7 Months

Baby

Are those the chunkiest cheeks you've ever seen or what?

(I don't have a scanner, so this is a picture of it... sorry about the poor quality. I'll try to get it scanned in later)

Me

I have begun retaining some water, so I, too, have the chunkiest cheeks you've ever seen.

I will not be documenting this on the blog, however.

My doctor made me schedule my c-section last week, against my better wishes. I've been trying really hard not to think about the whole c-section part of being pregnant. She said it's not like I'm going to be less scared in 2 weeks (or 4), so might as well get it over with. She's right. I just don't feel like being logical right now. ;) She won't do c-sections any earlier than 39 weeks, so right now he's scheduled to make his appearance on December 8th.

Why does December 8th seems so ridiculously close and yet so ridiculously far away at the same time?

I also went to my perinatologist last week, and even though my blood pressure was perfect, because of my pre-eclampsia history, I now get weekly ultrasounds and non-stress tests. Fun! Grace should LOVE those. And, I mean, if you have to pay 40 percent of your pregnancy, might as well squeeze in as many visits and procedures as possible, right?

(That was sarcasm, by the way).

I will laugh about this someday. I think.

49 days and counting...

13 Days of Halloween '09 Edition

(Left to right: Mike's, Allison's, Grace's, and Adam's pumpkins)

Yesterday began the first day of the 13 Days of Halloween.

I am SO excited!

This year's plan:

Day 1: Paint mini-pumpkins (did this last night)

Day 2: After-school Halloween treat: Spider Oreos

Day 3: Play "Pin-the-Face on the Pumpkin"

Day 4: Make haunted houses

Day 5: Read spooky stories by candlelight

Day 6: Make pillowcase ghosts

Day 7: Make caramel apples

Day 8: Doorbell-ditch Halloween treats

Day 9: Decorate Halloween cut-out cookies

Day 10: Make trick-or-treat bags

Day 11: Carve pumpkin

Day 12: Play Halloween bingo

Day 13: Halloween dinner and trick-or-treating

Vaccine?

I am so torn up about what to do with the whole H1N1 vaccine.

My OB and perinatologist are pressuring me to get it. My friends (and some family) are recommending that I don't get it. I've read what feels like a million articles, and I still have no idea what to do.

Mike is around sick people all of the time at D.I. and Adam goes to school, which is crawling with a million germs. I am going to have a newborn in a few months, with a not-so-stellar immune system. Right now I'm a pregnant woman with asthma, and I know if I were to get H1N1, it wouldn't be good. At all. If the baby were to get it, it wouldn't be good, either. And, honestly, I can wash my hands a million times a day. I do. It doesn't help much when Grace coughs in my face, you know?

Or sticks a bite of cookie that's been in her mouth into mine, when I fall asleep on the couch.

True story. Gross.

On the other hand, I've read the CDC's website on it. There have been no studies done on pregnant women, and testing on children/adults won't be complete until June 2010. And even though it's a small chance, I'm worried about getting the vaccine while pregnant and having my kids get it, too (to protect the baby), just in case there is some awful side effect.

Ugh.

So. What are you and your family doing about the vaccine? Getting it? Opting out?

Because, you know, it's not like I don't have enough opinions on this or something. ;)

Grace's Haircut

This is my super-cute and super-talented friend, Amanda.

She was recently stolen as my assistant Enrichment leader by the Young Women. I've not yet forgiven them.

Anyways, she is super talented at cutting hair. And, recently I decided that I don't like long hair on Grace.

By "long" I mean "to the shoulder." Length is relative when your hair takes forever to grow, I think.

So, we paid a trip to Amanda's kitchen this morning.

And how stinkin' cute does her hair look now? Seriously. Amanda cut off almost 2 inches, and layered the back, so she has some volume. SO cute!

I love it. Grace is okay with it.

She wanted her hair buzzed like Daddy's.

Dentist Visit

Grace had her first dental check-up today and she did great!

Adam had his check-up today, too, but he didn't fare so well. He has a really sensitive gag reflex, so normally I don't let him eat before these kind of things. I forgot this morning, though, and sure enough, he threw up during his cleaning.

Which I guess means his teeth didn't really get cleaned.

The hygenist said it happens all of the time.

And I decided then and there that I would never be a dental hygenist (not that I ever wanted to, but it's definitely been eliminated now).

Grace watched the entire thing with wide eyes, and I was sure she was going to freak out. Instead, as soon as he (and the room) were cleaned, she hopped right up and said, "My turn!"

