my favorite shot from the ice skating adventure

Ice Skating at Crown Center

We had a wonderful time last night taking Bekah ice skating for her first time.  Her little skates were precious.  She was so excited.  Walking to the ice in her skates was like most things in her life-she booked it with confidence and we had to stop her from climbing on things in her blades! Curtis was a great teacher and Daddy (the first time she almost fell, she exclaimed, "I was about to fall but you caught me!") and she did great.  I took lots of pictures.  We had dinner at Panera Bread afterwards and it was just a lovely family time for the 3 of us.  Next year at this time, we'll almost have a one year old! 

Funny conversation between Bekah and Curtis

While I was sleeping...

Bek:  I want my Mama.
Curtis: Who's "my Mama"?  I don't know who that is. 
Bek:  You know, the one who cooks a lot in the kitchen?
Curtis:  Hmmm, "my Mama", I still don't know who you mean. 
Bek:  You know, she has long, black hair? 
Curtis:  I'm still not sure...
Bek:  You know, she cooks with the microwave and I help her sometimes?
Curtis:  I'm not sure who you mean...
Bek: You know, she does lots of laundry? 
Curtis:  Nope, I'm still not sure who this "my Mama" is that you're talking about. 
Bek:  You'll remember who she is when she wakes up. 

Oh Bek. 

leaving on a jet plane

Beks daily piles her doll and food on the rocking chair and tells us she's on her plane going on a trip.  Usually it's to Africa, often to visit cousin Kate.  She is always so excited to announce that she's home and gives us such warm hugs, you'd think she'd really been to Africa. 



She got these building blocks for Christmas (thanks Nana and Grandad!), and we built this together yesterday. 





Rebekah's Christmas outfit.  I can't handle the velvet coat! Thankfully it hasn't been too cold, and she could wear it alone. 




I'm sorry, but how delicious does this sweet petal look?  I'm trying so hard to carry on this Stump family Christmas tradition, but unfortunately I appreciate it much more than my family.  Bekah had one bite (seriously) and Curtis really enjoyed 2 pieces...the baby and I ate the rest.  It was divine, but maybe next year I'll have to skip it.  Probably not good for me to eat alone again! :) 



My poor pregnant feet.  Christmas Eve the baby sat on my sciatic and I could hardly walk.  I literally shuffled slowly like a crippled person.  Had to do a bit of crawling to the bathroom in the night.  Oh my.  Hopefully she'll stay off my nerve for the next 4 weeks so I can take care of my family...if not, I'll just be thankful Curtis is out of class!

budding artist and sick girl

Bekah has begun drawing faces!  It's really the cutest thing and we are quite proud. :)  The picture below is her drawing of herself.  She drew a bow on her head.  So funny! 

After throwing up again last night (and the night before, but not in between-weird), this morning Bekah woke up hot and lethargic.  Curtis told her he was sorry she was feeling sick.  She replied, "It's ok Dad, I'll get better soon."  Oh, sweet girl.  She's been watching a steady stream of Dora, Diego, Veggie Tales, and Madeline.  She's feeling a lot better as the morning wears on, but we're laying low.  In the picture with her is her new doll, whom she has named, "Judy", but sometimes switches to "Gisele" after the girl in one of her favorite Madeline episodes. :)

PS-we're 33 weeks today.  7 more to go!!! 

Early Christmas with Pops and Mimi

My Mom and Dad came to celebrate an early Christmas with us.  I'm so thankful that they can visit often. 

This sweet little dress is from Auntie Ang and Uncle Dan.

I love this.  Bekah wanted a front pack for her doll.  She saw it in an American Girl catalog.  My parents found this doll that came with a front pack, a diaper bag, a moses basket, etc.  She loves it and it's perfect timing for her to have when we have our new baby on the way. 

Bekah quote of the day

While playing with the nativity this morning, she exclaimed, "Glory to God!  Baby Jesus is alive!".  Amen, Bek, amen.

Setting up the Christmas tree

We got a fake tree this year for free from some friends who were moving.  I feel like a BIT of a Scrooge not getting a real one, but can I say just how incredibly convienent it was this year??  Oh my word.  Especially being that it takes a major effort for me to traverse Target these days with my big, sore pregnant body. :) 

Bekah was so excited to help and was a great little helper.  She is currently playing with our nativity set (thanks, Pops and Mimi!) and just narrating away as she does.  Seriously never stops talking.  The words I keep saying today are, "Be gentle".  Thankfully the nativity is non-breakable.  We'll see about that!

