We hardly ever go to McDonald's, but really, how many times can they screw up our order? (yes... first world problems↓)

1) Forgot to ring up our sandwiches Buy-one-get-one.
2) Forgot to apply the $1.99 Happy Meal coupon.
3) Gave me an $4 Iced Latte instead of my $0.99 iced coffee.
4) Ran out of french fries (what?).
5) Ended up giving us an extra happy meal by accident (not sorry).
6) Forgetting the milk with the PJs Happy Meal.
7) Mixed up our strawberry cream pie with an Apple Crisp (it was free anyway).

Our bill was originally $21 and change; after all the refunds and coupons, the total was more like $9. Factor in the free latte, Happy Meal, and Apple Crisp, and it was a pretty good night.
First World Problems Anthem

February is cold, and sort of boring.  We have been stuck inside forEVER, and I think we are all ready to get out.  Over the weekend, the temperature was in the 50's so we went for a LONG walk, first with my trike and then with the wagon.  Mommy was maybe hoping it would inspire the baby to come, but I guess it's not ready yet.  Daddy also took me to a playground over the weekend, but it was still snowy.  We wore sneakers instead of boots, so we didn't last long on the playground.  I got wet and cold.  

Now it's cold outside again, so we back to being stuck inside.  At least tonight we went out to the store for a bit. 

This is getting to be a boring post.

You all, I'm sure, are patiently waiting for news about a baby, and while Mommy still has 2.5 weeks until her actual due date, she's ready to be done.  I am ready to be a big brother!!

From Mommy:

I feel obligated to write, but I don't have much to write about.  I've been nesting.  I bleached all of our master bathroom towels and shower curtains, ironed Preston's sheets (again with the iron, I swear I never bother when I'm not impatiently waiting for a baby), I keep nagging John to do some paint touch-ups in the nursery, and I am doing a lot of unnecessary on-line shopping (oops!).  The bottles are all cleaned to the point of looking brand new, even though this baby won't need bottles until it's at least a month old, and only one or two then.  The crib is back to it's original state and made, even though this baby will sleep in a bassinet for a while.  The car seat is cleaned and put back together for an infant, all of the clothes, blankets, linens, etc, are washed (sometimes twice), and the bouncy seat is assembled.  I've made a hairbow for a baby whose gender is yet unknown, I totally finished the curtain for the dining room, I'm working on a new release for Cherry Lane, and sometimes I bake for no reason.  
Now, if all that isn't nesting, I don't know what is!! 

And my bag is packed.

Bring it on, baby!

Random Preston conversation:

Daddy: Pres, we are going to Lowe's to shop for a new lawn mower.
Preston: Why?
Daddy: Because my old one is broken.  Do you know why it's broken?
Preston:  Yes.  
Daddy: You do?  Why is it broken?
Preston: It needs new batteries!!

Preston: Crabs eat strawberries, because strawberries are red and crabs are red.  And sharks eat strawberries, too, but they eat BIG strawberries... and little seals.

Today we went to the HOSPITAL!  Don't get excited, we didn't come home with a new baby.  We were there for ME!  I went to a BIG brother class.  We got to check out the hospital, see where Mommy and the new baby will have a sleep-over, and learn a few of the rules and responsibilities for big brothers.

1)  I am the boss of hand washing.  If I tell you to wash your hands around the baby... you better do it... or else!
2) I need to be a good cleaner-uper!  I'm already pretty good at cleaning up my toys, but it's extra important to keep my big boys toys out of reach of the new baby.
3) I can be a good helper by giving the baby soft hugs and kisses, putting dirty diapers in the trash, sometimes helping to feed the baby bottles.

We also learned a few things about babies.  They cry a alot.   It's usually because they are hungry or sleepy or wet, and babies usually sleep a lot at first.  I can sometimes hold the baby, but I need to be sitting and a grown-up to help me.  I took my baby along to the hospital, so I practiced holding her the right way.  I cradled her in my arms making sure to support both her head and her bottom!  Finally, I got a tiny diaper to put on my baby, and Mommy helped me to do it the right way.  I also got a hat for my baby, but it's a little bit too big.  Mommy said she would try to find me one that will fit my baby.

