The Irony Pt. 2

To see the first part of this post click here. I think I am working backwards in the song now. (The lyrics can be found in my first post as well).

"On the Second Day After Christmas, I pulled on the old rubber gloves..."

Well, this morning, I did just that and had to clean puke off the bathroom floor. Now Aidan is sick! Don't you just love holidays like that!? Max is doing a lot better, so hopefully Aidan's bug is just a 24 hour one.

31 Week Appointment

So I went to the doctor today. I am not very happy about my weight. I can attribute it to two things: The extremely large sweat shirt I wore and to my holiday eating. Yuck! Oh well, I just have to go with it and work that much harder after she is born. Her heartrate was 144, which is great. I am also measuring good. He said my ultrasound looked good, but he recommended a follow-up ultrasound. I am amazed at how often I have been able to see this baby and her developments. I have had an ultrasound at 6 weeks, 7 weeks, 9 weeks, 19 weeks, 30 weeks and I will again at about 32 weeks. Wow! My ultrasound will be at the end of next week. I then see him again a few days after the ultrasound for my 33 week appointment. I am hoping I make it to that. I never got a 33 week appointment with Max. We'll see how big she has gotten. I asked him if I have any restrictions and he said no. The thing with my situation is that it is just unpredictable. A woman I read about had her first baby at 36 weeks and her second at 25 just because of where the babies sat in the uterus. So, for all we know, we could go to 42 weeks! (Hopefully not really).

The Irony

Growing up my parents sang a song around Christmas. Its title is "The Twelve Days After Christmas". It is pretty funny. Well, last night we experienced the irony of the song. There is a line in the song as follows:

"The third day after Christmas, my mother caught the croup;"

Well, the third day after Christmas, my Max caught the croup! Oh Stink! Poor little guy has been fine and then randomly woke up in the middle of the night and was having trouble breathing. We took him to the ER for a breathing treatment and steroids. He seems to be doing better, but we will see how tonight goes. I hate when my kids are sick. I just hate having them hurt! I hope he gets over this really quick!

Skinny Pants

So, Max is pretty tall. I have trouble finding pants to fit him. If they are long enough, they are just too big around because he is so skinny. Well, today he thought he would put on some shorts he found in his room. They fit really well around the waist. The problem...they were in a drawer for the baby to use. They are not shorts, they are 6-12 month pants! They just happen to look unisex so I kept them. Man he's skinny. It was so funny. He still won't believe us that they are baby pants. He is convinced they are just his shorts.

Lots of Snow!

We have had sooo much snow lately! Here are some pics of Max enjoying it!

Christmas Eve 2008

For Christmas Eve this year we strayed from tradition. Kwana's Mom wanted to cook for us, so how could we say no! She made us yummy curry. It was really good.

Some of the curry on rice


Kwana's Mom and Kwana

Christmas Morning 2008

For Christmas Max requested 3 things: A bike like Uncle "J" (Wiggle Car), a Tranformer, and a Puppy. Well, this lucky kid got all his wishes! The older boys weren't with us for Christmas, so they will get our gift to them tonight. Here are some pictures from our Christmas.

Shane and Max with our new puppy on Christmas Eve. Our nice neighbors couldn't keep their dog anymore so they were kind enough to let us have him. He is very gentle and quiet and Max is in love! Things have been good so far and we can't wait for the older boys to come and play with him.


Max riding his new wiggle car.


Shane laughing after opening his new "undies"!

Max getting a fun stocking stuffer...tape! All our boys love to take my tape and make "contraptions" and other things. This year they each got their own rolls of tape with their names on it so they will leave my tape alone.

Kwana enjoying the puppy.

Family Parties

We had a lot of family parties for Christmas. Of course, I was really bad about my camera.

Our first party was on the 21st and was with the Baller Family party (Shane's family). The batteries died on my camera of course, so I will have to get pictures from all the relatives. We did a potluck, bring a soup and a dessert to share. I opted for what I call pregnancy dessert. That is, I wasn't really craving sugar, so I brought a salty appetizer instead. It was homemade cheese ball with crackers and veggies. I also brought Chicken and Dumplings for my soup. It was a great night. Troy made a DVD that included pictures each of the families had submitted so we could see what everyone has been up to for the last year.

