our little conversationalist

Wednesday evening Anna and I were reading books on the couch when Steve walked in from a run outside. Anna looked up at him sitting in the adjacent chair and umprompted began the following conversation:

Anna: "Daddy, how was your day today?"

Daddy: "Why, it was good Anna, how was yours?"

Anna: "Pretty good. I went to ECFE!"

Daddy: "What did you do there?"

Anna: "Play"

Anna: "So, how was your run?"

Daddy: "It was good Anna, thank you...can I have a hug?"

Anna: "Yes (crawling off the couch)...Are you sweaty or not?"

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In the doctor's office yesterday while waiting to get my blood drawn, Anna lifted up her baby Titus and began the following dialogue:

"Are you so strong baby Titus (lifting her up by her arms)? Should we check you? Let me look in your ears....looks good. Say ahhhhh! Looks pretty good. Should we check your fingers...they look great. Now let's check your toes, oh they look good! You're just great!"

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This morning when I went in to get Anna up for the day she hopped out of bed and started a morning conversation:

Anna: "Hi Mommy!"

Me: "Hi Anna! Do you remember what we are doing today?"

Anna: "Trick or Treat!" "Should we have a snack first?"

Me: "Oh, we have school this morning, then nap, then play and THEN trick or treat...remember? We'll put your costume on after you wake up from your nap."

Anna: "But I just did mommy!"

Me: "You just did what Anna?"

Anna: "I just sleeped, time to trick or treat now!"

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When I came downstairs on Tuesday night after getting ready for my neighborhood Bunco night, Anna crawled up onto my lap and said:

"Mommy, you look so pretty...I like your earrings...your hair is so pretty...your shirt is so pretty..."

and then began to smother me with hugs and kisses

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This morning as we walked out to get in the car to leave for school, Anna heard our neighbor's dog barking so she stepped out onto the driveway to investigate. She cooed at the dog and then I heard a very loud "Happy Halloween!".

I asked from inside the garage - "Who are you talking to Anna?"

Anna: "I just sayed Happy Halloween to Mr. Lee!"

Sure enough, Mr. Lee was bringing his dog inside.

28 weeks

Updated to add: I discovered I did not pass my glucose test and will have the long test on Sunday morning. Hopefully I will pass that one! I had to take the long one with Anna too, and it turned out ok. We'll see!

Yesterday I had my 28 week appointment, which consisted of a regular check up where the doctor discusses any issues with me, measures my uterus and listens to the baby's heartrate. At 28 weeks it is also standard to have a glucose test - which tests for gestational diabetes (diabetes that occurs only during pregnancy). This test involves drinking about 10oz. of basically sugar-water (not good) and then having your blood drawn an hour later.

Due to timing, Anna accompanied me to my visit. She was excited to see what happened when mommy went to the doctor. She sat patiently in her stroller, talking to her baby Titus as we waited for my doctor to arrive. After about 15 mins she announced to me that she was going to call for Dr. Baram. She then put her hands up next to her mouth and yelled on the top of her lungs "Dr. Baram! Dr. Baram!" Oh boy, I am sure he loved that! Needless to say, he showed up a few minutes later. He was excited to meet Anna, whom he had helped deliver a few years ago.

My uterus measures 28 cm, which is right where you should be for 28 weeks. The baby's heartrate was quite slow this time around, only 122bpm. I thought it might be lower this time because yesterday the baby was very quiet. Only a few kicks here and there, and he turned around so that his back is facing my bellybutton. I can tell this because I can feel the kicks and jabs on my back and on my internal organs. I am hoping he turns again soon! :)

Anna's face lit up as she heard baby's heartbeat...she asked "what's that?" and when we told her it was the baby she got a HUGE smile on her face. She told Dr. B and his student assistant all about being a big sister, and about the Dora crackers she was eating. Ahhh, to be 2.

I am still waiting on the results of my glucose test, but hopefully I passed and will not need to return for the longer 3 hour test. Baby seems to be doing well and I am feeling quite good these days!

baby Stellan

A few months ago I wrote about our friend "MCKMama", who in the midst of her pregnancy had discovered that her unborn child was very sick. Today, over 3 months later, she is delivering her baby boy. I believe he will be delivered this morning via c-section, and I wanted to ask for your prayers on their behalf. There are still many unknowns for the baby, and we pray that God has this little one in his hands and will heal him, and that the family has peace.

For more details, you can visit her blog - click the link on my sidebar, or follow this link to My Charming Kids.

elmo, pooh and cinderella

This morning Anna was reunited with her buddies Elise and Tyler as we headed to the Children's Museum for their Halloween bash. Upon entry to each play area there was a costumed helper handing out goodies to the little ones in their costumes. Because the museum was open only to those participating in the Halloween party, the rooms were not very crowded and the little ones had free rein - at least for a little while! All three of them had fun playing in the rooms they have visited many times before - only this time dressed in adorable costumes, with so many fun outfits to look at. The morning flew by, we have been looking forward to this for so long! Thanks friends for a great day!

pumpkin party

Our Halloween festivities began yesterday when Uncle Matt, Uncle Patrick, Auntie Tanya and Grandma Mary arrived after Anna's nap for our 4th annual pumpkin party! Anna was so happy to have a house full of some of her favorite people, and to continue the fun times she began the night before with her friends Elise & Tyler. Hugs for all were plenty from Anna as she showed them her Halloween costume, her toys and books.



