Pigtails, Joshua, and Pregnancy Photo, 38 Weeks

I am so excited to post the picture below.  You have NO idea how LONG I have waited to put Mercedes hair into pigtails.  I can now successfully put her hair into two small pigtails or one small ponytail and I couldn't be more thrilled.  I love her hair like this.  And, better yet, she has not been mistaken for a boy in quite some time!!!  She gotten good about holding still for me while I fix her hair in the mornings, and we can usually get through most of the day without her ripping them out.  She still refuses to have any sort of bow in her hair, so I'll take what I can get.  Here's my beautiful daughter:

Joshua is funny.  He loves posing for pictures.  He loves puckering his lips.  I love his blue eyes.  Yes, I think he is way handsome!  He gave his first scripture in primary on Sunday and wasn't too nervous.  I had forgotten all about it and hadn't even prepped him about getting up in front of his peers.  He did great.  He's such a great big brother too.  The other day Mercedes was crying and Joshua brought her a toy to make her feel better.  She refused that toy, so he kept bringing her more toys hoping he'd get it right.  When it all failed, he began to sing to her the Itsy Bitsy Spider song, which is her favorite right now, and she did give him a slight smile. 

For a long time, he only wanted this baby to be a girl.  He actually hung up on my mom when she said she hoped the baby would be a boy.  When she called back, he told her that he didn't like what she was saying and so he hung up on her (he thought he was being pretty funny and clever).  He wanted a girl because "he liked his sister so much""match Mercedes".  He'd tell me, "Mom, the baby is a girl.  I just know it.  I don't know how I know it, I just do."  Then, just the other day, he changed his mind.  He now wants a brother so it can match him.  I told him he doesn't get to pick, but that I am sure he will love the baby no matter what it is.  He said, "No, I'll only love it if it's a boy now."  Little stinker! 

So, the McAvoy's may appreciate this one.  My brother in law, Kevin, got about 12 or so free t-shirts that are emerald green.  For a few years, I swear every time I saw him he'd be wearing one of those ugly green shirts.  When he went on him mission, my sister in laws and I would joke about how we were going to burn them so that he'd have a chance on getting married when he got home :)  We didn't, all though Kevin has gotten better about wearing other things (Michelle took him shopping when he got home).  Anyway, Joshua told me the other day that he misses his uncle Kevin because Kevin wears green shirts and that's his favorite color.  Pretty sad when a three year old notices!!!  HAHA! 

And, here is the picture you've all been waiting for.  Yes, that's me, and yes I am only pregnant with one baby!  I told Jon Mark that the next time an old lady says, "oh you poor dear" and then gazes upon the size of my belly, that I would tell her that I was pregnant with twins.  Or, the next time someone exasperates and asks me when I am due that I would tell them I already passed my due date.  Or, better yet, I'll deny being pregnant.  That would be funny.  Anyway, this is me one day shy of 38 weeks. 

I've almost gained 40 pounds (yes, I know that's above the recommended weight gain) and I have new stretch marks to prove it.  I told Jon Mark that I felt frumpy, fat, and ugly since I have a little bit of the pregnancy mask going on combined with my vitiligo.  I went out and bought some new foundation to blend my skin tones a little better.  And, do you know what?  Today a stranger came up to me and said that I was the most beautiful, put-together pregnant lady she had ever seen.  I about cried when she said that, but I didn't want to scare away any future compliments so I didn't!  HAHA!  All I can say is, bless that new foundation FIT Me #135 by Maybeline (in case I forget for next time).  It goes on smooth, blends just like it says it will, is light, has SPF, and washes clean.  I LOVE it!