6 Months of Squirmy Delight

This month has really shown the difference between you and your sister at this age. You started solid food. Your sister didn't love it, barely tolerated it. You can't get enough of it. You don't want milk, you want pizza! You may pull a face at a new taste, but other then meat paste, you are game for anything mushy enough to swallow. You eat carrots and applesauce with equal vigor. I'm so impressed.

Your 6 month check-up is postponed a month, since apparently your doctor is also a rock star, so you have to schedule 2 months in advance, so I have no idea how big you are, or if you're average or not. I think you're growing, I'm starting to remove the smaller 6 month sizes from your clothes and put you into the 9 month stuff. I am a little disappointed because I know there are some things you've worn only once and a few that you didn't get to at all. At least they were mostly free. If I spent money on it, you wore it as much as I could stuff you into it.

You roll over all the time, which is great, but also bad because that means you're getting more mobile and that's not good for me. But luckily you haven't rolled off anything yet.

Your sister is still the best at making you laugh and she loves to do that and while as a four year old, she's pretty self-absorbed, she still helps to take care of you. She's the best binkie-finder and if she's not too distracted, she can be counted on to sing you a song if you're upset.

The doctor told me that babies crying peaks at about 2 months, but I think they are wrong, you cry now more then you ever have before, although I think most of it still stems from hunger/tiredness or messy pants factors, you are less patient and more demanding as to when you need things taken care of. But you're still good for everyone else. I think it's just me.

You still love your tummy time, but it ends up being rolling time, as you don't stay too long my your stomach before you roll over and then we have to roll you back. You haven't quite gotten the hang of the other way around, but it's getting really close. Any day now you'll be rolling all over the place.

It's been a great 6 months, although sometimes it seems like it's been much longer and something it seems like you've only just come to our family. Either way it's going to be a fun ride.

Love you,

Mama

5 Months of Toothless Grins

This month had you getting a round of shots and let’s just say you took it better than your sister did. I was worried that you would be sore and upset for days, but you were mostly fine. After the initial shock wore off, you seemed fine after eating and sleeping. Your sister couldn’t walk for 3 days without complaining about how much pain she was in. You measure about average, but you don’t weigh as much. You’re only in the 33rd percentile, which surprised me. Your sister always came up either average or a little more, I wonder if it’s because I’m not eating as much butter and chocolate with you. If that is the case, I’m sorry, but I was not able to wait 12 months to be able to fit back into my jeans, besides, I do my best to make sure you get the daily recommended amount of cookie dough. The things I do for you.
I’ve also officially joined the ranks of Mothers Who Worry. Thanks to your grandma who announced that all my siblings were moving and crawling at around 5 months old. And now you’ve also given up on rolling over. You have not done that in a while. You know that if you just cry, you’ll get turned over by me sooner or later, so why should you roll yourself over like a sucker? While you are great at tummy time and you love to kick your feet forever and ever, there is no scooting around. But as grandma said after telling me that you aren’t as mobile as you could be, you are incredibly smart. I concur on that one. You are the worlds smartest baby, that’s just how it goes. Sorry other smart babies, you don’t compare.
You are also very good natured. We had a bit of hiccup with who was watching you for 2 weeks, I had to scramble to find replacements when your grandparents went out of town, but all the different people that took their turn with you said what a good baby you were. Even your Grandpa Kurt says that all babies should be a good as you are. I know that I’m very lucky with you. You sleep at night, you’re happy most of the time, and you’re as cute as a button.
You were able to go with us to the zoo for your sister’s birthday and you had a great time. You loved being outside and you would squeal for joy. It was hilarious. I don’t think you were really aware that there were animals around us, but you definitely like going for long walks. There is one animal you are aware of, our cat Link. You love to reach out for him, and he’s attention starved enough that he’ll let you tug on his fur because he may get a few pets out of it, lucky for us, he’s very patient and just sits while I remove your chubby little fist from a clump of his fur.
I’m so happy to be able to watch you grow and learn, and here’s to making less mistakes with you, then I made with your sister! Being the 2nd child is the best!
Love you,
Mama