Our second party was on the 22nd and was with the Mortimer Family (My family). We also did soup. My Mom made the soups and we all brought stuff to round it out. It was super yummy. This time I forgot my camera. I know, brilliant! We had new baby cousin Eli there which was great. Kwana's Mom loved holding the baby. Shane took a picture of Kwana and her Mom reading to Max and cousin Millie. It was so cute, but since it was with my Mom's camera I don't have it. I will have to get those pictures as well and post them.

On the 23rd we got together again with Shane's family and just hung out. It was a great time. Shane's brother's family was in town from Oregon, so we tried to get together as much as possible.

On the 26th we all got together again and played at our house. It was so funny to see everyone workin' it on the Wii. We played Rabbid Rabbits TV and Rock Band. Here are a few pics because I actually had my camera at my house!

Jason, Troy and Heidy dancing


Shez, Kelly and Jason dancing. This is Shane's favorite angle for this song for some reason.

Merry Christmas 2008

Here are a few fun pictures from Christmas past, starting with the most recent.

Our 6th Christmas (2007) we were able to spend all together in our current house. (Which we hope we don't move from as quicklt as the last two!) For the pictures, Aidan opted not to have a picture with the big guy!

Our 5th Christmas (2006) was again in a new house. It was just Shane, Max and me, but it was fun to see Max with all the wrapping paper.

Our 4th Christmas (2005) was our first Christmas with Max. It was also our first Christmas as an entire family in our new home. It was a great Christmas. I have a whole video, but no pictures. These are of various family parties.

Our 3rd Christmas (2004) we again didn't have the boys, but we always find a way to make it special and have our own little Christmas, but Santa does only visit one house so our off years are family exchanges. This year the boys received bikes from us.

Our 2nd Christmas (2003) we spent in Disneyland! Very fun!

Our first Christmas together (2002) we didn't have the older boys. We were able to have them for a family Christmas party and we had our own little Christmas. It was really nice, but also nice for our first married Christmas to be just Shane and me.

While Ship Birds Watched Their Flocks

So Max has been going to Primary for a couple weeks during Sharing Time. They use this time to kind of break in the new sunbeams. He came home Sunday singing what sounded like "While Shepherds Watch Their Flocks". Then he got on this kick of calling everything Ship Birds rather than Shepherds. When I tried to explain it to him and tell him they are shepherds he told me how wrong I was. The best (I know, shame on me) was when he would say it Sh** birds rather than Ship. Quite funny!

It is STILL a Girl!

When we found out we were having a girl there were a lot of people who wanted to throw in their doubtful opinions. I think they were trying to have us doubt the ultrasound because up until now Shane has only produced boys! Of course they were all joking, but I have to admit, I was starting to feel a little nervous about the pink carseat I just bought! Well, we went in for our 30 week ultrasound to see how big she is. This will help the doctor because Max was early. She is currently about 2 lbs. 15 oz. they said. Max was 3 lbs. 9 oz., so we will see where we get. She is looking good. We could see hair and little hands and everything. It was harder this time because she has grown, but it was still neat. And, she double checked and there are only girl parts! Here is a picture of her face looking at her. CRAZY! If you look close you can almost see it looking 3D. I wrote where her eyes and stuff are so you can see. Click on the image and it will enlarge. We are so excited, and now I don't have to return the car seat!

Christmas Guests

Last night we picked up our first of many Christmas visitors. We picked Kwana's Mom up from the airport. She is very nice. Her English is limited, but she is trying. She has a great sense of humor and thus far has done well putting up with Shane's teasing. We picked her up at the airport and took her to Chuck-a-Rama for dinner. This is the kind of safe dinner because it has a lot of choices in case American food isn't her style. She loved it! Whew! Then we were going to look at the lights at Temple Square with our friends, but they weren't able to make it, so we opted to stop at Thanksgiving Point so we could stay in the car. Not very eventful, but they do have some nice nativity pictures on your way out. They also had live reindeer at the water tower. Max was instantly in love! We're going to go back with the boys and get pictures because I forgot my camera!

I Hate it When...

We have a morning like this morning. You see, Max has gotten pretty used to going to my Mom's to be watched while I work. I only work 3 hours a day, this I am very fortunate with. But, every once in awhile he has a day where he just needs Mommy a little more. It is so hard for me to leave him anyway, but especially when he is extra emotional. He was just crying and wanted me to keep him. It stunk! I am just so grateful my Mom is willing to watch him and that I only work the little bit that I do. I don't know what I would do if I worked full-time! I love my little guy.

Christmas Tag

I haven't blogged much lately, so I thought I would do the Christmas Tag I have been seeing around. I know Christmas break will bring me more things to blog about.

