Oktoberfest

Did you know Cincinnati has one of the largest Oktoberfests outside of Germany? Well apparently it does and we were not about to miss out on this big event. 

Some of Cincinnati's downtown streets are closed off for this big event and filled with musicians, food and clothing vendors. I couldn't believe how many people were there and what a big event this actually was! 

Classy, I know. You have to admit it's a pretty hilarious picture. 

One of the fine foods we ate that day. Don't judge me. It really was one amazing funnel cake.

Love my babies. 

Some people dress up for the event. I'm not sure you can see this picture too well, but here we have a guy with a large, stuffed beer hat. Classy. I haven't seen so much alcohol in one place. These people take Oktoberfest seriously. 

Mike was the mandatory brat. It was excellent and tasted just like the ones we ate while in Germany years ago.

It's been so fun discovering a new city. Mike and I have been surprised with how much there is to do here in Cincinnati! Although downtown is nothing compared to Chicago's downtown, let's be honest it's hard to be Chicago but there seems to be something going on at least once a month and so far it's the events have been great! Cheers to at least three more years of fun memories in Cincinnati.

PS If you are needed a good Germany fix come to Cincinnati in October. That's a HINT for you Steve and Carol. You must come next year to Oktoberfest with us next year!! 

Emily came to visit!

The first weekend of October my little sister Emily came to visit and it was pure heaven! We love having visitors. Charlotte was so excited to see her aunt Emmy. Charlotte and Emily were two peas in a pod. And I of course loved having my sister around to hang out with, get make-up and hair styling tips, laugh and watch conference with. It was of course too short of a trip but we treasured every minute we got to spend with her. 

One of the places we took Emily to was a large pumpkin patch. It was a cold morning but a huge hit with everyone. 

I love how much they love each other. 

I was shocked this picture turned out as well as it did, especially with it being with an iphone and taken by some random guy. Well done random guy! 

"Watching" conference together. Charlotte was Emily's little side kick. 

Charlotte getting ready for her hair cut by Emily. One of the perks of her being in town was both Charlotte and I got a much needed haircut. Thanks Emily. It felt so good and our hair turned out fantastic! 

At the pumpkin patch. Love and miss this girl so so so so much. 

Out on a walk in our neighborhood. It's so fun to show people where we live and have them get a feel of what a great place Cincinnati is. 

Two of my favorite people at once. We loved late  night (and by late I mean 11:00 p.m., I am pregnant remember) hanging out. We laughed a lot when Emily was in town. She is so clever and witty and always has both Mike and I rolling on the ground laughing. 

Thanks again Emily for coming to visit. We ALL loved having you come. You were a great help with Charlotte and I hadn't laughed that hard in a long time!! 

Summer Olympics

I don't know about you but one of the highlights of the summer was watching the Olympic games. There's nothing like seeing people work so hard and achieve their dreams of competing in the Olympics. We couldn't get enough. A few friends and I planned an Olympic party for our kids and it was a hit. Love my new friends and the fun activities we do together. 

Charlotte and the Olympic torch made by yours truly. :)

Javelin throwing

Olympic torch relay

Not sure what to call this event but kids were given squirt bottles and had to squirt the ball out of the circle. 

Eating like Olympic champions! 

For Steph

This is for you Ms. Stephanie, who needs to get instagram ASAP. I realized you haven't seen the baby's room and I know you are dying to see it. ;)

It seemed to take us forever to finally put it together, but it is done and I love it! I couldn't be happier with the small, cozy space.  

Sorry the photos are not great. They were taken with my phone and the lighting in the room is horrible! 

Bed skirt, closet curtain and mobile were made by yours truly.  I also painted the bedskirt, bumper ties, and closet curtain. Even though it took me forever, it was really fun to make so much of it. 

Last night we finally went to Target and bought most of the baby essentials, wipes, diapers, gas drops, saline nose spray, nursing necessities etc. It feels so good to have a little organization in my life. FINALLY! I still want this baby to stay put for another week or two, but if she decides to make her debut early she will have a nice place to come home to! 

                              36 weeks with Baby Walker           36 weeks with Charlotte

Well the countdown is on.
I think I'm about the same size. Sitting low and pointy just like I was with Charlotte. I'm feeling huge and feel like NOTHING fits. I'm so sick of my clothes but refuse to buy anything new since I'm so close to having this baby. 
If she hasn't arrived yet, Baby Sister is scheduled to come December 3rd, 6:30 a.m.!!!
I can't believe she'll be here in three and a half weeks. I'm so ready to be done pregnant but I'll be honest I'm quite nervous about transitioning to two kids, and the sleep deprivation. 
My goal was to make it to 36 weeks with my running and I did it! And although I still feel good and could run, I'm having a hard time staying motivated to run. I've started walking and kept up my spinning and I'm sure I'll run a few more times before this babus comes, I just haven't been able to bring myself to do it this week. Ugh.
I'm heartburn free as long as I'm taking my prilosec consistently. This is a good and bad thing. I love not having heart burn but it also means I eat whatever I want. Not good. Where is my self control this pregnancy? Out the window, I tell ya!
Baby girl is measuring right on track and has a good solid heart beat. Hooray! I'm just beginning to dilate and I'm about 50% effaced. So some progress is being made with all the Braxton Hicks I'm feeling. 
Still undecided on a name. We have a couple we like and we'll just wait until we see baby girl to make the final decision. I felt so strongly that Charlotte was Charlotte, even though we had a couple of other names we were considering during pregnancy. I haven't felt that way with this baby. I'm hoping when she arrives, we'll just know and it will fit her perfectly. Wishful thinking? Probably. 
More than anything we are excited to meet this little baby. Charlotte at this point seems excited and ready to be a helper. We'll see how that goes when she realizes, mom can't be at her demand every second. We are thrilled both my mom and mother in law are coming to help! I know that will be a huge stress relief for all of us! 
Let's just get this babus here and let the fun begin right?