Ahhhh! Tight pants!

Okay. According to my daily online pregnancy calendar on Monday, my clothes should be "getting tight." I scoffed when I read this, but yesterday, a pair of kakhi pants I frequently wear to work, were indeed a bit snug. Now, granted, these pants were on the small side to begin with, but I was definitely uncomfortable in them all thoughout my work day. Arrrgghh! That means I'm heading into the dreaded period where nothing fits right. Your own clothes don't fit. And maternity clothes are still WAY too big to even consider. This is by far, my LEAST favorite stage. Where people who don't know about your "condition" just think you must be putting on a few extra pounds. And to make matters 10 times worse, I've been SOOOO hungry lately. When I get home from work after midnight, I could seriously sit down and eat a 5 course meal -- my stomach is growling so badly! And yesterday, I had to eat some of my dinner right when I got to work at 4 p.m. because I was so hungry I couldn't concentrate!!! Ain't pregnancy grand?!
In other news, Asher had decided that he loves playing in the snow. Now, whenever Nate or Gabe get ready to go outside, he follows them around holding up his gloves (which he always used to HATE to wear, and would just pull off, immediately) and his snowpants saying "Go? Go?" Too cute! Also, I found out that when it's time for his morning nap, all I have to ask is "Are you tired?" and he looks at me and says "night night?" and immediately heads up the stairs to his room for naptime. Very fun!
The photos have nothing to do with this post really -- they're just cute pics I took of Asher in the car last month. :)

Another day, another snowman

We've been making good use of what will probably be the last significant snowfall here in Wisconsin. Last night, we had a huge snowball fight in the front yard after it got dark. (the four of us plus Roxy and Gabe's friend Josh from nextdoor) Today, after school, Gabe, Asher and I went outside to find that the snow had attained the perfect level of stickiness so that giant snowmen were easy to build! This one far outsized the one we did yesteday!

Play Day

Asher and I just came inside from playing out in the snow. We made this cool snowman! Gabriel was sledding at the time with Nathan. It's been quite a cozy, snowy day here in Wisconsin!

My Birthday

Well, Nate and I took advantage of the lull between storms today to trek down to Milwaukee, leave the boys with Nate's dad, and go out to dinner at an AMAZING Italian Restaurant, Ristorante Bartolotta. AMAZING. It was the best food I've eated in a restaurant in a Loooong time. What did we have?

For an appetizer we shared this:
Carpaccio di Manzo “Arrigo Cipriani”: Hand-sliced beef tenderloin with arugula, shaved red onion, Grana Padano, capers and the classic Venetian aïoli

Then we shared an amazing salad: Pomodoro, Cipolla Rossa e Gorgonzola: Vine-ripened tomato, shaved red onion and imported gorgonzola cheese with aged Balsamic vinegar and extra-virgin olive oil

Then the most amazing pasta I've ever eaten. EVER. And I mean it.
Fagotini di Coniglio con Cicorie al Vin Santo: Braised rabbit-filled fresh pasta perfumed with thyme, sautéed winter
chicory greens, sweet Vin Santo wine sauce and Pecorino Toscano

Then for the main course.... Nate had a rack of lamb and I had: Filetto di Manzo al Tartufo Nero: Wood roasted filet of beef, served with pureed potatoes, sautéed spinach, glazed carrots and black truffle sauce

Yum, yum, TRIPLE yum! The snow and wind and all that jazz managed to hold off until we made our trip home, which was very much appreciated. What a wonderful birthday it was!
The day started with pancakes and nitrate-free bacon (for baby). Then my boys presented me with two new CD's: Norah Jones and Harry Connick Jr. as well as tickets to see Harry Conick in April. Yay!!!!! I can't wait! Then they also got me a beautiful diamond necklace! Gabe called it a "squigly necklace" because it's in the shape of a circle. Very cute.
Anway, I'm so glad the weather didn't mess up our plans too badly. But apparently, we're supposed to get socked in tonight with 10-15 inches. Yikes!

Bracing for "THE BIG ONE"

Well, people are going crazy here in Sheboygan. After a lovely week, where temps actually reached the 50s on one afternoon, we are now bracing for "the biggest snowstorm of the season." If you go on the sheboygan press website www.sheboygan-press.com, you can look at the weather and see the giant blue cloud that is moving our way. And people are going nuts ... raiding grocery stores etc. The snow is supposed to start tomorrow, with about 7 inches falling and 40 mph winds creating blizzard conditions. Then, it's supposed to continue overnight, with 5-6 inches more. You know it's a big one when schools are already talking about canceling for Monday!!!
I'm a bit peeved, because Nate was going to take me out for my birthday tomorrow night in Milwaukee for a "surprise" evening. I've been looking forward to this for weeks! And now, I'm fairly certain we'll have to cancel it. Also, I was hoping to make it to a good friend's baby shower on Sunday -- I'm guessing that will also not be happening. Arggghh!
On the upside, I do enjoy a good snowstorm -- especially if it's the weekend and I'm snug inside with a good book and a cup of tea! Anyway, I'll post photos and let you all know how we weather the storm!

