Bits of November

:: We asked Colby and Alice if they wanted a boy or a girl before my ultrasound. Colby said, "Boy. Please, please, please boy?" (he really wanted me to agree) and Alice wanted a girl. Robb and I were fine either way, although I was pretty sure this little one is a girl. And it turns out I'm 3/3 for calling the right gender. She's a squirmy baby (I felt her move for the first time at 8 weeks) and she did not appreciate the ultrasound tech pushing into her space. She kept kicking/punching back at the probe, which made the whole experience REALLY comfortable for me. Everything looks good and I love that I can see a strong resemblance to Colby and Alice in her profile. 

:: Colby turned 4 and I was in charge of teaching preschool that week, so we combined the two that Thursday. The theme: Star Wars (big surprise).

Colby testing out one of the pool noodle light sabers with Robb 

Pin the light saber on Yoda

Stormtrooper cupcakes

There were nine kids under the age of 4 and only one adult (lucky me) for two hours and it was insane. I will never try throwing a party solo again, There needs to be at least one person who can prep things/take pictures and another to run games/play with the kids/handle disputes. Colby had a blast though and watching him run around with his friends was worth all the craziness.

:: I find these two playing together all the time now and it melts my heart.

:: Thanksgiving: We flew into Seattle and recovered with my parents for a day before driving down to my Aunt Trina and Uncle Dane's place in Eugene. Almost all of the Charles Rigby family were there, favorite faces I hadn't seen in years. Alice met her great-grandparents for the first time.

She immediately bonded with Great-Grandma over a book

Dad took the kids out to see/chase the chickens

and caught one so they could take a closer look 

Megan and Dane after running their personal Thanksgiving Marathon

Alice and Isla realized Grandpa could reach the cookies pretty quick, They'd look at him with their big eyes and say, "Cookie, please?" and he'd hurry off to the kitchen :)

Hay rides on Dane's tractor (please note his fabulous ensemble)

Then we came back to Sammamish for a couple days. Mom had surgery the day we arrived on her left arm to remove some benign tumors (it looks like I'll need the same surgery someday on my right arm). She was still recovering after Thanksgiving, so we helped deck the house for Christmas.

Colby was a little more helpful than Alice

Colby-

I can’t believe you’re turning four tomorrow. You’re growing up so quickly. I went to wake you up from a nap the other day and realized the toddler bed mattress I thought was ridiculously big when I first placed you in it at four months, is getting a little small.

I’m so grateful for the sweet boy you are. This morning the alarm went off at 5:30 and Daddy woke to find you standing right next to the bed, just waiting for us to wake up. Then you crawled in between us and giggled as we tucked the blankets around you. We lay like that for a few perfect minutes before you decided it was breakfast time. You bring so much joy to my life.

I love your laugh and you love to be tickled, and chased, and eaten, so we’re a perfect match. Today after I caught and munched on you a bit, you started talking to me about the baby. You patted my stomach and tried to open it to see if the baby is ready yet (she’s not). You’re a wonderful, patient older brother to Alice. She likes to push your buttons and hang all over you, but it’s only because she adores you. Every time you go to preschool or to a friend’s house to play, she mopes around and keeps asking when we’ll get her Colby back. This baby girl is so lucky to have you.   She’s going to follow your example just like Alice does and I know you’ll help me watch over her.

We left a list of potential gifts for you on the computer desk and I caught you reading it (luckily you had no idea what it was about, but the words “Legos” and “Star Wars” sure got you excited). You love to learn and my goal this year is to nurture that love.

Thanks for being Daddy’s Star Wars pal, for being willing to turn on/off and fetch whatever I need, for our daily reminders to listen to General Conference and begin scripture study, for your random songs about umbrellas, cereal, preschool, etc. (complete with beat boxing), and your silly sense of humor. We love you, Colby.