the backs of my knees are chubby

Gaining weight when growing a baby inside of you is not a big deal to me. I'm ok with it, I don't despise the scale (or even have one that accurately works). But, there is a reality to the blah feeling you get when you see a picture of yourself and you have a double chin without trying, and in the shower you notice even the back of your knees are getting chubby (as I typed that I just ate 4 peanut butter M&M's...there is no mystery behind the numbers on the scale each time I go to the Dr).  And when I say I feel like and elephant already, I do mean that. Spouses who deny it and boost you up, thank you for trying, but I really do feel large and in charge and awkward at times. C'mon, you can't pretend like you didn't hear those grunting noises I just made trying to get off the couch? Praise for my sis who gave me a free 1 month membership to her gym-I loved sweating in spin class on Saturday!

On  more serious note, baby girl is kicking me during the wee hours of the night and I am happy. I welcome her keeping me up to let me know she is alive and strong. I had an ultrasound scheduled for today with the perinatologist at IMC, but canceled it. I got the bill from the last ultrasound with them and my ghetto deductible makes it so none of it is covered. There isn't anything they could do by having another ultrasound, so they were ok with the cancellation. I'm ready to rack up the medical bills in 2013.

We are loving our house. The biggest project is finishing the basement so we can rent it out. If you know anyone (quiet, clean, and responsible) looking for a basement apt in a great neighborhood, off street parking, and that is brand new, send them our way. We hope to finish it sometime in January. We'll rent 1, maybe 2 bedrooms for around $850ish. Not sure on utilities yet, but there will be options for internet and use of the washer/dryer down there. Its about 1300 sq ft.

I love Siri and Jane. Siri has shown signs of being...mmm...independent?  "You're mean! I'm never playing with you again!" and Jane is a ham "Waaach! Waaach Mommy!", she loves attention.  I can't say enough how much I admire and appreciate Mark's work ethic. In the freezing cold he's cutting tile outside (using hot water in buckets from the tub to keep the tubes from freezing) and waking up at 6am to grout.

south town mall is great place to let your kids run around, and pick their noses

the stockings on the ends were mine and Liz's when we were kids

Jane post nap, and I think Siri is doing the pick-your-nose pose again

The kids came in and Mark, while sporting a gross mustache, said "what a couple a wussies"(nacho libre)...he could play in the snow for hours.

Three cheers for corn dogs, and fast food play places when its cold and soggy outside

make up a caption

this lady loves her new Christmas present