Anna Day 2

Here are some more pictures.
We can take visitors now except 2-4pm.

Anna's Here!

8:33 am 7 lb 13 oz 19 in

Mom and baby are doing well.

Baby update

Just to let everyone know, we are scheduled for a c-section next Thursdaymorning, the 21st. I am so very exited. With the exception of family we plan on not having visitors until Friday. My friend Kedra will be coming to take care of the kids on Thursday and Friday (love you Keds). Then my mom will be here Saturday through the next Sunday (love you Mom ) and then Kevin's mom is plannig to take a few days the next week to help out here (love you, Lynnette). So that puts me through the first two weeks, which I'm the most worried about. I know I'm not SUPPOSED to lift or do anything for six weeks, but really, I think two good weeks will be the most important. Also, so many people from the ward and my friends have offered to help. I'm so thankful for that! I will definitely let people know.

I'm excited to meet this little girl and even though I know how much work it is once they get here, I am SO READY for this pregnancy to be over!!! It has been a pretty rough one these last couple of months. Also, I have been sick for a week and I think this little banana is just sucking all my ability to get well. I think I'm on the mend now (I've been saying that every night now) and am looking forward to finally getting a few things done to prepare for baby three.

I have been showing Zane videos of his birth and Nora's birth to help him understand what is happening. The other day I walked in their bedroom and Zane was pushing on Nora's belly and pulling on her legs. I asked what he was doing and he said "I'm cutting the baby out. I'm the doctor. It's okay, Nora. It's okay." Cracked me up! He's always asking now when the baby's going to come out.

So be blog-watching and hopefully we'll have some good news posted by Thursday evening or Friday.

Playing with cousins

While spending over a week with the Pickups, we had quite a bit of fun. We played at the church (Steal the Bacon, volleyball, just running around), went bowling, made Christmas trees wtih frosting and sugar cones, played outside, and drove Grandpa crazy running around inside. Zane and Nora really loved getting to know their cousins better and learned a few new tricks as a result. When we left Grandpa and Grandma's Zane wanted to know "where did my cousins go?" It was a fun, busy week and we really got to spend some good time together.

Nora on the merry-go-round at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Zane's favorite thing at Chuck E. Cheese's.

Zane is definitely a John Deere boy.

Bowling!! I think Zane got a higher score than mom and he LOVED it! Can you tell?

Nora looks like she's had a rough day. Played too hard, I guess.

Kade's baptism.

Kaleb was sleeping on the rug by the door. Zane was rather concerned.

We had a hard time getting all candy on the trees and not in the mouths.

Grandpa's girl

Secret Pal

Another fun tradition the Pickups have is Secret Pal. The siblings draw names and then keep it a secret all year who you are getting a gift for for Christmas. The rule is it has to be homemade. We always have a lot of fun deciding what to make for the family or person we have and are alway pleased with our lovingly homecrafted gifts. This year we had Brian and Samantha and made them a puppet theater with puppets. The front of the theater is chalkboard paint, so hopefully that works well. Sean had us and made us costumes for the nativity. He made Mary, Joseph, a shepherd, a wise man, and an angel. I was so excited about this! He also found a copy of "Grover Goes to School" and burned a CD for Kevin. (Funny tradition that the Pickup boys have includes listening to this book on tape).

Me in part of the angel costume and the scarf Samantha knitted that I tried to steal from Jennifer.

Brian and Sam with the puppets and theater we made.

Everyone with their Secret Pal gifts (including Brenda and Blaine on Skype in the computer).

Christmas Day at the Pickups

What a great Christmas we had! We spent Christmas Eve and Christmas Day (and about an additional week) at the Pickups. Santa was very good to us. He brought Zane a toy train set adn and elf made a "train table" that fits perfectly under Zane's bed. He brought Nora a kitchen. Both kids enjoy both gifts and are entertained for a long time. We really enjoyed sharing the day with everyone. It was a great celebration.

Checking out the stockings.

Waiting to go down and see Christmas!
Dad waiting to go down and see what Santa brought.

Dad and Zane playing with the train.

Grandpa knows how to keep Nora close.

Tearing into the big present. Lots of fun to be had!

Zane having "Foof-foof" play with his new train.

Daddy and Nora enjoying a Christmas morning snack.

I love you Daddy!