Oh Baby!

Baby's Profile:

Our newest addition is growing big and strong. I am now 22 weeks pregnant and feeling a healthy, active baby kicking me. We had our big ultrasound on Monday and got our first real glimpse of our newest person. The baby was very wiggly and didn't take too kindly to the ultrasound interrupting it's nap.

I can't believe how fast this pregnancy is going. It makes me a little sad at times as we are pretty sure that this will be our last precious baby. Brennen is still in awe of the whole thing. He is so excited and has convinced himself that he is going to have another brother. Of course, he always said that Rylan was going to be a sister. :) When I was putting Brennen to bed the other night, he was able to feel the baby kicking. He thought it was sooooo cool and we sat in his bed giggling together. It was such a precious moment with my oldest son. Rylan is becoming more aware of my tummy and the idea that there is a baby in there. Of course, he can't really wrap his little brain around it, but it is pretty sweet to hear him talk to the baby. He also likes to lift my shirt, "listen" to the baby and give my tummy a kiss.

So we have about 18 more weeks until we get to meet this person. We are talking names, but having a hard time as usual. We welcome any suggestions anyone might have. Feel free to drop a comment or an email. We really need help with boys names! In the meantime, enjoy the pictures. I apologize for the small picture size and I am not sure why my words are underlined. I have some troubleshooting to do... Take Care Everyone!

Baby's foot:

Let it Snow!

I love the enthusiasm of a child when it snows. My kids LOVE the snow. It doesn't seem to matter how much snow there is (or isn't). We have been lucky to have snow here the first two weekends of December. The first snowfall was about 3 inches total, but not much of it stayed on the road. Brennen would not be slowed by the lack of white accumulations on the road. As long as there were a few patches, he would try sledding. So, with a brand new plastic toboggan, Brennen slid down the hill from our driveway with great enthusiasm sliding over patches of snow and patches of uncovered pavement. He was thrilled!

This past weekend we got a little snow (maybe an inch?) and of course the road was bare. There was not nearly enough snow on the lawn for sledding so Brennen became a "penguin." With snow gear on, he ran and slid down our front lawn on his stomach with his hands at his sides pretending to be a penguin. I guess watching "March of the Penguins" at Grandpa's house had a greater impact on him then I thought. He loved the new game he invented and soon convinced his little brother to become a "penguin" too. Unfortunately, I didn't capture any pictures of them sliding, but I did get some great video!

Oh, Christmas Tree!

Yes, Thanksgiving was early this year, but we still went the day after to go and get our tree. Last year we were the first ones out at our favorite spot (Red Mountain Tree Farm). The boys had a blast as always. We, of course, found the perfect tree yet again. A beautiful 8 1/2 foot Nordmann Pine and the people at the farm were wonderfully nice as always.

"This is a nice resting place!"

My two handsome guys.

"Oh, this is a cute little tree!"

Supervising Daddy's work.

Crazy Eyes

Brennen and Rylan have been having so much fun together lately. They love to make each other laugh. The other night started with Rylan making silly eyes from his megablock wheels. Brennen thought it was hilarious and got a pair of his own. The next day, it was ski goggles that were cracking the boys up. Both made for a great picture opportunity.

note: I was told I looked like an "old potato" by my oldest son as he looked through his orange-tinted goggles. Nothing like a five year old son to make his mom feel like a beautiful woman!

Random Pics from November

The boys decided to play "fireman." They made the toy room couch into their bunk beds. Brennen sounded the alarm every two minutes and they rushed off to an emergency. It was so fun to watch their imaginations at play.

I just love this picture. Rylan was clomping around in his daddy's shoes and a diaper. When I called his name he turned to me with a thumbs up.

Brennen models his fancy balloon hat he received from a birthday party.

Here is yet another pant less picture of Rylan. Note: He is wearing a shirt and diaper, Hotwheels slippers, purple cape and wielding a sword. I sense this picture will be worth some money out of my son some day.

I just can't resist the sweetness of a little boy sleeping.

Trick or Treat!

We had a wonderful Halloween. For the first time since Rylan was born he was actually healthy on Halloween. Last year he had the flu and the year before he had an ear infection and allergic reaction to penicillin. We were thrilled that he was healthy and ready to try out the whole Halloween experience. The boys joined up with our favorite neighbor, Naomi. They managed to hit every house in Wildflower and even a good handful in South Hills. I am pretty sure that Brennen was up for all of South Hills, but Rylan was done by that time and the buckets were full to the top. There will definitely be no shortage of candy in this house. Rylan seemed to enjoy the entire thing. He walked at his own leisurely pace and wouldn't say a word to anyone, but managed to charm in his Curious George costume anyway. Brennen was a cool knight minus the sword and shield (the whole reason for getting the costume!). He didn't want the sword or shield to hinder him carrying home his candy. Hilarious! The wonderful costumes were once again compliments of Grandma "Bugga" and her wonderful sewing talents.

