Minnehaha Falls 2011

Even though I have lived in Minnesota all my life, I have never been to Minnehaha Falls until last month when we took our family. I wonder what else I have been missing out on.....

Anyhow, Now that I have been there, I can say that it is really beautiful and we had a really nice afternoon there with a picnic and walking some trails as well.

Preschool

Ethan and Kami started Preschool in September on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Although apprehensive the first day, it did not take long for them to realize that Preschool is fun. Brooke goes to sibling care on Tuesdays while I hang out with Ethan and Kami at preschool for an hour and then go to a parenting class. Brooke calls her sibling care preschool as well. She loves the idea that she get's to do the same things Ethan and Kami do.

Brooke is 2 yrs old:-)

Brooke just turned 2 on September 23rd and she is sooo cute and surpassing milestones. She is always trying to keep up with Ethan and Kami. She is counting up to at least 20, say her ABC's, knows her colors, talks in sentences and can draw really well. She loves drawing on the doodle pad and playing with her baby dolls. She is really into Dora and even requested a Dora cake for her birthday. Brooke is just a little peanut. She is in the 25-50 percentile for her height and 25 percentile in her weight. Her doctor said that she speaks very intellectually and was really impressed with her talking in sentences. I am sure it helps that she learns from Ethan and Kami. Brooke brings us so much Joy. She has an adorable personality and great sense of humor. She adores Brandon............a little too much sometimes, I'd say. She won't keep her hands off of him. She is a little Mommy in the making. She is always right next to him when he cries, putting his pacifier in his mouth whether he wants it or not......she insists. She does not stop kissing and hugging on him, I can't say I blame her though. She is going to be a great little helper.

Mike and I took Brooke to "Build a Bear" on a special date for her birthday. Brandon tagged along with us as well but we left the other kids at home with Grandma and Grandpa

After we got home from build a bear we celebrated her birthday with cinnamon rolls!

Big bite for such a little girl

She opened her present from her sisters and brothers

For the big family celebration, I made Brooke the Snow Princess Dora castle she requested

Happy Birthday sweet Brooke.........We love you so very much!!

Welcome Brandon Ray Olson!

Brandon Ray Olson is finally here:-) He arrived on August 5, 2011 at 1:34 am. weighing in at 8 lbs 6 oz. and 21 inches long. We are so happy to have him in our lives and been enjoying every second with him since his arrival!

I just found out that I was dilated to a 6!! I was one happy Mommy :-)

Very proud Daddy holding Brandon

Adriauna, Ethan, Kami and Brooke meet their brother Brandon for the first time.

Adriauna get's to hold him first!

Ethan is sooo proud.....you can see it in his eyes!

Kami and Brooke share a turn holding Brandon. Brooke is just gitty:-)

Brandon all dressed and ready to come home with us!

All buckled in and one last picture before we leave the hospital

Our whole family right after we got home! I am the luckiest Mom in the world!

38 weeks

I had my 38 week appointment today and I was very excited to hear that I am dilated to a 3 plus. Again, My Dr. told me how low Brandon is and that she feels very comfortable inducing me next week on Wednesday if he holds out that long. I felt a big relief when she told me this exciting news. I am definitely on board! So, I guess we shall see if I have him before then but it is so nice knowing that he will be here by next Wednesday for sure!!

37 weeks.......

I am 37 weeks today! My Dr. told me that I am almost dilated to a 3. How far along can you be dilated before you go into actual labor anyways?! I guess that would have been a good question for the Dr. but I did not think about that until I was on my way home from the appointment. She told me that she would like to see me in labor really soon. I told her I felt the same. I don't want to gain any more weight. I have been trying to convince myself that my pre pregnancy weight was higher than it actually was and that my scale was off telling me that I weighed less than I actually did at the time. Now I am dong the opposite, trying to convince myself that my scale at home is saying I am heavier then I actually am........to bad the Dr. scale is not on my side. Anyways, no picture of me at 37 weeks. Maybe I'll have Mike take one tonight. I sure hope I don't have a 40 week picture like I did when I was pregnant with Brooke. All these contractions I keep having are such a tease.

36 weeks but who's counting, right?!!

I can't believe I am 36 weeks along today! Time sure flies when you are chasing children around all day. The little ones sure do keep me busy but I know it is just going to get more crazy really soon. I have not felt overly anxious to go into labor until I went to my Dr. appointment today and was told that I am dilated to a 2, Brandon is in the head down position and the Dr. told me that I am ready to go! Well, just because my body is ready, does not mean that Brandon is coming anytime in the next week or two but it sure get's me excited. Although I am excited, I am not as prepared as I would like to be. I did wash all the baby clothes yesterday though. I still need to get a few things in order and I guess it is about time to pack a bag....just in case! This is when time starts slowing down and everyone starts asking me when I am due and I repeat it multiple times a day so naturally I think about it more often. I am going to try to spend some time with the other kids doing things that I won't be able to do after Brandon arrives in the next few weeks. Mike and I are going to go on a few dates as well :-)