Anna (with Daddy's help!) and Grandma Mary painted their pumpkins. Grandma arrived laden with stickers and other goodies for Anna, and Anna took creative liberty in applying them all to her pumpkin. She was very proud!

In case you couldn't tell...the one on the left is Anna's masterpiece! They both turned out so cute don't you think? Grandma's has a face on each side!

While those 3 were busy inside painting and tending to the turkey dinner that was cooking, the rest of us headed to the garage to carve our pumpkins. Outside the wind was blowing and there were leaves and...gasp!...snowflakes flying around the yard. We were at least lukewarm in the garage scooping pumpkin guts and carving away.

Matt, Patrick and Tanya carved intricate designs in their pumpkins - with Patrick stealing the show with his elaborate carving of Anna's name into the side of his pumpkin (the side not pictured has a great spider web and spider!). Talented brothers and sister-in-law I must admit!




After finishing up the pumpkins we sat down for a turkey dinner and conversation. It was another fun pumpkin party! We are already looking forward to next year. Anna woke up this morning, after having gone to bed with a house full of people, and announced to me "My friends are still here mommy!". It was difficult to let her know that everyone had gone and we would have to see them another day. Thanks to all for coming over and making the day memorable!

third trimester

As I watch my daughter growing up faster and faster each day, I am frequently reminded of the new baby that is about to enter our family. This little one is determined to make his or her presence known, as his kicks and jabs are becoming stronger by the day. Gone are the days where baby was curled up into a tight little ball. Now this little one (nearly 14 inches long from head to toe) stretches and kicks so fiercely that you can see my stomach moving as he does.

Baby Moses responds to our voices - when I read stories to Anna he (or she!) is very active. When Anna kisses my stomach and says hi, she is greeted with a jab by her mouth. When Steve talks to the baby he is rewarded with jabs and turns as baby tries to communicate back. Perhaps this little one is destined to be as active as his or her big sis.

The countdown on our blog reminds me that we have less than 3 months to go. 3 months that will fly by, as they will be full of activities surrounding the upcoming holidays. As I enter the first week of the 3rd trimester I feel my body and my mind preparing for what lies ahead. My energy level is higher than it was in previous weeks, but the ease with which I can move around is decreasing slightly. I often bump into things with my baby bump, not remembering that I can't squeeze through things I once could. Or, I roll over in the night thinking wow, my stomach feels weird - and then remember there is a baby there getting some exercise.

My sleep is interrupted with thoughts about our expanding family. I am looking forward to this baby's arrival, and I know that Steve and Anna are as well. I have some anxiety over how I will work the daily logistics of an infant and a very active 2 year old, and how I will give each their own special time with mom & dad, but I know that those things will work themselves out over time. I also wrestle with questions of if/when I should return to work and whether or not this baby will be our last. Fortunately I have a loving husband who reminds me that these are not decisions that need to be made now, or anytime soon, and brings me back to enjoying the present moment.

The baby's room is filling up with diapers and onesies, blankets and burp rags. The swing and bouncy seat are coming out of storage and each week we get a little closer to this dream becoming a reality.

Now, we just need to settle on some names. While our list of girl names is set, our list for boys is lagging...please pass on any suggestions you may have!

jammy jumps

Saturday evening we were invited to dinner at our friends Dave & Sarah's. We, along with Jim, Allison and Tyler, headed out to the west side of town for a fun afternoon and evening. Anna, Elise and Tyler had a great time playing together and oohing and aaahing over adorable baby Kate.

After a fun afternoon and a great dinner, the little ones changed into their cozy jammies and made their way up to Elise's room. Rather than settling down for sleep they decided it would be much more fun to jump on the bed. All three of them jumped around while we parents giggled right along with them. It was quite a sight to see!

Thank you Dave & Sarah for a wonderful evening!

more favorites

We had a wonderful time visiting Nana and Papa this past week, as always! Anna enjoyed all of her time with her grandparents and was thrilled to see Uncle Nate & Kiah, and of course so many of the neighbor friends. We had a relaxing and fun time together, and while Anna soaked up time with loved ones Steve and I were able to sneak away to see the Packers defeat the Colts at Lambeau too. (What a fun game! Thank you for the tickets again Jim & Norma!!!) It was hard to get back in the car to head home, but knowing we will be back in a few months makes things a little easier.

Upon arriving home, Anna walked into the mud/laundry room and promptly announced to the house "I'm home now! I was at Nana and Papa's house and I had FUN!". I have no idea who she was telling that to, but she made sure it was known. She also told all of her babies and her animals where she had been and that she missed them. She was tired out from a week full of fun and is sleeping in this morning. It's back to our activities this week with a fun weekend ahead and Halloween adventures soon to come. Thanks again for a wonderful week Jim and Norma!

falling into fall

While I am too tired to write about our fun week away, I thought I would leave you with at least one picture of Anna enjoying the fall weather during our time with Nana and Papa. More to come later...

disturbing

Can this really be true? I just read this in the comment section of a blog I read every now and again - it was in response to the writer coming home from the store with expired food:

"The FDA allows all kinds of crap in our food.

