Happy Thanksgiving (a tad late) and Merry Christmas Tree Day!

The only decent photo we managed to capture from Thanksgiving day:

From Blog Photos

And now for our Christmas tree excursion this morning:

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

Owen was fascinated by the blow up Santa...I had a hard time tearing him away from it:

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

Owen and Daddy choosing the tree. Too bad Owen's eyes are closed...oh well.

From Blog Photos

And finally we have a little photo of Owen's snack of choice for the ride home. He's a silly one, that's for sure!

From Blog Photos

A Coyote Bluff update...

Well, we sort of have a house now. Or at least a structure that resembles a house. While the framing is not totally complete and there is nothing on the roof yet, the house is starting to take shape...and we're pretty excited about it. It's fun to see since up until this point it has pretty much just been an idea in our heads. Obviously, these pictures don't totally depict what it will look like in the end since some of the windows aren't completely cut out, door heights are not yet decided, porches have not been added, etc....but it gives you a pretty good idea. We are in the middle of trudging through decision making...and I've officially decided that making a decision is about 100 times more difficult while pregnant. Thankfully, I am married to an incredible man. There's nobody else I'd rather be making decisions with, especially since there are literally hundreds of things we some how have to agree on. But, we're tackling it step by step and learning a lot in the process. I've heard it said that you should not only get to build one but two houses in your lifetime since you learn SO many things the first time around that you would do differently the second time. I'm beginning to agree with that. However, since we won't be doing this again, EVER, we are soooo thankful for the opportunity and are trying our best to get it as close to what we want as possible. Anyhow.... here are a couple of pics of the latest:






P.S. When you see it from afar, it definitely sticks out like a sore thumb. I'm thinking some substantial landscaping will help with that. Too bad you can't just plant a yard that is already mature. Patience, patience...

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...

At least in our house it is. And yes, I know it's a smidge early. It's just that I wanted to make sure we took full advantage of the fun that the holiday season brings before we bring a newborn home from the hospital and I lack the energy it takes to do fun Christmas activities with Owen. So, our house is now officially decorated and we're all set to get our tree the moment Thanksgiving is over. Yesterday, Owen and I put some gingerbread men on the tree in his room and he desperately wanted to eat them. Problem was, I think Alli and I made them 3 years ago, so eating them was out of the question. So this morning, Owen asked if we could make some more to eat. We did. He loved it. And they are delicious. I LOVE LOVE LOVE this time of year!!!!

From Blog Photos

Just so you know, I LOVE the milk dripping off his chin. You have no idea how much I love being this little guy's Mama.

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

P.S. C.J.'s brother Brian and his wife Samantha had their little girl this past weekend!!! We are SO incredibly excited for them. I don't have any pics of her yet, but believe me...I will post some as soon as I take them. She is a beautiful little girl, that's for sure!

A really BIG pregnancy update...

And by big, I don't really mean monumental. I just mean that I'm pretty sure I'm going to give birth to a giant. No joke. I had yet another ultrasound today and let's just say that this little guy is HUGE. So technically I am 31 weeks 6 days (let's just call it 32) today. That means I still have 8 weeks to go. Not long you say? Well try carrying this little dude around. Today, his 32 week old head measured 36 weeks old! The bones in his arms and legs measured at smallest 34 weeks, and that's not even counting how fat he will be yet, that's just his actual size. Oh yeah, and he already weighs 5 pounds. People, seriously!!! I'm a little concerned. There are LOTS of women who give birth to 5 lb. babies at full term....that means I am as pregnant right now as lots of women are at 40 weeks. Yikes. (Ok, maybe the comments I get in public actually ARE merited....but still, they should not be voiced.) I guess this shouldn't really surprise me considering that gigantic babies tend to run in the family (i.e. C.J. and his siblings were all at least around 10 lbs or bigger, Owen was 9 lbs. 3 oz., my sister Allison's first baby was 9 lbs 3 oz, and C.J.'s sister Leah's first two boys were 9 lbs. 6 oz and 9 lbs. 15 oz.). So it's not really that odd that this little guy is looking to be a big one. It's just that I a) don't really want to give birth to a 12 lb baby and b) don't really think I can handle carrying him full term (Really, if his head already measure 36 weeks, by the time I'm full term his head will be as big as a month old baby...who can really push that out their vagina without incurring major damage? Probably no one...and I certainly don[t want to be the first). As of right now, my doc says that they won't be able to take him any more than a week early....but things might change. If he is still measuring huge as things get closer, doc says they might have to take him c-section. After watching Hilary's c-section, that wouldn't be my first choice, but I also don't want to labor for hours trying to get a giant baby out and then still have to have the section, so I'm thinking scheduling one a bit early might be a good option. I've decided that I'd like to have him on Dec. 15. Doesn't that sound like a good date? I mean, it's well before the holidays and 3 weeks before my actual due date. Sounds perfect to me since they are technically full term at 37 weeks anyway. So if any of you have any self induction techniques or advice that actually WORK, please send them my way. They would be greatly appreciated. At this point, I'll do just about anything to avoid having a baby over 10 lbs. Wish me luck!

