Little Boy Love

I don't usually choose to rant in this space but I feel compelled to just a bit today.

Anyone who has been pregnant can attest to the fact that people just love to talk about that belly, whether it is family, friends, co-workers, or random strangers at the grocery store.

This is my third baby so I'm used to that by now, and it really doesn't bother me. I usually smile and answer the typical questions; " When are you due?", " Do you know if it's a boy or a girl?" , " Is this your first?".

The answers are; January 9th, yes it's a boy, no it's not it's my third- to which the response is always " Oh do you have boys or girls at home?". Boys, this is my third boy.

Up to this point the conversation is fine, but then once people hear this is my third little boy the comments start to roll. About how I must have been disappointed, I must have been trying for a girl, or maybe I'll have better luck next time. What!!!!????

I can't stand this assumption that every mother just wishes and wishes for a girl. All I was hoping for was a healthy baby, and according the the ultrasounds I've had that is just what I am having. I have never for a moment felt the least bit "unlucky" for having my two sons or that I'm expecting another one.....on the contrary I feel extremely lucky to be mom to two fabulous little boys and I can't wait to add a third to the mix. I don't need a daughter to feel complete, and I'm tired of people assuming I do.

I don't know if I would hear the same type of comments if I was expecting my third girl, maybe I would but I somehow think not as much. Either way I'm just tired of my children's gender being thought of as lucky or not.

I'd say getting to be mom to these two little boys makes me the luckiest woman on the planet!

I can't wait to meet their little brother and feel even luckier!

Sweet Moments

We are celebrating our small Thanksgiving together today since Daddy had to work on Thursday. I just put the turkey in the oven after we finished our pancake breakfast, it already smells divine!

Early this morning as the first morning light started to trickle through the trees I was greeted by a little boy asking if he could snuggle.

This sweet little six year old, he brings me so much joy! My youngest child who in a few short weeks will become my middle child. He is so excited to meet his little brother, he kisses my belly good morning and good night each day and loves to talk to the baby. At the same time though I can tell he knows life is about to change, his role in this family will change. He will go from littlest brother to being somebody's big brother. I think he knows that snuggle time will be different. He knows that he will have to share me with this new baby, that the baby will have needs only I can meet. This boy is so loving and easy going, he rolls so easily with what life throws his way, I hope this transition is just as smooth for him. He is going to be a wonderful big brother!

As I get ready to make cranberry orange relish he is with his big brother and daddy finding the Christmas lights and getting ready to put up the tree. My heart is full, and later on today our stomachs will be too. A perfect Thanksgiving, two days late.

Holiday preparations

It's that time of year again.....my favorite time! I really do love winter; the snow, the sweaters, the cold air, and Christmas just makes it that much more enjoyable. I grew up not celebrating holidays due to my family's (now defunct) religious beliefs, so being able to participate in and share the holidays with my family is extra special to me. Even though they are new traditions for me it feels like they were always there hiding under the surface. I love the lights, the music, the food, and all that goes into preparing. Thanksgiving seems to be a good time to kick off all the preparations.

This year my goal is to do all handmade gifts for my loved ones. As usual I'm starting late but I think with some quick knits I will attain my goal. Of course I also have to devote some of that knitting time to baby knits. I can hardly believe we are at the 7 weeks and counting point of this little ones arrival.

This morning the boys and I finished our grocery shopping for Thanksgiving and for the next 3 weeks. I've come to the realization I really could use a chest freezer!

Our Thanksgiving is small this year, usually we would all be sitting around the long table at my mom and step-dad's house but being so close to the end of this pregnancy I've decided doing that much flying and driving is just not in the cards. So it will just be the four of us this year. I'm keeping it simple and yummy; turkey, cranberry-orange relish, green beans, garlic mashed potatoes, and acorn squash. Oh and of course pumpkin pie!

Friday the weather is supposed to take a cold turn and stay that way over the weekend. I'm looking forward to snuggle time, turkey stew, putting up the Christmas tree, and then on Sunday going to our new town's old fashioned Christmas celebration for the parade and tree lighting!

