If you give a Shirley a cookie...

...she's going to make a huge mess!

Extrovert, much?

We had company tonight for a few minutes, so SJ was hamming it up for the crowd...

I swear, if our next child is an introvert, we're going to think something is wrong! :)

Ultrasound Day!!!

Ultrasound Day was last week, but (like my birthday) I like to make special events last as long as possible. The technician for our appointment was incredibly thorough and we got to see everything on BittyWee from the umbilical cord to the brain, lungs, heart, stomach and kidneys. It was really exciting to see what God is knitting together for our family.

BittyWee's heart rate was in the 140's (if you're keeping track), and the tech determined that s/he is 13 ounces.

Now, on to the good stuff:

On the right side of the photo here, you can see BittyWee's face and skull.

Between his/her chin and abdomen (at the top) is the right fist.

BittyWee's Right foot. Five toes. Whew.

Profile pictures of growing babies are my favorite. They look the most "baby-like" to me.

I think this one is neat, too, because if you look closely, you can see TEETH BUDS growing in BittyWee's sweet jaw. Crazy!

BittyWee's left fist was all over the place while we were taking pictures.

The tech kept saying things like, "If we discover [this] it could mean that your baby has [this birth defect]. Let's find out!"and "Oh, I don't do 3D ultrasounds. I think they're a waste of time." I'm sorry, WHAT?!? She needed to work on her delivery a little bit. Also, I don't care what the tech thinks. If I ask for a 3D ultrasound, which I KNOW is something Stillwater offers--nay--boasts, I think you ought to be willing to push the button to show me my baby in 3D. I'm just saying.

Anyway, aside from that, it was a very good experience.

21 Weeks and Feeling Fine

Nothing much to report from this week. I had my ultrasound last week, which was really fun. We're working on uploading pictures (still). I hope to have them posted soon!

BittyWee weighs about 13 ounces and is approximately 11 inches long--about the length of a carrot. I feel kicks day and night, and have feel kicks on the outside frequently. Some of them are so sudden and hard that I think other people might notice, too. So far, no one has.

I also had my 21-week check with Fern. Everything is going great and she says I should have ten children. Rich and I still need to discuss.

As for cravings, I eat whatever I want, whenever I want it. Does that count?

Life at our house has been very drama-filled this week because Shirley Jean is cutting her two-year molars. She's not a very happy camper, and the slightest misstep on our parts can send her into a downward spiral of crying and whining. But...we shall survive.

WARNING: If you don't like photos of kids with food on their faces, don't scroll down.
For the record, I wouldn't scroll down if I saw this warning on your blog, so it won't hurt my feelings if you don't look.

"Do I have something on my face? Not here or here so much...but riiiiight about here?"

"Mama, gimme a kiss."
"I'm so funny!"

Fall Fun

We are that family in the neighborhood that slacks when it comes to yardwork. Turns out, everything is a lot more fun with a toddler. :) She REALLY wanted to help.

I figure you can never start them too early!
SJ thought riding on the tarp was FANTASTIC!

Rides at the Mall of America

Shirley Jean got to ride on some rides at the Mall of America the other night.

Here we are getting ready to go on the carousel.

Can you see us?

Riding on the train with Daddy.
She "Choo-chooed!" the whole time.

Chillaxin'

Shirley thinks it's so fun to mimic Daddy laying on the couch. I think she does a pretty good job.

Family Fun Night

Every week (or so) the three of us go out to dinner and then walk around the mall or do something together that doesn't involve the television. I've gotten to really enjoy our special time together.

Here are pictures from our night out last week:

SJ puts on a hat and says, "Cuuuuuuute!" Personally I think she's right. :)