We enjoyed Frosty the Snowman and Rudolph while we decorated (thanks, Mips and Mimi!).  I love those old Christmas movies.  This will be our first Christmas fully at home in a long time, and I'm looking forward to enjoying our decorations. 

Update on baby:  everything is looking good at 31 weeks.  My placenta previa has completely cleared up, her heartrate was 140 this week, and she is active, but I don't think quite as active as Bekah was.  I feel pretty good overall.  I'm pretty sore and slow and have been getting weird migraines, but nothing too painful.  Bekah has been a good sport and often says, "We can do x when the baby comes out?" and has a good attitutde about having a mother that just can't do much these days. 

Curtis is a big help....and if we could just name this poor child, we'd be set! 

We enjoyed a visit from Curtis' sister Erin this week. It was so good to be together!  At one point, Bekah was holding her hand and said, "Auntie Erin, I like you." Melt my heart. 

We had a really fun Thanksgiving dinner with some good seminary friends here and it was a low-key day overall.  And it's not too cold here yet! I wonder if we'll have a white Christmas? 

Bekah's little bench

Bekah has been busy playing with her doggie and her baby.  Doggie was a baby, but "grew up to be a big girl" this afternoon.  They are taking care of her little baby now.  Bekah's been telling us that SHE is a baby a lot lately...preparing for our new arrival I think. :)  We had a good day today and even made it to the zoo with Daddy.  It was a bit rough on this mama's pregnant, tired body, but we had fun. :) 

our pumpkin patch hopes were dashed

We'd been looking forward to going to the pumpkin patch for weeks, and when we went (October 29th, mind you), it had closed 2 days prior!  I nearly cried and Bekah DID cry.  A pitiful little pout and big tears. Luckily, we were still able to enjoy the farm and even got to bring 2 cute little (1/2 priced) pumpkins home with us.  It was a fun day with Daddy and Pops and Mimi. 

We also had Trunk or Treat at church that night, which was tons of fun.  We parked our cars trunk side out, decorated the trunks, had candy, and the neighborhood kids came.  There were TONS of cars and it was lots of fun. 

 Beks went with her Ariel costume. 

 Here she is with Amanda and Elena, 2 of our youth group girls.  They had fun dancing in the grass.

 Here she is with little Brooklyn, her church friend.  They had fun dancing and spinning and playing together. 

 Happy Birthday, Curtis!  I am so incredibly lucky to have such a husband.  Love you, babe! 

 No sooner had I finished cleaning the house from top to bottom (6+ months pregnant and, MAN, am I sore tonight!), when she took everything apart.  Of course!  At least it's clean underneath. :) 

beautiful fall day and craft

So, this is not the fall craft.  This is a wonderfully thoughtful pastor appreciation gift from our church.  A gift card for each month of the year to eat out.  We are excited to go on lots of dates!!

 You can't see it real well, but Bekah has smothered chocolate from her snack size kit kat all over her face.  All over. I didn't know a snack sized candy bar could make such a mess. 

And now (wait for it....) the fall craft.  Got the idea on pinterest (yes, I do actually use the ideas sometimes!). We went outside to collect leaves and then glued them onto a cardboard wreath base I cut out.  She got to use glitter on the leaves, too, which was the highlight for Bek. Turned out pretty cute.

Oh, and this right here (bottom), is her "prettiest" princess smile.  FYI.

Looks like Bekah is going to get her wish...a sister!

Just last night at church she told a few ladies that she wants a sister because if it's a brother, she'll burst into tears.  Crisis averted!  :)  Now for a name...

A little of this, a little of that

Bekah's friend Maddy from church-they invited us to Jumping Jax, a really cool indoor place for kids with lots of things to climb on and slide down.  Bekah LOVED it. 

She, of course, wanted to slide on her back with her head first.  Such a daredevil. 

The various stages of Curtis' beard coming off.  So funny.  My favorite is the ridiculous last one. 

the marathon

early morning arrival at Crown Center

Waiting at the finish line...go Daddy! 

Crossing the finish line. 

Yay, Curtis!!  I'm so proud of you.

With Jay and Kelly Wilson.