Snow much fun!

Finally, we got enough snow that the kids could go outside and play! E has been waiting with great expectation to go sledding this winter. Although we have a tiny incline in our backyard, it was enough since the snow is basically a hard, frozen sheet.

On Wednesday, Ed taking the kids for a ride between meetings for work, and trying to catch his breath.






Today, Peter and Erika were here for the day, and E had off from school. The kids played together, sledding down the little hill, trying not to hit trees.

32 Weeks

I went to have my 6th ultrasound of this pregnancy yesterday. My placenta has moved enough (2cm) that I will not need a c-section, so that is a praise, I think?! I know, the recovery time is supposed to be so much better and quicker with a "natural" birth, but when I think of facing those long hours of labor, the idea of a quick cut and the baby is here sounds pretty nice.
The baby was lying in a "transverse" position-- head on my right side, back curled to the top of my belly, butt on the left, so we couldn't get a look at the face. It was also hard to see anything, really, since she is starting to get crammed in there. But we found out that she is about 4 lbs, 7 oz, which isn't really a solid number. But if it is true, I'm hoping she doesn't gain much more than a half a pound a week between now and delivery.

In other news, today I took the kids to the dentist, it was N's first visit. We talked about it all morning, and then he watched E getting her teeth cleaned. He was very good during the exam. He had a serious, watchful look the entire time, but obediently opened his mouth when asked, and even smiled a couple of times. As I suspected, his intense thumb-sucking is taking a toll on the roof of his mouth and front teeth. The dentist said not to worry about it yet, and maybe after his next visit, in 6 months, try to start weaning him from his thumb. Poor N, this will be a challenging 6 months ahead for him-- new big boy bed, new baby sister, potty training, starting preschool AND having to give up his beloved thumb. Any tips on the process are welcome!

31 Weeks

Hard to believe that we are about two months away from the arrival. Two months seems like a long time, but when I look at the tobacco stained, unpainted baby room I think that it is not long enough. Each time we have had a baby there has been last minute painting and set-up in preparation for the newest family member. I guess I will find myself painting once again in the ninth month. Plus we need to move Noah out of the crib and into a bed (which we have ordered, but won't arrive for a couple more weeks). And then find and purchase dressers and book shelves for the kids' room. I am absolutely itching to get out my bin of baby clothes, launder and put them away but that will obviously be the very last step. So a lot to do in the next 9+/- weeks.

On the other side, my due date can't come quickly enough. At least when the baby is here, my sleepless nights will have a purpose, other than my middle of the night internet time. Also, I am actually excited about meeting this new little one. I know, I AM surprised at this! With E I couldn't wait, knew I would love her at first sight, the nine months couldn't pass quickly enough. With N I knew with my head that I would love him immediately, but it was hard for me to believe that I could love another child as much as I loved E. So I spent much of my pregnancy feeling a little unsure of my feelings for the baby within, and how it would all end up in the end, not as eager to meet him. As if my love were a pie, cut up and the pieces already distributed. This time I know with my head and my heart that I will love her, and already do. Thankfully, Love is not a pie.

Happy 6th Birthday E!

Party #1
10:30 am Brunch with family


Party #2
3:00 pm Kitty Party with friends


Ed decorated both cakes, as I am hopeless with icing. Actually, both he and his brother are quite talented in this area. They both do the cakes for their kids' birthdays.

And PS. I am never doing the double party day again!

Oh my darlin' Clementine

I have always liked them, so easy to peel, sweet, no seeds (usually).
But lately, I can not get enough of these little oranges!!
I am seriously tempted to name this baby Clementine, in honor of these cravings.

the 3rd trimester begins

I am officially in my 3rd trimester, and can't believe that in 3 months we will have a new baby!! In fact, the other day Ed and I were talking about next year, how I might not be baysitting Erika because they may be moving, and how N will be in preschool a couple mornings a week. Ed was asking what I was going to do with all that free time, and I thought, "What am I going to do? maybe I should try to get a part time job at the preschool..." and then I remembered-- "Oh! I'll have a baby to take care of! Right." So I guess the reality hasn't quite hit my subconscious yet.

The pregnancy insomnia has hit again. I have been up at 3:30 the past 3 nights or so. I try to get to bed and back asleep by 5, but that doesn't always happen. It's frusterating, but at least it's expected.

Well, it is approaching 5, so I should get myself back to bed.

Happy New Year!

One benefit of getting up early with young children is we see a lot of sunrises. I thought it might be appropriate at the start of a new year to share these photos taken at various times over the past month.

A misty morning:


The sunrise:




A sunny day on the "resi"