped us off and we were home by 3 p.m.  

Thanksgiving 2013 was a great one!  I am very grateful for the time spent with my family.  Bennett loves Braxton very much.  They fight worse than brothers, but when they are apart they ask for one another constantly.  

*I hope to share some photos I took of the kids while we were there.  They are sooooo adorable!!!

Merry Christmas 2013

Luke 2: 10-14

But the angel said to them, 

"Do not be afraid. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people.  

Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; 

he is Christ the Lord.  

This will be a sign to you: 

You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger." 

Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with the angel, 

praising God and saying,  

"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Merry Christmas from our family to yours!  May the joy of Christ fill your hearts this season and throughout the new year.

Thank you to my friend Rebecca of Southern Bliss Photography for capturing my family.

We ended 2012 in Nashville with my family after having a wonderful Christmas celebration.  My family met Zoe for the first time and we met my youngest nephew for the first time.  

January brought beautiful Florida weather which meant lots of outside time including the sandbox, kiddie pool, parks, Gasparilla celebration with friends, etc.  Thankfully, I was on the tail end of Thrush that I had for several months while breastfeeding Zoe.

My parents visited for a week in late February, which was wonderful one on one time for both Bennett and Zoe.  We were able to go to Disney World.  It was the first time my parents had been since my sister and I were young.  They enjoyed seeing Magic Kingdom through the eyes of their grandchildren. 

March was packed full of fun.  Two more trips to Disney World (my mother-in-law was able to go with us to Animal Kingdom) and B's 3rd birthday celebration.

We continued to have nice weather in April and honestly I can't remember much except B's behavior was becoming more and more of a challenge.  Whoever said the terrible 2's?  It is the terrible 3's!!!  The good news is Zoe began sleeping through the night and B began taking swim lessons, which he really enjoyed. 

We finished our study of the Acts of the Apostles in May and I loaded up the kids and drove to Nashville.  It was the first time taking both kids on a road trip by myself.  We were on the road by 6 a.m. and arrived in Nashville around 9 p.m. central.  The trip had a few challenging moments, but all in all it went GREAT and we had a wonderful week with my family.  

In June, Julie came and spent a week with us.  It was such a treat to have this young woman who I grew up babysitting here spending time with me and my kids.  I also taught 3rd grade V.B.S.  Bennett had a wonderful time and Zoe stayed home with Grandma all week.  It was our second year attending (and teaching) V.B.S. and while preparation can be intense, it is such a blessing for me and for Bennett.  

July brought vacation which was a nice break for everyone!  Sam had been very busy at work.  I was exhausted at home.  Bennett was in need of some more friend interaction.  And Zoe was content either way.  This year my sister's family joined us.  Instead of going to Hilton Head we went to Destin, which was supposed to be a shorter drive for my sister, but traffic didn't agree.  The kids had a blast on the beach and in the pool.  Bennett and Braxton were able to swim in the pool which made our outside time so much fun compared to previous years.  It was nice to be able to put the kids down at night and enjoy games and conversation with my sister and brother in law.

In August, we celebrated Zoe's first birthday.  She has been such a wonderful, joy-filled addition to our family.  I can't imagine our life without her.  She smiles and waves and hugs and kisses and prances and dances and simply enjoys life.  It was a fun filled month celebrating her with family and friends.  We also celebrated my birthday and Sam made me feel very special.  We even got to spend a night away sans kids.

September brought many changes.  I returned to the BSF leadership circle (after three years), which meant Tuesday morning leadership meetings and Wednesday morning Bible Study.  I was thrilled to be returning to leadership, but a little nervous for Zoe.  She adjusted wonderfully.  Bennett started pre-school 2 mornings per week.  And Sam continued to be very busy at work putting in A LOT of overtime.  All of the changes have been rich blessings to our family.  

October was HOT, but we were able to take a long weekend trip to North Carolina to visit our dear friends, the Shah's.  The weather was not all that fall like, but it was still beautiful and we had a fantastic time!!!  We purchased our first van prior to the trip, but I won't share any details regarding Sam's accident that led to the purchase or my own accident, while in N.C., that left a few scars on our brand new van. 

November brought more HOT weather, a week long visit from my parents, B's first extended stay away from home, and a week long Thanksgiving in Nashville.  I was so thankful to have my parents here for a week while Sam was out of town.  At the end of their visit B kept asking to go home with them.  We were all a little nervous, because he would be away from home for 10 days before we arrived in Nashville for Thanksgiving.  However, he went, had a blast and didn't miss us a bit.  He had an ice cream cone every night, jumped in leaf piles, played on the Wii and iPad, took bubble baths, and so much more.  He was excited to see us when we arrived, but just as excited to go spend another week at Brax's house.  Thanksgiving was low key.  As always, it was nice to spend time with my sister and the boys got along much better than they did in the spring when we visited……PRAISE THE LORD!!

December has flown by.  I feel like it just began and now we are a few days from Christmas.   Despite it's quickness, it hasn't felt as stressful this year.  Bennett sang in his first Christmas performance and did an excellent job.  Our BSF Christmas fellowship was just that: a joyful fellowship.  Sam and I won not 1, but 2 prizes at his work Christmas party (Bern's and Amazon gift card).  We had two sets of dear friends over for breakfast.  We sang Happy Birthday to Jesus at our church's Jesus Party.  And Bennett has asked us to read the daily advent devotional and sing the accompanying Christmas carol every day.  We are continuing to focus on the coming of Jesus Christ to this broken world and are looking forward to giving gifts to one another in order to celebrate His coming.  

So as the year comes to an end I say Merry Christmas from the Cullum family!!  May the coming of Christ be the reason you celebrate and reflect on the blessings and challenges you have received this year.