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!

Carving/Decorating Pumpkins

Tonight we carved/decorated our pumpkins. First Mommy helped Piper color on her pumpkin and add Halloween foamie stickers. Then Piper helped clean out the pumpkin guts from Mommy's pumpkin. Mommy decided to carve a June pumpkin. June is a character from The Little Einstiens, one of Piper's favorite shows, Mommy is sometimes good friends with June too. Daddy couldn't decide what he was going to carve, so Piper watched It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, while he was deciding. Daddy was inspired when Piper came over and put her hand on his pumpkin. Once he finished drawing his design, Piper helped him with the pumpkin guts in his pumpkin too!

Coloring!
I've got a ghost!
Stick 'em on!
Pumpkin guts!
Helping out Daddy!
It's June!
Yay for Charlie Brown!
Piper and her finished pumpkin
Daddy calls it; "She's Got the Whole World in Her Hands" (those are Piper's hands)

8th Annual Halloween Party

Every year our good friends; Kim, Dustin, Jeff and Susan host a Halloween party. So last night we ventured out to the Haunted House on Marsh Road and had some fun. When we got there we took some pictures and then began to play some games so we could win a VIP Haunted House pass. Mommy found the "VIP Idol" (like an immunity idol) and won a pass. This pass entitled Mommy and up to 3 friends a fast pass to the front of the haunted house line. Since Mommy doesn't do the haunted house, she passed it on to Daddy and he picked a few friends to go with him. The house doesn't open until later in the evening, so after Daddy went through, we headed home to put our sleepyhead to bed.

We so didn't do this on purpose... we'll be sure to tell each other our costumes next year; Susan, Jeff, Haley, Piper, Daddy and Mommy
The hosts of the party; Jeff, Susan, Haley, Kim and Dustin
The Freds and their Pebbles
The Pebbles
Kisses for little Pebbles

Little Pumpkin

Yesterday we went to pick out our pumpkins. Piper picked hers out with just a little help from Mommy and Daddy. Tonight we have a Halloween party to go to, and we'll probably carve/paint the pumpkins tomorrow, so keep checking this whole week for more posts! For now, here's our Little Pumpkin posing with the pumpkins!

Riding a Bike

Piper's feet finally reach the pedals of her bike. The bike was her prize for completing 2 whole potty charts back in May, but unfortunatey her legs weren't quite long enough at the time. Today was the perfect day, not too hot, not too cold, so we took her out for a little bit to learn. She doesn't quite grasp the concept yet. She kept putting her feet on the ground and scooting herself forward that way. I think by the time we came in she understood what she should be doing. So hopefully the next attempt will be even more successful!

24 weeks

So, I'm a few days behind... better late than never. Sunday was the 24 weeks/6 months mark (although these pics were taken on Monday). Everything is going well. There's not really much to report, as I haven't had a Dr. appt since the sonogram. On the way to NY, Casey was not happy during the takeoff and landing, but was fine the rest of the time. On the way home, he didn't seem to notice the flight at all (which was fine with me). He is constantly moving. He is much lower than Piper was, which makes for much more discomfort/pain when he's moving in certain ways. I've also been getting lower back pains after long periods of activity, just like I did with Piper. And the new one is waking up in the morning with cramps in my legs, though I've read this is not unusual at all, just new to me. All in all everything is good, the pains are just an annoyance and could certainly be much worse.