Two Mornings After

Thanks to my wonderful friend Trish, I was able to attend the James show October 5th. It was rushing all day for me, from kids doctor appointments to dashing to work, to dashing to the sitters, to dashing back home and thank goodness dinner was waiting. Then it was mad dash down town. I think we made it in record time. I was only brave enough to look at the speedometer once, but when Trish drives, you know you’ll be on-time, even if you left late!
It was first time ever going to the Complex, it apparently has 3 stages, and there was another show going on for the local disillusioned, angsty radio station and James. Most of the people we saw were headed to the other show, we only got there about 20 minutes before they opened the doors, but we managed to get a spot about 3 rows of people from the front just right of center. The room was long and narrow, and probably tinier then anything this band has played in a long time. In Europe they play huge stadium shows. Trish and I got our James shirts and settled in. The opening act was a singer/songwriter named Ed Harcourt, whose album I am strongly considering buying. He played the piano, and the guitar, sometimes in the same song and really wailed. Unfortunately the sound was pretty muddy, at least where we were and while I enjoyed the sound, it wasn’t the best place to decide if he was really awesome or not. We could barely understand what he was saying when he spoke. His drummer looked like a young Gregory House, he didn’t look like Hugh Laurie, the actor that plays house, but House, and the bassist chick reminded me of Kate Beckett from the show Castle. Ed was resplendent in his 3 piece suit, those Europeans sure are stylish. His set seemed long, probably almost an hour, but since he was the only opener, he may have been able to play as long as he liked. I made a mental note to check him out on iTunes and hoped to get my picture with him afterwards since he was adorable and I knew that if I did like his music, I would want a picture of me with him.
Just before James took the stage, some loud, noisy drunk joined the group just behind us. How is it that they always know when to come in and how do they always get these great spots when they walk in late? That’s always the way. He seemed like he was completely wasted and I was apprehensive about how his presence would affect the rest of us.
James came out, Tim Booth looked like a pirate with a knit cap, a dark black goatee and striped baggy pants. Almost “Hammer-esque” pants, but they didn’t taper. The first song was Seven and I knew that this was going to be an awesome show. Tim lost his cap quickly and I realized I had never seen him perform before. He likes to dance, and his dancing reminds me of the episode of Friends where Rachel takes Phoebe running in the park, crossed with a seizure. It’s good he’s a rock star, because dancing like that, he’d never get chicks if he wasn’t.
Next was She’s a Star, what a great song. Unfortunately I was getting pounded by the drunk. After several massive elbows to my skull, I turned around to confront. I’m not sure what I was thinking, there’s no way I could have done anything to hurt him, even if he could feel pain at this point, which I’m not certain he would. Luckily before my impulses took too much over, Trish grabbed me and switched spots with me. I shook it off, but this guy’s singing was so loud, that even with the huge speakers in my face, I couldn’t hear very well. After enduring 2 more songs near the man, Trish and I escaped stage right after I said I would rather be in the back then next to this guy. At this point we could really start enjoying things. The first song from the new album come up, 10 Below. It’s a great song and I was so happy that I had purchased this on iTunes and listened to it a bunch of times and it was followed up by the best song from the new album, Tell Her I Said So. Time says what a great setup we had here in Salt Lake, we could drop the “kids” at the concert next door and then the grown-ups could be at this show. Since they were going to be competing with sound, they would play some louder songs. Then my favorite moment of the night. Just Like Fred Astaire. One of my favorite James’ songs. Time mentioned that it was easier to play this song in America then in some other countries they have played since we were so happy. During Getting Away with It I was surprised that to this point, out of 8 songs, I knew all but one of them. I love James, but I don’t “celebrate their whole collection.” I have their best of, their vital album Laid, their new album The Morning After and a few songs from other albums.
At this point, I had seen the drunk guy get to the very front of the stage and push a girl who couldn’t have been more than 5 ft tall and stumble around probably whacking other people the way he had me, then the guy just in front of Trish went after him, I think the drunk guy pushed his girlfriend as well. Trish and his girlfriend were both holding him back, but Trish was doing all the work, maybe his girlfriend wanted him to beat the crap out of this guy. Heavens knows that I wanted him too as well, but I also was telling him it wasn’t worth it. From the stage Tim says, “Cool it guys” and the boyfriend weaves to the front and yells: he’s pushing girls! And Tim asks if there is any security, apparently there were none, so Tim told the drunk to get into the corner. Everyone clapped. And thank goodness he stayed out of the way the rest of the night, I’m sure he was ruining everyone’s experience that he was near. You know it’s bad when the band has to take measures into their own hands to keep the peace.
Next came some songs I didn’t really know so I watched the band. They had a person who mostly played the trumpet. A dedicated trumpet player, I hadn’t realized there was so much brass in most James songs, and a guitar player that also moonlighted as a violin player, and boy was he good! His name was Saul and definitely looked English. Several of the band members looked like someone’s grandpa you would meet at a family reunion. Bald and wearing spectacle-glasses. Only 2 members looked like they were anywhere close to their 30s. There were 3 songs I wanted to hear, I had already heard Fred Astaire, but then they played PS, which I had put on one of my mixes a few weeks ago and was once again in love with it. Often if Tim wasn’t dancing like a maniac or singing, he would stand with his eyes closed, smiling, enjoying the music. At one point, Tim said we were just as loud as a stadium. The crowd seemed really into it. I didn’t see anyone who didn’t look thrilled to be there. During Say Something Tim got off the stage and started walking through the crowd, Exactly where Trish and I HAD been before we moved to be away from the drunk guy. Luckily he spent quite a bit of time in the crowd and started heading our way. He stopped in front of the boyfriend and I saw him ask if he was okay and the guy thanked Tim. Then he was facing me. It was a vocal break in the song and he stood there, arms folded, looking at me. I wanted to take a picture, but I didn’t want to flash in his face, I wanted to hug him, but the man is imposing in a way you wouldn’t think someone so thin looking would be. I finally settled on touching his arm and moving on, embarrassed that I couldn’t think of anything better to do or say. Then they started their hit song Laid. I tried to take a video, but my camera wouldn’t have it. I had to settle for jumping up and down and singing along. I had worried that age was creeping up on Tim’s voice and it wouldn’t be as strong as it was in 1993, but I didn’t need to worry, he hit those super high notes with ease. They left and we clapped and cheered and our encore was awesome. The first song was the first off the new album, a song about a man whose been dumped staring at dust motes trying to forgive the ex-girlfriend. Since the show next door was over they could know play some quieter songs, so this one started out sweet, of course it got loud and vindictive, as it should. Then Out to Get you melted into Sometimes. The keyboard player moved to the front and had some weird handheld keyboard you blow into. Like a cross between a keytair and an accordion. The final refrains of Sometimes: Sometimes when I look in your eyes, I can see your soul” the crowd started singing at the end and then the band stopped playing it was just the crowd singing. Tim stood with his eyes closed and a huge grin on his face. Then it was over. We cheered for a bit, but no more encores. Trish asked one of roadies cleaning up for the set list that had probably been Saul’s. Several people took pictures of the list and we walked out. I was sad that we wouldn’t be able to stay and wait for the band, as I get precious little sleep as it is. But low and behold. There were 6 band members. The only one missing was Tim, but since we had the set list, we went down the line and got everyone’s autograph. I got a photo with Saul and Ed Harcourt was also there so I got that photo with him. He photographs well, I’m pleased with the result. Talking to Saul we found out that after their last album, they did play Salt Lake and we just missed it, so apparently the moral of the story is if there is anyone you would like to see in concert, be on some kind of mailing list. Then Trish and I left, apparently Tim did come out to mingle with fans, but I only got 5 hours of sleep as it was, so while I would have liked to stay, I’m glad I did get some sleep. It was an awesome night and I can’t thank Trish enough for an amazing birthday present!

