Fall fun

We started our fall fun on a very warm "fall" day last weekend. We got an early start, traveled south about 30 miles and enjoyed our day. First stop was MN largest candy store and accompanying pumpkin patch. 

 It's kind of a tradition for us to take the kiddos to this place and we let them be "kids in the candy store", picking out various treats to sample as we welcome fall. This year, they each picked some yummy treats like wax bottle candy, fudge and bubble tape :) Kids were in heaven let me tell you. 

And me?, well, I just love to take their photos when they stop and smile. 

After lunch with grandma Jan/Papa, we made our way into a nearby scarecrow festival/apple orchard/fall festival. 

Despite him having to miss watching the Vikings game, the girls had daddy wrapped around their finger on Sunday. They got to enjoy a camel ride first.....how cool is that?! 

Not every day they see a camel, let alone ride one! I was surprised that they each climbed aboard, without any real prompting from us.  

we all thought this guy was pretty darn funny :) 

though this scarecrow won all of us over. the girls recognized him as the 'man that is before every movie'! 

And then it was on to some pony rides. Yea, daddy was caving left and right to their requests. But really, they were behaving so well, it was hard to say 'no'. 

We picked a few apples, took a few bites to be sure they were good and came home with a bag full of yummy fall (overly priced) deliciousness! 

And a couple of pumpkins too :) 

I'm guessing that together-time was just what this family needed. The girls have been spending more time lately upset with each other instead of loving on each other. But not that day. The rest of the day, they were inseparable, in every aspect of the word. Best of friends racing around the back yard; complimenting each other on decorating above pumpkins, showering together and even snuggling under the same blanket before bed. I had the best time just watching them interact with each other, and breathed a sigh of relief knowing that some days, when they seem to dislike each other, we might just need to spend a little more time together. 

Baby on the brain

We've got baby on the brain over here. Sometimes I'm one of those 'crazy-worry about everything' pregnant ladies and other moments I'm the 'go with the flow-everything will work out fine' types. But regardless, we are constantly talking about baby's arrival. 

The girls have lots of questions, and are hearing more and more about our conversations with others such as labor and delivery and everything in between. Regan has actually started to use the words "go in labor" when referencing the former term "when baby comes out". She is also getting to be a pretty good "kick counter" for me and we've used it to add a little math into our days. I'll tell her what number I'm at, say 3, for example, and she has to tell me how many more to get to 10. And we just keep going from there until we reach 10. 

Sidney is still our sweet lover and would just climb into my belly if she could right now. Gosh, she cannot wait to meet this baby. She talks to baby and the cutest thing is to watch her wrap her arms upwards around my belly in a giant hug. She does this whenever possible. Love it. 

Ryan and I took our hospital tour, seeing as though we'll be in the new center to deliver, he needed to know where to go. Holy Moses talk about gorgeous. I've seen it already as I happen to work at the same place, but he's quite impressed. 

Bags are getting packed, phone lists are created and diapers are purchased. We are so excited to meet this babe. Although, ideally would like to stay pregnant another 3-4 weeks, because frankly, I simply LOVE being pregnant!

Heritage Days fun 2013

Regan has been practicing for a few weeks in anticipation of walking/dancing in the local Heritage Days Parade last weekend. She did a wonderful job (though looks a bit stunned in the photo below to see us). We are so proud of her, especially because the night prior to the parade, she cried in fear that she didn't know the routines well enough. Oh the things a tired little girl will worry about :) 

This year, we didn't have birthday parties or specialty clinics (like last year) to race off to and were able to actually enjoy the festival for a few hours. With some carnival food in our bellies, we checked out the bouncy houses, face painting, pony rides and more! 

Both of the girls were excited to take a turn on the trampoline fun! Way up high they went, and bounced to their hearts content. Sidney looked a wee bit scared, and Regan did too as she did some backward rolls mid-air, but both of them claimed they were having the time of their lives!

They were so looking forward to these pony rides and could hardly contain themselves! For days on end they asked when they would get to ride a pony. It's not everyday you get to take a ride a top a cute pony in the middle of the city! 

And what's a festival without a bunch of fire trucks around for tour!? They climbed in the back seat first, listened to all the firemen had to teach them. Then while Ryan was busy chatting it up with him about the Hofbrahaus (another story), they climbed in the front and it was make-believe time as they raced around town saving lives! 

