School Pictures

We finally got Paige's school pictures back on Friday. It made me sad, because I realized how much she's grown up since last year. She's so terrified of growing up and not needing me anymore but at the same time wants to be independent and like the "big kids". That's funny . . . I feel the same way.

(Paige and her cousin, Anna)
Look at those two cuties! I love P's smile in this picture. It's such a cheeser Reed grin!

New Due Date

This baby had his 5th ultrasound yesterday while at my 24 week OB appointment. I've had an ultrasound every 4 weeks so far since I was 8 weeks along , lucky me :) My OB has a really awesome machine that does 4D images and while it was a little freaky a month ago, this time around was pretty cool now that our baby has developed a little chub. And by little I really mean a lot. After the tech did her thing and it was time to meet with the Dr. the first thing out of his mouth was, "well, apparently you're going to deliver a moose!". The kid is measuring over 2 weeks ahead of his original due date. And has been measuring ahead at every single ultrasound, so the Dr. finally decided to change my due date to January 8th. Fine with me! That actually helps me out a lot because I feel HUGE (compared to this point in my previous two pregnancies) and to be able to skip a whole week makes me feel a lot better about it. And as proof of my huge-ness (no I am not making it up) I will disclose this: I only have about 5 to 6 more lbs to gain before I reach my delivery weight with both Paige and Claire;. . . I have roughly 14 weeks of pregnancy left. Ummmm, I don't think that math works out, and I'm going to blame it on the fact that this time it's a boy.

I think he'll be worth it.

Naturally Platinum

(Claire, about a month ago, with one of her favorite past times, monopolizing the iPod touch)

A young girl at church today told me that she thought it was "so weird for a baby to have white hair. . . like an old lady". It's probably what people comment on most about Claire. I don't know if the picture does it justice, but her hair is really truly platinum blond. I wonder how long it will last...

Soccer

• At 4 1/2 Paige is playing her first year of youth soccer.

• She is on an under age 6 team of girls who lucked out and got pink uniforms. Paige is happy about the color but also wishes they had some purple too.

• At their first practice the coach took team name suggestions. The top 3 suggestions (which were Pinkalicious, the Pink Unicorns, and the Pink Sparkles) went to a vote. The Pink Sparkles was the winning choice.

• Not surprisingly Paige is the littlest one on the field. I couldn't find any soccer shorts to fit her and ended up buying size 2T boys sweatpants and cutting them off. We're lucky they start making cleats in a toddler size 8 cause Paige wears a 7 1/2, and she is just tall enough to fit into the XXS shin guards (the smallest they come). The heels on her socks go up to her calves.

• I went ahead and bought the pink cleats because I figured I won't have any sons with feet that small by the time they're old enough to play.

• Claire is the ultimate cheerleader and listening to her yell "Go Parkles!" is just as entertaining as watching the "parkles" run around the field.

• Paige is particularly entertaining (and a little frustrating) to watch. She can barely keep up with the pack on her little legs and likes to volunteer to take a break when it's time to sub. This morning while getting ready she asked me if it was going to be a lot of running around like last time; she didn't say anything but looked a little disappointed when I said yes.

• I have a sneaking suspicion that half-time and after game treats are what's keeping her interested. Time will tell.
  

• She's trying really hard though and having a good time. We're proud of our little Sparkle.

Man in Uniform

Ben was off for some Army training, and I forced him to let me take his picture. He was embarrassed that I made him stand in front of the house where people could see and he will probably be equally embarrassed by this post. Oh well! I wanted to show off my handsome husband!I love you, Sweetheart! Thank you for all that you stand for and all that you do for us!

Back to School

Paige started her second year of preschool at Kid's Village this week. She was so excited to go back!

(try not to be disgusted by the half chewed wheat thins in her mouth)

And just for fun, here is P's first day of school pic from last year side-by-side with this year's:

Boy Names

As I mentioned in my last post, I am not very excited about boy names. I just don't seem to like that many. I've been perusing name lists over the last few days trying to find one that jumps out. Hasn't happened yet, but I've come across a few I could tolerate forever. I also found this website where you can open an account to accept votes and name suggestions from the public. It's really easy. All you have to do is spend a few seconds, minutes, however long you want really, clicking on name preferences, and the computer keeps track of all the votes. You can even click on "suggest a name" up at the top if you'd like to add one to be considered in the voting. It won't give you the results, but eventually it will give them to me and when it does I will share with the world what you and the computer decided was the perfect name for our baby :) So if you like to give it a shot and help us pick a name go HERE and start clicking! Please? You know you want to . . .