One Month Left...

 I am trying to wrap my head around the fact that in less than a month, I will have another addition to the family to take care of.  Why should I be scared, after all I have done this before, right?  I feel like I have been out of the game for so long though and honestly I have.  Kate is 5!  The thought of going back to diapers, nursing, sleep schedules, etc. has me wondering if I am going to be able to make it.  Obviously I will and I am excited to meet the little guy, but how will I weather is the question.  I guess I will figure it out one way or another.    

I have made some wonderful friends since I moved here to Portland and they threw a not so traditional but instead girls night out baby shower(the best kind!) for me.  We went to Oba's to grab some dinner, a yummy restaurant in the Pearl.  We sat and chatted and had a great time.  They are the best!

Here we are picking out our Christmas tree just last week.  I am at exactly one month to go.  So does that mean I am 8 months or 9?  I can't keep track.  I feel like pregnancy is 10 months, so this pic of me makes me 9 months.  Don't correct me, just agree with me...its easier and it makes me feel better.  My sister in law has offered to take maternity pics of me, but for some reason I can't let her do it.  Vain?  Maybe...So these random shots will have to do.    

And look who showed up for a couple days this past week!  Justin had to give a presentation about a website he and a buddy from dental school have developed at Temple, and he took the kids with him to see Grandma and Grandpa.  I of course couldn't go because of how far along I am but the kids are old enough that we thought it would be a fun trip away for them.  So Val flew in for a couple days to keep me company.  Having her here in Portland was so much fun.  We shopped, ate, shopped, ate, shopped, ate, went to a movie, etc.  It was such a treat and the best timing to have her come out before I take on three kids. I took her to a couple of my favorite eats and then we tried a couple eats I can't ever convince Justin to go to.  This is a pic of us at the Waffle Window!  So yummy!  

Well you can tell that I am pregnant and like to eat with two pics both involving food!  The countdown is on. I am done with this pregnancy thing, but also know it is easier in than out.  So here's to hoping I deliver between Christmas and New Years!

Kate and Our Family Secrets...

I had my 35 week appointment yesterday and took Kate with me.  The doctor came in and did the routine check for the heartbeat and then proceeded to measure my ever growing stomach.  He then asked if he had done an ultrasound lately because I am measuring small, which in translation means you are not having this baby on time...lucky me.

I replied by telling him I could eat more donuts or McDonald's if that would help the baby grow, sarcastically of course.  Kate immediately told the doctor that I hate McDonald's...true!  He then started laughing and told me a story about one of his patients who is overweight, who was trying to explain that she was making an effort to stay away from junk foods and fast food in particular.  She had her daughter at her appointment too who interrupted their conversation to set things straight by telling the doctor that what her mommy was saying wasn't true because they had gone to McDonald's before the appointment that day.

He and I were laughing and Kate whips out, "My Dad picks his nose!"  The Dr. replied, "What?"  She then explained that she and I caught our daddy picking his nose in our new car.  I explained to the doctor that we had just bought a new car and that my husband, who tried to brush it off as having to scratch his nose, was clearly picking his nose, and that we had caught him in the act.  Kate was laughing hysterically!  We all started laughing.

Oh boy, kids say the darndest things don't they.   There is no such thing as a family secret!  Makes me wonder what her pre-school and dance teachers know...Too Funny!

This is a video of Kate's Thanksgiving Pre-school Program.

The Croquet Bird, The 3 of Hearts, The Butterfly and Lionel Messi...Oh My!

What do you get when you mix a Fairy Tale themed party and a couple when one of halves is pregnant?  The game pieces from Alice in Wonderland.  It was quite a stretch but we were going for Alice's bird she uses when playing croquet,  and the 3 of Hearts.  How did we do?  Not too shabby for being 7 months pregnant, considering I won a prize for being the runner up as the most creative costume.  Thank goodness Justin went along for the ride.  There was no way I was going to squeeze myself into a princess costume.  

As for the kids, Kate was a Butterfly and Zach, Lionel Messi, the famous soccer player from Argentina.  The Halloween festivities began with the Annual Thelin Party, followed by Grandma and Grandpa's Spook-etti dinner, and ending with crazy amounts of candy from a couple hours of trick or treating.  353 pieces...but who's counting?  That's a lot of sugar!   

The Bird and The 3 of Hearts

The Butterfly

 Sister butterflies, because not matching is not an option for these two these days.

 Pre-Trick or Treating

 Come on just be normal and smile please!

 The neighborhood Boo Crew

  Post-Trick or Treating 

 Their Loot!

Kate's 5th Birthday...

Could not come fast enough for her.  She had been telling people that she was 5 months ago.  Now it will be just a matter of time before she is telling people she is 6.  This year was a family birthday year, but still just as special.  Grandma got her a Strawberry Princess/Barbie cake with a matching life-size barbie head to doll up.  The cousins gave her a new pair of sparkly dress shoes and her very own ballerina journal.  On her actual birthday I picked her up from school, picked Brooke up from school and headed to get mani's and pedi's.  The girls were in heaven.  I think the highlight for Kate was getting her pink electric scooter.  She has been asking for months and thank goodness Target delivered on time.  Justin wasn't too excited to have to put it together, but ended up being easier than he thought, such a good dad!  All in all I think we have a very happy, grown up, Kate!  We love you!  

The First Day of School...

Zach started 2nd grade with a new teacher at Bonny Slope, Mr. Kelley.  Kate is back at Christ United Methodist for her final round of Pre-K, with Teacher Teresa.  They were so excited for their first day.  They woke themselves up, got themselves dressed and even did their own hair, Kate too!  My babies are growing up!  Good thing I am having another one.  The first day of school "must haves" this year were Vans for Zach and "Skatchers" that light up for Kate.  Since when did they have an opinion?  Again, it must be all part of that growing up thing.  

At the bus stop with Dylan, Noah and Nate!

The Last Week of Summer...

Is always bittersweet.  The kids get excited to see their friends again and I get excited for a schedule, but early mornings, making lunches and becoming a taxi make me wish summer could last just a little longer.  We didn't go anywhere during August so I thought we could at least go out with a bang spending a day at Oaks Park and a day going to the Zoo.  The kids had a blast!  Zach rode the scariest ride, the Screaming Eagle, and Kate rode her first Roller Coaster.  There was not a single ride they did not try. 

The Zoo was fun too!  Zach brought along his best friend Nate.  We went right as the zoo opened so all the animals were really active and we ended the day with a ride on the train.  The kids love the train!   My favorite part, as always, is getting an Elephant Ear!  That's always a good reason to go to the zoo if you ask me.  

Kate Singing Nephi's Courage...

Just had to share...we love you Kate!

McCall 2012...

Going to McCall is one of our favorite trips together as a family.  The kids love spending time with all of their cousins.  And Justin and I love the break of not having to entertain them for a week, in a good way of course.  In fact it's almost as if we don't see them for a week because they are so busy having fun.

Zach and Kate were pretty brave this year.  Zach was no longer afraid that a shark was going to eat him in the lake, so getting ejected from the tube and surfing with Uncle Brian were the highlights of his week.  He was on the tube so much that his nipples got chafed and he had to put band aids on them to keep from rubbing against his life jacket. And Kate loved the tube and was up for lots of swimming! Uncle Andy brought along his new toy, the GO Pro camera, with all the fittings to film what was happening behind the boat.  And Justin and uncle Brian grew out their Fu Manchu.  I sat around a lot being pregnant and all but got on the tube a couple of times with Kate.  And the rest was just like years past minus a couple of my siblings not being able to make it due to other commitments.  They were missed and hopefully will be able to come the next time we come.

We love McCall...