MM's Swim Club Halloween Party

The girls got to dress up early this week to celebrate Halloween with MM's swim team. They had pizza, snacks and fun at a local park. It was an interesting evening since there were all ages attending. It is amazing how gross and scary the costumes seem to get on the older kids. I wish we could keep them little forever! MM is Sharpay from HSM2 (the golf scene) and A Bear is a kitty!

Pumpkin Carving Party and Chilifest 2008

Frankenstein and Cool Cat

A Bear with her Minnie Mouse

MM with her window scene (it looks much better in complete darkness)

Last weekend we had our home church over to house for a Fall Feast and some fun! (those of you worried about me...it had been planned for a long time and B was here to help with all the prep work...I rested!!!) The kids created their own pumpkin creatures, we ate lots of chili and then all the families had fun carving their pumpkins together! We even voted for the scariest, funniest, most original, and best overall! Fun was had by all and the kids were tuckered out after all the guests left. MM and Daddy created a pumpkin with a window scenes including a cat, moon and spider. A Bear and I created a Minny Mouse pumpkin.

Finding the Perfect Pumpkin

Before having our annual Pumpkin Carving Party, we headed off to the pumpkin patch to find the perfect pumpkin. This year that meant 3 perfect pumpkins. The girls decided this year they wanted to carve their own. Usually Daddy would just carve one for the whole family, but we decided why not? It might be fun! Needless to say only 2 got completely carved (A Bear's and MM's) with major help from Mommy and Daddy! Dadd'y's pumpkin is opened, gutted and sitting on the back porch uncarved...maybe later today! Enjoy the pictures.

random wednesday ramblings...

outside my window . . .
dark, chilly, windy morning
i am thankful for . . .
true friends
from the kitchen . . .
a huge bag of gummi bears is calling my name - remember I am still preggo!
i am wearing . . .
no bra. still in pjs. i'm comfortable - dreading finding clean, warm, maternity clothes at the moment.
i am creating . . .
a small dent in the laundry, a human life, and a Christmas surprise for Modge
i am going . . .
to do laundry, clean my bedroom, have my belly painted like a pumpkinand craft today (all the while resting too!)
i am running . . .
on very little sleep, a little caffeine and a lot of grace from God.
i am hoping . . .
to just have an ear infection and not strep when I go to the doc later.
i am hearing . . .
silence. the house is peaceful and quiet this morning (the wee ones are not awake yet)
around the house . . .
prep for Baby E, sink full of dirty dishes, fall feeling and smells.
one of my favorite things . . .
date night with hubby coming up.
few plans for the rest of the week . . .
trunk-or-treat and other halloween goodness, wrapping Christmas presents, and packing my bags for the hospital.

Update on A Bear's health

Well things continue to be a whirlwind around here with health issues. Because A Bear has had 7 ear infections since last Feb. we visited an ENT last week to discuss putting tubes back in this November. We have the surgery scheduled for Nov. 11th but it seems as if we might be cancelling it now (or at least postponing it!) After seeing the pulmonologist this summer, he recemmended that we get A Bear tested for allergies. Well we did that this morning.

All I have to say is that was not fun at all...but it gave us a lot of information about our A Bear. After 3 hours at the allergist' office and 58 pricks (you read that right!), we have found out that she is allergic to many things in the central texas area. She is off the charts allergic to grass (the doctor measured the reaction twice and was stunned) as well as cedar, trees, cats, and on and on. (Praise - no food allergies though!!!)

He recommended that we try to get the allergies under control first before going through with another surgery that is going to scar her eardrum. He feels that if we get the allergies under control then we will not have the ear infections and upper respiratory infections as much or at all anymore. This is encouraging since that is our goal.

Because she still has the cyst in her lung, we are trying to eliminate all infections if possible. The cyst can either disappear into her lung (be reabsorbed) or it can be a pocket for infection.

So our plan of attack - we are going to start her on a daily nose mist and Sudal for flareups. She is also going to be getting WEEKLY allergy shots starting next week. We are going to go in on Halloween since there whole office is going to be Suessville and her allergist loves candy....so there will be plenty of that to go around too!

So this afternoon, I am thanking God for a clear direction on the path to getting our A Bear healthy again. God is good and he continues to be good throughout all of this. A Bear was a trooper and behaved like a real champ!

Getting the nursery ready for Baby Ellie

Daddy and the girls decided to tape off and paint Ellie's room last week. We decided that it was a good idea to let them go in the buff to paint the room! The top third is going to be pink (the same color as the girls' room) and the bottom third is going to be beaded board (wainscoating). The painting was finished up last night...now we just need a day without rain or humidity so we can spray the other material and install it! I have big plans for the room once we get the beaded board installed...stay tuned!

Ethan's birthday at ZDT

At the beginning of October, the girls were able to spend a special day with their cousin Ethan enjoying games, go cart riding, and tramploine antics! We also got to play with Sam and Morgan. We had a great time.

Showering Baby Ellie with Love

Ellie's yummy chocolate cake that we are still enjoying for breakfast!

One of the softest blankets I think I have ever held!

The lovely women who hosted my shower (thanks again!)

My MOPS girlfriends and home church friends showered Baby Ellie and me with love the other evening. We had a great evening of food, fun and fellowship. Thank you so much ladies for a wonderful evening.