 We had a great time, hanging out in a great community with some great friends! 

Drawings

Sidney drew a picture for me to take to work this week. It's a picture of her and me, with baby in my belly (see that orange blob?....that's baby). Boy that girl makes me smile. 

5 year stats

Our itty bitty girl is growing up. And today, she had to venture to the doctor to check her stats and endure a few shots. She was so scared, knowing full well that shots H.U.R.T. 

Bravely she walked in, chatted a bit with the doctor, telling her everything she wanted to hear (how she sits in a car seat and buckles all the straps, that she wears a helmet when bike riding, etc). I had to fill out a quick questionnaire and at one point, I chuckled out loud. Sidney asked me why I laughed and I said "this question asks if mommy is concerned about your behavior" (yes, I know what this question means, and no, I'm not concerned), but she looked back and and nuzzled into my shoulder with a grin. 

Stinker.

She's pushed some buttons lately. 

So in the end, she is healthy and happy and growing right on track. 

Weight: 38 lbs (~40th percentile)

Height: 42 3/4" (~55th percentile)

A week with Nala

Maddi (and Zevlen) left for Florida last week to get married. And they gave us the responsibility of watching their beloved Nala. To say Ryan was thrilled is ridiculous. In fact, Maddi couldn't even muster up the courage to ask him if Nala could stay with us and told me she would leave it up to me! Thanks Maddi! However....once he realized how sweet and obedient she is, he succumbed to her cuteness and loved her up. 

The girls adored having a dog for a week. They fought over who got to open up the door when we arrived home from an errand, because seeing her greeting us was simply lovely; they fought over who got to pour her fresh water, or give her a treat when she did her duty. They melted when she would sit next to them on the couch and giggled to no end when she would give them kisses. 

This sweet golden color beauty followed me around and watched my every move. She slept by my side each night (which only contributed to my pregnant super heated body!) and waited patiently while I would get ready each morning. 

But our week with her was coming to a close, and Regan's heart was aching. She was nervous to go to her dance class tonight, worried that Nala would be gone when she returned. The first words out of her mouth at the end of class were "is Nala still at home?". Oh boy, this wasn't going to be easy. She couldn't shower fast enough and then the tears started as she knew the clock was ticking. She panicked and exclaimed "mom,Vicky is almost here and I don't know what to do with Nala!", referring to should she play?, or snuggle?, or take her out for a quick walk? She sobbed and cried but took some comfort in simply snuggling and petting her for an hour. 

After she was gone, I nestled in to bed with Regan and let her cry, and cry and cry. 

Man it broke our hearts. 

Maddi~we might need to borrow Nala occasionally now! She's welcome anytime :) Thanks for trusting us with your baby girl, and congratulations on your wedding!!

A whole hand!

Sidney turned 5 on Tuesday, and she was so proud to be "a whole hand"! Oh how I want her to stay little, because she is the sweetest little thing around. But I'm embracing her as she grows up, and looking forward to what her future holds. 

Her eyes still look tired, but we told her once she got dressed for the day, she could open presents. And she sprang into action :) 

She had been eyeing the game table/chair for her American Girl Doll for several months and was over the moon excited to open up this gift. She and Regan grabbed their dolls and the playtime began, at 7am on a school day! 

All day long, I thought about that day, 5 years ago. At 11am, I looked at the clock, remembering it was at that moment that my water had broke (in my office nonetheless, just as a patient was exiting!). And then at 12:30, I text Ryan and reminded him it was at that moment that he had walked into the wrong "Liz's" room at the hospital....another one was trying to give birth about the same time. And then at 3pm, I smiled, remembering the exact second she was born.  

 For dinner, it was her choice. And of course, she picked Rainforest Cafe. Although it's a step up from Chuck E Cheese (we all know mama germ-freak here would like to avoid that place), Ryan and I still think Rainforest is a tad bit over-the-top with less than awesome food. But we suck it up and treat the girls to this place. 

And they ADORE this dessert....it was pretty yummy!

Regan grabbed a pink flower off of a pot on our way out of the mall and stuffed it in Sidney's braid telling her it was perfect. 

Awww, sometimes they can be so sweet together :) 

I think Sid had a great 5th birthday, and she's really milking it for all it's worth now "but mom, it's still my birthday week" as an excuse for everything.

