Thanksgiving...

I thought I'd just post a quick message since we had a few questions about our Thanksgiving plans....

Before Shirl sent out the message about Meinhart Thanksgiving being on the 8th, we had actually decided to make a trip down over the weekend of Nov 1-2. Jon gets Nov 4 off, so by taking a vacation day on the 3rd (and voting absentee), we have a four day weekend to work with. That was also a good weekend for us to head over to St. Louis to see Grandpa Boedeker, since we won't be making it for his 90th birthday party at the end of November.

SO....we will not be at Meinhart Thanksgiving. We will be down around home next weekend, driving home on Friday night. We are planning to head to St. Louis on Sunday, but don't have any major plans other than that. Right, Mom? We would love to catch up with anyone who is around and available! I know of a couple of new houses and a new baby we haven't even gotten to see yet!

"Big Girl"

Marie is into her "big girl" phase. She spent her first night in her "big girl" bed last night. She actually did fairly well. But, it did take her awhile to get over her excitement and actually go to sleep. She woke up once through the night and was somewhat disoriented so, Daddy had to go upstairs and calm her down.

She has also been spending some time in "big girl" pants the last few days. There has been some success, but we are (as expected) still working getting her to tell us when she has to go BEFORE she goes. She sure does like the concept though...we're making progress.

Yesterday, the weather was nice, so we spent some time outside playing with Uncle Mark. Marie also helped to pace off, measure, and mark where the garden will be next spring. She is ALWAYS interested in helping with whatever we're doing. We had to keep her occupied while Jon was spraying the Round-Up to kill the grass.

Things went well at the doctor this week. As far as we can tell, the baby is right on schedule as far as size goes. And, it seems as though his/her head is down. I'll be visiting again in a couple of weeks and then the visits will be bumped up to weekly. The doctor and I looked at the calendar, too. As long as the baby continues to do fine (and as long as I don't go into labor on my own), he is tentatively thinking that he will induce me on the 15th of December. Now....nobody start hoping for a really long labor and delivery or anything... :)

The last couple weeks...

Well, it's been a while since our last update, so we wanted to keep you informed on what's been going on....

The first weekend of October, we took a quick trip to Ohio/Pennsylvania to see most of the Shibata's and to celebrate cousin JJ's 1st birthday. What a party! Good company, great food, and the cutest little 1-year old! We had a great time and Marie did very well in the car.

We got back late Saturday night so that Jon could go to his LifeTeen planning session on Sunday. Plus, since Uncle Matt was in town, we had a change to catch up with him a bit. Marie made sure that he was up to speed on the latest and greatest Courdory book.

The weather here as been great. In the afternoons it has been quite warm for October and the sunny days combined with the changing fall colors make it beautiful. Marie and Peg took another trip to an apple orchard and picked a bushel of IdaReds. When we talked about going, she asked if Grandma and Grandpa were going to be there and was quite disappointed to find out that they weren't. The apples were lower on the trees this time, so she was able to help a bit more.

We then spent a good day at a friend's house making applesauce. Marie was excited not only that we were making applesauce, but that it was PINK! What more could you ask for??? She did get to play with some friends her age while the moms worked.

Marie is enjoying her toddler swimming class, especially when she gets to swim after the floatie ball. Monday, she was actually using her arms and legs at the SAME time. We've also been going to Story Time at the local library. She is catching onto the songs, and particularly likes stomping her feet during "If You're Happy and You Know It."

Other than that, it has been life as usual. Her latest favorite phrase is "Do it," meaning she wants to do it. She also surprised us the other day by saying "St. Patrick" (her first saint!). She still gives out great hugs. Lately, she has been adding a "Squeeze" while virtually choking the receiver. She is starting to get better (or luckier) at finding certain colors and is fascinated by pumpkins, especially little ones that she can pick up. Sometimes we catch her reciting portions of the alphabet or counting things that she is putting away. Her recent night-time routine is that as we are rocking, she wants to hear a song / story about a "boy duck." She gets the biggest kick out of it when the "little boy duck" did all the same things as she did that day....right down to the chicken and green beans for supper.

Baby #2 is growing and growing. We are 31 weeks along. We may get a better idea of the projected delivery date at our appointment this week. If not, then likely in the next couple of weeks we'll have a better sense. It'll be here before we know it....time to get ready!