So Rambunctious

Annalyn will be turning 3 come January. As anyone that has kids will know, that's an age that's incredibly full of energy and spunk. We've had fun with her as fall has started to set in as she explores fallen leaves, pumpkin patches and crisp air. 

Annalyn has been able to talk more which is great! She's answering questions, asking questions, letting us know what she needs, and pointing out any bug she finds. Whenever we're out working in the yard, she inevitably gets into the dirt and becomes a filthy mess. No amount of, "Annalyn, stay out of the dirt" or, "Annalyn, play on the grass" will stop her from discovering the wonders of dirt.

She continues to be more and more of a handful, especially for Rachel, as she's nearing the end of her pregnancy with Declan. It's kind of hard to tell if it's just her age, or if she really knows that she's pushing our buttons...

Went to the Hospital

There was an Egyptian exhibit at the Science Museum this summer, and before it left for good we finally decided to go see it. The weather was still decent and not terribly hot. It had been a while since we saw the museum and thought that by now most people had seen it already (can you tell we like avoiding crowds?).

We got off to a little bit of a late start in the morning so we knew that parking wasn't quite going to be a day at the park - even though we were going to the park... Anyway, after taking the long way through, which was very scenic and enjoyable since I have never seen that part of Forest Park, we reached the Science Museum on the far side. I dropped off Rachel and Annalyn at the door and went to find a parking spot. The way I took ended up taking me out of Forest Park and into Barnes-Jewish Hospital (hence I went to the hospital) and had to fight through absurd traffic just to turn around.

Finally I got back to the science center and found an excellent spot. Met up with the family and had lunch before we headed over to the Egyptian exhibit. Once we got there we realized something. The exhibit seemed a little familiar, like we had been there before. And then it hit us: we had been to the exact same exhibit when we lived in Texas! The EXACT same! Same mummy, same reader boards, same children activities, same overpriced exhibit. The funny thing was when we took pictures on the camel, we realized Rachel was just as far along with Annalyn the first time we went as she is now with Declan! The following pictures prove it. Here is Rachel in Texas pregnant with Annalyn:

And here she is pregnant with Declan just recently, also at 7 1/2 months along:

Uncanny, right? However entertaining this epiphany was, we are not about to hunt down this ridiculous camel for everyone additional pregnancy we have.

After laughing it all off, we let Annalyn play around for a while, seeing how she didn't get to see it the first time. And then we called it a day. 

New Ride

We got fed up with all the problems our Lexus was giving us. We added up all the expenses we've put into repairs, NOT including maintenance, and it averaged out to be an additional $120 a month for the thing. That didn't register well with either of us (or Annalyn) so we made the decision to replace it. We also wanted something that could accommodate our family getting bigger over the years; we hoped to get something with low miles so it would last a long while.

So we ended up getting a 2004 Honda Pilot. We had a Honda before the Lexus and it was great, which is what led us to looking at them again. And so far I'd have to say, it's been such a relief not having to deal with the problems. We've been dealing with them for so long, that once we got the new vehicle, we had forgotten part of what we were missing!

At the end of the day, it's so nice to know that we have a much more reliable vehicle that's cheaper as well. We found out all too soon why we got such a 'good deal' on our last car. It was comforting to work with someone upfront with us.

MORAL: There is ALWAYS another car out there...always. If any red flags pop up in your mind, be prepared to, and okay with, walking away.

Grant's Farm

It's been a while since I've posted. Life tends to sneak up on you, especially when you're busy.

A couple weeks ago we went to Grant's Farm again. It's kind of like Wheeler Farm, if it was operated by Anheuser-Busch. And it's more than just a farm, it's a wilderness preserve that has animals from all over the world! 6 continents are represented with a diverse collection of deer from all over, as well as many  birds and other wildlife. They also had a couple animals shows. One was similar to that at Hogle Zoo or Tracy Aviary with trained birds and small animals. They also have an elephant show which was excellent.

Annalyn was even able to feed a goat. They sell small bottles of milk that you can purchase for $1.00 that you can feed the goats. You have the option of actually going into the goat's pen to feed them, but they always seem a little too over eager, and there's always more goats than bottles...or people. I wouldn't be surprised if there were over 50 goats there anxious to be fed.

It was a really fun day. We had hopes of going a couple weeks before we actually went since the weather was so nice, but it was far too crowded. By the time we went the new school year had started, and we left earlier in the day. So it was still nice, not too hot, and not crowded at all. We all enjoyed ourselves, especially Annalyn - who finally got to pet her very first pony.

