Better late than never???

So it's not that I'm trying to not announce it, but it just hasn't seemed natural to do it on the blog, but anyway, Baby Smoker #3 is in the oven! We are super excited and I'm sorry if I haven't had the chance to tell you yet, but I figured that I should formally announce it at some point. I'm 16 weeks today (4 months) and feeling great. I seem to have regained a lot of the energy I lost in the first couple of months (between this pregnancy and the other 2 crazy kids we have) but it's back. Ella is super excited (Henry's a little oblivious still) and Phil and I are eager to meet the newest little Smoker. I'm feeling the baby move now a little each day and can't wait for the ultrasound in about a month... NO, we're not finding out the gender this time either! Anyway, that's the good news...

The next 2 weeks are going to be filled with birthdays and Halloween, so check back often for updates. I'll do my best.

Fall Fun

Carving Pumpkins - Ella's was stolen that night and after we finally convinced her that Grandpa didn't do it at 3 in the morning, she realized that it must have meant it was the BEST! Hers is in the first lit up picture, far right (silly eyes, big ears...)




We also played in the leaves this weekend... Henry wasn't too sure at first (maybe b/c we put him in the middle of the biggest pile to start!) But by the end, he has a look of determination on his face. Ella loved throwing leaves on Daddy! Then off for a snack on the front porch...








And finally, what's fall/Halloween without "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown" and a fire in the fireplace? We love our home and can't believe we've been here over a year already!

Fun Play Date

We had so much fun when our friends Mia & Olivia Salerno came to visit (miss those Salernos!) Here's a shot of the crew eating lunch. So much fun!

Underneath it all... there's still love

So of course brothers and sisters play together, but yes, they disagree as well. Ella often thinks she's the mommy and decides what Henry can and can't do. Anyway, Henry has quite a personality of his own these days and knows what he does and doesn't want. So the playing, sometimes ends in tears... it's normal. :) Thus, bringing me to the story...

Ella's been having some sleep issues (won't stay in her bed and is constantly coming to wake us up in the night...) but last night, Henry cried out just because he wanted to be covered up (his newest obsession.) It's super cute! Anyway, Henry woke up Ella and after quieting him, I went to her room. She was sitting on the floor next to her bed completely confused. I picked her up, put her in bed and gave her a little pat. As I was leaving the room I heard her say: Henry... Henry... I love you.

Seriously, those moments are the BEST moments of life. Our kids make me so happy and while it's a lot of work, those little things are the ones that I cherish in my heart and make me smile all the time. So precious!

Slumber Party

So a few weeks ago we went to Toledo to visit Grandma D and Grandma Julie. When it was time for bed, Henry decided that instead of sleeping in the pack-n-play, that he wanted to sleep in the big bed with Ella (which is just a mattress on the floor.) We figured, what the heck?!?! We put another mattress down on the ground so that they each had their own beds. Since I didn't trust them at bedtime, I decided to lay down in between them until they were settled enough to sleep (b/c who isn't excited about a slumber party?)

The entire event of 'falling a sleep' took over an hour, and it may have been one of the funniest moments of my life. Seriously, where your kids are so funny, but you can't laugh in front of them b/c it's too silly plus it's bedtime! Here are a few snippets of stories from trying to fall asleep:
1 - Henry keeps moving and fidgeting...CONSTANTLY which of course Ella can't sleep with all the 'noise.' When she tells me, Henry sits up and yells "ELLA!"
2 - Henry covers and uncovers himself. Situates his 'monkey blankets' on each shoulder constantly, touching the wall, rolling around, pelvic thrusts (literally can't sit still.)
3 - Ella needs to go potty. Of course, her shadow (Henry) also needs to go pee-pee/to-to in the the potty. They walk off into the distance holding hands.
By now, my pointer finger is getting a work-out with the 'You-Quiet' and 'Shhhh!' gestures!
4 - After what I think is the last big movement out of Henry and all is quiet, he sits up like a rocket, puts his hands out to the side and yells: Soccer Monster! (which is a reference to a Backyardigans episode) Ella being the responsible big sister then points her finger and it's followed by: Now Henry, you don't want to talk about scary things before bed.....
So cute and so funny! Absolutely priceless. I took a couple of pictures in the dark to show the aftermath!




LOVE YOU GRANDMA JULIE! GET STRONGER AND FEEL BETTER SOON!