"Mommy, I have to work..."

Randy and I recently ordered a playground set for Ben's 3rd birthday. When we ordered it, the company said it would take 4-6 weeks to ship---it shipped in 2 days! So, it is quite an early birthday present; but Ben really doesn't know the difference anyway! This week, Randy and Ben have started putting it together in the backyard. Ben takes his "job" very seriously and is learning how to use a wrench, screwdriver, and tape measure. Randy says the construction of the playground set is taking much longer than he expected...because of his extra helper! :-) Here is Ben hard "at work". Every morning, the first thing Ben tells me is that he "needs to go to work"... just like Daddy does!

Logan's Birthday!

Last week at my OB check up appointment, we had scheduled an induction for Tuesday, Nov. 4th, because Logan was measuring to be a big baby. BUT, after a fun-filled Halloween festival with Ben and our good friends, the Crippens, I told Randy going to bed Friday night that I had a feeling that I was not going to make it through the weekend. I had a feeling that Logan was going to make his worldly entrance over the weekend. I was right! I woke up Saturday morning around 5am with some consistent contractions, about 8-9 minutes apart. I stayed home and labored all day and finally went to the hospital and was admitted around 5pm, with contractions about every 3-4 minutes. Things moved very quickly once I was admitted, and Logan was born at 9:30pm! This labor and delivery experience was much different (easier!) than with Ben---everything went so smoothly! Randy and I were so thankful for such a great experience and such a healthy baby boy! Here are some pictures of our journey over the weekend! Here is a picture of Logan and I: pre-birth!

Logan and I; Logan is about 10 minutes old here!

My wide-eyed, big baby boy! Hello Logan! Welcome home!

Logan after his first bath with Daddy and the baby nurse.

Logan weighed in at 8 lbs 10 oz, 20 1/2 inches long! Big baby!

A very proud Daddy with his new son.

Ben getting to meet Logan for the first time.

Aunt Kara and Uncle Paul meeting Logan.

Ben smothering kisses on his new baby brother! So cute!

Going home Monday afternoon!

Here is a picture of my big helper, Ben! He loves to help Mommy change diapers. His favorite thing to ask is: "Mommy, what's that?..what's that?..."

Neighborhood Halloween Festival

Every year, our neighborhood, Hollywood Park, puts on a children's Halloween Festival. This was the first year we took Ben---he was very excited and had lots of fun! Here is Ben waiting for his friends, Jordan and Christian Crippen, to come over so we could all go to the festival together.

As you can see, Ben was NOT wanting to dress in a costume this year... in fact, he really didn't like being around anyone in a costume---notice Ben in the background, looking very skeptical---even of his friends! (Christian was "Super Why", and Jordan was "Batman".)

Some really cool (big) trikes! Ben was a big boy and could reach the peddles!

Playing putt-putt golf with Daddy.

Playing a pinball game.

Playing Plinko!

Beanbag toss!

Sliding down a super slide! He LOVED this slide!

Flashback: Three years of Halloween and Pumpkin Carving

Here's a look back at our last three years of Ben and Pumpkin carving...His first Halloween: He was way too little to understand, or even take part in pumpkin carving!

Pumpkin carving 2007

Pumpkin carving 2008

Pumpkin Carving

We did our pumpkin carving this evening with Ben. We had a lot of fun and our pumpkins turned out pretty cute!

We had to give Ben a kitchen spoon to help dig out the insides of the pumpkin...he wasn't interested in using his hands---he didn't want his hands getting dirty!

Logan's Nursery

A lot of people have asked me what Logan's nursery looks like; so here are some pictures of his new room! The only thing missing is Logan! We decided to go with a Jungle/Safari theme for Logan's room.

Logan's Baby Shower

Two of my sweetest friends hosted a Baby Shower for me and Logan this Saturday, October 25th. They went above and beyond, and made sure I felt "showered" with love. Logan and I received so many nice gifts---it was a perfect day. Here is a picture of me with my hostesses: Marissa Crippen and Kathy Krejci.

A look at the food table... Kathy made the cake and quiches herself, from scratch! Everything was delicious!

Three generations: Me with my Oma and my Mom (aka "Mimi")

Here's another one with my sweet Aunt Connie---The "McBride Women"---we were only missing my sister, Kara. She was unfortunately called back to work in Galveston this weekend (even though she still doesn't have a home to live in!). We missed you sister!