3 hours of sleep last night
+
Maida only getting 4 hours of sleep last night
+
1 well baby appointment (WITH shots)
+
1 OB appointment (with a crabby nurse practitioner)
=
one cranky mom and one cranky baby

However, we did get good news that Maida has fell to the 50th percentile for her weight! Yay! No more chubby bunny! She is also still at the 50th percentile for her height too. She weighs 25 pounds and is 31 inches tall.

Weekend Pictures

We took so many pictures this weekend! I have no idea why, but I had a hard time picking out some to post, so I'm posting a lot of them!!!


Maida and Mommy (you can tell my face is changing to a preggo face already - square, fat, and pimply!)



Watching football with Daddy and wearing his hat! She loves to watch football and say, "Go! Go! Go!"


Maida's new coat, boots, and hat for winter time! The mittens were still attached to the hat when I took this, that's why the hat looks kinda funny.


Maida "posing" in her new outfit from Aunt Lola


Another new outfit from Aunt Lola!

Maida's Great Week

Maida has had a great week! Not only is she continuing to go potty on the potty chair (yay!) but she really excelled in swimming this week and also received a package from her cousin Darin and his girlfriend Erika. They bought her some winter outfits and a new winter jacket (which she was in desperate need of!).

Maida had one bad day this week when she ate a teaspoon of baking soda while helping Mommy bake Daddy some cookies, and she got a tummy ache. But, Mommy let her lay on the couch for a few hours and then she felt better.

On Friday Mommy and Maida had some friends over for a playgroup. Cameron and Bergen, along with Justine and Ezekial came. The babies had fun playing and us girls had some great girl time!

Here are some videos from swimming (below). The first is Maida practicing her scoops (she kind of just pats the water, if you look closely you can see her do it), her kicks, and then at the end she tried to blow some bubbles while scooping and kicking. She's getting better at all three. At least she'll actually attempt them! The first few days of swimming lessons, she just threw tantrums because she didn't want to do what the teacher said! The second video is of Maida jumping off the side of the pool, which she wouldn't do at the beginning either. Now it's getting easier for her.

My Big Step

I haven’t really talked a whole lot about my pregnancy, or the issues surrounding my pregnancy, on this blog. For one, I didn’t want the pregnancy to overtake our family life, or our blog! And for two, not everyone likes to hear about everything that happens to a pregnant woman! However, lately I’ve made some pretty big decisions and changes and want to share them with you all, if you would like to hear, not only because it has consumed my life for the past three days, but it was big step and I want to remember how hard I fought for something I believe in. I feel like by sharing, hopefully all of you will be able to be an encouragement to me, some of you may be able to share similar stories with me or maybe some advice too, and also you will be able to pray specifically for some of my concerns, especially closer to when Skogen arrives. Like I said, I know not everyone is interested in a topic like this, so if you are one of those, you could just stop reading here for today. However, for the rest, I just want to say thanks for hearing my periodic rants and raves, and for not judging me when I write about things like being depressed or how much I miss Erik, or how smart Maida is, how much I love Barkley!, and so on an so forth. I know that I get pretty personal sometimes, but in a way, I feel like this blog is my little corner of the world, my little place to speak what I feel. Anyway, all that had nothing to do with my pregnancy, I just felt like I needed to get it off my chest and mostly just say thanks. We hit about 100 readers everyday and I have no idea how we even know 100 people, but it’s pretty cool to think about that many people caring about what actually goes on in my life!

On to the good stuff… the pregnancy is going great and there are no complications concerning the pregnancy itself, however, ever since we found out that we were pregnant and decided to go to an OB for our prenatal care, I have been uneasy with the decision. At first I saw the need, because I had a previous c-section and we had no idea if I would have to have a repeat c-section or go for a VBAC. However, after meeting with our OB now for a couple months, we already know that (1) I’m a good candidate for a VBAC (Vaginal Birth After C-section) and (2) it’s a healthy baby (according to the ultrasound). So, from here on out, I really feel no need to stick with our OB, especially since I have been doing some research and have decided that if I’m going for this VBAC, I’m going all-out for a natural birth, since that was my dream with Maida (which obviously never happened).

