Halloween

Ok, so I am a few weeks behind, but here are the pictures from Halloween. Halloween went ok. James is generally a shy little guy, but we went Trick or Treating with Callum and Allie, the neighbor kids who live behind us. Callum is 4 and Allie is 2 1/2, James age and he likes both of them. They are not so shy, so I think going with them helped bring him out of his shell. However, I am not sure we had the best costume for him, maybe a little long to make walking easy. Hindsight is 20/20. I had brought along his wagon in case he got tired of walking. However, James felt that he had to carry his pumpkin, walk and pull his wagon. Well, this was recipe for disaster and he fell. After that, he wanted me to carry him, which was not possible, so he eneded up riding in his wagon. That means I wheeled him up to every house and back out again. This also meant we were generally on ehouse behind Callum and Allie, but we survived. James did have fun, but, as with mommy, was ready to go home when it was finished. Personally, having them dress up is fun and their excitement is also fun, but (and maybe this is the pregnancy speaking), I think I may stay at home and pass out candy next year and leave the walking around to Daddy.

Anyway, James was being a little camera shy, so here are the pictures I did manage to get.

This was our first house, James is the one with the Buckeye hat on (we tried to put on the conductor's hat, but being his father's son, insisted on wearing his ball hat)

Here we are, James the train, with pumpkin and wagon in tow.

Here we are finishing up at Callum and Allie's house.

The best part of the night, reviewing the goods! He got to eat one piece of candy that night. Since then he has a piece of candy after dinner every night.

Finally, this is a picture from the Halloween party up at the neighborhood park.

Ode to the Belly Band

For those of you who have been recently pregnant (Sarah), you will remember your constant battle to keep you pants up. Yes, they have these wonderful maternity clothes these days, but your really can't keep those pants up on your stomach. First, it is not comfortable and second, they just don't want to stay there. Then, there is the problem with the fact that since everything is all out of place, pants fit differently and your behind does not feel like keeping up the slack and keeping those pants up. So, you are left with constantly pulling those pants up...well no more! I have discovered the BELLY BAND.

Sick of my constant struggle to keep my pants up, I went to Motherhood Maternity in search for a belt. Alas, they don't make belts for maternity clothes (how does that make sense), anyway, the very nice clerk told me they did not have belts, but they did have the "belly band". She said you wear it and pull it down over your waist band and it would keep your pants up. I was skeptical, but she encouraged me to try it on and see. I took her advice and tried it on. I bought it and walked out of the store with on, pulled down over my jeans.

Since owning the belly band (essentialy two to three weeks) I have had it on almost every day. The belly band is simply a piece of nylon, with elastic on the top and bottom. It stays up nicely on your abadomen, without cutting into you, and you pull down the other end over the waist of your pants, and you are actually not pulling up on those pants any more, they are staying put! Now, admittedly, you sometimes have to pull down that belly band when you stand up, but trust me, it is much more graceful then shimmying those hips to get those pants back up again. So, for those of you that have been in my position and or will be in the future, I recommend the belly band!

Dining Room Pictures

Well, we got the dining room put together, and the chandelier is up. I am not sure the pictures do it justice, becuase I personally think it looks really nice, but regardless here are the pictures.


This is the picture looking into the dining room from the entry way.


This is the picture looking into the dining room from the office/den.


This is the close up of the chandelier.

Our Weekend-Babies R Us and the PUMPKIIN TRAIN!

We had a busy weekend. Saturday we ran errands, very exciting. We went to the bank, the post office, Babies'R'Us and Pottery Barn. Babies R Us was exciting because we essentially walked around the store to determine what it is we need for baby girl that we don't have, or is simply worn out from use by James. Then to Pottery Barn for a new dining room chandelier. The one from the house was taken with the previous owners (and was a bit ornate for my tastes anyway). I have posted a picture of the one we bought below. Hopefully it will look nice in the dining room.


Ok, on to more exciting things, like the PUMPKIN TRAIN.
Today, we went on the Pumpkin Train. This is actually a train that leaves from the Indiana Transportation Museum in Noblesville and then takes you out to a Pumpkin Patch. The pumpkin patch has some face painting, a small petting zoo and of course pumpkins. It was admittedly not the best pumpkin patch, but James LOVED the train ride. Here are some pictures, we also got some great video, but I will refrain from sharing that right now. Without further adeu, the pictures.


This in the mail car in one of the old trains they have on display, and which you can walk through. It was pretty cool, James loved it, but walking through all the sleeping cars was kind of creepy and close quartered.


This is the baggage car, James was very excited about being on the train.


Here we are on the train, riding to the pumpkin patch.


James and Daddy looking out the train window and barns, horses and corn.


James and Daddy checking out one of the photo op tractors at the Pumpkin Patch.


Here is a picture of the pumpkin train, from the pumpkin patch.


Here is James, driving another tractor, this one had a wagon, which apparently made it much better.


Finally, here is the family pic. The nice stranger who took the picture did quite a good job.

New Runner- I need your opinion

Hello, these pictures are rather mundane, but I need another eye on this. I bought this runner at Kohls today. I thought it would look great in the kitchen and I got a really good deal. But when I got it home, I was a little concerned that the red in the rug did not exactly match the red in the kitchen. Please tell me if you think it looks ok. Remember, you can click on the picture to see it enlarged on your computer screen.

Indiana State Fair- From August 9th

So, I thought I had posted these, but I did not. These are the pictures of Alex, James, Larry and I at the Indiana State Fair on August 9th. We had a great time at the fair. Alex and James rode an elephant! We got to pet and feed some goats and pigs and Papa Larry showed us the kind of tractor his grandpa had on his farm, and I got a funnel cake. All in all it was a great day.



Driving a John Deere Tractor



Petting and Feeding pigs (mommy got "bit" by one of the pigs, no teeth, but they clamped down pretty hard)


Look at the Cows!


Papa Larry and James at the tractors (this is the one like Papa Larry's grandpa had on his farm)


All of the boys around the tractors, James had a good time with all of the TRACTORS! My favorite picture from the fair.


My second favorite picture from the fair, James and Alex riding the Bumblebee. Daddy had to ride all the rides because of mommy being prego (otherwise I would have ridden the elephant as well)


James and Daddy on the elephant.

Which dress?

Ok, so I am now 31 weeks pregnant.


When my sister gets married on November 8th, I believe I will in fact be 37 weeks pregnant. I am a bridesmaid in this wedding and as of right now, I have two dresses of which I can wear. I have my favorite, mainly because it was already in my closet, but please let me know your opinion.