Katie's Sense of Humor

Katie might tell Peter and I some of the worst jokes known to man. At night, she'll look around her room and see things to put into her jokes. For example:

Why did the chicken cross the road?
Because he saw a light and pink wall.

Yeah, makes no sense, but Pete and I laugh anyways. Can't help ourselves.

Well, Katie does have a great sense of humor and she comes up with great nicknames. She calls Uncle Brian: "Teddy Bear". SO cute. And, she's trying to come up with one for Uncle Joe, but he's not a fan of "Marshmellow." So, Kate's making him pay for not accepting her nickname, by continously calling him "Uncle Brian."

A Weekend Well Spent

I was out of it all day Friday. On Saturday, Pete had to work (and was on-call all this weekend). I decided to focus and really get some things done. Well, the house was spotless and super clean because Nancy purchased a one-time 4-hour session with Merry Maids for me. On Wednesday they showed up around 9:30a.m. and stayed until almost 2:30p.m. They cleaned the house from top to (almost) bottom (I didn't have them mess with the basement, as we had straightened and cleaned that). They dusted, vacuumed, cleaned 3 bathrooms, washed floors, cleaned appliances, counters, blinds, etc. The house smelled softly of lemon cleaner and it looked AMAZING! (Thank you so very much, Nancy). So, with the house all clean, I decided to focus on laundry. I did 9 loads in just one day. And, I mean nine loads--washed, dried, folded, and put away. I was pretty proud of all that I did. I always have the intentions, but usually leave the girls' laundry in a basket for about 3-4 days, or leave something in the dryer to be re-fluffed within the next few days. I digress. I also took the girls to my p's for a little, and was able to take in a 2-hour nap.

On Sunday, Rowena was an earlier riser--something unusual for her. She had me up for the day at 4:30a.m. Since up so early, and I had plans to bake, I got started around 6am. I turned around and saw Rowena sleeping next to Riggs on the floor.SOOO freakin' cute! Well, I took her up to her crib and continued to bake. Here's what we now have: lemon bars, scotcharoos, and the following types of cookies: chocolate mint cremes (36), peanut butter kiss cookies (24), snickerdoodles (25), oatmeal raisin (36), chocolate chip (44), and eggnog thumbprints (34). I still have to make the rice krispie treats and the cornflake hollys. Mmmm. I was baking for just about 12 hours straight, but it's a tradition with which we want to continue. SOO delish!

We also welcomed Uncle Joe in yesterday. He was in New York for a while on the set of the show for which he writes: White Collar. Awesome. Delaney and Katie went with Peter to pick him up from the airport, while Rowe and I stayed home. Last night we laid low--we had some appetizers: Bacon wrapped cheese-stuffed shrimp, buffalo chicken dip, bbq-cheesy pigs-in-a-blanket, and cheesy-chive dip, and just relaxed and chatted. I fell asleep in the "sleep chair" (something that Peter and/or I tend to do at least three times a week). Joe and Peter stayed up later hanging out. Now, onto the week of Christmas--we are off to Craig and Paula's today, to see Santa and for Christmas pictures tomorrow, Wednesday Nancy comes to town and we're going to see "Princess and the Frog," Thursday will be spent at my parents, and Friday (Christmas) will be spent at home. Busy, but fun week. I'll blog and post pictures throughout the week.

A Song for Daddy

Katie walks up with the guitar and has Pete sit down for a serenade, and this is how it went:

"I love Daddy, he's my father. And I don't want him to be anything else. Kiss, kiss, kiss, kiss," kiss, kiss. I love Daddy, he's my father. He is gooooood to me."

It was much cuter in person! But, had to share anyway.

Sad, Unfortunate News

On Wednesday I went to the doctor for my regular monthly prenatal/pregnancy check-up. The doctor couldn't find the heartbeat and we discovered that Goy didn't make it.

We are doing okay. Wednesday was rough, but things are getting better. It really does help that we have three beautiful, healthy children at home which we love and adore. I just wanted to let family and friends know. We would prefer to keep things simple and not dwell on the situation.

Happy 6th Birthday, Delaney!

We spent Delaney's 6th Birthday in Chicago. We began the day at home with some tasty Dunkin' Donuts for breakfast. Then after dropping Rowena off at Grammie and Poppy's, we headed to the city. After parking, we began walking, and a nice lady mentioned how pretty the girls looked in their fancy dresses. Delaney proceeded to have a conversation with her, telling her it was her birthday, and the lady figured we were headed to the Nutcracker, and then told us she played in the orcestra (violin). Pretty cool! We walked a few blocks to the Auditorium Theatre and realized we would need to eat before the ballet. So, we found a Dairy Queen. Not bad food...and we all ate well.