She's a smart one, that sweet Sidney. 

We just can't believe how fast the last 5 years has gone. Sounds so cliche. But in the blink of an eye, she's A WHOLE HAND! 

Sidney's 5th birthday eve

Our little girl went to bed tonight a 4 year old. 

And tomorrow she will wake up as a 5 year old. 

Boy is she excited. So much so that she squealed and jumped up from the top bunk and nearly had her head removed by the ceiling fan. 

Near miss. 

Tonight, I can't help but reminisce about the last 5 years. And how quickly they have passed. I asked her if she could stay little forever, and her response "I can't mom! I want a phone, so I have to grow up". 

Talk about priorities. 

Here is our sweet Sidney at about the 1/2 way mark during my pregnancy. 

And then she was born, looking "pissed off"...yes, I said those words to the doctor just after delivering her (might have been a little exhaustion by me). But she really did look upset, and that was the face she showed us for about 2-3 weeks.

She was a tough one, not wanting me to put her down, forcing me to hold her while she/we slept, for 5 months,and doing squats to keep her from screaming her head off. 

But when she slept in my arms, and the world was ok, she was just perfect :) 

She was apprehensive and a mama's girl; still a little bit of both. 

Growing up so sweet and so silly. Sidney is genuinely engaged in conversations, always with empathy. She can make you laugh and your heart melt. 

 She has an awesome personality, and it is simply lovely to soak in. Her desires to be like her big sister helped her get over many fears. She is imaginative and creative in her play, loving princesses and dolls. 

Her shear love of life and the expressions she shows us are priceless. 

We love her to pieces, our 'second born-initially oh so crabby-beautiful-tiny-(almost) 5 year old'. 

Happy Birthday eve sweet girl, but keep in mind, you are NOT getting a phone tomorrow! 

Milk is icky

Our little peanut would be happy to live off of salad and fruit. No lie. But we try to get her to eat all food groups too. The conversation the other night at the end of dinner went like this: 

Me: "Sidney, drink your milk before it gets warm and icky."

Sidney: "it already is icky."

Ahh, the girl has a point :) 

32 weeks.

For the 3rd time :) 

Today, I visited the doctor for a 32 week appointment. Me and my side-kick Sidney. She is becoming a pro at these appointments: handing me the pee cup, sticker and lid, opening the trap door, waiting on the doctor, and asking all sorts of questions to me, the nurse and the doctor. I think she might be learning a bit too much about pregnancy!

Things are looking good for baby, who continues to measure ahead of schedule, by roughly 2 weeks in size. Now just to be fair, Sidney was also considered "two weeks ahead of schedule" towards the end of my pregnancy, and she came out just 4 days before my due date at 7 lbs 14 oz. So apparently I just tend to have a large belly! 

This baby has a heart rate lower than the other two ever did, generally in the 120's-130's but occasionally hitting 140. It remains very active, tossing and turning all day and night. Ryan comments that baby better figure out stretches of sleeping before it comes out!! Watching and feeling the stretches are my absolute favorite part of pregnancy. I love it. Hiccups are fun too, and happen a lot. 

The girls are getting more and more excited. Sidney gives me two hugs whenever she needs a snuggle, one for me and one for baby. Her arms stretch up around my belly as she tells baby she loves it. Melts my heart. Regan found a gigantic LaLaLoopsie today (picture an over sized bobble head) and walked around saying she was practicing holding baby and keeping its head safe. She cannot wait to help.  

And for comparison sake, I'm posting belly pictures for the lucky readers. ha! 

REGAN

SIDNEY

BABY

Ryan still thinks this one is a boy, and considering he was accurate on his guesses the last two times, I should probably give him some credit. As for me, well, I have had 4 dreams it is a boy, and two dreams that it was born October 17th. But yet I still think it's going to be a girl. 

Time will tell.....

First day of school: 2nd grade and Pre-K

Last night, the girls went to bed with a bit of excitement, fear and wonder in their eyes. Both of them were preparing to start a new "grade" (Sidney started a Pre-K program). Sure they were excited, both having previously met their teachers and visited their new classrooms. But they were each also very nervous about what to expect. 

As we drove home from the lake, Regan mentioned how she was "sad that we are done at the lake, but excited to start 2nd grade". Atta girl, I sure remember some similar feelings growing up. We spent some time chatting about her fears/concerns while at the same time, trying to pump up her excitement. After all, she was heading into a class where she new many of her friends/class mates. 

