Baby Countdown

We are down to the wire at our house, in less than than two weeks life will forever change by adding another child to our family. We can't wait to see what this little baby will be, boy or girl, and what he/she will bring to our family with it's unique personality.

I remember when we were about to have both Sheppard and Marshall how it was so hard to imagine our family life with another person. Now I can't imagine life without them. I feel the same way right now in anticipation of this new little one. It's hard to imagine the changes that are just around the corner. I can't wait to see the changes and challenges that will come.

First, What in the heck is this BABY!!! Now that I am at this point in the pregnancy I am so glad we didn't find out the sex, the anticipation for that revelation make it very exciting.

Next, what will he/she look like? What will we name it? What will it's personality be like, will she be like Shep or Marshall, me or Aram or totally unique? Will it be a good baby, how will I cope with postpartum?

There are of course the scary questions that you try and avoid thinking about...will the labor go well? Is the baby healthy and strong? With any of these type of thoughts come the realization that if something is wrong we will deal with it and in the end no matter what everything will work out for the best.

Then come the questions of how this baby will change the family. I can't wait to see Marshall become an older brother, and Sheppard further develop in this role. If it's a girl it will be fun to see how Aram is with her, and if I feel differently towards her than my boys.

Life has been a bit of a whirlwind over the last 6 months with the new job, trying to sell the house, then renting the house, living in a hotel, then living in a cheapy student apartment, trying to buy a short sale and the uncertainty that came with it, buying a new house and moving all while being pregnant. But, I am sooooo grateful we are now settled and ready for this new stage in our life. I know life will only get crazier two weeks from now, but I just feel so happy to be settled and have a nest for my little chicks.

Holy Cow I Have Cute Kids

Marshall is absolutely in love with cows. If you ask him what his favorite animal is he'll tell you it's a cow (how many kid's favorite animal is a cow??? wierd, but cute). When I ask him what he dreamt about last night he'll always respond "Cows." So, you can imagine his excitement when we pass a field of cows while driving.

One day as we were passing one such field of cows he exclaims with pure joy "Holy Cow, it's cows!" over and over again. Sheppard jumped on Marshall's and quickly corrected him, "Marshall it's not Holy Cow, it's Holy Ghost." Marshall must have misunderstood and starts exclaiming "Holy Goats, it's Cows."

Oopsy-Daisy

Two words you never want to hear when your wife is cutting your hair, "Oh crap." I have been cutting Aram's hair for almost 8 years now, I think I have gotten pretty good at it over the years. I guess I got a little casual because on this last Do I was just chatting away, and then I realized the attachment had fallen off...it was too late he already had a nearly bald strip in the back. It doesn't help when your wife is just about in hysterics, laughing and screaming "Oh no, oh no, oh no" as she hops around the room. I hope that Aram will look at these pictures some day and find them as hysterical as I do!
We tried to cover it up with a hat...didn't work.

Our Ironman Dad

The Fan Club

The boys and I followed Dad around the town from one leg of the race to another. They were great little cheerleaders!
The Run

This was the very last stretch and Aram looked super strong.

At first, when he got off his bike and started running he was barely at

a shuffle because he was a bit stiff from the ride.
The Bike

Aram's bike is way retro-old. He told me he was a bit frustrated when a husky girl passed him on the bike because of his lack of gears, a piece of humble pie never hurt anyone.
The Swim

This part of the race was the hardest to watch, I just kept thinking "that is soooo long to swim."
Doesn't he look enthusiastic?

Flathead Lake

This year we tried a "You Pick" cherry orchard. Marshall was loving life, he ate more than he picked. We made some yummy cherry jam with our pickins.
Hanging out in the hammock with cousins, Lachlan and Joette.
Marshall would disappear often only to be found in Grandma's garden, working hard at making a mighty good mess.
Wild ride to Wild Horse Island. It was pouring rain on our way there, but it cleared up and ended up being a great day of hiking, and swimming.

Our Grandpa Rocks!

We are so proud of our groovy Papa Dude. He is in a band called the "Shamrockers", they play folksy Irish music; some traditional and some original songs. On our visit to Montana this summer we were "Lucky" enough to see our Papa Dude jam out at The Columbia Falls Fair.

Summer Review

Marshall got potty trained!!! Sheppard was a great helper, showing him the ropes of how to pass the time while "working things out."
The boys at Jackson Lake, with the Tetons in the background. We made a trip with Lou Lou and Pampa, the lake was a little too chilly to swim but the boys had a great time throwing rocks and going on little adventures.
Row, Row, Row your Boat. Lou Lou took the boys out on a ride in the raft. We felt very spoiled having Grandma and Grandpa all to ourselves.
Sheppard and Pampa on a hike at Jenny Lake.
One of our local favorites, Big Jud's Burgers. Our whole family can split this one hamburger.