A very pregnant Mary, 2 baby Jesus's, and an Angel

For family night Sarah came up with the idea of acting out the nativity. We didn't have a lot of people to start with, but we all agreed. It actually was very funny. Dave and I kept cracking up. Sarah was very serious and wrote out who was what and then told us to act it out. Alex didn't want to be anything except play with the baby Jesus, so he got to be a very big baby holding the baby. Sarah and Dave did most of the acting and Alex and I enjoyed it very much. Dave wouldn't let me get a picture of his Joseph/Shepherd/Wise man costume. Instead he took this picture that makes me laugh just looking at it. Sarah's face I think is what kills me. I look terrible and Alex could care less....

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This is real.....isn't it....

At 32 weeks pregnant (that is only 8 weeks left for those of you who are counting) I am finally realizing this is real. My stomach is HUGE. I can hardly sit down there is just so much there. The heartburn is killer, the leg cramps in the night are crazy, and sleeping isn't happening anymore. I am not complaining. :) Just stating the facts.



I am in the down hill stretch. I have bought real infant little diapers, girl binkies, and onesies. It is hard to imagine something so little in them. Alex's diapers are not small and what he does in them is not small (sorry a little graphic).

In two weeks I am going to pack my hospital bag (my sister's probably think I already packed it :)). I am holding out till at least 34 weeks to pack it. Sarah did come a few weeks early so I think 34 weeks is safe and not too insane.

My sweet Visiting Teacher even gave me her cell # and permission to call in the middle of the night if anything happens before my Mom gets here. YES!!!

I am very excited if you can't tell. I just love having babies. Not the pain, but holding them, nursing them, naming them, and watching them grow afterward. I just can't wait. Yeah, Christmas is coming to keep my mind of of it, but deep down this little kid is all I can think about.

Thankful

This morning it was 8 degrees when I sent Sarah out the door to the bus. She was bundled in very warm clothes, so I didn't have to worry at all. I always say a little prayer as I watch her go down to the bus. I just want her to be safe and warm when she is away. She always comes home happy and loves school. My worries are eased and I know she is a strong little kid that loves life.

I am now 31 weeks pregnant and really not doing too bad. I can hardly wait for our new baby and I try to keep myself distracted. Alex helps a lot with that. :) I can feel the baby kicking hard now and especially when I am sitting or laying down. She seems to have a lot of energy. I really am so grateful that we have the 3 kids we do. It has had it's ups and downs getting them here, butI don't think I would change anything, because it has taught me to appreciate each one.

I am grateful for the blessings of the gospel in my life. We have always had what we have needed for our family, a warm home, clothes, food, and more. I am really grateful that Heavenly Father knows what we need. He hears our prayers and answers them.

Well, I better finish this post. Alex is watching the lady that exercises in the chair on PBS. LOL.

Welcome to the Eagles Nest!

Friday we decided to take a little road trip. We had heard the best time to go to see the Bald Eagles on the Mississippi River is from November-January, so we packed up the car and headed to Wabasha, MN. It was only a 50 Minute drive, which is doable when you are 8 months pregnant.



It is one of the most beautiful drives in the summer, but the winter wasn't too bad. We drove to the National Eagle Center and were able to see lots of Bald Eagles and also a Golden Eagle. The Bald Eagles were some of the most impressive birds I have ever seen. The tallons on a Bald Eagle can grip up to 400 psi. The average human can grip up to 20-50 psi. The also have amazing vision that can spot prey very far away.



All of the eagles at the center were there because they couldn't survive in the wild. I felt very sad for them until the lady told us that they typically live 20 years longer than the ones in the wild because of the vetrinary care they get.



We watched along the river and saw 3 eagles flying or perched in trees. The kids really loved it and we had a fun drive home. They played with their paper eagles. At one point I had to laugh when Sarah said to Alex 'lets have them "mate"'. Dave and I looked at each other and laughed. I think she was referening to when the court each other. They will interlock their talons and do summersaults until they almost hit the ground and then the fly up. They say that it creates a bond between the male and female birds. Interesting. If you come and visit. We would love to take you to the National Eagle Center. It was very fun.

Pregnancy Update

I am now in my 28th week of pregnancy. I get tired about every 3rd day and don't feel like doing anything and on the other two days I feel like cleaning, cleaning, and organizing. At my last Midwife appointment she said I was measuring just right and the heartbeat was healthy. The glucose tests came back normal, so that is all good news. I am a little anemic and need to remember to take my Iron pills everyday. My blood pressure also has increased and I need to monitor it each week to make sure it doesn't go up. She wasn't too worried because my bottom number was low, it was the top number that had increased. I had just chased Alex around the Mayo Clinic to look at the art there, so that could have something to do with it. I haven't taken him to an appointment until now.

Overall, I am feeling pretty good and am excited for this little baby to come. We are getting closer to a name, but haven't totally decided yet.

My mom bought a ticket to come and stay with us when the baby comes. Hopefully this baby will be a little more predictable than Alex was. I am just as excited to spend time with my Mom as I am for this little baby to come.

My Latest Project..

I just finished this week a project I have been working on. I bought this dresser at the Salvation Army for 50$ last week after being so frustrated with the ridiculously expensive press board dressers that we saw at furniture stores here. They don't make good quality furniture here for cheap and we don't have good furniture stores anyway to spend the money at. Anyway, I decided to refinish it and it turned out really well. I wish I had a before picture of the hideous brown with seventies brass handles but I was too excited to work on it to think about that. :) Now we just need to find a small dresser for the other side of our room and my room will be done.

Here are a few pictures of the finished dresser....

A couple more pictures...

Just a couple more pictures from Halloween...