Baby's First Photo!

Baby made it easy for the ultrasound technician to tell the sex.
She wore a pink bow for the occasion!

Holiday Happiness!

This has been a fabulous week for being in the Christmas Spirit!

First stop was last Sunday at Grzenda's Christmas Tree Farm. This is a beautiful place to get a tree. We were a bit unprepared for the weather (mix of snow and rain and very windy) but thankfully we bumped into some friends and they gave us a wool blanket, a Carhartt jacket for Tim, and a bright orange hat. I didn't have a hat with me, so Tim gave me his black hat and he decided to sport the orange hat. He knew that was the proper fashion maneuver for his super sensitive pregnant wife. We hopped on the tractor and rode past a beautiful frozen lake, on to the field of trees. They were magnificent! Tim sawed down our tree while Samuel stood on the side lines holding his very large snowball.

I think our tree is the best one we've ever had! I was amazed at how perfectly shaped it is and how great it smells! We brought the tree home, stuck it in the stand and guess what else we did? FORGOT to water it for the rest of the day. Between Tim's usual absent-mindedness and my pregnancy induced spaciness. We both forgot to water the tree. I was so upset I could cry. We put water in before bed and checked it the next morning. It had barely absorbed any water and there was a ton of needles on the floor. Yikes! We had to save our tree. So Tim had to take it out of the stand and make a fresh cut the next day and it's doing fine now.

Samuel "helped" me decorate the tree by pulling the lights off as I was putting them on. Somehow we managed to get all the lights and ornaments on and Samuel is just loving the tree! Probably loving it too much as he is constantly rearranging the ornaments.

Don't go into shock. Yes, that is me in an apron. The second stop was baking at KT's house. For those of you who know me. I just don't bake. I love to cook meals but baking to me is tedious, controlled and way too precise. But I figured with KT's help I could enjoy the process.

We made Pioneer Woman's cinnamon rolls and Andrea's famous caramel corn. The boys played together and napped at the same time.

We enjoyed the silence and a cup of coffee or two!

I made a second batch of caramel corn at home and my little buddy found a new sweet treat that might have replaced lunch if I didn't intervene. Every few minutes a small hand would pop up and steel a few kernals of corn while it was cooling.

The end result was several lovely gifts all ready to ship out to friends and family. I delivered the cinnamon rolls locally to some of my favorite people. I then made these cute goodie bags filled with caramel corn, a Christmas movie and a few other treats to my family members who have children and live out of town. This was actually KT's idea, so I have to give her credit. All my packages are mailed out and I, for the first time in holiday history, will not be waiting on huge lines at the post office with just enough time to get gifts out for the holidays. I guess this week has given me a nice sense of accomplishment.

Who's in there?

I can't believe I'm posting this photo. Sarah, I told you I would post one. Here it is, the belly shot at 18 weeks pregnant (and a great profile of my not so great posture). I'm really not big on showing people my bare pregnant belly for various reason... I'm pale, a bit fuzzy from my italian/romanian genes, and my belly button just refuses to stay in. I enjoyed 30+ years of having an "innie," but my first pregnancy took care of that. It's been sort of an "inbetweenie" since then and it decides to pop out whenever I eat too much. It has now been an official "outtie" since I was around 14 weeks pregnant.

Anyway, Monday is the big day!!! We get to find out who's in that belly. Will it be a son or a daughter, a brother or a sister, a grandson or a granddaughter??? I will keep you posted and would love to hear your best guess. And you don't have to post any comments to make me feel better about my belly button. I've sought counseling over the whole thing and I've accepted the fact that I might be an "outtie" for life!

Big Boy Bed!

Thank you all for your input. We finally made the transition to a bed the night before last and Samuel is loving his new bed! We decided on the toddler bed. We just didn't have the funds to buy a twin mattress at this point in time, plus Samuel's room is exceptionally small. So, toddler bed it is and he's loving it. Tim gave Samuel a screwdriver and he helped his Daddy put that bed together. There were a few tears when we were breaking down the crib but it was short lived. Samuel found his bedtime buddies, "blankie" and "ducky", and climbed into his new bed. He laid down and pretended to snore. Then sat up and smiled. Somehow I knew this was a good move.


The first night it took over an hour to get to sleep. He woke once in the middle of the night and came into our room. Last night he fell asleep without a problem, but was in our room again at about midnight. He just needed a little comforting and he went right back to sleep in his bed.


I've been peeking in on him more often than usual. There's just something about seeing my "baby" sleeping in a bed. He's growing into a big boy slowly but surely and I'm privileged to help him along that journey. Sweet dreams Samuel Owen!

