End in Sight

I had an appointment with my OB on Wednesday and everything looks great. She asked me what I wanted to do if I went past my due date. I was very quick to answer, "be induced." So she gave me the option of being induced on January 5th or the 14th. Would anyone really choose to go 1 week past their due date? Anyway, if I don't go into labor naturally before then, I will be induced on the 5th. I love that there is an actual end in sight, but I am really hoping this baby just comes next week and then I won't have to worry about being induced. I am ready for labor but I am not so sure I am ready for the baby that comes with it.
Oh, and how wrong would it be to take down the Christmas decorations on Christmas day? Too soon? :) I would love to get the house all cleaned up before the baby comes. I guess I could hold off until Monday. We'll see.

Our own little piece of Montana

Aaron and I made an offer on a pretty bit of land down by the Marias River here in Shelby. We have been eyeing this property for a couple of months and finally decided to do something about it. It is a little over 21 acres right on the river (nope, not in the flood plain) with easy interstate access and our closest neighbors are some really good friends of ours. The land is about 7 miles out of town but it won't take Aaron much longer on his commute. We are just waiting for the financing to go through and we have given some house plans to a builder and are waiting for his bid before we decide whether we build now or save money for a couple of years before we build. Exciting and terrifying all at once.

Santa

The girls were so excited to go see Santa Claus at the Christmas Stroll last night, but check out Penelope's face once Aaron set her on his lap. She was absolutely terrified. She didn't cry but it sure looked like she wanted to. She did manage to ask him for an iron and ironing board for Christmas but that was all she said. She was a little more comfortable once Eleanor joined her on Santa's lap. Eleanor was just happy that she got a "big candy" from Santa and she really did enjoy her candy cane.

Shelby Community Concert

This Saturday is our annual Community Christmas Concert. My friend Melanie started this concert three years ago, the first year Aaron and I lived in Shelby. There is an article all about it in this month's Ensign. Aaron's parents were here for the first concert. Eleanor was about a month old and we were blessing her the same weekend as the concert, so it worked out that Ma'am and Papa got to come and hear me sing too. I am excited for my song this year, it is so upbeat and fun to sing and also has some fantastic high notes. And it is a good thing that it is a fast tempo. With only 5 weeks to go in this pregnancy there is no way I could sing anything that required a lot of note holding.
Anyway, check out the article in the Ensign. Melanie has done great things here.

Two

Our sweet little Eleanor turned 2 on the 2nd. We didn't do a birthday cake for her this year. We already had so much candy and stuff from Halloween and I just didn't want to add a cake to my waistline too. :) So, instead we had birthday pancakes like we did for Penelope. Yep, the candles still melted in the pancakes even though I was sure they would be cool enough this time. Eleanor had a lot of fun blowing out the candles and opening gifts, but Penelope may have had even more fun watching.

And here is a random picture of Penelope doing her "crazy eyes" with the yucky teeth my friend LaDonna supplied us with. I love little Eleanor in the background, who was not quite able to get those teeth all of the way in her mouth. I love my girls.