Christmas is here!

Today the lady at the gas station said "Merry Christmas Eve" as I walked out the door and I seriously had to stop and think.....wow it really is Christmas Eve. It is raining and sure doesn't seem like Christmas eve to me.

Tuesday at 8pm we decided it started to sleet we better get up to Waterloo so we would be sure to make it to Joey's dad's retirement party Wednesday morning. It took us a while to pack, we got on the road at 9:30 and made it by 10:40. We drove slow. We saw a few cars in the ditch once we got close to Waterloo.

Wednesday we had the retirement party at John Deere. It was nice to see a lot of people there and have the whole family there to help Joe celebrate his 32 years at Deere.

After that is was play time for the kids -minus Hayden- in the snow and on the snowmobile. Hayden has still decided he will not put boots on or snowpants....so he is stuck inside to watch from the window.....which he is happy to do.

Then it was time to eat our yummy Turkey dinner!!!! It was delicious.

Today we got up and had a yummy breakfast. Then we opened presents. It was a fun time. We loaded up the car and then headed home. It is rainy and wanted to make sure we got home while it was still raining. Tonight we are going to our neighbor Nancy's house for dinner. She is making cornish hens.

Tomorrow santa comes and then we are packing up and heading to Wisconsin. Joey's grandfather passed away early Monday morning. The funeral is Saturday. We are sad to see Grandpa go. I considered him my grandfather. We had the same love for arguing, picking on each other, and banter. I guess you could say one of the bonuses of marrying Joey was inheriting his Grandparents.

Hayden is excited for Santa this year. It should be a fun one.

Burst of energy

In a last ditch effort to make up lost time and get all of the Christmas baking done...we have been a busy family today.

We made pretzel turtles, monster cookies, pickle dip, dill dip, and sugar cookie dough today.
Tomorrow my hope is to roll out sugar cookies , make spritz cookies, and possibly some caramels. We will see if I have the same amount of energy tomorrow.

Joey's grandfather fell last week. It is looking bleak as they are waiting to move him to a hospice once an opening comes up. They are making him comfortable in the hospital now.....and as of Thursday the Dr.'s gave him 24 hours.

So we will wait and see what this Christmas week brings. Hard to believe it is almost Christmas. Seems like it took Christmas forever to arrive when I was little. Now it seems like we just celebrated Thanksgiving. I would love at least 2 more weeks of Christmas decor and music. Once Christmas is over though we are switching to baby mode. Need to get the baby stuff out and organized. She will be here before we know it. Wow!!! I will be 34 weeks tomorrow.

Letter to Santa

Yesterday I told Hayden we had to write a letter to Santa since he has no interest in getting close to the real one. Immediately he knew what he wanted to ask for:
1. Marble works
2. A coffee scoop
"And that's all," he said.

Then last night he woke up at 11 and came into my bedroom and told me that he wanted to ask Santa for:
1. Mable works
2. A coffee scoop
3. A shooter gun
4. Bowling pins
"And that's all," he said.

Snow Day

We were all home today. Yes even Joey. Can't believe Rockwell closed. We had a great day staying inside all warm and cozy. Except Joey had to go out twice to snow blow. He doesn't seem to mind. He got up this morning to snowblow and had to help Nancy with her driveway. Her snowblower is smaller than ours. We got about 12 inches of snow, but Joey said it was way deeper in the back. Joey didn't even know he had the day off until he came in and I asked him what Rockwell snow policy meant. He looked shocked once I said that.
Hayden was so excited to get up and see the snow. He was jumping around like crazy yelling "There is tons of snow. It is huge." He loved watching Joey snow blow. He did not however want to go in the snow. We had some drama last night when we went to my OB appointment at 4:00pm as the snow was piling up. He hates his coat I got him. It is a puffy down warm coat that I would love...but he hates it. Hated wearing gloves...boots.....and a hat. So today I told him he could go out and wear all of that plus snow pants and he said "no thanks." My stubborn little one. He will get used to the puffy coat, boots, gloves, and hat by march when it is time to put them away.
Today we watched tv, made Reeses cup cookies, tried making my first batch of spritz cookies, colored, did a Santa cutting activity, and just relaxed.
Hayden will not have school tomorrow and I am sure Joey will have to go to work. Tomorrow we are going to make some things to decorate his bedroom door for Christmas.
We are doing advent activities this year again and we are enjoying them. So far Hayden has made his gingerbread house, paintings, candy cane reindeer, got a movie from under the tree, and went out for donuts. We have plenty more planned and are a day behind.
I am slowing down a little. I am now 32 weeks. Hard to believe it is flying by. I had to buy some old lady support slippers because if I walk around barefoot my feet hurt so bad after awhile. So now I have indoor shoes and outdoor shoes. :) I still find it shocking that people say I don't even look pregnant. Are you kidding me?!?!? Seriously?!?!?! It happens most of the time when I am in my coat. I guess black fleece masks my HUGE belly well. Sheesh people.
I confiscated the camera back from Joey and Hayden is cooperating with the picture taking thing a little more now. Hopefully I will get back on board with this blog thing.