For the past several doctor appointments with our OB, I have slowly been questioning him about his practice and his ideas. Very interestingly, I found that as much as he said he supported a natural delivery and a VBAC, there will still issues that we clashed on. For example: I went two days over my due date with Maida, therefore I feel like there is more reason to think I will this time too. However, my OB didn’t want to let me go over my due date and in fact, suggested just scheduling a c-section the week before my due date if I hadn’t gone into labor yet. Also, our OB couldn’t guarantee that he would be at our birth because the only time they attend a birth is if they were on call. So, I was supposed to prepare for a random doctor coming in and delivering my baby because the chances of that happening were higher. Not my ideal birth situation.

After attending a few prenatal classes over the past two weeks and discussing my feelings, emotions, and options with other pregnant women and moms, I decided that I needed to search out someone new for our prenatal care. With the support from Erik, I decided to see who else was out there, knowing that maybe there was chance I wouldn’t find anyone who fully supported my birth plan. However, while doing some searching, I realized that I didn’t need to go very far! Our Family Practitioner (“FP” for short) who we have been seeing with Maida since moving here, seemed like the perfect candidate for me. She is a wonderful woman, friend, mom, and care provider who I am completely comfortable with having deliver my baby. However, I had no idea where she stood on certain birthing issues that were important to me (like the ones I mentioned above).

Yesterday I decided to go out of my comfort zone and give her a call. When I called the clinic, I got put on hold right away and while sitting there listening to the music, I did some good hard thinking. Was I doing the right thing? Was I being unreasonable? What would people think of me? Just before the secretary picked up, I almost hung up. Good thing she answered when she did! I left a message for our FP and since she was out of the office yesterday, the secretary told me she’d get back to me the next day.

This morning Maida and I slept until 10:00 and at 10:05 my phone rang. It was our FP!! I had hardly had time to open my eyes and had horrible raspy morning voice. However, our conversation went well and I felt totally comfortable telling her everything that I wanted out of my birthing experience. She was very understandable and very agreeable. I had time to tell her Maida’s birth story and she went from there. She explained that since Maida was only two days late and was a pretty big baby, she would only let me go a week after my due date. She also said she would totally support the natural birth and she said the best thing I’ve ever heard… she told me that since I progressed so well in labor with Maida and made it as far as I did, that I would be a great candidate for a VBAC. Wow, what a confidence booster!

Before totally convincing myself that switching doctors was a good idea, I really wanted to see the Birth Center at St. Luke’s to see if that would be a place where I would want to give birth. (My OB delivered at a different hospital.) So I called up and scheduled an appointment for today. Erik had school and I had to bring Maida along, but I didn’t care. I was on a mission! At 1:00 today Maida and I toured the Birthing Center. I was impressed! It was nicer than Abbott (where I delivered Maida) and a lot smaller. I felt comfortable there and could see myself birthing there. I asked the poor nurse a lot of questions, but she was okay with that, and I even ran into four of Erik’s classmates doing rounds, which was fun.

So, to conclude, I have decided to switch doctors and hospitals. Tuesday I will meet with a Nurse Practitioner at our OB’s office to explain why I will be transferring and I’ll get all of my medical records and then we’ll go from there. This was such a hard decision for me to make, especially since it was one that I needed to make on my own, which forced me to step out of my comfort zone. Erik’s been a great help in this decision, along with my friend Megan and my friend Cameron. I couldn’t have gone forward with it without them. Now that it’s over, I’m back to the books. I’m learning everything and anything that I can about childbirth. I may be going a little overboard, but at least I won’t be able to say I didn’t try.

Do any of you 100 readers (which I still can’t believe) have any advice for me or for Erik on our upcoming birth? Or do you have any good books that you recommend I read before the delivery? I’d love to hear your thoughts, your experiences, or your advice.

