31 photos from December

I did it! I completed my goal of taking a photo everyday this month! I have now been going strong for 4 months! I have to admit many of theses photos have a bit of a snap shot quality to them. Many days I hiked up the ISOs and let the white balance do strange things just so I could get my shot in. This month I focused more on documenting memories then taking the perfect photo.

I also decided to let Piper be the star of the show this month and made sure she was in each photo. December was her last month as an only child so I felt I better make the month all about her.

Sorry, some of the photos are in a strange order, I was having uploading issues:/  Hope you enjoy my 31 photos from December 2011

Happy New Year!

Hope everyone is having a Happy and Safe New Years Eve. It's hard to believe that 2012 is just hours away.

We aren't doing much for New Years this year. Josh works at 3:00am, I'm 8 and a half months pregnant and Piper is 21 months old so we are having a very low key New Years. As a matter of fact I am the only one up and from the looks of it I will be ringing in the New Year by myself.

We did manage to have a little fun today though. Piper and I made 2012 crowns. Piper wanted pompoms on her's but I stuck to just jewels on mine. We also had a popcorn and pizza party tonight for dinner along with sparkling grape juice followed by a dance party in Piper's playroom.

I thought just for fun I'd do a side by side of last years and this years New Years. Piper's has really grown and I may have a few more wrinkles.

2011 was a very good year and I have so much to be thankful for. I'm so excited for 2012 and to welcome a new member of our little family!

Happy New Year!

Christmas Part 2

We just wrapped up our second round of Christmas fun. Since I'm not able to travel this Christmas Josh's mom and dad made the trek out to Sioux Falls to visit us. It's always so nice to have family come visit. Piper also loves all the attention.

It's hard to believe the next time we see our family it will be to celebrate the birth of baby boy!!

Merry Christmas 2011

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas! I can't believe it's already come and gone. I have to say that this was a unique Christmas. This was our first Christmas in Sioux Falls, it was a brown Christmas with the temp getting up to 50 degrees outside, we hosted Christmas because I'm so pregnant I'm no longer allowed to travel, and it was Piper's second Christmas and in many ways it was all about her.

Here are a few more highlights. 

Piper spent time playing with each new toy as soon as she opened them.

Piper got a train set from Santa and I think it sent her into a moment of shock.

Josh got the only gift he asked for, a shirt with a picture of James (my sister's boyfriend) on it.

Piper played with with her train set a good chunk of Christmas day.

She also made time to play with a few other gifts.

James played his first ever game of cribbage.

Piper made everyone in the house come watch her play with her train set at some point during the day.

Today we were able to take a trip to Falls Park for lunch at the cafe.

It was so much fun to have family here for the holiday. It was also much fun to celebrate Christmas with a 21 month old. Many memories were made, and many new traditions were started.

Recent Reads

35 Weeks

I can't believe it's already been 5 weeks since the last time I posted a belly picture. If I let another five weeks slip by the baby may already be here.

I'm nearing the end folks. I've reached the point where finding a comfortable sleeping position has become impossible. Luckily this time around once I do manage to fall asleep I seem to stay asleep. This baby  moves more than Piper did but he doesn't do the dolphin kick at 4am like Piper used to do, thanks goodness!

I still have lots to do to get ready for baby. I hope that within the next week I can wash baby boys clothes, pack my hospital bag, clean up baby's bassinet, and get baby's car seat out of storage and ready to go. With the holidays here we'll see if I'll be able to get any of those things done.

I'll try to keep you all posted on any baby news. Just 5 weeks to go!

Little Messes

Josh had to work tonight so Piper and I were on our own for dinner. I threw together an easy meal for the two of us that only took around 15 minuets or so to cook. Piper was a good girl and was busy reading books while I cooked. I took a look at the living room after we were done eating and tried to wrap my head around how one little child can make such a big mess in such a short amount of time.

Seriously, what's the mess going to look like with two kids!?!?

In other news I am now 34 and a half weeks pregnant and feeling huge. It doesn't help that Piper has started calling me "Big Boy". Yep in her eyes I must look like a giant blob.

Oh well, only six more weeks to go!

Last Trip to Minnesota

Josh, Piper and I just got back from our last trip to  Minnesota until after the baby is born. We packed a lot in and I didn't take nearly enough photos but I thought I'd share some of the highlights.

Piper got to...

bake cookies with Gaga.
go to a party at her aunt Kathy's house. 
play at the Edinborough Indoor Park.
celebrate Christmas with her cousins.
go to a very unique book store. 

Josh and I tagged along and had lots of fun too.

We are happy we were able to squeeze in one last trip before I'm 36 weeks and not allowed to travel. We also managed to see a lot of family on this trip back. It's hard to believe the next time we cross the South Dakota/Minnesota boarder we will have two little ones in the back seat!