Mom and Robin in Maryland

My mom and Robin flew home on Sunday after spending a few days here visiting. It was heaven. I just loved having them here. They are my people. Living so far from "home," it was definitely like having "home" come to me. 

They endured many games of Trouble and Uno. 

Thursday was their first full day here. We didn't waste a minute and spent part of the morning at the National Museum of American History. I think the highlight was seeing the almost 200 year old American flag that inspired the Star Spangled Banner.

We also loved the collection of gowns worn by all the First Ladies over the years.

It was a cool day, but perfect for November. We really lucked out with the weather during their entire visit.

On Friday I cancelled a dentist appointment (hehe), and we headed to Georgetown for the morning. Our first stop was Baked and Wired, a bakery and coffee shop that gets rave reviews. We loved it as well. Emmy ate her weight in cupcakes.

We had to stop for a piece of pizza to balance out all the sugar we ate. Makes sense right? That's why I love these two, they think like I do.

We mostly walked and explored, but we did a little shopping at TJ Maxx. Our excursion was the perfect little taste of Georgetown.

This Pregnancy

Nate and I are so excited to be expecting another baby. Emmy will be about 3 and 8 months when the baby is born (due May 24), and that's the biggest gap we've had between our kids so far. Figuring out the best time to have another child has been challenging this time around as we factor in moves, busy work schedules, future deployments, etc. I was definitely not ready to add another baby to the family any earlier than this...most days we are just trying to stay afloat with the 3 we have. I am still very nervous and feel inadequate to mother 4 kids, but we feel like this is the right time and that things will work out because they always do. We are very, very lucky that we are ABLE to have children, and often within the time frame we plan for.

This pregnancy has been similar to my others. I don't throw up, but I have a stomach ache ALL DAY. Kind of like the day after you have had the throw ups. I just feel crappy. I always want to sit, and my motivation and energy are not what they usually are. I feel like I waste a lot of time walking around the house trying to be productive, but not getting anything done because I don't feel well. I often feel like my stomach is in my throat. I am very picky about food. If I don't eat often, I get really sick, but nothing ever sounds good. Almost overnight foods that I usually love sound disgusting to me like dried mangoes and coconut chips and hot chocolate. I really love Rice Chex right now, and I eat a lot of cereal. Grapes and little mandarins are also some favorites right now. I am not tempted at all by the kids' Halloween candy, which is not like me AT ALL. I am having cravings. A certain food will come to mind and I just can't stop thinking about it. One morning I got Emmy in the car and we went and got breakfast at McDonald's because I wanted it SO bad, and it was the only thing I could imagine eating. I have done that numerous times with different foods. Last night at the grocery store it was hummus and pita chips. I practically ate the whole tub of hummus when I got home. Usually after the kids are in bed I am DONE for the day. I can't clean, I can't think...I just want to be in my bed. 

Nate brought home an ultrasound machine from work because he's supposed to practice on shoulders, knees, etc. We got to use it to take a look at the baby, and that was so awesome. 

I really, really don't like pregnancy pictures, but I know I will be glad someday to see these. This is me about 12 weeks. If I take a picture after a meal, my stomach pops out quite a bit. This one is not after a meal though.

When we found out we were pregnant with Emmy, Jansen was only 4. It's a whole different ball game with an 8 and 6 and 3 year old and I love it! They are so excited, and I think they are going to be a lot of help. This baby will have lots of entertainment.

I asked Jansen to tell how he's feeling about all this baby business:

I feel like a game of catch has been going on for a while and then I lose the ball. I can't say if I'm excited or if I'm just unprepared though ready. I'll not get bored much when this baby comes although Natalie, Emmy and I will also become partly unattentive to the outside. I'm starting to feel like the days with the baby are going to become very interesting.

Soccer Saturday

 A week ago was Natalie's last soccer game. Their team name this year was the Scorpions, and she had a wonderful coach. I absolutely love watching her play. She only scored one goal this season (at her last game), but she is always a solid player on the field.

After Natalie's game we all went with Nate to an American University men's soccer game. One player dislocated his shoulder, and although I hated to see that happen, it was cool to see Nate in action as he treated the injured player and put his shoulder back into the socket.

The kids made Nate take them to the training room after the game in hopes of finding some treats there. 

We took a round about way home and drove through some beautiful Washington neighborhoods. It was difficult to take pictures from the car, so I didn't capture just how beautiful it really was, but you can still get the idea.

This was in Georgetown. 

I was honestly in shock today as I looked at the calendar and realized 9 days have passed since Halloween! I got some Thanksgiving decorations up a few days ago. I truly have much to be grateful for. 

Exploring Washington DC

 Time just keeps marching on. We have been here for four months now! I panic sometimes because I don't feel like we have seen as much as I would have liked to by this time. It's very difficult to find time to sight see as a family. There are so many factors to consider: school, work, weather, traffic, etc. Last Friday afternoon I had just put Emmy down for a nap and was thumbing through one of our guides to DC. Nate was getting off early that day and walked in the door a few minutes later. I basically said, "We're leaving!" and we pulled Emmy out of her bed before she even fell asleep for her nap and we headed into DC as a family.

The weather was PERFECT. The parking was great. This is a beautiful place with many elegant buildings.

Some sights (this is the Treasury Department) as we made our way to see the White House:

We saw the back of the White House first. You can't get very close obviously, but it was fun to see the garden and the beehives they have.

The downfall of a beautifully sunny day...no one can look at the camera...

Kind of a funny story. Jansen brought his book, and apparently while we were all looking at the White House he was distracted. After leaving, we started talking about the White House and he was furious that we had seen the White House and hadn't pointed it out to him. Of course, since we were there for 10 or 15 minutes we figured he had noticed the huge white building everyone was looking at and taking pictures of. I guess he just kind of spaced out while we were there. 

We walked a bit to show him the front of the White House, but he was still so mad. He wanted to see the back. 

After Jansen's mood improved a little, Nate jogged with him back to our original spot so Jansen could see it.

Jansen was thankful and happy about that, but Nate said once they got there Jansen had an "Oh I remember now!" moment. Sigh. Kids. You can see the Capitol in the distance in this picture. We loaded up and drove a little ways to be closer to the Lincoln Memorial.

That's the Lincoln Memorial up ahead.

I'm so glad we were able to visit this place.

***I just got a text from my sister. She brought something to my attention. We both want you all to ignore the man in the background adjusting his pants. Yes, that one. I said to ignore it!***

The Washington Monument is having some work done, so it looks a little different than it usually does.

We walked a short distance to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial next. Oh the names. There are just so many names. I reminded the kids that each name was a real person with a story and a family and a personality all his own. War is so sad. 

We decided to call it a day before our perfect afternoon could go sour for one reason or another. Because with kids, it's only a matter of time. I'm so grateful to have the opportunity to live our country's capital.

Leaves

Nate raked up most of the leaves from our backyard and left them in one big pile for the kids to jump in after school. It was pajama day at school, so Jansen and Natalie are, well, in their pajamas. It made for a memorable afternoon in the backyard.