FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS

I think that Hanukkah song, "Hanukkah, Hanukkah festival of lights" (another song Boston is constantly singing these days) was forever playing in my head the whole time we went to explore these lights for FHE. We heard about this place from some random woman at the mall (who was also digging in her nose while talking to us). Its about a 45 minute drive from where we live and it was AMAZING! Even though we won't be here in Houston next year, I think we'll make the drive from Dallas to do this again!

The line of cars was pretty long so we sat for awhile waiting to pay & get in. We told Boston he could get out of his car seat and he was BEYOND thrilled.

Boston stayed in this position for quite awhile looking at the lights with the same look on his face! He was in awe!

I took so many pictures because it was just all so good! No worries though, I only posted a small portion of what I took.

A little over half way threw, Kent let Boston drive. He was in HEAVEN! Although at times he got a LITTLE distracted by the lights and had trouble keeping his eye on the road!

Kent was proud that this sign sported the word "STAMPEDE" (aka our company's name) so we couldn't resist a picture for keepsake.

One of Boston's favorite spottings was this train (of course).

The whole thing ended with a manager scene of baby Jesus...the TRUE meaning of the season (please excuse Kent's hand in the picture).

This was a WONDERFUL experience. We'll definitely go back again to experience "Santa's Town" where you can have hot chocolate, pet the animals, shop, eat, listen to music, sit on Santa's lap, etc. We didn't have a ton of time & it was already WAY late when we got done so maybe next year!

Also, my random pregnancy update. I went to the doctor today and my belly has grown alot since last visit a week ago! How its possible that this boy has ANY MORE room to grow, I have NO idea because I am MAXED to capacity people! I got a few "You poor thing" from the nurses so that says something right?!? I'm also not progressing...AT ALL. My doctor said he'd be being nice to say that I was even ALMOST at one then chuckled and said, "Your uterus just doesn't like to labor does it?" With as much PAIN as I'm feeling I had semi convinced myself this kid's head must be half way out by now but I knew in my heart that nothing is really happening! Since I don't seem to be progressing at all my doctor said there was no need to see me next week and that we'd just plan on seeing again when I come in for my c-section NEXT Thursday!!! Its all coming so SOON! I can NOT wait!

**By the way, apparently Kent is NOT ready for this baby & says he wishes he could have a few more months to "prepare!" Ummm HELLO we've had NINE months, I ain't making this a year long thing!!**

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

My boys were looking so handsome on Sunday, I couldn't resist a good picture!

We are VERY ready for Christmas this year and are excited to have my family come to US this Christmas since I'm pretty much stuck until this baby boy comes! Anytime I ask Boston what he wants for Christmas his response is for two things:

1. BIG bowling pins (this is apparently Boston's favorite "sport" lately).

2. Hungry, Hungry Hippos

Any thing that has made Christmas fun this year is having Boston sing Christmas songs. He doesn't have all of them down but his two favorite to sing are:

1. Jingle Bells

2. Feliz Navidad (this is a serious crack up)

We've still got a little holiday baking and Christmas present wrapping to do (although we are waiting on Mr. Fedex/UPS man to get those gifts to us so I can finish that) then all my focus goes on this baby! I feel so unprepared although after freaking about it yesterday Kent kept reassuring me we have everything we need. Why do I feel the opposite?

PREGNANCY UPDATE

I'm 35 weeks pregnant as of today (4 more weeks people) but I had my 34 week check up on Tuesday. The doctor wanted to do another ultrasound to see how big the little man was since he's been measuring pretty big the last few times. Another ultrasound? I'm perfectly okay with getting to see my little guy!

He is measuring in at 5 lbs 9 oz as of Tuesday. He's slowed down a little bit and I'm only measuring a week ahead now. Everything else with the appointment went well and I'm also VERY happy to report a 2 lbs weight gain after the holidays! I was worried I was going to end up plump and round with this baby since I had such rapid crazy weight gain in the beginning but luckily that has slowed down and I weigh less at this point than I did with Boston (not by much but hey, I'll take it)! HALLELUJAH (mainly because I know how much work it is to shed that baby weight)! I say that but I still have the Christmas holidays to go through and THAT is dangerous! My back pains are constant daily now. It doesn't matter if I'm sitting or standing they come on at about 10 am and last the rest of the day! I definitely feel more pains with this baby but that's been regular from the beginning. I'm so glad this baby is reporting healthy and strong! Names on our list currently that top are:

Hudson

Bennett

Sam

Nolan

Middle Name: Matthew (Kent's middle name)

We have about a list of 12 but those are the ones brought up most. We'll see what this little man looks like when he comes out!

On a random side note, Boston is officially the master of asking WHY! He wants to know WHY about EVERYTHING!!!! It seriously can get rather tiring and slightly annoying at times. I was hoping not to pass through this phase but apparently we weren't that lucky! His other thing is "WHAT?!?" Anytime you answer a question for him or say something to him, that is his response "WHAT?!?" or "What did you just say Mom?" He often complains about sounds hurting his ears so maybe my son really does have some kind of random thing going on with those ears of his....maybe I should get them checked out!

Tis the Season!

I've been waiting for the month of December to come around for almost 9 months now and not just because I LOVE Christmas but because it means our little man will be here at the end of the month! I can NOT wait to NOT be pregnant anymore...my body is DONE! Anyway, we've had our Christmas decor up since right before Thanksgiving but waited until after Thanksgiving to put up our tree. Out of laziness, we decided to bring out our little ole fake tree instead of getting a real one this year again this year. Its all the same, right?? Well, that's how I'm feeling this year. Holidays keep getting more and more fun the older Boston gets. This year he was THRILLED to help decorate and did a great job at loading the bottom of our tree with MANY ornaments!

After checking out this picture, I went back to make sure those little stick things were tucked down further in my tree!

On December 1st, we of course had Santa deliver the "Elf on the Shelf" tradition we started last year with our little elf named Piccolo.

Boston actually gets it this year much better and is much more excited about searching for Piccolo's new spot every morning. Please excuse my son's shiny lips/nose...daddy must have vaselined him up that morning.

Not only am I thrilled to have our little guy join our family this month but I'm thrilled that Boston is really understanding the meaning of Christmas this year. Every day I try and review the Christmas story with him and ask him why we are celebrating Christmas. Its so cute to hear him try to tell the story. The wisemen are his favorite part but probably because he relates it to one of his favorite songs, "The Wiseman Built His House on a Rock" (or whatever the title of that song is). Whatever works right?

LET THE CHRISTMAS SEASON BEGIN!!!!

Now I just need to start my Christmas shopping....