Halloween

Enjoying the maze in someone's trunk at the trunk or treat.

This is the normal shot I get when I try to take a picture. Needless to say I don't try to take pictures much. I should take more even though he doesn't cooperate.

We were planing on just staying at home and handing out candy. Hayden hates to get dressed on a daily basis, so I figured I wouldn't push it and we would see all of the kids that come to the house dressed up. At the last minute he decided he wanted to go...so we threw on his Superman jammies and went Trunk or Treating at some friends church and then to a few houses in our neighborhood. Hayden didn't say trick or treat at one house but came home with a bucket full of candy.

Before Halloween when people asked him what he wanted to be he would say a circuit (hmmm wonder what he and daddy do in the basement) and a shooter guy. Then the day before Halloween his response would be Christmas.

HE DID IT!

Joey is officially done with school. He is now a Software Engineer.

He is going to start looking at jobs at Rockwell. He loves his current position.....so there is no huge hurry for him to find another position. I am thankful for that because I am not ready to move now. Hopefully something pops up that interests him in the next few months locally.

I had a surprise party for him at our house. We had a Mexician fiesta. It was a blast and I am glad we pulled the surprise off. Whew. It turned into one big web of lies and I was having a hard time keeping track of them all. A BIG thanks to everyone who helped out and to my mom and wonderful Sister-in law Darliene for helping with the set up. I couldn't have done it without you!!!!

The pregnant ladies enjoying Odouls.

Pumpkin Farm

Hayden loved wheeling the pumpkins around.

He also loved cleaning the pumpkins.

Hunting for goodies with cousin Rorek at the Earl May fall fest.

Rorek is 1.

Ingrid and Rorek

PUMPKIN BOWLING!!!! Hayden thought this was the best.

Catching Up Reception and Daddy's New Hobby

Daddy's new plane.

Taking a break on the blanket with mommy watching daddy fly.

Riding on Daddy's shoulders at the reception...giving the normal face when someone is attempting to take a picture.

Playing on the golf course at the reception.

First day of PDO. Yes...can't believe I captured a smile on the camera.

Taking the new bath toy from Uncle Rob and Aunt Julie to the next level with daddy. Daddy reassures me that I should not care about the mess because you guys are doing an experiment.

Catching Up Wedding and Summer...yes I did say summer.

Trying on the Tux for Rob and Jill's Wedding

Shaving for the big day

Pink toes just like Mommy

Mommy smooching her handsome guy

Waiting to go in

Pooped after the big day

We loved taking walks through Bever park and peeling away old bark to see what kind of insects we could discover

Enjoying a summer evening sitting by the fire in our backyard and making smores.

Lot of catching up to do.

Yikes. It has been a long time since I posted let alone post pictures. I need to start making this blog a priority again! I am hoping Joey can set up our network again so I can pull pics from "his" computer in the basement. Makes it easier for me to blog.

A lot has happened....a lot needs to be blogged.....hope to get to it soon........

6 Months

Yesterday I had my 6 month appointment. It went well. Heard the heartbeat. Next month I have my glucose test and after that I am going every 2 weeks. Crazy! The baby is moving around like crazy...don't remember this much movement with Hayden. I guess she figures she has to compete for attention with her brother so she needs to be noticed so we don't forget about her. She is doing a good job.

Can't Sleep

I am posting this at 4 AM wide awake! My body now seems to be on a new schedule. Sleep at 10....awake at 3-6......back to sleep. I remember waking up when I was pregnant with Hayden, but didn't think that started until later in the pregnancy.

I noticed as I was tossing and turning earlier trying to get back to sleep that it is getting harder for me to toss and turn. The belly is surely growing. Yesterday we ran errands and then went to friends to watch the Iowa game. I could barely walk when we got home. Too much time on my feet and my legs surely were sore and cramped.

Joey and I were just talking that this little girl is going to be here before we know it. It is almost Halloween...then Thanksgiving....then Christmas......then a month later baby! This time of the year always seems to fly by.

I have been meaning to sit down and write a catch up post. I have been slacking lately at blogging and a lot of fun things have been happening. I don't want to go to the basement now and post pics from that computer...toooo cold. Maybe tomorrow I can find the time.

Chilly fall/winter weekend

Right now Hayden is standing at the door waiting for Grandma and Grandpa P to pick him up and take him to the farm for an overnight. He is beyond excited. He packed last night..in a grocery bag....a blanket, a blanket for Noah, and rafi.

This morning he was standing by the door waiting for Grandma and I told him she would be here in 7 hours. He said, "that's not NICE" and stomped off.

Joey and I may go on a date tonight. Not sure what the plan is yet. Looking forward to some quiet time.

