Happy Halloween!!!!

Happy Halloween, everyone! I truly love Halloween and Henry showing us that he loves it too, makes it even better.

He was so excited this morning when he came into our room. He was excited about the party at school, he was excited that Daddy was coming to school, he was excited for candy and he even practiced his Trick or Treating skills.

Here he is dressed as a shark....

We went to a parade yesterday in South Riding. He loved putting on his costume, which was a relief because last year it was almost scary getting his costume on him.

Then last night, I made these treats for his school. They could not have been any easier. Fudge stripe cookies turned upside down, Wilton orange piping and a Hershey kiss...Voila, witches hats.

A neighbor told us that last year, they had 300 Trick or Treaters, umm if that is the case, the kids at the end will be getting string cheese or tuna fish from the pantry. We have a lot of candy but that is CRAZY!

I hope everyone has a great Halloween and I will post pictures tomorrow of our party and fun night!

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

The Bump

Since, I became pregnant I joined a Mom's Board on The Bump. Brought to you by the same people that bring you The Knot and The Nest.
I was on with Henry but this time, I was drawn to a message board called February 2012 Moms.
We have all gone through many up and downs together. It's a great place for all of us pregnant ladies to vent and just talk about our pregnancies or just talk in general. It may seem strange to some of you to talk to people that you have no idea who they are but you really do get to know people this way.
On the board, us second, and third time mom's adopted a first time mommy. We set it up so first time moms can ask us any kind of question they want. The girl I adopted is a perfect match. We get along great and have so much in common. It's exciting going through this with her for the first time.
I also had another girl on the board that I was instantly drawn too. It is freaky how much the two of us have in common. We don't live near each other, she is in Texas but there was something about her that just makes me feel like, if I lived in Texas we would be friends.
Well, this week she started preterm labor. She is only 25 weeks today. I saw her post on the board yesterday and immediately started crying. She was 3cm yesterday morning and by the afternoon she was 4cm. Last night she was holding strong but this morning she had a high water leak and it looks like her little boy will arrive today.
She has been emailing me and I have been updating the girls on the board so they know what is going on. I am just AMAZED by the support of strangers. Everyone on that board has posted prayers and thoughts to her and her family and we are all just waiting to hear updates.
The way strangers pull together to pray and think about another woman going through what most of us could never imagine going through, is just amazing. We have created a community and bond that could not be broken.
We all know this could be us and we are all scared for her but we are staying strong because we know that is what she needs. Today, is going to be a very emotional day for her and her family but I hope she knows that she has a lot of support and a lot of ladies thinking about her.

Watch What you Say.....

Lately, Henry has been cracking us up with what he is saying. He is basically mocking us or repeating things that we always tell him.

Example 1: This morning, he came into our room and was jumping on the bed. Then he started to bother Charlie. Charlie said to him, please stop, he says to Charlie, "No Dad, this isn't a game". We always say that when he starts to do something he should not be doing.

Example 2: Ellie is in the shower, she is old and sick and if you leave the shower door open when you are done she will go in there and try to lick the water. Well, Henry saw her in there. He says "Ellie get out of the shower, 1............2.............3, Ellie I said get out of the shower."

Example 3: When he gets frustrated he says "Oh God". Oooops, this one is on me - I am always saying that.

Example 4: This one I think he mocks me....I like to say "Be careful" so whenever he is walking down the steps, he says in his non gruff voice "be careful".

Example 5: He falls over - most times he says "Whoa, that was a close one". We say that to him when he falls and doesn't hit his head.

Example 6: You've got to be kidding me and C'mon are another two of his favorites. Both are family favorites.

Example 7: The barter...."Just one more". The other morning, he had two mini donuts and he wanted another. Dad had already said, "No". Henry comes and asks me for one more, I tell him to ask his father. So, he goes and asks his Dad again.....He runs back in and says "Mom, Dad said NO. MORE. DONUITS."

These stories are actually much better if you can picture Henry saying them. He has a very unique voice that everyone comments on. It's a raspy deep voice that just cracks us up. He also likes to talk with his hands so these sayings are very animated.

We have to be very careful now a days because we just never know when he is going to mimic us!

I might be the only one....

I really can't wait until we knock the clocks back an hour. I love the dark at night but I hate the dark in the morning.

For instance this morning, Henry left his room and walked into our room. It felt early but what did I know it was dark. He got into the bed and just sat there, asked for the TV on like he normally does. I couldn't find the remote so I asked Charlie and he goes "You know it is, 3:30am" WHAT!!!!!!! 3:30am looks just like 6:30am. So, yes, we have been up since 3:30am this morning.

I need the sun in the morning and the dark at night. Yes, I am aware that I am of the minority of people (well besides my sister in law Nadine) who enjoy leaving work and having it dark out.  To me it seems like it should be that way. Gets me motivated to eat dinner earlier. Why do I have to eat dinner when it is dark, I don't know, but I do.

Turning the clocks back means the holidays are around the corner, fireplaces are going to be running, hot chocolate brewing and the snow will be here soon. It just feels right.

Don't get we wrong, I love spring and summer hours but bring me the dark evenings and the cool weather!

BAM!

Did my belly pop or what....

BAM!!!

24 weeks in this picture. I knew I felt big but wow, did my stomach pop.

The Final Countdown!

