Sparky 12w4d

Here are some more pictures of Sparky.  Seems to be doing well with a strong heart beat.  Not moving so much today but trying to suck his/her thumb.  Still too early to tell if it is a Sparky or Sparkle but I am having another ultrasound in 4 weeks so I am hopeful:)  Either way I am just happy that Sparky is healthy and active and that I am feeling a bit better.  I have moved on to breakfast sandwiches for my mid day snack.  (I know I am all over the place!)

Looks like a thumb sucker!

The next couple are the 4D ultrasounds

So adorable!

Christmas 2011

I hate to even write this but I was not completely in the Christmas spirit this year:(  Unfortunately, I am still not feeling 100% and I am so exhausted all the time.  So what are the Herzog's to do?  Pack up and go to Edmonds for Christmas!  It was actually a very smooth drive and the kids were very well behaved.  We enjoyed my side of the family Friday, Saturday and Sunday before packing up and heading back to Spokane Sunday evening.  Santa found my parent's house (Matthew was very concerned) and everyone was very happy with what they received from him.  Agatha, Alex and Bennett stopped by in the evening when we got home and Oma and Opa came by tonight for a belated Christmas. 
As far as the pregnancy front, this child will either be a health food nut or a kernel of popcorn.  Seriously, I cannot eat anything remotely bad for me (aka Zips) or else it is right back up yet I eat a bag of microwave popcorn per day.  Very strange.  And peppermint tea.  Here is some shocking news...no more coffee!  I know it is heartbreaking.  I am heartbroken but it is just too acidic on my tummy.  I am completely addicted to Starbucks blueberry scones though so that keeps me there.  But that is really the only sweet.  Nothing sweets sounds good at all.  The belly is in full effect though.  No way that I could keep it a secret if I wanted to!  We are 12 weeks though and I have another appt on Wed where I get to have another ultrasound so I will again get to see Sparky and all the havoc he/she is causing me:)  Well worth it though just different than the other two pregnancies!  I guess Sparky knows he/she is the youngest and is just trying to make their own unique mark on our family!  I love it, yet I am excited to get my self back (I know sounds awfully selfish for someone who chose this right?) Anyway, I will post some belly pictures soon when it doesn't look like a blob!  HAHAHA

My nephew Jake opening 1 gift Christmas eve

My only family picture.  My bangs are looking kind of funky but not half bad!

Matthew loves holding that baby Bennett!  Practicing!

Agatha's has that "new mom" look!

More Pictures of Baby Bennett

I think Matthew is getting ready to be a big brother again!  In the mean time he is being a wonderful cousin:)

Lots of New Posts

Finally I am caught up!  Please read all the way down because I have updated about 4 new posts today:)  Thanks for your patience:)

Sparky

Well as you can tell from my header (if you don't already know from facebook!) yes I am pregnant.  This is part of the reason why I have been such a slacker when it comes to keeping up with the blog.  First, I felt like this was consuming my world so every time I posted I felt like it was fake:)  Also, I have been feeling terrible and I am in total survival mode.  I am not sure why I romanticized this in my head, telling myself "it will be so different this time. I will exercise and eat soooo healthy."  Yeah...not quite happening that way.  I eat whatever will not make me throw up and I have been lucky to work out 2 days a week.  Christopher and I are so lucky in the fact that we are baby making champs and don't have a problem conceiving.  I believe my plight is morning sickness.  I know it is SO worth it, especially when I look at the ultrasound picture and realize that is a 10 week picture of my baby!  But some days it is so difficult!  I feel like I am super crabby and it takes me 3x as long to do anything, but luckily my family has been really supportive.  The kids are trying to be good and Chris has really stepped it up and tried to give me some relief. 
I titled the post "Sparky" because that is what Matthew has named the baby.  He is convinced it is a boy (I really have no inkling one way or another) and he told me that we should name him Sparky.  Super cute!  He is so very excited and doesn't even mind that he will have to share a room with either Maggie or the baby!  When we told him that I had a baby in my tummy he was so excited, paused and said "mom, I know how you got the baby in your tummy."  I responded "hmmm, how is that?" He said "I prayed REALLY HARD!"  Seriously I almost cried!  How adorable is that!  Maggie on the other hand knows I have a baby in my tummy and tells people like it is no big deal, but she has no idea how her world is going to be rocked in a short 7 months!  Chris and I really contemplated this for quite a while but ultimately came to the decision that we wanted one more!  YES THIS IS IT!  I don't know if I could do this again:)  Anyway, we really appreciate all your prayers and well wishes.  We are super excited and can't wait to see what the baby turns out to be! (Sparky or Sparkle;))

Maggie's 3rd Birthday

Maggie turned 3 yesterday!  We were planning on having a small birthday brunch but fate had other plans for us.  Matthew ended up throwing up on Saturday and I took it as a sign that after my hell week, I needed to slow down and take it easy.  We ended up cancelling it (it was a random puke but better be safe than sorry) and just had Chris' parents over for a Chinese dinner and cupcakes.  Maggie was more than happy with this and some very generous friends dropped off gifts so she had more than enough gifts to open.  It was so cute because whenever someone would say "happy birthday!" she would say "happy birthday!" right back!!

