Oops!

Oh, pardon me, Emily!  Didn't see you there, you were in my blind spot.

As were you, Everett, there is no way I'd see you back there these days!

Catching the Photography Bug

Everett can't stop snapping.  He gets a hold of my camera and asks, "can I just take 5 pictures?"  Well, actually he negotiated for 5 the first time and now it is his go to number.  And, his subject?  Me.  More accurately, me and Bittrois.  It has also become evident that he likes certain poses for me.  First, the kiss. 

Second, the cradle.

Third, the "wow, that's a BELLY!"

Fourth, the hug.

Different night - A lot of the same poses... the kiss,

 the cradle (slightly different with new specific leg positioning),

 and a new random one, "lighting the stove."

Not to be confused with cooking like a flamingo (with it's own specified leg position)...

or "does my butt look big?"

But, all good photographers must branch out.  So, today he grabbed the camera and did pictures around the house.

He still included some belly...

but also Shane the solar guy,

his toes,

and Emily.

Something tells me that he didn't have to pose her.

At all.

(the man usually behind the camera, steps in front)

Certainly he is on the edge of something great.

Make Way For Bittrois!

Well, I will be 34 weeks along tomorrow (Nov. 30th) and we've mostly reclaimed our house from the remodel so it was time to start some prep for Bittrois' arrival.  We made good use of our kitchen table yesterday where I was sewing and the kids were crafting with Daddy.

I was working on new blankets for Emily and Everett's new beds...

(Everett said he was fake crying because he loved it SO much!)

and the kids were making cats.  (Everett's was a "cat-fish")

Here is proof that I am 34 weeks along AND that those blankets have some serious fluff!!

Today it was time to assemble the new beds and rearrange the rooms.

Now both Emily and Everett are in Emily's room (redecorating will come later...), 

and Bittrois will be in Everett's room that looks like a furniture store now.  FULL!

Bedtime could not have come soon enough for the kids tonight.

They were SO excited to be roomies!!

*And so far, it's been good.  Much like when they have had sleepovers... chatting and taking a while to settle.  Add in new beds and we had to help tuck them in a few times but they are out.  Now, only time will tell how the morning goes.  I fear Emily waking Everett WAY too early - or him waking her for an early morning bathroom run.

Thanksgiving 2014

This year we did not travel to Texas for Thanksgiving since I am in my third trimester with Bittrois.  We were invited to Aunt Patty and Uncle Roger's house for dinner and only assigned a dessert, so Daddy suggested we start our day at Disneyland!  Right in the gate, Everett went on the Cars ride with Daddy for the first time while Emily and I said hello to Mater and went on Soarin' over California.

We hit a few more rides and even split up a couple more times before ending our day at Autopia.  We haven't been on that ride for a while and this time I sat out and Everett and Emily rode with Daddy doing a driver switch.

Emily was not the most responsible driver with her hands up in the air... Daddy felt that he and Everett were safest if they just didn't look.

But, on the other ride, Everett kept his hands on the wheel and both passengers were hands free.

We left Disneyland at about 1 o'clock and had a very smooth and fast drive to Aunt Patty and Uncle Roger's.  When we arrived we had a quick costume change (thanks to Aunt Angie and Uncle Adam for the shirts!)

 (Emily is shooting an arrow since she is a Native American girl)

We snagged a halfway decent picture before dinner...

and a better one with our headbands after our meal was complete.

Other than that, we talked and ate.  Except for Emily and Everett.  They were the only kids and they spent most of their time watching a movie.

We had a fun day and have SO MUCH to be thankful for.  

Numero Dos!

November 10th, another vacancy in Emily's mouth.  Except, the permanent replacement is already there... so I guess no vacancy just the end of double occupancy!

A Star Is Born

Okay, so the truth is that this star was born a long time ago.  Like 6 years and 4 months ago, "long."  Emily Rose.  Star of the Week in kindergarten.  She was SO excited and came right home and shared lunch with "Bono" the monkey - her friend for the week.

Emily LOVED Bono and, in keeping with her teacher's instructions, she took him everywhere.  He had breakfast with us on Saturday morning,

drove the cart around at Home Depot,

and went with us to Disneyland!  He wore the funny 3D glasses...

AND pulled the trigger on Midway Mania!

He also had a chance to meet our cousins whom we totally randomly ran into in line...

and hitched a ride with Daddy when free hands were required.

Bono was so lucky, in fact, that he was able to join us at Disney TWO days in a row!  Emily was very attentive to him always and made sure he had a clear view of every ride and show.

Once home on Sunday evening, we put together Emily's "Star of the Week" poster - on which she put a lot of pictures of her favorite things.  (The back side had a few more.)

Unfortunately, Bono's time with us was not ALL rosy though and he did have a bit of a health scare.

He was rushed into emergency surgery after a run in with battery acid.  (It was inside of him, old battery.)

But, thankfully, he came through with flying colors!

It was a bit lucky though that he was left open after surgery (and the contaminant was extracted) because Emily was able to choose a heart for him,

and fill it with love...

before putting it in his chest forever.

When Bono returned to school he went with lots of great memories, a full heart, and just a couple of minor scars.
Emily was very, VERY sad to return him though and is really hoping that Santa's elves can make her a Bono to keep since they can make anything... which is especially important when what you want is not new and easily purchased.