1. Wrapping paper or gift bags?
Wrapping paper. I don't think bags are as much fun to open.

2. Real tree or Artificial?
I love the smell of the real, but the pre-lit artificial is soooo easy. Maybe some year we will do one of each.

3. When do you put up the tree?
Usually the day after Thanksgiving

4. When do you take the tree down?
Usually right before or after New Year's, depending on how many visitors we will have and the time we will have.

5. Do you like eggnog?
Nope, but Andrew and Shane sure do.

6. Favorite gift received as a child?
Probably a cabbage patch kid or the barbie I got from the Holmans.

7. Hardest person to buy for?
My husband. He is just not picky. It is easy to pick up stuff for him, but I want him to LOVE it, so I wish he was just more greedy I guess! =)

8. Easiest person to buy for?
Max

9. Do you have a nativity scene?
Quite a few of them actually.

10. Mail or email Christmas cards?
Mail them, but sometimes I do feel the pressure and wish I was an email card kind of girl.

11. Worst Christmas gift you ever received?
I don't know.

12. Favorite Christmas Movie?
I love all Christmas movies. I can even watch the cheesy made for tv kind of Christmas movies.

13. When do you start shopping for Christmas?
If I find a good deal, anytime, but usually I start at the end of November. The last 2 years I have even braved Black Friday!

14. Have you ever recycled a Christmas present?
Yes.

15. Favorite thing to eat at Christmas?
Cheese Ball and Cold Duck (Sparkling Cider)

16. Colored or Clear Lights?
Clear!

17. Favorite Christmas song?
Baby What You Goin' to Be

18. Travel at Christmas or stay home?
We traveled once and it was fun, but more relaxing to be at home, so I would say travel around Christmas, but be home Christmas Eve and Day.

19. Can you name all of Santa's reindeer?
Yes.

20. Angel on the tree top or a star?
Star. But I do have a lot of little angels on the tree.

21. Open the presents Christmas Eve or morning?
We open up pj's on Christmas Eve all the rest on Christmas morning.

22. Most annoying thing about this time of the year?
Greedy people.

23. Favorite ornament theme or color?
I have snowflakes, icecicles and angels. I know that isn't much of a theme, but they go well together.

24. Favorite for Christmas dinner?
My Mom usually does soups for Christmas Eve, but I do love to do something fun for our family. This year we'll do turkey with my Dad's famoud homemade stuffing, prepared by me because it will just be our little family.

25. What do you want for Christmas this year?
I don't really want anything. There are some things for the house or the baby that I would like to get for Christmas so they can come out of that budget.

26. White or Warm Christmas?
I like white, but I'm cool with clear roads and a little warmer with light snow falling.

27. Favorite thing about Christmas?
My family and the feeling.

28. Favorite Christmas Tradition?
I don't know, but I do love getting together for the family parties.

29. Favorite Christmas Location?
Disneyland is cool. but usually just home

30. Who do you tag?
Anyone who wants to play

Party Day

Yesterday was party day for us. We had been invited to 6 different events we were invited to or had tickets for, but because of the times overlapping, we attended 4.

We first went to Mimi's Cafe for breakfast for my sister Carrie's birthday. Their muffins are always so yummy! I had forgotten how big the kid meals are. The pancakes were huge and Max was very happy to get his pancake, especially in the shape of Mickey Mouse's head.

Then we ran really quick to my work party. They were so great and paid for a theater rental and we watched the movie "Bolt". It was pretty cute. Then we had a break...well at least myself and Max. Shane spent the whole afternoon helping my Dad put together his snow plow and attaching it to the 4-Wheeler. What a good son-in-law!

After the plow thing we went to our ward Christmas party. This year it was an adult only party. It was so nice. I mean, the parties with the kids are fun, but it was a nice change. The kids had their own primary party to make up for it. For the first half hour it was mingling and they had crackers and cheese and wassail to munch on. I have to tell you, cheese and crackers are a weakness of mine. I can bypass the cake and cookies, etc., but see those crackers and cheese (especially swiss) and it's all over. I had a few helpings! Then dinner was served. They did a buffet, but the High School Chamber Choir kids served us and cleared up after. So nice! They had mashed potatoes, roast beef, salad, carrots and rolls. For dessert it was yummy cheesecake. Our table was hilarious! Such good friends in our ward. We need to do more with them.

We left a little early to attend the BYU game. They won, so that was a winner as well! It was a long, but fun day.