The Nesting Instinct

"Around the fifth month of pregnancy, the "nesting" instinct can set in. This is an uncontrollable urge to clean one's house brought on by a desire to prepare a nest for the new baby, to tie up loose ends of old projects and to organize your world." (To read more of this article on the nesting instinct, click here: Pregnancy Weekly)

I've been hit with it again this pregnancy, yet this time around it seems to be worse! I CAN'T STOP CLEANING!!! It's not only cleaning, but it's reorganizing and reorganizing and reorganizing. I was in denial that I was being affected by the nesting instinct until yesterday when I realized that I've been cleaning and reorganizing for weeks, but yet nothing seems to be betting clean! I'm obsessively going at it, non-stop, even if I just went at it the week before. (And you know it's serious when I start skipping my afternoon nap!)

For the past few days I've been busily going through all of Maida's clothes that are too small for her and picking out the clothes that look like they could go for a boy. I was so surprised to see how many outfits Maida really had when she was younger (and I'm hoping that Brandon and Karlie have a girl - whenever they decide to give Maida cousins - because they wouldn't have to buy a thing!). I organized all of the too-small clothes in silver tubs, all labeled with "too small" and the sizes so that they are easier to get to when we need them (whenever that will be, Brandon and Karlie - not to rush you at all ;)!). And I made sure that Erik knows that he has to put them with the labels facing out when he puts them back into the garage so that they will be easier to get to.

Searching for boy stuff, I surprisingly found enough outfits, onesies, and sleepers for Skogen to last us a couple months. His drawers are full! Everything is green or yellow (gender-neutral) but I'm happy with it. I was worried that we wouldn't have anything for the little bear to wear. I seemed to have forgotten that we didn't know Maida was a girl before we had her, so most people gave us green or yellow things, which work perfectly this time around too!

While going through Maida's clothes, I also decided to take out all the clothes that Maida never wore, or that I don't really like, and give them away. We just don't have the room to store things we won't ever use. I came up with almost three garbage bags full of clothes I'm giving away. It feels so good to get rid of this stuff!

I'm getting kind of used to this nesting stuff, and think that if it keeps up until the end of the pregnancy, I'll have one of those really really clean, organized houses that are usually the ones that are featured in home magazines. You know, the ones where you wonder if people really actually live there because it's so clean. And if I finish my house, and Skogie Bear hasn't arrived yet, I'll start on someone else's house! If you'rere interested in hiring me, contact me in December! ;)

Weekend Camping Trip to Crosslake, MN

We just got back from a fun-filled weekend camping trip with Kara's family. Go check out our Shutterfly picture site for the pictures (http://scharrerfamily.shutterfly.com/).

Spending time with family again really made us look forward to seeing Erik's family who is coming up from Oklahoma to visit in just about three weeks! We can't wait!

Here are some pictures of Barkley! and his best friend Ella playing. Ella lives in the duplex right above ours, so they play a lot. I think they've fallen in love, but Ella's daddy doesn't want to admit that she likes boys yet! According to him, she's way too young!

Ella with the take down!

Ella with the pin!!!

Ella and Barkley! worn out from playing so hard.

I have been wanting to take a picture of Erik and Maida when they are all dressed up, but Maida won't look at the camera. This is the best I could do on Sunday (it probably isn't even worth posting!)...

Today I put Maida's hair in a ponytail! It was sooooooo cute. I love her little chubby cheeks and her ears that stick out a little bit. I never ever ever want to forget anything about her at this stage, but it's hard being a mommy and trying to remember everything about every minute with your children. However, I know that's what we all want to do because they grow up too fast!

Potty Training Update #1

Since I last posted about Maida's first time going potty on the potty chair, not much has happened... UNTIL TODAY! Maida must have woken up this morning and told herself that she was going to be a big girl today.

It all started during nap time when Maida woke up screaming, "Pa! Pa!" which in Maida language means, "Potty! Potty!" So I ran into her room as fast as I could and found in her crib standing up, pointing at her diaper. I immediately swung her out of her crib, ripped her diaper off, and set her on the potty chair. Nothing happened, as usual. So I asked her if she wanted to go lay with me in my bed for a while since she had only slept for an hour. She shook her head "yes" and off we went to my bed, her stark naked.