The Great Outdoors

Out annual family hike this year was a little different. I couldn’t attend on the initial weekend, so Tee and Uncle Roger had to trek it alone the weekend before. Luckily for me, Troy could make it either and I was able to convince Harvest that she wanted to hike up the mountain, since she had never done it before. My morning began at ten to 4 after a frantic night of trying to get my sister navigate the correct way to my house after an evening of babysitting, then getting all the needed supplies to take us up and back down the mountain. I always stress out that I’m going to forget some necessity and we’re all going to be miserable the whole time because of it, maybe I channel my inner Jewish mother, but I make sure I pack everything I think we could possibly need. Because of this, I end up with a heavy load, but we always have snacks and TP.
We were just in time to pick up some Carl’s Jr for breakfast and head south to the 2nd tallest peak in the state. Since Troy was driving we were worried that we would take a wrong turn off in one of the mountain roads. It was also getting closer to dawn, and the parking lot is always insane. But lady Luck was with us, as we took the right turns and the parking lot was pretty dead. We easily found a spot and got ready to start. It was pretty cold, maybe in the 50s and still dark while we started.
We planned on getting as far as we could before we needed to turn back, Troy wanted to be home by 3, I wanted to be home as soon as we felt accomplished. The goal was the meadow, which is over half way to the top. We hiked hard and I’m a bit surprised, but I was the one dragging, but of course I didn’t want to be the one to slow us down too far, it wasn’t terrible, but I can see that my hour workouts weren’t enough to prepare me for an all day hike. I was huffing and puffing and my muscles burned. But we got up to the “sun line” where we finally got to hike in the sun, just before we got to the meadow around 10. We felt good and it seemed like it hadn’t been too difficult, so we pushed for the saddle, the point where you reach the crest of the mountain before you hike to the peak. You get a spectacular view of the whole valley. It’s especially nice with all the autumnal colors coming through. We had made it there about 11, since it was conference weekend a few people had their radios and while we couldn’t really hear it, it was almost like we were listening to it. Troy tried to talk us into going that last half mile up to the peak, but even if we weren’t trying to be fast, Harvest wasn’t doing so good with the height we were at, and the last stretch is so much higher and scarier, I thought letting harvest wait until next year would be a good idea.
We decided to hike back to the meadow for lunch, since we had all that extra time. Down was so much easier at first. I was cheerful, I smiled and talked to those hiking up the mountain, because in my mind, I was done. I got less cheerful, really fast. Time stretches so much longer on the way down. Parts of the trail that weren’t there before show up on the way down. I was lucky that my knees and ankles held up, but the bottom of my feet were killing me. We ran out of water, we weren’t sure how much further until the end, we were getting close but it still could have been another 30 minutes of hiking. We stopped and put some mole skin on Harvest’s blisters with this in mind. We were all thirsty and hoping to get a drink from the spigot at the bottom. After getting moving again, around the next corner and we see the end (really the beginning) of the trail. It was just after 2:30. We made it! Another year down and now I know what I should do to prepare for next year.
Things we talked about along the trail:
How you can eat mold because it’s too warm for it to survive in your body. But I disagree with that since everyone on House always is dying from rare spores.
If you plan random seeds throughout your garden, not only will it grow better, but it will also prevent weeds from growing.
Troy’s kids like to wonder about things being numbered a google-plex.
Harvest is really afraid of heights.
Running along the trail may or may not be easier then walking it.
Skiing down the glacier is a fast way down the mountain, but some of us may be too chicken to ever try it (Hey! I like my bones all in one piece!)

