Fun times...

One afternoon while Danny was in a German class (yes, we're always learning!!), I took the boys to a kids play place in one of the malls. They spent much of their time on this little Foosball table. There was some confusion on scoring, but lots of fun once I shared the rules. haha.

Choose Life

Join me! I signed up to walk "virtually" this weekend and to be a voice in our nations capital. It's free to sign up... here's where to go:

34 weeks and counting...

Today I am 34 weeks + 5 days. I went to my Dr. appointment and all is well. Nothing is really happening and so I go back in 3 weeks. I also registered at the hospital and met with the midwife (they use them here and they actually do the delivering while the Dr. just stands there if needed). Yet, he gets paid LOTS more than the midwife. Interesting ;)

Baby girl is growing and moving-- a lot! She is sooooooo active. The boys were active, but by now, if memory serves me well.... they were slowing down. But not this girl...

Here's her sweet facial profile:

I can NOT wait to meet her! The boys are so excited and we're all looking forward as well to having my parents visit. I'm hoping they get here a couple of days before she's born so we can visit, show them some things around the house and so we don't have to juggle the boys, a sitter, and Danny having to be in many places at once while driving, cooking, bathing, etc. while I'm in the hospital. But we'll see... it'll all work out I know, but I like to plan :) Yes, I'm a bit of a control-freak lately.

-krista-

First Tooth!

This past weekend Nathan noticed that he had a loose tooth. Thankfully, I had prepared him about a month ago that he was getting to the age that it might happen. I don't know what made me think of it, but I thought if I don't tell him, he might freak out if his teeth start falling from his mouth and he doesn't realize it's "normal". haha. So he got it really loose, but didn't want anyone to mess with it. So Monday we're having breakfast and getting things ready for Kindergarten when he says, "Hey! My tooth is super loose!" I go to the table to see if it's ready for him to snag and--- it's gone! I tell him so and he looks happy, then sad. Danny starts searching his bed to see if it fell out at night, then Nate searches his cereal bowl. Then Nate says that he thinks he chewed it up with his crunchy cereal. Now I'm sad for him. His first tooth and we don't "have" it. Poor Nathan is torn between excitement and disappointment for now he has nothing to put under his pillow for the Tooth Fairy. I jokingly say "there is a way..." then Danny says that he will not help with that search ;) LOL! But then brilliance strikes (whew!) and I tell Nate that before bed we'll write a note explaining to the TF what happened and place it under his pillow. He's extremely satisfied and now ready to show off the hole in his mouth to his Kindergarten friends.

So before bed last night, Nathan picks out some nice red paper. Asks me to write while he talks. It was ALL him and so honest, innocent.... hilarious (to me). I've already put it up so that he wouldn't find it on our dresser, but it went something like this:

Dear Tooth Fairy,

I'm sorry that I do not have a tooth for you. I accidentally ate it with my cereal. I wanted to write you a note so you can still give me my surprise even though I don't have a tooth to give you. Next time I promise I will not chew it up. From, Nathan

He signed it himself and put stickers on it. He allowed Micah to draw on the outside and then placed it under his pillow.

As I tucked them in to bed, Micah asked me to stay with him. It's not abnormal for him to want someone to cuddle a bit, but Danny was gone to pick up a guy for Football training and I had to clean up the kitchen. So I tell him that I will, when I'm done, if he was still awake. He doesn't like my answer and says, "But I don't want the Tooth Guy to come in here." Ohhhh, my poor baby! In all this excitement he realized that someone he didn't know was going to be in their room. My goodness, I didn't want him to worry, so I explained that Daddy & Mommy were old friends with the Tooth Guy (that's what Micah calls him) and we'd never let anyone in our home that we didn't know and that he would lose his job if he woke up kids. Plus, only Nathan lost a tooth so he wouldn't be bothering Micah. Well, this conversation got Nate thinking and he asked if we were going to be awake when the TF came and should we have a snack and coffee ready for him? LOL!!

