Finally, another man joins the fam

Kyler Kent was born at 4:05 pm and his big sisters couldn't be more excited. He stands 20 inches tall and weighs 7 lbs 7 ounces. Everyone is doing great, and we will post more soon.

Waiting for blue

My favorite color has always been blue, so it has been especially fun receiving gifts that are blue and purchasing clothing and blankets that are beautiful blue for this little baby boy! With my due date just around the corner, and the car seat and clothes washed and ready, it's just barely starting to feel real that this is actually going to be happening! I had forgotten how special it is to be anticipating the impending arrival of a new baby. There aren't many things we count down to that we know will make such an impact on our lives forever! I am still having a hard time picturing myself with a baby boy, but the clothes and blankets have been helping.

My sweet friend Brittney gave me a super fun and big baby shower! How lucky am I to have such a huge shower for my fourth kid?! Yeah! Thanks Brittney. Unfortunately, I didn't remember to take pictures until everyone had left (top picture).


We've had some busy, busy days these past few weeks. It's an interesting time preparing for a fourth kid because there's not much time to rest! But it's fun and exciting nonetheless! I don't really enjoy posting these big tummy pictures, but I realize it's important to have them for the baby's sake if nothing else.

After failing my first gestational diabetes test -- and throwing up the yummy orange drink on my second test -- I have been diagnosed with gestational diabetes. This pregnancy has been totally different than my others and has definitely been a bigger struggle for me overall. I have been pricking my finger four times a day and watching my carbs, which has been managing my blood sugar levels just fine. As a positive result, I have gained the least amount of weight this time around. And, I have had a few extra ultrasounds which are fun too.


My Edward -- I mean my hubby -- has been so supportive. I seriously have the best husband ever. He's been pounding through my "to do" list and even scoured my horribly dirty fridge the other night while I was gabbing away at book club. He's been so patient with my mood swings and pregnancy complaints. And, when none of my friends could join me to watch "New Moon" last night, he willingly came and endured all the junior high screaming girls in the theater (even though he says it was the most out of place he's ever felt!). And, he kept my rule of not complaining about the movie. Wow. I'm so lucky! Dave loves to tease me by putting on my "Team Edward" shirt that my sister gave me for Christmas last year (don't worry he didn't really wear it to the movie, but actually neither did I because it doesn't quite fit me right now!).


This morning Dave took Aubrie to the county H1N1 flu clinic. They decided to distribute the vaccination to all 4-9- year-old kids for free this morning. The county administered the shots in three locations, and fortunately it was well organized, but look at the line just to get into the parking lot! We can't help but think if this is the future of health care -- lots of lines, lots of waiting, but no other options. Dave is now the only one in our family not vaccinated. This flu epidemic has been somewhat unnerving with all of the "high risk" categories covering the majority of my family. We feel fortunate that we have stayed healthy and now almost all of us have been vaccinated. Hopefully, Dave can get it soon too.

However, I am quite irritated with the hospital where I am going to deliver. They have instituted a policy where they accept no visitors into the maternity wing under the age of five due to the swine flu. I called to see if they would allow my kids to come visit the baby when he's born because they have been vaccinated. I was told that they will not allow Teyah and Ellie to visit because they can still get the flu even with the shot and plus H1N1 is starting to mutate. I think that's taking this a little too far! They told me it was for my own kids' benefit, but I'm pretty sure that I can make decisions of where to take my kids and how to clean their hands on my own without someone telling me what's best for them! If the kids had flu-like symptoms, or we were entering an area of the hospital where they were treating people with the flu, this policy might make more sense to me. But if they are healthy, have been vaccinated, come straight to my room and nowhere else, I think everyone is going to be OK!

See, I'm telling ya. Mood swings! I just feel so bad that Ellie won't get to visit the baby and I in the hospital. She cried when I told her.

We are anticipating a fun Thanksgiving with family in town and the possibility of the baby coming this week! We have much to be grateful for at this time. We will keep you all posted on any news.

Daddy's Toys

Here are some of the fun memories we made this summer with daddy's interesting birthday presents...

Halloween 2009

Introducing, Rod Blagojevich and his three ladies: the witch who puts her hands above her head and sings at the top of her lungs "WICKED!!" (but it sounds more like "Dickded!!"); the beautiful bride who was so excited to be holding mommy's wedding flowers; and the Diva (not a singer, rock star, but a DIVA. Get it straight people).


And, don't forget Humpty Dumpty in the background there.


There's another picture of the egghead at our church trunk-or-treat.


We started the day with Daddy's spooky breakfast which included scary green Halloween waffles, pumpkin "ghoul-gurt" (yogurt with orange food coloring), and "vampire blood" (applesauce with red food coloring) .


We then carved our pumpkin -- one is plenty in this family since Daddy ends up doing all the work.


We did some Mall of America trick-or-treating until it became insanely busy, and then we came home and hit the neighborhood. Notice the costume switch on Teyah? Pocahontas is much warmer in the 38-degree temperature than a thin witch costume.


Teyah definitely enjoyed the "candy snacks" as she likes to call it.


The neighborhood trick-or-treating didn't last long until everyone was freezing even with coats over their costumes -- so the girls warmed up with some hot cocoa.


Does anyone else look at this picture and think 'sugar overload!!'