4 Months of Chubby Cheeks

I know I missed month 3, I’m sorry. Working part-time during the busiest time of year for me meant that I couldn’t do a lot of extra-circular activities, and that extra time at home? Yeah, no idea where that goes. The past 2 months have seen you change from a new born to a real baby. You coo and chat and gurgle and giggle all the time now. You love to talk to us and to yourself. You laughed a real laugh at your sister. She kept saying “Boo” and every time you would laugh so hard! We could get you to chuckle, but only Hayley got a real laugh.
You are being a good boy for your grandma’s now that you are there full-time. You are eating like a champ. I think you’re getting close to having doubled your birth weight, but that could just be because I have to carry you around in that heavy car seat. You’re definitely taller, I’m just about ready to remove the second head positioner from the car seat since it seems to be squishing you a little bit.
You’ve rolled over sparingly from tummy to back, but you are enjoying your tummy-time more. You’ve gotten some control over your hands and can grab objects and bring them to your mouth, so you love to grab anything that I have and try to eat it. You’re also loving to really sit up, but you’re not so good at staying up yet. You tend to tip over one way or another depending on how we prop you up. Your arms have gotten so much stronger. You can prop yourself up during tummy time and those legs kick so much I think if you don’t start to crawl, you may try to fly soon.
You love to smile at us, and now matter what is going on, or how frustrated I am, I can’t help but smile at you and see you smile back. It makes my heart melt just a little every time. You slept through the night once this last week! Of course my night ends really early, I woke up at 4:50 and panicked that you hadn’t eaten, so I woke you up, but I wonder how long you would have slept given the opportunity. Mostly you’re up once during the night and then you go right back to sleep. I’m grateful for that, since it’s hard enough trying to stay awake at work as it is with being all sleep deprived.
It’s been fun watching you grow and learn, I’m glad that I have that opportunity again. It’s what makes being a mom and never getting to go to sleep or relax, actually rewarding. Of course don’t ask me when you’re a teenager, I may want to relax at that point, but until then, I’m loving getting to be with you as much as I can.Love you,
Mama