We laid there for about three minutes and she suddenly sat up and said "Pa! Pa!" while pointing between her legs. Being the lazy mom that I am, I just set her on the floor and told her to go sit on her potty chair and see if anything would come out. I could see the potty chair from where I was laying in bed, so I could see everything that would happen, if anything did happen, which I didn't expect. Normally, she would start towards the potty chair, get distracted by something between her and the potty chair, and never actually make it there. Well, on this special occasion, and much to my surprise, she made it to the potty chair. And as she was trying to climb on it (it's pretty hard for her to get on it by herself yet) she started peeing everywhere. I jumped out of bed, ran to her, and got her on the potty just in time to get some into the potty chair. I started jumping up and down, clapping my hands, and saying , "Yay! Maida is a big girl! Yay!" but she would have none of the celebration. All she wanted to do is look in the potty chair, see the potty, and then go about her daily business. However, I did give her a cookie for a treat and she really liked that. She actually woke up from her nap to go potty!

You may think this is the end of the successful potty-day story. However, if you do think that, you're wrong! After swimming lessons this evening, I was getting Maida ready for a bath to wash off all the chlorine. As we were filling up the bath, she said, "Pa! Pa!" and so I whipped off her clothes and put her on the big potty. Much to my surprise, again, she went! Another big celebration, "Yay, Maida, yay! Good job." But again, Maida would have nothing of celebrating. She only wanted the satisfaction of actually going in the pot. So, I just put her in the bath and we went on with our night.

30 minutes later, Maida was still in the bath and practicing everything she had learned at swimming (...kicking, scooping with her hands, blowing bubbles, putting one ear in at a time, even putting her whole face in the water!). I had been trying to get her out of the bathtub for 20 minutes, but she was just having too much fun to get out. All of a sudden, the famous, "Pa! Pa!" as she was standing up reaching for me to take her out of the tub. I immediately grabbed her and put her on the pot. She went again! And again, she wanted to see the potty, but she just was not into the celebration.

After she went potty this many times in one evening, I was just puzzled as to what finally clicked. I have never forced her on the potty, we've just casually mentioned the potty chair and tried to tell her that everyone, except for babies and Barkley! go to the bathroom in the toilet. And a few days ago, Erik decided to fill some of Maida's bath toys up with water, which conveniently have a hole on their underside, and showed Maida how her bath toys even go potty! So, I had (and still have) no idea what made her want to use the potty chair (and big loo), but all I know is that I think my 16 month old just potty trained herself!

In fact, that's not the end of the story! I was talking to my mom on the phone tonight after Maida's bath when Maida suddenly came running to me saying, "Pa! Pa!," so I dropped the phone in mid-sentence and ran her to the potty chair. Out came the potty - no celebration, except to look at the potty and that was all.

As I was putting Maida to bed tonight, we were rocking and she was kind of squirming around. All of a sudden, she sat up and said, "Pa! Pa!" I really did not want to take off her diaper, onesie, and pajamas that I had just struggled to get on, but I felt like I needed to trust her since she had gone so many times already today and also to reinforce her telling me that she had to pull the plug. So I stripped her down and put her on the toilet. Out came some more pee. Wow. I couldn't believe it.

This is a great beginning to a what might be a long road ahead. I had no intention of potty-training her this early, but we had joked about how nice it would be if she was potty-trained by the time Skogen arrived. I'm still flabergasted at 5 episodes - 4 being within 1.5 hours! Maybe she drank too much water in the pool tonight.

Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal Yoga. Something I never thought I’d do. Not only did I not understand exactly what yoga was, but I couldn’t imagine myself in tight fitting clothes, putting myself in awkward positions, with a big baby belly hanging and swinging around. However, last night I went to my first night of prenatal yoga and it was nothing like I imagined!

It was the most worthwhile two hours that I have spent doing something good for myself since getting pregnant. The first hour the instructor had all of us pregnant moms sit in a circle and talk! We had a topic of discussion, which last night was how our minds relate to what is going on to our bodies and how we feel about being pregnant, getting bigger, and all the different changes that happen during pregnancy. It was not only nice to be able to express what I was feeling, but it was helpful to hear what all the other moms were thinking and feeling. There were about 20 of us there, so there were several that I could relate to and several that I couldn’t. It was a great eye-opener for me to see how different every pregnancy is.

