It's A ....

BOY!!!!!

I was expecting to hear girl again so it's thrown me for a loop. We are excited and now the name game can begin.

What is it?

We should be finding out if we're having a girl or boy on Monday if the baby is cooperative. I'm in the "high risk" category for pregnancies now because of my age and on Monday I get the Level 2 ultrasound to make sure everything is okay. Better machines than in your normal Dr's offices which means better detail. So take a guess on our poll at the right.

Abby's Christmas Piano Recital

Abby has a new piano teacher this year, another HS Senior. She comes to our home for lessons and I absolutely love that part! This Christmas her teacher set up a recital at a nearby nursing home. A week before the recital Abby picked her music - Jingle Bells. It was the hardest music she has yet to play to date. We offered to take part of the left hand out to make it easier but she insisted in keeping the song as it was. She worked so hard and we are so proud of her with sticking with it.

Christmas Piano Recital 2010 from sassy momma on Vimeo.

Meeting Santa

Every year Todd's office gets bleacher seats to the Holiday Parade that happens every December. We've gone for the past 6 years and always have a great time. This year we had beautiful weather and I was smart enough to pick up donut holes before the parade so we could munch on them while we waited.

Olivia ate about a dozen donut holes on her own.

Watching the balloons, floats, and many bands.

Don't they look so excited!

After the parade we always have a great brunch at a nearby hotel and Santa comes at the end to visit the kids. Todd pays close attention to when Santa is about to arrive, so for the past 3 years we've always been first in line (he hates waiting). This is the first year that Kaitlyn did not freak out and cry with Santa - she's all smiles. Olivia on the other hand, well, it just seems as if we need to have a crier every year. She was fine seeing him out in the hall when holding onto dad's hand but once it was sitting on the lap, she wanted nothing to do with it. This picture will still get framed and put out with all the other crying Santa pictures.

Who's Boss?

Conversation with Abby this evening while trying the get the house clean and make dinner:

Abby: "You're always telling me what to do."

Mom: "That's because it's my job."

Abby: "You're not the boss of me, Santa and Jesus are!"

Randomness

11/30

Our Elf on the Shelf has returned and Abby is SO into it. Everyday she wants to make a gift for our elf, Jack. As soon as she wakes up she has to find him. As soon as she gets home from school, she has to talk to him. It's so cute and I wish this magic would last forever but I know I only have a year or two left with her. Notice the boots and gingerbread boy.

12/8

Abby got her cast off a week ago and was put into a boot. So glad to be done with the wheelchair. It's been a long, slow process getting her to walk on her boot. She's using crutches to help her at school but I think by Monday she'll be free of any help besides the boot. She has to wear the boot for a month - 24/7 - even when she sleeps and let me tell you, that boot already stinks!

12/10

Olivia has not been sleeping well this week and ends up in our bed most nights. Last night I slept on her floor for 3 hours hoping it would help. An hour after I left she was back in our bed. I took her to the Dr. today to see if she had an ear infection. Not an ear infection, another ruptured ear drum. Poor kid has been hurting for awhile.

Kaitlyn noticed Olivia didn't have any money in her piggy bank so she went and got some money out of hers to make sure Olivia had some too. I love it when the kids are so thoughtful and kind to each other.

I'm already feeling overwhelmed for this month - anyone else feeling that way too? I feel I've been the Grinch at home the last few days. Kids have been fighting and moody. I've been moody. I've been trying to get a lot of things done for a Primary service activity and ice-cream party that's tomorrow. I have tons of shopping still to do (poor Todd will get nothing on Christmas same with cousins). I bought myself my own present when I got a speeding ticket a couple weeks ago. I haven't had one in years and I about choked on the cost. I have to go back to the town where I got it to claim I'll do defensive driving so that will help on the cost. And I'm just so tired on top of it. Luckily Kaitlyn will watch a show in the afternoon so I can get a 30 minute power nap in. One project and day at a time...

12/12

Thank heavens for wonderful husbands. I was able to take a 3 hour nap today. I've had a headache for a couple days today and Todd just let me sleep and helped pick up the slack. He made hot chocolate for the girls and they had a little dessert party this afternoon.

Kaitlyn has broken out in a rash all over her body. It's Fifth's Disease. It's been going around in the ward. She's past the contagious part but it's not safe for pregnant women to get it so here's hoping I don't get it!

Thanksgiving and Sea World

This past Thanksgiving went by with not too much happening at the beginning of the week. A few playdates and just hanging out. Thursday afternoon we stuffed ourselves silly with a great turkey lunch. My parents and sister joined us in the feasting. As soon as our kitchen was cleaned up, the Yosts headed out of town. Todd suggested earlier in the week that we should do Sea World. We have not taken the kids yet and decided now was a good of time as any.

Sea World is not very crowded the day after Thanksgiving. The crowds weren't bad at all. We saw all the shows we wanted too and everything we could in the park within 6 hours. I even ran into a college roommate and her family at the Shamu show. It had been 10 tens and it was fun to see that she had 3 girls too. We survived with Todd pushing Abby's wheelchair and I pushed the other two in the double stroller.

Shamu at the entrance

My favorite part, feeding and petting the dolphins

Azul the beluga whale. One of the only pictures I'm in.

Ready for the 4-D Polar Express Experience

Olivia loved all the characters in the park. She'd stay near them as long as possible.

Would just walk right up to them and start hugging them and giggling.

Cute sisters. Olivia is off doing her own thing as usual.

Saturday we started the morning off right with Shipley Donuts. Mmmmmm. Nothing like sugar to get you going. Visiting the Alamo was next on the agenda. Todd had never seen it and Abby will study it later this year.

It was pretty crowded here and hard to get around inside with a stroller and wheelchair. So we didn't last too long. Abby's favorite part was where they have a marker in the ground to show were the men crossed to say they were going to stay and fight.

KaBoom! Olivia checking out a cannon.

We explored the Riverwalk and decided it was time to head home. It was a nice little excursion and glad we did it. It was a great change of pace for the girls and us.

Where's Waldo?

There are 2 people in this picture. Can you spot them both?

I'll give you a hint, June 11, 2011.