After a busy weekend, here we are, back at Monday. Satruday was an especially busy day for Annika and I. In the morning there was, of course, gymnastics. She always tells us she doesn't want to go Saturday mornings. I think she'd rather stay in bed watching cartoons than get up, eat breakfast and change clothes. And yet, when we're driving there, she's practically squealing in the backseat with excitement. Especially as we round the last corner and she can see the building. Kris says she gets bored or frustrated with some of the activites. She just wants to jump and run around. Who cares if you can do this obstacle course 5 times in a row! I think we'll keep going for a little while longer. She does seem to enjoy it.

Saturday afternoon Annika and I headed to Robyn's house (a good hour drive away) for a littel Halloween playgroup party. Annika was dressed in her ladybug costume. Brianna was also a ladybug and Jessica was a snow princess. Emma couldn't come because she was sick. Annika had a great time playing with all the new toys, especially the small, exercise-style trampoline. Robyn had some great activities for the kids too. They got to make necklaces and decorate visors with Halloween stickers. Annika wore her necklace most of the day. After some yummy pizza for dinner, we lined the 3 kids up for a picture. I'll post those tonight, hopefully. They were pretty cute! I just realized though that the kids were out of order! In all playgroups in the past we've lined them up in age order which means Jessie should be on the left, Brianna in the middle and Annika on the right to go oldest to youngest. In our pictures though, Jessie was in the middle. Oh well! Jessie at least broke up the ladybugs then!

After the playgroup Annika and I had to race to Gramme's house. That was another hour and fifteen minute drive or so. Annika stayed overnight at Gramme's house Saturday night. I stayed for a couple minutes to chat and when I told Annika that Mommy had to go now and that I would be back in the morning after breakfast to pick her up she turned, looked at me, came over to give me a kiss and then said "Bye Mom!" She was completely fine with staying. I got up to put my shoes one and she gave me another kiss and hug good-bye. She just about shoved me out the door! Gramme said that she asked for me a couple times that night and that once there was a couple tears but overall she did just fine. I'm glad Annika is comfortable and independent enough to stay without me, but could she pretend to miss me just a little bit? Stinker. She did have a big morning Sunday though. After I arrived to pick her up, we ate some breakfast together. Then she was off playing while I visited with Gramme and Grandpa Merv. I noticed she was standing in place with her "grunting" face on. I asked if she needed to go to the bathroom and of course she said no. Gramme said, "Let's go use the potty" and Annika followed her to the bathroom. She had already gone #2 in her diaper but must have stopped herself because she finished the job on the toilet! That was her first #2 on the toilet. I was so proud of her and told her so. I gave her a hug and kiss and told her what a big girl she was to use the potty. She helped flush and said good-bye to the "bubbles" and then we washed her hands. I'm going to a potty training class on Tuesday night. I think we might start this potty training thing shortly. I know she can do it. She's shown us over and over again that she's ready. Now it's time for Mommy and Daddy to step up and help her.

Anyway, after dropping Annika off I raced to the other end of the cities again (basically making a triangle in the end) to get to the party Kris and I were supposed to be attending. It was the October martini party hosted by Amanda and Dean. There were 4 couples there so it was relatively small but I like those parties better anyway. We had a really nice time.

Yesterday was busy running around again. After picking up Annika, we drove back to Amanda and Dean's house to pick up the car. Kris had been drinking so we left his car there. Then on the way home Annika and I stopped to do some shopping. I bought a whole bunch of sleepers for Baby Boy. He has at least 12 0-3 month sleepers and 3 6-9 month sleepers. I still have to go through Annika's outgrown clothing to see what in there is not too pink/girly and can be re-used. I may try to start going through that later this week. I also bought Baby Boy a going home from the hospital outfit. It's pretty cute. Kris even approved of it. It's a gender neutral winter white/light green color just in case. :) I'll take a picture of it and post it in the pregnancy photo album.

Yesterday marked 25 weeks pregnant. I've taken more belly photos and I'll try to post those tonight too. My stomach already feels huge but I know that I have a ways to go yet. I'm just so glad to make it to the viability stage. From here on out, Baby Boy just needs to grow and get stronger so he can survive and thrive on the outside. At this point he has a 60% chance of surviving if born today. I think it's time to make an appointment to tour the hospital. Sunday morning Baby Boy was quite active. I placed Kris's hand on my stomach so he could feel him too. Baby Boy kicked him so Kris moved his hand closer to where the kick came from and then pressed his hand into my stomach. Baby Boy, hating to have his space invaded, kicked Daddy right away again. Daddy giggled and then stopped pestering the baby. Baby Boy has been quite active lately. You can actually see my stomach move now. I just love this stage. I can't wait until the hiccups start!