Happy Thanksgiving everyone and please enjoy the weekend with your most loved of loved ones!

First finished baby knit: newborn vertebrae, and mittens for Ivan.

We began the holiday baking by surprising Daddy with the Swedish Spritz cookies his grandma used to bake. The boys loved using the cookie press.

I had to make this pumpkin bread, and who could resist the forest animal gingerbread cookie cutters?

Settling in

Well we made it!

The last few weeks have been quite the adventure. We had a smooth journey here, amazingly the boys only asked twice, " Are we there yet?".

After a slight delay in the moving truck getting here and a more than slight delay on the delivery of my car we are finally starting to settle in.

There are still boxes to be unpacked, items to be organized, and artwork to hang but it is starting to feel like home.

Once we are a bit more organized I'll post more about our move and pictures too!

For now I'm off to organize the pantry.

Photo's of September

With our impending move I've been neglecting this little baby of a blog. Each day I keep thinking I ought to write something, anything....but then the exhaustion of all that is happening takes over and I let another day slip by.

So with only a few accompanying words here is my photo description of this September (and first few days of October).


25 1/2 weeks along! Loving that sweater and scarf weather is back.

The kite in the park series:

It is also soup and stew season! Last nights dinner in the making....

Sweater on the needles for this new little life inside me.

Yesterday my car was picked up and shipped off to Milwaukee, it was exciting and sad and made the reality of this move stare me in the face. We leave in less than a week and will get the keys to our new townhouse on the 15th.

And that dear readers is what I leave you with for today. I plan to document our 1,000 mile road trip with many photos and share them as I am able. Stay along for the ride! 

Love those little boys!

It has been a hectic week or so here trying to figure out this big move in front of us, but a week where I keep becoming overwhelmed, not with all there is to do but with just how amazing my little boys are.

I got to spend some special one on one time with my Ivan the other day. I ran out of yarn for a project and asked him to come along with me to the craft store. Now the craft store is really not a place Ivan cares to go to, but he went along anyways. Little did he know that his mama is suffering from pregnancy brain and would drag him to not one, but four different craft stores (I also forgot my wallet and only had a few dollars I found in a pocket in my purse). He was so patient though and just happy to hold my hand while we went through aisle upon aisle of yarn. There were all sorts of little kid-crafty toys and treats in the stores and he asked if he could get one. Of course I had barely any money with me so I had to tell him no I couldn't afford to buy him a toy and get the yarn I needed. He was very graceful and understanding about my decline.

I was able to surprise him at the end of our shopping trip with a coloring book I found for a dollar. He was thrilled! The best part though had to be when we got in the car and he was looking at his new coloring book he said, " I can't wait to get home and share this with Erik". Love! It's times like these I feel like I'm doing alright with this mama thing :)

The rest of the week both the boys have been sick. They caught the nasty head cold I had last week. It has been lots of chicken soup and cuddling on the sofa. I hate when they are sick (but I do enjoy the extra cuddle time).

In other news the boys are going to spend the weekend with Auntie and then with Oma and Opa while the husband and I fly out to Milwaukee to try and find a place to rent to get us through the winter. I'm feeling really excited to see my new city for the first time and take this big step into making this move really happen! I still can't believe we will be moving in just over 2 weeks!

And we're off.....

to Wisconsin!!! 

That's right, my husband got the job transfer! So now the real journey begins. We are waiting to hear if we have 2 weeks or a month to make the 1000 mile move. I'm really okay with either time frame but it would be nice to have a few extra days on our side to go out and find a nice place to rent for the winter. 

I am most nervous about transferring all my prenatal care. I'm 23 weeks now and it is a little scary to be having to start off with a brand new midwife and at a brand new hospital/birthing center when January feels right around the corner. I'm sure it will be fine though, the unknown isn't necessarily a bad thing. 

Overall I am feeling very excited about this move. A fresh start in a new city. A new life for our reunited (and growing) family. An adventure that we are embarking on, Together.