Fall 2009

The last month has been a busy one. We've basically been trying to squeeze in as much as we can before winter sets in, a new baby is here, and we're stuck in doors. A couple weekends before Halloween the cousins all hit up Caroline's for a little pumpkin picking, tractor riding, animal feeding, and donut eating.

Here is my first attempt at the required "picture among the pumpkins" with just my two. Slight Fail.

Much better. Even thought they're not smiling, at least they're facing the same direction and looking near the vicinity of the camera's lens.

The ham decided as I was putting the camera away she was ready to cheese. Typical.

The next attempt was at a cousins picture. Even bigger Fail, but at the very, very least they are all in the frame.

Lucy loved the idea of her head atop a scarecrow's body...

so much we had to take two pictures.

Uh, Zoe, not so much.

Let the tractor rides begin. Parents with multiple children: It's probably not a great idea to take kids on a vehicle without seatbelts and an open roof if you 1. are outnumbered, 2. have child(ren) that don't mind (and try to throw themselves between the slats of the tractor as it's moving), and/or 3. are nine months pregnant.



I told the girls they could get ANY pumpkin they could pick up and carry back to the tractor. Zoe found one she really wanted. Unfortunately, when she went to claim her booty, I heard her state (very matter-of-factly, and with a grunt, no less), "Too heavy, Mama". Oh, too bad. Maybe next year.

I have no words. I think it's only something a toddler would understand...

The girls are champion "loungers". They love to lay all over any surface or person they can reach: couch, floor, mom, dad, etc. This seating is typical in our house, and believe it not, neither of them seem to mind the arrangement.

Zoe turned 19 months at the end of October. Every day I think, "When did she become such a big girl?" She is no longer a baby, and I have a feeling that this will become even more apparent in the next week or so. She is just so verbal and mature (the benefits of having an older sibling). Sure, she's got kind of a sassy streak, but I like em' just a bit spunky.

My Lucy isn't so little anymore either. She is quite funny and smart. She knows exactly what to do to get what she wants too. Example: I was telling Charles the other day that she is quite a hypochondriac. Everything is a boo-boo or an ouchie. He tells me about an exchange they had just the day before, an no kidding, in the next minute their exact same conversation takes place.

Lucy: Daddy, my tummy hurts.
Daddy: Oh no. Your tummy?
Lucy: Yea. Tummy. Hurts.
Daddy: What would make your tummy feel better?
Lucy: Chocolate.
Daddy: Chocolate would make your tummy feel better?
Lucy: Uh huh.
Daddy: Okay, we'll get some chocolate for your tummy.

Lucy eats her chocolate and looks at her father with such love.
Lucy: Tummy all better. Thanks Daddy.

This is how the conversation would have ended had it been between Lucy and myself:

Mommy: Oh that's too bad about your tummy, Lucy. Chocolate would just make it feel worse. Do you need to poop?

Which is exactly why my children never ask for candy.


Lucy's school had a Halloween party where the kids dressed up and went trick-or-treating door to door. I sent Charles to the party with the camera. He took two pictures. Two. Apparently there was a memo that all the Asian girls in Lucy's classroom dress up as witches...

We did trick-or-treating on the Square again this year. The kiddos loved putting on their costumes and begging for candy. And, in case you're wondering, Zoe was a turkey.






When we got home Daddy and the girls decided to make cookies, and by make cookies, I mean they opened up the package of pre-made, pre-shaped, and pre-decorated dough and laid them on a cookie sheet. Baking is hard work!

Someone's a wee bit excited.

Waiting patiently, or not so patiently...

The next day was so beautiful that we decided to be productive while enjoying the outdoors. Lucy and I raked while Zoe did nothing (of course), and Charles mulched the huge leaf piles.


This past weekend the Sue, Kevin, Kalani, my Dad and Stepmom came over to hang out with the kids so Charles and I could go out (Thanks, guys!). It's been almost one year since our last date, and I figure it will be another year before our next. I'm glad that we got out of the house by ourselves, but it made me realize how fulfilling just being at home with the kids and Charles is.

39 weeks

I had my 39 week appointment this morning and all is well. The practice I go to will not let anyone go past the 41 week mark, so in less than two weeks we will have another family member. I know this is going to sound crazy, but I could be pregnant for another month. I get really sad thinking this pregnancy is quickly coming to an end. It is an understatement to say that I LOVE being pregnant. *sigh*

Side note:

I did have an fetal growth ultrasound last week and this baby is a peanut. I knew she was smaller than Zoe (because I can walk without my hips giving out and sleeping is a non-issue), but I was really shocked to hear that by the 40 week mark, they estimate her size to barely be 7 lbs. The blessing is two-fold. Because she is smaller, they won't be urging me to induce this week AND the doctor thinks that pushing her out won't take the full two to three hours that I am accustomed to. So, yay!

As of this morning I am 4cm dilated. I was 3-4 with the girls for over a week before anything happened, so I'm not holding my breath anything is going to happen before the end of the week. I'm hoping for either the 18th or the weekend following when my two favorite doctors are on call.