We Don't Have a Baby Anymore

Annalyn has officially graduated from her crib to a twin bed! She looked way to big for her crib, but now she looks too small for her new bed. That's okay, we're happy to see her growing up. She's no longer a baby, she's a little girl now!

The new bed came at a welcome time for Annalyn. This past week she had a fever and was stuffed up pretty bad. As a result, she wasn't getting very good sleep. But her big new comfy bed changed that in a hurry! Rachel took excellent care of her to help her get over her bug, and she loves going to sleep now. It's never been a real problem putting her down at night; we have a strict routine every evening that Annalyn knows and is accustomed to. But her new bed is so big and so comfortable, she's even easier to put down - she might even be looking forward to bedtime! At least, for a awhile...

Bad health has been getting to all of us recently. I injured my back (again) on Saturday. Must've tweaked it just wrong, or added the last straw, either way my back said it was done. And it's been out for almost a week now. Mornings have been really debilitating. Each day has been a little better than the last though, and Rachel has been an absolute angel in helping me get back to full strength. She got me a heating pad for home and some heating packs for work, and she's always there to help me with stretching to keep me limbered up so I can keep going. Even Annalyn helps out. The other morning when I was laying on the floor in pain, she brought me one of my golf balls to comfort me. She then followed that up by bringing me a copy of my latest magazine. Even at 2 years old, I'm amazed at the emotional insight a person, particularly a little girl, can have with those around her that she loves. It's easy to see the nurturing side that is so divinely innate in her personality.

Rachel's about to hit her 30 week mark! Declan is still  continuing to grow just fine. But 30 weeks means 10 more weeks still to go - not exactly right around the corner. And Rachel is wondering how big Declan is going to get before he arrives. Still struggling with some sciatic pain, but you wouldn't know it with how well she carries on with everything she does. But Annalyn is all but over her fever now, if not completely healed. We hope that her recovery is a good omen for my back to finish healing, as well as Rachel's sciatica to stop acting up, and she'll be able to wrap up her last trimester without too much to fuss over.

Ice Blocking

Last Tuesday night for mutual we had a combined activity to go ice blocking. I'm pretty sure the last time I actually went ice blocking was when I was about 10 and I went with my sister Melissa when she was a beehive. Needless to say, I did not slide down the hill with a cold brick under my butt.

But I did get to watch some of the young men and young women get a little crazy - not to mention a couple of the adults.

We had originally scheduled the activity for two weeks prior, but we were unable to locate any ice blocks. Gas stations, grocers, everywhere was checked....nothing. So we had to postpone until some blocks were located by the manufacturer. Yes, we had to find someone who 'manufactures' ice blocks.

Everyone had a really good time. No one wanted to stop, especially when they started making groves in the grass which helped them slide even further. Even the bishop got involved and had fun!

Just before the ice blocks melted to the point where they couldn't be used, we decided to call it an evening. Everyone was safe, no one got hurt. Afterwards, we told stories of activities past, and Fred enjoyed a little of the ice himself.

"Where You Going Baby?"

The library here in St. Louis had a reading program this summer that Annalyn participated in that rewarded her with a children's book and a free evening at The Magic House. The Magic House is a children's museum - one of the greatest places I've ever seen for kids. It is a huge 4-story building full of play rooms for kids. From a grocery store to fishing to court rooms to a static ball, a Lewis and Clark campsite, a Sherlock Holmes mystery den, and dozens of others. It could easily take a day or two to really do everything there. She really enjoyed herself.

She's been picking up more and more words, and can be understood a lot more clearly when she speaks in sentences. A common one Rachel hears during the day is, "Where you going baby?" Which makes her wonder if that's what Annalyn hears several times throughout the day.

The other day at the mall we let Annalyn loose on the world, but still kept an eye on her while trying to keep up! She can take off pretty quick, as most active kids her age tend to do. She has this new thing she does now where she spins her left arm around like a windmill as she runs. We don't know what she thinks it's suppose to be doing for her, or if she's just being silly, but either way, it's adorable. During one of her runs she about ran into a family walking straight towards her. Just before a collision took place, she stopped, looked up at them and clearly said, "Oops! Sowwie!"

We're very proud that she's so polite.

She's been good at saying 'goodbye' for anyone; sometimes she'll even throw in a 'love you!' thinking that it's just part of 'goodbye'which is sweet. Her greeting has gotten better lately too. Not only will she say 'Hi' but again quite frequently she'll add a 'How you doing?' We love her to death! We can't waiting for her to meet Declan when he joins our family.