Piper at the Movies

Today we took Piper to see Bolt. It was her first time seeing a movie in the theater. We explained to her that she had to be very quiet. And she was. She only talked a few times. It was kind of funny... anytime the screen went black she'd say, "what happened" or "it's all over." It was cute. She even got her own bag of popcorn to snack on. Piper really liked the movie. Afterwards we went over to the studios so that Piper could meet the characters that were in the movie. She was really excited to meet them!
Heading into the movie!
Waiting for the movie to start!
Meeting Mittens, Rhino and Bolt

More Visiting Santa Photos

Finally got the pictures of our visit to see Santa from my friend Jen... here are a couple more from the same visit we posted about before.

32 Weeks and Counting Down the Days!

Now for another baby update! I am now 32 weeks (8 months) along. I'm getting very impatient and really am just ready for him to be here, but for health he needs to stay in there for at least 3 more weeks. The glucose test that I talked about in the last post was normal as expected. But they found that I am anemic (AGAIN). Not a big deal really, I was anemic with Piper as well and it just means I have to take iron supplements along with my prental vitamins. This is nothing that affects Casey, just me, he takes all of what he needs and I get the leftovers. At my appointment this past week I found out I have gained 22lbs so far... I only gained 20 total (and lost 2 at the end) with Piper, but I had a much lower starting weight this time, so I needed to gain more. His heartbeat was right on track too with 152bpm. My belly measured a litte bit small, so as a precaution we are having another sonogram at the next appointmet (Christmas Eve Morning). My doctor is not very concerned and thinks that it just just due to my petite size, but she wants to be safe. I certainly don't feel like I'm any smaller than I was with Piper, in fact I feel like I'm a little bigger. Tomorrow is our tour of the hospital and when we will pre-register for delivery. I delivered Piper at Arnold Palmer Hospital for Children, Women and Babies. A few weeks later Winnie Palmer Hospital for Women and Babies opened right across the street. So I will be at a different (and beautiful) hospital this time, which is why there is a need for a tour. Piper is still just as excited as ever, talking to him and about him all the time. Again, I'm still not sure that she completely gets it.

In other news I'm very excited because as of Friday, Ryan is on vacation (from Disney, not Target) for 3 weeks! He had so much vacation time built up that he kinda HAD to take it. We don't have much planned for the extra time together; probably just preparing for Casey and enjoying the holidays. Although, we do plan to take Piper to see her first movie in a theater later this week. We're going to see Bolt, the latest Disney movie, and afterwards we'll probably go over to the Studios to meet the characters from the movie. Ryan also has a tentative week of vacation set aside for when Casey is born. His manager will let him move the week accordingly. It will be nice to have him home that week to help with all the adjustments (both for Piper and us).

Spectacle of Lights

Last night Piper spent the night at Mama and Bapa's house, so that today Mommy and Daddy could have a little break. When Daddy got up, we headed over to Downtown Disney to see a movie. We saw Four Christmases... very cute. Then we met up with Mama, Bapa and Piper at Studios to see Spectacle of Lights. That's where they COVER all of the Streets of America in lights and every 15 minutes they "dance" to the music. Piper really liked it and even had some cool 3-D glasses that she wore.

P.S. I'm fine... the wheelchair is because when I walk for extended periods of time my back starts hurting and sometimes gets to the point that I can't walk at all. It's better to just get the wheelchair from the start.

Visiting Santa

Sunday evening we went to visit Santa. All day Piper had been saying that she was going to tell him that she had been a good girl and that she wanted toys. But when Daddy set her on his lap and said, "What did you want to tell Santa," she just said "I don't know," and shrugged her shoulders. We forgot our camera, but we "stole" these from photopass (not the best quality). My friend Jen met us there, so I'm waiting for her to send me the pics she took and will post those once I get them.

A Christmas Wish

When I was pregnant with Piper, and went on restrictions I worked as the entertaiment scheduling receptionist. It was there that I met April, who had her little girl, Kynsley, the day after she trained me. Not too long after having Kynsley, April and her husband, Scott moved out of state. We have kept in touch through our blogs and myspace. Now, in the past few years there have been several moves for them as Scott is serving our country in the army. He is currently stationed in Afghanistan. I just wanted to share this video with you, and I warn you, have the tissues ready. And... THANK YOU SCOTT!

http://www.wxii12.com/video/18208981/index.html

Decorating for the Holidays!

