Ok, I'm way behind on posting. This will be about 4 events rolled into one!

First of all, here I am 31 weeks pregnant. Everything is going great. I'm starting to slow down a little, but not too much. I'm still teaching. Getting up and down off the floor is getting a little harder, but I'm still dancing and jumping around with my preschoolers!
We're getting so excited about meeting Briley. Her room is just about ready, we just need some artwork for the walls and other decorations. We're thinking she's going to be a feisty little girl, because it seems like she's trying to bust out of my belly. I honestly feel like my belly is bruised on the inside! She puts on quite a show every evening for her daddy!

This was Maddox's first year to go to a Mardi Gras parade, and we went to two. He loves moon pies, as you can see below! At one point during the second parade, he started whining and said "They no throw me any moon pies!". I think he was tired of all the beads!



Here's Maddox dancing to Mardi Gras music! Don't know why it's sideways, but it sure is funny! It's definitely worth turning your head for a few seconds to watch it!



Lunch on Mardi Gras day consisted of corn dogs and funnel cakes. Yum!
We tried to to tour the Navy ship that was in port, but the wait was too long. Maddox was disappointed. Maybe next year!
Last weekend we celebrated Pops birthday on Friday night at San Miguel's.

And, we celebrated Bae's birthday on Saturday night at our house.



Maddox the Musician!
It has been so neat for me, as a music teacher, to watch Maddox learn how to sing. He didn't actually start singing until he was about 2. At first, his pitch was way off, but he would follow the correct melodic direction of a song. His pitch is much better now.

This song is one we sang in "This is Christmas" at church this past year.



Here he is showing off his piano and singing skills with a lovely rendition of "Close Your Eyes". This is the song I sing to him at bedtime every night!

Maddox Sings a Song

This is a song we do at Kindermusik called "Praise Him".

The Many Faces of Maddox

Maddox really loves making faces. Just wanted to share some of his best ones. He's such a silly boy!!

Maddox can spell his name (sort of)!

It's not perfect, but I think he's pretty smart for a 2 1/2 year old!
He usually spells his name: M- A- D -O- X- Y- Z! On this video he left out the Z.

Baby sister has a name!

Briley Delaine Bethea

A Big Boy Bed!

Today we converted Maddox's crib to a full size bed! He was a little upset when Daddy started taking his crib apart, but he seems to be excited about his "Big Boy Bed". In fact, he's taking his nap in it right now! I had to rock him to sleep, and I hope that doesn't become a habit! I'm sure (I hope) he'll be ok once he gets used to it!

Every milestone like this makes me so proud, and also a little sad. I just can't believe he's so big! I'm just happy we'll have another tiny baby to cuddle in a few months!
I had to reminisce and post some pictures of baby Maddox in his crib.

One month old


Four months old


Seven months old

8 months old

10 months old

11 months old

And here's the "almost 2 1/2 year old" last night. This was his last time to sleep in his crib.

20 Things About Maddox at age 29 months

1. He loves his little stuffed bunny named "Woo woo". He actually has about 8 of them!
2. He normally takes 3-31/2 hour naps.
3. He cries when it's time to take a bath, and he cries when it's time to get out of the bathtub.
4. He has only been to time-out 3 times in his life. Twice at home and once at school. Just the threat of it usually straightens him up!
5. He still sleeps in his crib and doesn't try to climb out.
6. He LOVES the show "Little Einsteins" and can sing the entire theme song.
7. His favorite game is "Hide Covers" in Mommy and Daddy's bed. One of us has to hide with him.
8. His favorite thing to do is "Play trucks".
9. He knows he has a baby sister in Mommy's tummy. He thinks her name is "Baby Sister".
10. He still likes to be rocked and sung to before bedtime.
11. He is usually a very calm and quiet little boy.
12. His favorite phrase is "My do it"! If you don't let him do it, be ready for a tantrum!
13. He can take his jacket and shoes off all by himself but can't manage his socks or anything else.
14. He prefers to have socks on at all times.
15. He refuses to sit on the potty.
16.He points out every firetruck, ambulance, police car, garbage truck, dump truck, tractor, and school bus that he sees when we are in the car.
17. He is addicted to his sippy cup and would drink tremendous amounts of juice and chocolate milk if I let him.
18. He acts very shy around strangers.
19. He is very loving and gives us lots of hugs and kisses.
20. He is a blessing from God!