Next was The Joffrey Ballet's Nutcracker. The girls were VERY excited for it. They have a movie, know the music, and went to a Nutcracker workshop at their dance studio. After sitting anxiously for 15 minutes, the music began and the lights went out. About 15 minutes into the ballet, the girls were getting pretty antsy. The second half was much better. Kate sat on my lap and Delaney in her own chair.

We planned on taking a horse and carriage ride, but couldn't find one right away (although we saw several before the ballet). So, we hopped in a cab and headed to Navy Pier. We had so much fun there. The girls saw Santa and Mrs. Claus. We ventured on the ferris wheel (to which I was freaked out on) and froze. Afterward, we went to Bubba Gump's for dinner--where the staff sang "Happy Birthday" to Delaney. We enjoyed some ice cream and cabbed it back to the car. All in all a GREAT day for the family, and a wonderful birthday for Delaney. However, Mommy and Daddy are BEAT and the girls are still going strong!

The family on Michigan Avenue. Sisters having lunch at Dairy Queen on Congress.

At the Auditorum Theatre, ready for the Nutcracker.

Beautiful girls, fancy dresses.

On to Navy Pier.

The "Elf" singing "Happy Birthday" to Delaney.

Meeting Mr. and Mrs. Claus.

Telling Santa what they want for Christmas.

Brrrr...Baby it's cold outside! We went to the ferris wheel anyway!

In awe...

Peter and his Little Ladies on the ferris wheel

Me and my girls. SO much fun!

Katie loving the ride...getting up pretty high.

Being silly.

Dinner at Bubba Gump's

Being sung to for her birthday by the Bubba Gump staff and holding her free birthday sundae.

Ending the night with a smile, and her new Webkinz-Wiskers.

I Want To Be Like Uncle Joe

Katie has become quite the hair-twirler. This is a bad habit...it really breaks up your hair, creates split-ends, and thins out the hair. These are things that Poor Kate can't afford. She has very thin and fine hair (nothing like mine or Delaney's). We've been trying to break her of several bad habits, and she's very good about accepting redirection. Her other bad habits are picking her nose (Ewwwwwww, gross), biting her nails (my fault), and sitting on her knees. She's been getting much better about biting her nails and how she sits.

So, here is a conversation between her and I the other day as Katie is twirling her hair:

Me: Katie, stop twirling.
Katie: Why?
Me: Oh, sweetie, you know it breaks up your hair.
Katie: But I want to be like Uncle Joe.
Me: How so?
Katie: I want to have no hair.
Me: Really?
Katie: Yeah, but then how will people know I'm a girl?
Me: I'm not sure. Maybe because you like to wear dresses all the time.
Katie: Yeah, I can wear dresses, and wear lots of purple and pink and pretty colors. Oh, and I can stick a bow on my head.

So...Uncle Joe, you might have a mini-me soon...all dressed up in purple dresses and with a bow on her head.

Goy Update

Well, it's official...we are twelve weeks into this fourth and final pregnancy. I'm feeling pretty good. I've gained about 5 lbs so far (I think)...and I think this might be the first pregnancy for me to actually gain weight in the first trimester. I enter the second trimester (officially) tomorrow. It tends to be the best trimester, I have more energy, can get around easy still, and food goes down and settles well. This first trimester has gone by very fast! I've had little problems so far. I just tend to not eat, so then I get very nauseous and then nothing sounds good or appeals to me, and then no matter what I eat, I feel crappy. So, as long as I eat on a regular basis, I'm all good. I haven't had any cravings yet. I've been very, very tired, and usually hit my wall around 1pm. After that, I'm done! I try to get a ton done in the mornings (i.e. laundry, cleaning, kitchen, homework, etc.) because I know in the afternoons and evenings I'm pretty useless...just from being so tired, and not getting any chances to nap.

According to the "books" Goy is about 2.5" and about .5 ounces. Big, right? ahahah. Actually, Goy has all of his/her parts going now...eyes, ears, mouth, nose, genitals, etc. are all formed and can be seen via ultrasound.

We're hoping this pregnancy is smoother and less stressful than Rowena's, and that we're able to enjoy it more. Already twelve weeks are gone...and we've barely been able to blink. I'm excited to feel him/her moving around in there and read to the baby. Delaney and Kate are already giving Goy hugs and kisses and talking to the baby now and then.

I'll take a picture tonight of the bel, and post it. Sadly it's not as cute as the baby bump that began with Delaney or Kate, or even Rowe. I only had 7 months to lose weight and tone, and with Rowe being my third pregnancy and with very little time (or no time) to workout, the weight loss or toning didn't happen...*tear*. Hopefully I'll start looking pregnant soon, instead of just like I'm gaining weight/getting fat. I started wearing maternity pants on Thanksgiving. I can still fit into all of my regular clothes, but I figured for Thanksgiving maternity pants might be a little more comfortable...and I've just continued to wear them.

