Ha Ha

(Less funny when you are the one inside the shirt)

Still in Utero

This guy does not want to be the one to break familial tradition and arrive on our before his due date. Still comfortably nested inside, hoping to go trick or treating within the warm amniotic fluid instead of outside. I am now getting desperate enough to put credence in internet factoids like this:

You're 14 percent more likely to give birth on a Tuesday than on any other day of the week — and least likely to deliver on the weekend.

Due Date

I am so tired of due dates and their anticlimactic roles in our family's history. Vivian had to be induced at 42 full weeks of gestation and Seth made his appearance five days late. So, what was I thinking when we circled this arbitrary date on our family calendars? Nonetheless, I am attempting to focus on the positives here, namely these two:

Uh huh

I could pretend that this picture is a result of Halloween preparations, but, let's be honest, this is par for the course on any old day around here.

Playing Hooky

Place: Viv's bed
Time: 1407 Central European Time.

Shh, don't tell his boss.

Loving a Pumpkin

This October, my family has been loving a human pumpkin:

Our Eldest

Is AWOL Daddy, who turned 30 today, but this post is not about him, but rather our eldest child ---Vivian the 5 year old. As we wait on the brink of welcoming our fifth family member, I often pause to think how different life would have been with a different first child. Ours is as close to a perfect fit as I can possibly imagine. Vivian is excited about life, helpful at all turns, in love with her mischievous brother and even eager to meet the challenge of the next one. She is the consummate big sister.

This little lady has been a part of our marriage almost as long as it has been in existence. She has lived in more houses than she has years under her belt, yet handles each transition with grace and acceptance. Viv has so much of her father in her that to watch them together is magic. Spending time alone with her reminds me of so much that I love about him.

Five is the age of a kindergartner - while this should be daunting or frightening to a young mother, with Viv it seems so natural. She is stepping into her schoolwork and household responsibilities with aplomb, as if it is all only natural. On this birthday, I truly thank God that He blessed us with such a role model for all our forthcoming children to follow... at least as best they can as boys! We love you, Viv.

Grandma Goodness

A big part of my childhood was the ritual of our parents shouting, "package for Daddy/Mommy" when Brendan and I would be fresh from the bathtub. Then we would get delivered into the expectant parent's arms and they would unwrap us ceremoniously and exclaim various ridiculous things.

Well, here we are 20+ years later and Grandma has two new happy, wet packages.

Dedicated School Room?

In a 3-bedroom Army apartment, the chances of having a room which can be devoted solely to schooling are slim. So this is the way we roll -- early morning chocolate chip cookies and _The Three Billy Goats Gruff_ on the kitchen floor. Geeze, I hope I know what I am doing...

For All Those Who Have Said

that I don't look 38 weeks pregnant:

Jenga Block Children

I wonder how high our tower will get?

Brothers

Enjoying his last few days as the youngest one in the house.