35 1/2 weeks

The countdown has begun... I'm not sure when the end will be but I want it sooner than later. The miserable stage has begun. I had a doctors appointment yesterday and he is bringing the induction calendar to next weeks appointment. I should have about 3 1/2 weeks to go!

The nursery is getting there. We went to put the crib together and could not find the hardware. I am sure it is in a box somewhere in the basement but the $11.00 they wanted to send me a new bag was better than searching for it! I have cleaned all the stuff (swing, car seat, bouncy seat, burp rags, blankets) and bedding now all I need to do is find the right plastic container and clean some clothes. I've bought some diapers and wipes so I think we are almost there. There are a couple of things I need to pick up this weekend but other than that I am ready!

Dave and I discussed names for about 10 minutes on the drive to St. Louis last weekend and got no where. I have a short list, he had one name (it was a boy name, is that a hint???). Since he can't come up with anything I have claimed all naming rights, but I have a feeling that won't fly. He wants a book of names... another thing that is in a box in the basement. I guess we need to kick it into high gear and get thinking (we did the same thing with Ashley though).

Dave is packing on the weight while I seem to be losing it (I have lost one pound on my last two visits). I have a huge appetite but when it is time to eat I fill up so fast, there just isn't any room. So Dave feels the need to finish my meals for me. I don't seem to be having any cravings... I do love a glass of cold milk though.

Any day now would be fine with me!

Ashley at 4 1/2

(not the best photo, but it's current)

• Asks in-depth questions (no more just why?)
• Loves the front wheeler (4 wheeler)
• Still loves to sing (can turn almost anything into a song)
• Is into pretend play (loves her doll house and all the people)
  
• Loves to be read to (especially at bed time)
• Sneaks into our bed in the middle of the night
• Fairly good eater (some meals are good some bad)
• Picky eater (not willing to try new foods)
• Hates to go to school and hates to leave school (go figure)
• Not a morning person
• Still wants hot milk when she wakes up
  
• Weighs a little under 40 lbs (wants to be in a booster seat real bad)
• Attends Pre-K at St. Elizabeth Ann Seton (4 days)
  
• Trying to beat her nap (still naps at home but not at school)
• Turned into a fish at the lake this summer
• Can write her first name
• Is learning her letters, days of the week
• Can count to 20
• 1st chore - setting the table for dinner
• Loves her new cousin Hannah
• Says her best friend is Riley (misses her dearly)
• Excited about the new baby, always wants to know what the baby is saying
• Stubborn, stubborn, stubborn
• Wants a bow like Daddy
• Really into Space (thanks Uncle Chris) and Dinosaurs
  

Colorado Pictures

Bear Lake

Ashley and her fab smile.

The mountains

Go Karts

More Mountains

Bumper Boats

Some of the many Elk we saw

I don't have many photos, my brother in law Chris was the official photographer of the vacation, so I relied on him to get all the great shots. But these are a few.

P.S. I hate blogger and photos, so so hard to rearrange them, space them etc.

Ashley's First Day of School

Monday was Ashley's first full day of school. Technically school started last week but we were on vacation so she started a week late (oops!). We had visited the school for an ice cream social/meet the teacher night. After that she was pretty excited, there were kids everywhere and lots of new toys to play with in her classroom. We couldn't get her to leave. We also visited her classroom for an open house before we left for vacation, where the kids went with the teachers aide while her teacher went over a few things with the parents. So this was not the first time there.

Drop off was easy, she went right in and started playing, didn't even really say goodbye to me. When I picked her up she skipped out. Overall I think she enjoyed herself, just a couple of issues with nap time. She is not taking naps in the afternoon even though they lay down for an hour on cots. I hope she gets into the routine soon, because if not I will never get to see her. She fell asleep last night on the way home and slept thru til this morning (even missed dinner). I don't know if she just doesn't want to miss something, but I hope she gets some shut eye soon. Only a couple of crying moments from her about not wanting to nap and a few I want to go to Nicky's.

Here is the best 1st day picture, typical Ashley she didn't want her picture taken.