This year we went out to cut down a tree like we always do, but after a long time of searching for the right one without any luck, we picked one off from the lot. It was Bebo's turn to put the angel on the tree this year.
Monk had such a good time putting the ornaments on the tree, putting out the stockings, and setting up the nativity scene.Exactly this time of year two years ago we found out the the Monk man was severly allergic to tree nuts and also had a strange allergy to melons. Since so many things are labeled with tree nuts these days life did not change much for us. For the past couple of months Monk has been getting tummy aches in the mornings and after lunch. I felt like there was something off, but didn't want to be a hypochondriac. When it started happening more frequently I decided it was time for a call to the doctor. Last week Monk had another blood screen for allergies and it showed that he was allergic to wheat, milk, soy beans, peanuts, cod fish, and egg whites. My heart sank when I got the news. There are many things that he can still have, but what about the birthday cake at the birthday parties he will attend or the Christmas cookies that so many people love at Christmas time? I have to be honest and say that I have shed a lot of tears over this for a couple of different reasons. One, you want your child to have all the opportunities that life has to offer. This will limit Monk in a small way compared to many other things, but limit him non the less. Secondly, this is a huge responsibility for me as a parent because I will be monitoring all the foods that are put into his mouth and if I make the wrong decision, the little man will end up not feeling well and thirdly is the cost that is involved with some of the foods that he can have. For now this is the news that we have, next week we will be going into the allergist to see if we can't get a better hold of the whole thing and hopefully end up cutting out only a couple of the ones listed. I have been given so much help from my sister already, but if anyone has any resources for me, I will welcome any type of help.
Happy Thanksgiving to everyone! I am thankful for so many things. I am thankful for a husband who selflessly provides for his family, who is a wonderful father that is willing to help out wherever he is needed. For his commitment to our marriage and for his willing attitude. I am thankful for the Monker and his kind heart. For his willingness to help in any situation, for his hugs, his caring eyes and his sweet smile. I am thankful for the Bebo, for his love of conversation, his snuggles, and his warm smile. I am thankful for the baby that God so lovingly knit together in my womb. Last year at this time I was loosing hope that we would ever add another child to our family. This year we are so blessed to be able to welcome another little Tripp into our family..I am thankful for a family that will love me no matter what and who brings me so much joy. I am thankful for a wonderful circle of friends that support me and lift me up. I am thankful for a house with heat and for the fact that I never have to wonder where my next meal will come. I am thankful for being born in the United States and for all the opportunities that that offers. At the top of my list is being thankful for a God that provides all these things for me to be thankful for. Each and every one of the things on my list is from him, may I never forget it.
This Friday we participated in the first ever Yule Run. It was so much fun! It was sponsored by the salvation army so they had free hot chocolate there and had a band playing around mile one. At about 1.5 miles is where the thousands of christmas lights started at the minor league baseball park. The boys LOVED seeing all the lights. I chose the walking portion of the race although I would have liked to run. There is always next year because we will be doing it again it was that good.
Yesterday marked the end of the seventh month for this baby growing inside of me. My loving husband took a picture for me, but I can't get the pictures off from my card right now because I just broke the THIRD card reader that I have ever owned. Sometimes I wish that my flash cards fit right into the computer. UGH! Anyway, I only have 8 and a half more weeks to go until my due date. CRAZY how fast the time has gone. The baby LOVES to move a lot around 9-10 at night. I often find myself in awe of it and wondering if this will be the last time my stomach will ever move like this or whether this will be the last time I am so close with a sweet little baby that I am so close to meeting. Tonight Fisherman and I had a little date and we nailed down our name choices. I think this is the earliest that we have ever done so. They didn't end up being what I expected them to be, but I am in love with them. We are ready boy or girl. I can't believe that I am so close to meeting my third little blessing. This week we also took the boys to a little siblings class at the hospital. Those pictures are also on the card right now and I will have to share them later, BUT Monk has been soooooooooooooooo cute about the whole thing. He packed all his stuff so that he was ready to go to Papa and Nana's when I had the baby. He has been talking about the baby every day since. It just warms my heart. That is one thing that I have enjoyed so much this time around. Monk was so little when Bebo was born so he didn't really know what was going on, but it has been so fun having an older child that can be excited about the whole thing. He is going to be such a GREAT big brother.
Last week we moved Bebo out of his crib and into a big bed. I am one to want to keep kids in a crib until they start to crawl out because in a crib, you know where they are at all times. We had a crib that I bought at a garage sale and were going to keep him in that, but in the last month or so we decided to just move him to a bed. He is so tiny in a queen size bed and often lies right in the middle without any covers on. He has done wonderfully though, I couldn't have asked for a better transition. He is still taking good naps and stays in bed for the most part. He has asked to take a nap in his crib one day, but other than that has been in love with the idea. 
Last week I took the boys to take some pictures with LOTS of pumpkins. I try to do this every year and usually I get some good ones, but this year it was cold and a bit windy so the boys were not in the best mood. I did the best I could.
