The Pumpkin Patch...

Ava posing

Mingling through the pumpkins deciding which one to pick

We decided that we should make the trip to the pumpkin patch a little early this year as things could get hectic after the baby comes. It was a gorgeous Sunday afternoon yesterday, so we thought it was a great day to be outside. We stopped at the apple orchard first to pick up some fresh and delicious apples. Okay, so we didn't actually pick the apples ourselves, but we did select which bag we wanted to purchase! Ava even ate part of an apple (not her fave) and politely spit out all the skin. At least she tried! Then we headed to the pumpkin patch to pick out some pumpkins. Their selection was not great for big carving pumpkins, but we picked up a few. Now for the fun part...carving! We'll see when we get to that!

37 Weeks Pregnant

37 1/2 weeks 37 1/2 weeks

I keep thinking when I post the lastest pregnancy pictures that they may be my last. Well, once again, I'm back here updating the photos. It's hard to believe that tomorrow I will be 38 weeks. While these last few weeks have taken their toll on me physically, I'm still very thankful to be this far along. I can officially say I'm ready at any moment for this baby to be born. The sleepless nights, acid reflux, swollen ankles, and overall fatique that everyone gets towards the end are certainly here, but I'm hanging in there.

I am 2 cm dilated and 50% effaced which is no change from my last week's doctor appointment. Still could be any day according to Dr. Salama.

Ava is certainly ready for this baby to come too. She asks me everytime we go to the doctor if Dr. Salama is going to fix my tummy. Apparently, she thinks it is in need of repair! She also asks me every morning when she wakes up if the baby is coming out today. Then she sees my tummy and quickly realizes there had been no change. I think after our many talks, she seems to know what to expect when the time arrives. It's going to be a change for all of us!

Pampering Miss Ava...

The manicure & pedicure

Although my husband is going to shoot me when he sees these, I think the pictures turned out so cute. As much as a I hate to admit it, Brad is better at painting Ava's nails than I am. He can't comb her hair to save his soul, but he does have his strengths. Ava absolutely loves when Daddy paints her nails and sits completely still and attentive for the whole thing. We don't hold weekly pedicures or anything, but Brad does break out the polish on occassion. What a daddy will do for his little girl!

Addison's 4th Birthday Party...

Inside the Tumble Bus The Tumble Bus pulling up to the house

Ava & Addie playing dress up - check out the shoes!

Ava and I made the trip to Sioux City for my neice Addie's 4th Birthday party. Brad has been quite busy, so he wasn't able to make it. It was Addie's first friend party, so there were lots of little girls running around the house. The highlight was the Tumble Bus which is basically an old school bus converted into a play/gymnastics area. Ava was scared at first, so I stood in the front of the bus until she got used to it. Soon she was joining in with the other girls doing the activities. She was the youngest and not quite as good at following directions as the seasoned preschoolers, but she enjoyed it. It has been over a week since the party, and she's still asking where the Tumble Bus is. The girls had cookies, opened gifts, and played outside. It was a gorgeous day. I can't believe my neice is 4 already!

The Flooding...

1/4 from our house and the only road going into Luverne for us 1/4 north of us and across the road

Our view looking towards Luverne

We have had an exceptionally wet fall this year (along with the whole summer). It seems we never get just a little rain. We get at least a couple inches at a time, usually in the form of a down pour. This last rain, we got around 4 inches overnight. It seemed like it never stopped raining (I know because I was awake most of the night). The Rock River went well out of its banks and there were many roads around us that were closed due to water washing over them. The big park by our house was thoroughly under water on both sides of the road for a couple days. I attempted to try to make it to Sioux Falls and finally had to resort to going back to the Magnolia exit and getting on the interstate there because my first two routes were closed. Thank goodness for our sandy soil (which isn't great for a green lawn) and hill we live on. Our sump pit never had a drop of water in it. What a change from living in Worthington!!