In case you can't read that, it does say "I love my mom because she is pretty!" and in case you were wondering, that is indeed a picture of me (click on it for a closer look). The nose, I was told, is only orange because peach would have blended in with the face. The necklace is a diamond one and my hair is just down, not in braids. I didn't ask about the lips. But you can tell it's me because of the vines (also known as bangs--"no mom, they're vines"). I had a really hard time not laughing when I first saw it, because that would have really hurt her feelings. But I'm laughing now. Good thing I'm so pretty!
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
Mother's Day Portrait
This is why I love being a mother...
In case you can't read that, it does say "I love my mom because she is pretty!" and in case you were wondering, that is indeed a picture of me (click on it for a closer look). The nose, I was told, is only orange because peach would have blended in with the face. The necklace is a diamond one and my hair is just down, not in braids. I didn't ask about the lips. But you can tell it's me because of the vines (also known as bangs--"no mom, they're vines"). I had a really hard time not laughing when I first saw it, because that would have really hurt her feelings. But I'm laughing now. Good thing I'm so pretty!
In case you can't read that, it does say "I love my mom because she is pretty!" and in case you were wondering, that is indeed a picture of me (click on it for a closer look). The nose, I was told, is only orange because peach would have blended in with the face. The necklace is a diamond one and my hair is just down, not in braids. I didn't ask about the lips. But you can tell it's me because of the vines (also known as bangs--"no mom, they're vines"). I had a really hard time not laughing when I first saw it, because that would have really hurt her feelings. But I'm laughing now. Good thing I'm so pretty!
Sunday, May 2, 2010
Mini Vacation
THREE weekends ago...
...we took a trip to the west coast of Florida because Jared had a racquetball tournament. This was his second tournament since he was a star in college. I would say this is definitely his current obsession--we've seen quite a series of hobbies over the years ranging from roller hockey, flag football, volleyball, and paintball, to name a few (Why isn't it ever mopping I wonder?). He's planning on doing another tournament this month, although it's outdoors and the rules say "shirts are optional" so I'm not sure if I'll be attending.
I was going back and forth about wanting to go to this one because it was a rough week already, I wasn't feeling great, and 5 hours sitting in the car with whiny kids who would inevitably throw up didn't sound fun, but I decided at the last minute to go. FYI: Yes, Erin did throw up and yes, they did whine--but it wasn't the whole time. We drove an hour out of our way so that I could hit the temple on the way there and after I went I felt amazingly better. Because of this stop, however, Jared missed his first match and had to forfeit. It was the price he was willing to pay for his wife's company, and might I add sanity.
He had two other matches that night, three the next day and one the day after. He won four of those matches so he did a great job. Not only that, but the guy he forfeited to lost to two people that Jared ended up beating and then lost in the finals. In other words, Jared would have probably won that one too. He had a lot of fun.
This picture might explain why I couldn't pay full attention to Jared's game.
The racquetball facility was something else. The courts were old and made of concrete, there was a naked lady wandering around the bathroom two days in a row making conversation with me no less--not to mention it smelled like smoke in there--and I'm pretty sure there was no handicap accessibility, coming from someone who studied the importance ADA as well as feeling personally handicapped myself. Pretty much a dive, but some good R-ball was had there anyway.
In between games we went swimming, visited an aquarium, went out to eat, bought new sandals for Alex (who only had tennis shoes because of losing one of his only remaining flip flops before the trip), went to a children's museum and watched movies at the hotel. It was just down the street so it worked out pretty well for the kids and me to hang out there during Jared's games. To sum it up, we all had a lot of fun and it was definitely more relaxing and enjoyable than I had envisioned. The ride home was even good because we bought those sea-bands (anti-nausea bracelets) for Erin and voila, no carsickness. They work. Yes, I'm glad I went! Thanks for making me, Jared.
Here are some pictures of the aquarium...
We watched a 3-D movie at the children's museum and the glasses would not stay on any child's head. You'd think they would have had at least two sizes being a children's museum and all. Recognize Alex's outfit?
...we took a trip to the west coast of Florida because Jared had a racquetball tournament. This was his second tournament since he was a star in college. I would say this is definitely his current obsession--we've seen quite a series of hobbies over the years ranging from roller hockey, flag football, volleyball, and paintball, to name a few (Why isn't it ever mopping I wonder?). He's planning on doing another tournament this month, although it's outdoors and the rules say "shirts are optional" so I'm not sure if I'll be attending.
