11.21.12

1. Waldorf salad.  It is a must at family Thanksgiving gatherings.  The smell of it just bring back such nostalgia for me.
2. Answers to little prayers.  Piper had a big spelling test today that was a review of the year so far.  We were only able to spend precious little time studying this week.  And then I was worried because I gave her a practice oral and written test and she didn't do as well as I would have hoped.  She is an excellent study though.  I sent up a little prayer that she would do well.  Her results today were 20/20!
3. Chats with good friends
4. Rick was home early today
5. An efficient but fun shopping excursion alone with Piper this afternoon.  She needed something festive for Thanksgiving.  We scored a little dress and also got to take a little detour to American Girl Place.
6. This is a little premature but I have high hopes that our oven will be fixed soon.  It has been hit or miss lately which causes me anxiety.  It keeps turning off unexpectedly, sometimes without warning.  A repairman came yesterday to make judgements and then to order parts.  It worked okay for my prep cooking tonight.  I can only hope that it will hold out for pies tomorrow morning.

It's a....

After our little weekend down south for the 4th of July holidays where I was feeling extra tired, we learned that we are expecting another baby in March.  It was a little surreal at first (it still is a little now) because we hadn't been planning to have another baby yet.  It's a little girl which we are thrilled about.

Having taken a pregnancy test one night, I was in shock.  Rick was just about asleep.  I thought to myself that I couldn't tell him that night or he wouldn't be able to sleep at all.  The morning after I took the test, I told Rick, "I don't think that I'm going to be able to lose the weight I wanted to in time for the photo shoot."  (We were having a family photo shoot a few weeks later.)  He asked why and I told him, "Because I'm pregnant."  His immediate response, which is always his response when I tell him I'm pregnant, was "No, you're not?!"  After a bit of discussion it started to sink in, for the both of us.

And, I actually was able to lose weight - 11lbs!  I had no appetite and constant nausea during my first trimester.  I lost eight pounds with Simon so it wasn't a surprise.  But not the funnest way to lose weight.  I wouldn't recommend it.

Celebrating July 4th and Another Year of Rick

This year's Independence Day celebration started off with, what else, a church pancake breakfast.  Then it was off to Dana Point to enjoy Rick's birthday.  The weather down there was unseasonably cool but we braved the inversion layer for the beach.  Oh, and this was the first year that Simon was actually awake for the fireworks on the 4th.  Happy birthday Rick!

Swimming Lessons

Piper took swim lessons this summer through the city's Park and Recs department.  They were 25-minutes long every day for two weeks.  Piper's teacher Jacob was very cool.  She even jumped off of the diving board several times.  Of course, he was there to support and guide her to the side.

We'll probably do them again next year but though they wanted to advance her to the next level, I think she needs to do this one over again, at least until she learns how to put her face in the water better.

By the way, recognize the pool?  It's at the local high school but more importantly it's where the famous swimming-pool-under-the-basketball-court scene from "It's a Wonderful Life" was filmed.  So cool.

11.20.12

1. Simon slept in until 8:00 this morning.  He did climb into bed with me around 5:45 but at least he slept later.  I wish I could have slept in until 8:00.
2. Therapeutic music
3. Hot showers.  My legs have been so achy lately and the warmth of the water helped with the pain a little.
4. Repentance
5. Delivery pizza

Today's Thanks - Day 19

Today I am grateful for...

1. The happy and cheerful attitude Piper had at her school pick-up today.  She was telling me that it was just the best day ever.  She had a substitute and she and another girl in her class were the only ones to receive purple cards (outstanding behavior) today.  It's not unusual for her to get these cards but she felt particularly proud of herself.  Plus, she had been such a great example of being quiet in the halls that another first grade teacher had her come get a prize for a job well-done.
2. Taking it easy this evening.  Today was a day that was just go, go, go.  Once I got the kids in bed, I fought the urge to do dishes and tidy the house.  I even left the non-perishable stuff from our shopping trip on the counter for tomorrow.  My legs and belly have been aching today.  It felt good to rest.
3. Cold glasses of milk
4. Comfy beds and warm blankets
5. The kids falling asleep easily tonight.  It may have been because it was 45 minutes later than usual but they went straight to sleep.

Papa and the Firehouse

We realized that our kids had never been to Papa Allen's old firehouse.  We remedied that one afternoon in June.  Simon wanted to drive the truck and carry all of the hoses.  Pretty cool to have an "in" at the fire station.  Thanks Dad!