Note: While Rylan broke his record of being home sick every Halloween, he did manage to show up with a fever and cough beginning November 1st. At least he managed to stay healthy through Halloween.

Checking out the loot.

The Third Edition...

Some of you don't know yet, so I will make an official announcement. Phil and I are expecting our third child on or around April 14th! We are very thrilled that we get to enjoy a new baby in our family one more time. Brennen is beside himself with excitement and Rylan is totally oblivious. Phil and I are ecstatic and can't wait to meet this person.



I am now 16 weeks pregnant, my tummy is growing, and our baby is very active. We have a tradition of giving our babies nicknames in the womb. Brennen was "Peanut," Rylan was "Whozit," and we have just started to call this baby, "Thumper." So named because it lets me know of its presence with little thumps. I love feeling our little person alive and well!



For those that are dying to know what we are having, we are choosing to be surprised once again. No, we are not actually doing this to drive you nuts, it is just how we like it to be. :) In the meantime, we wait with much excitement and anticipation for our third edition to arrive.

Stoney Ridge Farm

We spent a nice fall day at Stoney Ridge Farm. We already had our pumpkins so we were there to enjoy the bin maze, animals, playground, wagon ride, and corn maze. It is definitely a favorite spot to take the boys. They had a lot of fun especially in the corn maze.

Rylan the scarecrow.

Brennen and the pumpkin tree.

Checking out the entrance to the bin maze.

How tall are we now?

Horses that are just the right size.

My two cowboys.

Looking at the goats and miniature donkey.

" Let's go, Mom! I have been waiting all day for the corn maze!"

"You found us, Mommy!"

Brennen and Mommy enjoying a stroll through the orchard...

...and kicking apples.

Carving Pumpkins

This is the first year both boys were really interested in helping with the pumpkin carving. Brennen did a great job scooping out all the "goop" which is, of course, the best part. Brennen and Daddy did some planning of their pumpkin together while Daddy did most of the actual carving. Rylan really wanted to help so he poked at a pumpkin with a tool thinking he was carving. He was thrilled!

The first thing Rylan did when the pumpkins came in the house was to go and get his tape measure. Apparently, the first step in pumpkin carving is to measure your pumpkin.

"It looks like just the right size, mom!"

"Ooo! It feels weird in here!"

"Yucky goop is so much fun!"

Soccer!

Here are some random pictures from Brennen's first year of Southside soccer. It is a world of difference between Boys' U6 soccer and the "Soccer" he played at the YMCA. He really likes playing outdoors like his big cousins. Brennen has two great coaches and has already learned a ton of new skills since September when he started. As long as he enjoys it, I guess I am an official soccer mom. It sure is a lot of fun to watch!

He's so cute in his uniform!

A little coaching before the big game.

Some action shots:

First Day of Kindergarten

Well, it has finally happened. We have entered the realm of elementary school. I can hardly believe that my son is old enough for this. It is hard to leave him to someone else for the morning. However, I love his teacher and I think she has the right energy, enthusiasm, organization, and caring for Brennen to be successful. He is very enthusiastic about school and convinced me that he is ready to ride the bus home every day. His favorite thing to do now! We are skipping the morning bus this year as we have to be at the bus stop at 8:09. In the mornings we all move just a little too slow to be dressed, fed, and at the bus that early so we will wait until next year. Some days Brennen seems like such a big kid and other days I nearly choke with tears as he still seems so small to me and I feel I am throwing him to the wolves. Oh well, such is the life of a mother, I guess. I am not sure I would be able to call myself mom if I didn't have this mix of emotions, feelings of excitement, and moments of missing my first born. I know Brennen will grow tremendously this year and will learn a ton of wonderful things and some not so wonderful (copying everything I say), but I also know this is all par for the course.

"Almost ready, Mom! I'm just getting my shoes on."

Brennen asked me to take a picture of his backpack. Too funny!

All ready to head to the first day of school.

Crossing the street with Mommy and Rylan. When we got out of the car, Brennen told me, "I can go by myself, mom!" I said, "no way!"

My big kindergartner standing outside of Happy Valley Elementary School.

Bye Mommy!

Brennen walking in line from lunch to the pick up spot.

Brennen and his good friend, Connor, at the end of their first day of school.