Our Big November

Our November has been busy and full of fun. I will start from the beginning of the happenings (not necessarily the most exciting things first). At the beginning of the month I was in San Antonio for a few days with Tom. We went for the American Doctors of Audiology convention and were so blown away by the conference. It was wonderful and I am still so impressed with the classes that I took there. Most of them weren't actually about Audiology practice, but more about marketing, advertising, the Internet, and really promoting Audiology. I loved it. We are actually going to be implementing some new and very exciting things that we learned.

When I got back from San Antonio I found out that I am pregnant and we will be expecting Little Shepard #3 in the summer. I had felt pretty terrible for about 3 weeks before I realized I was pregnant. I was having horrible headaches and a dizzy, stuffy head. Because of this I actually went through a brain MRI, which came out normal.

Like all my pregnancies I feel gunky, nauseated, exhausted, and really just try to get through the day. Thankfully, I have been able to refill my prescription for my nausea medication and am getting by. The days are hard and Todd has been so good to me. He is helping a lot around the house and trying to make things easier for me. It is a challenge to keep up with Mason and Ave and all of our daily trials. My first OB appointment is on Dec 14th with my all time favorite Doctor, Dr. Ehama (she delivered Avery). I have also decided that to get through my days that I will not be taking on anything extra through the end of Feb. The truth is that I seem to be very good at always being involved and taking on new projects, but I do not think that at this time it is good baby #3, my family, or me. Selfish yes, self satisfying, I truly hope so.

Todd has been thinking that it was time to have a shaved head. So here is the before.

During. Happy with the progress.

After. I didn't really think that this was that much of a change, Todd has shaved his head before. He is so good looking that he can pull off anything.

My sweet Mason. He is really getting into pretend play which has been a fun stage. At school they told me that he shows compassion towards others. I am so proud of this characteristic.

Lovely Ave. She is really starting to talk. She looks through her picture books and knows most of the animals, the sound they make and their signs (sign language). She likes songs, twinkle twinkle, the bumble bee song, if your happy and you know it. When she sees me in the morning she says, "Hi Mama" and when I get home from work a night she exclaims, "Mommy!" and it is heaven.

These two are getting big and now are mostly in the garage.

My dad came to visit for a week which was awesome. We had such a nice time. He and Todd had a few projects around the house, one was putting a pet door in the garage. He also had fun with the kids, playing with them and reading to them. He even got really good at putting them to bed at night.

Avery and Grandpa Mike

Daily nap = necessity. I have been so tired. So, daily we would all have a nap time. I love this. Here the kittens are keeping Dad's feet warm.

Ashle and Brad came a week later for Thanksgiving. They brought the kids their Christmas gifts. Avery got a cabbage patch baby skunk, a baby bottle, sippee cup, a slap bracelet, and a purse. Here Avery is trying to drink the milk out of the baby bottle. She is so cute!

Mason got a cabbage patch turtle baby, a slap bracelet, and a doctor kit. Here Doctor Mason Shepard is getting acquainted with his instruments.

Avie feeds Mason's baby the sippee cup.

Sweetie pie

Adorable

Her new slippers that Ashle made her, so cute. Mason picked out purple for his.

Funny girl

CPK has good blood pressure

Dr. Mason Shepard getting the shot ready for his patient.

Ashle doesn't even flinch

Awww

So sweet - makes me smile.

Baby Girl

A rare glimpse of the parents. (Now you can see why it is rare - yikes!)

HearAid has recently started renovating our new location. Tom bought a building and Todd has been hired as our general contractor to oversee the process. This again is another new and exciting step for HearAid. Despite the recession we are thriving and it is truly a blessing.