After a very nerve-wrecking 17 weeks (long story, but you probably know it), we have some very exciting news this weekend. Our dear friend, Amy W, who is an ultrasound technician, invited us to come visit her at work, and take some sneak peaks at what feels like a monster-sized baby growing inside me.

Now, there has been a ton of speculation… Because I have been super duper nauseous for the first 16 weeks and wasn’t with Jack, and because Aunt Amanda’s triangulation-of-factors interview, and just general guesses, everyone has been saying its a girl. But in this family, where mono-gender-reproduction is a standard, and DJ and I have only experienced a boy… well, we just figured we have another wonderful boy coming our way.

But holy guacamole, what is that you see Amy W??? 3 dots? (its the tale-tell sign) 3 dots?!?!?!!!!

ITS A GIRL.

We celebrated the end of 2009 camping all the way up at S Carlsbad state beach. We were snug and sleeping when 2010 rolled in. Beautiful sunset, and full blue moon!

A 1988 Chevy Suburban. I named it The Beast.

DJ’s grandfather Henry Harmeling II (a.k.a. Hank, or Bop) is a West Point grad, a retired officer in the Army, and was a POW in the Korean War. He has shared some amazing stories over the years. Here he is today, celebrating at a Veteran’s Day luncheon. DJ’s dad, Henry II a.k.a. Dutch, was also a Westpoint Grad, officer, and served as a helicopter pilot in Vietnam. I try to remind myself often how lucky we are to have such fine men serving our country, protecting our freedom.

The first, from Jack. I was commenting that the nasty carved pumpkins are molding and need to go in the trash.

Jack said, “That’s a good job for daddy. Daddy likes gross stuff, that’s what he is a lawyer.”

A text message from our favorite viking neighbor midwife mom:

“Just drove by your house, Annike shouted ‘I see DJ’s head. Shiny’ Have a good night friend, and may your glow serve as a beacon of happiness to all of us.”

D: what do you like best about school?

Jack: group work, cuz it’s when you learn the most.

D: what is group work? Is is when you do your letters and your addition and subtraction?

Jack: yes, mostly they ask like 20 + 20, 40. And 40 + 40, 80. And they ask 100 + 100, 200. And 200 + 200, 400. And 400 + 400, 800, right?

D: yes. Right. Nice work.

We just spent a lovely weekend in Carpinteria. I love that place. The campground has three distinct areas with different levels of hookups and benefits. The beach if just beautiful and teaming with sea life. The town is just blocks a way with adorable restaurants. No wonder this is one of the busiest campgrounds on the coast. We will be back, for sure.

Got the fam all dressed up, and headed out to a couple parties plus trick-or-treating. Safely in bed by 9. Perfect!

The Chargers won! Yay!

And we parked and tailgated next to the ESPN-made-famous Raider nation fans. These are the three guys you see in the front row of every game - all spooky with their face paint, skulls, spikes, etc. (Even the Gorilla dude.) Turns out, they were really nice. We laughed at them for the first two hours while they politely stood and posed for photos with fans. Then when DJ finally went over to chat, I snapped one of him. He is gunna kill me!

All dressed up in costume, Jack headed out for his first (and maybe last) tap and ballet class.