Teddy's Island

I took my mom and the boys to Teddy Roosevelt island on Friday and we loved the cool weather, warm colors, and time together.

I'm off to the hospital to finally have this baby girl. I can't wait to post photos of her! Back to blogging soon!

November Baby

My expectation for an October baby has once again been met with a different reality. Asher and Soren were five weeks early--landing them them a birthday in September, on the 11th of all days. This little gal will likely be born on November 1st when I have an 8am induction scheduled. The possibility of her being born in October still exists but I feel pretty certain that she'll come on November 1st--the same day as her paternal grandfather's 70th birthday! I have known all kinds of prenatal extremes!

It is difficult not to romanticize the labor experience--I was hopeful this time my water would break and contractions would follow. Although this still may happen--more likely I'll have that experience through an induction, which I insist will be an exciting experience.

This is my last weekend pregnant and my last weekend as a family of four. I am overcome with reflection and a myriad of other emotions--most of which are outlined with excitement. This is finally going to happen--this baby babe will be born. I am thrilled that my mom will be here for her 10th grandchild to be born.

Trick or Treat

Asher engineer with his Halloween bag and car wheels.




Holy Halloween cuteness.


So cute.



Soren asks every day if he can go trick or treating. He loves Halloween. Every year Whole Foods does a little trick or treat gig a few days before Halloween. Due to the obscene heat I decided to put last year's costumes on the boys (Soren's actual costume is best suited for colder temps) and they were ECSTATIC to have them on again. Last year I had to pin the pants a good three inches for both boys and this year with the pins out they were capri length on Soren and floor length on Asher. Serious growth!

Whole Foods was fun but in typical Whole Foods style, we came home with two apples and 12 mini bags of pretzels. The best part was having my mom with us. Yay!

The Trees of My Neighborhood

Okay--not a tree but look at those cute curls!









Fall colors are everywhere right now--brilliant reds and golden yellows especially pique my senses. I love the way our little pond is framed by the colors of the season--no doubt it is my favorite time of year, even if the weather is disturbingly hot.

I love it when luscious green maple trees look like their tips have been spray painted with the best of autumn color.

Carving Pumpkins Again

It cracked me up to come home to this scene!


The fireplace pumpkin!


Another 'classic' scary pumpkin.

The freakishly hot weather of October caused our first three carved pumpkins to shrivel into broken down pieces of pumpkin corpses in less than a week. We got new ones and this time Asher requested a fireplace pumpkin and Soren wanted another scary pumpkin. I had the honor of making Asher's vision come to life. Although my fireplace carving skills are remedial, Asher loves it and even drew steam on the pumpkin. How awesome is Asher? Soren loves his scary pumpkin.

October is freakishly hot again so I'm not sure if this second cohort of porch pumpkins will make it to Halloween. What will happen first--the demise of the pumpkins or the birth of this baby babe?

41 Weeks

What stuns me more than STILL being pregnant is that I have been pregnant SIX more weeks than I was with the boys. Six weeks is a long time--especially in the prenatal experience. At just 33 weeks pregnant with twins I wondered how ANY woman survived 40 plus weeks of pregnancy because I was absolutely miserable. Fortunately, even at 41 weeks, I feel none of the discomfort I did throughout most of my twin pregnancy. I feel freakishly fine, to be honest, but I am starting to get more uncomfortable as the baby babe and I compete for space. I think this baby is going to be huge! Asher and Soren were only six pounds at one month and eight pounds at three months so yeah--this little gal is going to seem like a three month old when she is born. It's cool though--full term babies are awesome.

I was borderline depressed when Monday morning showed up and I was still pregnant without even a hint of labor. What bothered me the most was going to work. I just didn't want to be there but I got a lot done and am quite happy with the status of the various projects I have been working on. I have recovered from those early week blues and have concluded that I just need to be at peace with this process.

I submit! I am not in control!

My mom arrives today and her visit is only for two weeks so I am trying not feel additional anxiety or pressure to have the baby to suit her visit. Obviously the whole point of her visit is to meet her new grandchild but also nurture me through the fatigue and recovery of labor. I need her but I also need this baby to come when SHE is ready, which I suspect will not even be in the glorious month of October.

November is a great birthday month too, right?

October Outing: The Arboretum

My favorite tree in the city--this already beautiful tree turns crimson red. Looks like I'll be headed back with baby girl in tow to see the color I anticipate each year.


This is a ginko tree!


Bonsai trees with fall colors are my fave.






Look at this little man! He looks SO grown up to me.




Moments earlier Soren caressed Asher's cheek and asked him what was wrong--brotherly cuteness at its sweetest.




After the tears dried up.




Daddy love.




Toddlers--their moods are mercurial, no? Oh, and Soren thinks it is hilarious to nibble on Jamie's ear.

The weather was so fantastic on Sunday that I chose to 'skip' naps and instead take a family field trip to the arboretum. Asher and Soren both fell asleep en route so once at our destination I walked, alone, to visit my tree and take a few photos. By the time I got back to the car the boys were awake and Asher was NOT happy. His shoes were too tight. He wanted to go home. We kind of ignored him to carry on with our outing. We moved beyond the visitor's center and found a quiet stretch of grass to enjoy the season and the setting.

