Definitely nap time

Starting at the beginning of this year, church is at 1 pm.  We weren't sure exactly how well this would work out considering that both the kids usually nap at 1. It was mostly Will we were worried about since Kalena is generally okay without a nap.  Anyway, he's been okay but it's pretty obvious he's tired, especially by the time he's in nursery.

In fact, last Sunday the music leader told me that when she went in to sing with the nursery kids, Will laid down on the floor and pulled his carpet square up over himself like a blanket.  I guess he really was ready for a nap.

30 weeks

Well, I made it 3/4 of the way through.  Don't know how that's possible since I've been sick for this WHOLE ENTIRE PREGNANCY.  Alright, that's probably a little bit of an exaggeration but it started with 14 weeks of round the clock nausea, then daily headaches, then a stomach bug, then this ridiculous cough.  I would like to be well when I have this baby.  Is that too much to ask?

Anyway, here I am.  In the best non-maternity maternity dress ever.  (Compliments of Kari.)

Free books!

I'm sure that you've probably all heard about Dolly Parton's Imagination Library by now, right?

Well, if you haven't, it's a great program that sends books to kids under 5.  You register your kids, and then every month until they turn 5 they get a book in the mail.  For free!  The only catch is that your area has to be participating in the program.  You can check out this map to find out.

Anyway, I first heard about the program in our local paper actually, when they advertised that our library was doing it.  And since I am addicted to books (and you know, encouraging my kids to also be addicted to books) I signed them up right away.  I registered both kids separately (since it says they send age appropriate books and my kids are different ages) and we got our first books in October.  I was a little worried when we got our first books because it was 2 copies of The Little Engine That Could, and I thought we might be in for 2 copies of the same book every month, but it turns out that's just the first book EVERY kid gets.  The kids have received different books every time since.  Anyway, I'm pretty sure I'm rambling here.  I just can't get over how FUN it is to get new books in the mail every month!  Kalena especially loves it, since the book comes addressed to her.  They've mostly been books I haven't heard of (but not all) but they've all been enjoyable reading.  Plus, they're books we don't already own!

So.  Go find out if they have this where you are and if they do, get signed up!

Shot myself in the foot with this one

So, I started New Baby's stitchery the other day.  Because, you know, I want to PRETEND like I'm going to get it done anytime in the near future.  And I like the pattern, I really think it's cute.  Here's a picture of what it should look like when I'm finished:

I do have to say I really hope that they used the name Noah just as an example and that nobody actually bought a Noah's Ark themed stitchery for a child named Noah.  Anyway, cute yes?  But the pattern is SO much more complicated than the one I did for Will or the one I did for Kalena.  The picture doesn't make it look more complicated, but IT IS.  So now I'm kicking myself for not realizing how much more time this one would take (even though HOW COULD I KNOW?)  And yeah.  Maybe I'll get it done by the time he starts kindergarten?

Blargh.

You guys, I am STILL SICK.  This is the cough that never ends.  Thursday will be 4 weeks that I've had it.  And at this point I am SO ready for it to be over that I'm even looking forward to my gestational diabetes test because at least I'll be better!  (I won't be able to take the test until I've over it because right now I can't make it an hour without cough drops or something.)

Anyway, how about if I just throw some more pictures of my kids up here hmm?

Here's Will, feeding mac & cheese to his dinosaur.  Because, why not?

And Kalena, dressed up for church.  Not sure what's up with that smile, but I love that little dress.

Will trying to hide from the camera.

And hopefully one of these days I'll be better again.

Completed!

So, I finally finished Will's stitchery.  I'm pretty sure I mentioned it at some point, long, long ago when I was assuring you all (stupidly) that I would finish it before he was 16 months old (I finished Kalena's when she was 16 months old.)  Since I started it while I was pregnant with him and finished it yesterday and he's two, it means it only took me approximately forever to get it done.

And I'm getting ready to start the one for this new baby, but this time I won't be making any rash promises about when I'll get it done.  Also, I'm going to have to apologize in advance to my youngest child, because it seems that pregnancy of "next baby" is what gets me to finish any of these things so youngest child's is just never going to get done.

29 weeks

Yep.  That's me.

I'd tell you to ignore the fact that I'm in yoga pants and wearing no makeup, but that's true 99% of the time.  So really this picture is more accurate than my others.

Giant head photo evidence

The kids played outside today, and since it's pretty cold out they needed to be bundled up.  Here's Will in child sized coat and mittens and an adult sized hat.

I guess you can't argue with cute.

Will: the 2 year old

As you know, this kid turned 2 recently.

And that means well visit time!  (My life it just one thrill after another, let me tell you.)  Anyway, he continues to be what the doctor calls "short and sturdy" with a giant head.

He is 33 inches tall- 15%, 28.2 lbs- 52%, and his head is 20 1/2 inches around- 99%.

He got a couple of shots and made it through those with nothing more than a betrayed look in my direction.  Then burst into tears because I wouldn't put his shoes on the wrong feet.  He has his priorities you know.

Yes, we go to the dinosaur museum all the time

Since Kirsta is here and her kids are *almost* as obsessed with dinosaurs as my kids, we took everyone to the dinosaur museum yesterday.  Okay, everyone but Caroline because she was napping.  Anyway, I know you don't think it's possible that I could have taken MORE pictures of the kids playing at the dinosaur museum, but I DID.

Here are Patrick and Kalena "discovering fossils!" as Patrick put it.

Will is pretty sure the "quarry" is actually a beach, so he's lounging.

Here's one of all the kids making dinosaur footprints in the sand.  Left to right: Espen, Kalena, Will, Eli, Patrick.  And would you believe Eil is only 6 weeks older than Will?  He seems WAY older than that.

And, last but not last, family photo!  We don't take nearly enough of these.

Happy new year everyone!