After a much needed bathroom break, we started the second hour of prenatal yoga, which didn’t seem like it was going to be too intense, but honestly, it was one of the hardest workouts I’ve had!!! Putting myself into those positions wasn’t the hard part, either, it was having to hold myself in those positions that was hard! I woke up so sore this morning.

Not only is this prenatal yoga going to be a good, physically, for my body, but I think that it will be a good time for me to bond with Skogen without anyone else around distracting me. One of my favorite parts was the last ten minutes, or so, when we were able to lay down in complete silence, just relaxing. I haven’t been that relaxed in years. It was so good to have that break. I felt so refreshed when I got home.

Erik had stayed with Maida while I was gone, despite the fact that he hadn't been to sleep at all the night before because he was up studying for his first test of the year, which he took yesterday too! I don't think he got too sleepy trying to keep up with her - she kept him busy! The bee sting probably helped... Maida asked Erik if they could go play outside, so Erik grabbed his hat to put on and there was bee in it! He had no idea until *BING* it stung him right on the top of the head! Poor guy! His head and neck were still sore when he woke up this morning. (... this story kind of reminded me of a story I've heard numerous times about when he was a little kid and went to put on his winter boot and there was a dead MOUSE in it!!! YUCK!... he has the worst luck!) Maida had a great time with Erik last night and wasn't even excited to see me come home! However, I did teach her some pretty sweet yoga poses (pictures to come!).

What Can I Accomplish in 50 Years?

Last weekend my mom had her 50th class reunion!!! Can you believe that?! I'm not trying to imply that she's old... :)... only that it's a great accomplishment to make it to your 50th class reunion! Thinking about her 50th class reunion, I was thinking about myself and all the things I'd like to accomplish before my 50th class reunion. It's funny how even when we think about our 10 year reunions, it seems like we want to go and be able to present ourselves so different and so "accomplished" since the last time we saw our classmates. I had a really good friend tell me the other day (keeping her identity anonymous in case of embarrassment) that she's not going to her 10 year class reunion unless she's either married or has a really good job. What are some things that you would like to accomplish before your 10 year reunion? Your 50 year reunion?

This morning my mom sent me some pictures that one of her classmates took (Mary Alice Becker) at the reunion. I thought I'd post them - hope that's okay! My mom is the one in the zebra print.

Oh- and by the way, I think that my mom has accomplished A LOT in 50 years. This post wouldn't be able to hold everything she's done since graduating high school. She's always been a hard worker and has accomplished everything from owning her own business (actually several businesses), to raising four kids, to designing and building two houses, to becoming a Grandma that will do anything for her grandkids. Now that she's retired, she's a professional volunteer and never says "no" to a job that needs to be done. She's always been a supportive wife, mother, and faithful Christian woman. What a great example for me to follow!

Skogie Bear

Maida and I have officially given Skogen a nickname - "Skogie Bear". It wasn't on purpose, but it came out one day and now it's stuck! We're excited that we're over halfway through the pregnancy and can't wait to meet our little guy. I created a new poll on the left hand side. Go vote! (It's just for fun and totally anonymous.)

Christian Radio Station Sponsored Picnic

Yesterday afternoon on the way home from getting our car fixed (again!) I heard on the radio that the christian radio station was having a free picnic at the park for families! So when I got home, I immediately insisted that we go. Erik was up for it, however, he had a lot of studying to do, so he said he'd only go if Ryan and Andrea went with us. So I called them up and they were game, so we went. We didn't get very good pictures, but here are a few...

Erik and Maida trying to look at a little stream. Maida wouldn't look at the camera because she was too interested in Avery (on Ryan's shoulders in the background).

This was the best picnic I had ever been to! Free balloons, cotton candy, root beer floats, chips, watermelon, lemonade, hot dogs, brats, face painting, and even games for the kids! Maida would NOT look at the camera. Ms. ADHD was too distracted by everything else around her. However, that's okay because you get a good picture of her curly hair!

Erik and Jacob (a friend from med school) decided to try the sac race. Erik actually ended up getting second place and won a free christian CD! Erik is the one in the green shirt and yellow hat. Jacob is to his left and is in a yellow shirt.

