Happy Halloween ad lots of pictures...

Happy Halloween Everyone!
Nora had SO much fun this Halloween. She totally understood what the holiday is and loved the 4 days of Halloween activities. She chose her costume this year several weeks ago. I envisioned dressing both children up in something that went together, like Thing One and Thing Two, but since the time I began asking Nora what she wanted to dress up as, she said "Tigger".
Not sure why she had her mind set so much on Tigger, it isn't even a character she talks about often, but she had her mind made up. So, she was Tigger, and the baby...well, he wore a cute Halloween outfit.
Nora did most of the Halloween activities with her dad this year. T.J. was more than thrilled.

Tigger with her friends (who she talks about constantly) at a downtown Halloween parade.

Tigger at another town festival. Enjoying some music and watching the big kids play games.
My pride and joy. I love these two more than I could express.
We carved pumpkins Saturday night. Teddy had to get in on the action too. Nora was engaged for an entire hour!!! The pumpkin seeds I made turned out disgusting. :(
Today, a friend of ours had a birthday party for her son at an awesome pumpkin patch place. Here is Nora with the birthday boy! Happy Birthday Jayden!!!

"Give me a B, Give me an I, Give me an L, Give me an L, what's that spell BILLS!!!" How much does she look like an inappropriately dressed cheerleader? We pulled out her old jersey for Teddy to wear, and she decided she wanted to wear it. Well, it made us laugh most of the night. "Oh My, I like to pose"My brother and his girlfriend stopping in to visit Teddy before venturing out for a Halloween party of their own. Proud uncle.
And now for some sweet pics. of my little boyfriend. He is getting bigger by each feeding I swear. He took his first tubby today and LOVED it.

Look at those big eyes. He is just so smooshy and irresistable to me.
"I can't handle this attention mom"
In 2 short weeks, he is getting bigger and much more attentive.
And, guess who else can't keep her hands off of him?

the first week with 2!

We made it through the first week :). Teddy is the sweetest little guy. He obviously sleeps a lot at this point, but when he is awake, he just takes in everything around him. Nora adores him and constantly gives him kisses and has been helping me if you can believe it. I will ask her to get a wipe and she does, a burp cloth-she's on it, anything really. She is such a sweet little girl and she is very proud to be a big sister.
Here's our clean little man after a sponge bath taking a long nap in his crib. TJ bought him this elephant the day he was born. I know it won't take long before Teddy is bigger then the elephant. (tear)
Our little guy all warm and cozy in his bouncy chair.
Uncle Charlie and his girlfriend Heather came to visit early in the week and gave lots of love to Teddy.
Our families have been so great. My parents came over the night we got home and made a whole bunch of meals that we were able to freeze, my aunt and her family have been watching our dog, which has been a life saver, and some of our friends have generously dropped of meals too. We cannot thank you enough everyone. You have no idea (or maybe you do) how much that truly helps.
TJ's family cannot wait to come out and we feel so bad they haven't seen Teddy yet...only 2 more weeks-and you get to snuggle him all day!!!

I will admit, adjusting to having 2 little ones is going to take some time. I want Nora to feel like she is getting the attention she should and keep her active. But, I also have to be mindful that Teddy needs snuggle time and to stay away from too many germs. Plus, as I stay home all day, I have this issue of just looking around me and realizing how much I could or should be "getting done". I am trying to stay on top of the house stuff, but it is a bit more challenging now.

In addition, the "boy parts" are something I am also trying to become familiar with. He absolutely HATES getting his diaper changed. I can only hope after the whole circumcision stuff heals, he will feel better. We took him to the doctor 2 days ago and she was cutting the string a bit, I had to leave the room because I got so nauseaus. I am not sure how doctors and nurses can handle that stuff..kudos to you.

