It's beginning to look...

...a {tiny bit} like Christmas around here. I'm generally against decorating for Christmas before Thanksgiving, but as distracted as I get and as long as it takes me to do anything these days, I decided I'd better get started or it would be Easter before we were ready for Christmas. So I got all the boxes out of the crawl space this afternoon and Rhett, Alexee & I put up the artificial tree in the playroom window. Rhett was beyond excited, and he was good help. He worked hard to get all the branches adjusted and ready for lights. He plugged in the lights for testing before we added them to the tree. However, testing the lights doesn't actually guarantee you'll have a successful tree-lighting once they're all in place. :( Our top strand didn't work when we plugged the whole thing in. I promised R we'd get new lights tomorrow and finish putting their ornaments on the playroom tree.

Yesterday I had a few extra minutes before time to pick R up at school, so Alexee & I made a quick trip into a local children's store. I really wasn't looking for anything specific, but this sweet little coat and outfit were both on sale. She's been wearing her coat from last year, but it's pretty snug over big sweaters, etc., so this one has a lot more room for her this season. Lane commented today that before we knew we were having a girl, I said I didn't really think I would be one to like to shop for girl stuff. Well, I guess I lied, because I LOVE to get things for her! I like to shop for Rhett, too, of course--but he's happiest in his "comfy shorts" and t-shirts and gets upset if I try to make him dress up. He cried the other day because I was making him wear sweatpants. Sweatpants--how are they not considered "comfortable"?
Do your kids' toys seem to always need new batteries? Ours do, and occasionally I'll break down and get the screwdriver out and replace a few. Today R suggested we replace the batteries in his cash register, so we did that and then played grocery store. He loves to be the cashier and talk into the microphone--he always says funny things. Here he is bagging up my groceries for my Thanksgiving feast:Tomorrow is my 20 week check-up and ultrasound appointment! If you would, please pray that the baby is healthy and everything looks fine. Check back tomorrow to hear BOY or GIRL!? (I had a dream earlier this week that the ultrasound tech couldn't see whether it was a boy or girl and I asked her to keep looking for a little longer but she told me she was too busy and I'd just have to wait until delivery day. I hope that doesn't happen!)