Happy all hallows eve

It was a date to remember for my boys. It started with an early-morning parade and then a class party and a special lunch. After school they got to go through their new treat bags and play with their dad who came home early from work today. I made a special spooky dinner. It was a little lost on my whole family. Joran enjoyed helping me with all the creations, but i don't think I was cooking for the right crowd. After dinner we went to tae kwon do and received one on one training because only three children showed up. They got prizes, shirts, cupcakes, stripes for their belts and numb chucks. Instructor Bill give them a mini session on how to use their nunchucks. They thought this was the greatest thing in the whole world. Then we got to meet up with Charlie and Daniel Budd to go trick-or-treating. It was perfect spooky foggy cold Halloween weather and they ran from door-to-door with the excitement only two, four and six year olds can have. After spreading out, sorting, and eating lots of candy, and practicing their nunchucks, it was a good challenge to get our little pirate Wesley, Batman and dinosaur snuggled into bed. Happy Halloween my dear children.

Teig at 26 months

"I of oo ow much daddy/ mommy."   Teig, can  you go do that please? "course." 
Why did you do that Teig, "because horse poop."
some of Teigs' favorite things: 
1."wip wip!" (lipgloss) Teig is entertained for hours taking chap stick out of his pocket, putting some on, and then putting it back in his pocket over and over and over again.
2. coins and marbles, buttons.  He loves to have money jingling in his pocket
3. my iphone.  "can I old it, iphone?"
4. reading books to himself, puzzles, hot wheels, balls
5. Gum and candy
6. grapes, raisins, strawberries
7. blowing me a kiss at bedtime

Gender revealed

When the picture showed on the screen of the ultrasound, Paul and I were both pretty sure we were seeing boy parts.  Paul mouthed "boy" to me and we were both resolute.  Dr. Butto looked around for a bit and then determedly stated, "I don't see any boy parts here."  What!?! We sat spellbound.  We tried to breath.  We could not say a word.  Then finally I whispered, "are you sure?"  Again he confirmed that he was 99% sure that what we were seeing was female.  Could it really be?  I was so determined to be happy that we were having another boy that I had not let myself even imagine how I would feel if it were a girl.  I had not practiced, even once the scenario where he would say, "girl".  I was afraid to react.  I was afraid he would say, "oh wait, look here..." but he did not.  

I was so sure I would still be the only girl in the family, and that Teirje would be in my arms in 5 months that I could not even process the news fast enough.  Then the appointment was over.  Dr. Butto shook our hands and said, "you can run with that news can't you?"  and we walked out of the office still in complete shock and disbelief.  

Could it really be?  Do I really get to have a baby girl?  Do I really get to have a daughter to love and teach and connect with in that way that only mother and daughter can?  I am beyond thrilled.  I am ecstatic.   March 8th is going to be fun and the months of getting ready to have a girl in the house are going to be a blast too.  How long do you think I will be able to wait before I start designing girl stuff?  We'll balance out those boys won't be Juniper Gayle?  It's going to be a whole different dynamic in the Aanderud home now.  Watch out boys because you don't have any idea what is coming. :)  Yippee!

We went to Anona's house where the boys were waiting to hear the news.  We all crowded around the table and let Eirik and Joren share the knife as they cut into the cake.  When pink was revealed they both screamed "Girl!!"  Eirik said, "I'm going to have a sister!!!?"  They were so excited.  Teig jumped up and down for joy.  It was awesome!  They have all been saying how much they want a sister.  They are going to be the best big brothers!  Yeah!

Anticipation...

Waiting for news that you have no control over can be excruciating.  We have been doing a lot of waiting.  We have been waiting to hear what the doctor we are hoping to buy the practice from in Oregon will say to our letter of intent.  We are waiting to hear back from the leasing agent about the new space we intent to build out.  We are waiting to hear if we are approved for the loans we have applied for, and we have been waiting for mock boards to finally come and go, but most importantly, we have been waiting to find out if we will add another boy to our clan or a little miss.  The appointment for our ultrasound is today, in a few hours.  The days of this week have drug on and on.  I will be honest and admit that I have been watching tv shows every night to escape from all the anticipation and nervous energy.  Yesterday I finally sat down and got serious about picking out a name for a boy so that if it is a boy I will be excited and have a vision for boy #4.  Paul liked my choice.  We have spent many hours on this before and I know the names he likes so when I asked him about Teirje Dane Aanderud, he agreed.  I also spent some time rereading the birth stories of my second two boys and with each I wrote how surprised I was how much my heart could grow to love another child.  With those precious memories on the surface and with a name chosen, I am ready to accept another boy with an open heart and a lot of joy.  That said, we still have our hopes that the Lord will let us raise a little June bug, and I fear the disappointment, not of having another boy, but of not ever having a girl.  If I knew I were having more children, I would not be so nervous, but I am pretty sure this will be our last little one. 
So I have prepared a special way to announce to the boys the gender of the little pomme growing inside me.  I made two cakes today, one pink and one blue with identical white frosting covering them.  After the appointment, we will cut into the right one.  I am in knots of anticipation!!! And Paul is, as you can imagine, incredibly stressed.  Boards study means goodbye Paul for weeks and weeks of evenings.  We will be full of news soon!  Wish us luck.