September 22, 2012: Happy Birthday Robby and Big News!

(click here for today's pictures)

• Last night before the kids went to bed, Robby let them in on our secret about baby 6.  They were pretty surprised and not at all disappointed!  Ha, I had expected that at least one would not be pleased.  Anderson, my favorite child, said that my belly didn't look big.  Graham started jumping up and down in excitement shouting "boy, boy, boy."  Reagan was so pleased too and quickly said that she wanted another girl but knew we needed a boy. Campbell even kicked her feet in excitement but then started to wonder if the big secret Robby was telling them had something to do with ice cream.
• We found out months ago that baby Dennie 6 was on the way and weren't that surprised-after all I do like even numbers.  Our first trip to the doctor was August 23.  Everything checked out perfectly and I was given a due date of April 5.  That would make Keaton and Baby 6 about 18 months apart.  The other kids have been 15, 19, 17 and 21 months apart.  Keaton and Baby 6 will also be a year apart in school (an end result of us having a 1, 2, 4, 6, 7, 8 graders).  It was nice to see that little heartbeat on the ultrasound and see that peanut moving around.
• Our next appointment was this Thursday, the 20th.  We heard the heartbeat for the first time.  And they told me that all of my blood work was normal.  Since I was 12 weeks we decided that it was time to spill the beans and let everyone know the news.  We decided to wait until Saturday since it would be Robby's birthday.
• They were all still excited this morning when we woke up and couldn't wait to tell the family at the ball game.  With quite a few of the kids, we have had shirts made but not this time-I guess that is what happens when you are having your 6th kid in seven years.  Ha!  No, we will have shirts made soon-I like my matching traveling shirts for the kids.  
• As we were loading up the car this morning, Campbell started shouting "don't forget Keaton."  She had forgotten that Keaton had spent the night with Grannymom.  Robby actually saw the school room/Keaton's bedroom door open last night and quickly and quietly shut it-thinking that Keaton was actually in there asleep.  Keaton had lots of fun at Grannymom's house and slept from 8 to 6 this morning.  
• We had to be at Raymar fields at 8 for pictures and the grass was so full of dew that our shoes and socks were soaking wet and the mosquitoes were biting away.  I was getting worried about the type of day that it was going to turn out to bed but it ended up being just perfect.  The weather was a bit warm than I had expected but still perfect.  
• The boys had their team pictures and then later Reagan had hers with her cheerleading team.  In between all of this the kids ran up and told Jason, then Grannymom and Nonna the big news.  And then Reagan ran to tell Pops and Grandpa too.  They were all so proud that they knew a big secret.  
• Reagan's team was the first to run out of the tunnel and I think I got a decent picture of her.  But before I knew it the boys were running out and I missed them all together.  Oh, Campbell had waited very patiently in the line behind the tunnel so Robby let her run out too.  She was so happy to come busting out of there.  
• Reagan's team was all over the place-first cheering on the boys field and then moving at each quarter. I don't really like that because I can't see her the whole time.  She really seemed to enjoy cheering but would be so happy to see me coming with her water bottle or even when I was coming to take her picture (those days won't last long I know!)  
• The real action was on the boys football field.  Campbell saw pretty quietly in Grannymom's lap and Keaton sat in the stroller taking it all in.  Anderson kept very good count of the score and said that they won 5 to 4.  I am not sure if that is quite accurate but really, I just care that he thinks he won.  
• They all did so much better than we could have ever imagined.  My Graham ran after the flags and tried to run along with the person with the ball.  He did great and played in the grass very little!  Couldn't have been more pleased-though he never got to touch the football this game.  Hmm, must talk to his coach about that!  (Good thing I know one).
• Now my Anderson.  He picked up the ball one time and started running as fast as hard as he could.  The ball had been fumbled so they had to call him back but I couldn't have been prouder because we have talked about not stopping running until they told him to stop.  He grabbed one boys flag and when he did, he rolled over on the ground and held that flag up for all to see with the hugest smile on his face (of course I missed that picture).  And then a few minutes later, the quarterback passed to Anderson and he caught the ball and ran the entire field for a touch down.  After that Anderson looked at another coach with big eyes and a smile across his face and said "I think I am going to be good at this."
• After the game my boys were so proud and happy to earn their stickers to put on their flags.  And Reagan earned a star for her megaphone.  They had a wonderful time and I hope they have that much fun at all of the games.  Reagan and I loaded up right after the game and then headed with Kennedy to Cate's birthday party.  
• Keaton went home with Nonna for the afternoon because we had big kid activities planned.  Robby, Anderson, Graham and Campbell stayed at the fields for a bit longer and enjoyed snow cones.  They then sat and watched the next team play the first half of their game.  It was pretty perfect weather day for just sitting and enjoying the day.
• Reagan's party was a carnival party and she had a blast.  They each were given tickets when they arrived and then spent their tickets to play various carnival games-bean bag toss, clothespin drop, milk jug throw, a mystery box, face painting, water gun shoot.  And after every game they were able to choose a prize.  She left with her tummy full of a hot dog, cupcake, popcorn and candy.  And that sweet sister even played a few extra games to earn sunglasses for Anderson, Graham and Campbell. 
• We hightailed it home and Reagan had time to potty before we were scrambling to get out the door in time to get to the movies.  I am not sure but I think the last movie theater movie that Robby and I have been to was Titanic.  Seriously, the Titanic played in 1997-15 years ago.  
• Ice Age was the movie that we saw and it kept their attention the whole time.  Well, pretty much anything would keep your attention if you were busy chowing down on a bucket of popcorn the size of your little sister.  That popcorn bucket was huge-like too bad I didn't have my camera huge.  When it was sitting in Graham's lap, he had to lean to the side so he could see the movie screen-he couldn't see over it.  
• My Campbell has become quite the pottier.  She stayed dry all morning long and then even through the movie.  She is so funny-in the bathroom stall she always tells me to get out.  At the ballgame last  night, I was able to "get out."  But the movie theater bathroom was too busy for me to step out of the stall so I just had to turn around.  Silly thing.
• After the movie we headed home and Graham fell asleep before we had even left North Little Rock.  Poor guy had a big morning.  Not only did the football game make him tired, it also made him hungry-he had 8 chicken nuggets for lunch.  
• We picked up Keaton on the way home from the movies and she was so happy to see everyone.  And then when we made it home, she just wanted to crawl all around them and they just shooed her away-they were looking at Reagan's party loot and didn't want her grabbing stuff.  Poor Keaton is used to everyone playing with her and begging her to come to them and when they were pushing her away, I think she got her feelings hurt.  She just cried and cried-a bottle and a nap did make everything better for her though.  
• Before too long, we were back in the car headed to the park.  After a few minutes of playing it was time to eat hot dogs.  The 3 big kids all had a Nelson kid to play with so they were all happy and busy.  Campbell spent her time playing with a little boy and then stealing balls from the big kids and my little Keaton sat contently in the stroller (helped that we were feeding her constantly).  We did walk over to the playground area and before the kids had played for 10 minutes it was crazy dark.  So we gathered everyone up and walked back to the pavilion for a bit more cookies before heading home.
• The boys and Campbell had their third shower of the day along with Keaton and Reagan.  Then it was time for bed-they all wished Robby another Happy Birthday and they quickly went to sleep.  Robby has had quite the birthday and the kids have been giving him birthday cards by the dozens for the last few days.