She loved having her teeth cleaned. She loved having them counted. She loved looking at her x-rays.

Afterwards, she said it was better than going to the park.

Weirdo. Who likes going to the dentist?

;)

Neither had any cavities (yay!), and the dentist found another loose tooth that we hadn't noticed yet on Adam. So, he's looking forward to some tooth fairy moolah soon.

3!

A birthday interview with Miss Grace:

Favorite color: Hmmm... yellow. And pink. And yellow hair!
Favorite TV show: Dinosaur Train, Barney
Favorite cereal: Fruit Cheerios
Favorite dinner: Sweet-and-Sour Meatballs
Favorite animal: Dogs. I want to get a dog for my next birthday.
Favorite movie: Lilo & Stitch
Favorite toy: Babies. My babies.
Favorite song: "Five Little Monkeys Swinging on a Tree", "Tell Me the Stories of Jesus"
Favorite thing to wear: My dress-up clothes, shoes!
Favorite treat: Candy corns
Favorite thing to do with Mommy: Help you carry a baby, help you carry stuff, take pictures, play, sing songs
Favorte thing to do with Daddy: When he swings me up in the air, when he sings me "Amazing Grace", play outside with him
Favorite thing to do with Adam: Play with him! Play with his toys when he's at school.

Grace is talking so much and it's so fun having conversations with her. She loves helping me (especially with the dishes), playing dress-up, coloring, singing, dancing, doing gymnastics, going shopping, trying on shoes, and reading books. She loves giving bunny kisses, talking, saying prayers, feeling the baby kick, swinging and wrestling with Daddy and teasing Adam. She's such a happy little thing, but she's still definitely my little drama queen. If something's not right in her world, she will cry and cry these huge tears and shake. Very over-dramatic. She loves attention, and if she thinks she's not getting enough, she acts out by being our little Stitch and making messes to get our attention (i.e. crumbling Adam's homework, throwing stuff off the table, etc.). We're working on that. ;) She is hilarious and makes me laugh all day. She's so sweet and so much fun. I'm so grateful that I'm able to stay at home with her, and that we get these few months together while Adam's in school, and before the baby comes, to have some 'just us' time.

We love our Gracie! Our family wouldn't be complete without her.

Toast to Fall

As of late, this blog has not been very much fun.

That's mostly because as of late, I have not been a very fun person.

I am tired, stressed, grouchy, and in pain. I have a million things to do, and lack the energy to do even a fraction of them. And I spend a portion at the end of each day when the kids are in bed, when I'm exhausted and crabby and have laundry to do and dishes to wash, crying and feeling sorry for myself. And lamenting the fact that I'm no longer a fun mom. That I'm no longer a pleasant person. That I get angry over things that shouldn't bother me. That I don't have the energy to do everything anymore.

Mike usually comes in and tells me crying won't change anything and that things will get better.

And then I try and kick him. But, I never really do, because who has the energy to kick rude people anymore? ;)

Yesterday, I decided that I wanted to bring back a little of the fun person that I used to be, the one that disappeared 6 months ago or so, and we had a family party: a toast to fall.

I love fall. It's my favorite season, and the one season we really don't get here. It's the thing I miss most about Flagstaff. Grace and I tried to re-create it yesterday by throwing (fake) fall leaves everywhere, bringing out some Thanksgiving decorations, turning the A/C down, and having a special fall dinner (autumn sausage casserole, green beans, and cookies).

We had so much fun naming our favorite autumn things and toasting each one with sparkling cider. I think it's going to be a tradition around here from now on, on the first (or second, if I'm busy with Enrichment) day of fall.

And today, I feel much better.

Happy fall!

Enrichment Fiesta

Last night we had our big quarterly Enrichment dinner. We had a service auction fiesta, with taco salad for dinner. Everything went really well and everyone had such a good time!

However, after standing and running back-and-forth across the church for 5 hours straight, and doing a couple of other things that my doctor wouldn't be pleased with (involving ladders and lifting heavy furniture), I'm pretty sore today.

But, SO worth it last night. While I was cleaning up and preparing dessert, I stood in the doorway for a bit and watched the auction. Everyone was talking and laughing so hard that many were crying. It made up for all of the soreness, because that's really my personal main goal of each Enrichment night: for the sisters to get out of the house, spend time with one another, uplift each other, and have fun. When I plan out these things with my committee, we do incorporate improving on the home, family, and self. But (personally) I think that growing together as sisters is the most important part. And that definitely happened last night.

