Fall Greetings

I took some more picture of Aaron and Cliff at the park the other day. The weather is beautiful. The trees are yellow and red, and match Aaron's new jacket from his Grandparents so well. He's definitely his father's son-he wears 3T-4T outfits.
Awhile ago I mentioned here that I got Aaron some new books. The Human Body Encyclopedia is one of his favorite books right now. He loves to ask questions about how our body works, and his favorite system is skeletal. I think it started after he watched the cartoon about Curious George where the monkey broke his leg and had to go to the doctor.
He's been waking up at night lately calling out for me. I am hopeful this shall pass before his sister arrives. I forgot how hard sleep deprivation is.
He's a sweet, kind, tender and affectionate little boy. Temper tentrums are behind (for now) and each day with him brings lots of joy into our lives.
These last days with him as a single child make me sad. I am sure he'll miss them too.

Setting fire

Aaron almost set our house on fire. Well, maybe not the whole house but the breadmachine for sure. This morning I started a fresh loaf of wheat bread in my new breadmachine from Cathy and Greg. As I was working on putting the ingredients together Aaron was playing around in the kitchen. He took his little chair, stood on it and checked out the breadmachine. Apparently, some time when I turned away he dropped a tea bag in the breadmachine. I didn't even see him opening the machine but I did see him playing with the teabags. So, when my bread started baking I started smelling something burning, then smoke came out. We thought the machine was malfunctioning, and we unplugged it. As we took the bread pan out we saw a half burned teabag...So glad we were at home. We were planning to go to the park all together.

About Aaron. Metamorphosis of Vanessa cardui L. (aka Painted Lady)

Several weeks ago, before I went on bedrest, Aaron and I started a sort of a science project. We oredered 5 larva and watched them turn into beautiful butterflies. Now we have 5 beautiful butterflies living under our ceiling...and Cliff is the one taking care of them:)
Aaron was very interested in a life cycle of a butterfly since he was a little shy of 2. It seems like this interest has passed. He's into skeletons and human body anatomy right now.
A few more pictures are in his Fall 2010 album.

35 weeks

I saw my Dr. yesterday and everything looks good at this point. Just a little bit longer before the baby can be born. I am feeling well. Cliff is working from home on Mon. and Tue. this week and next week, and then we're expecting my parents for a visit. Hoping the little Missy will be born some time then.

34+

Чувствую себя гораздо лучше. Еще тяжело быть на ногах долго, особенно ходить долго, но в остальном чувствую себя отлично. К счастью, Аарон может просидеть на диване рядом со мной большую часть дня за книгами, так что мне так легче. Мама Клиффа уехала сегодня утром. Вчера Аарон нас насмешил. Когда он поел свой обед, я его спрашиваю:
-Эрон, это грэндмами сделали для тебя обед. Что ей нужно теперь сказать?
-Сорри.
-Нет.
-Экскюзми.
-Нет.
-Гуд монин.
-Нет. Нужно ее поблагодарить. Как ты благодаришь?
-Спасибо, грандмами, за вкусный ужин.

***

With the help of the Lord and the family I have made it this far. Just a little bit more before I feel completely safe for our baby girl to be born. Cathy left this morning and we already miss her very much. Not sure where we'd be by now without her help. I feel much much better. I still can't spend too much time on my feet but rather than that I feel great. The Lord gave us a toddler who'd be happy to sit next to me on the couch most of the day reading books, and that helps in this situation.

One of grandmommy's favorite stories from her visit:
Aaron finished his lunch and I asked him:
-Aaron, grandmommy made your lunch. So, what do you need to tell grandmommy now?
-...Sorry!
-No.
-...Excuse me!
-No.
-Good morning!
-No. You need to thank her. How do you thank people?
-Thank you, grandmommy, for delicious dinner!
That will work:)

How we are doing

So, I am 32+ weeks right now, and as some of you might have already heard things are not going as smoothly as we wished or expected. Last week (31 weeks) at my dr's appt. I brought it up that I wasn't feeling right and was having lots of contractions. The dr. was concerned about preterm labor and put me on bedrest. I was also started on a medication to stop my contractions but I stopped taking it after the first dose as I was feeling much sicker. Bedrest and fluids have been the most helpful so far.
I need just 4 more weeks...

Happy Birthday, Awesome Brother/Great Brother-in-Law/Cool Uncle Seriy!

We love you!

Мама и папа, спасибо вам за то, что вы вырастили нас и вложили в нас столько сил. Какой это тяжелый труд, я поняла только сейчас.

I was so happy to get everyone's cards and Birthday wishes. They always make my Birthday special. Thank you!



PS. You might not be able to see the videos from youtube full-screen if you watch them directly from the blog. If you click on the video it should take you to the youtube website where you'll see the video full-screen