P.S. Things at Coyote Bluff are really coming along! We now have exterior walls with holes for doors and windows and today they were working on framing the interior walls of the first floor. I'll take pics to post ASAP. The problem with that is, I don't really want to take pics while the guys are there working. And by the time they are done, it's too dark to take any...so that really only leaves the weekends for picture taking opportunities. Hopefully this Saturday. Stay tuned...

P.S.S. I don't think I've ever mentioned on here that we call our property "Coyote Bluff." It kinda started as a joke but then it just stuck. I'm hoping that once we actually live there we'll start calling it "home" instead.

A visit from one stinking cute baby...

Today we were lucky enough to have Jamaica and Geneva over for a visit (Avery came too, but that wasn't until later in the day). It was really nice to just lay low, visit, and enjoy a cup of tea for most of the day. Owen and I both had a blast. While they were here, I couldn't help but snap a few shots of baby Geneva. She has got to have the prettiest eyes I have EVER seen on a baby. Is she not gorgeous?

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

From Jamaica and Baby

Avery, Jamaica, and Geneva....thanks for coming out to visit. It was SOOO good to see you guys!

Our morning at the park...

Today we headed to town to feed the ducks and enjoy a morning at the park. We were lucky enough to be joined by Auntie Alli, Oliver, Jack, Auntie Leah, and Tucker. It was an absolutely beautiful fall morning and SO nice to enjoy the out of doors. After quite a stint of being broken (I dropped it way back in April), I finally got my favorite kid lens back for my camera (thank you Uncle Ryker for taking care of that for me). Consequently, I was in a picture taking mood. So here are a few shots of the kiddos. Notice the tongue action Owen is sporting in most of the pics....I'm pretty sure those are Grandpa Hake's genes shining through!

This, in my opinion, is the epitome of a Tucker expression. I love it:

From Blog Photos

Oliver:

From Blog Photos

Jack feeding himself (not the ducks) the stale bread:

From Blog Photos

Owen getting a little help from Auntie Alli on the monkey bars:

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

Happy Halloween!!!

You're in luck...half way. Owen was willing to wear a portion of his costume tonight, that being a firefighter helmet. He wasn't too wild about the idea of wearing the jacket, so we didn't force it. But, we still had a fun night...went to Grandma Hake's house (the only trick-or-treating Owen did), went to the Harvest Party at church (which consisted of Owen wandering around with 2 fingers in his mouth being his shy self and saying "no thank you" to every activity we offered him), and then stopped by the Davila's house (but that doesn't count as trick-or-treating since Owen refused to wear even the hat this time). Anyhow, we had a fun night even if it was pretty much costume free. I'm hoping by next year he'll be more into dressing up! But here are a couple of pictures for you that we were lucky enough to capture in the 2 seconds he actually even had the helmet on!

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

If you can't say something nice, don't say anything at all...

Apparently I have reached the point in pregnancy where people deem it appropriate to say anything they want to me. For example, I just went to the grocery store and the following were the comments I received:

Lady#1: You look like you're about to pop!!!
Me: Yeah, wish me luck!
What I'm really thinking: Oh really. I had no idea. You know, because I don't have a mirror in my house or anything and I am completely unaware of how big I'm getting. Thanks for the info. That was very helpful considering I still have 2 months left.

Lady #2: Wow, a baby. When are you due?
Me: Christmas time.
Lady #2: CHRISTMAS????? Are there twins in there?
Me: Nope, just one.
Lady #2: You know, my sister was really big all along during her pregnancy and she had a 12 lb. baby.
Me: Actually, I don't even remember what I said to her after that because I was too busy thinking to myself, "O.M.G. You did NOT just say that to me. Do you really think that I want to hear that you think I'm going to have a 12 lb baby? Seriously? And besides, you yourself look about 2 times more pregnant than I do and you're at least 55 so I know you're NOT pregnant. So there."

