Turkey Day

Matt and I decided that we'd cook at home this year for Thanksgiving, and head to Shawn and Ashley's house for dessert later on. Originally, I thought I'd just do something simple, and get a tenderloin or something cooked by the grocery store's deli. BUT a couple days before Thanksgiving, I thought I'd be brave and go for the real thing. I bought a fresh, 12 pound turkey, and figured whatever we didn't finish, we could have for leftovers or freeze for when the new baby comes.

So the big day came, and I planned my cooking schedule mentally. Matt went golfing with Shawn, and I decided to get the house cleaned up while he was gone, and do all the food prep so we could eat around 4:00. I got our table set, and started chopping apples. I knew the time was coming to clean the turkey, and I was having a little anxiety about that! I can't tell you how many different Google searches I did on "how to cook a Thanksgiving turkey" or "how to remove giblets". I prepared my game plan, took off my wedding rings (or just my engagement ring, since my chubby fingers can't fit more than that), and got started! It really wasn't as bad as I thought it would be, and really thought that I MUST be missing some internal organs in there, since I wasn't dry heaving like I thought I would. (I didn't miss anything). I found a tasty-sounding recipe, and got my glaze made. The turkey went in the oven around noon, and I figured the hard part was over! Everything else fell into place beautifully, timing-wise. Matt came home from golfing in time to bring Sydnie downstairs after her nap, and to keep an eye on the dishes cooking while I got myself dressed.

We were ready to eat right on schedule, and I was HUNGRY! Our Thanksgiving menu consisted of: turkey (duh), stuffing, mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, stewed cinnamon apples, biscuits, and cranberry. I also baked some apple crisp for dessert, and pumpkin bars with a cream cheese frosting to take with us to Shawn and Ashley's.

While it wasn't our first Thanksgiving as a family of three, it was so sweet to have our daughter eating with us at the dinner table this year! What a special time the holidays are. While we were missing our families back home TERRIBLY, it is a blessing to have our little family together!

Here are a few pictures from the day

Parker's Surprise Shower

First, let me just say that I have some of the SWEETEST friends in the world! This passed Saturday, I was thrown a baby shower, and had NO IDEA that anyone had been planning one in the first place!

Nordstrom Rack had a grand opening on the 6th, and Ashley asked if I wanted to go. Never known to pass up some good retail therapy, I agreed! We decided to go on Saturday the 7th, so her mom, her mom's friend Kim, and Chrissy could all join us. Ashley picked me up at noon, and we were all on our way! After a couple good hours of shopping (I even started some Christmas shopping! Go me!), we were all ready for some sustenance. Ashley suggested Olive Garden, and we all agreed. We made it to the Olive Garden near the mall, and were taken back to our table right away. Good thing, because I was STARVING! I was following the rest of the group, and was the last to turn the corner to our table. I turned left, and lo and behold, there were blue and green balloons, a table full of gifts, and some ADORABLE cupcakes! Jen from my message board (who is also due with baby #2 in January), and Gretchen, also from the board, were both standing there waiting for my reaction! Jen had been in contact with Matt and Ashley, setting this all up for months! The other girls from my message board were also in on this, and sent LOADS of gifts. I felt (and still feel) VERY loved. Parker got so many wonderful things! TONS of clothes, some great little toys, lots of cuddly blankets, and some other necessities. WOW! Like I said, I felt VERY loved opening up all those gifts!

Thank you SO MUCH to all who were involved in putting that day together... you all are FABULOUS!

Here are a few pictures from the day

Jen, the hostess, and me!

The whole gang, after dinner

Again, thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!!!!!

Home Stretch

I'm 32 weeks this week! (Mom, that equals 8 months). I can't believe how quickly the last couple weeks have gone by. I'm feeling VERY big, and remember this point with Sydnie, thinking there was no way 2 more months of growth could possibly fit in this belly. Well, miraculously, it does. I'm getting heartburn just thinking about it, actually. I've been told by people while I'm out and about, "WOW! You're just about to pop!" No, no. I've got EIGHT MORE WEEKS! Hard to believe by looking at me, but it's true.

I have just started panicking (just a little) about the fact that we have NOTHING ready for this child! And because I still have buyer's remorse about all the clothes that were bought for Sydnie and never worn, I've been VERY selective about what I add to Parker's wardrobe. I had frilly outfits with matching shoes, and coordinating hairbows for Syd, and realized quickly that you need pajamas, and onesies for such tiny babies. But still, there's A LOT to do before this little guy makes his debut!

We've dedicated Thursday (tomorrow) to starting the painting prep in the baby's room. We'll be turning our guestroom into a multi-functional room, where Parker will sleep, and all of his things will be kept, but the big bed will stay in there in case we need to accommodate incoming family... at least for the next year or so. We'll paint, and do some decorating, but there won't be a crib in the room until we come home from the 2010 baseball season. Parks will be so little still when we leave for the season, that he'll stay in the Pack 'n Play until we come home. Then, Sydnie will get a new bedroom set, and Parks will get the crib. So, hopefully in the next week or so, I'll have some pictures to share of the "new nursery".

I had an appointment with Dr. Benezra on Monday, and everything went really well. I had my "growth ultrasound", where the baby's body parts are measured, and an estimation in size is given. Everything looks great, and little mister (who showed us ONCE AGAIN that there is no mistaking the fact that he is, indeed, a mister) looks healthy! We got some great pictures once Parker decided to move his little arms from in front of his face! I'd say he looks just like Sydnie, although he some awfully big and pouty lips that Sydnie doesn't have. But the little nose and chubby cheeks are there for sure! Parks was trying to suck his fingers during the ultrasound, and looked to be drinking some amniotic fluid (YUM!) too. I could go on and on, but I'll just post the pictures!!

Halloween Then and Now

The ladies on my message board thought of a cute idea to post pictures of our babies from last Halloween, and then of this Halloween. It was so cute to see some of the BRAND NEW babies in some of the tiniest costumes I've ever seen! I couldn't find anything small enough last year for Sydnie, besides a pair of pumpkin jammies, and a pair of skeleton jammies. And of course, she wore a bow in her hair to match!

This year, I found Syd's costume pretty early on, and just fell in love. See for yourselves just how cute she was/ is!

Halloween 2008

Halloween 2009


Before our first trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Viera, 2008


Before our trip to the Pumpkin Patch in Viera, 2009

At the Pumpkin Patch, 2008

At the Pumpkin Patch, 2009


And a few more from the Pumpkin Patch this year...