My Ketchup Girl

I was sitting in the living room, and noticed that Maida was being particularly quiet in the kitchen. I quietly tiptoed out there to see what she was up to and I wish that I would have had my camera charged up! But what I found was the refrigerator door open and several things hanging out and on the floor. Then I heard something from behind the open refrigerator door and there stood Maida with a bottle of ketchup. Not only was she holding it, but she had figured out how to open the lid and she was drinking it!!! She loves ketchup and I guess that when I won't let her have it on her yogurt for lunch, she makes plans of sneaking it as a snack later.

Swimming Lessons

Last night Maida and I had her first swimming lesson of the season. WE HAD SO MUCH FUN! I can't believe how much better this year is than last year. Not only do we have a more experienced teacher, with more ideas, but Maida is older, braver, and more interested in swimming!

Last night we worked on having them float on their bellies and when they kicked their feet, we were supposed to move them forward so that they would get the idea that if they kick, they will go forward. After they mastered the kicking (which Maida did fairly quickly) we were supposed to have them kick, move them forward, and then have them work on blowing bubbles in the water at the same time. Maida could not get the hang of the bubble blowing while moving! She kept sucking in water! We also worked on floating on their backs. The teacher had them try to balance a rubber ducky on their bellies, which really works! Maida didn't really like to float on her back until we told her that she was going to be a boat in the water and that we had to give the little ducky a ride on her belly! Then she was awesome! After working on the floating, Maida jumped into the water from the side of the pool! She did a pretty good job, but doesn't have a whole lot of height when she jumps yet, so her toes (and sometimes knees) would drag on the edge of the pool when she jumped, but she didn't care! At the end, the teacher had them work on climbing out of the pool by themselves. It will take Maida a while to do that because she's too short to reach the steps of the ladder without help.

I couldn't tell what Skogen thought of the water. It seemed like during the whole lesson, he just kept frantically moving and moving around and around. Then after getting out of the pool, I had the worst belly ache ever! I think that maybe he didn't know what was going on and so he was moving around, reaching and grabbing at anything and everything inside, which resulted in sore insides for me! I always hear how good swimming is for pregnant women, though, and how much the baby likes it (and I wonder how in the world they know that the baby in uterine likes it!). So I think that after we do it a few times, it may result in relaxing him instead of making him hyper. Speaking of the pool being relaxing, Maida always sleeps so good after swimming lessons. Despite getting another bottom molar, Maida slept for 12 hours last night! She was pooped!

Oh, and I also want to mention that last night when we got home from swimming lessons, there was a package waiting for us on the front step! Maida got some new winter clothes from her Great-Aunt Lola!!!! THANK YOU AUNT LOLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Maida was excited to open the package and mommy was excited for some new clothes! Thanks again!

Going Private

Yesterday I added a feature to our blog which shows us where people are reading our blog from! It’s a little map at the bottom, left hand side of the blog. I checked it tonight and was so excited to see all the different places people read our blog from just today. Wow! How exciting… and scary at the same time! For a while now I have been contemplating making our blog private. We’ve had some friends go private with their blogs (so only approved people can see the blog) and I’m really not sure if I want to take that step or not yet. This blog maybe isn’t the typical “family” blog. I use it as my journal and also to connect and bond with my girlfriends who are spread all over the world. I also know that family really enjoy using the blog to keep up with Maida, even if it just means looking at the pictures. Erik likes to advertise the blog openly to everyone (which I love, because I know that he’s proud of it and wants to share our life with everyone) however you just never know who is reading it. I’m not super concerned about stalkers, but I’m nervous about people reading this blog who don’t know me, that will think I’m nuts for posting what I do or judging me by what I say. Anyway, let me know what you think (either by email or commenting)… has any of you thought of making your blogs private? Why or why not? If you have gone private, what was the deciding factor?

Megan and Dave's Wedding

We had a great time at Megan and Dave's wedding on Saturday! Here are some pictures from the evening. (Click on the collage to see the pictures bigger!)

We didn't have our regular camera with, so we were only able to take a few pictures (and we didn't even get a close-up of the bride and groom!!!). The majority of these pictures are from Geri (thank you, Geri!).

With all the excitement about Skogen, I haven't posted about Maida in a while, so I thought I'd share a little bit of what has been going on with her...