Crib Climbing - HELP!

If you've been through the toddler years with your children then I need your help!!! Samuel figured how to climb out of his crib several months ago but only did it once and that was it. He is now 2 1/2 years old and he has decided that climbing out of the crib on a regular basis is a fun thing to do or at least a good way to start training for the Olympics early. Tim and I discussed the possibility of getting a crib tent but it seemed silly to spend $70 on such a device when we'll probably be buying a bed for him really soon. Plus, I just don't think he'll tolerate the tent at this stage of life. It would probably be a distraction. So with that said, a few days ago we lowered the crib rail and put the ottoman next to the crib so he could get in and out safely. He loves it and thinks it's great that he can get in and out of his bed on his own. He's at that stage where he wants to do everything himself and let's us know that he is NOT appreciative of our assistance. Anyway, nap time has been fine - no getting out of bed. He's usually so tired that he goes right to sleep after a bit of singing and cuddling. Bedtime however is the problem. He seems to understand just fine that he is supposed to stay in bed and he obeys us. The problem is that he climbs on his pillow and tries to reach over the taller part of the crib to reach his dresser which is just a few feet away. He wants to get to his lamp and humidifier to turn them on and off on his own. Well, the other night he actually fell over the tall part of the crib because he was reaching so far to get to his dresser - he must of went right over head first. It's a miracle that he did not injure himself. So today I moved his dresser to the other side of the room thinking this would solve the problem. But no, again at bedtime Tim caught him scaling the tall part of the crib and for what reason I'm not sure. So, it seems to me that the inevitable must happen sooner than I hoped. I think it is time for a big boy bed. My question to you is weather to go with a twin mattress on the floor with a side rail or a toddler bed??? Samuel loves his crib. He loves the coziness of having his bumper and often snuggles right up against it. He also sleeps in a million positions. Not to mention his room is tiny. I like the idea of a toddler bed b/c it seems a bit cozier than a regular mattress and it's still the same size as his crib. But I'm not sure if that's just a waste of money. Any opinions??? Has anyone had this problem??? Any suggestions are welcome. We have to do something ASAP for safety reasons plus we are going away in less than 2 weeks and we need to know he's comfortable with his sleeping arrangement. Thanks. By the way I am writing this post at midnight so excuse the typos and poor grammar.

The last leaf has fallen!

Hallelujah! The last leaf has fallen. We have two beautiful, yet gigantic, trees on either side of our home. One is a red maple and the other must be the biggest oak that God has ever created. Ok, ok, a bit of an exaggeration. I still think it's the biggest oak in my neighborhood! Then we have a smaller oak in the back. I love the shade they bring in the summer and the beauty of colors in the fall. However bagging these leaves is an astronomical task! My one neighbor bagged at least 15 bags and we finished up this weekend with another 2o+. I lost count. All this from just 3 trees. Needless to say I'm glad we are done with the leaves for the season.

Pre-Thanksgiving Thoughts

The moment has arrived and I hope it is lasting. My morning sickness and indigestion have gone. I have officially enjoyed food for 3 days now. Yippee!!! What great timing for Thanksgiving this week. I hope I get as stuffed as the bird itself!


Just wanted to post a few things I am thankful for this holiday:

1) The season of joy and peace our family is currently experiencing. It's good to recognize and be thankful for the peaceful, uneventful seasons of life as they can so often be interrupted without warning.

2) A husband who is generous, caring and self-sacrificing. I love you!

3) A husband who will change his clothes when I tell him his outfit looks funny!

4) A son who makes me realize just how big my heart truly can be!

5) The way Samuel talks to my belly and rubs it ever so gently while saying "baby come out." He's going to have a long wait. Perhaps this will help his virtually non-existent toddler patience.

6) An awesome turkey dinner that I am not having to prepare - thanks Donna!!! Plan on a double portion for us. Chick pea and I are finally HUNGRY!

7) For the one pair of non-maternity jeans that I can still fit into. Well, maybe not after Thanksgiving.

8) That my son now asks for an m&m every time he poops (and it's not even in the potty) It's a long story.

9) My family (all sides) who are always thoughtful and supportive of all we do!

10) A God who never lets me go too long without reminding me that his plans for me, his love for me and his kingdom are not out of reach!


And of course I am thankful for you! It has been very uplifting to have this little circle of blogging friends. You are always a highlight in my day! I hope each of you have a beautiful Thanksgiving.

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus.
1 Thessalonians 5:16-18