4 Years of I Can't Believe You're How Old?

I can’t believe that four years ago, I was in the hospital about to meet you. This year has seen you learning and growing in all sorts of ways. Just yesterday you wrote your name all by yourself! I told you which letters to write and you did it! Of course your Y’s look like 4’s, but it’s still way better than I thought you could do it! I also recently showed you how to draw stick people and you are drawing them like crazy! You were upset because you couldn’t put the people you saw into picture form on the paper, but once you unlocked the secret of stick figures, you can draw all the people in your world. The last month has seen you attend your preschool full-time, every day. You love it, when I can finally wake you up in the morning, you are excited to get to school and see all your friends. Your first all-friend birthday party is this weekend. It was a trial to edit your list of friends down to 5, but since you picked your favorites from church and school, it’s all you can talk about. How So-and-so is coming to your party, and what’s-his-face is also coming. You even bless them all in your prayers. Which is good, because I’ve put a lot of work into your party myself, so I’m excited for you to get to enjoy it.
This year you finally have a sibling. Your little brother loves you and you are very good with him. With only occasional reminders to be careful and gentle, your interactions are adorable. You always talk about how cute he is and that he is our “squishy pants.” So far you are the only one who can make your brother really laugh. We can usually get him to chuckle, but full out laughs are only for you. You can usually talk and sing to him to stop him from crying and you’re my good little helper to put his binky back in when we’re in the car.
While today you are turning 4, sometimes it feels like 14. You can certainly push my buttons, you know just what to do to get me irritated, as your dad said, it’s only going to get worse. I can’t imagine you as a teenager. Of course you also know just when you need to be sweet and say nice things. You are prone to say “Oh thank you Mama! That’s so sweet!” and that melts me right then and there.
On Sunday you had a captive audience of great grandparents and you danced and sang and just kept going. I thought surely you would get tired after a little while, but hours later you were playing games with Aunt Kim, who can tricep-dip you over her head. I can barely carry from the car when you fall asleep in your booster seat. You are very big. I can’t wait to see how you measure up at the doctors. You seem so much taller than the other girls your age. Of course your still super skinny as eating sparingly will do that for you. I wish I didn’t care for food the way you do. Of course, given the opportunity you would still eat cereal for every meal, but I will only let you eat it at breakfast because I’m the meanest mommy. You are branching out and I’m pleased to note that although you will eat steak, you like chicken more and will eat more kinds of foods. I can also get you to try more foods then before, hopefully in Year 4 you will discover that I’m not always trying to poison you.
Your current favorite thing in Mary Poppins. I forced you to watch it when you really wanted to watch a cartoon and you fell in love. I also made the mistake of pulling out the soundtrack that your dad and I got at Disneyland on our first anniversary. Now that plays over and over in our car stereo and I have those songs in my head most of the time. I wake up humming Chim-Chimney and fall asleep with Jolly Holiday. But it’s so cute to hear you singing along. Especially to Sister Suffragette, that makes me chuckle.
You got your first really real haircut at a salon while your Aunt Harvest was finishing up school at Paul Mitchell’s. Boy, that was a long haircut for all of us. You were done playing with the toys we had brought you and you didn’t want to hold still, or look the direction you were suppose to. I finally had to let you play with my camera so that you could get your hair finished. I think the curl is leaving your hair, as much as I wish you could have that bouncy curl for life, most of your hair is just wavy. You have a bit of curl, but not as much as you use to have.
You had swimming lessons this summer as I wanted you to be able to swim in Papi’s pool. You had a ton of fun, but unfortunately swimming didn’t really happen. Of course floaties made you much more confident and we could all go swimming without having to carry you around the whole time. Forget learning to swim, we’ll just always have water wings for you.
I’m still impressed by how well you can navigate a computer. You can open the internet, find your favorite website and pick games all without being able to read! You love computers and you’re always trying to talk people into letting you play on computers. And we’re cutting down on your television time. Since you’re in school all day, you may get to watch a movie at night or on Saturday, but mostly we’re trying to keep the TV off, since I get sucked in too and right now there aren’t enough hours in the day to get everything done without watching TV. So lucky you, you get to be TV free with me!
You still pick up things from everyone around. Thanks to your Aunt Summer you say “Dang it! I mean Darn it!” and you like to parrot the words and phrases you hear that you shouldn’t say, but I guess it’s hard to figure out what others say that you shouldn’t. You also love to wish on stars, the moon and the sun. Your current wish is either for your party or to be a witch for Halloween.
I’m amazed that you are a little piece of me and humbled that I need to do as much as I can to teach you correctly. It’s a big job, I’m just starting to understand how big. But I wouldn’t trade you for all the cheese on the moon.
Love you Silly Girl,
Mama

2 Months of Cuteness

Darling baby boy,

I can't believe it's been 2 months already, and I can't believe it's only been 2 months. Your 2 months check up was yesterday, and, as I had suspected, you are perfect. Weighing in at 11 lbs 5 oz which is average, and you took your shots like a champ. You;re looking everyday, not only cuter, but much different from your sister. I thought you would look so similar, but that wasn't for very long.

You love me best, because I'm your mommy. You'll always smile for me and you're cooing. It's so cute because to make noises you wiggle your whole body, like the sound is coming from your toes.

I can finally see that you look like your daddy, your grandma thinks you look so much like him, that she wants to call you Michael. Everyone thinks you are adorable and I have to agree. You are the cutest baby ever, sorry Hayley, but my kids just keep getting cuter and cuter.

Love ya,

Mom

1 Month of New Baby Smell

I had the whole story of your birth all typed out. It was three pages long. But your father closed the window and when asked if he wanted to save the document, he chose the wrong answer.
So let's just look at pictures of you!

Fat Bottomed Babies

Okay, so trying to think of something post-worthy, but really my life is pretty boring. But! I am still growing that other person, and I suppose an update on that is something slightly interesting.
I'm 34 weeks and people are starting to ask what my last day is, and are slightly surprised to see me everyday. I suppose it's been a long pregnancy for them as well.
All vitals are good, I start my weekly doctor appointments next week, and then things might seem a little more real and hey, this will actually happen and maybe soon! Although people telling me that 6 more weeks is no time at all, who aren't pregnant, might get punched in the face. Because everyday is a lifetime, people. Every. Day. And it doesn't matter that I'm not as miserable as last time (yet), just walking around and picking things up off the floor are all trials, and trials aren't fun.
Little boy is kicking and squirming and staying active and stretching into my vital organs and rib cage, but apparently there isn't much room left. According to webMD, he could be as long as Hayley was when she was born already, he just needs to weigh more and finish lung development, as that's the last thing that babies do, is get ready to breathe.
My sister and I painted Hayley's room so if I can't get a second coat up this weekend, then it's all ready for Hayley to move from the nursery into her princess pink and purple room. It's adorable, hopefully she won't hate it when she's 8 because I'm never painting again. Ever. That was way too much work, now I just need a mattress to put on her bed frame and maybe some sheets to go on said mattress and we're set! Who knew that having another kid took more prep work? Shouldn't it all transfer from the first? I suppose it's because the baby can't sleep in a drawer, even though they are like, the perfect size!
Getting the people at work ready for my absence and people do resist change. I kind of expect to come back to find that they've left all work for me to do for 8 weeks. I wouldn't be surprised.
I think I am a bit of a surprise to people at the gym, it's not often you see someone who is a hugely pregnant on the elliptical sweating it out and hoping that the elastic waistband of my workout pants holds out just a few more weeks. I have to say I'm the only obviously pregnant person I've ever seen at the gym. If only I could afford to not workout and still eat Costco chocolate cake. Man I could go for a slice of that right now!