I tell you... I never thought that this stage (loosing teeth) would be so interesting and comical. Seriously. I have laughed so much the last couple of days with their curiosity over this whole topic. Parenting is fun-- especially in times like these.

Some random things: Nate was offended that I called them baby teeth. But was ok with it when I said he's had them since he was a baby. Micah's feelings were slightly hurt when he didn't have any teeth to put under his pillow to get a surprise, but then that stopped when the above conversation happened and he realized he didn't want someone in his room. Nate thought that hole was permanent. He's now happy a 'big kid' tooth will come, but is worried it will hurt. Around 5:30am (today) he woke us up with a loud, excited voice: "The TF came and gave me a coin! The letter is gone!" Us: "That's great! Now go back to bed."

I'm also excited that something big and exciting happened for him. I know in just a few weeks my parents will be arriving and so will our baby girl. So though the boys are excited about having a sister and visitors, I'm glad a big event happened where we can all really focus on it for Nathan. Now I just need something for Micah :) Actually, Danny is working on panting their room for them and giving it a fresh look.

Ok, that's all for now. Going to meet a friend for coffee.

-krista-

College cars

So here is a very random picture. I like this because it's my car, Priscilla's, Trisha's, and Justin's cars. Ohhhh, the fun we've all had on road trips, flying thru Springfield while trying to beat the clock for curfew, numerous break downs.... and the list goes on. hahaha. I don't know where Danny's car is... probably in the shop. haha. It had lots of trouble there for awhile ;) LOL!

Building a snowman

We had a lot of snow fall in the last 48 hrs. It's just so much fun to us! The boys really enjoy playing in it. Danny is such a great dad... he builds them snowmen and rolls around with them in the snow and they just have a ball together! I wouldn't mind, but being that I have a little less than 7 weeks left of this pregnancy, I opted for being JUST the photographer :)

We have been preparing this week for our church services tomorrow. I've invited some people this week... praying that they will come and just check us out. Looks like Micah will finally be healthy (enough... but not great) to go too. He's really struggled with bronchitis, high fevers, and ear infections this past month. He really can catch any illness and it takes him for a ride. Nathan is rarely sick and when he is... you wouldn't really know it. So if you think of us... pray for our health especially.

Here are a few pics of my favorite guys. Micah wasn't feeling great, but had cabin fever and really wanted to be outside to see a snowman built. So I took a few pics and then pulled a very unhappy boy into the house for hot chocolate and a nap. I felt bad for him.... but it's part of being a parent.

50 days...

So I have 50 more days left till my due date!! Yippee! My parents are also coming around that time as well. It's been over 2 years since I've seen them. I'm busy cleaning and straightening up stuff. Mom is a great cook and will be such a help to us. Danny & I have made a "to-do" list of stuff that we know probably won't get done if we wait till Baby arrives.... so here's hoping we actually get it done :)

We have been blessed beyond belief the last month with packages from family and a few friends! There were fun things and then things we can't get here in the boxes. Most of them even had baby gifts!! Oh how fun to see girlie stuff after having 2 boys and little to no accessories for them. haha. It was Christmas all over every time we opened a package. The boys are usually bouncing off the walls when they see the "package lady" drive up. Thank you to those of you who are reading this and have sent us something... we love and appreciate you!

Side note: Here is a photo I took a couple of weeks ago and felt like it needed a quote. It's the field next to our house. I really enjoy taking photos and doing stuff to them.

Happy New Year!

Welcome to 2010! We are ready for all the new adventures this year has to offer. We celebrated the New Year with the Brown family. We played games, ate and set off fireworks. I'm so glad that Austrians celebrate this way too. It reminds me of growing up in the Philippines... no one does it as well as the Filipinos though! They really know how to ring in a new year. But still nice that we do it here. The US keeps their firework displays mostly for the 4th of July and that I wouldn't change either... but c'mon! Let's spice the New Year up too :) I hope that no matter how you celebrated, this year will bring you closer in your walk with God and if you don't have a relationship with Him that you will see how much fuller life is with God leading.

-krista-