Thanksgiving 2010

We headed to Shiner on Thursday morning to spend Thanksgiving with the Koennings. The kids were very excited since we haven't been in a while. I, on the other hand, was miserable with my morning sickness. Not fun traveling when you feel like throwing up! I almost had Brandon stop the car several times, but cracked a window and got some fresh air and somehow made it the whole way. Then when we got there, I stayed outside for a bit away from the food smells.

When dinner was ready, I made myself eat and that seems to be the best thing for my sickness and helps it get a little better even though I don't really enjoy the food like I normally would! The food was good though! I can't wait to really enjoy it next year though. I usually love love love some pumpkin pie, but it is not appealing at all right now.

The kids had a blast running around outside on the farm. The cold front didn't come in until right before we went home, so it was around 75 to 80 I think most of the day. Andrew loves chasing the animals around and sadly, Duncan almost ate one of their chickens, but Brandon got him in time. Feathers were flying and the poor chicken probably has a cold bum now!

Lillian was so excited because she got her birthday gifts from Aunt Dianne. Lots of new clothes...and she modeled them of course and a new Barbie movie! She has been wanting that Barbie Fashion Fairytale since it came out, so she ran outside immediately to show me it when she got it. Here is a picture of her twirling around in one of her new dresses:

The kids also played with blocks in the living room while the adults visited and watched football...after dinner I pretty much stayed on the couch to try and keep my stomach settled. Then we drove home around 5. It was a nice day and a good time with family. I can't believe the holidays are already here! Crazy! Now I've got to figure out a way to get Lillian to understand that Santa isn't coming for another month! She keeps asking!

Our Star Student

A few weeks ago, Lillian was the "Star Student" for her class at school. You should have seen how excited she was to share her pictures with the class and see them on her classroom wall! She came out with a huge smile when I picked her up showing me her sticker and certificate. This is actually a title that all students get to be at least once during the school year, but it sure made Lillian feel special. She said, "I want to be Star Student again next time!" Oh, goodness....well she definitely enjoyed it. Here she is showing off her certificate when we got home.

A New Koenning

In case you missed my post on Facebook, my email, or haven't heard through the grapevine, we just learned that we are expecting baby Koenning number 3! I still have a very long way to go as I just found out this week.

I think Brandon and I were both shocked that we conceived in our first month of trying again. We have been very lucky or blessed in that considering both Lillian and Andrew were conceived on the first try as well. I think deep down, I really thought that this time would be tougher since I know so many people right now that are having difficulty trying. I definitely feel very fortunate and blessed that we don't have to go through that stress.

This baby #3 was very planned just like our first 2. I knew after having Andrew so soon after Lillian that I wanted to wait quite a while to have another one. I wanted both kids potty trained and more self-sufficient. The potty training is done and the other part is getting there. They are still really young kids, but it is very noticible to be how much Lillian has grown in the past year.

I think both kids are going to love having a new baby in the family. I talk to them about it and of course, they don't totally "get it." But they do get excited. Lillian wants to see the baby in my belly right now....hard to explain time to a 4 year old. Andrew is going to have a difficult adjustment, I'm sure. He is Momma's baby and very set on that, so he will probably have a hard time sharing. But I know he will be a good big brother.

So far, this is a different feeling pregnancy than my others. I was already feeling nauseous before a pregnancy test could even pick up that I was pregnant and seem to feel most nauseous in the afternoon. Very strange to me since I didn't get any morning sickness until around 7 weeks with my first pregnancies. This means I started m.s. around 3 weeks!

I'll share more news as I know more about our growing family. I go to my first doctor appointment on December 2nd. My due date should be around July 17th. That is all I know for now!

Race for the Cure Weekend 2010

This is our family's 3rd year participating in the Komen Race for the Cure in Austin. We raced the first year just for the good cause and to run our first 5k's together, but then last year, our Mom, Teddy, was diagnosed with breast cancer. She fought hard, had a double mastectomy and chemo to beat it. But then just last week, we found out after she went in to get a lump under her arm checked that the cancer was back again. She had the lump removed and now will have to undergo radiation and chemo again when it heals.

So my sisters and mom came in this weekend to participate in the race. We had an awesome time visiting and hanging out! Friday, we ate Mexican together and stayed up late singing karaoke in my living room. Oh, and Lillian loved finally getting her present from Katy and Clay, a princess stool for her bedroom! Then Saturday, Brandon took Andrew to the Tx State game, so we had a girls day. We registered my sister Katy and Babies R Us and Target for her baby due in February and did more shopping and eating! I think Lillian enjoyed hanging out with all the aunts and Grandma and soaking up the attention!

Everyone eating Mexican food on Friday

Lillian's new princess stool!

And today of course, we got up early and ran the race! I ran the 5k this year in 30 min. 11 sec. 3 minutes more than my last year time, but I haven't really been training this time, so I thought that was decent considering. Lillian LOVED the race! She went around with Grandma and Aunt Tory collecting all the giveaways and snacks. She keeps saying how she loves her pink ribbon shirt too! I think is is a fun thing she looks forward too and actually remembered it from last year. I think it also was an wonderful event for Mom to be around all the other survivors and have that support at this time when she is starting over again in her battle.

Me after surviving my 3rd Race for the Cure 5k...my 4th 5k

We were sad to see everyone leave this afternoon...especially Andrew, who tried to climb in the car with Grandma Teddy, Tory, and Molly. It was so much fun! Thanks for coming and we love you girls!