Some Serious Budda...

More daring shots!!! A little over 34 weeks and counting...I'm about there. How about that belly? As most of you know I was diagnosed with Gestational Diabetes with this babe. I did not have this with my prior kidos, so this has been a learning experience with me. I can't complain other than having all my doctor appointments. With this I have to of course watch my Carb intake. Being preggars and having to fight off some extreme cravings is extremely hard to do.

I currently have to take my blood glucose every morning and 2 hours after every meal. I also have my wonderful husband giving me insulin shots right before bed. For those of you who know my love of needles...this has been a little taxing for me.

I have a non-stress test during every appointment, which means I sit an listen to the baby's heart beat for about 20-45 min. and push a button everytime I feel him kick. As most of you know hearing your baby's heart beat is extremely reassuring during your OB appointments, so I really have no problems doing this.

I also scored another ultrasound. They're making sure I'm not going to have a 10lb baby. Most people with GD end up having larger than normal babies. Again as most of you know I have small babies (5 lb 15 oz & 6 lb 6 oz), I can't imagine having anything larger.That would be kind of cool, and different. We also made sure he was a he. He was measuring a little over 36 weeks, and I'm hoping to get more information from the doc this week. I've got a picture I can post but his poor little nose was all smooshed from the angle she had.

I think we've decided on a name...but we're not telling until Baby He Three is born. Morgan thinks he'll come on Valentine's Day. I'm also thinking around the middle of February. Jon he thinks early, and not March 7th like his due date. At one of my last appointments the OB told me they normally don't let GD patients go passed 38 weeks. This is to help both mom and baby have a normal healthy birth, and again to try and avoid the 10lb factor.

I'm just dealing with the normal aches and pains that come along with this part of the pregnancy in addition to feeling ready to go, and huge. I'm still smiling and can't hardly wait for the little guy to come and complete our family! Big sister Morgan can't either.

Take Care & Best Wishes,

Shannon

A Bloomfield Weekend for the Kidos...

Tackling Uncle Wes while he visits in the morning...

Mom & Dad took the kidos for us this past weekend so we could clean and get some things in order before "Baby He Three" arrives. Morgan had her first ice fishing experience. My dad had to coax her onto the ice, as it was a little strange for her. Gavin held the fort down with Grandma, and he showed her how he loves to sing and snuggle. These are some pics from their very fun weekend! Thanks Mom & Dad for your help!!!

Interesting Places to relax, and crash...

Dump Truck...no recliner. This is don't bother me can't you see I'm watching TV... :o)

This was taken during the holiday hustle bustle...hey when you got to sleep, find a soft comfy blanket and crash :o)

Baby He Three...29 wks

This is my daring shot of the year...with the help of photo shop I was able to present this on our blog without offending anyone :o) We are still narrowing a names...and as of now have it down to about 10. Morgan has her favorite 3, I have my favorite 2 and Jon has his favorite 2.

If you have any suggestions feel free to email them we've had tons of great, creative names come through. The name needs to end in an 'n' and the middle name will be Allen or Dean.

A HUGE thanks for everyone's help!

Gavin's New Thing...

Gavin started doing this whenever he wants more of whatever it is he' s eating...It's just too darn cute & irresistable!

The Reason for the Season...

by Jon Klaus

Here we are ready to go into another Christmas holiday season. The lights are up, the decorations have been set out, and the caroling has begun. The problem is, no one is listening. We are all out shopping – running from store to store and mall to mall. We are extremely concerned about what we will get Uncle so-and-so, or our spouse, or our kids… or even what we will receive ourselves. But what about Christmas? Not the season for consumerism in America (if it weren’t for Thanksgiving our country would begin advertising in August) – but what about the actual meaning behind it?
Many would say the meaning of Christmas is gift giving. Our children would say it’s about Santa, or getting the perfect remote control car, or setting up a tree; but mainly about presents. And who could blame them? They have eyes, they watch mommy and daddy drop hundreds of dollars at the mall.
Many would say the meaning of Christmas is family. The fact remains that Christmas is one of the most stressful times of the year in our country. Air travel, car travel, gas prices, money, and least of all trying to find a way to get everyone together in one place at one time….. and then to get along! But who doesn’t want their children to remember their first couple of Christmas’ as being surrounded by relatives and good food! This is what I distinctly remember as a young boy.
Some would say the meaning of Christmas is all of the above rolled into one, and certainly this isn’t far from the truth. But I seem to remember one more thing. It seemed to involve a woman named Mary, and a manger, and something about a savior-born-as-child. I believe there were wise men, and a large star in the sky, and a good deal about reverence and holiness. Or was this just a nice fairy tale?
In fact, the reason for the Christmas season is Jesus Christ (Christ mas). It is the celebration of the birthday of the most important person in all of creation. It is about giving, but not presents. It is about family, but not just a gathering. It is a remembering of the all-important gift of God to humankind. It is interesting not that Americans celebrate it, but HOW we celebrate it. Did I get what I wanted….. did he/she get what she wanted…. have we saved enough money to meet these demands….. were there enough Tickle-Me-Elmos to go around, or will there be mothers fighting in the isles of department stores…..
Where is our head, where is our heart? So this season if you are one of the lucky ones, and you had enough money to get everyone a new such-and-such, and you will share this wonderful day with loved ones, and you don’t get stranded in a snow storm or caught in a department store feeding-frenzy on Christmas Eve, then don’t forget to thank God. But more importantly, tell your kids to do the same.

