Emma's Update

I am scheduled to have my cerclage (stitch) removed on December 8th.  I will be 36 weeks by than and that is the time frame for removal.  We are really excited, but scared.  We have never had a winter baby so hope that we know how to care for her and make sure she doesn't get sick.  Plus we hope Joey will transition well into being a good big brother.  We will let you know as soon as she joins us!  

Let's Catch Up

So I haven't done this in a while and once again, pregnancy is preparing me for sleepless nights so might as well be productive.

                                                  

                                            

I had to add this picture.  Ryan, Jessica, and Audrey came to visit us for my shower and we went to the park later in the afternoon.  I think the boys had more fun than Audrey and Joey.

Our nephew, Matthew, had a project for school that entitled him to cut out a paper doll named Stanley and send it to a family member so that Stanley can experience new places and things. We had to keep a 5 day journal of things Stanley did and places he visited.  It was actually a lot of fun.  We decided to take Stanley to the National Mall and show him some of the Nation's treasures.  We felt silly taking pictures of a paper doll, but we would do it again in a heart beat.

                                                                     

           *Stanley at work with Lt. Kevin J. Winegar* 

                

 *At the Lincoln Memorial*

*Stanley, Joey, and I at the Reflecting Pond*

*Joey chasing the ducks.  Kevin chasing Joey :)*

*Stanley the Tourist*

Our neighborhood is really nice because it has playgrounds close by and not many children so we feel like its our own playground.  Joey loves to run and play so we took advantage that Kevin was home one afternoon and let him enjoy the last of the falling leaves.  Its nice to see the seasons change and not just plain ol' cactus all the time.

                                             

The Joys of Pregnancy

Emma is very anxious to be born. Well maybe she is not but my body is ready. You all know I have issues carrying to full term. The doctors I have here have been amazing at monitoring me weekly and being on top of things. I do have a cerclage in to keep me pregnant as long as possible but I still am beginning to dialite. Just one centimeter so hopefully I can stay that way for a few more weeks. I am 31 weeks now. 32 weeks will be huge for her lung development, 36 weeks is ideal. I have been admitted to the hospital a couple of times but have been able to be sent home after a change of medication.

*Not so cute but I have to face reality*

This weekend I was so blessed to have a baby shower. The Derwood Ward has been such a great blessing. They have really helped us out a lot while I have been in and out of the hospital and helped us get ready for Emma. My mother, sister, nieces, and the Peterson family came to join us for the shower. We feel so blessed to have so much support and love even from people we just met and being able to be close to our NY family has been great. We got great and useful items. I am so excited to have a girl to play dress up with and have her wear fun shoes and makeup (when she is 50!).

*Karina, Me, Mami*

Happy Halloween

We love this time of year because the holidays are coming and the seasons are changing and there is just so many exciting things going on.
This was Joey's first Halloween where he knew what was going on and actually said "Treat." He is a HUGE Toy Story fan so he was Buzz Lightyear this year. It was so cute. When we first got the costume about a month ago, he wouldn't take it off and even wore it to bed so we have gotten great use out of it. Kevin is the Activities Committee at church so I helped him put together the ward's Trunk or Treat. Kevin spent the afternoon cooking hamburgers and hotdogs on the grill at home and then it was interesting trying to keep over 100 pieces of meat warm! We had a lot of fun though and Joey loved seeing all the other children's costumes.

*Chef Killer*

*Kevin helping Joey bowl at the Trunk or Treat*

On Halloween night, Joey went trick or treating at a different neighborhood because it was fancy and they decorate really well. Joey absolutely loved it. He was so confident trick or treating and was so pleased with himself when others told him "To Infinity and Beyond." He got scared a few times with the really scary houses but, his Daddy was right by his side to protect him.

*To Infinity and Beyond*

*Joey's Best Friends: Henry, Isabella, and Gabe*