Fall Harvest

Last week Daddy was harvesting close to home, so one afternoon I took the kiddos out to watch the combine run for a while.

When we got to the field, we could hear the combine, but we couldn't see it...

It wasn't too long before Daddy emerged from the corn rows and went to dump in the semi

Then, he made a detour and swung by to wave at the kiddos!

He did stop to talk for a few minutes, but then it was back to work.  We stayed and watched for a couple hours, and then Daddy was in a part of the field where we couldn't see him anymore and the kiddos lost interest.

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos - Kitties!

 Last weekend we added to our farm family...

Yep, we got three kittens.  The mice population was getting pretty ridiculous in the barn, and Doug finally had enough.  We found a listing on Craig's List for these barn cats that had already caught some mice, were used to being around children and were not afraid of dogs.  Perfect!

We still have not named the kittens, but we sure are having fun playing with them.

This gray one has become Reba's favorite (it's also the only girl out of the 3)

Dallas and the two toms

What's the kiddos' favorite thing to do with the kitties?  Why put them in the dog kennel and sit with them!

This little guy has become my buddy.  He will either sit in my lap or curl up on my shoulder and purr non-stop!

Until next time...

Week 30

10 weeks to go until due date!

I had another baby appointment today.  If it seems like I just went, it's because I did - two weeks ago!  I'm down to every other week appointments.  Baby was very active during the appointment today, which made the heart beat sound faster. (I'm not sure what the rate was because my doctor doesn't count/measure like my OB in Iowa did)  Either way, it was nice and strong!

My blood pressure was once again normal: 108/78, and I am up a total of 10 pounds.  I went through old blog posts trying to compare to my other pregnancies; I found with Dallas, I was up about 15 pounds at this point, but I couldn't find a total weight gain with Reba at this stage.

As far as things happening with Baby:
Baby is around 16 inches long and between 2.5 and 3 pounds.
This one is up in my rib cage (right side) often - just like Dallas was!  I'm hoping this baby will turn soon unlike big brother who never did.
Finally, I have also noticed more 'knobs' poking out (i.e. elbows, knees, or heels) when Baby moves instead of general movement.

Until next time...

Track the Tractor

One evening (Sept 10th), as I was cruising Facebook, I spotted an article about a man traveling from Florida to Michigan via a John Deere tractor.  Darren, the tractor driver, was raising awareness for childhood cancer and raising funds for Riley Children's Foundation.  Of course, I thought it was a cool idea, but didn't think much more about it.  That is until the next day when Reba and I were on a roadtrip.  We were heading back from the Jasper area on US 231 (about 10 miles north of I-64) when I spotted a JD B coming up the highway.  I instantly remembered the article from the night before, and was trying to find my camera when the tractor turned into a parking lot.  Thankfully, I had plenty of time to slow and turn in behind him.

I got out of the van, and chatted with Darren for a few minutes.  I told him how Dallas would think driving a tractor across country would be so cool, and then Darren offered me one of his t-shirts for D!  I snapped the photo, wished him safe travels, and headed on my way.

Darren has since made it to his final destination in Michigan, but you can find more about his story here on his website.  You can also donate on the site if you feel moved to do so...

Until next time...

Quick Update

I just wanted to write an update on my three hour glucose test. My doctor's office called this morning and everything came back normal! No further action is needed.

Until next time...

Fun Friday Fotos

Reba was very excited to be class leader one morning at preschool

Dallas sure does enjoy recess time!  I often wonder if he crawls across the ground...look at how filthy is knees are

I know I have posted pictures of Reba with her Banties (the bantam chickens are the miniature ones), but I'm not sure if I have shown Dallas with his bantam rooster.  He has named him Sha (pronounced with a short /a/ sound)

Reba was so proud of herself - she "buckled" Lucy in the carseat all by herself!

Until next time...

Week 29

Today starts week 29 for Baby B#3!  Here is the latest photo of the bump.

Today I was lucky enough to go back to the hospital to retake the glucose test.  My results from last week were slightly elevated.  The top number they like to see is 130 or 131, and mine was 137.  This was my first time taking the 3 hour test, and it wasn't as bad as I had imagined it to be.  I will admit, I was pretty hungry when I arrived (I had been fasting for almost 13 hours), and I was very hungry at the end of the 3 hours!  I also was pretty tired of all the burping that "juice" was causing me.

As of the time of this post, I do not know the results, but I will share once I know.

In other news for the week - Reba was able to feel Baby B#3 move on Monday evening.  She kept giggling each time Baby moved.  Dallas has tried a few other times, but he gets distracted too easily and loses focus of what he is to be doing!

Until next time...

Pedal Pulling at the Social

As I mentioned in a previous post, the kiddos took a break from the bounce houses to participate in the pedal pulls.

They started with the 3/4 year old class, and Reba happened to be the very first puller.  As you hear on the video, there is 63 lb in the sled, and Little Miss gets a FULL PULL!

Once each kiddo in the group pulled, they started the pull offs (did I mentioned each kiddo got a full pull?)  On Reba's second attempt, she didn't drive so straight and actually drove off the track

They decided to let her rest and come back at the end to try again.  In hind sight, we wished they would have taken that distance because on her third time down the track, she didn't get near as far.  Oh well...she still had a blast!

