A Sprinkle for Nikolaus

Just for Nikolaus... adorable Owl themed Sprinkle

Diaper Wreath

Table settings

The yummy appetizers

The gifts

A BIG thank you to the wonderful hostesses, 

Elizabeth and Linda (aka Grandma Lou) 

Jackie, me, Joliene and Elizabeth

Also, a thank you to Jackie for taking these pictures

 

Mimosa Bar

The buffet

Nikolaus is so lucky and loved already

 

The most adorable knit Viking hat

Everything was beautiful... all thanks to Elizabeth and Linda

Carly and I, due six weeks apart (or less) with little boys 

Katie, Joliene and Carly

  Me and JoJo

Party favors

A couple of weeks ago, my wonderful sister-in-law and mother-in-law threw me the most beautiful Sprinkle for Baby Nikolaus.  It was owl themed and so adorable.  Nikolaus is so lucky and pretty much all set now for when he arrives.  I do still need to put together the nursery, but that should all be done by next week (stay tuned for pictures of both the nursery and Natasha's new big girl room).  I received some adorable clothes for Nikolaus as well as some blankets, toys and towels.  All I need now are diapers.  It was a great day with my closest friends and family!

At my last doctor's appointment, everything seemed to be right on track.  I am 34 weeks and still feeling pretty good.  Except there are some days when I think he is just going to pop right out.  He is so low, just like Natasha was.  Next week, I start my internals and weekly appointments with my doctor, so we will see if I am dilated any.  I remember being 2cm dilated with Natasha around 35/36 weeks.  This pregnancy is going by so fast... I can't believe I have less than six weeks left!  I feel as if we just told everyone not too long ago.  I guess that's what happens with the second, since I have been so focused on Natasha.  At least Nikolaus gets to hear Natasha's bedtime stories every night.  I used to read to Natasha every night when she was in utero... maybe that's why she is such a story teller, ha!  And during Natasha's naps, I do talk to him and pat on my belly.  He has had some powerful jabs lately, but it is starting to feel more like rolls since the space is limiting.  And I love the hiccups!  Stay tuned for more progress...

Halloween Fun

Super Girl at our 2010 Babies Club last week

A bag full of candy from the candy hunt

Reagan and Tasha

Tasha and Greyson

All the little kids

Stroller Strides Play Date on Halloween

  UCLA Cheerleader

 

Visiting Daddy at the office

Halloween Night:

Back in her Super Girl costume

Going trick-or-treating

Super Girl and Captain America

Waiting for the kids to arrive

Natasha had a great Halloween this year.  We had a nice celebration with our babies group last week, where Natasha got to sport her Super Girl costume for thew first time.  All the kids looked so adorable.  And then on Halloween morning we had a park play date after Stroller Strides and Natasha got to wear her second Halloween costume... yes, a second, but her UCLA Cheerleader dress will be worn again throughout the year.  I knew she was going to get dirty at the park and it was going to be a busy day, so I decided to have her wear the cheerleader costume earlier in the day and change into the Super Girl costume for night.  And I was right, she got pretty filthy at the park, but she was still super cute when we went to visit Zac at his office.  All his co-workers loved her costume.

Natasha and I have been going every night on a walk around the neighborhood leading up to Halloween.  She just loves all the Halloween decorations (Christmas will be super fun this year).  I think this got her more and more excited (and confident) about trick-or-treating this year.  And on Halloween night, Natasha did an awesome job with knocking on our neighbor's doors, saying "trick-or-treat," and saying "thank you" after receiving a treat.  She would then run towards us and say "on to the next house!"  It was so cute to watch.  But, we think she had the most fun answering our door for the trick-or-treaters.  Natasha loved seeing all the kids and their costumes and she did a great job helping pass out candy.  Good thing Grandma was here to help, because if we just left it up to Natasha, she would have invited everyone in for a party.  She was constantly asking what their names were and what they were dressed up as.  We get bombarded with kids every and this year was no different.  Our doorbell rang every two minutes for about two hours... it was crazy.  I can't wait for next year, when Nikolaus can get in on all the fun spirit in our neighborhood.  We hope everyone had a Happy Halloween, because we sure did!

Tasha Tells It All

Here are Tasha's latest ramblings...

Tasha: Who's in there? (pointing to my belly)
Me: Who is in there?
Tasha: Nikolaus, he's my baby brother!  Can I say hi to him?
Me: Yes.
Tasha: Hi Nikolaus.  I don't have a baby in my belly, just food.  There is hot dog, ketchup, milk, cereal...

Tasha: Where are my keys?
Me: I don't know.
Tasha: You want to ask me?
Me: Where are your keys, Natasha?
Tasha: I lost them (obviously)

In the morning before I get out of bed, Natasha turns on the radio and dresses me in my necklaces and bracelets:
Tasha: I need to turn the music on so we can dance.  Don't worry mommy, it will be fun!

In the car, listening to the radio, when Alex Clare's "Too Close" comes on:
Tasha: This is my song!  And it feels like I am just too close to love you...
She cracks me up! 

And some fun photos from this month:

 Helping mommy make pizza

 Enjoying a cupcake from my shower 

(a separate blog entry to come soon about that event)

 What a silly monkey!

  Wearing daddy's Fergus Falls Wrestling jacket

 My two scary monkeys goofing around

 

Visiting baby Brooks a week after his surgery

 Look at that concentration

Piano playing cousins

Stay tuned for Halloween pictures later this week.  Have a safe and fun Halloween!