Halloween....

Batman made an appearance tonight...

he was so excited.  Once the costume was on...Clayton was full of energy and excitement.  It was so cute.

First stop Aunt Taylor's

After parading Clayton around to all the Grammie's and Aunts....we went off to Stanford to pick up Blake and do a couple houses.

Very fun night for us!

Last year Blake and I weren't going to take Clayton trick or treating because we thought he didn't really understand.  So I headed to Chicago for the week.  Blake ended up taking Clayton out trick or treating because they were talking about it at school and we wanted to go.  So I missed his first trick or treating last year because my heart chose Charlotte.  I was so happy to experience it this year with him.  The little things....

I miss this sweet sweet pumpkin :-(.

Genetics

I have been thinking for awhile this post is long overdue.....about Genetics.

I know I posted awhile back about Blake and I getting genetic testing done to basically see if we carry the CHARGE gene or not.

I took it upon myself to get us tested.  I had to go through a lot of hoops to get this done.  I started working with the health department but figured out that after talking to a genetics counselor in Champaign...I knew WAY more about what I needed then she did.  (sad but true)  At that point I decided to take it upon myself.  Dr. Dameron and Shellie helped us by taking our blood and Charlotte's genetic counselor in Chicago told me where to send the blood sample.  Now taking a blood sample to the post office was a whole other story!  I had to fight with them to send it.  It was just blood....anyway....fierce Mamma mode kicked in and I got the job done.  It had to be over nighted to Maryland.

So I sent our samples and 6 weeks later I got a Negative confirmation  meaning I wasn't a carrier.  For some reason they didn't test Blake's.  sigh....

So repeat process round two....

6 weeks later Blake's came back negative as well.

So at the beginning of June we decided the time was right....and a month later we found out we were expecting!

Since both of our tests came back negative we have the SAME chances of anyone else having a CHARGE baby 1 in 10,000 or a 1% change.  If it would have came back positive it would have been a 50/50 chance.

So far the baby is measuring right where he or she should be.  From what we can see of the heart it looks good.  Keep the prayers coming.  :-)

Date night!

Tonight Clayton and I went on a date.  Grammie Cyndee joined us for dinner at Fiesta and a movie.  Clayton chose Hotel Transylvania.  I would have to say it was very enjoyable. 

We wanted to do something fun while Blake and the guys were in at our Lake  house "cleaning up."  It is an annual trip to rake leaves and do other odds and ends to get our house ready for winter.

I love date nights with my boys (together or separate!).   

Hi Five for Friday....volume 2

Wahoo its Friday!

This week has been less stressful then last week for sure.  At work we are still wrapping up the budget season but basically I am waiting on others so I can finish....no big deal.  I would rather be at this point then people waiting on me!

A quick weekly recap:

Monday's Clayton has swim lessons.  This week he swam on his back the whole length of the pool (at RKSA for lane 1 it is just half of the pool).  It is crazy to me that he can swim so well on his back but swimming on his front is harder for him.  He can do the arms, but kicking at the same time (and looking graceful) is hard for him.  He will get it!

• As we were leaving Clayton wanted to hold the door for me...then he said "Mommy I want to hold the door for the little lady."  For a little girl Aubrey in his swim class. I looked at her mom and we both agreed that was the cutest thing we have ever heard!   My little country boy....

Tuesday Clayton and I got to meet baby Finley!  We dropped off dinner and stayed to chat/play for a little while.  She is so precious and tiny.  She is a little sleeper and eater.  Seeing her made me get excited for our baby.

Wednesday night as I was leaving for Zumba Clayton said "Have fun Mommy.....baby you have fun dancing with Mommy (talking to my belly)."  He is so excited to be a big Brother again.

My favs lately:

Birchbox!  Have you heard of Birchbox?  For $10 a month you get a box filled with the latest beauty products like nail polish, face wash, lip gloss, hair ties....a good mix of stuff!  This month I got the Goop Birchbox...in it is this hair product.  The Orofluido Elixir.  It smells so good!

I LOVE it.  I love Moroccan oil...but I think I might like this better.  Who would have thought.

If you want to join here is a link!  Go here.

I also decided to try the fashion trend of colored Skinnys!  I these from Ann Taylor Loft and I really like the rich red hue.


 I originally ordered the Deep Rich Rose, but took them back for the red.  I wanted a hot pink not rose.  And yes they still fit!!  wahoo!  I am just wondering when the day will come when I can't button my pants.

I have my 16 week appt today.  Blake and I are excited.  I am not actually 16 weeks until tomorrow.

Halloween Party!

Friday night Blake, Clayton, and I went to Amboy for Henry and Izzy's Halloween party!  Kelly and Brandon made this cute pumpkin with prizes in the balloons.  The kids couldn't wait and were popping the balloons before the game started...oops!

Henry the fireman!

The girls crafting...

Batman also made an appearance!  It was cold so this costume with no jacket didn't last long.