Matthew's Christmas Program

Matthew had his Christmas program on Thursday night.  I felt so bad because I had a hell of a week and Christopher was out of town.  I wanted to be so excited for him but truthfully all I wanted to do was crawl into bed and sleep:(  I ended up calling Amber to watch Maggie because she was so exhausted and needed to be in bed at 8.  With the program starting at 7 I was worried we would have total melt down!!  Anyway, I promise this story ends happy:)  I pulled myself together and enjoyed the most adorable show!  Matthew was so excited and sang his little heart out.  I was able to enjoy the performance without any meltdowns and I shed a few tears of joy!  Every class did a great job and I was very impressed.

There is the 2nd grade

I Am An Aunty!

Agatha had her baby!  I was so excited and couldn't wait to snuggle him.  He was born December 15th at 4:50 am.  They named him Bennett Alexander McLeod Springer.  He weighed a whopping 5 lbs 9 oz!  When I held him he felt like a tiny peanut compared to the monster babies that I birth!  Mother, father and baby are doing well.  Just the normal first time mom stuff but she is handling it like a champ.  I took the kids to the hospital and then they came over last night for dinner.  These are some pictures from both days.

Despite the face he was super stoked to hold Bennett

Maggie was more interested in the TV

Uncle Christopher...practice holding a baby again!

I realized I look pregnant in this picture!

Advent Celebration

This happened a couple of weeks ago, but Matthew's kindergarten class put on his school's advent celebration with the 8th grade.  They made a living advent wreath and sang a cute song.  I was cracking up because they are so darn cute I can't stand it!  Matthew is in the back but we got some cute pictures of his class. 

Gingerbread House, Skiing and More!

I feel like I have been so distracted lately!  I have a lot going on between Matthew's school, volunteering for the auction, Christmas and so on!  Whew!  Anyway, sorry for the absence.  Wanted to post some pictures of Matthew's first day of ski racing.  Yes, it begins again! This year, he is doing ski racing which is awesome for him but a bit of a commitment.  He is up every Saturday for about 16 weeks!  CRAZY:/  Chris loves going though so it is good all around.  Maggie and I are hoping to make it up for a couple of Saturdays this year.  We will see!

I mean look at him.  The kid loves it!  Because it is such a big commitment I said "Well this year we will try it but if he doesn't like it then we won't do it next year."  Who am I kidding!  He skied half a day and was so excited!  Luckily, he is in a class with some of the kids of Chris' business partners so it totally works out.  (And did I mention that Chris hung out all day with his partner's at their cabins watching the Zag game...rough Saturday for him!)

A couple of days ago I snuck away to see Twilight: Breaking Dawn for the 2nd time (not the last;)) and I left Chris to do a project with the kids.  I was cracking up because the way I do the gingerbread houses and the way Chris does them are completely different!  He made sure the house was very life like and it turned out great!  Loved watching him do it with the kids before I went off to enjoy the world of Edward and Bella! 

A very productive day!

After spending the weekend relaxing, going to the GU game and just lounging around, yesterday was a productive day!  We cleaned up the house, did some laundry, went grocery shopping, but also did a few fun things!  First Chris pickled some beets that we got from our Full Circle basket.  Full Circle, is organic fruit/vegetable service that we just heard of and signed up for.  Their pickup site for us is literally within walking distance.  We decided to try it and it was really cool!  You can order pretty much anything and it will come from local farms around Washington.  The smallest box is $21 per week.  With Thanksgiving, we pretty much blew through that the first day!  Anyway, we received beets in our shipment so Chris decided to pickle them.  I will let you know on Dec 4th how they turned out!

Next, the kids played super hero and butterfly.  It is so funny to hear them play the same pretend game with their different imaginations.  Matthew tied his baby blanket around himself and Maggie had a crown and butterfly wings on!

Last, we made our 3rd annual trek to the garage for the Christmas tree!  As usual, it was nice and easy to find our tree!  We let the kids decorate it and now it is beginning to look like Christmas around here!  Yay!  Also had to include a picture of Matthew's list for Santa!  It is too cute!