I have my next appointment on Wednesday, December 16th, and should be hearing the heartbeat. We will probably start looking at baby names after the New Year. Something that is so fun to do, but we just haven't had the time (sadly).

Nine Months...Such a Big Girl

Well, Rowena, Rowe, Rowsie is nine months old now...the day before Thanksgiving. She had a rough week before then with having H1N1, being in the hospital, and then not being able to eat her regular diet for over a week. However, she loved Thanksgiving...she had mashed potatoes, stuffing, and turkey...and loved it all!

Here is what Rowena is up to:

• sleeps through the night
• holds her own bottle
• loves to feed herself finger foods
• gets angry if you give her too many meals without food for her to give herself
• prefers foods that she can chew
• has 6 teeth and it looks like she'll be getting 2 more on the bottom soon
• crawls like crazy
• loves to climb onto the fireplace hearth
• loves music
• likes to watch cartoons (like Mickey Mouse Clubhouse and Teen Titans)
• loves to climb on, pull on, and yank on Riggs (who takes it all like a champ!)
• likes to crawl into tight spots (like under the ottman and under her swing)
• takes naps well
• loves to laugh...and she has a great, hearty, belly laugh
• refuses to lay still for a diaper change
• gets pissy with Katie (who is always in her face and yanking/pulling on her) but enjoys Delaney (who is good with distance and knowing when to quit)
• is cruising along furniture
• likes to stand up
• can pull herself into a stand
• at times after pulling herself into a stand will let go and has pretty good balance
• still a thumb sucker, and loving her blankies

Her stats are completely opposite of Delaney and Kate.

Weight: 50%, 19 lbs, 3 oz (so she's just 11 lbs less than her 4 1/2 year old sister)

Height: 50%, (can't remember the number...will fill in later)

Head: 97%. Yep. She has one BIG noggin! ahahah

She was given the go-ahead to table foods that are mashed or small enough chunks. Although, there's always that list of "wait on" foods (eggs, peanut products, berries, honey, etc.). Our little baby is growing well, adjusting to life as a Henderson, learning how to get Katie in trouble, and learning Riggs' limits. She is very well loved and gets lots of attention.

Tis The Season

Last night we got our tree. It's an 8-footer this year, and nice and full. We put on some awesome Christmas music, drank egg nog, danced, and decorated it. Delaney was SOOO excited, she couldn't wait to help Daddy with every aspect. Delaney and Katie went to pick out the tree with Peter, while I stayed home with Rowena. It was a fun night, and we have almost all the ornaments on. Now...to just get the rest of the decorations out (h0pefully Friday).

Unwrapping the tree Excited to decorate...even up high

Me with my girls

Getting out our AWESOME tree topper

Katie's decorating...all on one branch

Kisses for Rowsie

Loving decorating the tree

Decorating way up high

Decorating way up high

Playing GI Joe on a cruise! ahahhaha

Checking out Daddy's beard

The tree...and the mess...

I Love This Season!!!

There is NOTHING better than Christmas time! I love the lights, music, festivity, excitment, fires in the fire place, peppermint lattes and hot cocoa, snuggling under rag quilts, watching movies, eating "comfort" foods, appetizer parties, fancy parties, Bears games, eating chili, SNOW, spending 25 minutes getting the girls in their gear for a 5 minute play outside, sleds, sledding down hills, sharing, time with family, giving, receiving, sales, after Christmas sales.

Today (Black Friday) we spent the morning and afternoon at Grammie and Poppy's new place. We enjoyed hanging out, helping (somewhat), and having good company. Now we're home and Pete is outside hanging up Christmas lights while "Jingle Bell Rock" is blasting from our porch, the kids are outside riding bikes, Rowena is sleeping, and I've just made a few appetizers for our small party for Joe's show that's on tonight--WHITE COLLAR. Tonight's episode was actually written by him, and he will have his first ever by-line. Woo-Hoo! We're excited to have our first fire of the season, enjoy some leftovers for dinner, and snack on appetizers (crab dip, spinach artichoke dip, and pigs-in-a-blanket) for the show.

We're realizing that sadly our family room will be Christmas-free this year (we don't care to try to keep Rowe away from them for the next month or constantly tell her "no"). We'll have our stockings hung on the mantle, but the rest of the decorations will be limited to the front room, and maybe the girls' room this year. And, of course, the outside. I'll post a picture as soon as it's all done. Tres excited. What a wonderful day...I LOVE THIS SEASON!