Whew

It’s November. . . and we made it.  Baby #3 has yet to arrive and this blogger is breathing a huge sigh of relief.  It seems that parading around a neighborhood was not pleasing to our newest little one and after drinking a few liters of water and slowing down for a bit the contractions subsided. 

I’ll say it again. . . Whew.

I will admit that I am very glad to flip our calender from October to November.  While hectic schedules and continuous activity are fun for a time, I much prefer days filled with the normal, typical, and usual.  Go ahead, call me boring, I’ll own it.  Don’t hear me wrong.  I’m all about making memories. . . just not a month-full of memories in one week.  We did just that, though.  

It began last Monday with Chanelle’s birthday celebration.  Nothing extravagant, just a few of us together celebrating the little girl we love. 

This girl took her 4th birthday pretty seriously.  As I was putting her to bed that night I covered her up with the blanket that has been her constant companion since birth.  As I tucked it around her and she grabbed hold of the “tags” that seemed to have the power to comfort her for each day of her four years of life she called out to me. . . “Mommy? Now that I’m 4 years old, I’m ready for a big girl blanket.”  Maybe she was ready for that, but I wasn’t so sure I was.  I figured she was intoxicated by sugar from the cake and was certain she’d be singing a different tune by morning. . .

Charlie had his own adventure last week, sans Mommy, Daddy, and Chanelle.  He took off for a three day road trip with his Gramps, leaving us to fend without him.  It was strange not to have him with us and our little girl especially missed him.  The first night he was gone we caught Chanelle fighting back tears as we put her to bed.  Finally she admitted, I miss Charlie.  With lightening speed the lump jumped into my throat as I did what I could to comfort her.  We did our best to make our time with our girl special. 

Moonlit walks. . .

Fun projects. . .

Movie night that included popcorn, Tangled, and snuggling with Daddy. . .

And a date with Mommy that of course had to include the pet store. . .

After the pet store the two of us made our way to lunch.  As we sat at a table together eating soup and talking Chanelle brought it up again. . . the big girl blanket.  She was ready to go get her blanket because, I’m 4 now. 

I always wondered how this would happen.  How we would help her to give up her all important blanket.  I never expected that she would come to us and let us know, I’m ready.  Me and my not-so-little girl marched into the store and she selected her new blanket that apparently she has been eying for some time.  (She’s a natural born shopper).  As we walked to the checkout she hugged her new pink, fluffy blanket and exclaimed, I’m so happy I could cry.  Charlie is going to be so proud of me!  As soon as we got home she handed me her old blanket and let me know she doesn’t need it anymore as she sprawled herself on her new “big girl” blanket.

. . . tackled him.  It all happened so quickly I couldn’t get a good picture.  Needless to say. . . she was happy to have her big bro back home.

We all were. . .

After Charlie spent time showing us all the pictures he took and telling us about the details of his road trip we got to celebrate his special day. . . one day late. 

Thankfully, there was no big revelations like the blanket for my 6-year old.  I don’t think my overly emotional pregnant heart could take it. 

As I mentioned yesterday we closed out October like many others. . . costumed with buckets waiting to be filled.  It was a last minute decision to participate this year and I’m so glad we made the trip to enjoy it with my brother and his family.

I scrambled to come up with costumes.  It took some convincing for Chanelle to go along with my idea, but once she accepted it–I think she enjoyed it. . .

That’s Pippi Longstocking. . . not Wendy, in case you’re confused. 

They were troopers and marched their way around my brother’s neighborhood.  Pippi, an army guy, Batman, and Charlie, Bumblebee the Transformer. . .

They were troopers, that is, until Charlie hit the wall and exclaimed, I can’t take it anymore.  Bumblebee is out of batteries. 

The best part of the day, though?  This scene. . .

My Dad and my daughter walking hand in hand.  I walked a few paces behind taking in their comfortable silence and remembering when it was my hand that he held and so thankful that my girl gets to have these special moments like I did. 

As I was saying. . . WHEW.  Perhaps all of the activity prompted the hours of contractions I was having.  For now, I welcome November and a few days of slow and normal before we welcome Baby into the world. 

Happy November, Friends!