Our Little Baby K, Gettin Bigger

25 weeks

Today, 12/24/08, I had an OB visit. Everything is going great. We are 25 weeks and 6 days along. I thought I would share the gift I hear every visit, the baby's heartbeat.

Oh Christmas Tree, Oh Christmas Tree

This morning was the first time Caelan saw our little tree. When I turned on the lights, his eyes got big and he exclaimed "Wooooow", which is his newest word. I was so touched to see his expression over that tiny little tree.

We can't wait to see how he reacts on Christmas morning.

Mom's Group Christmas Party at G'ma Carol's

Partaking in the yummy holiday treats.

(Carrie, Caelan, Tara, Maggie, Adelyn and G'ma Carol)

Caelan is sprucing up Adelyn's hair

Awwwwww!

Holiday Games

This past Monday we were invited to a Christmas party at G'ma Carol's house, Carrie's mom. The kids were wide eyed and very curious about all the beautiful decorations. The treats were all made by Carol, which were unbelievable. Yum! Caelan always has a fun time with his friends and then add Christmas music and sweets.....what more could you ask for?

Helping with the Wrapping

Mrs. Claus little helper

Mrs. Claus and little helper

All tuckered out after all that Un-wrapping

This past week has been such a tease for Caelan. We were wrapping presents, his own & daddy's, and daddy wrapping mine, but not allowed to rip them open, which he was dying to do. He settled for stacking all the pretty boxes and flipping open all the tags over and over. Well, at least there's no question he'll know what to do with the presents once we give him the okay to tackle them.

Holiday Party at Beth and Jeremy's

All the men are cleanin up after the big dinner

The Kinzer Clan

Caelan was excited to see what was inside
after all that hard work of tearing off the paper.

Taadaa, its a fabulous ribbon! What a great gift!

Hangin with the big boys (John and Chris)

This past Saturday 12/13/08 we went to Beth and Jeremy's for the "Annual Christmas Party". It was great to see all our friends again, Terry & John, Peggy & Chris, Calvin & his three girls. Lots of great food, big laughs, fun gifts & everyone took turns

chasing Caelan. Hee!

A Special Visit from St Nick

Caelan is lovin his special gift from St Nick!
OOOOOOweeee, did you know it did this, Mommy?

Ever since I can remember, our family has celebrated St Nick's Day which is on December 6. You put your shoes outside and the next morning there is a special treat left from St. Nick. This year St. Nick sent goodies all the way to Arlington, via mail. (Thank you grandma!)

Makin' Pizzas with the Master

Donning the proper pizza-making attire

Ready to assist!

The young apprentice listens to every pizza mastery secret

Shawn is the Pizza King! His pizzas are phenomenal. Whenever he offers to make pizza, my mouth begins to water. Caelan, ever interested in the goings on in the kitchen, requested to begin the pizza apprenticeship. He's such a quick learner, but Shawn reminds him gently that it takes many years of practice and diligence to reach this level of skill and accomplishment.

A Funny Little Piece of Corn

I just had to share this funny story. Yesterday I was feeding Caelan his dinner and he decided to bring out his sense of humor. He took a kernal of corn and delicately placed it on the top of his head then crossed his hands on his tray and looked at me, with a serious expression. The little kernal fell off, he took another piece of corn, placed it on the top of his head and crossed his hands on his tray again. When the kernal fell off he repeated the little process. I was trying to correct him and tell him not to put food in his hair, but was laughing sooo hard that I'm sure he took me seriously!

Mini trip to Richmond

Caelan scopes out every nook and cranny of our hotel room

Caelan will eat just about anything
if you feed him with chopsticks, hee

The first Santa picture of the season,
he was a really great Santa!

Ready for the raceway!
Little race cars were set up outside the
Christmas Village for the kids to play in

Christmas Village at the Richmond Children's Museum
Each little house was a different country
and decorated in their traditional Christmas style

Even reindeer need haircuts?

So silly!

The Kinzer Clan at the Richmond Children's Museum

The trip wouldn't have been complete

without a stop at the Bass Pro Shop.

Shawn & Caelan are up in the rocks on the left side.
(Look for Caelan's orange shirt.)

This past Saturday 11/29, Shawn rolled out of bed and said to me "Hey, lets go for a drive." Guess where we ended up? In Richmond. The traffic and weather was less than desireable, but regardless, we had a wonderful time. We stayed in a nice hotel, ate at a Japanese resturant for dinner and then a fun retro diner the following morning for breakfast, went to the Richmond Children's Museum then finally the ever amazing Bass Pro Shop.

Most importantly we had precious family time together!

As my Dad says, "Makin'Memories!"

