All Things Fall 2013 -- Halloween Edition

Fall is in the air!! My favorite time of year! Oh, and how it keeps getting more fun each year! Crazy to think there will be another Aldrich sister with us next year! So, we will have to buy THREE matching Halloween shirts and bows next year, instead of just two!!

FBC Garland's Fall Festival is a part of our fall/Halloween festivities. Miss AB got brave this year and tried the pony ride for the first time. So proud of her {although, take note of the tight grip on Daddy's shirt}. 

Our annual trip to the pumpkin patch was less exciting than last years. Which is a good thing because last year Landree threw up all over me when we got there. Not to mention, look at that big girl sit up!!!! 

I took a day off work to volunteer for AB's Halloween carnival and party. So much fun!!! Love being a mom and getting to spend these fun days with her! 

Halloween night was spent at our church's trunk or treat. Love spending time with our faith family on this night. My little witch and peacock were very excited about it!

Huge Milestones=Small Victories

Sure, most {almost} 19 month olds would be walking around and getting into everything. Not this girl. And that's ok. We absolutely love this sweet little bug and everything that makes her Landree. Tonight, she was lying down on my, slightly elevated, pillow on my bed and pulled herself up into a sitting position. Wow!! This is a huge milestone for her. She's been working so hard at this for weeks!!! I'm a proud Momma!!! She was quite proud of this feat as well. She was smiling ear to ear once she got herself sitting. 

So proud of you my little love!!!

The Great State Fair of Texas 2013

Oh, State Fair, how I love thee!!! It's like Christmas to me to get everyone up early, dressed and ready to go to the fair! I can't wait to smell the smells, see the sights and EAT THE FOOD!!!

With each year, AB gets just as excited as I do about it. She's come to love it, too. Last year, we went to the fair the same day that big Tex burned down. So, she was excited to see the new, improved and "healthy" Big Tex.

It was THE perfect day to go. Not a cloud in the sky and the temperature was chilly enough for a light weight jacket, but warm enough to lose it by the afternoon. Just perfect.

We walked the girls through the livestock to see all the cows, and we even caught a glimpse of hatching chicks and newborn baby pigs!! I loved showing Landree all of these things, since last year she was too young to know what was going on. 

We stopped, first thing, to eat some chicken fried bacon and tater twisters. It was delicious! AB ate her preferred, PB&J from home. That's ok. I'm ok with her missing out on all the fried goodness. She was holding out for some ice cream. We decided to introduce her to dip and dots this year.

There he was in all of his {new} glory. Big Tex. Standing tall and proud of the Fair Grounds. They did a good job with him, and making look as close to the old one as possible. But. Those boots. Really? I don't know one cowboy that wears boots up to his knee caps. We could have worked on that a bit, I think.

She was happy to see him there this year. She couldn't put her ice cream down long enough. Even to take a picture!

The fair wore a little sister out.

I was never a midway kid. I wasn't crazy about the rides, but Daddy encourages AB to try some of them. So, we ventured into the midway and let AB try out a couple. She was much more brave this year than last. And, even little bit rode the carousel this year! So sweet!

LC and Daddy before their ride on the carousel! 

Watching Daddy and little sister on the carousel!

What a fun family day we had! I love this time of year and I love spending this time with my family! I can't wait until next year!!!

By the Way....

A minor detail. If you haven't heard...

We're pregnant with Baby #3!!

To say we weren't surprised and a little caught off guard, would be a lie. However, we are trusting 100% in God's perfect plan for us and our sweet baby. 

Just a little side note, I've been praying about a #3 ever since Landree was about a year old. I was praying about having another baby or adopting one. I was open to either, but trusting God would reveal His plan to us. Well, he did. Here's the million dollar question I'm asked so much, "So, are y'all done?" Hmm...to answer that question with a definite "yes" or "no" would be silly either way. God will do what He wants, and if there is a number four, I'll be praying the same prayer I had for #3. Just for it to be revealed in the form of our own biological child, or adoption. We'll see. 

Anyway, onto the big reveal! I don't think it's a surprise to anyone that I wanted a boy. I've so desperately wanted a little Austin running around here. I love that man so much that to have a miniature version of him would be amazing! Austin, on the other hand, is perfectly content with his girls and loves them so much and they are so crazy about their daddy. So, a girl would most definitely be a blessing, too. The day we found out Austin and I went together to find out the gender and were going to "reveal" it to the girls later on. AB, just like her Mommy, wanted a brother. Bad. So, I was praying that it would be a boy for both of us. On the way home, I stopped at a little bakery by our house to buy a cupcake with either blue or pink icing, and I was going to let AB open the box to see what color the icing was. 