College Daze

So last night about 9 pm it occurred to me that Monday would also bring the due date for a Stats project that I haven't even thought about. Which made me feel bad for having a weekend where I didn't even think about school, I cleaned, I had friends over we had a pretty lazy Easter where the biggest thing I did was getting the candy in those little plastic eggs.
It's just so silly to think that this is just like high school. Or grade school. How many times did I do that? Just hurry and get something done quickly so that I get a grade? Lucky for me that I could devote my morning to getting the project done and it all worked out and now it's done. But I wonder if maybe it's just that my life so too crazy for me to devote enough time to my homework. I also was freaking out because I didn't know when my Econ paper was due and maybe it was due today as well or last week. Thank goodness it's not due until the end of the month, but I had no idea! There are only 5 weeks left of school and I'm nervous that my GPA is going to suffer from my grades this term. I'm applying for BS programs after this semester so it's important I keep my GPA high or I won't get in, ugh, but I just can't make myself care because I also have to get the nursery painted and the house cleaned and things organized and diapers bought and taking care of the day to day stuff and like taking care of a 3 year old, a 34 year old and myself. It just seems like I can only focus so much energy on each thing. I planned on being pregnant and taking these classes, so it's definitely my own fault, but I'm just starting to get so burned out, I hope that I can stay committed to getting the these classes done and do them well enough that I can maintain my high GPA so that I can get into my bachelors degree with a good start.
That's what I'm thinking about today. That is all.

34 Years of Chewing Paper

Today is dear husband's birthday. I make a big deal out of my daughter but I have a husband as well! I suppose I should try and show some appreciation.

This year has seen you try new things including starting a Masters of Accounting program and deciding that wasn't going to work for you and then looking to small engine repair classes, which are almost finished after the year long program. It's nice to see that your passionate about something. You really love working with the engines and always try and tell me about such and such thing that you fixed. Most of it goes over my head, but I'm glad that you've found something that you enjoy.
Of course now you think that you don't have to help out around the house, just because you work 6 days a week, well, we're going to have to re figure that out.

Now to address the title of this post, since you don't have much about yourself that changes year to year, especially when it comes to how stubborn you are. Case in point:
In elementary school the rule was "students can't chew gum in class" so because you were defiant and stubborn you decided to chew paper instead, so that you weren't actually breaking the rule, just driving your teacher insane. I think you were still sent to the Principal's office and your poor parents were called. How happy they must have been 8 years ago when I agreed to take you off their hands!

Love you,

Wifey

The Third Trimester Scoop

So I didn't really document too well when I was pregnant with my daughter. I thought I did, but myspace has verified that this is not the case. Mostly I talked about eating. I wonder why I gained 25 extra pounds?

Project Baby Boy: So here we are 32 weeks. It's the final countdown. I feel like I'm definitely not ready at this point. The crib is still a toddler bed, the twin bed for the toddler is still in pieces, the cradle is still full of toys and blankets. Although thanks to the kindness of friends and neighbors I have tons of clothes from 0-6 month sizes, and I bought a single crib sheet and a crib bumper, which apparently I didn't have with my daughter, and didn't care if she bumped her head.

This baby is just as active as I recall Hayley was. I'm getting really uncomfortable. I'm measuring about perfect and see the doctor every 2 weeks at this point. I'm not sure how I'm going to get any bigger, but I still have 8 more weeks, although according to Web MD, this kid won't grow much taller, just fatter. Right now the kid should be about 18.5 inches long and weighs just under 4 pounds.
I've been pretty good about continuing to workout and really have only needed to stop running and even walking, even though that's supposedly easy, but always makes my abdomen hurt where as stair stepper, elliptical and step aerobics all seem fine, but I have to really be careful with strength training since just about anything makes my back hurt. Babies are heavy! Lucky for me, but I was not plagued with morning sickness this time and have been trying to eat health(ier) and not just eat bacon cheese fries for lunch every other day. So far I'm several pounds less then where I was with Hayley and several people have said how I don't seem as pregnant as I did last time, which is good, I have really been trying on to "eat for two." But lately, I can't seem to find the motivation to eat well at home. It's way too hard to go to work all day, do homework, take care of a 3 year old and a husband and cook a dinner that includes vegetables. Way too much effort.

