17 Weeks and Counting

Today I am 17 weeks.  I thought I would post a picture.  Although I started showing VERY early and got big fast I have to say that I have slowed down considerably and I feel much better about my size!  I'm also feeling much better in general.  The nausea is gone (yea!) and the saliva is almost gone (yea!) and I have some of my energy back.  Last Saturday I actually cleaned the house, so I must be feeling better =).  The kids are all very excited and Anna Elise really wants to feel the baby kick. I haven't even felt it move yet, so she has a while to wait, but I'm glad she has warmed up to the idea.  I've decided to see a Dr this time around.  It is sad to say good bye to the midwives, but it just hasn't been the same since my midwife retired after Madeline.  We'll see how it goes with a male doctor.  He said we could schedule the ultrasound at my next visit which is this week!   So hopefully we can find out the gender in time for Christmas!

Singing Prelude

Our family was asked to sing for the prelude music at church today.  It was an interesting experience to say the least!  We have practiced our song "Families Can Be Together Forever" for a month.  All the kids, even Lilah, had it down.  We got to church early to practice with the piano and we were set.  We got up there and were arranging everyone on the stools and I noticed that Madeline seemed very focused on the microphone.  When I moved it up, she moved up, when I moved it over, she moved over.  We started singing and Madeline just stole the show.  She grabbed the microphone and sang her heart out.  It wasn't ugly yelling, but it was loud 3 year old singing.  I kept moving the microphone and she kept following it.  Mike and I each grabbed an arm to move her back but she kept finding a way to sing into the mic.  I should've just sent her up there to sing a solo!  Maybe next time they will just ask her!  We aren't sure where we got her!

Since we went to extra effort to get ready this morning we took a picture of the kids. 

Thanksgiving

We had a great Thanksgiving yesterday!  We just celebrated with our little family and had a great day.  We really missed both of our extended families in WA state but it's also nice to do our own traditions here.  Cooking a whole Thanksgiving meal on my own was a lot of work, but also fun - I got everything I wanted for dinner =).

What we are grateful for:

Anna Elise: family, our backyard, house, my teacher, and school
Calvin: flowers, puzzles & books, Christmas, my teacher, and friends 
Madeline: Lilah, Thanksgiving, mommy, flowers, and Christmas season
Lilah(she really said this): naps, going home, presents
Sally: My family and this new little baby coming this spring, my savior, prayer, this holiday season, that this year (probably the worst ever) is almost over!
Mike: family, a stress-free Thanksgiving, time-off from working (but thankful I have work!), to be an American Citizen, this time of year to reflect on our blessings and the plan of salvation

 

 This morning the kids were up bright and early to decorate for Christmas.  They have been anticipating the day after Thanksgiving just as much as Thanksgiving itself!  We put up our tree, decorations, outside lights, and brought all our presents downstairs and it isn't even lunch yet!  They are busy playing with all their Christmas 'toys' (nativities and puzzles). 

Potty Time!

Look who's on the potty!  After several attempts (we were interrupted by morning sickness and two rounds of flu) she quickly caught on.  She didn't want to be bribed and once she put her panties on she didn't want to take them off!  It only took a couple of days and she has it down.  Although she wakes up dry in the morning, we aren't brave enough to put her to bed without a diaper (because the 1 time we did she didn't wake up dry).  However she won't take her panties off so she wears a diaper over her panties at night.  She has been the easiest child to potty train.  She decided she wanted to and so she did!  She has always been such a big girl!  Yeah for Lilah and yeah for mommy getting a nice diaper break!

Ballet Day

 

We are anxious for another boy!

By Mike from his andriod

Trunk-or-Treat

 

Our Ward Trunk-or-Treat on Friday night

 Calvin the Blue Power Ranger

 Lilah our squished Giraffe (the costume was just a bit snug)

 Anna Elise declared herself a 'Japanese Girl' even though everyone called her a China Doll

Princess Madeline

Thanks to both Grandmas and Aunt Trina for the costumes!  The kids had a great time and got enough candy to compensate for not going trick or treating on Sunday.