In fact, the average person eats one to two pounds of insects each year, and without knowing it.

The allowable amount of rat hair and fecal matter in peanut butter is .1%

.3% of all ocean perch fillets contain at least one parasite in a pus pocket.

Every 8 ounces of orange juice can contain either one maggot or five fly eggs.

One chocolate bar can contain up to 80 bug pieces and other debris."

I was already nauseous today and this is going to seal the deal. Especially since I just had "a few" mini Twix bars from our Halloween stash. Perhaps this will cure my chocolate cravings? SICK.

balls, tunnels and more

Faced with another rainy day, we headed to an indoor park with Tyler and Allison yesterday to enjoy some playtime. The park was fantastic! The kids were able to run around, play with bouncy balls, jump in a ball pit, climb through tunnels, share lunch and more. While they ran, Allison and I were able to relax a little bit! Ahhh! At one point Anna and Tyler sat on the floor a few feet away from one another and rolled a ball back and forth playing "catch". So cute! Thanks again for meeting us Allison and Ty!

look out

(Sorry Uncle Matt!)

daddy, swiper, little frogs, baby moses

I think I will forever remember the age of 2 for Anna as boundless energy, contagious laughter and vivid imagination. Over the past few weeks Anna's energy has gone into overdrive. I thought perhaps it was just me thinking this, given my energy ebbs and flows as baby grows...but it was confirmed yesterday when my dear husband exclaimed "she just never stops!". Oh dear Anna, you are a ball of fire.

I have to say, it is a lot of fun. There are moments of exhaustion on the part of her parents - but the laughter that fills our every day is so worth it. Anna wakes up singing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star" - which she has informed me is my cue to come and get her. If I have not arrived at her door by the close of the song, a chorus of "Mommy, where could you be?" follows, interjected with other songs that occupy the running playlist in her head (Old MacDonald, Itsy Bitsy Spider, ABC's, and more).

Weekends are filled with hugs and kisses for daddy. Anna knows when it's the weekend and automatically shifts to calling for "daddy" on Sat and Sun mornings. From sunrise to sunset, daddy is her go-to person..."daddy, will you please play with me?", "daddy, should we go on a wagon ride?", "daddy, should we go downstairs?". It is so fun to watch the 2 of them together as they soak up their weekend time. On multiple occasions this past weekend I watched Anna walk up to Steve in the middle of her play, give him a hug and say "I love you, daddy". Does it get any better than that?!

Some of our biggest laughs come from Anna's vivid imagination. Our evenings are interrupted with "did you hear that mommy/daddy?". No, Anna - what was it? "Swiper, he's in the office (or around the corner, or upstairs, or in the kitchen, or over "der")" And then we chase this invisible Swiper saying "Swiper no swiping!" until she is certain he is gone.

One morning when I went in to get her up for the day she climbed out of bed with one of her hands in a fist. "Anna, what's in your hand?" I asked. She opened up her hand to reveal an empty palm but replied "My little fwoggy, I saved him, I am going to bring this fwoggy downstairs and have a snack".

And last night in the bathtub she told me that baby moses came out and was sitting in the tub with her. She splashed him, set him on the ledge and talked to him for the entirety of her bath. She also has informed me that she has a baby in her tummy as well, and it's "grwowing".

Why don't our imaginations stay that way forever? Seriously, she has so much fun - all of her own making!
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On another note, baby is getting much more active. Perhaps this little one will take after his big sis afterall! From the time I lay down at night to the time I wake in the morning, baby rolls, kicks, jabs and often practices for entering the outside world. While not the most restful sleep, I enjoy feeling this baby and imagining what he or she will be like. Baby is still sitting very low - there are times when I feel baby is so low that it's going to fall right out! Anna talks to the baby, and likes to feel the baby kick her hand when she rests it on my tummy. I can't wait to see her as a big sis.

We have started to get the things on our list that we need before baby arrives. Fortunately the list is not too long, and of course we have a few months yet...but it's fun to get things done bit by bit. Last week I took out all of the neutral newborn onesies, socks and sleepers from storage, washed them and put them in the nursery. I forgot just how little those things are! It was so fun, I enjoyed every moment. I find myself enjoying the sweet anticipation of this baby's arrival and continue to wonder is this baby a boy or a girl?

pumpkin picking

Two short weeks from today we will host our annual pumpkin carving/decorating party at our house with my brothers and my mom. So, off we went yesterday to find pumpkins for all of us to have fun with....Anna loved looking at all of the pumpkins and was a great helper in picking out the "good" ones. She also picked out a few small ones for herself, one she even gave the name of "patch". I have a feeling she is going to love decorating her pumpkin this year!

go diego go!

It's raining, it's pouring,

the old man is snoring,

went to the mall to hug Diego

and now I'll nap 'til the morning.