Road Trip

A couple of weeks back we took a road trip.... to no where in particular, just because! We have not done this in a very long time and it felt good!!! Right before we headed out we did decide to include some campgrounds we were hoping to check out so that small agenda was added in - other than that we just took our time, stopped and played, fished and took a nature walk! It was a wonderful day that started out very early and impromptu like and finished very late and messy car like... a perfect day!!!

Uncle Adam

Sunday we celebrated Adam's graduation from Seattle University with his masters degree. We are so very proud of him. Way to go Uncle Adam!!!

How Time Flies...

The past couple of weeks have flown by, busy with one thing or another. An indication the holidays are upon us. As well, I was down for a week or so with the H1N1 influenza - not fun! Bryan was able to get some good bonding time with Holly though as I was banned to the back bedroom in hopes to not pass it on to the family and I was also able to sleep a lot and get better. Holly & Bryan enjoyed a few local outings, play areas, special meals, camping in the living room with a real tent and movie nights. Pretty nice time for them actually, which I am very happy about.

We have also been working on the babies room - it is painted out now in a light chocolate brown. I am still working on some final painting touches and then I'll take some photos to share soon. But, it is coming together nicely and timely. Our goal was to have a majority of that done before the Christmas season as we tend to fill our time up with holiday celebrations and activities. I think we are on a pretty good track to balancing the babies room and the season.

The next few weeks are also pretty full with festivities already. Starting with this weekend, we are attending an extended family Thanksgiving and taking in a local holiday light show. We are decorating the house up for Christmas this weekend too... Holly is overjoyed about that too! Next week is Thanksgiving (crazy!), some holiday shopping the day after and then we are going to participate in a local children's museum fundraiser called Gingerbread Jamboree... where we will make a nice gingerbread house. I am sure we'll have a lot of photos to share and a fun time too! So, stay tuned....

Pregnancy Update

Thought I'd write a bit on the pregnancy... all is going really well! I am now 23 1/2 weeks along and in my sixth month. It has really flown by, and I mean really flown by.

I am a lot more tired this time around and I am sure it because our activity level is higher this time around, nothing more. All of my appointments have gone really well, the baby is growing well and I am feeling pretty good. For those wondering - no we are not finding out what we are having much to many people's dismay. But, we are excited to hear the announcement in the delivery room.

For the time being we had an ultra sound yesterday and saw the sweetness that lies within. The baby is now measuring one and a half pounds and doing good. I can feel some good little kicks now, a ton of movement and am learning the perkier parts of their day vs the quieter parts. Holly has had a lot of fun feeling for kicks, she is getting very excited for sure.

We are beginning to work on the babies room - prepping for some lighting work, touch ups and then a good paint job - then we can begin setting things up some. Our hope is to have a majority of the work done prior to the holidays so that we are just ready when the holidays simmer down... then we can just focus on the few little things and enjoying those final days with Holly before the new addition. When we start making some changes to the room I'll post some photos.

Silhouette Tradition

Today Holly had a silhouette done of her. For me, this was special because I have a silhouette of me done at that same age and one of my mother as well. I have loved owning these and now am looking forward to putting them all out together.

This is a photo of all three of us: my mom is the bottom one, I am the far left one and Holly is the unframed one. Aren't they sweet!

These are cut by hand, not traced and then cut - simply an art!

Special Trip for Holly

So, last night we took Holly out for a special shopping trip...

'Why?' you ask....

Hmmm.... Still not sure?

Yep.... you read that right!!! I promise! We are about 6 weeks along, so early but expecting! And, we are beyond thrilled!

So, last night we decided to share out news with Holly as we really wanted her to be the first to know. And, Holly -- was ECSTATIC! She was so happy, smiley and excited. She had a million and one questions. She is ready to shop, plan, teach, play and help with a new little baby sister or brother. Which by the way, Holly is certain it will be a girl, LOL!

Bryan, doing things in the Bryan fashion, wanted to draw it out for her... so here he slowly starts with our family -

The papa...
The mama...Little Holly...
And, wait... "who is that?"

Oh.... I get it!!!

This is the *best* photo to me... she really was so happy and excited! After she got out a few big questions and happiness, she then proceeded to tell me she couldn't wait to 'hug' the baby when it comes... like this:

To celebrate with Holly we took her shopping at Babies R Us so that she could pick something special for the upcoming baby. She was thrilled! And, ready to furnish an entire nursery - seriously... she wanted to get it all now :) Very sweet! Holly settled on two special items that are actually things she found very special to her as a baby -- a soft 'blankie' and 'paci' like she had as a baby.

It was a very special evening. We are absolutely excited and are looking forward to our new memories.

Oh, and for the curious - we are not slated to head to the doctor for a couple more weeks... just how things are. However, when we calculated the due date online it is for February 14, 2010! *too sweet*

Playhouse

The playhouse is coming along.... and it looking so cute! I am really enjoying seeing Bryan's design come to life, from paper to realtiy. We have had some wonderful help too - this would not be if it were not for all of these wonderful people!