On another note...I will share some cute stories of Nora.
Our little 2 1/2 year old chatter box absorbs everything around her and everything people are saying. As I was putting her to bed the other night, she told me..."eat cracker, in your mouth, down throat, in belly, poop it out.. YEAH!" Not even sure when we told her that, but she remembers it.
This morning she came down stairs and saw some Halloween stuff out and a few books on her table, and she says "Halloween decorations...thanks mom". She was seriously so excited. I feel bad I wasn't going to put any out and I am so happy I did.

Oh...I think I could go by the name Bessy now (Bessy the cow). I produce so much milk I feel like a dairy queen.

It's a Boy!!!!!

We are pleased to announce the new addition of the LaDuca family. James Theodore LaDuca was born yesterday Oct. 13 @ 12:49 a.m. at 7 lbs 14 oz. and 21 in tall. Teddy (what we will be calling him) is doing great. His name is taken from his dad, his paternal grandfather, and his dads maternal great grand father. Katie is doing great in her recovery. We are in the hospital until tomorrow, while Nora is staying with Nana and Papa. We have so many great stories to tell from the past 48 hours which I am sure Katie will love to post for you all. I wanted to get some pictures of the little bundle of joy up for you all to see. More new to follow shorty.

still waiting...

Just love when a "false alarm" for childbirth gets you all excited and then NOTHING happens for a week! However, I am catching up on some sleep. I have been justifying taking naps when Nora does because I know I will be really tired when our Number 2 comes along.

We did have quite a nice Fall weekend though with this amazing daughter of ours whom has brought us nothing but joy the past 2 1/2 years. This may have been her last weekend as an ONLY child. We know she is going to be a great big sister. She kisses my belly countless times a day and always wants to say "hi" to the baby. She evens tells me..."Nora help you". I am really looking forward to seeing our children together and how they will interact.
We have been so blessed with Nora. Being a mom is exactly what I always thought it would be and I LOVE IT, LOVE IT, LOVE IT. And, seeing TJ as a dad makes me fall in love with him in a whole new way. He is such a good dad. I do realize how fortunate we are to have Nora as part of our lives and another child coming soon.

We stayed pretty close to home this weekend and the equestrian center that we have taken Nora to many times this past summer had a HUGE Fall fest.
She enjoyed playing in the hay (who knew that could be so much fun?)

And, sitting on a really big horse! I know, those of you that follow this blog, we have many pictures of Nora with horses. Pretty sure riding lessons are in her future at some point. She really loves horses. And, has absolutely NO FEAR of these animals.
She thought the little pumpkins were worth exploring for a good 15 minutes.
There was so much to do at this fest, and I wish we stayed longer, but it has been insanely hot here and I thought I was going to deliver a baby while walking around. We left a bit earlier then desired, but I was so grateful!

Later that night, Nora helped me make dinner. She made her very own pizza and helped me make stromboli and a spicy dip. The dip did not help obviously!I believe our next post will include baby pictures....right?????

False Alarm

Well,
We had a false alarm on Tuesday night. I was having contractions while in bed from about 9:15 -10:30. They were nothing unbearable but constant. TJ made me call the doctor whom suggested we go to the hospital. So, we got Nora up, met my parents at the hospital 30 min. later and after 2.5 hours, NOTHING.

But, I do think things are moving along. I have a feeling the baby will be earlier than later.

Nora was so cute, she kept saying "daddy wake me up". She actually did well with the whole thing!
I know she is excited.

Fall Fun!

Yesterday, we took our annual trip to this great farm with friends! We had such a great time and spent a the better half of the day there. It was so fun to see the girls play together and run around. Nora LOVED it! Look how tall she is getting!

The UD girls and our girls! We missed a couple of our friends this year. But, hopefully next year they will be able to join us. Funny thing this year...we are all pregnant!
My pumpkin is bigger.
Daddy and Nora took a camel ride at the farm. Couldn't resist. This didn't even phase Nora, I wonder if I would have been nervous at her age.
She quickly chose the perfect pumpkin!
A day of fun!
Added picture...Nora got her first double french braid. I knew all those years of practicing on my barbies and rainbow bright would pay off. :)