Around Here

These are some of my favorite images from the last two months, just some of the everyday moments...

I did my first cooking project with both kids!  We made dirt!  I loved the look on their faces when we stepped into the grocery store and I told them we needed the ingredients to cook dirt with worms.  

They were quite happy with the finished product!

Benjamin is very into drawing right now; our Magna Doodle has never received so much attention.  And, notice he is showing firm signs of being our left-handed boy, following in his daddy's footsteps as well as his Oma and Opa's.

I love when you can start to see real images emerge from these little toddler drawings!  This is Benjamin's first person.  "See Momma.  Ears.  Eyes.  He has mad smile."  And, I always love seeing the arms and legs that come straight off the over-sized head!

Benjamin's new love:  cutting.  Anna-Kate needed to cut as part of a homework assignment.  Benjamin wanted to join the scissor party.  I gave in and, boy loved it!  He will sit for 20 minutes making cuts on the edge of paper.  (Also worthy of note:  this kid will put his coat on in the morning, hood up and stay like that whether inside or outside, even through nap time!  Silly, but super cozy!)

I pull Benjamin out of his nap time everyday to pick Anna-Kate up from school.  This happened once.  He was sleeping hard when I got him up from nap.  He fell right back to sleep in the car.  I love those sweet, sleeping profiles!

Anna-Kate is determined to learn to ride a bike.  Before it started getting dark early, she had a renewed desire to learn.   I look forward to seeing her take off when spring comes!

Anna-Kate loves asking questions about how the body works.  I always say the same thing, "you should ask daddy about that."  He'll pull down a book and really show her.

Anna-Kate's school had a fun run fundraiser.  Anna-Kate actually ran all the laps plus a couple.  I was so proud!

Toward the end, she walked with her favorite girl friend from her class. 

This.

Hands down, top moment from the last month.

Will and Anna-Kate always go on shell hunts while at the beach.  They found a couple really perfect ones this year.  Will set them aside; he had the idea to make her a necklace.  One day on an errand for me to JoAnn's, he bought what he needed to follow through.

Her reaction to the surprise:  Thrilled!!

The memories captured in that necklace:  Priceless!

Halloween

Trick...

or Treat!

Batman and Peacock

Love these faces

The highlight of Halloween each year is the church's Fall Festival!  Games to earn candy, face painting, inflatables, and pony rides

Will with the kids; all three of them were excited to go for a second turn!

at the Fair

We were so sad to miss the fair last year.  Will and I have gone since knowing each other, taking the kids and introducing them to the fun of the fair - well, let's be honest, introducing them to the food of the fair!

I have this picture of me and Anna-Kate when I was pregnant with Benjamin.  It was fun taking this one!

"Now take my picture with Daddy!"

But, back to the important things

Roasted Corn

Will and I day dream about this corn

I love seeing the kids enjoying the tasty treat!

We do take a break to see some of the sights, like a 1400 pound pumpkin

and a huge turkey

Will has brought Anna-Kate under his wing to teach her the most important things:  how to eat a Fried Snickers Bar and not share.

The main lesson we learned this year... the draw of the rides and games is quite strong to the kids.  We managed to walk away without succumbing this year, but it looks like advance ride tickets may be required next year.  For now, though, we focus on the memories of roasted corn and fried snickers bars.  Only 11 months until we taste those flavors again!

Miller Family - Nov 2014 edition

Family time...gotta love it!

with their Dog

Gladys has been a sweet addition to our home!  She does so well with the kids.  Very patient with their antics

Benjamin enjoys walking her more lately.

This picture

cracks.us.up.

Has Gladys been caught yawning or is she our ferocious guard dog?!

Still more guard dog than our normal sweet girl Gladys

but then again, she was about to get poked in the eye; maybe she had a premonition

Yes, her loyalty and patience outlasts her eye pokes

Whereas, when Anna-Kate gives her attention...

...I think Gladys is happy it is just one purse today and not an entire dress up outfit

It's a...

GIRL!  

We are all so excited about our newest little pink addition.  Benjamin now says, "I have sister."  Anna-Kate's immediate response was, "ah, my dream is coming true!"  We are 90% sure of her name; we'll announce when it is more official.  

For now, we praise God for a healthy little baby!

18 Weeks

This is the big week!  Friday we go to our 18 week appointment for a check up and ultrasound.  We are about to find out boy or girl!!  What do you think?  Anna-Kate dreams it's a girl and hopes we name the baby Blossom.  Benjamin consistently says boy; his favorite boy name is Ranker.  I guess the first task is to find out boy or girl, then we will have to tackle their ideas of names.  Will and I are just excited to find out more about this little one.  And, I am ready to pick out this baby's nursery colors and start looking at tiny little sleepers again!

In other pregnancy news...  I started to feel the baby move at 16 weeks.  The movements are getting a little bigger, but I am still waiting for them to get really consistent.

I crave salad.  I really want iceberg lettuce, all the time.  Salad with ranch.  Taco salad.  Lots of iceberg lettuce.  The only thing secondary to iceberg lettuce is salt.  Give me salt.  Popcorn, plain chips,  nacho chips with cheese melted, more popcorn, peanuts, ...

The best news is that my reflux has finally become quite manageable.  My mornings are the hardest.  I have a set okay list for breakfast.  But once I get past the first few hours, my day is much more manageable than ever before!   I have even been able to eat items from the forbidden list in small portions!   The best is that I have eaten a few sweets, small portions, but I will take it!  My appetite is in full force.  Luckily I have the doctor who will not care that my weight gain this go round is reflective of my appetite, oops!

Now, we wait for Friday!