So, We're Having...

A GIRL!!!!!!!!!!

So I got this silly idea to have a cake party for baby #3. Had to show her some loving since I **thought** she'd be a boy and may feel like, well, the third boy. Figured it'd be a fun way for us to find out this time. 

So my girlfriend, Cami, make two cakes. One of each color. And brought them to our "party" {which was basically our community group}. I invited everyone to wear a blue or red shirt to "vote" for their gender. When we arrived, I passed over the envelope from the technician which contained gender pics and a filled out card...

She sneaked to the bathroom, found out, and then placed the right cake in front of us to cut open with everyone. 

{they were all so excited to find out too! can't you tell?!}

And then we cut the cake...

And I totally cried. I'm blaming it all on the extra hormones! So much shock, joy, surprise, and excitement to contain.

This had to be one of my favorite moments and favorite ways to find out. It just all turned out so perfect. More than I imagined. A night I'll always remember with such delight.

A special thanks to Cami who did an amazing job on making two cakes for us to enjoy, to Elizabeth for hosting our little shindig {and making sure we didn't wait until our normal Saturday night gathering time}. And all our family and friends who were there in spirit {via social media/texts}. :) Since my parents are roughing it as they travel through Spain, they also got the joy of email notification! I'm pretty sure it was an early 6:30am when they responded.

Here's to our growing family of FIVE!!!

Playing Tourists

Got some tickets for the aquarium not too long ago on one of those discount group websites. So we decided to make an afternoon adventure of it.

It was a gorgeous day so we lunched on a bench over looking the sailboats.

Then enjoyed the aquarium.

E's highlights were the sharks {kinda obsessed at the moment}, eels, and the "Nemo" tank that holds all the 'characters' from the movie.

And spent the rest of the day blending in with the other tourists and their cameras.

W has brain-washed taught E well to call nutella "God's gift to your tongue". So he was over-joyed to get to have a crepe with one. And W also made his customary stop into the knife shop so E and him could drool over the swords and pocket-knifes. We will definitely be doing boy scouts when the boys are old enough.

I was so exhausted when we got home..well, we all were. So we relaxed, napped, and watched a movie. It's big days like these that remind me I am 5 months pregnant!!

<---- Gender Poll

It's up! Finally! I was having major issues with the poll from blogger so went to a third party poll place. You have exactly ONE week to guess what we're gonna have before we know!

So take a moment to vote on the left side bar what we should expect: more loud and rowdy battles or perhaps cozy, dandy parties this time! 

{source}

Fall Lovin'

Over at Newlywife today sharing some fall ideas! 

Already getting into the mood with lots of pumpkin baking this week. The only pumpkin puree I had on hand for our community group dinner night was THREE pounds. Holy Puree! That's a whole lotta of it. Have 3 extra cups that I want to use up before it goes bad. So that would make pumpkin chocolate chip bars and pumpkin scones with a maple glaze, so far.

Have already started craft prep for some fall decor. Should really clean my house this weekend so I can feel less guilty about decorating it.

We're going on a 'leaf hunt' today with friends so we can do a craft with them.

Now, if only this hot weather would cool it off!

In other {unrelated} current events...

E had his very first structured class outside of Sunday school this week. SO exciting. He loved gymnastics and is looking forward to signing up.

I made another pallet art piece for a girlfriend's birthday. I was so so so nervous about using so much stenciling that it kinda gave me a heart-attack. It turned out better than I hoped and looks pretty good...if you don't get too close. The felt wine bottle bag was super fun and oh-so easy to make! Maybe I should sell those on etsy?!

T has his year check up. Fit as a fiddle. And so hard to contain!

E officially passed down his car to his brother. He attempted to show him "how it's done", but T wasnt game for playing student. Again with the containment issues. Or maybe that's just brother-invading-my-space issues. ;)

 We got our electrical issues fixed too!! Hooray! Microwave totally works as does the outlets and oven again. Simple solution too which was so kind to our pockets.

Only rough stuff about the week was E scratched his cornea big time {still a mystery as to how} and was in lots of pain most of the day. Dr. gave us some ointment and drops and said it should heal on its own. We are praying hard that this is the case and will know more at our follow-up appt. My parents were bummed he didn't get a "raider's" eye-patch to go with the treatments. Guess I could make him one, but then we'd would probably have to see/re-read Peter Pan to give him some context. ;) That kid is such a trooper though!! I was really amazed by his strength and bravery that day!

