6 Months Pregnant

It's December 11 and I'm 6 months pregnant. Overall I'm feeling great. I passed my glucose test on the first try and caught up on 3 days of my bible study while waiting my hour at the lab. It was a nice break all to myself.

Only 2 problems:
1. My back aches so badly when I get up, the throbbing usually stops around noon.
2. GARLIC. I thought I'd outgrow this absurd garlic aversion, but as proved after our wonderful Thanksgiving meal, it's here to stay.

According to my last appt, the baby is measuring larger than average putting me on track to have a 8-9 lb baby. But this isn't really a surprise considering Bella was 8lbs. 3ozs.

I've gained approx 30 lbs and I feel pretty small, but those I've encounter are quick to state otherwise. I guess to others I look as though I should be having this baby any day and according to everyone it's a boy. Thank you general public for your opinion. I was losing sleep wondering what others thought. I'm kidding. For the most part I don't mind the comments, unless I'm having a "I feel fat" day.

Our Little Girl!

Our little baby girl is growing so fast. In October she had her 18 month appt. As of a year and a half Bella weights 26 lbs. and is 32.68 inches tall. She continues to only eat cheese, tortillas, PB&J, french fries (or tator tots), rice a roni, and pancakes (with hidden zucchini). Needless to say, feeding her is a nightmare. I kept thinking she'd grow out of this, but it only seems to get worse and it's been going on for about 9 months. So please keep her eating habits in your prayers.

Bella isn't the best talker, but she's able to sign enough words that communication with her is fairly easy. Her signs aren't that precise, but we can understand her as only a mother and father (sometimes) can. She can sign her ABC's recognizes about half of them and can count to 10. She thinks she can sign to 10, but really she can only sign the number 10. She loves to sign songs with Beau and she's a super star at putting together puzzles. She's now 21 months and we've officially entered the terrible 2's or as I like to call it the terrible almost 2's. We're hoping this phase is over by the time the baby arrives. We want our sweet baby girl back. Nonetheless, she's an amazing girl and we love her dearly.

I remember the days when she used to smile for pictures.

Silly Bella showing off her new jacket from Nana.

Awe, there's the smile we love.

Our Son!

I can count the times on one hand where Beau has fallen asleep outside his bed. December has proved to be more than he can handle and he's fallen asleep multiple times outside his bed. So, I figured I'd take this time to show off his sleeping pictures and give you a little update.

Back in October Beau went to the doctor for his annual appt. As of 3 years he weighs only 2 lbs more than Bella at a whopping 29 lbs. and he's 37.4 inches tall. He still isn't a big eater, but we are able to make his enough enough variety that our dinner times are much easier than they used to be. Now for my bragging rights...He's super smart. He can count to 29, recognize and recite his ABC's, and his memory is like a sponge... as evident with his memory verses for Cubbies. He's also mastered signing his numbers 1-10 which for those of you that know sign language can understand just how difficult this can be. He still amazes us with his athletic ability, by throwing and catching a football, being able to hit a baseball and golf ball and dribble a soccer ball. Nana likes to say he's a genius, but we are just proud parents.

Sleeping on the couch right before dinner.Sleeping on the floor of his room, by the door, fighting us on bedtime.

Breakfast With Santa

Breakfast with Santa is becoming a tradition with Gabby and the grand kids. This is our second year attending and it was just as fun as last year. Bella was too young to go last year, but this year she was able to attend and she had a blast watching all the dancers and performers. But she did not like Santa. And I must say, I can't blame her. However, Beau loved all the morning's activities. My babies are growing up so fast.

All dressed up and ready to go.The best picture we could get. Thank God for Owen. He was able to calm Bella down.

Checking out the fish in the pond.Bella gnawing on a french toast stick.

What a stud!

Oh Christmas Tree

The kids were so excited to get a Christmas Tree this year. They loved running around the lot. Then decorating it was even more fun for them. I guess I should have take a picture of them in front of the tree with my camera instead of my phone, but it's too late now. Our tree looks awful and is practically dead. Oh well, there's always next year.

Beau and Bella

All I can say is, aren't our kids cute!

Random November Happenings

At Cubbies, the kids filled out this form. We thought Beau's answers were so funny. Yesterday he told me his favorite color was blue and the day before it was purple. And he refuses to eat spaghetti and has never tasted chocolate cereal. After he filled this out, I bought him some cocoa puffs to see if he'd like them. And it's no surprise that he did not like chocolate cereal. Kids are so funny.

Bella is in that stage where she is constantly trying on clothes and shoes. This particular day she worked so hard at putting on Beau's undies. I'd call this a success.

Grandma-ma made a few headbands and Bella really enjoyed showing it off.
My cousin Pat bought a bus (short bus) and it has become a great way to transport friends and family from party to party, bar to bar, etc. One Friday night, Joel, Melissa, Janelle and I decided to check out this infamous bus. It definitely lived up to the hype. Nothing compares to traveling around town in Shawty the Paddy Wagon.

Christmas Activities

Our Christmas activities started directly after Thanksgiving. Between, Aunt Mel, Aunt Chris, Nana and Grandpa, Beau and Bella have had the opportunity to make a gingerbread house, gingerbread tree and a life sized gingerbread house. Plus Beau was able to make a snow village at school as well as many other projects. It's been an arts and crafts sort of holiday season.

Snow Village made at school.

Gingerbread house with Aunt Mel and Aunt Chris.

Gingerbread Christmas Tree making with Nana!

Life sized Gingerbread House at Grandpa's with Aunt Mel and Aunt Chris.

5 Months Pregnant

As of November 11, I was 5 months pregnant. I haven't tested my garlic aversion in about a month. I'm sure I'll be testing it soon with the holidays coming up. I'll keep you posted on the garlic situation. As of 5 months, I've gained about 25 lbs and everything is going really well. No abnormal complaints from me.

20 Week Sonogram

At 20 weeks we had our 20 week sonogram. Everything seems to be going well. The baby is measuring a little larger than expected, but the docs have decided to leave my due date on March 11, 2011. In case you're wondering, we did stay true to ourselves and we did not find out the sex of the baby. We promise you'll find out as soon as he/she arrives.

Halloween 2011

The older the kids get, the more fun the holidays become. Not only was Bella able to trick or treat, but she was also able to eat some candy this year. And as for Beau, he ran from house to house like an old pro. The kids are so blessed to have so many cousins to run around with. Overall it was a great Halloween.

Our little puppy dog and Spiderman.

Bella hitched a ride on Hudson's ride!

Check out all my candy. It took us a month to eat it all.Bella and Daddy

Beau, Katelyn (tinkerbell) and Leah (maid mariam)

Pumpkin Patch

In late October, we made our annual trip to Dell' Osso Farms Pumpkin Patch. With Bella being a year older, it was a lot of fun to see her doing all the things Beau likes to do.

I think I learned one thing on this trip... we need a new camera.

They climbed to the top of the tire pile and Bella yelled out cheese anytime we brought out the camera. Well... she pretty much yelled cheese anytime she saw a camera no matter who the owner was.

Cubbie Bear & Ranch Hand

Back in September Beau was able to join Cubbies at River Oak Grace Church. He barely made the cut by turning 3 in September. We were a little worried due to the challenging potty training, but so far so good. And he loves it. He has to learn a memory verse each week and gets extra points if he attends Sunday School weekly. They also have themes each week. This particular day the theme was "inside out day". Which is why his clothes are on inside out. It doesn't really account for his boots being on the wrong foot, that was all him.

Joel has been working a lot lately, so sometimes on nice days Bella and I venture out to watch Daddy at work. Fearless Bella enjoys watching Dad work with the cows.