The RS president felt bad that I didn't get to actually participate in the auction last night and she wanted to thank me for last night, so today she brought me a bunch of homemade applewood smoked pulled pork, brisket, and ribs. How sweet is that?

So, Mike was pretty happy with the way Enrichment turned out, too. :)

3 & 6

Last Monday, we took Adam and Grace to get their 3-year and 6-year well checks.

They are both doing great!

Adam lost 2 pounds since he turned 5, and Grace gained 2 since she turned 2. She is almost to 30... yay!

They are both still tall. They've always been tall, something that has surprised me since Mike and I are completely average in height.

I'm sure that the average-ness will catch up with them one of these days.

No vaccines (yay!), but the doctor recommended the flu shot, which I declined, because I'm not a fan. But, then I got thinking, that maybe I should have with the baby coming and all. Oh, well.

Adam got a hearing and vision test. He passed both. Something that also surprised me, because he never seems to hear anything I say. And he came home yesterday and told me that he couldn't "see" the apple in his lunch.

So he ate his dessert instead.

I thought I had forgotten to pack it. And then when I picked up his lunch bag to clean it, a shiny apple was sitting inside. He seemed surpised to see it. I was talking to him about stretching the truth (how do you just not see an apple?), when Mike walked up and said, "Why didn't you just throw it away? We would have never known then."

Thanks, hon! Afterall, if you're going to lie, do it right. Right?

Anyways, they are both healthy and doing well, and I'm so grateful. And I walked out happy when the doctor said, "See you in a year!

We like our pediatrician. I just like when we don't actually have to see her. ;)

"The Best Birthday Ever!" (So Far)

Almost a month ago (whoops)...

A Birthday Dress was Worn

Witch Cupcakes were Eaten

(was trying to make these)

Presents were Opened

And My Best Friend and Baby Girl Turned 3

It was a Good Day

And her self-proclaimed "Best Birthday Ever"

So Far

:)

Still Adjusting...

At the School Open House

After the first hard week of first grade, Adam got sick and missed 2 days of school. When he went back last Thursday, however, things seemed to go better for the rest of the week.

And then on Tuesday this week, the adjustments began all over again.

Background: His school runs things a bit different than other schools, and I really like it. For the most part. His school campus is K-2. Kindergarten does its own thing, but the first and second grades are combined together. Everyone has a "homeroom" class (with a 1st/2nd grade teacher), where they meet for morning meeting, science, social studies, computer, etc. Reading/language arts and math, however, are done based on skill level. Each of the five 1st/2nd grade teachers takes a different skill level for each and teaches it. They did a lot of testing the first two weeks of school and placed the students in their skill levels based on the tests.

I like that his school has a "family" feel, where everyone helps each other, and there is no "older kids are better than younger kids" mentality, because everyone is combined. I like that each child gets the help they need for math and language arts, and that they are with different teachers. I like that each "skill level" is named after an animal, so there isn't a "you're in dummy math" thing going on either; the kids have no idea if "giraffe math" is any better than "sea lion math."

So, I really like all of that.

A lot.

However, on Tuesday this week, he was assigned to his math and language arts classes.

And he had to learn new rules and new teachers and new kid's names, when he was just starting to get the hang of things.

So, the adjusting began all over again.

It's been another rough week.

Next week will be better. Now that things are officially settled. Now that he has a set routine and knows what to expect when he gets to school each day. Now that he's made new friends and adjusted to the different teachers. Now that our car is registered, and I've switched cars with Mike, so I have a/c. Now that I have Internet again.

So, the last two things aren't about Adam at all.

It's been a rough week for me, too, okay? ;)

Family Visits

We've been so spoiled these past two weekends with visits from family!

My parents two weeks ago.

My brother and sister-in-law, Ethan and Cameo (and their Wii), last weekend.

It's going to be kind of lonely this weekend around here, so if anyone wants to come up, we'd be happy to have you!

There's a nice patch of carpet with your name on it.

I will even pick up before you come.

Though I make no guarantees that it will stay that way.

And you can share a bathroom with 4 other people!

(One of whom is recently potty trained and will bang on the door screaming that she needs to go NOW while you're using the facilities).

Tempting, eh?

Seriously, we miss our families SO much and it was fun to see some of them these past two weeks! Thanks so much for visiting!

And for putting with our less-than-5-star accommodations. :)