Annick's Baby

Annick loves to show everyone her baby.  She pulls up her shirt, sticks out her tummy, and pats it while saying in a super funny voice, "BABY!"  It's quite a hoot.

Look who's big enough now to have a real ponytail!!

Last week a 12-yr-old friend begged to paint Annick's nails.  Boy was she proud and showing off her nails to anyone who would look at her.  It's hard for me to imagine I have such a girly girl, but man does she love getting dressed up! 

Christmas Sweets

Adam had a work party this week and his coworkers had begged him in advance to bring "Special K Bars"--his favorite treat that I've brought in to the office the past 2 years on his birthday.  Obviously the kids were happy to help out in the cooking department....

Sarah's 2013

Here's the easy summary of my year.  This has been my easiest pregnancy, but that's not saying too much, unfortunately...  Now we're counting down the days until our new little one arrives.  The kids are super excited.  Ryan asks every day how much longer he has to wait for the baby.  Annick sticks out her tummy and pats it, saying, "Baby!"  I've washed the baby blankets and clothes and am in awe one more time over how a baby can possibly be so small.

Weeks 16, 18, 22, 24, 26

28, 30, 32, 35, 36

I've started what I presume will be a few weeks of super hard contractions.  Yesterday after many hours of pacing around my house with pre-labor contractions I was in a bit of a panic feeling like I'm NOT ready to do this again.  Most days I'm doing well thinking positively.  My midwife came for a home visit this week, and I'm excited that she left the birth pool here and ready for us.  All around I'm just really excited to have the chance to have a home birth this time around.

Growing Up Too Fast

Who do these kids think they are???

Halloween 2013

Luckily for me, the kids aren't picky when it comes to costumes.  Ryan asked this October, "Mom, can you get out my kangaroo costume to make sure it still fits me for Halloween?"  3rd year in a row.  Sweet.  Next year he'll need something new.  Annick wore the little rat costume she wore last year too.  I love that they're warm and cozy costumes for Halloween night.

Friends

One day I heard the kids talking sweetly to each other and I could tell Ryan was reading Annick a book.  I came into our family room to find them snuggled up together in this "nook"--a little reading corner beside the couch Ryan created.  These two really are great friends, and I love watching their relationship grow.

Introducing... DR. THOMPSON, DDS

Granted, this was 18 months ago...but better late than never...

Adam GRADUATED from Dalhousie in May 2012!!!

We had a fun graduation day.  There were some special celebrations because Adam's class was the 100th graduating dental class.

Adam won two of the class awards.  One was for excellence in endodontics, and one was for the student demonstrating the best care of his patient family.  That was a pretty cool award to earn.

 Four long years of hard work.  I'm proud of this man and all he accomplished and the ways he tried to have some balance between school and family life.  We survived it!

Proud Momma coming to see the new dentist.  

We said goodbye to our BEAUTIFUL Nova Scotia that had become home to us and moved to Maine!!!

We were thrilled to have our own house with a yard to play in, laundry machines inside our very house, shelf space in the bathroom, and a coat closet.  Such luxuries!

Adam started his first job as a real deal dentist.

Fancy Shmancy diploma up on the office wall

Fast forward 18 months, and these two cuties get to see this handsome dentist for their check-ups!

Annick was quite leery of the visit, but calmed down once she got 

a new "bubbo beebeesh" (hippo toothbrush).

Ryan calls everyone else in the office "the other dentist" and was thrilled with his goody bag of a new toothbrush, toothpaste, and stickers.