Birthday Celebrations

Nora Diane arrived this morning at 11:58. When the dr came in, she assured me that this was going to be an AM baby. And around 11:50, I told her that she had better hurry and we made it! Nora is perfect. She is so sweet and, call me biased, beautiful! I think she may already be wrapped around her Daddy's finger. Who now shares his birthday with her. Happy birthday to you both! She weighed in at 7 lbs 11 oz and 20.5 in long. And has beautiful brown hair.
Grandma Terri, Grandma Karen and Abby all came to visit this afternoon along with Ethan. He wasn't too sure what to think at first but eventually warmed up to his baby sister. Enjoy a few pictures from Jared and Nora's birthday!

Boo Boo & Boo at the Zoo

Well...it's been almost two and a half years without 1 trip to the ER.  Tonight we broke that streak and took Ethan in.  I was in the kitchen, he was in the living room and all of a sudden I hear a thud and then screaming.  I came in and he was holding his chin.  I got him in the the kitchen and saw blood and upon further inspection found a cut on the inside of his lower lip as well as one on the outside.  I thought he had bit through his lip.  After I got him cleaned up and calmed down, I called the doc and was told to just take him straight into the ER.  Jared met us there and surprisingly we were seen by a doctor within 45 minutes or so of our arrival.  It was not a through and through cut, but did warrant some derma-bond (aka: glue) and steri-strips.  He did awesome.  He never whined, cried or even flinched the whole time.  I don't know if this makes me a good mom or not...but I had to snap a few pictures while at the hospital.

Waiting very patiently

Being quite the trooper!

All fixed up!

We had planned on going to the Tate and Lyle night of Boo at the Zoo tonight, but wasn't sure we were going to make it with the unexpected ER trip.  Since it didn't take as long as we thought, and Ethan was in such great spirits, we decided to head to the zoo.  We ate a delicious dinner (hot dogs, chili and mac & cheese) and then quickly made it through all the Trick or Treat stations, rode the train and the carousel.  It was a fun night...after all was said and done. 

Looking for the 1st Trick or Treating

Our little Pirate

Waiting on the train

Ethan and Daddy riding the carousel

Pumpkin Carving!

We carved our pumpkins tonight!  This was the first year for Ethan to have a carved pumpkin.  He enjoyed helping and picked out his own pattern.  It was a nice evening, so we moved everything out to the deck and started cleaning out the goop!  I even helped with this part.  Enjoy a few pictures from our evening.

Not too interested in touching that stuff...

Helping Daddy Carve

Cheese!

Apparently knives aren't enough these days...drills are much more effective!

Ethan and Mickey Mouse, his first carved pumpkin!

The Boys and Their Creations

Final Products!  Mickey and StL (Go Cards!)

Brief House Tour...

The house is still a work in progress...but I have a feeling it will be that for a while.  Anyway, we've gotten most things put away and started hanging things on the walls.  We are still waiting to buy some furniture until we've lived here a while to decide what we actually want/need.  So here are some pictures of our new home.

Living Room (upstairs)

Kitchen (Complete with fun magnets!)

Eating area

Downstairs Family Room/Play Room

Finished Table!  Thanks Dad!

I Love It!!

Backyard and the Treehouse

Master Bedroom

Ethan playing in his room

Baby Girl's Room

Completed bumper pads in place!  Thanks Mom!

Baby Girl and I at 39 Weeks (and 1 day)

Apple Orchard

I decided that Ethan and I would make a trip to the Okaw Valley Orchard this morning.  It was a little chilly, but the sun was shining and I have a feeling we won't be getting out to do a lot for a while. We have been to this orchard before and I knew they had a nice playground area, so I thought that would be a fun outing for Ethan.  First we picked out our apples (from the store...not the orchard), then had a nice apple snack (apple doughnut and pastry) and then headed outside to play for a while.  It was a fun morning and I'm glad we were able to spend some one on one time together before baby sister arrives.

Hanging with Johnny Appleseed

Playing on the playground

Climbing on the hay bales

Trying to reach an apple...

...Settled for a yucky one from the ground (Don't worry, he did not eat it)

Yummy apple treat we brought back for Daddy

The Week in Photos

Since getting a new camera, I've been much better at snapping pictures here and there.  We haven't done much this week, but I do have some photos to share.  We're 8 days and counting from Baby Girl's due date!  And we're ready!
Last weekend we spent some time outside, enjoying the nice weather.

Ethan hanging in the hammock

Heading up for some fun in the treehouse

Picture from the treehouse...38 weeks.

And just a few from aound the house...

Playing baseball...naked with his Cardinal helmet.

Hanging out in the kitchen

Such a sweet smile in the morning

 Last night, Heather and Braden joined us for dinner.  We had a great evening and Braden and Ethan wore each other out! 

Braden's cheesey smile

 Tonight we moved a built-in desk from one room to another.  Ethan was helping by holding the top down...

Such a good helper

Saying 'GO CARDINALS!!'

Hiding in the cabinet