Three Peas in a Pod

Depending on the day, the kids' bedroom either seems cozy or claustrophobic. Of course, the baby will sleep in our room for the first several months before she joins her brothers. Three kids...exciting and intimidating.

Pumpkin Patch

I love Fall! Warm drinks, baked goods and chilly weather. (Well, not really chilly because of the 30 degree swing we have been having each day -- 50s in the morning and then 80 by the afternoon.)

I have been so in love with my two-year-old which is a treat since his two-year-old-ness can make me forget my infatuation several times a day. We went to a pumpkin patch yesterday with our good friends, Alison and Judah. On the way there, BiggiE was in hysterics, basically because the sky is blue. Everything he could think of was wrong (boy, I've had that feeling sometimes in my hormonal state) from the toy car he brought to the fact the we were not going to the right pumpkin patch, oh, and he was wearing shoes. Tough stuff.

In typical BiggiE form, he had his 20 minute cry and then all was right in the world again. He had so much fun running around among the hay and pumpkins and farm animals with his best buddy. And I was free to once again savor my affection for my little guy who will soon be a big brother.

BiggiE and his best buddy, Judah.

Arachnophobes Beware!

Nothing quite like a delicious brownie and licorice spider!

A Girl Shower

Kelli, Alison and Pam put on a wonderful "Girl" shower while my mom was in town. Girl clothes are definitely fun, though I have to say I had to fight off a panic attack when I open the first pair of little girl shoes. I don't know if it was because having a girl felt so real and overwhelming or if it was just having a third baby felt suddenly overwhelming.
My first thought when I saw this photo is how much I look like my mom. Standing behind my mom and me are Alison, Amanda, Kelli, Stacy, Catherine, Tenney, Pam and Maribeth.
My mom gave me some of my old clothes and it was a very special gift.

I love this time lapse belly photo. Kelli due in April, Amanda due in February and me due in December.

What's in a Name?

Our little girl is getting bigger and bigger. Only about two more months to go and we are still not decided on a name. If anything, we just keep adding names to the list. Please add your two cents by casting your vote on the side bar.

Wordless Wednesday

Mud Pies

Friends and Family

We have so many people in St. Louis that we love. The boys and I were able to hang out with Barb and her great kids. This was before Cora was born and somehow I didn't get a picture of our pregnant bellies together. (Perhaps it was enough to carry on a conversation while monitoring 5 boys.) I always leave Barb and Andy's wishing I was always just a ten minute drive away.


We also had dinner at my Aunt Kathy's. My Uncle Ed and Aunt Cindy just moved to St. Louis is summer and it was nice to see them since it had been two years. Moose adored Alexis, my cousin Naomi's daughter and BiggiE and Deja tolerated each other. Two-year-olds crack me up because they often seem like they are not sure if the fun of a playmate is worth sharing of the toys.

Slides, Butterflies, Carousels and Cousins

Moose and BiggiE had a grand time in St. Louis going with their Grandmere on adventures to the zoo, park, butterfly house, Ted Drew's frozen custard, etc. I had a grand time having many hours sans children.

I did get to enjoy our outing with my niece, K. Being an aunt is a great role.

Asheville and Drum Circles

I loved Asheville, NC! I had heard wonderful things about it - that is was beautiful, outdoorsy, with a splash of hippy thrown in. Sounds like my kind of town. Our friend, Maggie, grew up in St. Louis with Tyler and she also graduated from Colorado State. She said Asheville was like the Fort Collins of the East, but more artsy.

Asheville was just as pretty as billed being set in the foothills of the Appalachians. There were delicious sounding restaurants, art galleries and cute shops all over the downtown. I was thrilled to eat breakfast at Green Sage where they actually have a compost bin next to their trash and recycling.

After the rehearsal dinner on Friday night, Tyler's mom and dad and I decided to walk back to the hotel. Across the street from the restaurant there was a drum circle going on in a little plaza, so we decided to check it out. I love live music and something about drums gets me in my core, just like the sound of crashing waves.

One thing I love about Tyler's dad is that he will just hop in anywhere. He spotted a vacant drum and just sat down and asked the guy next to him if he could play, no matter that he was wearing a sport coat instead of tie-dye. It was hilarious! I admire his boldness because I wouldn't even think to join in.

Pilot Moose and Pilot BiggiE

One of the highlights for Moose and BiggiE of going to the weddings in September was getting to be "co-pilots" for Grandpere.
I think Moose really thought he was helping fly. Occasionally, he would turn around and give those of us in the back a thumbs up.


BiggiE loved the idea of being a pilot, but when he got a chance in the cockpit he was much more interested in his snacks.
Going to NC we had a much bigger plane, so we took my nephew, B, with us. It was cute seeing the boy cousins all together. I have to say as a pregnant woman with a lot of pressure on my stomach already I much preferred the bigger plane because it wasn't as bumpy. I actually like flying in a smaller plane. As much as I love flying, I often feel hesitant with the take off and landing when I fly commercially. In a small plane you don't even feel the take off or landing at all.

September Weddings

In September we were able to attend two weddings with Os's family. Os was able to take a red eye flight and join us in Pittsburgh for his cousin Katie's wedding. Then a week later the boys went with Os's family to Asheville, NC for the wedding of close family friend, Maggie Weaver.

Three of the five grandkids looking at the camera is not bad odds, especially since the youngest, A, is sleeping. It's a bit sad that this is the only time the family will be together the rest of the year.


Katie and Brian make a grand entrance in Pittsburgh.


Maggie and Jason enjoy a sunset dance.