I was going back and forth about wanting to go to this one because it was a rough week already, I wasn't feeling great, and 5 hours sitting in the car with whiny kids who would inevitably throw up didn't sound fun, but I decided at the last minute to go. FYI: Yes, Erin did throw up and yes, they did whine--but it wasn't the whole time. We drove an hour out of our way so that I could hit the temple on the way there and after I went I felt amazingly better. Because of this stop, however, Jared missed his first match and had to forfeit. It was the price he was willing to pay for his wife's company, and might I add sanity.
He had two other matches that night, three the next day and one the day after. He won four of those matches so he did a great job. Not only that, but the guy he forfeited to lost to two people that Jared ended up beating and then lost in the finals. In other words, Jared would have probably won that one too. He had a lot of fun.
Here he is in action. Doesn't he look great? He won this one by the way. It was the only one the kids would let me watch, and I'm using "watch" loosely because I was trying to reign them in the whole time.
The kids were being silly, especially Alex. Another note, I did pack enough outfits for Alex for the weekend but he insisted on wearing this one the whole time. Go figure.
This picture might explain why I couldn't pay full attention to Jared's game.
In between games we went swimming, visited an aquarium, went out to eat, bought new sandals for Alex (who only had tennis shoes because of losing one of his only remaining flip flops before the trip), went to a children's museum and watched movies at the hotel. It was just down the street so it worked out pretty well for the kids and me to hang out there during Jared's games. To sum it up, we all had a lot of fun and it was definitely more relaxing and enjoyable than I had envisioned. The ride home was even good because we bought those sea-bands (anti-nausea bracelets) for Erin and voila, no carsickness. They work. Yes, I'm glad I went! Thanks for making me, Jared.
Here are some pictures of the aquarium...
We watched a 3-D movie at the children's museum and the glasses would not stay on any child's head. You'd think they would have had at least two sizes being a children's museum and all. Recognize Alex's outfit?
Marissa and the belly.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
8 Months Down
On Monday morning I noticed there were a few crumbs in the silverware holder while unloading the dishwasher. So I decided to clean that drawer out. I cleaned the one next to it too, and then figured the cupboard with the glasses could use a little organization. By the time I had to go get Erin from school, I was still in my pajamas, but every last cupboard and drawer in the kitchen was cleaned, organized and decluttered (along with the bathroom "hair" drawer--which took a while). Yep, all the Tupperware and lids match. The next day I tackled the oven, refrigerator and microwave and today the linen closet looks great. Let's not forget last week's project: our bedroom closet, complete with going through and getting rid of several bags of clothes (FYI: it's an interesting time to go through clothes when you are twice as fat as most of them. I could only speculate about which ones my tush would eventually fit in again).
Whatever flippin' hormone is floating around my body has taken control and is held responsible for these strange events lately. Why every nook and cranny must be turned over and set right before a baby comes is beyond me, but the pressure to get it all perfect before the big day is all too real, at least for me. This is why I found myself on the floor scrubbing grout daily for weeks until Marissa was born. Maybe I'm subconsciously afraid of what the baby might think if he came home to what is normally here; or maybe I want him to think that our house is always spotless and organized and that it will never be okay to mess it up (though that never worked with the others). Really, my mind tells me that my life will be over for an indeterminate amount of time so I had better get the grunge out of the back of my fridge now or I might end up like the trash hoarder (did you see that last episode of Hoarding? Crazy!).
I felt pretty crummy for a few weeks, which is why I haven't posted much. This week I'm doing better. There seems to be more pressure that the baby is putting on my body so walking, standing and sitting on the floor aren't so comfortable. I don't know if it's his position or if he's just a big baby, or maybe it's my body reacting to the fourth pregnancy in six years. The other three babies were all breech at this point, if that makes a difference. Luckily, this one has been head down for weeks (I'm a little paranoid about it which is why I know). Knock on wood that he'll stay that way. Just over a month to go!
