A whole bunch of good stuff

Here's Jonathan and I just before we left for a friend's wedding. We thought we should get a quick pic together (in front of our house) since I don't usually get all dressed up!

Elle trying out her big girl under pants (don't mind the boo boo on her nose). She is also proudly sporting a Sponge Bob watch. Potty training has been going pretty well - we have #2 down, just working on getting #1 in the right place.
Here's Elle picking flowers in our backyard.

And Mr. Jack!

Mr. Messy!

Here's a good story...We went to a "Mother Goose" story time at the library last week. All of the bigger kids were volunteering to help Mother Goose act out the nursery rhymes, and Elle watched on in enjoyment. She began wondering around just a few feet from me, and that's when she volunteered herself by accident. Mother Goose said "who would like to be the "Muffin Man/Girl" and Elle happened to be standing right there. Mother Goose said, "how about you" and held out her hand to Elle. I couldn't believe it, but Elle took her hand and went with her to the front and was set on a chair. Mother Goose put on her baker's hat and gave her a mini muffin tin to hold. We all sang "Do you know the muffin girl, the muffin girl, the muffin girl..." Elle just sat there, with such concentration - some may have thought she was scared, but I think she was just trying to be the best muffin girl she could be. I sat there trying to cheer her on through my tears, I was so proud and I couldn't get over how cute she looked.

Our trip to the Shedd Aquarium...

Jonathan HAD to get a picture in front of Soldier Field! Dinner afterwards at McGee's (one of J's old college hang outs).
Proof that I was there too!

Me at 28 weeks!

Now that we have entered into the 3rd trimester, things are getting even more exciting - if that's even possible. I had my glucose test last week (test for gestational diabetes), everyone complains about the sugary tasting drink - not me! I gulped it down in seconds! I probably shouldn't be bragging about that, I admit it I have a big sweet tooth! I do have some self control, along with my healthy eating and exercising, I tested negative for gestational diabetes. In other news, I measured 27 cm at my 27 week appointment. The baby's heart beat was 145 bpm. I will go to the doctor again at 30 weeks, after that appointment, I will go every 2 weeks.

More on the baby...This baby moves as much or even more than Elle did - scary! It is still laying across my belly and really enjoys pushing out it's head/back/butt, making me uncomfortable at times, I try to massage it back into it's cozy tucked position. I have been getting a single contraction during workouts since 26 weeks, I know this is nothing to be concerned about as long as I don't have 4 contractions in an hour. Other than that, everything is great and perfect!

My Brother Erik and Geoff the Squirrel

I just had to share these videos of my brother and his new animal friend. Those who know my brother know that he has always been a big animal lover; growing up, he never let a stray dog leave his sight without bringing him home to our mud room (dogs/cats were not allowed in our house) and giving the stray a bowl of water and a snack of some sort. He welcomed all animals, and always seemed to know just what they needed. He was never worried about fleas, worms, or any other disease that the animal had...his main concern was caring for it.

This leads me to the story of Geoff (I believe he is named after a Milwaukee Brewer). Erik found Geoff laying in the middle of the road; he was just a baby and had fallen out of his nest - his eyes had not even opened yet. Erik was worried he would be run over, so he brought him home (no need to check with our parents, Erik has his own place now with his girlfriend Brooke). He called a couple of animal hospitals looking for help, but no pet hospital was willing to help. He was referred to a shelter in a different city, and called them for some info. Again, a baby squirrel was not worth their time. So Erik went online for a tutorial on squirrels. He soon learned he was about 6 weeks old and also learned about the food he would need. Erik made a drink for Geoff the squirrel using Vitamin Water and Puppy milk and fed him accordingly. He then gave him a bath using dawn dish soap and cleaned him with a toothbrush. A few days later Geoff's eye's opened and he had made a full recovery. Erik has also been working with Geoff outside...teaching him to climb trees! No Joke! Geoff seems pretty attached now, and while Erik does plan to let him go, I don't think Geoff will want to.

I heard this whole story first hand from Erik, and I wasn't a bit suprised knowing how caring my brother is.