Rose came down the stairs ALL BY HERSELF! She learned how to turn herself around and come down! I left her upstairs so I could put her down for a nap and next thing I know she is down stairs squacking at me and practicing her other trick… standing up! We have one little baby that is trying to be a big girl this week. Not being sick seems to be helpful in her progression, She actually has the energy to practice. And she is still taking 2 naps BUT I can tell she’s thinking about cutting it down to one big one.

Cali is also growing up in all ways – She can sing and remember lots of songs, she talks like a teenager, she is learning to color like her cousins do, and I can usually go places now without her blanket and sippy. She is all princess and girly lately and I guess I’m ok with that 🙂 especially since she’s still got a lot of toughness in her (check out Ben’s blog if you need proof http://searchponderpray.com/Ben/?p=66)

Packer is almost completely independent. He is good at not needing me so I have to make an effort to make sure that he does get mom time. He is still Mr Project, anything crafty, in the garden, working around the house – he loves it all. Yesterday he got mad at me because I tried to do his chore for him 🙂

Benji had a friend down the street call him this week and I was able to send him out the door by himself and told him to be home in an hour and he was!! It was WONDERFUL to not have to drive him and pick him up and plan his play time around the other kids. That’s one friendship I am hoping will last 🙂

Jana has officially acknowledged that her back aches in the evenings after carrying around this growing child and doing whatever else it is she does around here 🙂 Nothing BAD yet but the uncomfortableness has started.

Ben has been without his favorite toy this week! His portable bluetooth amazing speaker fell in the water. He has missed it terribly, in the shower, after dinner, and whenever we are playing games or hanging out. He is waiting patiently to buy himself a new one.

That’s the latest with us. Now it is FRIDAY NIGHT and we get to drop the kids off for cousins night! And I am craving some eating out. Go Cougars!

We have a blue blanket that was left after the party – please check and see if it is yours 🙂

February 11 is our due date for the 5th little Ben and Jana Nettesheim baby to come into the world!! We are all super excited for a new little brother. Most people have seen my constant weight gain over the summer and already knew but for those without the luxury of seeing me often I figure I better make the announcement official.

Here is Rose talking to the little guy and giving him loves

Baby looked healthy at our ultrasound last month!

one of the weird 3D images they gave us

I am feeling good. 2nd Trimester is always the best, (not that any part of pregnancy is really great but this is the easiest part for me).

Packer giving baby a kiss

This is me today, in my messy house, just over half way through this pregnancy

My Sister Tracie is pregnant with her first and due just a few weeks after me. yahoo for them! and my Brother Kevin is having his 5th, maybe his last, in December so my mom will be busy in the next few months and get lots of baby time.

Cali giving loves, she loves to play mommy so hopefully she takes this addition easier than when Rose came into the family 🙂

Ok – it was a little early but Uncle Ryan was craving sugar cookies and Bats and Ghosts seemed like the way to go. Ryan and Tara made cookies and helped all of the kids frost them.

the "cool" big kids

Packer and his masterpieces

Brinlee showing her cookie

Cali's turn

Rose was done by the time I got the camera out BUT she LOVED eating the dough - so yummy