Even though Halloween is not my favorite holiday...

Even though Halloween is not my favorite holiday, the kids love it, and I love when they have fun. So, I'm blogging the memory with few words and more pictures, as they are only 4 1/2 and 2 1/2 once and I love them dearly!
They carved pumpkins with my mom and mother-in-law:

 We attempted to take pictures in front of the house:

 And we trick or treated:

 Now, only one more week to go and we really will have 3 pumpkins, 1 boy and 2 girls!

pumpkin patch 2010

Erik and I went to pick up my brand new car today (and didn't come home with it because it needs to be detailed...post to follow), and actually had the opportunity to enjoy each other's company at lunch...by ourselves. Imagine that! I have a lot of moments, that most people do, where you think to yourself, "where did the time go?" or "how quickly the seasons change!", and it's becoming more prevalent as I get older. It's amazing what a difference a year makes. I look back on last year's trip to the pumpkin patch, and I feel like we were just there. 

Anna's hair just a ball full of curls at the base of her neck, has quickly turned into bouncing pig tales...

 

 and my growing boy, Kieran, is that much more excited by pulling the wagon all by himself.
We went to the smaller patch this year, closer to home, because it was raining and just easier for me.
I'm growing a third and final little pumpkin,

 and she's due in two weeks!

How the time goes...

 how the seasons change...

but we never stop laughing,

and we never stop

 loving.

Sure, we have our moments and they aren't ones that I'm always proud, but we are not perfect nor should we be. We are a family. We grow and change with the seasons, we learn from our mistakes, and at the end of the day,

we walk together, no matter what.

wordless wednesday (kinda)

I've been neglecting the blog and my camera because I'm soooo tired.  At 37 weeks and 2 days pregnant, I'm definitely a slow poke these days. I've got enough in me to throw in a picture from last weekend.  I am determined though...determined to have baby #3 on her due date, just like Kieran and Anna. 

Trifecta, baby!

wordless wednesday

Watching TV in a box

there's a first for everything...

There's a first for everything. 

Like your first day of your second year of preschool. I HEART preschool (partly because my mom has been teaching at the same school in my hometown since I was 2 years 9 months-that is 30+ years!)! I also love that Kieran has another school year as a preschooler (I am not ready for him to go to Kindergarten!).

 

How about your first time eating bacon?

 Yes, you read that right.

 Kieran's very first time eating bacon. 

The kid has had sausage on pizza maybe once in his life, never eaten beef in his entire life.

And two weekends ago, he decided that he would try bacon...at 4 1/2 years old.

I'm not saying it's healthy, I'm just saying...bacon...at 4 1/2!

I can't say that he loves it (which I think is just crazy), because he didn't eat a whole piece, but he's trying new things slowly but surely.

Maybe there is a light at the end of the tunnel when it comes to finally eating?

The jury is still out.

block party

Today we had our annual block party.

I can't believe it's been a year already, it feels like the last block party was just the other day! Erik and I are exhausted. We have been on our feet from sun up to sun down this weekend still trying to clean up and recover from "the great refrigerator leak of 2010". Meanwhile, Kieran and Anna have had cabin fever while we've sadly "neglected" them in efforts to have our house feel like home again. They missed the doughnut eating contest, but they had plenty of running around, bike riding, eating hotdogs (well Anna anyway, Kieran just enjoyed the desserts and had dinner when we got back), and cupcakes.

 

 

 

On our way back home around the corner, I was reminded that it is Fall this week and how beautiful our trees are at this time of year (knowing that ours will be trimmed tomorrow because the leaves fall like crazy and we have hired a gardener makes them all the more beautiful!).

 

Anna and I had to stroll down the street to find Kieran who I hadn't seen in 45 minutes. He was busy playing football with the packs of kids in our neighborhood. And, I am such the proud mommy, because he has gotten so good at riding his bike in the few times that we've taken him. He's become quite the pro!

 

Here's hoping that in 7 weeks, I've got the same confidence that Kieran's gained. I know once you know how, you never forget how to ride a bike, but Lord, I know I sure forget quickly about all the pain that comes with child birth (prior to the drugs I'll be getting :) and the recovery that no one ever talks about)! Luckily, it's all worth it. So very, very worth it.

getting closer

I'm getting closer. Just 8 weeks to go and I know it's going to go by fast! Feeling my new baby girl in my belly is something that is bittersweet. She will be my last. Kieran and Anna are enjoying their time as a pair:

{@ the San Diego Zoo}

What will life be like with 3? 3 words come to mind and they all happen to begin with the letter "E". 

Exciting.

Exhausting.

Entertaining.

 I recall being worried how Kieran would transition to not being the only one; the only one who had sole attention. How would he feel? Would he love Anna? Would he be upset with me for sharing the quiet moments with her that he was so used to getting at his every whim? How could I possibly love another baby as much as I loved him?

I held Anna in my arms and she was as perfect and beautiful as I had imagined, maybe even more. My love for her instant, my fears that I had played over and over in my mind, all but vanished.

Kieran saw his baby sister and enveloped her with such heart, such acceptance. I am at peace knowing that he will be every bit as thrilled with our new baby girl.

Anna, on the other hand?

She's a spitfire. 

Right now, she loves loves kissing my belly. She talks to her, and tells her that it's alright. 

When the baby arrives?

That might very well be a different story, to start anyway.

Seeing the love that Kieran and Anna share as brother and sister gives me great promise that my soon-to-be family of five will grow and change exponentially.

 I wouldn't want it any other way.