Kelly, Henry, and Izzy on the hay rack ride...

and I snuck in a picture with Clayton after the hay ride.  It was cold but super fun!  There were about 30 kids there...Kelly is a brave women.  :-)

Hi Five for Friday...volume 1

Hi Five for Friday!

As a working Mom…Friday signals a lot of things in my mind…mostly no more work and all play!

So of course Friday’s are my favorite day of the (work) week.  Saturday and  Sunday are days that I get to do whatever I want…and of course hang out with the most handsome little (and big) boy(s) in the world.

Since I am SO busy during the week I want to try to start doing a weekly post with thoughts for me.  I am really into a lot of things…but my blog seems to always come back to what Clayton and I do through picture…because let’s face it… I LOVE taking pictures especially of my little.  So this is going to be an outlet for to write about fun things I enjoy and weekly happenings.

So What Happened this week?

For starters I often wonder why I chose accounting as a career?  It isn't really my personality…you know sitting in front of a desk all day….yuck!  But when it comes down to it I LOVE numbers…I make spreadsheets at home to solve problems…who does that?  I do like my job…and I like my salary J.  But I just need to remind myself of this during month end and budget season….which is right now!  I have no life right now…all work and no play makes Brooke a dull girl!  “The Shining” anyone?  Sigh…it will be over next week.

I am LOVING my crock pots.  I have three and they are in rotation every other day it seems.  My newest obsession overnight oatmeal.  This pumpkin recipe turned out yummy and Blake likes it too.  I added walnuts and brown sugar yummo!   Children’s Memorial always had the best oatmeal and I miss it!

find the recipe here.

      The boys got done combining beans last night!  Wahoo!  That means I get my  husband back…but there is still ground work to be done.  Clayton throws a fit if he doesn't get to work with Daddy after school.

      We had some fall fun on Sunday!

      What is up with nails?  When I am prego I can actually have nice nails.  The same was true when I was prego with Charlotte.  It is not from prenatal vitamins either...I have been taking them since before I was pregnant with Clayton.  I am not quite sure about this dark color…I think I am going to try a lighter neutral next.  Good thing my Mom always has the latest and greatest OPI colors I can try.  This shade is …… Every month is Oktoberfest.

Happy Friday Everyone!  Tonight we are going to Henry and Izzy's scary Halloween party.  We can't wait!  Clayton is over the moon excited to see his buddies.

14 weeks!

Okay so I lifted up my pink shirt so you could see my belly.  It looks WAY bigger in the picture then I think it does in person.  I can still wear all my normal clothes....I just feel fat!

Pregnancy Highlights:

How Far Along: 14 Weeks

Size of baby: Baby G is the size of a lemon

Total Weight Gain/Loss: nothing!!!  (on track with my last two pregnancys)

Maternity Clothes: I'm wearing my normal clothes but I have a feeling I'm going to live in open sweaters and leggings this pregnancy!  I am looking forward to being pregnant in the winter.

Gender: Can't wait to find out!  Clayton says it is a girl!

Movement: Nothing yet...

Sleep: I'm so tired - that I sleep pretty good!  I pass out every night around 9:30.  I put Clayton to bed then go to bed.

What I miss: Having Energy!  I am just so tired all the time... being able to really like drinking coffee.  I just doesn't taste the same.  Also Bud Light Lime...sad but true.  Work has been so stressful lately a couple beers or some wine would really help this stress!  

Cravings: cereal, apples, nothing really out of the ordinary.  I am just hungry all the time...then I get full really quick.

Symptoms: I'm starting to feel a lot better. I'm just EXHAUSTED. All I want to do is sleep and lay down. :-)

What makes my boys happy?

(Dad, Blake, Clayton)

What makes these boys happy?  Other then me of course....farming!

After Clayton woke up and got going he said it was time to go work!  Look at that face.  You put him in a tractor or combine and he is happy.  He loves working with Daddy.

Mike Mehl and my Daddy

Sean and Blake

Thanks Debbie Mehl for capturing these pics for me!  I haven't gotten to many harvest pictures yet this year. These boys have been working LOTS of hours...I will happy to have my boys back in a week or so.  

I love being a farmer's daughter and now wife!

Rader's Pumpkin Patch

Work has just been so busy lately...and will continue for another week or so.  With the nice fall temperatures coming to a end on Friday...I knew we had to get to Rader's pumpkin patch.  We tried to go two weeks ago and it was raining...there was rain in the forecast for today...but it held off just for us.  ha!

Clayton LOVES Rader's.  There is so much to do there.

Rhendy, Logan, and Lynley met us there.  The boys couldn't decide what they wanted to do.  They moved from one activity to the next so quickly.

the boys liked these horse things...

and poor Lynley didn't have a chance to do anything because the boys are to fast!  It think the big hit was the corn bins and the pillow trampoline!

Clayton and I ended the night with an apple cider slushie, hot apple cider, and apple donuts!  Yummo.  I hope we get to go back a couple more times!  Well we have to go back at least once because we ran out of time to get our pumpkins.  Darn it!  ;-)