October Silliness

The second half of October has had it's share of silliness and symptoms.  We enjoyed a visit from Big Daddy spent enjoying time with each other, watching football while mommy cooked tons of dishes to restock the freezer, and not to mention time at the park.  The park is where Claire decided to run her first 1/4 mile race nonstop!  She, like Forrest Gump, just hit the track and started running and running and running...all the way saying/giggling, "Mommy, we are running together!"...The bubble above my head is saying, "I have not run in months and here I am almost 20 weeks pregnant and running beside my 2 year old....not too bad...but hope she doesn't go for miles here..."  Thanks, dad, for coming over and leaving us with Claire who is going through Big Daddy DTs...:)

Claire had gotten interested in choosing her own clothes.  We usually pick out 2 outfits the night before school and she picks out one to wear the next morning.  )We don't fight over socks and shoes.)  On days when it's just us girls, I enjoy giving her full freedom to pick out whatever she wants to wear and thought I'd share a few pictures of her latest style (reminiscent of The Punky Brewster Show for those who remember that show).

You'll also see some of her fun in her toy box...many times she likes to get in the toy box with all her toys...She's also gotten in this kick of coming to play on our bed and hide in the pillows or have "tickle time"...or help us with our reading...She wants to make sure we have a strong marriage - I'm told that's one of the best things you can give your kids - so we'll keep working on it and growing together.

Pregnancy update:  20 weeks and going well.  Gained about 8-9 pounds.  Good strong heart beat heard last week.  Still nauseated most every morning but if once I either get sick or make it past 1 hour after breakfast, I'm good for the day.  I'm pooching for sure now and in the awkward stages of clothes...my clothes too small, maternity too big...oh well - this little boy is worth it all.

October ended as we approached Halloween...We were prepared to go to our church's "Trunk or Treat" when Claire's school called and said she had a fever and I needed to come get her.  We headed to pediatrician and turns out all is well, except it's one of those beloved "Fever Viruses".  So no Halloween for us this year.  She was supposed to be a LSU Cheerleader.  Maybe she can cheer for the Dogs next year!

It's a boy!

Meet Little Brother!  Jeff and I went for our 18 week anatomy ultrasound yesterday and found out we are having a boy!  What joy to find out we'll have a son!  Claire has been reading a book the Pearman family gave her called "I"m a Big Sister" and getting prepared and now she can talk about Little Brother!  The ultrasound was beautiful!  Two cerebral hemispheres, 4 heart chambers, solid vertebral column, lots of wiggling and some thumbsucking going on!  He weighs 9oz.  Crazy they can tell you so much!  Claire will catch on I'm sure when reality hits...but right now she's playing hard, being silly and making us proud making it to the potty with not one accident in the last 3-4 days!  6 weeks out of diapers now in day time and making me proud!  She loves books, playing in her tent and is always an avid fan of swinging in her swing.  She also loves to "drive" after we get home and sit in my lap behind the wheel to put my blinkers, windshield wipers and radio stations all out of whack...who cares!  It's fun!  So we rejoice and praise the Lord for knitting together our little guy and blessing us so far!  Oh some have asked about names...we are just starting to ponder but will probably do as we did with Claire and narrow it down to a couple then meet him, and call it when we see him.  I feel better these days.  Gained about 5-6 pounds and gradually working into maternity clothes!  Thanks, Laney and Kate! 

Hendersons come to town

Robert, Andrea, Brodie and Ellie stopped in for the night this past week en route to Georgia.  It's Robert's fall break and he's on the job hunt.  I wish I had a photo of Claire's face when their car pulled up!  I heard a yell, "MOMMY!  BRODIE AND ELLIE! BRODIE AND ELLIE! OPEN THE DOOR, OPEN THE DOOR!"  WHen they walked in I don't think Brodie and Claire stopped running and chasing each other all over the house!  The sweetest laughs between them!  It was a fun time to catch up, eat a bite of dinner together and splash around in the tub together.  Uncle Robert held all attention with his reading of Corduroy - a favorite!  Fun times for cousins and for us to share our families together.  Thanks for pit stopping on your journey and I know you'll find the right job to use your great skills and place to call home!  Cheering you on!

Fall Break - Baton Rouge

Jeff got 2 days "off" for fall break so we made a run to Baton Rouge and had a fun relaxing 3 days.  It was the first major road trip without diapers (except night time).  Thanks Aunt Bobby and Uncle John for letting us pit stop in Brandon, Ms for Claire to run for a while!  It really helped!  Claire did excellent with only one accident on the way down and 1-2 while there and none on the way home!  I hear cheers coming from every corner! :)  We enjoyed some play time at the park, a trip to the mall for shopping and carousel rides, and time at home watching football.  We got to go see where Uncle Bobby works at Mary Bird Perkins Cancer Center in Medical Physics.  Claire had a little input for him on some calculations and wanted to know a reference for appropriate radiation treatments.  We got to go eat at a favorite spot for us all - TJ Ribs!  The best ribs anywhere!  Jeff and I got to get out on Friday night which was quite a treat!  It's always fun to be together!  Thanks for a great weekend!