God Bless you this holiday season! ~ The Klaus Haus

Gavin's Ready for Christmas

Morgan's Ready for Christmas..

Need some photos taken...visit some of my work at www.innocentmoments.blogspot.com. Contact me via email for a prices. Simple, Candid, Beautiful.

O...O...O...Barak Obama & Oprah

This was a first for me and a very unique experience. I'm so glad I went. Oprah was of course Oprah...awesome! She's a very talented orator, and can speak like no other! Very motivating. Barak has some very lofty goals, and you can tell is sincere in his want to CHANGE the way our government is running. This was just a get fired up before the caucus in January, so no a lot of substance on how he wants to make his changes. He touched on many great subjects...I was interested in what he had to say on changing our current government operations, healthcare, education, and helping our environment and taking a stand on global warming.
I haven't made any decision as to who I'm voting for. Billary I'm a little leary about, due to her involvement with payoffs by insurance lobbiests and I don't know that she has the American people really in her mind. I like John Edwards but he was a lot on his plate right now with his wife. I think he's going to surprise people. Barak...has a lot of potential. Charisma, and a sincere want to make change in our Oval Office. Hmmmm....
My sister was closer than my mom and I and could grab these photos over all the heads :o) Quite a memory...

Big Eyes...

Guess what we're WALKING!!! Gavin started walking the evening before Thanksgiving. I hope to post a video for everyone to view so they can see the little miracle for themselves.

Best Wishes,

Shannon, Jon, Morgan & Gavin

You NEED to see this MOVIE!!!

A Note about SiCKO

Michael Moore has released a new documentary. If you are familiar with Farenheight 911 or Bowling for Columbine, then you will be used to his satirical style and wit. As with most of his films it begins with one premise and ends in a different place. It is this different place that has me troubled.

The film is wrought with humor as Moore takes us on a wild ride through the American Health care system. His attacks on Republican government are present and accounted for as usual. But then the film changes. We move from stories of the poor and unfortunate in this country who are uninsured, to the poor and unfortunate who ARE insured. There are countless stories of people who go to the doctor’s office, the ER, or the hospital and come back $100,000 in debt. It is the person next to you at work, or the person just down the street, or even you that can immediately become a victim of the US healthcare system if you are unlucky enough to get anything more than the common cold.

Moore’s premise is this: many countries outside the US manage their healthcare systems in a socialistic manner – the government equips the masses with free (or very inexpensive) healthcare, and they still have access to top notch doctors and state-of-the-art equipment. The US manages healthcare via insurance companies, and these insurance companies are run as businesses. This means that money is the bottom-line, NOT human beings. This thesis has no resolution really. Perhaps the only flaw in this film is that Moore gives no solution for the United States (if we are sick, do we go to Canada?!?!). It is this stalemate that has me most concerned. That John Doe can be happy, healthy, and successful one day; and sick, hopeless, and broke the next. Think your savings will help you? An average ambulance ride may cost you $3,000. A typical surgery around $60,000. Moore’s depiction of the young lady who was fully insured, but failed to get her ambulance ride pre-approved from her insurance company comes to mind. She was billed for the trip to the hospital. She was unconscious at the time!

So then, what do we do? Do we become fearful? Afraid to go outside? Do we purchase plane tickets to Britain on stand-by in case we fall ill? Here is what I think. The US has only a limited time left as a super-power if our culture continues to buy off everyone and everything for profit. Big Government isn’t always a good thing, that is certain – and this may not be the answer here. What concerns me is the idea that everything can be reduced to making a profit. We are not the first country that has tried this. There are other nations that have collapsed because government became useless. I hope America can live through its growing pains before we become a society of dollar bills. Our nation has an indomitable spirit, we can still use it.

Baby Three...

Profile... (already looks like his daddy :o) ) Gender...
Baby Feet...
These pictures are delayed, Morgan was hanging on to these in her sticker book.
They were taken on October 23rd so I'm sure he's changed tons...Baby He Three has no name right now. If you have ideas feel free to email us...there's only a few rules to follow. The name needs to end in "n" and the middle name will be Allen or Dean.

Best Wishes,
Klaus Haus
Jon, Shannon, Morgan & Gavin

Fall Leaf Fun...

Gavin Feet...

Trick or Treat...

Trying to Perfect the Mohawk...

Uncle Wes this is for you!!!

Howell Tree Farm 2007

Howell Tree Farm 2007