Ultimate Frozen Mud Pie Dessert

This is one of my favorite dinner party desserts... Yummy!

1 pint (2 cups) coffee-flavored frozen yogurt
Chocolate cookie pie crust
1/2 cup caramel topping
2 T chopped pecans
Cool Whip

Spread slightly softened yogurt evenly over crust. Freeze about 1 hour or until firm. In small bowl, mix caramel and pecans. To serve, top each serving with Cool Whip and caramel mixture.

Cole Thomas at 22 Weeks

Here's this week's update from Babycenter.com:

At 11 inches - about the length of a spaghetti squash - and almost 1 pound, your baby is starting to look like a miniature newborn. His lips, eyelids, and eyebrows are becoming more distinct, and he's even developing tiny tooth buds beneath his gums. His eyes have formed, but his irises (the colored part of the eye) still lack pigment. If you could see inside your womb, you'd be able to spot the fine hair (lanugo) that covers his body and the deep wrinkles on his skin, which he'll sport until he adds a padding of fat to fill them in. Inside his belly, his pancreas — essential for the production of some important hormones — is developing steadily.

The Shower is Finished... Really!

Today, Tom officially finished the shower. There is no more work to do - we just have to wait until the sealant is dry (approximately 24 hours). That means that we'll be taking showers in our master bathroom by Tuesday! WOO HOO! I must admit, the floor looks fantastic. Here are a couple pictures:

Merry Christmas!

We enjoyed a wonderful Christmas. The festivities started on Christmas Eve, when we visited Jodi's house after Santa made a surprise visit that morning! We shared a good meal and lots of fun opening presents. My favorite parts of the night were when Sarah opened her Nintendo DSI and was soooo excited and when Sydney dressed up in her Cinderella outfit and cleaned Jodi's house with her new cleaning toys.


After dinner, Tom and I went back to the house and prepared for Santa's arrival. On Christmas morning, Syd came down to find all sorts of toys under the tree, including a princess tent; sit and spin; and baby doll with stroller, high chair, and crib. The reaction was a little subdued... she immediately went for the baby doll and wasn't really interested in opening much of anything else!


Yesterday, my parents came over, and we celebrated a Drumheller Christmas. Tom was excited to receive a special pair of socks for snowmobiling, and Mom and Dad were pleased to find out they can go to the movies at least one more time before swearing it off due to outrageous pricing! :) Later, we went to dinner. My favorite part of the day was when Sydney introduced the waiter to everyone at the table!



Here are some picture highlights:

Sarah and Syd getting in the spirit.

Sarah thanking her mom for the Nintendo DSI!

The calm before the storm.

Tom and Syd playing in her princess tent.

Cole Thomas at 21 Weeks

Here's this week's update from Babycenter.com:

Your baby now weighs about three-quarters of a pound and is approximately 10 1/2 inches long — about the length of a carrot. You may soon feel like he's practicing martial arts as his initial fluttering movements turn into full-fledged kicks and nudges. You may also discover a pattern to his activity as you get to know him better. In other developments, your baby's eyebrows and lids are present now.

My Lil Gymnast

Last Monday, Syd and I took our first mommy and me gymnastics class in Leesburg. The class was fun (and exhausting) but also highlighted how structured class time is probably something Syd could use in the near future. She's the youngest in the class, and it showed. For example, the teacher would tell all the kids to sit on a line while she gave instructions. Syd would do it for about 10 seconds and then bolt. Anyway, she did have a good time and took a super long nap that day!

One reason I signed her up for gymnastics was because of how she's been hanging and tumbling around the house. She routinely hangs from the powder room sink and the kitchen island. She is also a champion forward roller. Check out the video!

Escaped Convict Part II: The Video Evidence

Escaped Convict

This morning, I followed my usual routine to take a shower. I collected Sydney and a new package of fruit snacks and put her in her playpen. However, half way through my shower, her little voice seemed a little closer than normal. When I moved the shower curtain out of the way, there she was! She was sitting with Elmo on the toilet (lid closed) helping herself to whatever she could reach on the sink. Oye! The days of containment in the playpen are apparently over. She didn't even fall out - however she got out was apparently graceful because there was no big bang or crying involved. Oh well... another milestone achieved!

A Couple New Videos

This morning, Sydney was playing peek-a-boo instead of eating breakfast. You'll see that she thinks this game is hilarious!

Here's Sydney's current repertoire of animal sounds. To be honest, the video doesn't include everything. She can also do a turkey, crocodile, Michael Jackson (hee-hee), and Santa (ho, ho, ho). I'll try to catch her doing these sometime soon.

IT'S A BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Today was our 20-week sonogram (1 week early - if you're keeping count). Anyway, the big takeaway from today is that our baby is a boy! We are so excited to be adding a little boy to our family. We can't wait to start buying blue everything! Yeah for the first male grandchild! Everyone is thrilled! Here is one of my favorite pics from today:

Syd and Santa

This weekend, Sydney and Sarah spent some quality time with Santa during the kids party for work. Each year, Argon sponsors a great kids party - with catered lunch, moon bounce, face painting, balloon animals, crafts, Christmas movies - everything! Anyway, the girls had a great time. Here are some pictures:

BB2 at Week 19

Here's this week's update on BB2 from babycenter.com:

Your baby's sensory development is exploding! Her brain is designating specialized areas for smell, taste, hearing, vision, and touch. Some research suggests that she may be able to hear your voice now, so don't be shy about reading aloud, talking to her, or singing a happy tune if the mood strikes you.Your baby weighs about 8 1/2 ounces and measures 6 inches, head to bottom — about the size of an heirloom tomato. Her arms and legs are in the right proportions to each other and the rest of her body now. Her kidneys continue to make urine and the hair on her scalp is sprouting. A waxy protective coating called the vernix caseosa is forming on her skin to prevent it from pickling in the amniotic fluid.

If baby cooperates, we should be able to confirm boy or girl tomorrow! Stay tuned for the big news. :)