okay okay, I know I'm a terrible blogger now.

I guess life just has caught up with me and I just don't have as much time as I used to. BUT I'm going to keep trying at least. So... what happened in November. Well a lot, but it's a matter of remembering it all!

We started some dog training classes with our dog Ally in November. A friend of ours from church is doing an apprenticeship and needed some guinea pigs and we decided why not give it a try! We also got to go to the cabin with Geoff, Martha, Jen, and the Terry's. This time we brought Ally, we usually leave her with Ryan's parents. She did surprisingly well, and we had a wonderful time there. It was low key and quiet and restful. I didn't really take very many pictures though, sorry. :)

Then the Tuesday after that, the 22nd, we went for our ultrasound and found out we're having another BOY! We are super excited! Ryan, Ben and Nana were all there and it was really fun to see our new little guy moving around and yawning and kicking my bladder... hehe. Ben was a little weirded out by the situation, I think mostly because I was crying from excitement at one point and he associates crying with sadness or pain and thought maybe I was being hurt and was worried about his mama. He asked me after the ultrasound if that lady was hurting me! ha! He wanted a baby brother, and he's getting him! I assumed the whole experience would be a little strange for him, but I wanted us all to be there no matter what. I think he was also bummed because he thought the baby was actually coming out that day! Boy, does he have an awakening coming... ha ha!  It will be fun and interesting having two boys, plus a big daddy boy. I told Ryan the other night that because I will be out numbered I see myself having to put the toilet seat down a lot in the near future! We are grateful that we do not need to buy anything really since they will have birthdays around the same time and season, so it's nice to know when I'm buying Ben new clothes- I'm also buy his little brother clothes too since he will wear them someday. :) Everyone keeps asking me if I was a little sad it wasn't a girl, and I say not at all. It would've been fun too, but I was happy either way- and really the savings we'll have over time will be awesome. Little girl clothes are fun to look at but I have lots of friends to buy them for. :) We think we have a name for the little guy, but I want to wait before I "officially" announce it until we've decided we like it well enough to just go for it. This little "Peanut" is a very wiggly little one, and he particularly likes my bladder for some reason. Yesterday he was very active for about 4-5 hours in the morning which surprised me because he even woke me up doing it. I don't remember if Ben was this active or not, but I don't remember ever being woken up. BUT these two are different little people and I can't wait to see what he looks like and what his own little personality is! So fun!

Smith Family

So after that fun day, we spent Thanksgiving with Ryan's family. It is always good to see the relatives we only get to really see around the holidays. We took some family photos, ate a lot of good food, and Ben had a blast playing with his cousins! They played football, and cars and he even had fun on his trike even though he crashed and hurt his hand. He was fine, but he got a lot of attention from everyone and he sucked it all up. For a minute there I thought his hand was broken because he was acting like it was hurting him so bad. It wasn't though, and luckily Ryan's cousin who was there is a doctor so he "checked" him out and he was fine.

 

The day after Thanksgiving, I had to work but got to leave early and we drove ourselves up to Chicago. Well, we stayed in a NICE hotel in Indiana on the way and then got there Saturday morning. That day we had a little "Thanksgiving" Dinner with Delinda and Jen. We made Cornish Game Hens and stuffing and some other sides, and well as my double layer pumpkin pie cheesecake. Both Ryan and Delinda LOVE it, so it's kind of a requirement. Sunday it was rainy and miserable out, but we managed to run some errands which included buying a Christmas tree and then later when it cleared up we went to Gino's East where one of our favorite shows "Man VS. Food" went. The food and atmosphere were super! It was super cute. Afterwards we went to the Lincoln Park Zoo and saw the Zoo Lights (for free! yay!) and froze our bums off. Actually, it wasn't that bad... Ben was super bundled up but I wasn't that cold.

Lincoln Park Zoo Lights

I couldn't walk around a lot because this little Peanut I'm growing is really hanging out in my very front and makes my stomach stretch when I stand or walk for too long... and I'm only 5 months! ACK! What's it going to be in like 3? ugh... anyway, when we were done we went back to their place and Ben helped decorate their tree.  Monday DJ had to teach so the 3 of us went on a ride up to Northwestern U to a playground we took Ben to last year. It's at a really cool old Art building with a lighthouse and it's RIGHT on Lake Michigan (which makes it uber freezing). There are some AMAZING beautiful homes up in that area. We couldn't stay for very long, much to Ben's utter dismay because we were all very cold... but we had at least brought his bike and he was able to ride it around a bit and play on the playground parts that weren't wet from the rain.

We went to get Delinda afterwards and then walked around some of the exhibits again at the Art Institute of Chicago (free again!). Ben was being a little... bit... um... ahem, bratty... so we didn't stay long. We went to The Bean for traditions sake and because it's literally across the street and then went back to DJ's to eat lunch. That night we just went out for dinner, oh and before that DJ and I went to get some yummy cupcakes at their fav bakery. Then Tuesday we took the long drive home. It was a fun but VERY short trip, and I wish it would've been even just a day longer. Luckily we get to see them at Christmas time though. So now... back to life. I have only had to work 2 days this week which has been nice. Today Ben and I ran around a bit, and I'm all worn out. I consider it to be a succesful day though because I managed to keep no dishes in the sink, took a short little nap at the same time Ben did and made delicious Manicotti for dinner for the first time.

So happy December! We are going to get our tree tomorrow and the house all decorated and I'm so excited. I honestly don't have a lot of motivation for shopping, nor do I have any good ideas... but I'm sure gonna try! That is all for now. :)