Asher was hysterical when Jamie got him out of the car. As soon as Jamie put him down he bolted for the car, which meant that Jamie hauled him, tears and all, to our shaded little spot. I have rarely seen Asher so hysterical. He refused to be comforted until I hugged him tightly and sang an endless stream of quiet songs.

We didn't stay long. The mosquitoes were aggressive and the boys were ready to go home. I felt badly for discounting their nap for my desire to be outside--sometimes it works and this time it did not.

Later that evening Jamie asked Asher why he was so sad at the arboretum. He answered, "I wanted to go the car but you said, 'Let's go see mommy.'" The especially humorous part of his honest answer was the way he raised his voice to mimick Jamie saying, "Let's go see mommy." Jamie and I laughed tremendously when he recounted this story.

40 Weeks 4 Days

Moments before we headed to church--it would be my last time going to church pregnant. My little boys are so cute.



Flattering.

Sunday morning I went on a three mile walk. I was outpacing most of the dog walkers! I felt strong and the slightly cool October weather invigorated me. I went on my old jogging route and was so happy to be on the familiar path that I had missed so much over the past year. I ran down the steep parts and even skipped on occasion--not just to hopefully inspire labor but because I could not help myself--it felt great.

At church I learned that a woman who was due a week later than me had had her baby that morning. I almost cried. The lesson in Relief Society was on patience, probably the perfect, if not the most terribly difficult, lesson for me. I AM impatient but I also appreciate that I am NOT in control of this labor experience. I just have to submit and hopefully, do so with at least a modicum of joy.

My mom will be here on Wednesday. A few weeks ago I was certain she would arrive after the baby. I have lost that certainty but I am excited for her visit.

Friday at Dr. Tchabo's office he touched the baby's head! She is as low and ready as possible, which means that once labor begins she does not have any descent other than the epic journey through the birth canal. My amniotic fluid will be checked on Tuesday and if it is okay then we continue to wait and I'll see Dr. Tchabo again on Friday.

In the middle of all of this waiting and anticipation is the marvelous realization that I have been pregnant with this baby babe almost SIX weeks beyond Asher and Soren's pregnancy! Six weeks!

Still Pregnant

Hi. My due date has come and gone. Occasionally my womb tightens but I have not had any significant signs of labor. No cramping or contractions. We are ready--the nursery is in order, baby clothes washed, dresser organized, baby car seat installed, and my hospital bag has been packed and read for weeks. Sigh.

In the meantime, I have been busy as usual and have made many fall inspired dishes this week that I have to share!

This Santa Fe Pumpkin Chowder is my new favorite soup.

Roasted acorn squash (minus the sausage, of course) is surprisingly sweet and super satisfying.

Pumpkin Blondies---see ya cookies, this is pumpkin confection at its best!

Bouncy Bounce Fest

Nikolai helping Asher up the ladder!



Our little friend Sam had a birthday party last weekend. The bounce house was super fancy because it had a slide! Soren didn't hesitate to throw himself down the slide and Asher struggled at first with the ladder but he too loved the slide. A few tears were shed when an older kid knocked Asher off of the ladder and sent him bouncing and bewildered. Our neighbor Nikolai was super sweet and helped Asher up the ladder, in fact, he nearly hoisted him up the entire thing. I love it when older kids are so patient and kind with the younger types.

I adore their massive smiles!

October Walks: Part Two

Asher with his 'scary' turtle.


Asher loving the gears!


Soren paused to gather his toys and play with them.










These little guys--I love my time with them so much.







Saturday evening we went on a walk in the dark--we cruised the neighborhood enjoying festive decorations and trying our best to shield the little guys from the scary decorations. Too bad Halloween means creepy creep fest for so many people! What freaked the boys the most was a skeleton coming out of the ground--not their favorite. Soren had his measuring tape with him and would pause to measure various objects. My favorite was this massive oak tree that he carefully measured as "41 inches." He's so funny. I paused often to kneel next to my children and give them feral hugs and tell them how much I love them. They responded tenderly and it seemed like no one wanted to let go of those embraces and under that moonlight in the comfort of an October evening--I was completely happy.


Sunday morning I threw open the blinds and declared that before we did anything else, even eat breakfast, we must get outside. We went to Fort Ward park and Jamie declared that it was his favorite city park because it has historic significance, it's close, and it's a quiet, lovely setting. We walked through the burgeoning color and ended up at the playground. My children have not spent a lot of time at playgrounds because, as I have mentioned before, I pretty much loathe them. It was early enough that no other children were there and the boys at three are much more stable and capable of maneuvering the many ladders, slides, and steps of the playground. Of course they had to bring fistfuls of toys with them and moments were taken to actually play with them. I love boys.

Fall colors were really started to peak through the green canopy and we had fun stepping on stiff, crunchy leaves. Best time of year.

**** It's my due date! I'm still pregnant!