Today was decorating day! Daddy worked at Target last night, so this morning while he was still sleeping, Mommy and Piper went out to pick up a few more decorations. When we got home it was time to wake Daddy up so we could begin. We turned on the radio station that plays the Christmas music and got to work. We started with the tree. Mommy got some candycanes so that Piper could put some decorations on without any help. After the tree, Piper put some Disney window clings on the sliding glass door. Next it was lunch time for Piper while Mommy put out some of the other house decorations and Daddy got things ready outside. After lunch, Piper took a nap while Mommy and Daddy put up the lights on the outside of the house. And last Daddy hung the garland inside the house while Mommy and Piper watched. Everything looks great! We did a lot differently from last year, mostly because we had to put the tree in a different spot. But it looks so nice and is very festive!
The First Ornament
The Second Ornament
Piper decorating with her candycanes
The finishing touch... the star!
Window cings are fun, Piper loved them!
Smiling in front of the tree
Giving Pluto Noses
A kiss under the mistletoe

A Day at Magic Kingdom

Today we spent the day at Magic Kingdom. Mommy and Daddy's friend, Debbie, was visiting from Colorado with a couple of her friends. We went to the park early, before we planned to meet our friends so that we could go visit the fairies for the first time. Piper was excited to meet Iridessa, Tinkerbell and Rosetta. And even better, one of Mommy's good friends was very good friends with Tinkerbell. We also got to see Uncle Jeff, who was good friends with Captain Hook in the Mickey's Dream Come True Show. And right after that show we headed over to watch Story Time with Belle. Another of Mommy and Daddy's friends, Stewart, is in town for a few days to be good friends with Belle in that show. We were very excited to see it! Belle even picked Daddy out of the crowd to come play the part of the Beast and we got to see her afterwards. We spent the rest of the afternoon at Magic Kingdom riding rides and enjoying the company and beautiful weather. We left the park so that we could make it over to Chef Mickey's at the Contemporary right as it opened. We couldn't get reservations, but were hoping if we got there right away, they would take us as a walk up. We were in luck and only waited a few minutes! So we got to enjoy a great dinner with all our favorite character friends! We had such a great time today!

Smiling wth Iridessa
Chatting with Tinkerbell
Posing for a picture!
And now Rosetta's turn!
A big roar from the Beast
Part of the show!
Dancing with Belle
He turned back into the Prince!
Meeting Belle
Family time!
It's hard to see, but that C up above my head says Casey's Corner!
Smiling with Minnie!
Piper, Daddy and Puppy aka Pluto!
Family Photo with Mickey
A kiss for Goofy

28 weeks (7months)

Today is the 28 week/7 month mark. As of last week dr. appointments are now every 2 weeks instead of once a month (this week is the off week). And at last week's appointment, my belly was still measuring right on track and Casey's heartbeat was right where it should be. I also took my glucose test... if anything is off (my dr. thinks I'll pass w/flying colors) I'll hear this week, so that I can go take another test. His little arms and legs are getting very strong and my back pains are getting worse. But otherwise everthing is fine. Piper still loves talking to him and now tells him that she's gonna give him a bottle and a noodle (pacifier) and show him the rubber ducks, when he comes out of Mommy's belly.

Halloween Night

Our neighborhood always has very few lights on Halloween night. So we got ready at home and headed over to Mama and Bapa's neighborhood. When we got to their house there was an extra special trick or treat bag with lots of goodies waiting for Piper. She didn't really want to go trick or treating at first, but we convinced her that she would like it. At the first house when they answered the door Piper said in a very quiet unsure voice "trick or treat." But by the 3rd house she was excited to say "trick or treat" when they opened the door. She got lots of treats and was really excited. When we got back to Mama and Bapa's house, she helped Mama pass candy out to the other trick or treaters and said hi to all of them. Last year we went trick or treating at the mall, so this was Piper's first door-to-door trick or treating experience. She really enjoyed it!