30 weeks

I had a doctor's appointment last Friday, Nov 21. It was just a basic check-up, but he also performed an ultrasound just to check baby's growth. He said everything looked great! She's still a girl, weighed 3lbs 9oz, and she's in the 59th percentile.

When I was pregnant with Leslie, all my doctor's office had was the regular ultrasound machine, but now they have these new fancy ones that show you actual 3D pictures of the baby. I had debated the entire pregnancy whether I wanted to see her face or not, but we were just doing all the regular stuff and then out of no where- he turned the fancy part on. Like passing a car wreck... I just couldn't look away.

It's still really weird and surreal. I don't know how this transposes to what she will look like at birth (especially since I anticipate her gaining alot more weight in the next couple months.) For what it's worth, here's the picture for all to enjoy or ponder...

Fall fun

After putting up the Christmas lights, we went and played in the leaves a while. My friend, Julie, and her husband stopped by for a while to hang out and play...



We kept on having to tell her to close her mouth when we threw leaves up... It's not snow!



And, here she buried in leaves... That's Will with the money shot in the background:)

This is what Fall should be. It's so nice to live somewhere that we can enjoy a little bit of the seasons!

Happy Thanksgiving

I didn't want to travel far for Thanksgiving, and most of my Midland family wasn't in town, so I got to cook my first Thanksgiving feast. It turned very well I think (especially for my first time) and especially for someone who has trouble getting dinner on the table most nights. Barry was a HUGE help, and I couldn't have done it without him. Here we are about to enjoy the fruits of my labor with my brothers, Ben and Will...


And here Leslie is seasoning things to her likeing...

And here is a little family picture...

Santa visit

We went to visit Santa last Thursday. As we were standing in line, I realized that I hadn't briefed her on what Santa is all about. She remembers him and knows he says "Ho Ho Ho," but that's about it. So, while we waited I told her that Santa brings toys on Christmas morning to children who have been good all year, and I asked her what she was going to tell Santa she wanted. I gave her a few suggestions, and she seemed to be happy enough with that. When it was our turn, she walked right up and sat in his lap, but when he asked her what she wanted for Christmas, she got a big grin on her face and said "Cookies!" Obviously, my explanation was lost (or so I thought...)

The next day at lunch I thought I better try this whole Santa concept again. So, we went over it step by step and I again gave her ideas and I really thought she got it. When I asked her what she wanted Santa to bring her, her entire face light up and she shouted "Cookie Cake!" The sad part is, I think she definitely understands that Santa brings her the most coveted item on her wish list, that item just happens to be a cookie cake. I guess it's cheaper than an X-box...







Here she is with her friend Parker. They sure have grown...

Thanksgiving Feast

Here is Leslie at her Thanksgiving Feast at school...



And the child who almost never allows her picture to be taken, demanded I take her picture once all the other kids asked me to take theirs! I guess I'll take what I can get!

No More Diapers!

We have had an eventful week around the Brauchi household. The first and most important development is that Leslie is now potty trained!! We tried over a couple days last month, and learned that while she can "hold it" for at least 6 hours, teaching her to "let it go" was more difficult. So, we decided to give up that round and try again over Christmas or spring break or maybe even the summer:)

But, she came home from school Tuesday wanting to wear panties, so I told her that if she went potty she could wear panties the rest of the night. She walked into her bathroom when we got home, went potty, put on panties, and hasn't looked back! The only accident she's had was Wednesday she pooped in her panties, but she even got that down by Thursday!

Here she is one Wednesday wearing her M&M's shirt to commemorate her first full panties day because she gets an M&M every time she goes...

We are starting to have some trouble in setting some limits and boundaries in her new found freedom. Such as, she'll go just little drops all morning and then fill up her pull-up at nap time which I think is very intentional. I know she can hold it through her nap because those first couple days potty training, she did. So, we might have to go just panties at nap and wet the bed a couple times to learn that lesson.

The other issue we are encountering is her wanting to use the potty out of boredom when we are out shopping or eating. Like I mentioned before, she can hold it for an incredibly long time, so we've been pretty good about letting her go when it's convenient and telling her she just needs to hold it when we know she just wants to have fun. And, she hasn't made me eat my words yet:)

Sports Songs

I don't know why this video has given me so much trouble, but I finally have it for all to enjoy! As I've mentioned before, she loves football and Texas Tech and sports in general. So, combined with her love of singing, it's only natural that she loves sports songs so much, too.


Here she is singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Listen how she routes for the "Homies." I say "home team" and Barry says "Cubies," so she combines them to get "homies."

Then she sings the Texas Tech fight song. You can usually understand her alot better, but I was just glad to get it on tape finally! Notice how she has all the guns up in the right places too! We couldn't be more proud of our lil Red Raider in training. I'll write the words below for those who want to follow along:)

And as the finale, she does "crab hands" in honor of Tech's amazing receiver... Crabtree.

Fight Raiders fight! Fight Raiders fight!

Fight for the school you love so dearly.

We'll hit them high. You'll hit them low.

We'll push the ball across the goal.

Tech! Fight! Fight!

We'll praise her name. Boost her to fame.

Fight for the scarlet and the black.

We will hit 'em! We will wreck 'em!

Hit 'em Wreck 'em Texas Tech!

And the victory bells will ring out!