What?!?!

Apparently blogger has a limit on the number pictures you can have on your blog. After three and half years we have met this limit. I have the option to pay yearly for more storage or I can start a new free blog. Can you guess which one I choose? Yep, thats right a new blog.

http://team-hicks2.blogspot.com

Please update your bookmarks as I will no longer posting here. Well, I guess I could still post, but there wouldn't be any pictures and really that's why we are all here.

24 Weeks

Okay so this post is a bit behind, but with moving, Claire's bought with HFMD and Thanksgiving I haven't been taking very many photos.

Anyway, here is me at 24 weeks and the bump (aka Laureli).

And just for comparisons sake, here's Claire at 26 weeks.

HFMD

Hand, Foot and Mouth Disease

Its a virus. Very contagious and seen usually in small children. If you are not familiar with it let me just tell you it sucks. Claire came down with HFMD on Wednesday and we have had a rough couple days. Saying its been rough is being kind.

It started with a fever and was followed by blisters in her mouth, sores on her hands and feet and lastly a rash on her elbows and knees. She is miserable! The worst of it is that there is nothing that you can do. It just has to run its course. Mortin for the fever and pain, but thats about it.

Claire has had a hard time eating and drinking due to the blisters. In fact, she refuses to because it hurts so bad. I was very concerned about her being dehydrated, but thankfully Dave picked up some chocolate pediasure on his way home and that has been her diet for the last four days.

Lots of crying and whining with frequent pointing and grunting as a way of communicating, as she refuses to talk. The weirdest part is that she has really bad breath. Of course, we've been snuggling a lot and with pregnant ninja nose it just about does me in every time she breaths through her mouth in my direction.

On the car ride home from the grocery store on Wednesday

The potential bright side is that like other viruses, once you have it the chances of you getting again are slim (similiar to chicken pox). Here's hoping Dave and I have already had it.

All Moved

We FINALLY closed on our home and are all moved. It took seven months, several deal killers and it was down to the wire, but we did it. It happened perfectly in God's timing. Thankfully our faith, patience and persistence paid off. Also, a big shout out to all of our friends who helped us move. We had a herd here, making it go quickly and smoothly. 

Now I am off to those boxes. 

Monies

Claire's school was having a penny drive to help raise money for new playground equipment. I thought it would be a good opportunity to work on sorting skills. The nickels and quarters tripped her up a little, but overall Claire did great and really enjoyed playing with the "monies". 

Totally biased!

I admit it! We think she is pretty darn adorable!

Introducing......

......... Baby Hicks Number Two!

Debuting March 01, 2013

Yes, we are still adopting. Yes, we are crazy. 

Pumpkin Patch Day 2

Pumpkin patch on Friday with a few friends from my mom's group.

Petting the chicken

Feeding the goat

Climbing the hay pyramid

Searching for just the right one

Pumpkin Patch Day 1

We went to the pumpkin patch twice this year. Once with Claire preschool class and once with my mom's group. Thankfully the weather was great both days. The only bummer was my camera battery died half way thru the first trip and the charger is buried somewhere in a box, so most of the pictures are from my phone. Claire has recently learned how to take pictures with both the camera and my phone. She is doing a good job, but it definitely makes for some interesting shots. 

Here are few from our Thursday trip with her class.

Picture taken by Claire on our hayride. Mama needs to work on her cheese.

I don't know why but this one cracks me up

With a few of her classmates

Claire and Colton

Atop the hay pyramid

Taken by Claire

Taken by Claire

Claire's friend Lilly B (Taken by Claire)

Trying to find the perfect pumpkin with Lilli G

Bowling

We played an impromptu bowling game after dinner the other night. On our way home we passed the bowling alley that Dave and his mom played at for many years and he decided (literally right at that moment) that it would be fun to play a game. A quick u-turn and we were there.

Claire had a good time and ever since has been asking to go bowling with Grammy. Thankfully they put the bumpers up, I had to use a few times too. In fact, they helped me beat Dave by one pin. I only had my phone with me, so the pictures are not the best. 

Dave helping Claire

Watching the ball slowly roll down the lane

The "look at me" shot

Its blurry, but Claire is super excited

Trying to get a little ommpf behind the ball

Happy 3rd Birthday Claire!

Claire turned 3! What a smart, independent, outgoing, extroverted fun girl she is growing up to be. I can only begin to imagine what her future holds. 

We had her party a park rather than at home this year, since we are in the little rental house. It was fine doing this way, however I realized we need to pack up and haul in quite a bit of stuff. The girls had a good time playing on the play equipment while the adults visited and clean up was a breeze. So all in all it worked well.  

I did't take as many pictures as I wanted showing the decorations and everything set up,  but here are a few from the day. 

The Happy Birthday banner I made. It didn't turn out quite like I pictured.

Grandma and Claire opening her doctor's kit and coat.

Claire and Papa Dean

Grammy and Grandpa Dan goofing around.

My attempt at an "action" shot

Her loot! Good thing we keep her party small.

Emma "helping" Claire open her present

Claire couldn't wait to put on her new ballerina outfit and tiara.

Claire with all her grandparents!

First of many attempts to get a family photo

Claire and Corky have the same expression. It cracks me up!

Claire is giving the cheese.

Here's a keeper!

Thanks everyone for coming. It was a fun time and great to see everyone. We love you all and are so grateful to have you in Claire's life.

Claire and 20 questions.... I want to do this each year with our children, where I ask them 20 questions and see how the answers change from year to year.

1. What is your favorite color? ……………....…...  
Pink

2. What is your favorite toy? ………………..…..  
Princess Belle Doll

3. What is your favorite fruit? ……………….….  
Oranges

4. What is your favorite tv show? ……………....  
Mickey Mouse Club House

5. What is your favorite thing to eat for lunch?  ....... 
Popcorn

6. What is your favorite outfit? ………………...... 
Silver Christmas Dress

7. What is your favorite game? …………….......... 
Duck, Duck, Goose

8. What is your favorite snack? ……………….... 
Granola Bar

9. What is your favorite animal? ……………..…  
Giraffe

10. What is your favorite song?.…….................… 
Twinkle, Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star

11. What is your favorite book? ….................…… 
Dr. Dan, The Bandage Man

12. Who is your best friend? ………………....…...  
Abigail, Emma and Olivia

13. What is your favorite cereal? ……………...…. 
Mini-Wheats

14. What is your favorite thing to do outside? ................. 
Playing on the Play Structure

15. What is your favorite drink? ……………...........….. 
Chocolate Milk

16. What is your favorite holiday? …………................… 
Christmas

17. What do you like to take to bed with you at night? … 
Princess Blanket

18. What is your favorite thing to eat for breakfast? ....... 
Daddy’s Pancakes

19. What do you want for dinner on your birthday? …… 
Chicken, rice and salad with croutons

20. What do you want to be when you grow up? ……… 
Princess

P.S. If you took pictures of the party could you please email them to me. THANKS!!