16+ weeks

So, it's obvious. Third babe already just has the odds stacked against him for micro-moment attention. It's all good though. We'll just start saving now for those hoooooours of therapy. But at least he'll be able to take on a loud, rowdy, semi-chaotic crowd easy-peasy. Cuz that's kinda what our family is like these days. Mastering life skills already, this one. 

We got away for a date night last week for some drinks and dessert. Just a little sliver of loveliness. I'll take any time I can get with this stud. 

{the pumpkin gelato was a.MA.zing!}

This pregnancy hasn't really been all that different from the others. Granted, it took me a bit longer to figure out I was pregnant in the first place since I was still nursing T. Ha! I definitely don't have the monster appetite I did with the boys. And I actually tossed my cookies a few times this go around during the first trimester. Probably my least favorite activity of all time. Would rather hit my head against a wall.

No major cravings although Mexican food always sounds good. So does the bread and butter pickles. I haven't gained as much this time but I also wasn't completely and comfortably fitting back into my pre-baby clothes either. So I'm sure it'll all even out and be the same in the end. I do know that I must be in the worst shape ever in my life. Where'd all my muscle tone go?! Got lots of work cut out for me post-third. {Elizabeth, I'm joining your gym and you're FORCING me to go with you!} 

It's going by so fast. Especially with the fall and holiday seasons jumping up on us. I'm going to have another sweet adorable baby in my arms in no time flat! And although I have some anxiety about it, I don't think it would really be any different if we had waited. With each new little family member that's added, there's some worry about family adjustment and change in dynamics anyway ya slice it. 

The other day, I finally felt the lil' guy move and it was so perfect. Loved feeling that squirm and was reminded that these days are precious and they are few. I really can't soak them up enough. I can't wait to meet him and get to know his BIG personality: Swenson quirks and all. {I'm pretty sure now that we just don't have "blob" babies..you know, the ones that just sit there passively and quitely, you almost forget they're there. Not possible with these genes.} And he will be dearly loved just like his brothers.

Three weeks left until we can confirm what this guy's gonna be...

Birthday + Scottish Festivies {Long Weekend}

We kicked off Labor Day weekend with Theo's first birthday and the Scottish Games. You know, just doing all of Theo's favorite things on his very special day.

Every one year old's dream come true, right?! Truthfully, he was just content to show off his new threads his Mama made for him: a custom kilt and "1" shirt. 

 Crazy hams, I tell ya!

We met up with W's Mama's side: Crombie from the House of Gordon. Pretty cool stuff. Always makes me wish I had some kind of heritage besides "mutt".

We did lots of wandering, looking and playing...

The highlight of the day for W was getting fitted for a Utilikilt again but then finding out that he would be purchasing it as well. Merry Christmas from my generous generous parents. :)

All that was too much for T so he promptly passed out.

The evening was spent celebrating with our community group. LOVE these sweet families and being able to do life with them.

And of course, another gem for their future slide show. One can never have too many to choose from...

The rest of the weekend was super laid back and close to home. After the last few weeks of crazy, we needed it. W treated me to days of refreshing and re-charging without ever going away. He was extra hands-on, let me nap and sleep in and did lots of cooking and cleaning with me. I was so grateful for such a great way to start the week.

One Year {Baby T}

Crawling and cruising galore

Totally into whatever Brother is doing

Going after Brother with lot more fervor: payback starts now

Already "crying wolf" on occasion with Brother

Contagious smile and always so happy

A shrieker to the nth degree..sure hoping that stops once you have more words! Or perhaps it's your way of making sure we count you out. ;)

Messy as heck

 Picky eater than what we're used to but you eat a ton

Love throwing things which sometimes includes your food

Using your signs for "more" and "all done"

Curls! Or at least some definite wave in the back of your hair!

Into everything and then some...we are not used to having a baby happily pulling everything apart without parental involvement.

Love to give snuggles

It has been one tough year for us as a family but we would never trade it, knowing that we got to enjoy you and your sweet butterball-ness. Such a perfect addition to this wild family! We love you, Baby T, to the moon and back.