THOMAS

Friday my parents picked Hayden and me up for a trip to Boone to ride Thomas. Hayden was soooo excited he didn't fall asleep the night before until 11. He wore his Thomas jammies and slept with his Thomas the train figures all night.
Hayden loved feeding the animals, watching the kids in the bouncy toys, crafts, and most of all riding the train!
When they dropped us off Hayden cried when my mom told him he couldn't get back in the car and go with them. He even brought out the seriously melt your heart pouty lip. It was an absolutely wonderful day and great memories to have with Grandma and Grandpa Gee. Thanks mom and R for the fun day!!!

Yucky Vitamins

It only took 3 years 1 month and 2 weeks before we had to call poison control. Last night after Hayden was put into bed I was in the kitchen and thought I heard the clicking of a childproof bottle trying to be opened. I walked into the bathroom only to find Hayden putting the lid back on my unisom bottle. When I walked in he said "these vitamins are yucky!" So with some investigation we discovered that he ate at least one because he said they were like jelly and they are soft gel tablets.

Poision control had us monitor his heart beat and breaths per minute. They called us every hour to get the results for about 4 hours.

He is fine but was in a deep sleep. We managed to rouse him...but he was MAD.

So today we are going to relocate the pills. I guess over the sink isn't child proof enough. He can climb up about anywhere....very quietly I may add.

Bring on the dresses and hair bows..........

It's a GIRL!!!!

It's a......

we don't know yet. I had my appointment today and everything was fine. I am measuring 19 inches and should be 20, but she said she wasn't worried at all.

Our ultrasound is scheduled for tomorrow at 2:30. I will update then!!!

20 Weeks

It is hard to believe I am 20 weeks already. This little stinker will be here before we know it. I was supposed to have my appointment today, but someone went into labor....so I am going to go tomorrow. Then we hope to have an ultrasound later that day or the next day. Wonder if we will be adding a girl to the Magee clan or if the all boy birth order has rubbed off on us as well.

I will let everyone know once we find out. I also have pics to post and some catching up to do. :)

Forgot to mention

Joey just started his last class! HALLELUJAH!!! I am beyond excited. It will be so nice to have him done. He has worked his rear off and we are so proud of him.

I honestly can't remember the last time we went to bed at the same time.

He will be done mid October. It will be exciting to see where we will go from here. God always works in wonderful ways and all of our experiences over the past 9 years have made us excited to let go and see what will happen.

Winding down

The last few days have been perfect weather and we have been enjoying the cooler weather! We are winding down here and getting ready to get back into a routine. Hayden starts PDO Sept. 10th. He is going to go Mondays and Thursdays.

I am finally feeling a lot better! Still having some nasty headaches, but my Dr. told me to take a Calcium, Magnesium, and Zinc pill, and they have been helping a lot! I saw the Dr. last week. I am measuring right on target. We heard the baby's heartbeat again and Hayden always looks a little puzzled, but knows what he is hearing is a heartbeat. He has noticed my growing belly. I told him the other day that there was a baby in there and he said. "let me see", and tried to look in my belly button.

When people ask him if he wants a brother or sister he always answers sister. Actually everyone thinks or just assumes we are having a girl. We can find out in 3 weeks what we are having. I can't believe I will be 20 weeks already. I still am on the fence about finding out.....but I am sure I will cave and have to find out. :)

Hayden has been BUSY! He is always keeping me on my toes. He is constantly testing and pushing the limits and our buttons. He is very spirited and strong willed. I know these character traits will serve him well in the future, but right now the are wearing me out! We are hoping that god will bless us with a more compliant child with the next one. But I guess if not, I will be broken in already so what is one more strong willed child right?

Hayden had his 3 year appointment and all was well. He weighed 30 pounds and is 3ft tall. 50% for both height and weight. He peed in a cup for a urine test (which by the way he thought was so fun I often catch him since then peeing in cups around the house), got a flu mist up his nose instead of the shot, and gave some blood for a hemoglobin test. I asked for that because I always wonder how he can survive on the little amount he eats. Turns out he is healthy and I don't need to worry.

This past weekend started with no plans, but turned into a fulfilled weekend. Saturday Uncle Johnny and Aunt Darliene came down. Hayden was sooo excited to have them here. John and Joey went fishing and the rest of us went to the mall. I have not wandered around the mall forever and we had a great time looking at the stores. Then we all went out to eat Starlite! Yummy. It was a beautiful evening to sit outside.

Sunday most of the Bellows clan stopped over. Stacy had a baby shower in town. Matt and Elaina stopped over. We went out for lunch and then stopped at the park for a while.

This weekend we are headed up to Minnesota to hang out with the Bellows family. Joey and Matt have their annual Budweiser night golf tournament. Should be a fun time. Always is.

August Randoms

Hayden and his buddy Jonathan.

Having an Ice Cream party for Hayden and Muses at Nancy's. Our neighbors are from El Salvador and had thir parents visiting for the summer. It was great chatting with them and Joey got to flex his Spanish skills. I was impressed. He kept up with them. :)

Gifts from Nancy.

Reading with his friend Kyle. I watched Kyle and his brother Bryce one morning for my babysitting co op. I had to set up the pack n play for Bryce to take a nap. To be honest it got me a little giddy to set it up in anticipation if our little one that will be here soon.