Just in time for Christmas

My brother and his wife had their baby last night. She is just one of those girls who goes super quick. She went to the doctor at 4 p.m. and he said she was at a 5 and it could be anywhere from 12 hours to next week. Well, she went home and by 6:30 she was either leaving for the hospital or at the hospital, I need to find out which. They called on the way to the hospital and said, "Have the epidural ready"! She has never gotten one because she has gone too quickly. Well, they made it and the epidural slowed things down...a bit! This little cutie boy was born at 8:30 p.m. weighing in at 7 lbs. 5 oz. The boys all got to see him through the window while they took care of him last night. We can't wait to hold our new little boy cousin Eli.

Safety First

Tonight the boys decided they needed to do a little demolition. They first took an empty curling ribbon roll and smashed it to pieces with a hammer then picked up all the pieces to show us their accomplishments. Then, they asked if we had any electronics they could take apart. Fortunately we had an old DVD player with their names on it. Max had to be involved, of course! He even had on safety glasses! Oh my, it was awesome!

The older boys have tools that they got for their birthday (A growing collection courtesy of my Mom). Max doesn't have any, but he borrowed Dad's and informed me that "these are safety glasses and these are Dad's tool"! So cute. They also decided that they needed to work outside even though it is cold. The work must have warmed them up because they kept taking their jackets off!

Safety man. Nice glove.

Hard at work.

All business.

Hard workers.

In Max's words, "We found chips!"

Now we all have safety glasses!

Bad Rules

Tonight at dinner Max was too excited and couldn't stop talking. Shane said, "Max, do you want to spend the evening with Cosmo?" (We are going to a BYU Game). Max said yes and Shane replied, "Then you need to eat your dinner. Cosmo said you have to eat your dinner to come to the game". Andrew chimed in with, "It's the rule Max". Max quickly sat down, picked up some food and said, "That's a bad rule"!

Cha Cha Cha!

At the Festival of Trees Andrew performed ballroom. It was quite impressive considering he has only been to two classes. He performed a waltz and a cha cha. The cha cha is his favorite he says. We went to the wrong stage at first, so we missed his waltz. We were so sad, but at least we were able to see his favorite. Here is a video of his cha cha. It is a little shaky. We didn't have our video camera, so it was just our regular camera. My brother-in-law got a GREAT shot of Andrew and his partner. He is sending it to me and then I will post that as well. Here are also a couple of shots from after the dance.



Max with Andrew. He saw Andrew dancing and leaned in to me to say, "He is good!" The nice star on Max's forehead is from leaving the show. You get a stamp so you can go back in. The gentleman at the door thought it would be better on his face than his hand. I don't know why.



3 of my cutie pies after the dancing. (Doesn't Shane look HOT!)

Festival of Trees '08

Last night we went to the Festival of Trees to watch Andrew perform. We have never gone before, so we went early to check everything out. It was a lot of fun. Troy and Heidy's family joined us as well. It was kind of a last minute things, but sometimes those turn out better than the stuff you plan.

We didn't take many pictures, there were too many great ones to choose from. Some of course had TONS of gifts under them, some were more for the theme.

This tree was made of all glass. There were also regular trees around it. The Ashton Family Foundation donated it. The regular trees had lights timed to music, which were set up by a guy I used to work with. He does the same thing with his house each season. His brother is photographer, Willie Holdman. Some of Willie's photos were part of the setup as well.

The next few are for my brother. He is a lacrosse coach and they had a lacrosse tree. Some of the stuff was super funny.

26/27 Week Appointment

Everything today went great. Her heartrate was just perfect! I do wish I wasn't gaining so much weight! I do know where a lot of it is though (above the belly)! I can't believe how much weight I have gained in that area this time around.

I am 2 days shy of 27 weeks, so they just kind of do it as both. I did have a great moment when I was leaving the doctor's office. Apparently I am having a smaller day today (you know where your belly doesn't look quite as large). I went to schedule an ultrasound and the lady asked if it was my 20 week ultrasound! I thought it was awesome! I am actually scheduling a 30 week appointment!

The doctor is doing a 30-week ultrasound to check the growth of the baby. We want to see where we are at so we can kind of compare her to Max. This will help give us an idea of just how early I could go. My next appointment with the doctor will be a week after that. I'm so excited for another ultrasound. I love to see the baby. I makes everything more real and then I can see she is ok. I'll go in for the ultrasound the week of Christmas...what a great gift.