Trick-or-treat

Danny, the astronaut and Ben, the alien getting ready to go trick-or-treating.

Apparently, they were already tired:

Daddy and Ben:

The scene in front of our house:

Cool Halloween arch (Danny and Luke are getting candy; Denise, Will, Kevin, Ben and I were a little slower):

The boys posing for a group picture:

Seriously scary horses and riders from the horse farm right behind our development:

Kids were absolutely crying when they saw these guys (our boys didn't really seem scared, though):

Our good friend and neighbor, Gordon always gives us lots of Yum-yums (M&Ms), especially at Halloween:
The last house we went to (Moments earlier, Ben sat down in this driveway--he'd had enough):

Let's see what we got (this is only half of what they got...the other half had already been taken inside):

Danny got some scary teeth:

Ben anticipating the flash:


We carved pumpkins too.
Here's a cat on a fence:

Bats in the belfry:


Winking face:


What a fun, fun Halloween! We all loved it!

Pumpkin farm

Danny's pre-school class had a field trip to Rich's Farm last week.

Look at all the pumpkins:


Danny riding the little train thing:


Danny on the train in the distance:


Danny and Ben getting on the merry-go-round:


Daddy and Ben on the merry-go-round:


The hayride:


Ben fell asleep on the hayride:


Danny picked some corn:

Nice view:


Fun was had by all.

It's Danny's birthday!

My due date for Danny was November 12, 2004. He was breach, so I had a version (where the doctors try to turn a breach baby into position for delivery) scheduled for October 22. Kevin, my mom and I went to the hospital at 8:00 a.m. that Friday morning and waited through ultrasounds, examinations, other moms in labor and various personnel changes until around 11:00 a.m. when the doctors attempted the version. Needless to say, it was uncomfortable and it didn't work. Danny's little bottom was wedged into my pelvis and he wasn't going to move.

I had been having pretty strong Braxton-Hicks contractions for a while prior to the version attempt, but immediately after the procedure, the contractions were pretty regular. They didn't think I was in labor, but they wanted to make sure, so we stayed in the hospital, hooked up to monitors for a few more hours.

At this point, I was starving. The kind of starving where you consider eating your hospital gown. I wasn't allowed to eat anything at all that day prior to the procedure or during it in case I went into labor and had to have a C-section. Finally, we were discharged and decided to go to the Boston Beanery so I could seriously chow down.

While we were sitting there, I noticed my back starting to ache. I said, "Hmm...my back is hurting." My mom perked up, "What do you mean? Because that's how I always knew I was in labor...my back started to hurt." I said, "It's like PMS cramps, but I know I'm not in labor...I was just at the hospital and they said everything was fine." So, we finished our lunch/dinner and went home.

I decided to have a nap after the exhaustion of the version procedure, so I went to sleep in our bed. Kevin fell asleep on the couch, watching tv. A few minutes into my nap, I rolled over, then stood up and realized that my water had broken!

PANIC!

My baby wasn't supposed to be born for almost another month...I wasn't ready, mentally. I know that sounds crazy, I mean I knew I was having a baby, but I thought I had a little more time.

I went to the bathroom and tried to clean up a little, but anyone who has been in this situation realizes that it's not possible to clean up. I ran out to Kevin..."Kevin, the baby's coming...wake up!" Kevin jumped up, "How do you know?" I was like, "My water broke...look at me!" "OK, I'll get the car...I'll pull around to the front!"

Off to the hospital we went. Kevin started calling people. My mom, Arlene, Heidi, and Mary Kathryn all came to the hospital. I couldn't stop crying...I was so nervous. I was afraid of the epidural and the C-section and I was freaking out about becoming a mommy.

I can remember praying that Danny would be healthy and that everything would go all right with the delivery. I was so desperate to see his little face.

The epidural was great. I wasn't in full-out labor, so I wasn't really feeling uncomfortable contractions, but the feeling of weightlessness was awesome. I loved how I didn't feel so heavy! Also, I loved the anesthesiologist. His name was Curtis and he was so great. I was crying and he was trying so hard to ease our fears. He kept saying, "Why are you crying?" I said, "I'm just scared." He said, "Don't be scared...we do this a couple times every day." He held one of my hands and Kevin held the other while the surgery was happening. He said, "Count back from ten and your baby will be born." He took the first pictures of Danny.

Those first pictures...Danny with his mouth wide open, screaming for all he was worth, covered in yucky stuff, but so absolutely gorgeous! He was the most beautiful thing I had ever seen.

I couldn't and still can't believe that we were blessed with such an angel.

Danny's birthday party

The birthday boy:

Rocket cake with Diego as the astronaut:


Such a beautiful smile:

Ready to blow out the candles:


Time for cake:


And presents:


Thanks to everyone for the great presents, but most of all, thanks for spending the day with us

Chicka chicka boom boom

So, yesterday at pre-school, Danny finished his work and was allowed to go pick out a book to look at. He picked the book, Chicka chicka boom boom, which we read at home all the time! He loves the book and we say it in a real rhythmic way with some singing interspersed every once in a while. He pretty much has the whole thing memorized and says it along with me at home. So, yesterday, he picked the book and started "reading" it aloud. Well, Mrs. Kellar said that he "read" the whole thing to the class (rhythmically and with the singing) and everyone kind of stopped what they were doing and listened to him. She said she's never had a kid do that before. I think this is hysterical.

He's definitely our son...loves to be the center of attention (like Daddy) and in full-blown teacher mode (like Mommy). I'm so proud. I really am. I can't stop smiling when I think of it.

The gift of parenthood

I have been given so much as a result of having children: Love, joy, affection, gratitude, humility, hope, wonder, fun, compassion, selflessness, friendship, courage, relief, confidence, purpose, determination, pride.

Here are some things that have been taken from me and that I would like back:

*My bed.
*The opportunity to eat a snack alone.
*Naps...I'm pretty sure I haven't had one since 2003.
*Being able to eat dinner at the same time as everyone else, not 10 minutes later after everyone has been served.
*My hairbrush...why is Ben fascinated with it?...why is it always in the living room?
*A long, hot bath...alone..."No, do not put that truck in here, I mean it...no you cannot get in here with me!"
*Clean counter tops...everything we don't want Ben to have is piled on top of the kitchen counters.
*My tv...it is now a vessel for the Wii or Noggin.
*Solo bathroom trips...I don't prefer having an audience...there were times when Ben was a baby, that I was holding him and talking to Danny while sitting on the toilet.
*My sanity.