Halloween 2008

Karina has been SO excited for Halloween to come... most days I hear "is it Halloween yet?". I love how exciting the holidays are for her. It's so much fun to participate in that and make it special! I'm so grateful to my own mother for doing that for us for soooo many years...

She was Belle this year, and if I do say so myself, a mighty pretty Belle at that!

Trick or Treat!

Assessing the loot with Dad...

Sampling the loot with Mom!

First Ultrasound (counting embryos!)

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I had my first ultrasound today after a positive pregnancy test on the 2nd to count embryos to see how many took (three were implanted). Worst case scenario, all three could have take, and all three could have split (YIKES!). It's a little unnerving before that first ultrasound. However, just as Mark and I had strongly affirmed... PHEW!! One little tiny precious life, heart beating strong, preparing to make his/her journey into this world. :-) The Universe truly knows what we can handle, and what we could not (at least not very well)... Thank you!

Tears of joy... we are SO blessed and fortunate! As the saying goes, "good things come to those who wait." And BOY, did we wait!

Wee Witches' Weekend

Every October, there is a festival called "Wee Witches' Weekend" at this great place called Gardner Village. I love it! Karina really loved it, too.

I took this shot in honor of the chocoholics in the family. :-) Like father, like daughter!

She really enjoyed decorating her own witch's hat.

Too bad we didn't get a shot of her wearing it! Our photography skills need some work. :-)

Karina, camera shy? In this particular moment, yes.

She loved this witch (what a great costume!)!

Black Island Farms

We went to a local pumpkin patch where they have hay rides, face painting, a petting zoo, some activities for kids and really good kettle corn. Karina had a blast!

We each got to pick a pumpkin and Karina had so much fun choosing one for herself.

So proud

She then got to have her face painted for the first time and actually sat still quite well!

Ta-da!

Karina's Birthday Party

We had a really fun "Princess Party" for Karina this year. I had so much fun planning around that theme (especially with the food). It was going to be a "Princess in the Park" party, but it rained. Our house was slightly cramped... next year, fewer guests. I still need to learn to simplify (I think this next baby will help!)...

Our friends' daughter, Izzy, was KIND enough to come up and play the role of "Princess Monarch from Butterfly Land" for the kids. They (especially Karina) LOVED it (and fell for it hook, line and sinker!)! Karina received pink sparkly shoes from her and thought that was just the greatest thing. Izzy was a beautiful princess!

We were happy to have Karina's half-sister, Jaclyn, with us. Here Karina is getting ready to blow out her candles.

Karina's 3rd Birthday

Our "little baby" turned three today! Wow. Time sure does fly! She was so excited and is very eager to be a "grown up"! Today is also pregnancy test day! I have most definitely noticed how "interesting" it is that we did the transfer on the 22nd (my favorite number), and get the results on our first angel's birthday. I took those both as very good signs! I didn't want anything to take away from Karina's special day, so I was that much more THRILLED that the test came back positive! The Universe must be listening. :-)

Karina and I started our day with a trip to Krispy Kreme with our MOMS Club friends!

After a trip to the hospital for my blood test, Karina and I went over to our friends' Keri and Evelyn's house for lunch and to await the results (for which I wanted some company). It was glorious! My nurse called and she sounded like she was smiling! I said "you sound happy!" to which she replied "Congratulations! You're pregnant!" I was ELATED and had tears of joy. Karina asked "are you pregnant?" I told her I was while still on the phone. Not as ceremonial as I had envisioned, but that's how life goes sometimes. :-)

We had a wonderful celebration with our friends and I made several, emotional and extremely joy-filled phone calls. I called Mark (first, of course), and JUST like last time, I couldn't get a hold of him right away. I was amazed that history had repeated itself. When I finally got a hold of him, I greeted him with "Hi, Daddy!". He said "hello". So I said it again, to which he replied "hi". Then I said "Hi, Daddy, AGAIN!" and after several seconds, it clicked! We were so happy, but a bit nervous since my nurse told me that she wouldn't be AT ALL surprised if it was twins since my numbers were strong and a bit high. YIKES (we both thought)!

Once Mark came home from work, we took Karina to Chuck E. Cheese's with some friends to celebrate her special day. She loves that place. Thank you, Grandma for her adorable dress!

Upon our return back home, it was time for her to open her gifts from family. Her party with friends was scheduled for the upcoming Saturday.

My sister, Astrid, sent her this HUGE bag FILLED with so many gifts that would thrill any three-year-old to pieces! It was amazing and Karina was in birthday HEAVEN. :-)

Boy, did she love this Princess Annika costume and wand!

It was a great day and we had MUCH to celebrate!! :-)

With the help of generous contributions from Grandpa and Uncle Donald (two of her kindred birthday spirits), we all pitched in to give Karina this trampoline. We got snow in mid-October (when this was taken), which is unusual! It's such a great way for her to get exercise and fresh air at the same time. :-)

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