An Incredible Career

Many people gave thanks this past weekend for what they have and what they are grateful for. My list was a little on the long side as I feel like I have a most fortunate life. I have my children, who are my lifelong dream and make me feel love in a way I never knew existed. I have my husband, who provides constant support, love and humor in my life and in that of our children. We both have loving families that would do anything for us. I have my health, and that of my children. I could go on and on. I think this year, however, one thing comes to mind that stands above the rest as it is a relatively new reason to give thanks: my career. 

I have always been a hard worker. In school, I craved As and got them, and received scholarships to help me go to college and earn a degree. I've never relied on anybody else for my happiness. I have done many things for an occupation: Wildlife Research, Baking, and Preschool Teaching. However, there is one thing that will always be my first and chosen career: being a Mama. I knew I wanted to be a Mom since before I was 2 years old. I had many different occupations in mind when it came to choosing a job, but this was all knowing that these things would come second to being a Mother. I will work again outside of the home, but never will I forget that my primary job is caring for my children and loving them unconditionally. I am so incredibly grateful that I have a hard working husband so that I can stay home while my children are young. I am grateful for every laugh, cry, cuddle, mess, and look of wonder that I get to experience every day. It is incredibly hard work - but I have spent my whole life preparing for it. 

What I do on the side of being a Mother will never matter, because the only thing that matters to me is my children's happiness, success, and feeling loved and cared for. When I do return to the working world outside my home, I will do it with thanks as well for the opportunity to give my children more opportunities to thrive in their own lives. I am so excited to see what they will become - their possibilities are endless. I just hope that they are as happy with their careers as I am with mine!

Gavyn visiting his Daddy at his way cool job!

Taking our weekly picture with Baby Alli

Tickles

Grateful for having one of the SWEETEST little boys on the planet!

I am also so SO grateful for being pregnant. Not every woman gets to experience this amazing miracle. It is another thing in life that has shown that persistence, hard work, and strength pay off - something I hope to pass on to my kids!

"A baby is something you carry inside you for nine months, in your arms for three years, and in your heart until the day you die"

Our 2012 Thanksgiving table - at home for once since Baby Alli is unpredictable! 

Through a Toddler's Eyes

Oh what I would give to know what Gavyn is thinking most of the time! He isn't much of a talker, and when he does it is certainly not about giving my insight to what he thinks or feels. It is more telling me about which book he wants to read or how I have to come see what he is doing, NOW! I would just love to know what he thinks of this whole Halloween thing. I get him dressed up in a costume that isn't all that practical, and we go to parties where people are dressed up as all different things. He doesn't seem to mind any of it, but does he enjoy it? Why are all the PBS shows showcasing this odd behavior? Going to parties and getting candy? Bring that part on! I just wish I could really comprehend how much he understands about make believe versus reality. He has an incredible imagination and I am always impressed with how he plays with his animals or trains or other toys. I suppose he knows that he is not a bat, and that it is all dress up, but what does he think of that? I spend a lot of time talking and explaining, so hopefully if he has questions he can't voice, maybe I answer them eventually. 

In his bat costume - it looks much better with the hood and ears :)

My Mom always made our costumes as kids, and I have vowed to do the same.

This is our meetup group - The Champaign-Urbana Parents group that Gavyn and I are involved in. Such a great group of Parents and kids - I don't know what I would do without them!

I also wonder just HOW much he understands about his little sister on the way. He definitely knows there is a baby in my tummy, and he adorably gives her hugs and kisses and calls her Baby Alli, but when she is in the flesh, will he know that this is his Baby Alli? Will he make the connection that this was the little thing that kicked his hand? He always seems to amaze me with what he does know, so I am thinking he will get it, but will he understand that this is his little sister, and not just some random baby? I hope so. I hope that he loves her immediately, like some Moms have told me happened with their little ones. I hope understands that they are both so important to me and that I love them equally, despite the fact that the baby gets to sleep in our room for a while and she gets to be held a lot. I feel like we are doing the best we can to prepare him, but I think in the end it is up to him and his instincts to guide him. 