Then we got pizza for lunch!  I am all set to be a good big brother!

Random video time!

From Mommy:

I promised a sorry about a master manipulator.   On my birthday, we went to Grandma and Grandpa's house for dinner.  It was snowing that night, so we didn't stay late, and we had to stop to get gas.  Typically, we go to first gas station we come to on the trip home, one that Preston is familiar with.  But there was a better price further down the road.  So as we went past the familiar gas station Preston sounded concerned and said he was hungry.  (Clue #1 - We had just had dinner).  He wanted a snack - from the gas station, but wouldn't say as much.  So we traveled for a few more miles and stopped at a rinky-dink station near the cement factory.  He stayed quiet for a while, until we were almost done, when out of the blue he mentioned that he needed to go potty.  (Clue #2 - We went potty at Grandma's house before we left (15 min ago).  Normally I would react immediately, but John and I both suspected we were being duped into going into the station for more than just a potty break.  He really wanted a SNACK!  We continued on without stopping for the potty, and sure enough, when we got home he magically didn't have to go anymore.  

We are prepping for the baby, and feeling VERY snowed in.  We have about 2 feet of snow on the ground right now, and more to come this week.  I tried to run a few errands yesterday, but decided to quit halfway through when the roads got slippery.  Cabin fever is making us a bit crazy.  There are still some things that I would like to do before the baby arrives - organize the nursery, buy a few extra things, maybe touch up the walls in the nursery - I'm feeling "nesty" lately and the end is SO slow.  I have one month until my due date, and visiting the hospital today really inspired me to get prepared!  I just hope that spring decides to make an appearance soon, so we can get out of the house more!!

What I know about babies:

Since I’m going to be a big brother soon, we have been talking about babies more in my house.  I’m a quick study on babies, because they seem pretty basic to me.  So here are a few of the things that I know, and how I came to know them:

1) The baby is in MOMMY’s belly:
It’s not in my belly or daddy's belly, just mommy’s.  Also, the baby will one day come out of Mommy’s belly.  Sometimes I want it to come out NOW so that I can give it the toy/food/book that I’m playing with, but Mom says we have to wait a little while.  And then other times I’m not really ready for the baby to come out, so I’m ok with having to wait.

2) Babies only drink Milk:              
I sometimes like to save some of whatever I am eating for the baby.  This is really a ploy to not have to eat some of the less appealing things that are offered to me, and Mom called my bluff by telling me that babies only drink milk.  Well, Mom, that means that you can’t claim that “the baby wants this last cookie.”  Babies only drink milk.  Even in Mommy’s belly.  So one time Daddy said that I couldn’t finish Mommy’s glass of water, because it was for the baby.  I told him that babies drink MILK not water.  And then he had to explain to me that Mommy had to drink the water to make the milk for the baby (that’s still in her belly).  So now I bring drinks of water for Mommy for the baby all the time (she thinks it’s really cute)

3) Babies like to be rocked
Sometimes I snuggle with mommy and jiggle her belly around while singing “Rock-a-bye Baby,” because the baby likes it.

From Mommy:
I’ll post some pictures from Preston’s Yellow Birthday Party – But here is the full album.

I was doing a little bit of ironing the other day (don’t get excited, this happens maybe 4 times a year).  Anyway, I had to refill the iron with water and Preston saw me doing it and the following conversation happened:

Preston: What are you doing, Mommy?
Me: I’m filling the iron with water.
Preston: So it can make steam?
Me: (Slightly dumbfounded) Yeah, buddy, so that the iron can make steam.  How did you know that?
Preston: It’s like a steam engine, and it needs water!  Look… it has a cow catcher!

And here is a visual aid for anyone not familiar with the anatomy of a steam engine.

Coming soon:
The master manipulator strikes again.  Will his tricks succeed in getting a special snack?  Or are his parents starting to catch on to his wily ways?  Check back soon for the full story

AND - Mommy's impromptu snowstorm maternity photo shoot!

And a dinosaur