I can't believe my belly is this large

34 weeks pregnant

Baby Jacks Up-date

I had a midwife appointment on the 17th with a 33 week "check-up" ultrasound. Fluid levels are good. He is head down, rear facing, legs crossed (criss-cross apple sauce its called now) ready to go. We didn't get any pictures because all you could see is the back of his head and a slight profile. I wouldn't mind if he came just a smidgen early because they guess (and really they can be way off. I am not particularly impressed with this ultrasound tech anyway) he is 5LBS already. Um I am NOT having a 9 LBS baby. I don't think my hips would be too happy about that. But like I said, this is the same tech who was convinced (we even talked about it this time) that I had an amniotic band. Of course when I had the level 2 at a different location, neither the tech nor the OB could find anything that could even be mistaken for a band. Anyway, I digress. The midwife said his heart rate is very strong and increases when he moves as it should. He was moving like crazy while she was holding the Doppler which was really funny to watch. My whole belly was moving like something was trying to escape. He moves so differently than my other babies. Noel and Ty by this point mostly rolled. You would feel the roll to one side and the other. Sometimes a kick to the rib or a punch to the hip. But Jackson.... He likes to stretch and does it frequently. It feels so odd as his feet hit just above where my ribs start on the left, and his arms will push on my lower right hip. It doesn't hurt... Yet. We'll see how it feels when he gets a little longer!!

Photo blitz

Early November

Noel's Birthday Cake - as requested by Noel. I was so grateful to my father-in-law for putting the finishing touches on for me - I plain ran out of time! He did the roses and the white ruffles around the base. It is hard to make a cake too early (although I did start two days in advanced) when the threat of little poking fingers is constant.

Kids playing in Noel's room. Who needs anything but toys to make it a party?

I embroidered this apron for her. I was pretty proud.

On her actual birthday we had a small dinner - her request was spinach quiche with a carrot cake. Happy 4th Birthday baby girl!

I just thought this was a cute pic of Ty

He wanted to show me a trick..... "Look mom!"

Hehehehehe

Noel and Ty play well together most of the time

Christmas was busy as usual. This was from the Fichtner Family Christmas Party

We went to my Aunt's for Christmas Eve dinner. It was a very nice evening.

Do we have pictures from Christmas? Of course not (!!!!). I didn't realize we video taped everything, but didn't take any pictures. But we had a nice morning of gift followed by a brunch with Chad, Caroline and their boys, and Eric's dad. That evening we went with Chrissy to her sister-in-laws and had MORE yummy food and another wonderful evening.

We ventured south after Christmas. We spent and few days and up to New Years Eve in Richmond with our friends the Crosby's, then traveled on New Years Day to my dad & step-mom's house.

This is my Grandmother Harris, the kid's Great-grandmother.

This is Grandma Ju-Ju

Although Ty didn't want to sit still, I was grateful to get this picture. They say I look like a Harris - ya think?

Dad and Judy treated us to a wonderful dinner at the Lewisburg Airport. What you say? The airport? Secret is, there is a little restaurant at the airport that makes THE most amazing steaks. Oh my, Eric and I drool just thinking of them.

Lots of driving.... Some handled it better than others....

We only got a couple of days at Grandma Aimee's. The kids were so over tired, they actually wouldn't stop crying for hardly anything, so we ended up cutting our vacation short. I was really disappointed. But when we got home and Noel still hadn't normalised after a week, I took her to the doctor - sinus AND ear infections. Ahhh, that explains a lot.

Sorry mom the other picture is better but it was fuzzy (thank you camera).

Playing in our most recent snow storm from last week. It just keeps snowing and snowing and snowing....

Cute snow outfits from Grandma Ju-Ju

5 Little Snow Flakes

I have this website I really love, dltk-kids. We printed off 5 snow flakes and a sun to color. Then cut them out and put straws on the back to make it so the kids could hold them up. We then sang the song on the craft page about 5 little snowflakes. The kids loved it! I tried to take pictures but my camera won't focus. Is anything electronic meant to last these days???!! Anywho, I will TRY TRY TRY to do a catch up photo post very soon... maybe even nap time if I can persuade Noel to give me a little space.

Here is the link to that page if anyone wants an easy and fun preschool winter activity:

http://www.dltk-holidays.com/winter/m5snowflakes.htm