By the time we dropped her at school today, she bounced out of the car, kissed us all good bye and never looked back. 

Literally. 

Ryan even commented that she didn't turn around. 

Not even a wave. 

I have to be proud that she is confident. She is growing up. And she is ready for the school year. 

Thankfully, I still get have to walk Sidney into her classroom. Much as she wants to walk in alone, and she tells me this regularly ("mom, I want to walk in like Regan. I'm big now"), I'm sooooo thankful that this isn't allowed :) 

She was so stinkin' excited to start Pre-K. People have been asking her for months if she was going to Kindergarten this fall, but sadly, she hasn't quite turned 5 yet and therefore, missed the cut off. She wants so badly to go, but the next best thing is hanging out with 14 of your best friends from when you were in diapers. And so that's where she will be spending 3 days/week. 

She proudly sported her new back pack (that she picked out with Grandma Jan as an early birthday present), and held my hand as we walked into school. I will forever remember the cheery smile she gave to me as she looked up and our eyes met while crossing the parking lot. She was excited. And I was so happy for her. I couldn't help but get a little teary as I left her inside, her final year before going off into the big world of Kindergarten. 

After school, I asked the right questions and got lots of answers from my girls about their days :) They spilled all their favorites and not-so-favorite parts of this new routine. It sounds like the worst part of Regan's day is that we made her wear tennis shoes to school and she didn't even have gym (talk about being the meanest parents ever!) and Sidney.....well, she didn't really have a worst part of her day :) They each could write a book about their favorite parts: friends, recess, art, and so on. 

Here's to another year! 

Labor Day weekend 2013

We spent this Labor Day weekend again with my dad's side of the family at a MN resort. We are so thankful to my parents for giving us this yearly opportunity, unique from anything the girls normally get to experience. With fishing and boat rides on the daily agenda, they are on cloud 9. These two cuties are definitely "city girls", but sure know how to have some lake fun. 

The sunsets are so peaceful on the lake, just breath taking. And they are even more fun when you are actually ON the lake watching the sun fade into the horizon. 

Clearly this isn't your typical boat ride picture. But from shore, I could see both of the girls raise up their arms and giggle as Papa's boat sped faster and faster into the distance. 

Labor Day at the cabin is such a tradition that even Uncles Ben and Jon join us all the way from DC! The girls really enjoy getting to see them and spend the weekend with them. 

And for the most part, not only do Ryan and I get the boot from our typical spots next to the girls at each meal, but so do Grandma Jan/Papa! Lucky for me that means I can sit back and relax during meal times while Ben and Jon get busy adding more ketchup, cutting up food and picking up dropped utensils :) 

Both girls caught PLENTY of fish this weekend; from the boat and the dock they were reeling in fish after fish. Several of them were big enough to keep for the fish fry. When Papa went to clean the fish eventually, Sidney asked what he was doing. I replied "he's cleaning the fish" and she asked "you mean cutting them up or cleaning them?". 

Oh she is so wise :) 

Each and every night we got to sit around this beauty of a fire. Nineteen of us huddled around on our last night, as temps started dipping and the winds weren't slowing down. To keep our minds off the cold, the girls took a lesson in astronomy and loved learning about all the constellations. 

 Just in front of all of our cabins is a big grassy area which proved to be a great spot for everyone to gather and all the kids to play soccer, football, catch and simply lounge. It also gave me a decent back drop to bribe Sidney for a few photos in the bright sun. 

All weekend, these 4 cousins were side by side. They are at ages where us parents can pretty confidently let them wander around the small resort, provided they followed a few key rules. For the most part, they were on the dock fishing with an adult or at the play ground mastering their monkey bar skills. 

Ryan took Regan out on a jet ski for the very first time. She is totally hooked!! It's so much fun to watch your child feel a little fear but quickly turn to excitement as she realizes how much fun she is having. I could hear her squeals from the dock. They secretly switched spots so that she could drive; rule breakers! Apparently she was a wild driver too, quickly turning the handles right then left and drenching both of them! 

And what's a trip to the lake without the annual family photo. Thank you again to my parents for taking our family on this wonderful vacation! It is surely a highlight of our summer and the girls (and us too) look forward to it for months, feeling sad that it's over.