Dakota Colleen Pistorius

 On Thursday, November 29, we welcomed our baby girl, Dakota Colleen Pistorius, into our family. She was named after Colleen, David's mother, as Dilan is named after my mom (Dilan Camille). We wanted both girls to be named after their grandmothers. :)
I went into the hospital Wednesday night to start the cervidil (because I don't dialate on my own very well) and they started the petocin at 4 a.m. Thursday morning. I progress slowly and usually have over 12 hr labors and this was just the same. I did dialate to a 6 and it was 2:30 before I got the epidural and then because I waited so long, it worked just enough. Dakota was born at 5:35 p.m. She had a bruised face just like my last two because they go through the birth canal so quickly but like Drake, she cleared up a lot by the following day.

Last shot of me being pregnant ever... yes, this baby is our last little one.

 Me and David preparing for the long day ahead

 David got a "coach" shirt this time around - they put Dakota's footprints on it as well

 Face timing with my sister, Keely (she ended up having her twins 5 days after Dakota's birth)

 She's here!

 and she's a big one too! 9 lbs 2 oz. Our second biggest baby

(Drake was 9lbs 12.5 oz)

 Daddy and Mommy holding Dakota for the first time

 My Dad with me and the baby

 My mom with me and Dakota

 Our whole bunch at the hospital

 Dilan was enamored with her baby sister

 Drew loved holding Dakota too

 David with all four of his kids

 The kids enjoying the trains the baby gave them - this has been a tradition since Dilan was born and Drew got a train in the hospital from her. And of course, when Drake was born, he gave Drew and Dilan new trains in the hospital as well. So, we had to keep the tradition going and the kids loved it!

 Me and my girls

 Drake got a turn to hold Dakota once we were home - he was so happy!

 Dilan came after her dance class with David to check me out of the hospital. She had to hold Dakota again in my hospital bed. :)

 We are ready to go home! I already look exhausted...

 Our sweet little Christmas gift this year

 In the wheel chair and out the door!

 Baby girl Dakota at home

Turkey Trot 2012

David and Drew signed up to run the North Texas Turkey Trot together. It was held in Frisco which is the place we are moving to soon and since it was the same distance to run there or to go into the city of Dallas, we chose to head north to our future hometown. After David's dad passed away in 2007, David and his siblings began a tradition of running the Turkey Trot when they could to honor their Dad since his birthday is near Thanksgiving every year. This year we made it happen. Also, we have been thinking Drew was ready to run his first 5K for a while now because he is such a runner but we weren't totally sure. I simply did not want his first official race to be a bad experience but when he ran the fun run at school last week like he did, I told David that Drew was ready to run the 3.2 miles no problem. Of course the night before the race, we are telling Drew it's just important to have fun, to enjoy the experience, to have a goal to just finish the race - you know the good parenting talk you are supposed to have because you have images of ruining this kid's love for running.

Well, much to both David and my surprise, this kid blew us away... Drew ran the 5K in 31:09! He literally kept up with David the entire time, never slowed down and ran it like it was no big deal. We were waiting at the finish line and I barely saw them because I wasn't expecting them at that time at all. I caught a glimpse of David and Drew was right behind him running full speed. Once they crossed the line, Drew was sweating but not even out of breath in the least. This kid was simply amazing. Even David looked at me and told me that Drew never complained but just ran and even impressed him. David's comment later was, "He's a Pistorius; he's a runner!"

The best part was that Drew said it was a hard run but that he felt proud of himself that he did so well. Once we got his official time, we told him that he placed second out of the other 7 year olds that ran the race. He also ranked number 69 out of 177 males age 14 and under in the race. Overall, it was a great experience and one I think Drew will remember as a good one. I'm grateful he has found something he's good at and something he can share with his Dad. :)

David and Drew pre-race. Drew LOVED the turkey on his shirt.

 Numbers on their backs

 My mom and Sam with our runners and Dilan and Drake too before the race

 Dilan watching the runners as they go by - looking for Daddy and Drew

 There they are! David and Drew waved as they ran by.

 Drew looking back one last time

 Waiting at the finish line having fun and eating snacks

 After the race grabbing goodies

 David and Drew enjoying their fruit after the race

 Pistorius family after the race

 Me and my runner.

So proud of Drew and glad that I only have a week left with this massive baby bump! :)

Thanksgiving 2012

We had a great Thanksgiving this year even though we couldn't travel home for it. My mom and her husband were sweet enough to come visit us instead! We made the whole Thanksgiving dinner in our tiny place but it was really tasty.

Here is my mom putting the turkey in the oven

 David carving the turkey

 Sam, Mom, and Drew ready to eat!

 Drew is dishing himself some mashed potatoes already

 David, me and Drew about to eat - the little kids were asleep.

I was not about to wake them as I think I got through half of my meal without being interrupted until Drake woke up. :)

Drew's Thanksgiving Feast 2012

Drew's Thanksgiving Feast went very well. I was most impressed with my son's manners as he ate his food and asked the room mom for more grapes in a very polite way. He also sat with his napkin in his lap and his hand in his lap too. In order to enjoy this handsome boy...

 I had to set up a mini picnic of chick-fil-a with these two on the side of the room. It worked with Dilan and mostly with Drake until he just took his food in his hands and started running around the room. This kid doesn't walk, he runs. And he falls - several times a day. I can't tell you how many times he falls and people around us gasp with horror and I'm like, "He does this all the time." Seriously, you 'd think he'd slow down by now.

 And then Drake ended up like this. A calculator in one hand using it as a cell phone and lying down at the entrance of the classroom. This was when I knew it was time to go. Luckily, Drew was eating his cookie by then.

 Here are my three kids before we left: Drew showing me his thankful pine cone turkey but covering most of it with his hand, Drake talking to a friend and trying to escape the stroller, and Dilan protecing her dear lemonade like someone was going to steal it.

One of Drew's feathers did say he was thankful for his mom because "she takes care of me!" I'm glad I am good for something! :)

Drew's Fun Run 2012

Drew ran a great race for his fun run this year but that was to be expected because this kid loves to run. The goal is for each kid to run 36 laps and Drew ran 58 this year! Even his friends were impressed. He was all business and didn't stop to walk but just kept going until they called the race to end. Way to go Drew!

Drew and his second grade teacher, Ms. Helwig 

 Kids already slowing down but not Drew

 Getting his laps marked off on the back of his t-shirt

 Water cup in hand...

 a slight slow down so I could get a picture...

 and a proud Drew with all his extra laps noted.

 Me and Drew

(thanks to one of his classmates who took my ginormous camera and snapped a shot of us together)

Note: I was able to attend this event by myself and leave the two kids home with David for naptime. David called me around noon to tell me he ate something at work that had almonds in it and before realizing it, he ate quite a bit of it. He literally came home, got rid of whatever he could, took massive benadryl, and was laboring in his breathing. So, he decided to inject himself with one of Dilan's epi pens because David didn't have any. Luckily, his breath came back and all he had to deal with were major itches all over but he's alive! Now onto getting David some epi pens of his own so he doesn't have to steal his daughter's and getting Dilan's epi pens refilled. And he's worried about me going into labor with my fourth kid... yes, I'm shaking my head. :)