Girlie Times Two.

Last Wednesday, we went for the big ultrasound for the baby.

SHE looked beautiful.

Yes, that means we know the gender. And its a GIRL.

I know, I know. I didn't wanna know.

But my husband reaaaaaaallly did.

[Didn't know I was capable of compromise, did ya?!]

So, Brooklyn will be joining the family in the spring. She is healthy and growing right on schedule. She weighs 15 ounces now, so she is tiny, but still measuring for a due date of April 4th.

I am thrilled. More pink and purple?! Heck yes.

And Savannah's response?
"Yeah. I want baby sister. No baby brother. Just sister."

Hmm. I'm thinking that means this is a good thing! :)

Thanksgiving.

This would be the kind of turkey Savannah prefers.









And if you know Emily, you wouldn't be surprised that she flipped out over chocolate mousse peeps. Emily sure loves her moose.



The best part of holidays is time with family though.



Although I can't deny that the food was incredible.

And lets be honest, you have to start them young to raise them right.

But family time... by far the best part of the holidays.

...even if things do get a little bit crazy! :)

Turkey.

I have so much to be thankful for this year. And today I'm really thankful that I have a fridge covered in creations like this turkey... made by my little turkey.

Cooking In Underwear.

Don't worry. Savannah is the only one who does that in our house. Bet I startled you for a sec, huh?!

Travels.

its already christmas in tennessee. how do I know this? well, because I just went there!

Darren found a chair that fits him. If only we could have fit it into the minivan.



We saw LOTS of Christmas lights.

And this was our little home away from home.

I spent most of the days shopping, charging, and debiting. Ooops. Darren decided outlet shopping was a little bit hardcore. His words, not mine. And I was so tired afterward that I was a couch potato. See?

But who wouldn't be with this next to them?!

And now we're back and preparing for a craaaazy week that includes an ultrasound, Thanksgiving, and MORE shopping on Black Friday! Hooray!

Not Me Monday. [Pregnancy Edition.]

[Back by popular demand.]

1. I'm NOT pretty sure that most maternity clothes designers probably failed out of normal design school. Nobody wants a bow on their huge baby belly. Duh. And if you are already noticiably pregnant, you aren't going to want to wear shirts with things like "love makes the belly go round" printed across the tummy. Pretty sure everyone already knows the details of that. And if they don't, a t-shirt is not the way to tell them. I don't resist the urge to run away or laugh way too hard in those stores. Not me!

2. I definitely didn't eat marshmallows for breakfast because my toddler suggested them and they sounded delicious. Not me!

3. I didn't want to smack the maternity store worker when she told me not to worry that the top of the small maternity shirt was baggy because that would fill out later. Pretty sure they've been telling me that since I was 12, lady, and thanks for reminding me that its never happened. Not me!

4. I don't lay in bed at night wondering if I really have to get up to go to the bathroom again or if I could sleep another hour. The thought process isn't like... do I really have to go... can I wait so I don't have to get up as many times... the floor is going to be so cold... okay fine I really have to go. Not me!

5. I don't evaluate dinner options based on which one will give me less heartburn afterward. Not me!

6. I didn't decide that Christmas was the worst time to have pregnancy hormones that make you cry like a baby sniffle... at movies... and books... and Hallmark commercials. Not me!

7. I never have completely uncharacteristic meltdowns where I am crying my eyes out over things like... my jeans are still wet in the dryer and thats what I really, really wanted to wear today. Not me!

8. I don't get tired carrying my 27 pound toddler up the stairs. It would be premature to be that tired and out of breath now, right? So thats definitely not me.

9. When I got really excited that I've passed the halfway point, and told my husband in a really excited fashion... it didnt sound like... hey guess what guess what guess what! today marks 20 weeks which means we are officially half way!!! And when he said oh... halfway through... what? uhm oh... pregnancy? i didn't threaten to kick him in the shin and he wasn't so sure that I was serious that he backed up a good three feet. Not me!

Anything you haven't done? I really wanna know. And so do all 2,000 blog readers I've accumulated (yep I have a counter/tracker thingie). Have a good Monday!

Indian.

Tonight was Pilgrim and Indian Night at Puggles. I personally think I know the cutest Indian. However, getting a picture of her proved virtually impossible. See?

Its a good thing she is cute enough to pull off even goofy pictures! Thank you to Gram-B for making her adorable outfit!

And thank you to those of you who have expressed your concern about my lack of blogging. I was merely out of town with no internet access. And before that I was a bit busy with... hmm... I wish I had a good excuse. Just life in general. But more about that later.

ABC's + a blooper

Savannah has been learning her ABC's, and I thought I would get her to share with you.

But just in case you thought that worked pretty well, this was one of the seven outtakes. Can someone say stubborn?! Ahem. She gets that from her dad! ;)

Thankful that We Aren't There.

Sometimes when I see a date on the calendar, it triggers a memory. Today, I realized that I am really thankful. Because a year ago today... my baby was here...

So. glad. we. aren't. there.

[also really glad that i realized black hair color was so not the way to go.]

And today, my beautiful girl looks like this.

I'm so thankful!

Happy Birthday, Momma!

Rumor has it...

...that you might want to pick up a copy of the Roanoke Times today. That is, if you wanna see who won the cutest costume contest. I think you just might know her! ;)

United Miss Virginia 2009

I know what you're thinking. There's no way that kid won anything.
Haha. Me too. (But that IS an impressive view of the tonsils, dontcha think?)



And this face...only a mother could love...
...but you can all get a good laugh if you want.



She thinks she is really funny.



I think she is gorgeous.



And whats with the diaper, you ask? Well, would you want to hear a beauty queen say "I gotta PEE-PEE!" right in the middle of the evening gown competition?! Nah.

But like every good beauty queen, she knows she needs deoderant before a competition.



And she can do it "BY SELF!"

You can ignore my face in this picture. Mimi caught me in the middle of last-minute instructions.

She is pretty cute, right?

She's especially charming with her hands on her hips. And a smile.

But my favorite moment was probably this one.

Silly kid.

So do you wanna know how she did?

This was her face when they told her she won...

...everything.

And of course... what kind of beauty queen would she be if she didn't take time to stop...

...and pick a wedgie during the awards ceremony?!

She wasn't quite sure what to do with the massive crown. Hold it, maybe?

Wear it?

Eh, this looks like a good spot for it.

So without further delay...

...I present...

Savannah Beckner, United Miss Virginia, Grand Supreme [Highpoint queen, ages 0-6]

Casual Wear Winner

Gown Winner

Most Photogenic Winner

Contestants' Choice Winner

Most Beautiful Face Winner

Highpoint Most Beautiful Smile [Ages 0-21]

Way to go, Savannah!!!