Gavin Patrick Cronin

This little guy is my newest nephew. He arrived yesterday, the 23rd of November weighing in at 7 lbs. 7 oz. He is such a cutie and looks like Sarah did when she was a baby! He certainly does take after our side of the family with that perfect little head and cute features. Good work Sarah and Ryan! His aunt Laura loves him already. Now I can put his cute face with those adorable little noises I heard over the phone yesterday. How I wish you didn't live so far away!

Halloween 2009

Baker & McKenzie had a Family Halloween party and this was part of the decorations there in the hallway. I couldn't help but laugh when I saw this but at the same time was kind of sad. I think it represents exactly how much time these Attorneys are spending at the office. I joked with Brent that this is how he was going to look when he died. Doesn't seem too funny now! On average (since July of this year) Brent bills over 250 hours a month. Before this summer his goal was to bill 170 hours a month...needless to say, we don't get to see much of him!

The Girls LOVED going to Brent's office! They didn't want to leave! He does have a pretty cool view from his window of one of the skyscrapers in Dallas. It was even cooler at night when all the lights were on!

Hannah and Danielle OR ("Pippi Longstocking" and "Super Girl")had three night's of trick-or-treating! First night at Brent's office, second night at our ward's Halloween/trunk or treat and then of course Halloween night in our fabulous neighborhood! We have candy coming out our ears! By the way, these boots Danielle is wearing caused an awful lot of tears and frustration, I'm so glad Halloween is over and this costume will never be worn again...at least not by this child!

Brent and I don't usually dress up but I convinced Brent into it just this once!

Since we are having a baby I wanted to highlight the fact.

We got a lot of good laughs and we even shocked a few people!

"The Bun Maker" and "The Bun in the Oven"!

Good Times!

Poor Danielle!

Poor Danielle! Yesterday I took her into the Dr. thinking she had a bad cold and maybe needed a breathing treatment. She was complaining that her chest was hurting and that her throat hurt when she coughed. When we got there she was tested for strep throat and also the flu. Tests came back positive for Type A flu which is well knows as "Swine Flu". I've been dreading this illness mainly because I've heard terrible things about it and MY child now has it, and with her asthma it really can do a number on her. Luckily we were able to catch it early and she is on Tamiflu. With me being pregnant the Dr's were concerned about me enough to put me on Tamiflu as well even though I am not having any symptoms. It would be very bad if I were to get it. I am very conscious of what I touch and my hands are drying out so much from washing them that they hurt. Anyway, it has been really nice to have Danielle home with me for these past few days. It feels good to have her around, I wish I could hug her and kiss her! She told me that she is happy I can stay at home and take care of her when she's sick instead of needing to go to work. I feel very blessed that I can stay home and care for the kids when they need me the most! I don't see how Moms who do work can do it all! Thanks Brent for allowing me this privilege!

A day of 1st's!

Today is the 1st day of Fall. Every year I look forward to this day because it is my all-time favorite season! There is something about the crisp air and watching the trees change color and how beautiful it all looks. I also love the relief from the heat and wearing long pants and sweaters. For the past nine years of living in Texas, we don't get "Fall" until late October or November so right now is when I really start getting homesick for Utah weather. So to ease this feeling, I always make pumpkin cookies and decorate my home for Fall regardless of the 90 degree weather! My friends and family love this tradition because they benefit by eating those cookies! But, today is different. With a temperature of 68 degrees, it actually feels like Fall.

But a better feeling than all of that is something Brent and I got to experience today...we got to hear our baby's heartbeat for the 1st time! The heart rate was strong and the Dr was able to find it very easily! What a great sound...one we haven't heard for over 5 1/2 years! We didn't have another ultrasound like I thought but we did get something we weren't planning today...flu shots! (Brent too...his 1st at the OB/GYN's office!) Our next ultrasound will be right before Thanksgiving! As much as I love Fall, I hope the next eight weeks go by really fast! I'm dying to know what this baby is!

Here's a sneak peak of what my tummy looks like at the end of my 1st trimester!

1st picture...August 25, 2009

My first Dr's appt went really well...Here is the first picture of our little peanut and I have it hanging on my refrigerator! (Actually it's only the size of an olive right now.) The Dr. calls it an embryo but it's more than that to me. The Dr. said it had great cardio activity and that it looked really good! Looks like the "tail" is gone or close to being gone now. She also took some blood to test my progesterone levels and I just got a phone call saying they were high so I could stop taking the progesterone supplements. It's a good thing because they made me so tired! Food is tasting good to me now and I am not throwing up anymore unless I take my prenatals on an empty stomach. I'm not completely in the clear I know, but, I am hopeful and in good hands! 31 weeks to go!

Hannah's newest addition!

From now on you will see Hannah showing off her most expensive back to school accessory she has ever had in her lifetime! Over the summer, I've been catching her squinting so much that I made an appointment with an eye doctor and she clearly did not pass! So, she has joined the club that so many of us are in. She is afraid of what others may say. I told her that if she liked them and they helped her see better then it doesn't matter what others think. She is beautiful with or without them!

Ist day of school...2009!

The first day of school was an exciting day for my girls! Hannah started 4th grade and is really happy with her teacher this year! What a relief! She was hoping to get a good teacher and from what I've seen and heard, Mrs. Laabs is wonderful!

Danielle started Kindergarten and she has been looking forward to going to the "Big School" like her sister for years! When we got the teacher letters, the girls ripped them open and Danielle started reading the long letter all by herself from the back seat of the car. I was shocked that she is reading that well! She is so ready for this! Me on the other hand...not so much. But, I have a lot of preperations to make as I get ready for the arrival of our last child. I'm sure I will learn to enjoy the alone time! Girls in front of the house before we set off for school!

looking all grown up!

Danielle going into her new classroom! She loves her teacher already!