A Day at the Shedd

We headed to the Shedd Aquarium yesterday--since our membership is up in just a week. Delaney headed to Iowa to visit her Nana from Friday-Monday, so Poppy and I took Katie and Rowena to the city. It was pretty cloudy/overcast, but bright at the same time. We parked near the lake/Planetarium and walked along the lake to our destination. Katie and Poppy enjoyed walking right near the lake. We enjoyed the aquarium, our favorite spots being the Coral Reef and the lowest level under the dolphin show--to play in the water. We planned to watch the dolphin show, but it wasn't until 2:30 and we didn't care to fight Friday-city rush hour traffic. Kate was disappointed, but I would like to renew our membership--too bad it cost $20 to park each time we go! :(

Such a gorgeous city! Poppy and Kate

Checking out the turtles and sting-rays--Rowena and Poppy

Oooh, Mom, did you see that!?

Katie loved the huge turtle!

The HUGE turtle (the picture definitely does not do it justice)

Rowe taking a break out of her stroller, enjoying the bench.

Katie running away to avoid getting splashed

Girls checking out a porcupine blowfish...Katie was pretty excited to find out that Peter and I used to have 2 in our aquarium.

She had SUCH a blast!

Isn't she just too pretty!? She keeps looking older and older to me!

Moving the shells around

Discovering

And enjoying!Discovering

And enjoying!

Making a wish (before and after the aquarium)

Not the best picture of me, but I LOVE Kate in this!

We had a GREAT day! Thanks, Poppy for the parking and lunch.

Announcement Time

Well, it's about time we make the official announcement...We are expecting our fourth and final baby (again...). We are 20 weeks along, which puts the due date at 12/13/10, which just so happens to be the day after Delaney's birthday. She really wants the baby to be born on her birthday, but Peter and I are hoping it'll happen before then, and maybe we can bring him/her home on her birthday.

<----Here I am at 5 weeks, 5 days (picture taken by Delaney).

And, here I am at 20 weeks------->

I had my 20-week ultrasound today, and the tech did a great job in not letting me find out the gender--Thanks, Dana. She just so happens to work with Peter in the radiology department at the hospital, so here's hoping she doesn't crack in the next 20 weeks.

(from left to right: Goy's legs and feet, Goy's spine, Goy's face...with open mouth)

I've been measuring (uterus-wise) a little ahead of schedule (in fact a month ago, the doc told me that I'm either measuring 3-4 wks ahead of schedule or there are twins...well I know exactly when my last cycle was and there was no way there were twins in there), but the baby via ultrasound measured right on time. The heart rate is about 140 beats per minute and Goy is weighing in at about 12 ounces at this time. I have gained about 4 lbs so far...and hoping to keep the weight gain around 15-25 pounds max.

I've been feeling pretty good. I had moments where certain foods and smells would make me a little nauseous, and I think I got sick a few times too. I was super tired the first trimester, as I was with the previous four pregnancies. I was getting a little nervous because a couple weeks ago, at just over 18 weeks pregnant, I hadn't been feeling any baby movement, and although I had a baby bump, I was -1 lb still. I called the nurse, just for reassurance, and reassurance is what I got. Goy kicked twice while I was talking with the nurse, and then, BAM! 4 pounds gained. Since then, I've been feeling the little one move more and more, which I love. So, Goy, keep kicking and moving in there.

Since we didn't find out, any guesses as to what is in store for the Henderson family come December? Let's just say another girl would make life a lot easier...money for clothes, diapers, toys, sharing a room, etc. And, it would be kind of neat to have all girls. But, it would be truly wonderful to have a son. Oh, and as for names...not sure if we'll be sharing yet. Maybe I'll make an "initial" annoucement later like we did with Rowena.

Oh, and P.S. Goy=Girl+Boy (Remember Delaney was Shim=She+Him, Katie was Herm=Her+Him, Rowena was Birl=Boy+Girl)

A Loving Conversation Between Delaney and Mom

As I was putting on my jewelry yesterday to go to work/internship, Delaney and I have the following conversation:

Delaney: "Oooh, Mom, that is really pretty."
Me: "Thanks."
Delaney: "I can't wait for you to die so I can have it."

Pause

Delaney: "Don't worry Mom, I'll be really sad and cry, and I'll really miss you. I just really like this jewelry."

Wonderful.

Pancake Balls

Nancy purchased this Ebelskiver Filled-Pancake pan from William Sonoma just before Mother's Day. Figuring she would use it about 4 times a year, twice when we're in town and maybe a couple other times she has guests, she donated it to our household. We've been enjoying the pan, and the various concoctions that Peter has been making. We have tried both the Chocolate and Regular Ebelskiver Pancake mixes with various fillings: raspberries, chocolate chip-stuffed raspberries, blueberries, blackberries, strawberries (are you seeing a theme in our house?)...so fresh fruits/berries, as well as peanut butter, jelly, and even peanut butter and jelly. Now, while I haven't actually made them, I have enjoyed eating them, as have the girls. Peter is the breakfast chef at Chez Henderson. He really has the hang of making them, turning them, etc. And, afterwards, we all enjoy what Katie calls "Pancake balls."

Batter is poured in about half full"Filling" is placed...in this case, fresh raspberries

More batter is poured over, to cover the filling Once the bottom is set, flip 'em over to cook the other side

Mmmmm...chocolate chip-stuffed raspberries

Most of these ended up in the pancakes, if they weren't eaten by family members before Peter got to them!

Finished product in pan

"Pancake Balls" with syrup, powder sugar, and sausage. Mmm, mmm, good!

Katie's Birthday Party

Katie had a small, but fun "playdate" birthday party. When asked who she wanted at her party she replied: "Well, the neighbors, of course, and Grace and Danny and Paige." So, that's who we invited. Only two of the four families could make it. The kids played for about an hour, then we had pizza, cake, and then presents. It was low-key, especially in comparison to her 4th birthday party. The pizza was good, the cake was awesome (an ice cream cake from Dairy Queen), and the kids had fun playing together. It was a wonderful, stress-free party on our part--there was no cleaning, decorating, clean-up, games, crafts, etc. So, boring, right? You wouldn't have thought the kids were bored at all. And, I hope the adults didn't mind just hanging out and chit-chatting.

Enjoying the ice cream cake

Walter enjoying the party

Getting ready for presents

Rowe anxiously awaiting present time

Excited for her American Girl gifts

She also got a cute Little Mermaid shirt, a Cinderella doll, and a Phineas and Candace figures, as well as some money. Peter can't wait to take her to Toys R Us...like she needs anything!!!