The look on AB's face in these pictures should say it all.

If you can't tell by this picture what the gender is...

Landree announced for us, since AB was too busy bawling her eyes out. Baby #3 is a 

Girl!

Surprised? Yes. Disappointed? Oh, maybe a smidge. Sad? No way. This was God's precious blessing and gift to us. No way I could be sad about it. Grateful? ABSOLUTELY!

AB finally came around after about half an hour and was over it, and happy to eat the icing off the cupcake.

 Meet our precious gift and bonus baby...

Zoe Grace Aldrich

Already an Aldrich girl - smiling for the camera!

You know how people say, with each child you have, the less you do as far as go "all out." It's true. I always said I wouldn't do any less for each child I have, but the time becomes so precious and you have to manage it differently. With my pregnancy with AB, I documented each month how far along I was, took pictures, wrote a post about each month and how I was feeling, etc.

With Landree, I took a monthly picture, but rarely had time to post about it.

With poor Zoe, I'm lucky to get a picture of my growing belly. So far, I've taken two. One at the beginning and one a little more recent. And, man, has my belly been bigger than it was with the other two.

9 weeks

22 weeks

This pregnancy has been very similar to AB's. Night nausea up until about 11 weeks. No actual getting sick, but just felt like it. I was starving in the beginning. Like, wake me out of a dead sleep starving and eating in the middle of the night. I was exhausted during my first trimester, but luckily for me it was the summer time and I could do a lot of resting. I craved a lot fruits and veggies in my first trimester. My second trimester, I still want fruits, but I'm really getting a sweet tooth. And my appetite...it's outrageous. I can out-eat Austin, hands down. I need to stop. It's going to be killer to lose this weight. My thyroid wanted to act up towards the end of my first trimester and came back abnormal, but never at a scary or even treatable stage. When I got well into my 20th week, it normalized -- thank you, Jesus! Now, to just pray that my cholestasis doesn't return.

I was telling Austin just yesterday how surreal it is to be pregnant for a third time. All I've ever wanted is "a bunch of kids." I know that in comparison, three isn't a bunch, but to me it is...especially being an only child. That fourth would still make my heart super happy, but I'm perfectly happy and content with whatever God blesses us with. This pregnancy has been awesome...so far. I've been hesitant to get too excited since my pregnancy with Landree threw curve balls at me at every turn. I feel, though, that God blessed us with this baby to show His goodness. Landree, despite all of her delays and medical issues, is a tremendous blessing and joy to our family. God wants me to trust in His plan and in His perfect timing with everything and that's what I'm choosing to do. We're blessed...no matter what.

Date Night for AB and Me: Introducing Mr. And Mrs. Acuff

One of my sweetest friends in the world got married this past August. I had the privilege of attending with the cutest little date. AB was so excited to go to Krista's wedding. Krista is one of her favorite people! Since our sitter fell through, Austin stayed home with Landree and AB was my date. We enjoyed having an excuse to get all dressed up to go. The best part was, I didn't tell her where we were going or who we were going to see until we got there.

She was a perfectly well behaved little date. I wasn't too worried about it, but this was the first wedding she has sat through, and wasn't a part of. So, I was hoping the talking and fidgeting would be minimal. It was. She was very good! I think the little gnome across the aisle from us kept her attention. Cute little inside joke between the bride and groom. Love it!

This was her face right before Krista walked down the aisle. She couldn't wait to see her!

AB and her first drink out of a wine glass. No worries -- it was just lemonade. 

I had so much fun with my old team! We goofed around and acted like kids...just like we used to do when we taught together. Love those girls. Loved having a reason to get together with them!

AB was ecstatic to see Krista! They are such sweet buddies. She talks about her all the time! What a beautiful bride she was!!!

The old gang back together again!!!! (Minus a couple of people).

Love these two! One of my bestest friends and sweet AB.

AB and Mr. and Mrs. Jim Acuff!!!!

Thank you, Krista, for allowing AB and I to be apart of your special day! We had so much fun and wish you and Jim a lifetime of happiness...and babies!!! Love you, friend!

Annabelle-isms: January - September 2013

February 27, 2013
Austin: "Hey wife!" (Talking to me. Obviously...)
AB: "Daddy! No she isn't. She is Momma and you call her babe. She doesn't cut things!!"
Austin: {puzzled, blank stare}
Me: {right back at him}
Austin: {after a few seconds of confusion} "No, baby. I said 'wife'. Not 'knife'!
Me: {falling over laughing}

April 7, 2013
AB looking and looking for one of her favorite toy cupcakes:
"Ugh! Where is that thing? It's driving me nervous!!!"