I just looked at a calendar and could not believe it - we are only THREE weeks out from Disney World. We have been planning it for so long that I just can't believe we are almost there.

Here are some details of our trip. We will be staying at Old Key West. We actually ended up renting points from a company and booking through them. Old Key West is a Disney Vacation Club property so I am looking forward to have a little more space then an actual hotel room.

We got 4 day park hopper passes and we also got the meal plan. I'm pretty excited about all the fun places we are going to eat at. I booked them so long ago, that I just had to refresh my memory. Lunch at Tony's Town Square, Dinner at Mama Melrose, Breakfast with Mickey at Chef Mickey and the last night dinner at The Crystal Palace.

I keep trying to imagine what Henry's expression is going to be when he sees the castle. He is obsessed with the castle. He thinks Mickey Mouse lives there and we don't tell him that it is really "Cinderella's" castle.  I just picture him trying to talk a mile a minute when we walk through those gates and sees it. He will probably also request every toy from the stores on Main Street.

We have to try and find a Pluto balloon. He keeps telling me he wants a Mickey Mouse birthday party with a Pluto balloon. Pluto of all characters! I am hoping we can find one!

We know we will hit up all the parks but if we miss something we will be okay with that. We don't want to over due it, but I am hoping we get to most of the attractions. I was kind of nervous because I will be entering my third trimester and was scared I wouldn't be able to go on rides and miss out on all the fun with Henry. I did some research and it looks like just the roller coasters and the tea cups will be out  - woo hooo!

22 DAYS AND COUNTING!

Little Update

I have been a very bad blogger this month. Things have just been so crazy that I just can't fit it in.

I have a few minutes now so here is a little update.....

Last weekend, my brother and the family came to visit. We went to Cox Farms on Saturday and then on Sunday, we went to Temple Hall farm for a corn maze. This maze was incredible!!! We were lost for at least 20 minutes. Here is a picture of the maze and then a picture of me and kids and the final marker!

Saturday, like I said we headed over to Cox Farms. Henry had a blast with all his cousins. I love this age because he actually gets it and shows such great enthusiasm. He is still talking about the weekend.

Here is a picture of us by the pumpkins (me at 23 weeks).

Then for fun, here is a picture of me apple picking while pregnant with Henry at 26 weeks.

I look about the same, maybe bigger this time.

This week is short and sweet, just the way I like it. Monday, I had off, which was nice because I got a lot of errands done and cleaned the house a little. Then later this week we are in Charleston for AJ and Ally's wedding.

We are leaving Henry at home because we are driving and it is just not worth driving that many hours with an almost 3 year old. He will be spoiled rotten by Grandpa and Gayle, I'm sure.

It will be nice to getaway for a few days, see family and just hang out. Plus, the destination does not get much better then Charleston!

Hope everyone has a great week! I'll update when we get back home!

Have times changed?

Do you remember when you were a kid and your mom and dad would sometimes go away on business?

I remember when my Dad would go to to DC with 300 8th graders, I guess that was his business. I also remember that when he came home he always had a special gift. It usually consisted of NASA freeze dried ice cream and one year it was a Ling Ling stuffed panda bear. I just remember being so excited that my dad brought me something from another city. There were also all the good freebies from the teacher's conference in November. Personally, I don't think they ever "actually" went to the conference but just to Atlantic City to get away from us kids and brought us home what they could.

Charlie was away this week on business. He was only gone a few days but he told Henry he would bring him back something and boy did be bring him back something.

This morning when we came downstairs Charlie had the give aways from all the lender groups and what not and then he pulled out the mega prize. Charlie WON an ipod touch at the conference. I thought Henry was going to flip his lid he was so excited. Just like Mommy's he screamed. I was in shock, but of  course what did I ask...."Did they give away an ipad?" They did but we didn't win that.

Anyway after a few minutes of being in awe of the family's new ipod touch, Henry went back to playing with the notepads and cheap pens that Daddy brought home. He especially loved the dragon baseball hat and wanted to wear it to school.

I guess while times have changed and moms and dads bring home ipod touch's and other fun gadgets, kids still love the good old crap they give away for free.

Boo'd in the Hood

The other day Henry and I came home from school and work and there was a ghost hanging on our light post. Henry was beyond thrilled, because not only was there a ghost there was a pail filled with candy. His favorites....skittles and m&m's.

After the sugar high from eating all the candy we read the note that came with it. In the note it told us that we had to Boo three more houses in our neighborhood.

Henry was so excited, so we made some ghosts that I had around the house. Then we headed to the "red store" and bought some ghost bags and filled them with goodies for our neighbors.

Here is our finished project:

We have never done this before and I think it is such a cute idea. A great way for kids to get involved and for neighbors to get to know each other. You are not suppose to know who Boo'd you but I am sure when we are all Trick or Treating we will tell.

Henry and Mommy Time

Charlie is going to be out of town for a few days so it is just me and H.

We don't really have any plans. Maybe make some ghosts for the tree out back, have a dinner date at "O'Donnal's", and then see Gayle one night too.

I am excited to have a whole bed to myself, not be forced into watching baseball, and just enjoying some Henry and Mommy time.

We have been so busy and we will be busy from now until the end of the year that a little one on one time with Henry is sometimes much needed.

Of course we will miss Daddy like crazy but he will be back in three wake ups!