Being Thankful

We're focusing on the people and things we're thankful here as we prepare for Thanksgiving. Here's our first project to remind of all of those things. Every day we think of new people and things to add! In case your wondering, fly spray was the very first thing added to our " Thankful Wreath" . Welcome to Colorado, pretty girl!

All Halloween-ed out

Boy was I ever glad to put up our November Thanksgiving ( and Grammy's visit) countdown! After the completion of last night's trick or treating, we were officially all Halloween-ed out.

Mike had to work but thankfully my mom was excited to go candy hunting with us! Mack was very excited to hit the streets and was quickly mapping out which houses we should hit. :


She started out holding Gram's hand, but as her bucket began to fill, Gram's became the bucket transporter from house to house. We certainly missed our Michigan Halloween traditions but it was so nice to spend a Halloween with my mom, too.:



Checkin' out the loot:

Excellent chompers!

Mack's dental appointment with her new Colorado dentist was drawing nearer so , in preparation for it, we started reading our dentist books and remembering what happens at the dentist. Mack really liked her old dentist, Dr. Cullen. She wanted to know if she could call her new dentist Dr. Cullen, too. Admittedly, we were both anxious to meet the new doctor but as soon as we walked into the Dr. Seuss themed office , we both felt better. Try as I did to not show my nerves, I let out a little sigh of relief.

Dr. Rachel was fantastic as was her hygienist, Libby. Mack looked so big and yet so small all at the same time as she got her very first x-rays. Every person that walked by commented on how well Mack followed directions and Dr. Rachel said that Mack's teeth are cleaner than even her kids! Mack got two thumbs up for having sparkling clean teeth even before they were cleaned by Libby. Mack was welcomed to the " no cavity club" and entered into a drawing to win a gift card to Toys R Us!

We both loved the visit and are excited to go back in early April !

14 weeks

I'm officially out of the first trimester and feeling SO much better! I am morning sickness free. The only real pregnancy symptom I have these days is a heavy dose of heart burn, which I remember well from my pregnancy with Mackenzie. For making it through the first trimester, I am rewarded with close to normal energy levels, being able to keep my breakfast down and the ability to feel the bumps and bounces of this little bean. Those movements are so precious and I can't help but stop what I'm doing and pat my belly to say "hello" back. It's hard to believe this time next year, we'll have a 6 month old little pumpkin to take Trick-or- Treating!

We had the sequential scan last week which tests for genetic disorders and looks for signs of birth defects. So far, the tests have all come back normal . The sequential scan requires a very accurate measurement of the nasal bone and the neck. Our baby was feeling sleepy and wasn't exactly cooperating. This was a little frustrating for the tech ( who was wonderful) but we didn't complain since it meant we got an extra long peek at our growing baby! Just before the tech got the measurement she needed, she pointed out that our baby was sitting on a piece of the cord with it's arms behind it's head and it's feet reclined. I'm glad things aren't too strenuous in there!

I see my nurse midwife again tomorrow and should get the order for the " big ultra sound". It won't be long before we know who this little lounger is!

Fall "Festible"

Samantha invited us to go with them to a fall festival at a church near by. There was a very well organized "Trunk or Treat" with games and candy as well as a bounce house, popcorn and hot dogs! Our friend Jenny and her two boys came as well!

Originally Samantha thought her boys would be Captain Hook and Peter Pan and we thought Mack could be Tinkerbell but the boys decided to go in a different direction and choose to go in a different direction ( as did Mackenzie who ditched her idea of being a dog ( with a leash) for a glittery princess crown ) it still all worked out:

Brock is King Ducky II ( from Veggie Tales) Malachi is a Knight and Mack, the fair maiden princess.

I was surprised at Mack's choice since she is such a tomboy and has never shown much interest in princess. Though she loves her princess gown, she was pretty irritated that her dress was getting in the way of her running and jumping. That little bug loving, puddle stomping, dirt digging girl is still in there.

Pumpkins!

We carved up this years pumpkins and, though it's been to cold to do so yet, we can't wait to put the candles inside for our trick-or-treaters!

This year Mack used cookie cutters and a hammer to create her pumpkin. She couldn't quite work the hammer ( safely ) on her own, but with a little help did great! Here she is picking out her cutters ( this made us think of Aunt Meg and all her fun cookie cutters)

Working the cutters into the pumpkin:
The next day she helped me accessorize my pumpkin:
The crew:
A friend of mine gave me this idea for some fine motor skills. We saved up the kernels for some turkey projects in November.

Extremes

Colorado has the wackiest weather ever! It snows nearly every Halloween. It isn't always a ton of snow but usually enough to make things pretty. But things got started a bit earlier this year. On Monday we had a record high of 81 degrees. On Tuesday night, after a warm fall day it began snowing and on Wednesday we woke up to this:




And this...


And worst yet, this:


Nearly 5 inches fell but , in true Colorado form, the snow was mostly gone by Friday and we were back in short sleeves and the mid 60's by Saturday. Though we definitely lost one tree in our front yard ( and probably the other) we all enjoyed the fun of playing in the snow and cuddling up after words:

My favorite part was when Mack woke up and looked out her window and in an awe struck voice said " *gasp* Christmas!"