But I'm still able to sleep well, when my toddler lets me, she hasn't been sleeping well and it's killing me and makes me wonder if in 8 weeks I'll ever get any sleep. But I'm not being kept awake with heartburn or being uncomfortable, but there is still plenty of time for that I'm sure.
I'm just hoping the next 8 weeks pass quickly, but not so quickly that I haven't gotten anything accomplished.

3.5 Years of Fancypants

(I think maybe I should do more Hayley time lines just to post more, but that's for another day.)

It's been 6 months since you turned 3 but it's everyday that you still amaze me. While you're not putting on much (or any) weight, you seem taller every time I look at you. You also have learned more than I thought you would. You pick up on little things so fast, we can't say anything without you understanding, it's a little unfortunate. Although trying to help you understand about your up and coming baby brother. You think that you also have a baby in your tummy, although you're having a baby sister apparently.

You are still stubborn and opinionated, you want what you want, when you want it. I'm amazed at your coordination and your intelligence. After parent teacher conferences at your preschool I was feeling like an amazing mother, although I think you do teach yourself a lot. I've enjoyed your independence, but I also miss how you used to need me. You just need me to put your easy mac into the the microwave and taste it to make sure it's not too hot and buying you yogurt at the store, since you haven't figured out how to use that little plastic card that buys things yet. That's probably only take a few more months.

I've been making you photo books to keep track of your baby pictures. It's amazing to see how you've grown. Seeing pictures of you as a tiny baby and trying to see if the little girl you are now was in that tiny body. It's also reminding me that I don't take the same amount of pictures anymore. My dad said it's because we've gotten used to you, but I'd like to think it's because you don't change physically as much as you used to. The face I see today will be much the same in a month. Also I'm frustrated with our camera. It's old and doesn't take very good pictures, and as someone you doesn't know how to take good pictures, I need a camera that will do that for me. And has a battery that doesn't die in 30 minutes. Still, just know that it's not that you aren't as cute as you were, it's just the moments we share are less about how cute you look and more about how cute you act.

You've figured out that your mommy and daddy have other names, so it's a trial now to make sure that you call me mommy instead of "Willow" but it's hard to enforce when it makes me giggle when you call me by name. Also it's difficult to force you to come home with me when you beg for "2 more minutes" even though you have no concept of time.

You are already a computer whiz. For Christmas you got a few toddler games to use, but you also know how to use the Internet, at least as much as someone who can't read is able to. If we get you started on YouTube, you can keep yourself entertained for an hour. When one episode or clip of My Little Ponies ends you just click pictures of what you want watch next. Although you also tend to click a lot of ads, but they are attention grabbing.

I'm enjoying this last little time we have before you're not my sole focus. I'm nervous about how you will react, but I think after things settle down, you'll love being a big sister and I think you'll be a big help. I'm loving the hugs and kisses and it makes me so happy that you love so fiercely and so freely. You try and balance it out with tantrums, but it's those rays of sunshine that make this all worth it.

Love you,
Mama

It's like living in an episode of Dora the Explorer

My daughter, she loves TV. She knows all her favorite characters and will ask for shows by name. She wants to watch Deigo, or Dora or Avatar. So lately living with her is like being in an episode of Dora the Explorer. Since it's always "Do you see such and such? Say such and such!" in the little Dora voice. It's really cute, at first, but after the 20th time it's a bit obnoxious. But it's great to see what things she has picked up. The things she says because I say them. She says "sure" to everything, which apparently is something that I do, but never really noticed. Although when I think she's making things up I tend to say "sure" in response to her questions, but mine comes with a degree of sarcasm, which she has not picked up on as of yet.
She can count to 9 in Spanish. I think she learned it at school, but they also count on Dora, right? So maybe the TV taught her that too.
I just wanted to share that.
Also I have 13 weeks before I have a new child and have to deal with both. At the same time. Pray for me. But really it's not going too badly. Yet, being uncomfortable is getting obnoxious though. And gaining weight is killing me, but really, it's also not going to stop me from eating 3 pieces of cake. Okay 4. Shut up about it, okay?

