Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all those friends and family members that are far way in distance but close in our thoughts and heart!

We had a wonderful, low-key day (until Kate started to feel sick). We started the day with a big, special breakfast with Mommy and Daddy! Then we all cuddled on the coach (Shayla too) to watch the Macy's Day Parade and see Santa. After a nap (for all of us), we headed off to Papa and Gigi's house for the "feast". Kate has been eagerly anticipating the feast for weeks, declaring that she will eat cornbread and cranberries. She lived up to her word and ate cornbread and that's about it.

Shaun, Deb, Brenden and Collin were there. Sadly Brian and Jecholia were visiting other family in Virginia. Grammy, Nana Linda, a dear friend, Sally, were also present. And traveling all the way from Massachusetts were the special guests: Aunt Jackie, Uncle Tim and cousins Melissa and Matt. It was a great group to spend time with and reflect on the blessings of family.

Sadly we were the first to leave as Kate seemed a bit off. Little did we know that the next day she would entire a four day battle with a cough, runny nose and fever. Poor baby. Here are a few shots of the three musketeers before Kate took ill.

A Big Day For Us...

Today we had our 20 week sonogram! Even though this is baby number two for us, it is still so amazing to see the details that technology is able to deliver. I must admit I teared up watching the heart beat and seeing all five fingers on a open hand. Amazing. God truly does knit us together in our mother's wombs.

I had this grand idea of keeping the sex of the baby a secret until Thanksgiving when I could do a big family reveal. However, I was so excited today. And it's no fun to have such wonderful, exciting news and not be able to share it with people who are equally as excited as you. So I broke down after not even 24 hours and spilled the beans. So for all the world to know...we are excited to announce that we are having a baby BOY! Kate is now telling people she's having a baby brother. I'm glad she can know; it makes it more real, I think, to talk about a brother rather than just a baby.

Already the kids are different. When we had Kate's sonogram, she tossed and turned and rolled and moved the entire time. The sonogram technician had a lot of trouble getting good shots because Kate kept moving. And to this day Kate still moves non-stop. Just tonight I had to chase her around the room and wrestle her to the ground to put on her jacket. Yet, this little fella stayed pretty still the whole time moving ever so slightly here and there. He was calm and content. I am hoping he'll be my mellow one- compared to Kate that is. Can't wait to meet the little guy. 20 more weeks to go -- 20 more weeks to deliberate over boy names. April 6th (or there abouts) will come faster than we can imagine!

Fall Fun and Family

Beautiful Fall Day with Family

Morning Fun Building Tents

Papa Gallagher's Birthday!

Latest in Katonese

Kate lined up two of her dolls on her rocking chair. "Listen up, girls, I am going to tell you a story. Once upon a time there was a girl named Jack. How'd you like that story girls? Let's go meet Jack." And she grabbed her dolls and went to a toy chest. Not sure who Jack is though?

Walking through Whole Foods dairy section on Friday, Kate sniffs the air. "Mommy, I smell cheese. It smells like poopy diapers!"

All day long today Kate has been calling me "Mommy Dinosaur". I want milk Mommy Dinosaur. Mommy Dinosaur, baby dinosaur wants a snack. Etc.