A few more....

Here are a few more pictures from Thanksgiving (*and Megan's peek-a-boo video*). Before:


After: (Megan had 3 helpings of Grandpa W's squash. She looved it!)


The family picture that Grandma W always insists on! This year went pretty smoothly! (Back row, L to R - Stacey, Leah, Stephanie, Mom; Middle row - Andy, Mike, Ben, Dad; Bottom - Josiah, Caleb, Megan, Micah):



A glimpse into the future!! lol:

Speaking of the future, it's about time to start stocking up on baby stuff for this household! We made our first baby purchase on the way home from my parents. I wanted to buy some of the prefilled bottles (GoodStart nursers) for the first day or two home with the baby. However, the only place I can find that carries them, besides online - and who wants to pay shipping if they don't have to?!, is Target. We never shop at Target, but, we pass one on the way home from Rochester...so, we stopped and picked up a couple of packages. Ben also works near a Target, so I may send him for a couple more before the baby comes. Once those run out, I'm hoping to just use Parent's Choice formula. GoodStart worked best for Megan - she was pretty spitty - but, it's one of the more expensive formulas. We switched to Parent's Choice as soon as she began sitting up (less spitup) and my coupons for that formula ran out! :-)

I'd also like to have a stash of Pampers Swaddlers (size N & 1), Parent's Choice real cloth wipes, and Desitin Creamy around! Time to start tossing a few things each week into my Walmart cart! Megan got so many diapers at her baby showers, that I don't think we purchased a package of diapers until she was 5 months old!! It was great, too, because I got a variety so I could try out every brand. All of them seemed to work just fine, but my favorite became Pampers swaddlers and cruisers...! I visit a coupon-swapping board to help me afford them! :-)

I'm starting to make my list, because I told Ben that I want everything to be all ready by February 1st. Not sure if that'll happen...but, I'm going to try! :-) Clothes (or gender specific things) will just have to wait unless this baby decides to let him/herself be known! But, what does a baby really need at first, but diapers, wipes, and food?! :-) So, we shall try to have at least those 3 things on hand!

Hope you all have a great weekend!

Thanksgiving continued...

Just a few more pictures from our weekend. There are even a few more for another day!

Megan loves her big tupperware bowl at home -- she was excited that Grandma W had one too!


Sharing snacks and secrets with Caleb:



Megan looved this alphabet/writing toy of Josiah's. Good thing, because weeks before our visit, Grandma W had mama buy one off ebay for Megan for Christmas!


Megan also loved playing with the boys' kitchen. She spent forever cooking in that little corner of the living room! Uncle Andy and Aunt Stacey tried to convince us to remove it from their house and take it home... but, with trying to find room for the new baby and his/her things, we decided we'd borrow it after the baby comes. We know Megan will love it!

More pictures another day!

STUFFED!

We hope you all had a nice Thanksgiving with your families. We did...but are all pooped from the festivities! Our grocery store turkey dinner with Grandpa and Grandma P was pretty good. I was all set to be disappointed...but, it really wasn't that bad! We'd do it again in a pinch! It was good enough to keep the leftovers...which we've been enjoying! (I have a video of Megan peek-a-boo'ing at the dinner table - I'll try to get it uploaded and posted later this week!)

We headed up to Grandma and Grandpa W's on Friday morning. When we got there, Megan was very clingy and it took her quite awhile to warm up and get off daddy's or mama's lap - Megan hadn't seen them for at least 2 months. When Megan saw that Grandpa W knew how to throw a ball, and Grandma W would talk on her phone with her, she thought they were nice and decided to play with them. :-)

Visiting with Great Grandma W was different, though. Megan showed off right away. Spinning and babbling and just being silly.

Meeting Baby Micah was also a new experience. Caleb and Josiah were excited we were there...and were being normal crazy boys. Megan looked a bit bewildered by them, so, she never really saw the baby until we'd been at Uncle Andy and Aunt Stacey's for a little while. She then pretty much ignored Micah...but, after some playing time with the older boys, came over by herself and gave him a few kisses.

I have quite a few pictures, but, will just share a few with you today. I'll post some more during the week.

Helping mama get ready for turkey day:


Great Grandma W with Megan and mommy:


Hmmm....not sure I'm liking this baby thing!


I'll take another look:


Maybe he's not so bad after all:

Ben's Coyote...

As promised, I'm posting pictures of Ben's coyote. And, I'm also posting a *New Video* of Megan spinning... this is her newest thing. She makes herself dizzy and just laughs at herself. Silly girl!

SNOW!

The snow started last night...and, we woke up this morning to the first measurable snowfall. I always think the first snow is so pretty...but, I'm certainly tired of the wet and cold by January (if not sooner!) :-)

Saturday was opening day for gun season here in NY. No deer that day for Ben...but, he DID shoot a coyote!! He was pretty excited -- he's always wanted to get one! Our friend is going to mount it for him...and, I'm told pictures were taken. As soon as they get emailed to us, I'll post a picture.

Ever since Megan was born, my candy dish has been stuck in the cupboard. No need to have it out when little fingers will certainly find their way into it! Well, the last time I was in the grocery store, I REALLY wanted some Sunkist fruit gems (kinda like soft, flat gumdrops)...they quickly found their way into my cart and found a home in my neglected candy dish. Megan quickly noticed Ben and I snitching them...and knew she should have some, too!

lolol! She didn't succeed. They were JUST out of her reach. But, I laugh that she is so determined! Megan will find a way to get what she's after!

