Are you missing your bowling ball?

If you are, I think I might know where it is.

And I am truly sorry about that, but I was really, really hungry.

Are you also missing your ever-growing back end? Because I think I've got that too.

I am very hungry.  And happily 22 weeks pregnant. 

Our baby is the size of a yellow squash or something like that.  I don't know why they measure babies in terms of produce.  I honestly think sporting goods would be more appropriate.  Either way, I'm happy to be growing a lovely baby boy bowling ball. Or squash. Which used to be a turnip. And before that was a blueberry.  I wonder how long before they get to watermelon.  I wonder if I'll turn into any of these, because that's kind of how it's starting to feel.  In a good way of course, if it's possible to be a good squash flavored bowling ball.

(In all honesty, I'm truly enjoying this pregnancy.)  Did you know that squash have legs? And that they can kick and do summersaults?  One of my favorite things about produce.  You can't find 'em like this at Trader Joe's, and I know I'm going to miss this.  And so I enjoy every minute of this pregnancy, knowing it's probably my last.   I'm so lucky to be able to grow such amazing produce.

It's not just the blog that I am behind on

Because let's face it, I'm behind. Really behind.  But the good news is that I don't just suck at the blog, I'm much more well-rounded than that.  I also suck at planning birthday parties on time.  Elisabeth's birthday is almost 2 months past and we just finally had her kids' party.

But I made cupcakes, so that counts for something right? No? Did I mention that they had orange frosting and sparkly pink sprinkles on top? And that I bought a fancy cupcake carrier to transport them? That definitely counts for something.

Elisabeth's 7th birthday party was at color Me Mine, a paint your own pottery place.  We have a pretty big collection of pottery from this awesome store.   

We had eleven 7-year olds in a private party room.  Eleven 7-year old girls is not necessarily a lot. I mean, first grade teachers do it all the time, except they usually have eleven 7-year old boys thrown in the mix as well.  But when you throw these eleven girls in a party room without their teacher? 

Break out the earplugs, because they. are. loud.  

I mean, LOUD! 

Oddly enough, photos don't capture the noise.  Somehow the party looks so peaceful through the camera lens.  Maybe I shouldn't have divulged all of that.  I probably could have gotten away with just saying this:

Look at how well-behaved everyone was:

And look at their masterpieces, ready to be glazed.  Beautiful!  I was awe-struck at the creativity in the room.  Each piece was so uniquely beautiful.  I don't know why my creativity is so stunted sometimes.  These kids had no problem painting.  They put the brush to the plate and happily created their works of art.  And screamed and giggled and spoke in slight teenager-valley-girl accents while doing it.

Like, totally.

And then they sang Happy Birthday complete with the craziest lyrics, some of which I don't think should be repeated, and they ate their beautiful cupcakes:

And everyone went home happy.  Except for the one kid who said to me "HEY! Where's our goody bags?"  Patience may not be a virtue for seven year olds, but the plate is coming, my dear, I promise.

I didn't take a picture of my expression when I was asked about the goody bags, but maybe I should have!  I think that one would have translated equally as well through the camera lens...

In any case, Happy Birthday to our sweet Elisabeth!

Here comes Santa Claus

Now that we've seen Santa Claus (who knew about our Elf on the Shelf when Elisabeth told him! he IS real!), the kids are ready for Christmas. Are you?

I'm in love.

Smitten, actually, with someone I haven't even "met" yet. Well, at least not face-to-face.  That's right, I'm in love with our tiny, 12 weeks and 4 days old peanut who has about 27 nicknames already.  Max. Sheldon (my new fave). Kate. Baby. Tister. Bwudder. And the names of every single one of Elisabeth's classmates.

^ Those might be the cutest little fingers I have ever seen.

And look at that little profile! Sure, there are a ton of teeth that give a sort of Puppet effect (and let me tell you, that effect is multiplied by 10 when you see your little baby moving on the monitor and opening and closing its mouth), but still - have I mentioned that I'm in love?  Can you see the ear? And the arm raised up by the side of its head? Sigh...

We can't wait to meet this little miracle that I tried so desperately to avoid making. I'm so glad I apparently don't know a thing about my own fertility.  ♥

sparkly and beautiful

This is Elisabeth. 

She just overcame a huge obstacle.

The potty accidents she was having?  Well she made a goal of making it 20 days in a row without having an accident. For her, that is a huge accomplishment considering where we were a few months ago.  She has pushed through so many physical and emotional factors to get to this point and we couldn't be more proud of her.

Of course she had some sparkly motivation of her own as well.

Well, Miss Elisabeth, ask and you shall receive.

And receive she did, this past weekend as evidenced in the photo above. She's not going to lie, getting her ears pierced hurt bad.  Much more than the pinch that her friend told her it would be.  But I don't think she would have changed a thing.  She walked out of there one proud kiddo.

And we are very proud of her for finding her own motivation and working so hard to achieve her goal.

PS -- today is day 23 and she's still going strong!