"dear Santa, I want a new Mario game for the Wii please. Matthew H."

Thanksgiving Day

On the actual day of Thanksgiving, Oma, Opa, Agatha, and Alex came over for dinner.  I did most of the cooking and it really turned out well!  I was so tired I fell asleep at 9:30pm!  No black Friday shopping for me!  It was worth it though.  I took a couple of pictures of the table but that was about it!  I love using the "good china" (except for the fact it has to be hand washed!) It is an heirloom so I feel like I have my grandmother around me when I use it.

Gratitude: noun. the quality or feeling of being grateful or thankful

Some of you may not know this but Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday.  I always love birthdays too but Thanksgiving is the best for me.  Don't get me wrong, I love Christmas too!  I love the trees and the cookies and giving gifts, but there is something so simple about sharing a meal with those you love.  I love turkey and all that comes with it!  We have been switching off travelling to Edmonds for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  This year we are home for Thanksgiving and Edmonds for Christmas.  When we are home, we usually have Chris' parents and whatever family/friend wants to come.  I love cooking and this year I bought a 20 lb turkey for 6 adults and 2 kids!  (I love leftovers too:)) Anyway, in the spirit of Thanksgiving and gratitude, I wanted to share some things that I am thankful for.

*My family.  I am a lucky girl! Yesterday Matthew had the patience of Job with Maggie and I was thankful that he could help me out like a big boy when I was so frustrated with her. Yet, I am also thankful that Maggie is so spicy.  We just found out she has to have another eye surgery (probably in June) and patch every day now instead of every other day.  I know that she is stubborn and spicy for a reason:)
*Christopher. He gets his own category!  I am a lucky woman to have a husband that works very hard to provide us with all we need and most of what we want.  He was in school for 24 years or so working his butt off to be the best provider.  He is also an amazing dad and husband.  He helps me when he is home from work and is a very hands-on, loving dad. He works so I can stay home which I didn't realize it would be, but is my dream job!  Also, he doesn't get too mad that I actually lose money on the cakes I decorate.  He is a very understanding husband (that is just the tip of the iceberg;))
*Grandparents (my parents and Chris' parents).  I am lucky that my parents are still alive and healthy!  I know how precious life is and how it can change in an instant. I am lucky that Chris' parents live so close and we can see them whenever we want.  Of course our brothers and sisters are in there too!  I don't see mine as often but it is always a good time.
*Friends. I have some really amazing friends fulfilling needs in every category.  I have my "mom friends" and my friends that don't have kids.  They provide me with love and support and I know they would be there for me in an instant!
*My health.
*Travis. He is like a brother to me and also my therapist.  I can't believe we have been together for 5 years!
*Matthew's school. LOVE IT! It is getting me reconnected with my faith amongst other things.
*Carpooling with the best neighbors/ friends ever!
*Starbucks
*Rosauers
*Nick Jr for when I need some quiet time
*Travel. I have been to some amazing places and can't wait for what's to come.
*The internet so I can catch up on my gossip (see Nick Jr)
*Living in America.  I know that it has it ups and downs right now, but I would not want to live anywhere else!

I could go on and on. I am just a really lucky girl and I love Thanksgiving because we pause, have a meal that we spend all day preparing and 20 mins eating, to remember how lucky we are!  Happy Thanksgiving to all of you and I am thankful for each and every one of you! xoxo

Edmonds for the weekend!

It had been awhile since we had travelled to Edmonds so we decided since we were sticking around here for Thanksgiving, we would travel to Edmonds this past weekend.  It just so happened to be my mom and Robert's (my brother in law) birthdays!  The drive there was a bit horrendous.  We made it in 8 hours because Snoqualmie pass was closed due to weather and accidents.  We decided instead of waiting for it to open we would go up Blewitt and Stevens pass.  Well that was interesting.  Let's just say that I am happy we made it but it was pretty stressful!  Friday, we woke up late (thanks to mom and dad who woke up with our kids) and hung out until I wend to Seattle to see Breaking Dawn I with Terese.  We had a great time at dinner, shopping and the movie.  I was sad that I didn't get to see it with my girls here (usually I go at midnight) but it was worth it because I hardly get to spend time with Terese!  On Saturday, I had a nice visit with my friend Sarah that I used to teach with at HNA, then we had family dinner to celebrate the birthdays!  Sunday we drove home in the most uneventful drive which was GREAT! I didn't get a whole bunch of pictures but I did get one with Maggie and my dad:)