Call me crazy...

...b/c I have finished my Christmas shopping!!!!!!!! (Can you tell I'm excited?)

This is a new record for even me. Usually I have it done shortly after Thanksgiving/Black Friday, but this year - as you all know - I have a big reason to be done early. There is just no way I could shop with a newborn!! So, these past few weeks, I have been a woman on a mission. And today, I finally finished! Complete with gifts for Nate's MDO teachers, stocking stuffers for Nate & Abby, and even gift boxes/bags! Now I am ready to wrap it all, and am making Greg get out the Christmas paper this weekend from the attic. Yes, call me crazy, I don't care! :)

Spooky visitors and Halloween!

We've had a busy few days....

Nana & Pops arrived early Thursday morning to spend the weekend with their favorite grandson! Christmas came early for our little one....Nana had a bag of toys for both Nate & Abby. Some of the "Nate bag" highlights: a Thomas the Train laptop, oversized Spiderman bouncy ball, Cookie Monster building set, bus treasure box, and lots of Clifford books. Oh and did I mention that Nate now has a doll?? Yes, Nana thought he should start "practicing" for Abby. Let's just say he did not take to "Dolly" very fast...threw her on the floor a few times, would force the passy in her mouth, or handed her off to Nana to rock and feed. Awesome.

Nate enjoyed the next few days and his constant playmates...going to Chicfila, Discovery Center, the pumpkin patch, having "Nate night" at Aharts (while Greg & I got a "date night!"), and lots of playing outside. He was having so much fun that everytime we'd put him down for a nap or at bedtime, he kept opening his door and sitting by the gate...he just wanted to hear what was going on downstairs without him. Yes, he loves his Nana & Pops. (Funny thing - he started calling them Nanny & Poppy a lot this weekend. Those might be their new names...stay tuned.)

Cute story: one night, Nana told Nate she'd see him in the morning, and they'd play with all his new toys. Well, he woke up early that next morning - 6:30 am - and asked if it was morning? I said no and to go back to bed. At 7:15, he was standing at his gate/doorway again, saw Nana, and said "MORNING!!" Like, ok Nana, I'm ready to play now :)

Saturday was a day 'o fun as well...carving pumpkins, a chili cook-off with neighbors (his gf Mallory), and of course, TRICK-OR-TREATING!! We convinced him to wear his warmer (and cuter) of his two costumes. So, he was our little frogger!! He loved all the chocolate, riding around in the wagon with Pops & Dad, and dancing to our neighbor Larry's 6 ft skeleton/pirate. We let him stay up late to come down from the sugar high, and he was going strong till 9 pm.

Nana & I got in some quality shopping time for the kids (!!) and I enjoyed visiting with both my parents. They are always such a big help when they come, and Lord knows I needed the break this time! Nate was sad to see them leave this morning. But we will be seeing them soon enough....as soon as little Miss Abby decides to make an appearance. Until then though, enjoy the pics!

34-Week Mark

So, I have hit the 34-week mark! I had my doctor's appointment on Monday and, as before, all is well. We are so happy our baby girl is healthy! Still measuring right on track and kicking non-stop. According to www.babycenter.com, she is right around 4 3/4 lbs (comparable to a canteloupe!) and about 18 inches long. That is big! (Insert: fat joke).

My doctor mentioned that I could be induced at 39 weeks (b/c that is when I delivered Nate) if I was already starting to dilate. Um, no thanks. That is December 2nd! Too soon! Well, at least that was my initial reaction. Ask me again in a few weeks though :)

And from here on out, I see the doctor EVERY WEEK. Crazy. So you know where I will be, every Mon or Wed after I drop Nate off at Mother's Day Out. In the stirrups...lucky me!

Hoedown

Some of our neighbors, Susan & Todd, invited us to a "Hoedown" at their church this past weekend. It was a MASSIVE event...we're talking thousands of people here....and it was all free! Like a Fall Carnival type thing...with food vendors, animals, inflatables, face painting, games, cake walks, live music, etc. It was quite the event, and we are sure to go again next year. Our only mistake was going too late...it was from 2-6 pm, and we didn't arrive until 4:30, after Nate's nap. (Of course, this was the one day that Nate decided to take a near 3 hr nap - typical.) Anyways, we followed Susan, Todd, and their 11-month-old Ellysia there. And then our next door neighbors the Pattons (Amy, Philip, Josh & Mallory) met us there. I am not sure who had more fun...the kids or the adults! Here are some highlights:

Nate playing in the "Preschool" tent...he actually knocked the cans down with this throw! And at every game - whether the kid "won" or not - he got candy. YUM.