Thanksgiving is just days away! Normally, I'd be very busy preparing... not this year! Ben won't let me overdo it and is making me take the easy way out. We're ordering a turkey dinner from our grocery store (who knows? maybe it'll be so delicious that we'll start a new tradition?)! We'll share it with Grandpa and Grandma P on turkey day...and, then head up to see my family over the weekend. I loove a yummy turkey dinner! I don't know why we only fix one once a year! I'm looking forward to all the good food -- mmmm, turkey, mashed potatoes, stuffing...and, rolls! CARBOLICIOUS!! :-) I also can't wait for my grandma's cheesy good broccoli casserole that Stacey makes every year. Aaahh! I'm getting hungry! I think today's PB&J lunch will disappoint me!

Have a great week!

Monday

Today I had another doctor's appointment. Again, nothing to report. My OB ended up having to do an emergency c-section and they bumped my appointment. When I came at the later time, he (and another of the OBs) were still in the OR and very far behind in their schedules. So, the 3rd OB was trying to shuffle their patients through between HIS appointments! It seemed pretty crazy in the department today! So, I didn't get to see my regular OB...but, I had nothing in particular I needed to ask him. Everything baby-wise was good today. Weight, blood pressure, stitch, baby's heartbeat...all good. Back again in 2 more weeks.

Here are a few Megan pictures -

A new hat and mittens:

Last night was our Hunter's Harvest dinner at church. We bought this for Megan in the spring at Cabela's. Daddy was very hopeful that she would fit in it to wear last night (we thought she looked pretty adorable!):



(2 pictures, courtesy Nana from the nursery last night!)



And a couple from this afternoon:

Stacey and Micah went home today. Both are doing well. Caleb loves his little brother and asked Stacey "can we keep him? I love him." Josiah isn't too sure of the whole situation yet. I'm sure he'll adjust quickly enough. I'm sure the next few days will be an adjustment - and adventure - for all of them!

(Look at all that hair!! Stacey says it really does look blonde...but, shows up dark in pictures)

Wow! That was fast!

Andy just sent me a few pictures. I didn't expect anything until at least tomorrow! (How fun to have the internet and see my baby nephew so quickly! If I had to rely on the USPS, it'd take days! Or weeks in person!)

I think Micah looks a lot like Caleb did when he was born (at least from these side views). Look at that long hair!! Andy says it's blonde under the hat...

Stacey is doing fine. She is extra tired because of the pain meds she has been given. She hasn't even been able to hold Micah for longer than a few minutes because she is so weak and drowsy. Hopefully, she'll be able to get some rest today. A third baby doesn't usually bring too many visitors...

Thanks for letting me share our happy nephew news!

He's Here!

Congratulations to Andy and Stacey on the birth of

Micah Aiden

Friday, November 9

8:31 a.m.

7 lbs

19 1/2 in long

I am so happy and excited for the new arrival! I'm extra anxious for pictures (I'm told he's beautiful), but, who knows how long it'll be until I'm emailed a couple. Grandpa W was manning the video camera and Grandma W has been keeping 2 other little boys under control. As for Stacey and Andy...well, I'm sure they're a bit busy to be emailing anything right away! lol! I guess I'll just have to be patient!

Stacey had some complications with the anesthesia...I probably won't know the whole story until I talk directly to her. But, it seems that she FELT everything...but, they wouldn't give her any more pain medication for fear of it affecting the baby? As soon as the baby was delivered, they put Stacey to sleep to finish the surgery. My mom just called to let me know that Stacey is finally awake and doing ok. I'm not sure if that will affect her recovery or not, but, I'm sure she and Andy would appreciate your prayers. I'll update when I can.

Until then, I do have a few new pictures of Megan for you.

My BEST toothy grin picture! Of course, I wasn't trying to get the teeth -- and, didn't even notice them until I put the picture on the computer. (If you see a hint of green in her mouth, it's a fruity cheerio :-)


Our big girl!

*If you're squeamish, I'd look away. These could be considered worse than Ben's deer picture!*

I've been wanting to teach Megan to use a spoon -- but, never feel like dealing with the mess. Silly me, felt sooo ambitious last night that I gave Megan chocolate pudding for her first trial run. Oh, man! Am I dumb, or what?! :-) (I think I felt bad that she's been sick and wanted to give her a treat...? That's what I'm telling myself anyway!) Megan loooved it and actually did a really good job of scooping the pudding and putting the spoon in her mouth (although it may not look like that!). I was impressed... and dreaded the cleanup!

Megan and I DID seem to get Ben's cold -- or flu? Megan had a fever on Tuesday and Wednesday and has been congested and drippy and clingy most of the week. I got a sore throat Wednesday night...and although that feels a bit better this morning, I've started a little cough. So far, no nose issues for me.

Megan's Christmas Wish List

Megan really wasn't interested in presents last Christmas, and I mentioned to several people that "next year" (meaning, this year), she'd be interested in the boxes... I think I'm right! She played in this box for quite awhile the other day. So... forget the toys or clothes, people! Just give her a few boxes and I know she'll entertain herself just fine! (She also loves laundry baskets...) :-)

M-I-C-K-E-Y-M-O-U-S-E! (Look! Can you see her 2 bottom teeth?!! She finally has one on the top, too!)


I took this picture yesterday afternoon. I loved that Megan's bare little feet kept trying to hold her book.



And, I thought I'd show off our adorable nephews! (Caleb, 4, is on the left, Josiah, 2 1/2, is on the right). By the end of the week, nephew #3 will be joining them! We're all so excited to meet the new member! Stacey's c-section is scheduled for Friday morning... As soon as I'm emailed pictures, I'm sure I'll be posting a few! We won't be able to officially meet new baby nephew until Thanksgiving. I know that's only a few weeks away...but, I was there for both Caleb and Josiah's births and am a little sad to be missing this one. I'll get in some cuddle time while I'm eating my turkey! I'm also excited for Megan to see a little baby -- want to see how she'll react!

Ben is a bit miserable with a cold... we're praying that neither Megan nor I catch it. Hope you all are healthy and have a great week!