Man #1: Are you having twins?
Me: Nope, just one.
Man #1: You're SURE?
Me: Yep, I'm sure.
What I'm really thinking: Ummm...I've had 4 ultrasounds at this point and every one of them showed only 1 baby. I'm pretty doggone sure there's only one in there, although it really makes me happy to know that you think I look way too big to only have one baby!

Man #2: When are you due?
Me (again): Christmas time. I have 2 months left.
Man #2: TWO MONTHS??? You must have more than one in there!

Seriously people, why on earth do you think it's ok to comment on how big I'm getting??? I mean, I know people MEAN well, but it's just not ok to comment on a pregnant woman's size. Believe me, I am fully aware of how big my stomach is. I see it every day in the mirror and feel how uncomfortably tight it is every evening. I really don't need you to tell me how big I'm getting. It's like people think that pregnant women don't have feelings. I mean, I would imagine you wouldn't have commented on how big I was before I got pregnant....do you think that just because I'm pregnant I no longer care that I am bigger than I would like to be? Sheesh. Some people.

So I have a little word for the wise: NEVER comment on how big a pregnant woman is getting. In fact, unless what you have to say is a wonderful compliment on how good the woman looks or something like that, you're probably better off just not saying it. I know that not all pregnant women are as sensitive to these comments as I am, but I'm pretty sure that they'd still rather not hear about how big they are getting.

On a more positive note, however, I still am feeling REALLY good compared to my pregnancy with Owen. Sure, I'm feeling a bit uncomfortable in the evenings because of my crowded belly, but overall I'm still doing really well. I haven't had any swelling yet and believe me, I am VERY thankful for that. I have another ultrasound scheduled for next week so they can re-evaluate the due date (surprise, the baby and my uterus are both measuring farther along than they originally thought.) So hopefully I will have a more accurate idea of when we get to meet this little guy. I can't wait. I just want to nuzzle into his neck and kiss his squishy cheeks SOOOO bad!

.................................................

And now for a little update on the house. We now have a foundation (complete with the basement and stem walls), a bit of plumbing, and a few studs for walls...I know that might not sound like much to you all, but we're excited to see things starting to take shape. Owen has thoroughly enjoyed watching the cement mixers and backhoe that have been hard at work. Oh yeah, and I finally got around to taking some before pictures of the property. Unfortunately, I didn't take any before construction had been started, but these are still pretty early....at least we'll have a record of what the place generally looked like before there was a house on it.

The foundation:


View of the property from the road (and by road I mean the only dirt road that accesses the house...this move means a constantly dirty truck, but it's worth it):


View to the North from the house:


Looking West (please ignore the port-a-potty and truck):


Looking East-ish:


Looking South:

P.S. HAPPY HALLOWEEN! If Owen actually decides he's willing to put on a costume tonight, I just might have some pictures for you tomorrow.

Tell me...

How does a mouse get into a tote that has a securely fastened lid? We have had a problem with mice getting into the dog food bag in the garage. We finally realized that the bag alone was not adequate in fighting this battle since they can just chew their way through. So, C.J. decided that we should put the food directly into a Rubbermaid tote with a lid. Well, we did that. And what do you think jumped out at me just now when I went to feed the dog? Yep, a mouse. How on earth? They can't chew their way through Rubbermaid, can they? Maybe after my heart stops pounding from nearly being attacked by the world's most disgusting creature, I'll brainstorm a better storage solution. Any ideas?

I thought it would be a good idea...

to take some pictures of Owen today. But, it wasn't. After being sick for a whole week now and going completely stir crazy, I thought it might be fun to get outside and take a few pictures of the boy. I probably should have taken his already crabby mood into consideration before attempting such a thing, but I didn't. As a result, we have some pictures of a rather grumpy and sick boy. But...I've decided to share them anyway, because the reality is: this is life, too. And sometimes I enjoy looking back at even the not so giddy times we go through. So here you have it:

From Blog Photos

If that's not a sad face, I don't know what is:

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

From Blog Photos

And finally, after much bribing of tractor rides if he allowed me just a few photos, we got this:

From Blog Photos

And this. A smile. What do you know?

From Blog Photos

I love that boy. Sick or crabby...I just love him. And it's really crazy to think that in about 2 more months I'll have another boy to love just as much!!!