Chim Chiminy

I love fall. I love snuggling up and eating warm food and waiting in anticipation for all the holidays that settle into this time of year. We had such a fun Halloween. Once again, we had awesome costumes. It's always a trick trying to figure out what we are going to be. Only because Mike is so picky! I usually suggest about 20 ideas or so, and he has to think them over and pick just the right one. Oh, how I love that man. This year, he got really excited about the idea of Mary Poppins and Bert the chimneysweep. I was too, at first. Then we were just a week away from Halloween with no costumes, and I started to not be so excited. I started looking for ideas of "easy" costumes to throw together - but Mike won. And we looked awesome. The costumes weren't as hard to put together as I thought they would be. I was mostly worried about my ever expanding belly and how I would find anything to fit. It all worked out in the end. We went to Salt Lake for my sister-in-law's annual Halloween party. Everyone looked great. Then, Sam and I went to our ward Halloween party on Monday night. Sam won the costume contest for his age group, and showed off some made dance skills as he slithered backwards across the gym floor. Seriously. I had no idea what he was doing, but he entertained himself and everyone around him for a good 15 minutes sliding across the floor, jumping up, clapping, and then doing it again. My crazy little man.

I am now officially halfway through this pregnancy.  Today marks my 20th week.  I got to see some really good images of our baby girl last Wednesday as I went in for her fetal growth ultrasound.  She is measuring right on target - 5 1/2 inches long and 10 1/2 oz.  I was so relieved.  It was at this point that Sam's growth started slowing down - and according to his gestational size, his due date kept getting pushed further and further back.  I'm hoping this little lady has a little bit more room to grow than her brother did.  Things are still going really well, still not one complication.  I say a prayer of gratitude everyday for that miracle.  I've also had quite a different experience with my personal growth this pregnancy.  By this point with Sam I had already gained around 20 lbs.  I'm ashamed to admit it was mostly because of my nightly ice cream addictions.  This pregnancy I'm trying to be more moderate and healthy and I've only gained about 6 lbs.  I feel more comfortable this time around.  It's sinking in more and more everyday that we are having another kid!  It's hard not to have it sink in as she kicks and squirms.  I'm also wrapping my mind around the fact that we are having a girl.  I can't wait to meet her.