Happy Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving from the Kinzers

Caelan enjoyed chasing the kittys all night

Jeremy preparing "the bird"

The Feast!

Post Feast!

Happy Thanksgiving to all our family and friends. We have so many blessings, family, friends and new little lives to be thankful for! We are happy to have you all in our lives and enjoy sharing life and moments with each one of you.

The Kinzer Clan shared Thanksgiving with our friends Beth and Jeremy Bird. They recently moved into a bigger home and invited us over for the Thanksgiving Feast. Caelan kept busy by running the rooms and chasing kitty's while the big kids prepared the meal. This was Caelan's first "eating" Thanksgiving meal. Whoeee, did he enjoy it. Lots o turkey, potatoes, stuffing, corn and cranberries. And of course pumpkin pie. What a wonderful dinner! Following the feast we retreated to the livingroom to enjoy our food buzz, Mmmmmmmm.

We really had a wonderful time, Thank you Beth and Jeremy!

Caelan Feeding Himself

Silly times

Okay, guess what I am?

Catchin' up on the Thanksgiving sales papers

Journey of Baby Kinzer #2

Sixth week ultrasound

8 weeks

13 weeks

15 weeks

19 weeks

21 weeks

So the journey continues, the excitement grows as each day passes. We can't wait for Caelan to have a new baby brother or sister, we're waiting to find out what we're having. I have been feeling great. In the beginning had some nausea, a couple times it got really bad but that's as far as it got. Now I am 21 weeks and 4 days, feeling good, sleeping good, getting bigger but really get tuckered out easy. Caelan keeps me going, the little adventurer he is. I don't really have any cravings aside from the occasional sweets. But at my last OB visit, 11/19, I was told I was gaining too fast and they didn't want any weight gain between now and my next visit on 12/24. So the sweets have to be put on hold (or as best as I can do, hee.) I have been getting a lot of help from Shawn, he is incredible. He does some of the cooking and cleaning and takes care of Caelan in the a.m. so I can sleep in. It's wonderful. This new little one is really active, it seems like more awake and kicking time than sleepy time. I just think this him/her is preparing, so they can keep up with Caelan, the crazy man!

The Journey of Baby Kinzer #2,Ultrasound at 18 weeks

Little Kinzer #2 10-31-08

Get your own at Scribd or explore others:

Notre Dame vs. Navy

The Kinzer's are ready
Stadium before the game started

Each time Navy plays, the Naval Academy's Corp of Cadets
march out onto the field during opening ceremony.
It was really amazing to see.

Notre Dame in a huddle, determining the next killer play.

Notre Dame kicks a field goal

Caelan dances to the jams played during the game while Notre Dame handles business in the background.

11-15-08 the Kinzer family sees a celebrity...the Notre Dame football team. After following Notre Dame and supporting them for so many years it was so exciting to finally see them play. They played Navy, final score: Notre Dame 27, Navy 21. We truly had a fun time. Caelan had a good time and was so well behaved (maybe because he was dead tired) or maybe because he is a fan at heart. The game was fun to watch but the fans around us, which there were more N.D. fans than Navy, were even more entertaining at times than the game. The weather started out warm and sunny but by the end of the game, fourth quarter less than 12 minutes to go, the sky opened up and we were part of the Noah's Ark flood. I believe it even hailed. The funny part was that Caelan had fallen asleep right before it started raining and slept through the entire downpour and the hike back to the Jeep. We had such a good time, Shawn's decided this will not be our last Notre Dame game! (Caelan is already getting primed for the football team and Shawn has calls out to Charlie Weis, head coach.)

Shenandoah Valley

Caelan has to check out the view up close

No words to describe how incredible...

Caelan takes a break from the hiking

Trekking up the mountain

Always time for a snuggle

Caelan had to change into his cold weather gear cuz, it got coooooold!

11/09/08 we took our, now, annual Kinzer family trek to Shenandoah Valley to drive through the Blueridge Mountains. We've decided this place is so incredible during the fall we need to come every year to see the changing leaves.

We could not have asked for a more beautiful day, it was sunny and very crisp. We started off our adventure on the main drive through the mountains stopping at the scenic overlooks. We stopped for a hike once we got farther up the mountain. This was a momentous occasion, as this was Caelan's very first hike on a mountain path. And to be honest, Caelan's hike was all his doing, because he wanted nothing to do with being carried. He handled the rough terrain like a champ. (With dad's help.) Later we stopped for some lunch at the Skyland Resort. By late afternoon the weather had changed and gotten much colder, so we decided to continue our tour while warm and toasty in the truck. After a couple more scenic stops and I shooting pics out the truck window we headed home. What a great family trip, can't wait for next year!