more pumpkins pics-

Here were some pics that we took last year and I can't beleive how much has changed-- Erica looks so small compared to how she looks today. I am thankful everyday that she is here with us making our lives so full- and can't wait for the changes in pics for 2009!

Here we are measuring her--- not to happy either time

2007

2008

We are on the hayride to go look at pumpkins-

2007

2008

Erica is trying to pick up her pumpkin that she picked out....

Erica is waving bye to us....she called our bluff--daddy said we were leaving but she wanted to stay I guess.

pumpkin farm

We went for third annual trip to Bengstons Pumpkin farm this past weekend and what a difference a year makes. Erica had so much fun I was actually shocked at everything that she did. She went on the train ride with Daddy and she also went on her first pony ride- she was a little scared you can see it in her face- no smiles just fear plastered on her face. We went to the petting zoo and she was able to feed the animals- I think she could have stayed there the whole time. She loved it even though all the animals were begging for her carrots! There was one time she gave a carrot to the Bhrama and her hand basically came out of it's mouth filled with saliva but she was smiling the whole time! We went on our hayride to pick out some pumpkins and of course Erica tries to pick one up herself YIKES...

Mean mom- I had Jimmy sit her on frankensteins lap- she was not too happy-

Here she is on the train....

Here we are on the pony ride

Watch out lots of pics-

random pics

We have been busy with running around trying to get things done before the baby arrives- here are a few random pics through the month.

We are downtown Naperville just taking a walk-

I was nervous that she was going to fall in because she was trying to reach for the water!

off and walking

Here is Erica giving her baby brother a big hug! It is so cute- she gives hugs and kisses but I don't think she know what truely is in store for her in a couple weeks.

Jimmy

Jimmy had hurt his thumb at work a few months back and when he went to the MD they said he tore a tendon in his right thumb--- he was in a splint for the past 3 weeks and we went back for a f/u today to discuss options and he does not have to have surgery just yet- they are hoping by immobilizing the thumb it can heal so he is now in a cast for the next three weeks. So it will be interesting on what can get done since he is limited with the cast and I am limited with the pregnancy--- luckily though most things are done for the new baby's arrival!!! Hopefully he will be out of a cast though before the baby does arrive. I will post a pic of daddy in his hot pink cast--- j/k.

vals wedding

Well as most of you know my sister got married. She got married on friday sept 5 the day after the horrible down pour from Gustav. friday was a gloomy day until the sun came out that evening and just in time for her to walk down the aisle. She had the wedding ceremony and reception at the 7 bridges signature room in woodridge and the ceremony was outside. It was such a beautiful night as well. Everything that day seemed to ahve gone so well, her hair and makeup looked great and Jimmy and I surprised her with a limo to get to the ceremony- ( they were not going to get one since everything was at one location) she was really excited it gave us a chance to relax and jam to some music to kill off some nerves. I was one of the last people to see her before she walked down the aisle and she was so composed and relaxed- I was more emotional- well being that I am 8 months pregnant I can see why. The food was great and dancing of course was fun just low key for me.

here is kathryn- she looks so old - not 16!

Here are the proud parents watching the pics being taken

Group shot!

The bride and Groom

Here is Tony and Val

Gymnastics

Erica had her first gymnastics class on sat. I was not sure what to expect but it was great. She got to experience the floor with tumbling mats, she was learning to do sommersault and handstand( of course with moms help). We also we on the trampoline - which for an 8 month pregnant lady was quite interesting. She got to play in the foam blocks by the trapeze- though we did not venture to that yet...as well as the horizontal bar- she practiced holding herself up while mom brought her hips up. I do not have any pics sorry to say- Jimmy was at a wedding in wisconsin so I could not chase little Erica around and take pics- maybe next week. I can't wait to see what next week will brin but we are doing some practicing at home.
As for mommy I had my MD visit last week on Thursday and the MD told be that the baby is breech right now- he said theres -plenty of time fo the baby to turn though--- I hope so. I am 32 weeks so a few more weeks and we will talk about the options availabe.

August

Hello all- things here have been busy with trying to get the new babies room together- our furniture came in early!! This is amazing if anyone remembers the huge problems we had with Erica's furniture. So we painted and Brian - Melissa's husband put up a chair rail which looks great now the furniture will be here wed. I can't beleive how it is looking more and more like a baby boy room. Don't worry I will post pics next week.
As for me and the baby we are doing well I am 31 weeks as of friday and can't believe how mych this baby is moving compared to Erica sometimes I feel he wants to pop out through my belly. As I get bigger it is more difficult to be playing on the floor with Erica and as most of you know Erica like to use me as her jungle gym!! She is so cute though!! Erica has been changing by leaps and bounds- she still only has her cute four teeth that just keep getting bigger, I am wondering when the rest will appear? She has been walking for about 1.5 weeks now- it is so cute!
I was there to witness the first few steps so I was thrilled- she has been going back and forth between walking and crawling though since she is still much faster as a crawler. She is so cute how she gets herself into her standing position with this large squat she has good strong legs. She is going to start tiny tots gymnastics also at the end of the month. I can't wait this will be something that we can continue through the winter months when it is cold outside and also something that we can to spend special tim with Erica after the new baby arrives.
So many things though so little time to do everything. I also have to cath up on my scrapbooking. I will post some shots this weekend of the baby room as well as Erica walking-

Here are some cute zoo pics..

Erica is having so much fun being an animal!

She is taking a few steps here to mommy..

She loves her water table she plays almost everyday- thanks auntie amanda

I love my doggie

me and my mommy

I love her in these pigtails- she loves to brush her teeth..