Baby Alli is an active little girl!

"Mama, baby Alli is getting big!"

Here Mama, this is where the baby is!

This has to be love, right?

Now I'm just going to unload some pictures. We did a fall photo shoot before the weather got cold, and there are a few more of just us having fun!

GO!

With his friend Mason at the Orchard

Leaves!

Yes, it was still no pants weather. Now we even need gloves!

I know these are kind of blurry, but he was running at me while I was taking them!

My sweet boy

Leaves are so crunchy and fun :)

Making animal noises, I believe

I'll listen to all your secrets, my friend. 

The Joys of Fall

Fall has always been my favorite season. The weather cools down, the humidity and the bugs take their leave, and the air smells of crisp fall leaves and corn fields being harvested. I don't mind the imminent oncoming of winter, because it doesn't bother me so much either. So Gavyn and I have been trying to get outside as much as possible and enjoy this time as much as we can. The wind blows hard in the country and there are times when my little 23 lb boy gets completely blown over by it, but he thinks it is great!

We took our annual family trip to Chillicothe to go to Tanners and pick out pumpkins last weekend. It was kind of a rainy, icky day, so we didn't get many pictures of the orchard, but we got to spend time with family. Gavyn waited until we got home to decorate his pumpkin!

We had a visit from Nana!

Gavyn coloring a pumpkin we got at Curtis Orchard - this is his favorite face to make  these days

Silly smile

On Daddy's birthday

Belle and Tatum playing

Gavyn getting ready for a fire

We had a visit from Uncle Brad and Aunt Brielle!

Gavyn has developed a new passion for cooking

Planting tulips!

Covering them up

Getting more bulbs to plant

Have I mentioned Gavyn's new train obsession?

Picking out pumpkins

Team work!

Our family!

Reading with Grandma

Painting his pumpkin

Looking good!

Our Perfect Little Lady

Yes, I'm weak. Yes, I'm impatient. Know what? I don't care!! We now know that we are going to have a little baby GIRL in a matter of 9 weeks or so! We couldn't be more thrilled. We would be just as thrilled with another little boy of course, especially since our first one turned out to be so amazing, but now we get to shift gears and see what joys a little girl brings us. I think John is still in shock that he is finally getting his little girl. Seeing his excitement gets me every time. I am getting everything I have always dreamed of. I have never really cared what gender my babies are/will be, but in my vision of perfection, I always had a boy and then a girl. Having an older brother myself, and knowing how special a relationship we have, it was hard to imagine it being any other way. I don't know how in the world it worked out this way, but I can sincerely say I am living my life-long dream. 

I am also very lucky that Gavyn happened to be born in a sea of girls, and so now those girls are growing up and my friends have so graciously handed down lots of adorable girls things for us! Last night I hung up countless outfits full of frills and pink flowers and little lace details. I know having a little girl isn't all about the clothes, buuuut it is a perk! She will also still wear a lot of Gavyn's old clothes and there is no way I am buying her a new bedding set or carseat or highchair or anything to that degree, so she can still be my little Tomboy, just like I was!

Sooo we aren't going to be surprised in the delivery room. I am OK with that. I can now look forward to meeting my little girl face-to-face and guiding her through through life and watching her grow into a strong, independent, and nurturing woman, just like my Mom did for me! I also know Gavyn is going to be amazing with her. Having a little sister is going to help him become more understanding and possibly tolerant of the female sex, which in my opinion is an invaluable trait in a man! I am so excited to see them grow up together!

This is also probably why I am carrying low, like a watermelon, and my butt is taking on the same amount of weight as my belly. Oh the things I'll do for my little girl :). 

This is our favorite 3D image of our little girl - she already has character!

All snuggled up

She kept opening those perfect little eyes for us - a very curious little girl indeed

I don't think it gets much clearer than that. 

Just some of the girly goodness we have already. I made the hat and diaper cover on the upper left!

I can't get over the priceless expression on John's face. 100% genuine.