Let's Beat this Idea to Death

The other day while listening to my favorite morning show on the way to work I heard about a new House Bill here in the great of state of procreation.
It says that if you're only driving less then 4 miles from your home and you're not going to be driving faster than 45 miles an hour, You really don't have to put your kids in booster seats.
The phone calls started to pour in. People were either livid about it, or wanted to argue for it.
Apparently the idea behind it, is really for parents who are car pooling. The bill was introduced by a man from Provo with 8 kids. Eight. I'm sure the only way all of his kids in the boosters fit any vehicle is if he's driving a 15 passenger van, but um, don't you kind figure that out before you have 8 kids? I don't have 8 kids and I'm aware of that.
The next day the morning show had a nurse from primary children's on the show to talk about how many kids went to the ER for vehicle related accidents now versus how many had to go to the ER after and accident before the child restraint thing came into effect for those under 8. Apparently statistics (which I am totally studying!) show that serious injuries have fallen by 50%. That's a pretty good precedent.
I get that when you're carpooling you are driving a hand full of kids a few blocks or miles, and most are probably not even your kids. It seems like common sense to me, that if you only have 3 seats in the back but want to be part of a carpool that has more than 2 other kids, you kind of can't because you can't fit that many kids into your car. Well same goes for kids in car seats, if you can't accommodate for the booster seats in your car, you need to find another car pool.
Then comes another aspect of the bill. As long as you're driving less that 45 miles per hour? Um, because it's at 46 miles an hour when those booster seats make a difference for kids?
Lots of people called in to say what lap belts could do to a kid even at slower speeds. I'll spare you the details, but you wouldn't want them to happen to your child.
The radio DJ made a great observation, that how do you enforce that? The policeman pulls you over and your kid isn't in a booster, so you say: "Well I'm only driving 3 miles from home officer." And they just have to let you go? That doesn't seem very intuitive. The only way you can enforce this is after there's an accident. How far are you from your home and how fast were you going, otherwise it's completely unenforceable.
I take my daughter 3.5 miles to preschool, I drive on roads with a speed limit of 45 miles and less, therefore I would have my choice whether I want to put her in a booster seat. I cannot imagine how badly that would turn out for her if I was in an accident. And doesn't it stand to reason, if these are your kids that you should already have booster seats for them??? What if you have to drive more than 4 miles away? Pick your favorite kid I guess.
And also, don't most accidents happen within 5 or 6 miles of your home? So I guess we're hoping it's that extra mile or 2 where the accident is going to happen, not inside our protective 4 mile radius.
Anyway, it seems like laziness put into law. I don't think I'm a car seat nazi, but even to drive my daughter one block from one grandparents to the next, she is buckled into her seat, because we cross a slightly busy street and all it takes is once to change both our lives forever. it's my responsibility to be her advocate, because she's too young to decide right now. That's my job as a parent. Are booster seats inconvenient? yes? Doesn't it seem like a 6 or 8 year old is big enough that they should be fine with a regular seat belt? Sometimes it does, but evidence proves otherwise and I'm not smarter then those people, so I'll make sure that with that evidence I'm doing the best I can to make sure my child is protected. Even if I'm only driving 3.5 miles away.
Utah house Bill 113

Welcome to my New Year!

Holy no posts batman!
It is I! I know I haven't updated in awhile, so I probably no longer have anyone following. But here's to a new 2010!
Picking up Hayley from preschool the other day, she was in her plastic smock running water in the sink over some plastic dishes and singing "doing the dishes, doing the dishes" and it took me a while to convince her that she was done with the dishes and she should really come home with me. But it strikes me at odd times that she really is her own little person. She is almost fully 3 and a half and while 3 has been a crap shoot, its just the beginning. In a few more years she'll be in kindergarten. I'm not okay with that. She says she's not my baby anymore. She's just Hayley. I told her she'll always be my baby, but she's not buying it.
I don't know how real the knowledge is that she'll have a little brother in 3.5 months is to her yet. She seems aware that there is a baby in my tummy but I don't know that she's figured out that at some point the baby will sleep in her room and she'll get a big girl bed and be in another room. It doesn't help that every time I have her feel where her brother is kicking, he always stops. Stage fright I guess. He never quits when someone isn't touching my stomach. He just like to make me uncomfortable.
Speaking of uncomfortable: I'm now 24 weeks along and this week people are telling me that is "so far!" and that I should be excited. And have a name all picked out. Honey, I don't have anything ready. I have to get done with this semester of school before I can have this kid and I just started. We're 4 weeks into the 16 week semester, so I'm pretty sure that May is a long, long ways away.
This gestation hasn't been too bad for me. No morning sickness (I can say that now with confidence that I'm well into the second trimester) and no crazy craving for fast food and no vegetables ever. Still Christmas happened and now when I read how much weight I'm supposed to have gained. I just laugh and times the smaller amount by 2 and that's closer to where I'm at. My back has a sharp pain in it, but only when I'm sitting, standing or laying down and trying change positions. So that's fun. I'm trying to stay more fit and I'm still able to do a lot of my workouts, just taking out some jumps and high intensity here and there, so I feel pretty accomplished that I'll be able to get back in shape before this baby is 12 months old, but time will tell. I'm still sad that even now I shouldn't eat a Blue Bacon Cheeseburger, because if you can't do that when your preggo, then when can you my friends?