30 weeks

Umm...I think I've outgrown this shirt.

In the home stretch! I can't believe that I only have 10 weeks to go. Having a baby due shortly after the holidays surely makes those last weeks speed right on by! I'm not so sure that's good...I don't feel ready yet! Third time doesn't necessarily feel like a charm. Baby Liam will be here very soon!!

A Time for Giving Thanks

Even though this year was quite different from years past, it was certainly a Thanksgiving to remember. My husband is still with his family in Guatemala, wrapping up loose ends. He will be home with us soon, and we are all counting the days. To keep things simple (and since my kiddos don't eat THAT much), I just made some toasted ham and cheese sandwiches. We shared that together at a quiet table, while we listened to the rain fall steadily outside. Then we feasted on some homemade pumpkin pie. It was a delightful time with my boys, as they climbed into the bath tub, and then got into their snuggly pajamas. The day came quickly to an end, and I sat in the tranquility of our humble home, giving thanks for my beautiful boys and amazing husband(whom I miss terribly!). I cannot wait for us all to be together again as a reunited family, to celebrate the true Reason for the Christmas season as Jesus' birthday is just around the corner!

(And one things for sure: even though I didn't cook a Thanksgiving feast, you'd never know by looking at my refrigerator! The love of my family and friends has filled the shelves with delicious Thanksgiving leftovers!)

October 31st

Pre-costume (he couldn't wait to get the rest on!)

Neftalí (aka Batman) Menéndez, showing off his guns

My two little goblins in the car, ready to head for some trick-or-treating at the local mall

Solomon, the little horsey, taking a ride in the stroller

I decided to take the boys to the mall since they have trick-or-treating every year, and I discovered that I had missed out on a local church harvest festival that was held on the 30th. So, we headed to the mall, decked out in our costumes (Neftalí's a little big...but with room to grow for next year?), and craving some candy. We grabbed a bite of dinner first, and then began our rounds. Normally, Solomon would walk - like a horsey should - but due to the amazing number of kiddies with their parents, I thought it better to push him along. He still doesn't quite grasp the concept anyway, and it was hard enough to keep track of Nefty as we wandered from store to store collecting sweets!

Then we headed home. Solomon was pretty tuckered out and ready for bed. Nefty and I proceeded to veg out in front of the tube for a little while (though there really wasn't anything on). And then to make sure he would sleep in a little (setting the clocks back and gaining an hour of sleep), we baked almost a dozen chocolate cupcakes at about 9:30pm. What fun! Now all we have to do is ice them - and EAT them! (By the way, Neftalí DIDN'T sleep in...both boys were ready to go at about 6:30ish - and that was after I made them stay in bed awhile!)

Almost 7 months!

Here I sit, at 27 weeks, and I can hardly believe that our third sweet son will be here very soon! I am feeling well, have a pretty good amount of energy (considering I'm working full-time and mothering 2 sons while my husband is wrapping up family business down south), and am enjoying this phase of pregnancy. I have been pretty blessed to carry a basketball, so to speak (or, should I say pumpkin?), and I am so thankful that the Lord has allowed me to truly enjoy carrying each of my children. What a privilege to be able to share in the miracle of conception and childbirth alongside the Creator of ALL life!