April 18, 2013
AB: "Umm...Mommy. Landree just said, 'pizza.' Did you hear that?"
This comment came after trying to convince us to order pizza for dinner. I guess she figured if she couldn't convince us, Landree could. Coming from a baby that doesn't come close to making out words yet. It worked....by the way.

April 29, 2013
AB: "Hey, you know that green lizard guy? Yeah, he talks just like Ernie on Sesame Street!"
Ok. That "green lizard guy?" That would be Kermit the frog. It pains me she doesn't know who that is! And for that matter, thinks he's a lizard!!! On another note, I am impressed by her ability to make the voice connection, though. It's time to bust out my old Muppet movies!

June 4, 2013
"I can't believe you made that choice! That was a bad, bad choice. That poor bunny. His brothers and father and sisters and mother will be looking for him...(pause)...I don't even have any plans. I don't have any plans on how to make bunnies not dead!!"
-Annabelle, lecturing the dog after we found a lifeless baby bunny in her mouth. 

June 10, 2013
So, tried out a new restaurant for my "pretend" lunch today. AB calls it "Olive Garden" (but the menu is nothing like the original!) My lunch consisted of a waffle, tomato, a baguette, tomato and for dessert a cupcake with sprinkles. When I was getting ready to pay and get the heck out of there, my waitress,(Annabelle) said, "Ok, thanks. And next time you want food, you can just go shopping at the store. They have plenty of food there." Some customer service. Sheesh.

June 13, 2013
Annabelle: "Mommy, can I please have a grilled cheese from Wonderbooger?"
Me: "Absolutely!"
{And no, I didn't correct her and I hope she calls Whataburger, "wonderbooger" her whole life!}

June 15, 2013
AB: "Daddy! I had a wonderful dream last night!"
Austin: "Oh, yeah?"
AB: "Yes, I was a beautiful princess!!"
Austin: "Well, that wasn't a dream because you really are a beautiful princess!"
AB: {skeptical look}
.....pause for long silence....
Austin: "Ok, you're right it was a dream. I know you're a realist."

July 24, 2013
Austin: "Do you know where my iPad is?"
Me: "No. Annabelle was the last one to have it. Annabelle, do you know where Daddy's iPad is?"
AB: "Umm...no, I don't."
{Looking....looking...looking...}
Me: "Come on, AB. You were the last one to have it."
AB: "I don't know where it is! I mean, iPads don't just get up and walk away."

July 25, 2013

I would like to take a second and thank the tv shows, Cat in the Hat, Cailou, and Bubble Guppies. Because of them we found out AB can name four out of the eight planets, knows the sun is a star, and our galaxy is called the Milky Way. No folks, this is not a proud parenting moment, for she did not learn these things from us. But I will not complain the things she's picking up are educational, at least.

August 5, 2013
AB: "I'm perfect for you, huh, Momma?"
-- I don't know exactly in what context she was referring, but I couldn't agree with this more!

August 11, 2013
This might be my all time FAVORITE!
We were getting ready to go see Christ of the Ozarks...
AB: "I don't want to go. I don't like Jesus the statue. I like the real Jesus. The one who died and is in Heaven! Not a statue..."
Wow. I know she's too young to really get it, but so much of that statement has a crazy truth to it.

August 16, 2013
AB: "Momma. You're just too much for me!"

....I don't even know how to respond to that.

August 31, 2013
"Where's that indoor/outdoor booger place?"

- AB speak for In and Out Burger

September 7, 2013
AB: "Mommy, is this the best day you've ever had?"
Me: "Well. It is a good day. Every day with you is the best day!"
AB: "Yes, but is it the best day EVER?"
Me: "Sure!"
AB: "Good. You're welcome for the day."

Ummm....thank you? This kid...

September 21, 2013
An impromptu shopping spree, buying matching outfits for the girls, lead to this conversation...

Me: (thinking out loud) "Ooh. Daddy is going to be mad at me."
AB: "No. Daddy loves you!"
Me: "Well ok. I meant that Daddy is going to be disappointed in my decision to spend too much money."
AB: "You should pray about that."

September 22, 2013
AB: "You know. I'm a big girl now. I'm not little anymore."
(....pause....)
AB: "Can't you just feel like you will cry right now?"

Yes, AB I could. Stop growing up!! And better yet, stop rubbing it in!

September 25, 2013
AB: "Whoa, Momma! That just scared my life!"