Christmas 2011

The morning was filled with joy and laughter.  We had our usual Chinese buffet for lunch, and then it was home to nap.  I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas!

Abby and William's new car

Showin' off my awesome new slippers.

Chip's new drum set

Christmas Eve

The kids and I had a great Christmas Eve.  Our day was capped off with baking cookies, drinking hot chocolate, listening to Christmas music, reading stories and taking pictures. 

35 Weeks

On Being Pregnant

Thirty five weeks today.  I'm officially on the countdown. 

There are a few things I've noticed this time around. 

1. Apparently being pregnant gives people license to comment on your size (i.e. how large or small you are).  Gee, I look big today?  Thanks, because I certainly didn't feel big.

2. If you are pregnant with your third child, your doctors assume you are a prenatal pro.  Your visits are only about 60 seconds long.

3. People are shocked if you wear heels while you are pregnant.  Yes, I still wear heels.  And I'm doing just fine.

4. Sleep is optional during the third trimester.

5. You should never hold fragile items during the third trimester.  I drop EVERYTHING. 

I'm sure there have been more observations, but I'm too tired to think straight.  Zzzz...

Baby Boy Turns Two

I can't believe William is two.  It's like I woke up one morning and my baby boy was a full fledged toddler.  We moved him to his "big boy bed" last week, and he's done really well.  Now if we could just get potty training done...

William's birthday was this past Sunday, and after a morning at church, we came home, ate pizza and cake, and opened presents.  He was so cute.  When Chip brought the stack of gifts into the dining room, William said, "Oh wow!"  I've never heard him say that before.  But he said it many times that day.

He's so smart.  He can count to 10 all by himself, he knows his colors, and he can sing the ABCs with Abby. 

My big boy.  He's so sweet.  And he's a gentleman.  His teachers told me that he gave up his seat to a little girl in his class. 

And William is a clown.  He knows how to make a few faces, and if you laugh at him, boy does he ham it up.  Instead of joining in the laughter with us, he concentrates even harder on making us laugh.  Certainly reminds me of his daddy...

I look forward to year three with my little boy.

"Funny Face"

"Mad Face"

To the Moon, My Dear

Chip tucked Abby in bed last night, and he asked her, "What do you want to be when you grow up?"  Expecting her usual answer of "doctor," Chip was surprised when she responded, "An astronaut.  I'm going to go to the moon and build a hotel.  But I'll have to build it when it's a full moon that way there will be enough room.  Mama will live there with me, but you and William and my friends can come visit, too." 

Shoot for the stars, Baby Girl.  xo

And Those Babes Keep On Talkin'

Seen on the comment board in Abby's classroom: "I need to talk to Obama about that abominal snowman up there. - Abby"  On the way home I asked Abby who Obama was.  She said, "He's our president, and I sent him an email."

Abby and William came bouncing down the stairs, with Abby wearing her doctor's white coat.  "I had to check William's ears because he can't hear well," she said.  Up the stairs they went again.  This time I heard her yell down the stairs, "Mama, I had to check William's private to make sure he didn't have any red spots."  Then I hear her tell William that he needs to come back on Monday.

Abby told her teacher, "My mom is old, and I think she's going to die 'cause she has wrinkly skin."  I asked Abby where my wrinkly skin was.  She pointed to my palms.

I bravely took the kids to buy Chip a Christmas present this evening.  I told Abby - nay, I made her promise - to keep the present a secret.  Later this evening when Chip called, Abby got on the phone and said, "I don't have a secret."

From the Mouths of Babes

I was singing Christmas carols to William a few nights ago when Abby appeared in the doorway and said in the most genuine and emphatic tone, "MAMA, you sound like a ROCK star.  Your voice is SO SMOOTH!" 

Abby has a facination with acronymns.  She's constantly asking, "What's so-and-so stand for?"  Yesterday morning on the way to preschool she said, "I know what 'Panera' stands for.  It stands for BORING music.  Everytime I'm in there all they play is boring trumpet music."

One of Abby's teachers suffers from hot flashes.  Abby has frequently talked to me about Miss Kathy's efforts to cool off during those spells.  This morning at school Miss Kathy told me that the day before Abby's other teacher, Miss Helen, called Abby over to the table.  Abby, who was standing in the doorway in the cool breeze with Miss Kathy, said, "Just a minute.  I'm taking a hot flash with Miss Kathy."

A girl in Abby's class asked if the doctors were going to cut the baby out of my tummy.  Abby said, "No, her muscles are going to push it out." 

Whoa, Mama!

Thirty-two weeks and countin' down!

Black Tie Affair

A couple of weeks ago Chip and I attended the Festival of Trees gala, a black tie event benefitting Children's Hospital.  I truly enjoyed the opportunity to dress up, and shopping for a formal maternity dress at 30 weeks along was super easy...considering there were only three dresses in Buffalo!  We had a great night.