Just Three Words...

IT'S ANOTHER GIRL!!!!!

Proof!!

Her sweet little face!

Family portrait at 19 weeks and 1 day! (Yes, I keep track of every day, and am sure to round-up mid-week!)

Nick took the morning off from work to join me for our big ultrasound today!  As per explicit directions, I filled my bladder to the point of near explosion (which was later commented on by the technician; I loved having a diagnostic tool to back my complaints!)  After an on-time arrival, we nervously watched the Price is Right for five minutes before being led back to our special room.  We were, once again, awestruck by the images of our baby's perfect (to us) little form.  Early in the appointment the tech warned us that she (we now know) was in a terrible position for visualizing her private parts.  I was momentarily worried about having another ultrasound tease, but thankfully, she's an active little thing and revealed herself to us about twenty minutes into the anatomy scan!  I was so overcome with excitement, knowing that Emmy would have a little sister.  I truly believe that sisterhood is the greatest gift!  I think that Nick is also happy.  With some time to process, I think he will stop worrying about the expense of a second wedding to pay for, and instead feel intense gratitude that he will be very well taken care of by all of the doting ladies in his life.  After graciously accepting a disc of our treasured images, we went to grab lunch. Nick's choice!  My encouragement plan was going splendidly until I made a careless misstep and ordered him some pink lemonade...Something to laugh about, at least!  While Nick shifts his brain gears from prom dress shopping and wedding planning to work stuff, I am eager to spend Emmy's nap time researching girly names and nursery color motifs!  Let the fun begin!

Emmy's Fall Collection

Not sure what to do with your bathing suit when the weather cools? Just throw it on your head!

Emmy's take on the Kayan Lahwi neck ring custom.

Channeling her inner lioness.

Tough girl look.

Fairy pirate.

Nick's Man Vacation

This past week, Nick embarked on an intricately planned man vacation with his brother, Ben, and a number of his best childhood friends. It evolved from the initial plan of a weekend get-a-way into a 5 day hard core outdoor adventure.  Nick flew to Salt Lake City last Tuesday evening and, after a few hours of sleep, drove he and his buddies 4 hours away to Zion National Park.  After setting up their campsite, they set off on a 6 mile hike on a rocky trail known as Angel's Landing.  I felt panicky just listening to Nick describe the precarious pathway that they traveled with 1500 foot drop offs on either side. Yikes!  The second day, they had a pre-dawn wake-up to get going on the Narrows trail, a 16 mile hike through a canyon with water filling a large majority of the base.  After 11 and a half hours, they finished up, a little worse for wear.  They more than deserved the relaxation that awaited them on Friday, when they connected up with a few more of their buddies at Lake Powell for some house boating and man fun.  From the sounds of it, they had an absolute blast!

The precarious pinnacle of the Angel's Landing hike.

My handsome hubby.

Brother Ben & my Nick.

 Just behind them...1500 feet straight down

Ben, Nick, Carl and Norm

Ben, Nick, Carl & Norm

Mikey 

Ben and Mikey wading through the Narrows.

Carl taking a break in one of the waterfalls.

Norm manages to get through the waist-deep water.

Nick and Mikey trekking along.

Mikey grilling a feast fit for kings.

Nick and Ben sinking the anchor for the night.

Teamwork!

Gorgeous scenery.

The crew: Nick, Ben, Mikey, Cy, Carl, Andrew, Ben and Norm.

Ben, Mikey, Cy, Carl, Norm, Andrew & Ben

Weekend Escape

While Dada was off enjoying his "Man vacation" in Utah and Uncle JP was officiating his army buddy's wedding in Colorado, Emmy and I spent some time with her favorite cousins (and Auntie Kristi, of course!)  As our hubbies were engaged in raucous fun on their respective get-a-ways, Kris and I opted to get a little wild with sidewalk chalk and our offspring.  My how times have changed!

Emmy saw Andy and Claire laying on the ground and dropped to the pavement herself.

Everyone's in place!

Clairey didn't flinch from the time Kris laid her down until the time we picked her up...The model subject.

Luckily, I have a quick trigger finger because Emmy had about three seconds before she got bored....

My sweet baby butterfly.

...and her true colors emerge.

Cooperative Claire.

Andy inspired a little more adventurous scene after complaining about the crown and balloon picture options.  Thankfully, the Sacksteders have a huge driveway. :)

Andy rocking last year's Halloween costume while walking on the moon.

Our little fashion plate

Emmy has become rather fond of accessorizing her outfits.  I have no idea where it has come from, given my "minimalist" approach to fashion.  It's been hilarious to see the ensembles that she (very seriously) models around the house...

A wise choice to wear her swim cap during snack time.

Just because it's bath time doesn't mean you can't look fabulous.

She achieves a chunky necklace look with three headbands.

She even raids Nick's limited stash.

Some additional recent pictures from the last few weeks:

Picnic in the back of the car while Nick and I cleaned the garage...You could cut the humidity with a knife, ugh!

Emmy's babies are never far, she "loves on them" with lots of hugs and kisses.  So sweet. :)

Nick was smoked after a tough Crossfit workout, so Emmy gave him her sippy cup of water and an ice cube to help him feel better.

Latest fascination: playing with dried beans, different sized spoons and tupperware containers.

I plunked her on our bed while I was vacuuming and returned to find her reading my parenting magazines.

She prefers to color while laying on the rug in the kitchen. :)