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* She went potty on the potty chair!!! She told me "pa" which means potty and so we went over to the potty chair like we always do. Usually she just sits there, kicks her feet, and laughs, but this time she sat right down and went! We made a really big deal out of it and praised her a lot, but she didn't seem to care. Anyway, BIG ACCOMPLISHMENT!

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* She's saying a lot more now. She will try to pronounce anything you tell her.

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* Grandma Kinkel made Maida a photo album of Erik while he was in Mongolia so that she could see his face everyday. In the back of the photo album, she slipped a picture of me. The other day Erik and Maida were looking at the photo album and Erik was asking her who was in the pictures. He pointed to him, she said "dad," he pointed to a couple more pictures of him and she said, "dad," then he came to the picture of me and said, "who is this?" and she said, "dumb". Ha!

Studying with Dad...

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* She got a new molar! And she's working on another. These two teeth have been rough on her, especially at night. Thank goodness for Motrin!

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* She played in a sandbox last week for the first time and had no idea why the sand was supposed to be so fun. She played with her friends Bergen, Leisel, and Myla, who all loved the sand and taught her how to make sandcastles!

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* We start ECFE (Early Childhood Family Education) classes this week, along with swimming lessons, and song class. Maida is going to be b-u-s-y!

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And here are some pictures of Erik on his second day of school. I didn't get any on the first day of school because we were so busy with the ultrasound. Don't you love the mustache? I can't want until he shaves. Hopefully he'll shave before the wedding today! Two of our friends are getting married today (one of them is in school with Erik) near Minneapolis and I think it's an outdoor wedding, but it is currently pouring down rain and freezing cold here. I'm sure they have a back-up plan, though. I guess we'll try to pick up an umbrella on the way and dress warmly! Fall is here!

Meet Skogen Roux

(These aren't the best ultrasound pictures, so I tried to label them for you. If you click on the picture, it might make it bigger and easier to see.)We had the name Skogen Roux picked out for Maida if she would have been a boy. Now we finally get to use it! Both names are a bit unusual, so I thought I'd look up the pronunciations and meanings and tell you how/why we picked them.

SKOGEN

* I can't find a pronunciation, so I'll try to explain it myself.

Sko = like "snow" with a "k" instead of an "n"

gen = just like it looks, rhymes with men

* The popularity of Skogen is: 2.230 (where 0 = extremely rare, 6 = super popular)

* I haven't been able to find a meaning of the name, but it is the name of a station on Holmenkollbanen located between Voksenlia and Lillevann in Oslo, Norway. I thought it was kind of neat that the architect for the station's name was Erik Glosimodt (Erik with a "k"!).

* Skogen Sprang is a famous skier and we picked out the name when I was pregnant with Maida and Erik was watching his ski videos, trying to pick up some new tricks! It fits perfectly into our likeness for unique names with a Scandinavian sound!

ROUX

* Roux (/ˈruː/) is pronounced somewhat like the English word "rue"

* The popularity of Roux is: 4.815 (where 0 = extremely rare, 6 = super popular)

* The name Roux is French, meaning red. This descriptive surname was used to refer to an individual with red hair or a ruddy complexion.

* We picked out this name long before getting pregnant with Maida. It is the character's name of Johnny Depp on the movie Chocolat and that's where we first heard it! (Thanks for Barrett and Rachel for loaning us the movie!)

Yesterday we had our ultrasound and they are 110% sure that it's a boy! We are so excited to have one of each! I don't think that it's quite sunk in yet, but I'm sure as we start preparing, it will. I have nothing boy-ish at all. Everything we own, babywise, is pink and purple. So if you, or anyone you know of, needs to get rid of some boy clothes, let me know!!! :)

Ultrasound pictures will be up soon! According to the ultrasound, our due date was moved a day earlier (but that doesn't really matter since it's give-or-take a day anyway, but I like to think that it means the baby will come sooner!!!). They couldn't find everything they were looking for on the ultrasound, so I will have to have another one in about eight weeks, which I guess is common. Thanks for the prayers for a healthy baby. I definitely have had a lot more fears this time around. It's nice to know that everything is okay.