On the farm...

Today I had to go to the grocery store to pick up a couple of things and I told Rachel that we would pick up lunch on the way home. Well, as we pulled out of Meijer, she said "See mama, On da farm!" I have heard her say that before, but never put together what she was saying. And frankly thought that association of eating and being at a farm seems wrong! Well, then it dawned on me...McDonalds...she made the association to the song Old McDonald had a farm, of which she refers to the song as On Da Farm! I got a good laugh out of that one. And for sometime now, when I see a McDonalds, I will think of that exact moment. So cute!

Christmas Cookie Exchange

Anyone want to do a cookie exchange? My cousin and I are hosting an exchange and want to get invites out soon. Let me know if you are interested!

We will have the gathering on a weekday the week before Christmas and each participant will be required to bring one dozen cookies for each participant.

Any interest?

Yum!

Baby Moves...

No, I haven't felt this little baby move too much, or at all for that matter. I have felt a couple of things, but who knows if it was the real deal. But, in wondering if what I have felt has been the baby, it took me back to being pregnant with Rachel. I know I remember feeling her moving around and I remember the big flips and elbows sticking out, but yet it seems like I can barely remember any of that. Well, I can't wait to feel the baby move consistently, just so I know that everything is ok!

On another note, last week I had a doctor appointment. They attempted to get the heartbeat, but were unsuccessful. (This had been my fear.) So, the doctor brought the ultrasound machine in and we got to sneak a peak at our little one. We didn't hear the heartbeat, but we saw the baby moving around and saw the heart beating. Rachel now talks about seeing the baby moving on the tv! Everything went good at the appointment and I go back in 4 weeks, well 3 now! Our ultrasound has been scheduled for Monday, November 24 (right before Thanksgiving). So, only 38 days to go until we find out if we are having another girl, or a boy! Any guesses?

Gymnastics!

Here are some pictures of Rachel at her gymnastics class on Saturday morning. It is so cute to watch her run around and play!

Playing with hoops!



















Doing a "salt" as Rachel calls it!















Hanging on the bar!



















On the balance beam with airplane arms!

Each class wraps up with a song and a dance!

Jamie is crazy!

And it must be true....because Rachel said so!

I can't remember if it was Friday or Saturday, but Rachel was talking to Jamie and said something that had us all laughing. She said "Rachel silly, you're crazy!"

And yes, she does refer to herself in the third person very often!

I am slowly tackling my list of things that need to be done before April is here and we are blessed with a sweet new little baby.

Rachel has done away with her sapie (pacifier), except she did ask for it on Friday night as we were getting ready to leave Jamie's parents house. When we leave there, she is always in her jammies and would get a blanket and sapie while in the car. Well, as we were getting ready, she said blankie and sapie. I questioned her and she became really embarrassed and smiled, as in oops! When I asked her if she wanted it, she quickly said no and that sapies are for babies and that they are yucky!

Rachel has now slept in the big girl bed in the spare bedroom (the room that will be hers) at nap time yesterday, last night and is sleeping right now in there. I think that we might be out of the crib converted to her toddler bed!

I am not the "fun" Mommy!

Ok, I can be fun, but not messy painting fun. I have had Rachel paint as a craft twice at home. Well, today we went to a friend's house today (Kristen) and Rachel and her daughter (Zoe) got to paint. Rachel had such a blast. Clearly, I am not that fun and I need to be. Perhaps Rachel will get some crafty stuff for Christmas.

On a positive note, Rachel will love craft time when she goes to preschool. Maybe I am doing her a favor. Perhaps I am creating someone that will really appreciate art when she goes to school. Ok, probably not, but it was worth a shot!

Kristen - If you are reading this, thanks for lunch. It was great!!!

So Lady Like

I have not shared pictures too much lately and here is the latest one to be put on my computer desktop. Enjoy!

These are the best days of my life!

I told this to Jamie last week and it is so true.

Sure the jr high years were great because I was old enough to have independence, but too young to work a job. And college was great because it seemed that even though I worked a lot and went to school, I still had a ton of me-time. But, I didn't have money nor freedom. Then post-college life begins. I marry a wonderful man, we start a beautiful family and I am doing what I have always wanted to do...be a wife, a mommy... And I am so lucky to be able to stay home with my sweet little girl and thank the Lord everyday. Looking back through my life, although there were some great times, I have no desire to go back. These are the days that I love the best! I have a wonderful life and wonderful people to share it with. I have been blessed with a great husband, the sweetest little girl ever, expecting our next little gem, great family and friends and a perfect house. These are the best days of my life!