somebody's gonna call child welfare.

Here is his face before slamming it against the concrete on a walk in the park Saturday:And here is his chubby starfish of a hand before placing it into a grinder in Dada's shop and TURNING IT ON just prior to our Thanksgiving meal:Here is my heart, in a puddle. This boy of mine. The injuries don't phase him, they stop my heart again and again and again.

some things about our baby.

Both of my kids had names by the time I was this pregnant. This one, we call "our baby." And she is. He pats my tummy, yells, "hi baby, hi" into my shirt, sits right on top of her and tries to hug and kiss her. Claire is more gentle. Tells her about how much fun we'll have. Sits for as long as I want with her small hand on my tummy waiting to feel kicks. 23 weeks and I feel huge and slow already. I have a feeling it's going to be a long winter.

big guy.

Tonight we took the crib rails down on Everett's bed. Some time after Christmas, we'll move him into his sister's room in preparation for the baby. Tonight, Nate had to go out to get tools while turning the crib into a toddler bed and Everett runs for his boots. I tell him dad's in the shop, but he'll be right back. With an earnest look he and says, "Big guy." Which for him, means everything. It means, I can go in the shop, I'm big. I can handle it. He's way into being a big guy right now.

I look at him and know that soon so much is going to change and I'm not sure I'm ready for him to be a big guy. He plans adventures that he's going to take in buses that he's going to drive. He points out where his carseat will be (driver's seat, obviously). He tells me about the shop he's going to work in someday and what he's going to fix (firetrucks, of course).

He cracks me up, my big guy.

the first of last traditions.

I knew when I was pregnant with Everett that there would be one more baby in our family's future. I knew that someone was still missing. This time, I don't anticipate a fourth baby. A tradition for us has been a shopping trip with my girlie to pick out something for "our baby." This time, she insisted on a pair of completely impractical bronze colored shoes. And for the first time this pregnancy, I really looked at all of those tiny things in the stores, realizing that I get to do it all again. I'm going to try my best to not be the jerk I can be when I'm pregnant and instead enjoy feeling her move, knowing like I never knew with her brother and sister how quick it all goes.

my trick with treats.

In an effort to produce a less than plus sized baby, I am again giving up sweets. Last time, my midwives had me on a pretty great nutrition plan during the third trimester and this time around I decided to start a little bit earlier. Unfortunately for my kids this happened to fall right around Halloween. I love costumes. I even think trick-or-treating is kind of fun. What I don't love is the idea of a truckload of junk around the house for weeks after. Thankfully, Mister Giraffe was too small this year to notice the magically disappearing candy. Big Sister gratefully traded all but 4 pieces for 5 bucks. This mama had her fill of fun size candy bars on Sunday night and trashed the rest soon after. Bring on a regular sized baby!

and the winner is....

Laurie, who said: I'm thinking girl... not sure why. Maybe just to even things out a bit when we are together with all our kids!
The best part? When I told her she won she said I could just pay the next time we get together. Way more fun than a gift card.

The Mister agrees.

two girls for every boy.

More about the ultrasound soon, and of course the winner of the Starbuck's card. But for now, know that she is a she and we are tickled pink.