two sleeping bears

quack quack

On Thursday we had carpet installed in our house, it is so wonderful and clean. What was underneath the old carpet was gross.

We had a great visit this weekend with Grandma Verwys! We did some Christmas shopping, visited Grace's class at school and Grandma read 2 books, carved pumpkins, went to the zoo, made applesauce, ate chocolate cake, and said goodbye on Monday. Grandma sang to Sammy at night before bed and now he is expecting us to sing to him every night the "quack, quack" song (Ten Little Ducks.) And since Sammy is getting outnumbered very quickly around here, he gets what he wants!

This morning I had a wonderful checkup. The doctor told me to hang in there because she wants the baby bigger and to arrive after Thanksgiving - so pretty much a normal visit. My blood pressure was extremely low like normal.

Boo to the FLU!

Nate was on the phone today at work with the pediatrician office for 45 minutes trying to get an appt for our kids to get a regular flu shot! So when he got through, they said, "Come in 35 minutes." I ran over there and they all got the flu and as a bonus -

WE ALL GOT THE SWINE FLU SHOT!

Yipee!

Columbus Day Weekend!

We had a wonderful weekend. Grace had school off on Friday (and I had a horrible chest cold) so my mom took her and Rita to the mall and let them pick out a special makeup at Claires. They have been toting around their panda bear glittery eye shadow and cookie dough lipsticks all weekend. This is them applying it on Sat morning.

Then on Saturday, the girls and I went out for lunch. On our way, we saw this car. It was there just for us!
After lunch, we went over to a little historic mill and made a scarecrow that looks very similar to Nate. But the girls kept telling me they thought it looked like Grandpa Palmer!!??!!

They have been sitting and playing on the scarecrow all weekend. Grace waited for her carpool pickup this morning sitting in his lap. They love it!

On Sat afternoon, our firehouse - which is on our street - had an open house. The firehose demo was really neat for the kids.

My kids are so used to the firehouse that they know many of the firefighters by name.

We also set up the bunk beds for the girls to get ready for their new roommate. Sam is going to move into that room for the time being. When Grandma Verwys comes out to visit next week, we are going to finish up all those details. As you can see, Little Nate - I mean Sammy - is very helpful.

Grace told me the next morning that she had "the most wonderful night sleep ever."

We also painted Sam's room to get it ready for the baby. We picked the color on a whim and I am so thankful that I love it so much. It is cheery and really clean looking.

On Monday, I had my 32 week visit with the OB. I was told that I will have to have the hernia repaired 6-8 weeks after the baby is born but not before. Apparently no one will operate on a pregnant woman for this type of thing. I am anxious to get it fixed but meanwhile will just try to continue to lay low. The OB also told me that they are no longer accepting visitors at the hospital - not even siblings - because of the flu. That was so interesting to me! Everything else is great and I don't take that for granted.

Shout outs to my new nephew Julius who was brought home two weeks ago to Donnie and Sandy from the Philliphines. Also thankful that sister in law Lindsay stayed safe during her mugging. And lastly, yeah to my other sister in law Alayna who is 30 weeks pregnant!

Rita's sayings...

Last night Rita was retelling us her Sunday School story and told us "the little boy named David had five fish and two casseroles and Jesus took them and crumbled it up to feed everyone."

...handicapped pass...

I am so thankful (and thrilled!!!) that my doctor approved for me to receive a handicapped parking pass for the next few months. This will be a lifesaver as it has been really painful to stand at the end of the day and walk long distances. I got it yesterday and have used it twice. Otherwise, I have been feeling great.

Grace is really settling well into a routine. She has really liked full day school and it has been really neat for Nate and I to see her learn to read and excited about homework each night. She has made a lot of friends and tells me stories of the playground... she plays fairies and pokes bumble bees with sticks. The uniform has been the best thing to happen to us! It is also fun to see what books she brings home on library days.

Rita is doing great at home with Sammy. She is often wearing her Cinderella dress all day long. She is writing her name and trying to read books to Sam. She loves her friend Ruthie ("Rue fee") from Cubbies and Little Lambs class.

Sam is just doing his thing. Yesterday he enjoyed running down the sidewalk with his balloon chasing his sisters with their strollers.

Nate took the day off of work yesterday to golf in a tournament and enjoyed himself. We have been going to bed very early around here!