The next class consisted of the 5/6 years; Dallas was the 3rd or 4th puller.

He didn't quite get a full pull, but he still finished 4th in his class.

The local newspaper was at the pulls, and the photographer was able to capture these awesome photos of my puller!

You know he's working hard when the tongue is hanging out!

Until next time...

St. Wendel Social

Last weekend (Sept 7-8) was our church's annual Summer Social.  This was the first time we attended, and boy, are we sorry we hadn't been before!  The social started Saturday evening after Mass with a pork chop dinner and the games opening.  I worked in the inflatable area, but Doug and kiddos did not go as they had been at the tractor show in Elnora all day.

Sunday, after Mass, they served a fried chicken dinner.  We chose to go back home first in order for everyone to grab a nap.  We arrived back at the social about 45 minutes before they stopped serving, but there was still plenty of food (and no wait!).

Little Miss enjoying her dinner

After we were done eating, we made our way to the inflatable area.  Dallas LOVED this huge slide!

While Reba preferred the under 5 year old bounce house

 Then, the kiddos ventured over to another slide that was not quite as big (nor as crowded)

Once the kiddos were good and sweaty from bouncing, we headed back inside for the pedal pulls (that will be another post).  After the pulls, we decided to let the kiddos play some of the games.

First up was Plinko

Gotta love the pick-a-duck!

Of course, the favorite...the Dunk Tank!  (FYI: that's our priest, Fr. Ed in the tank!)  Dallas was trying his hardest to dunk him!!!  He did hit the target at least 3 times, but there just wasn't enough power behind the throw to drop Father.

In the end, Dallas hit it with his hand!

Of course, the kiddos wanted to go back to the inflatables, and this time, Reba braved the giant slide!

Dallas loved to see how high he could jump on the "take-off"

We had a few more tickets to use up on the games, so Daddy tried the coin toss

And, Reba wanted to try the dunk tank

Little Miss didn't have as good of aim as Big Brother, but she still got to push the paddle in the end

After all the tickets were spent, we grabbed a bowl of ice cream and counted how many tokens the kiddos had won from the games.  We then made our way to the prize area to see what fun stuff the kiddos could "buy".  One of the favorite things they came home with...tattoos!

Unfortunately, Dallas' baseball man didn't last very long (it was completely gone by the following night).  Reba's, on the other, hand lasted at least 5 days!

Overall, we had a super fun day, and the kiddos slept like rocks from bouncing so much!

Until next time...

Week 28

Yesterday was officially the start of week 28, but I thought I would wait to update you until today because I had a check-up for the baby this morning.  Here's the latest baby bump photo...

As I mentioned, I had a check-up this morning.  It was going to be a long check-up because today was also my glucose screen.  Reba and I arrived almost 45 minutes early so that I could drink that ever lovely "juice" and then pass the time of the hour-long wait by visiting the doctor.  In addition to the glucose screen, which includes a blood draw at the end of an hour, I received my whooping cough booster shot and my Rhogam injection (for no longer being a positive blood type).  Thankfully, none of the needle prick sites are sore as of now.  We'll see how I feel later tonight and in the morning...

As for how things are with the baby - everything seems to be going well.  Reba was able to help measure the baby and find the heartbeat this morning.  She loved being able to help beings that Dallas got to help at the last appointment.

The baby continues to move more and more each day, but the kiddos still have yet to feel any kicks.  Of course, they are not quite patient enough to sit still long enough.

I have not noticed as much swelling as of lately, but a have a spot on the back of my right leg where those wonderful varicose veins are starting to develop.  I asked the doctor about them, and she suggested compression stockings, and that I would need to wear them all the time.  Sure does not sound like fun to me...  Thankfully, they are not painful; just a little tender to the touch.

Lastly, I go see the doctor again in 2 weeks.  I can't believe we are already to the point of every other week appointments!  Time sure is going quickly...

Until next time...

Kentucky State Fair

The weekend of August 23-25, we were off enjoying the Kentucky State Fair with Pa-paw, Ma-maw, and Aunt Lisa.  The kiddos were very excited to see Eleanor and Rebecca again; they had been at Pa-paw's house since the Jackson County Fair.

I was even able to get our "farm" sign done in time for the fair...

We chose the name "Mountain Man" because of our German roots.  For those that are not brushed up on their German: "Berg" = Mountain

The kiddos were very willing to help get their ewes ready...

Reba working on Rebecca

Dallas carding Eleanor's legs

The kiddos helping Pa-paw with a yearling ewe

Daddy and Momma showing Maybelle

Dallas was insistent on walking Eleanor to the ring

Reba was content following Rebecca

They did a great job of staying with their lambs and paying attention to the judge

Of course, Little Miss spotted Ma-maw with the camera...

Dallas working hard to keep Eleanor's back level

 Reba keeping Rebecca calm by rubbing her belly

A nice family photo

When we were not showing, we would occasionally "lose" Dallas, but he was never too far.  He would be a few pens down admiring our friend's Horned Dorset

Joel was even kind enough to get the big guy out so Dallas could get his picture with it
(Can I just say, that is one amazing set of horns!)

And if Reba went "missing", you could find her lovin' on Joel's little man, Jude!

Until next time...