Cue laughter.

The time has come. It finally happened. Yes, another first in my life as a parent. Josh finally noticed that Lauren does not have the same "parts" as he.

Oy vey.

I was changing Lauren's diaper, like I have a million times before, and Dustin and I were talking about something completely irrelevant. Josh came over to ask me a question, looked down at Lauren and said...

WHAT IS THAT?!?!?

This is about the time Dustin started busting up and thanking God that Josh asked me and not him!

Me: Well, that's where Lauren pees.
Josh: **giggling** Uh...how? She doesn't have a pee-pee, mom!!
Me: Well, girls don't have pee-pees.
Josh: Well, what do they have?
Me: They have vaginas.
Josh: Wait...
Me: **Looking at Dustin with desperation.**
Josh: So...
**Pause**
Josh: You don't have a pee-pee either?
Me: Uh, no.
Josh: Mom...that's crazy.

Oh my goodness. By the time he had gotten all of his questions answered I was exhausted! And Dustin just sat there and laughed at me.

I told Dustin that's fine...because when Lauren starts asking those things HE can answer HER questions! Have fun with that one, buddy!

Friday I had class in Des Moines for the afternoon and Titi offered to join me for the ride. It was so nice just having another adult to talk to. I didn't have to entertain her, I didn't have to constantly feed her, I didn't have to take her to the bathroom and I didn't have to listen to her whine and cry. All of which are things I'm used to doing with my passengers.

Thanks for coming with me, Titi...and thanks, mom, for watching the kids!! It was a nice break!

Saturday I started the first "phase" of our annual Christmas craft. I got some crazy notion I could try making my own Gingerbread for our Gingerbread Christmas Trees. I like to pride myself on my cooking skills. However, baking is another story.

If my talent was based on the amount of Food TV Network I watch...well, I would be Emeril! Unfortunately, though, it is obvious I do not learn by watching. So, after some "non-Christmas"-like language and a few burned batches, I hung up my apron and called it a day.

After that, I decided to focus on something I knew I could do...decorate! Every year I seem to put up more than the year before even though we are minus our tree in the family room this year. And that's only because after seven years, artificial trees tend to show their age. Well, that and I'm to cheap and tired to go out and buy another one this year. So, I tried to make up for it in other areas.

The kids each got new lights on the trees in their bedrooms and Lauren LOVES, LOVES, LOVES her pink lights. My goodness - what joy a few Christmas lights can bring to a child!

Then there is the tree in the new basement; however, it has no decorations...only lights. I'm thinking maybe we'll go buy a bunch of child-friendly decorations once the "day after Christmas sales" begin. But again, I am to cheap and tired to go out and buy any right now. The kids only really care about the lights anyways so as long as they are content...I am content.

I tried to change things a little this year so I put the cranberry garland throughout the evergreen and tree in the living room. I like it a lot and always love it when I find a good use to something I already have. After buying another 18 strings of lights this year, this is a little of what we ended up with...until I get some more energy and find some place else to decorate.







After everything was cleaned up on Saturday night we had our family movie night. The feature was Scooby-Doo, the snack was popcorn and even the dog fell asleep. That is...until Lauren knocked over the popcorn bowl and then it was time for bed.

In between cleaning, laundry, baths, cutting the boys' hair and finishing up our Christmas cards, the kids put their "touch" on the Christmas crafts on Sunday.

They both had a blast and it really was a good project for both Josh AND Lauren. Trying to find something that they would both be able to participate in was kind of difficult this year.



Here's Lauren listening intently to Dustin tell her how the "pretties" go ON the tree...and not on the wax paper.






And of course...Lauren found a way to eat most of the "pretties" instead of using them to decorate.





Surprisingly, there wasn't even that big of a mess to clean up afterwards. So if I can only master the art of Gingerbread we may even attempt an entire house yet!!!

Well, I'm off to play with the kids a little before it's time for their bedtime and then I get to start some serious gift wrapping. Lucky me.

Baby Update: 26 weeks

The network of nerves in your baby's ears is better developed and more sensitive than before. He may now be able to hear both your voice and your partner's as you chat with each other. He's inhaling and exhaling small amounts of amniotic fluid, which is essential for the development of his lungs. These so-called breathing movements are also good practice for when he's born and takes that first gulp of air. And he's continuing to put on baby fat. He now weighs about a pound and two-thirds and measures 14 inches (an English hothouse cucumber) from head to heel. If you're having a boy, his testicles are beginning to descend into his scrotum — a trip that will take two to three days.