Bits and Pieces

These are just a bunch of fun photos from the past few days.
The first is a picture of Gabe and Roxy waiting for dad to get the car ready to go to school. I thought it was kinda cute.
The second is a photo of Gabe showing off the ash mark on his forehead after Ash Wednesday church. He was SOOO excited about this!
The third photo is one that Nathan took at a cafe the other night right after making the comment, "This is our life personified, right here." Cups of java side by side with sippy cups. Classic. :)

Quick update

Ohhhkay, so I've been a complete blogger slacker this past week. But I wanted to write a quite, photoless update of what my boys were up to today, so that everyone knows that I'm still alive and well. :)
Asher had a cute moment today when he discovered Gabe's crayons and paper downstairs on the coffee table. Gabriel is always drawing and coloring (he's quite the little artist) so naturally, Ash was pretty curious as to what all the hype was about. After staring at the crayons, and trying (once) to nibble on the crayons, he finally got the idea and tried pounding on the paper while holding the crayons. I quickly took his hand and helped him make some marks -- along with his name -- with which he seemed sort of pleased.
Two second later, I caught him toddling into our kitchen, paper in hand -- heading straight for the fridge where he immediately began pulling at magnets, in an uncoordinated attempt to hang his masterpiece, the way that we always hang Gabe's. Well, I thought this was just about the most adorable thing EVER, so I quickly helped the little guy out. I tried to get a photo of him standing by his artwork, but the cheeser was too quick and wouldn't stand still for a photo. But anyway, it was definitely one of those moments that just made my heart swell up. And now we have his drawing up on our fridge. Sniffle!! :)

Sharing the germs

Well Asher and I had quite the day yesterday. I'll try not to be too detail-rich on this post.
I woke up at about 3 a.m. yesterday with stabbing pains in my tummy, aches everywhere -- I began to wonder (at first) if this just wasn't the long awaited morning sickness, as I dragged my trash can closer to the bed. But soon the aches and pains, chills followed by extreme warmth, followed by numerous trips to worship the porcelain goddess, made me quickly realize I had caught a flu bug. The only thing that made it worse? Going into Ash's room in the morning and finding his bed drenched ... with his own ... well ... "tossed cookies" to put it mildly. So Ash and I had quite a day. I spent the entire day not eating OR drinking ... moving from room to room like a 90-year-woman. UGH. My husband, sweetheart that he is, managed everything for me. He called me in sick. He even called HIMSELF in sick, basically, cancelling all but one of his shoots to stay home and take care of me and the boys. Anyway, today I'm feeling like a NEW woman. Hurray! I can't stand the flu and I'm rather ticked that I got it, in spite of my flu shot. But luckily, both Asher and I seem to have come out of it okay!
The photo is of me and Ash on the couch where we spent most of the day yesterday.

What to expect when you're...

Expecting! Yes, indeed we are! It's still very early -- only about 6 weeks or so. But then I've never been the type of person who could wait a full 12 weeks before sharing news this major. Our third little bundle of joy is due Oct. 5. So it seems I will have to readjust to all the aches, pains, stretchings, cravings and heartburn. Yep. I get hearburn in a vicious way when preggers. Also, with this pregnancy, I've had more nausea than ever. I never had morning sickness with either Gabe or Ash, so this is new to me. (And I guess I'm probably due for some retribution on that end, after not suffering through it with my first two pregnancies). But I can't complain, since it's not that horrible yet.
We're all very excited. Especially Nathan, who has already responded gallantly to my first craving -- the other night when we were watching FRIENDS and one character, Joey, had a piece of fried chicken and I immediately NEEDED chicken -- he ran right out to try to hunt some down. Unluckily, everything was closed. But he got an A for effort!!
So anyway, we are abuzz with changes in our household. It doesn't seem quite real yet, but we are making the adjustment -- the first step which will be to buy a bunk bed set for Gabe's room, because it won't be long before he has a new, little roomate! Anyway, stay tuned for (what I'm sure will be) fun posts over the next few months!
(The photo is an oldie but goodie: taken of the boys one year ago this month)

Chomp chomp!!

There's nothing like a little fiber in your diet!
This post is just for fun. Here is a photo of Gabriel in St. Louis. My parents got hit with that major ice storm that moved thru the area a few weeks back -- they lost power for a few days and a GORGEOUS tree that used to be in their front yard has now been reduced to this stump. Gabriel saw this as we were packing up to leave and decided to chew on the pieces of wood, yelling out "Mom! Dad! Look! I'm a beaver!" Of course, I immediately sent Nathan outside with my camera to capture the moment.

Pile of boys

We made a quick trip down to St. Louis this weekend. We had a great time seeing everyone and eating TONS of yummy food at Gret and Leon's Super Bowl Party. It was super fun! Here is a photo of the boys wrestling. Poor Gabe is "stuck" on bottom, then Nate, Uncle Leon, and Asher on the top! What a great weekend!

First Haircut for the little man

It was finally time.
With his hair hanging in his eyes, over his ears and WELL over his collar, Asher was long over due for the barber's chair.
So, at 14 months, he finally got his first "big boy" haircut today. I took him to Cost Cutters here in town, because paying big money at the salon I go to seemed rather pointless, since he hardly has any hair to begin with!
I would be lying if I said this was easy. I also would be lying if I said I didn't grab him onto my lap and stuff my face into the long silky hair at the back of his neck and tear-up a bit before it was his turn. What is it about a first haircut that makes mothers weep??? I have NO idea! Maybe it's the idea of growth and change that bothers us!
He had a little trouble sitting in the chair. But once they distracted him with a toy, he was fine. Then the stylist worked SUPER fast, while Ash twisted and turned -- snapping his head back and forth. I was worried, until .... inevitably, he fell into the glassy-eyed stupor that all men fall into whenever a female runs their hands through their hair.... and he sat quite still, with a dazed look on his face, throughout the remainder of the haircut. Way to go Asher! The photos are of Asher in the chair .... also, a blurry shot of the final results as Asher ran around the salon while Gabe was getting his hair done. He danced to the music playing on the radio, twirling all over the room -- charming all of the stylists, of course! What a goof!