Counting, sort of

This is just so stinkin' cute in my opinion...

Just some stuff

Sorry it's been so long since pictures have been posted, but life is totally crazy right now. With parent/teacher conferences, school, musical, basketball open gyms and Arianna getting ANOTHER ear infection, life has taken over. One super exciting thing that happened last week was my brother and sister-in-law delivered a healthy, strong baby boy. William Andrew and he's darn cute! We took Arianna to see him and she was much more interested in his hat and bottle than him...we'll see how she does when a baby comes to live with her full time ;)

We also took Arianna outside last weekend in her Halloween costume to get some pictures. Here is a short sneak peak. She loved that we took Lacy with us. She LOVES that dog...

Things Never to Say to a Pregnant Woman...

These are things that have actually been said to me over the last few weeks:

1. Wow, your fingers are starting to look like little sausages
2. Is your face always so full, or is that just because you're pregnant
3. You just look so tired (why not just tell me I look like crap?)
4. Are you sure you should be drinking that, is that really good for the baby? (it was a diet coke)
5. Did you gain this much weight with Arianna too?
6. This happened at the maternity clothing store: Will you need those pants in an XL?
7. How cute, you're actually starting to waddle.
8. I actually think that you're bigger today than what you were yesterday!
9. You know, if you drink more water it will help with all that water retention...
10. Conversation:

Idiot: When are you due?

Me: Beginning of January

Idiot: Really, you look ready to pop any day now!

Listen people, I know that I'm as big as a house. You don't need to tell me. You can just lie and tell me I look great. I'll know that your lying, but at least I'll feel better.

Coming soon...

I took Arianna out this weekend and tried to get photos of her in her Halloween costume. I don't know how people do it...I cannot get good pictures, but I'll post what I have soon. It was a super busy weekend. Hope you're all doing well. Please pray for Jason and I this week as we have parent teacher conferences coming. They are always a challenge ;)
It's good practice of how not to parent... I probably shouldn't have said that.

Realizing blessings..

I didn't know this, but today, October 15 is the National Day of Remembrance for pregnancy and infant loss. This includes all babies who have died because of miscarriage, stillbirth, SIDS, or any other infant death. I've been reading a blog, Bring the Rain at http://audreycaroline.blogspot.com/ and it literally makes me weep. Seriously, not just tears, but sob. I have realized how truly blessed I am. Ever wonder why God blesses some people so greatly and some people have to endure such trial, suffering and pain? I have so many friends that have endured such grief. One lost her husband, he was only 27 years old. One friend, lost her baby at 13 days. One, a miscarriage, at 11 weeks. Grief. As I look at my life, I see how truly blessed I am. My friends, they are so amazing to me. I don't know how they do it. I don't know how you go on with grief that encompassing. They have amazing faith. They are true testaments of God's grace.
Today, on this day of remembrance, I encourage all of you who know someone who has lost a child (at any age) please pray for them. This grief, never goes away. I cannot imagine.

Enjoying Indian Summer

The weather here has been unusually warm for October and we are LOVING it. The only problem is that I don't have any "summer" clothes that fit... ;)

Arianna has loved being able to play outside and this weekend we took full advantage of, what we think, is going to be our last warm weather weekend for a while. Arianna helped daddy clean out the garage and then we took her to the local park to play. It was so much fun! I wish every weekend was like this!

We also started trying her in her "big girl" bed as she likes to call it. Today, Sunday, she took her nap and did GREAT! We just put her to bed for the night, so we'll see how she does.

Finally HERE!

Our camera charger has finally arrived and here are the promised pictures. Things are going well. A lot of you have emailed me asking how I am doing and I'm okay. I really hate it when people whine and complain, so I try not to...but I'm in a lot of pain lately. My sciatic nerve is really bothering me and my back and right leg are causing me daily, constant pain. I've been to some physical therapy which does help a little, but other than that, nothing is easing it up. So, if you could please pray that it goes away soon I would greatly appreciate it. It makes it so difficult to even walk, much less carry Arianna...so I could use some prayers for patience and healing. Thanks so much. Other than that, things are good. We're still both SUPER busy with life. I'm still working with the musical 4 days a week and Jason is busy with school. Arianna is growing like a weed and learning to talk and do so many things. She is a constant amazement to us. We both love being parents and are enjoying every minute of her.
We also finished her "big girl" room. We had a college student from our church come over and paint big flowers on the wall. (if anyone wants her name and number we have it...she's awesome!!!) We LOVE the final outcome (the pictures do not do it justice). We have one last thing to add, and that's her name above her bed. Only one project at a time. We're hoping to move Arianna over for naps first and then at night by Thanksgiving. That way, she'll be in her big room for a month before little boy Nikkel comes...that might be another prayer request!




Jason has been teaching her to say "go Hawkeyes" in honor of his beloved Iowa football team. It sounds super funny, but she does try and say it.

Here is a picture we've taken with her and her big "punkin"...or apple as she sometimes calls it. She loves giving it hugs and kisses...rather pumpkins than boys we figure! ;)


Hope you're all doing well and enjoying the fall weather!

Good News...

I found/purchased the battery re-charger. Should be shipped soon..pictures will follow. YEAH!

Free Handbags

Click on this link http://www.handbagplanet.com/ They are giving away a free handbag every hour...good luck.