What does a Hippo Say?

According to Jack:  "Bomp Bomp".  Well, bomp bomp is how I feel with every step I take!  This 9 month pregnant thing is for the birds.  Or, Hippos, Rhinos, Elephants, and Cows!

Almost 39 weeks

I am seriously cranky in my almost 39th week!  Last week I apologized to my coworkers daily.  Thankfully, they just laughed, and made me laugh!  Mark and I have bickered, over nothing.  (He doesn't get an apology, he made me this way!)  And my patience with my super sweet toddler, is short.  And, of course he gets oodles of kisses and tickles after I take my moment and take a deep breath and realize, he doesn't know any better.

That super sweet toddler did refer to be as "Big Mom" this morning as we were waking up in bed together.  And, to add a little sting to the comment, referred to Mark as "Super Dad".  Although, both are true, I can't help but want to be "Super Mom"!  (Maybe I too need a "Super" cape for Christmas ;-)!)

So, we'll just keep on trucking through our days until the newest member of the family makes his appearance. And, if you curious to know just what is on our to-do list until then, let me fill you in (aside from the normal weekly chores)!

The leaning tree that gave our front yard character lost its battle to the wind this week.  Thankfully 2 of our neighbors have chain saws we (Mark) can borrow!

The leaning tree is no more!

And, we finally have painted walls and carpet!  Hello functional playroom!  We pulled up tape (yes, that is actually a we) this morning and we (all 3 of us) started moving toys downstairs!  Now, onto the decorating =)!  I think it won't be quite as much fun as I was originally anticipating...I'd forgotten about the Bruns Coldwater Cavalier sports paraphernalia we had collecting dust in a closet, not to mention some of the other Nagel, McNick, and Anderson team items we have.  But, atleast I won't have to wander around Target deciding if I want cars, balls, trains, or dinosaurs to decorate with.  Sports theme it is!

The first round of cars!

Gobble Gobble

Over the river and through the woods to Grandmother's house we go...

Well, that song went a little differently this year!  For one, the Bruns Thanksgiving was celebrated two weeks early, and there was no traveling to Grandmother's house...rather, Aunt Erin's house it was!  And there was no white and dusty snow, but 60 degrees and sunshine!  

The kids got along great!  And Jack shared much better than he did 4 months ago at his birthday (which not only included his toys, but also his sweatshirts).  The space around the table was cozy (soon there'll have to be a kids table) and the food was delicious!

And now that Thanksgiving is done, I considered decking the halls.  That thought lasted about a minute, as I can't quite grasp the concept of hauling out all of our decorations.  Hopefully Gram and Pop will happily help us!  They did such a great job last year ;-)!

Trick or Treat

We've been practicing saying "Trick or Treat" for days.  But, when the time came to put on the burger costume, our typical 2-year old's response was "no".  We had to trick him into wearing it by saying he'd get treats.  Finally, we were able to put on the burger...and away we went.  He was skeptical at first, but after the first house, he knew what to do and we made our way down the street!  The "trick or treat" was shortened into "treat" and he much preferred to pick out his treat and put it in his bag himself!  And, our well mannered child said "thank you", most of the time, without prompt!

 

Fall Fun

October is such a great month! Mark would claim that its because its "his" month. But, I say, its because its always (since last year) been filled with fun activities! Since its football season, we're usually hunkered down at home, which leads to a stress-free Momma. (Well, that's all relative, but you know what I mean!) Friday nights are filled are filled with football, as are Saturday mornings! Jack and I attend the home games, with an orange football, McQueen, and snacks in hand! He runs around like a crazy person and will play catch or cars with Leah, another coach's kid who is 2 weeks older. Its pretty darn cute! (I've attempted to take pictures of these events, however, did I mention he runs around like a crazy person?)

Helping pack up for the football game!

Then, there's Mark's birthday celebration. He's pretty easy to please...something good wrapped up, and his meal of choice, ribs, red mac & cheese, and apple pie!

And, there's the pumpkin patch and the falling leaves! What's not to love?

Jack has had a pretty good month! He's starting to put words together and is turning into a chatterbox! He still has a "repeat" button that's stuck until we confirm his word/thought is correct. He plays with his Legos and builds tall towers all by himself and even fixes it when it inevitably breaks! We take a daily walk up the driveway to visit our new friend "Carl" and in the mornings, Jack climbs into bed with us and watches whatever is on the Disney channel. This sweet new ritual will come in handy in about 4 weeks when I'm not ready to get out of bed at 7am =)

Climbing the ladder (helping Dad get big branches)

Building a tall tower!

Loves & Hates

Like any normal hormonal woman, there are things that I LOVE, so much they bring me to tears when I think about them! And things, that get under my skin that make me want to scream.

Hates:

• Leaves! Leaves outside, mean crunched leaves on the floor. Not only on the floor near the garage door, but on the floor in Jack's bathroom because his new found love of jumping in the leaves provides a "how in the world did these leaves get here" every night before his bath!
• The basement's super slow progress! And, dust in the basement. Thus bringing dust upstairs!
• Hourly bathroom trips.
• Cars. We're convinced I need new tires. Ugh! I hate spending money on cars!
• The ashy smell left behind in our family room after having a fire in the fire place!
• Shirts that are too short to cover this growing belly!
• Charlie-Horses and restless legs!

Loves:

• Everything pumpkin spice! Candles, fat free Grande Lattes, and my new discovery - Coffee Mate Pumpkin Spice creamer!
• The ability to let Mickey Mouse Club House babysit while I shower (and even clean the bathroom)! This may also be neglect, but I'm beyond thrilled to not have to get everything done during nap time!
• Clean, streak-free windows!
• Chilly nights with a fire in the fire place, crock pot recipes, and a snugly baby with his "blank", "Scout", frog, dog, dog, and piggy under his cars bedding!
• The giggles of a toddler that only his Daddy can produce!
• The kicks, jabs, and hiccups from the baby growing in my belly!
• Pre-natal massages! Why didn't I discover these 2 years ago? Glorious!
• A little boy who refuses to say "I love you" but when we say it, puckers his lips and comes in for a kiss.

Weekend To Do's

When you look like this...

(a few weeks ago)

You're thinking about this...

And sort of dreading that this is what your counter will look like on a daily basis in approximately 6 weeks (for the next year)

But this still gets done too!

Wow...what a difference a year makes!

And the question remains...

Will the basement be done by November? We're down to 1 month...5 weekends (including the present) until Mark's deadline! We made another trip to Home Depot today! I was delighted to be able to return some insulation and purchase 2 gallons of Cloudy Day! Why the 2x4's? For a storage shelf on the "other side" of the basement. I'm certainly not one to decline the offer for more storage space! That just means I can buy more stuff! I mean, organize the stuff we do have better! Sure, that's exactly what I mean ;-)!

So, what still needs to be done? Painting, installing baseboards, carpet (buying and installing), electrician visit #2, and the ceiling (which according to Mark will likely not be done until later this winter). And, although, I want it 100% done, I'm fine with having a nearly finished playroom. There is some serious organization of toys that needs to occur before Jack's little brother arrives (in 8 weeks in case you're curious)! And lets not forget the cleaning of the "other side"...drywall, mud, and sawdust is MESSY!