Josh & Mallory, grubbing on cotton candy. We love these kiddos!!

Getting a better view from Dad's shoulders

Josh wanted Nate to try some of his cotton candy...Nate was not so sure about it. I think he prefers smarties & dum-dums

A little tentative in the bouncy castle until Dad stepped in to help

Amy giving Ellysia some cookies

The dads & kids took off to find some slides while the moms went to do a cake walk. (Hello, two of us are preggo and needed some sweeets! Amy actually ended up winning some brownies.) But wow, did Nate have fun on these inflatables. Greg said he went up/down all of them by himself! (Well, with minimal help from Josh & Mallory.) What a big boy!


Another great family day. Did I mention I love the Fall!?

My handsome little man

And then we capped off the night with a yummy Mexican dinner at Camino Real. Nate & Ellysia stuffed their faces with rice (literally), while Mallory entertained them both. It was great! And oh does our boy love his chips & salsa...just like his Dad! We had a good ole time and are grateful to have such wonderful neighbors!

Showering Abby!

I have the best neighbors!!! They threw me a shower last Sunday for little Miss Abby, and completely spoiled her! The food (hello sausage balls!) and DOUBLE CHOCOLATE CAKE were delicious, there was hot apple cider and almond tea, and cute little coffee mugs & tea bags to take home as a favor. My neighbor across the street, Stacey, did a wonderful job planning the shower and I am so grateful to have her a friend.




In addition to the food & fun, Abby got a ton of stuff! Lots of cute clothes, bibs, socks, shoes, pacifiers, and even a few "practical items" too :) And as I was opening each gift, Stacey asked the gift-giver to say a few nice words about me...as a person, as a mother, etc. I thought it was going to be awkward, but wow was it nice to hear all those compliments!! I definitely left the shower feeling great about myself (and again, grateful to have such wonderful neighbors). Here a few pics of my favorite gifts:
It's weird to see her name & initials monogrammed like that...makes it so REAL! :)
Please check out the tutu outfit....too cute!
Greg is not a fan of the aqua halter dress on the left...says his daughter will NOT be wearing something "backless!" Haha.
Lots of pink! But I'm okay with it!

I Love Fall!!

There are soooooo many things I love about Fall. To be honest, most of them involve food: pumpkin muffins, candy corn, hot chocolate, chili & cornbread, Greg's homemade nuts & bolts, and hot apple cider to name a few. But then there's the weather....I love breaking out the jeans & sweatshirts, and waking up to crisp Fall mornings. I love our little family's tradition of pumpkin carving, and how "into it" Greg gets. (It kills me to admit it, but he has won the carving contest 10 years straight now.) But the #1 thing I love about the Fall is....the pumpkin patch!!!!!

We took Nate last year for the first time, and decided to keep the tradition alive this year. There is a place called Walden Farm about 25 minutes from here, in Smyrna. There is so much to do, for kids of all ages, and Nate had even more fun this year than last. (Maybe that's b/c he could actually walk this year!) There is a corn maze, petting zoo, activity/play area for little kids, hay rides, homemade goodies, and of course, a pumpkin patch!

This year, Nate was into all things "corn." (Weird, I know.) We had to pull him away from the "Corn Crib" and he was running like a wild man thru the Corn Maze. He enjoyed looking at the animals more than petting/feeding them, but he did a little bit of everything. And of course, we picked out 4 pumpkins from the pumpkin patch - yes, even little Abby got a mini-pumpkin. To top off our afternoon, we got 3 cookies - one for each of us. Both the boys had chocolate chip and I had pumpkin walnut with white chocolate chips. Best cookies ever!! It was the perfect ending to a perfect family day.

Coming together

I am happy to say that things are coming together quite quickly for Abby's room! Joyce (Mum-Mum) painted two different shades of purples a few weeks ago, and I like them more & more each day! We had our favorite Handyman Bob over this week for Abby's chair rail & fan installation, among a few other small projects around the house. I love the white chair rail - it really makes the purples "pop" more. And today, lucky Greg is putting Abby's crib together and moving all the furniture in her room.

And then, FINALLY, I get to put the finishing decorating touches on the room!!!! I think I have been psycho about this room lately (just ask Greg), but I am just in "nesting overdrive" and really need to have it done. Once it is, I will feel much more at ease & prepared in case this little girl makes an early arrival.

I hit the 32 week mark this week, and my doctor's appt went fine. No problems, and Abby is active as ever. I posted a new belly pic - see slideshow to the right. I am still feeling good....well as good as one can with a 20 lb watermelon under her shirt! :)