One sanity saver for me right now is doing a kid swap every week. We have friends that conveniently had their last three kids about the same ages as ours. One day a week her youngest two come here and later that week I take mine over there. It's good for our kids to have friends and not be bored, even though it can get a little crazy. The two almost two-year-olds are partners in crime. One unlocks the front door while the other opens it and before I know it they are making a run for the street. Or they'll help each other pull the chair over to the fridge to get cups and cups of water and ice to dump on the floor. And they're always helping each other into the sink to soap up their bodies or wash their pants. Definitely rascals! I'm not sure what goes through their minds most of the time, but they are on the same level at least and get along great. The sanity saver is that I get one day to myself. It's usually spent going to the doctor, shopping (with no kids!), painting the house or something else that makes me really tired, but I always have this precious time to look forward to. It keeps me going. Thank goodness for great friends with rascally kids like mine!
This was last week when they decided to bury themselves in the laundry. 
We must have had another kid this day. The more the merrier! (or bigger mess I have to clean up)
Whatever flippin' hormone is floating around my body has taken control and is held responsible for these strange events lately. Why every nook and cranny must be turned over and set right before a baby comes is beyond me, but the pressure to get it all perfect before the big day is all too real, at least for me. This is why I found myself on the floor scrubbing grout daily for weeks until Marissa was born. Maybe I'm subconsciously afraid of what the baby might think if he came home to what is normally here; or maybe I want him to think that our house is always spotless and organized and that it will never be okay to mess it up (though that never worked with the others). Really, my mind tells me that my life will be over for an indeterminate amount of time so I had better get the grunge out of the back of my fridge now or I might end up like the trash hoarder (did you see that last episode of Hoarding? Crazy!).
I felt pretty crummy for a few weeks, which is why I haven't posted much. This week I'm doing better. There seems to be more pressure that the baby is putting on my body so walking, standing and sitting on the floor aren't so comfortable. I don't know if it's his position or if he's just a big baby, or maybe it's my body reacting to the fourth pregnancy in six years. The other three babies were all breech at this point, if that makes a difference. Luckily, this one has been head down for weeks (I'm a little paranoid about it which is why I know). Knock on wood that he'll stay that way. Just over a month to go!
One sanity saver for me right now is doing a kid swap every week. We have friends that conveniently had their last three kids about the same ages as ours. One day a week her youngest two come here and later that week I take mine over there. It's good for our kids to have friends and not be bored, even though it can get a little crazy. The two almost two-year-olds are partners in crime. One unlocks the front door while the other opens it and before I know it they are making a run for the street. Or they'll help each other pull the chair over to the fridge to get cups and cups of water and ice to dump on the floor. And they're always helping each other into the sink to soap up their bodies or wash their pants. Definitely rascals! I'm not sure what goes through their minds most of the time, but they are on the same level at least and get along great. The sanity saver is that I get one day to myself. It's usually spent going to the doctor, shopping (with no kids!), painting the house or something else that makes me really tired, but I always have this precious time to look forward to. It keeps me going. Thank goodness for great friends with rascally kids like mine!
This was a few months ago. She only uses a pacifier when he is here (and it's always upside down).
This was last week when they decided to bury themselves in the laundry. 
We must have had another kid this day. The more the merrier! (or bigger mess I have to clean up)
Monday, April 12, 2010
This About Sums it Up
I realize I have not posted anything in a while. I've started a few posts, but they didn't make the cut. Mostly I'm just tired, and nesting, and tired. But here are a few random aspects of my life right now.
Parenting
Another proud moment when Erin completed her goal of reading 100 books this year. The instructions said you could count books read to the child as well as ones they read, but Erin decided to only count the ones she read. My favorite part is how one of the books is "The Book of Mormon" (which was a little sacrament book about the BOM), but it's funny that it is on there. She is doing such a great job with reading!
Erin made a new Family Home Evening chart for us tonight that reads: familly houm eyvning... lesin... sonng... prer (prayer)... trite (treat)... aktivity. Gotta love phonetics.
Last night Alex says, "I don't know why I keep coughing. Do you think it's because I ate too many jelly beans?"
The same day, after some thought, he decided it was okay for me to help him with his car seat. "Mommy, you can help me because I love you, but I just don't like you." He said that again tonight when wanting help from Daddy with his prayer, "I want Daddy to help me because I love Mommy but I don't like her." Yes, that does make sense.
Literature
In general I've been reading books on home decorating, pregnancy and delivery, and a pretty good financial book. I picked up the pregnancy books from the library because I've already read all the ones I have three times (yeah, yeah, yeah "What to Expect When You're Expecting", I've got "Hypno-birthing" and "Home Birth in the Hospital"). This delivery will be different from my last two because I can't go to a birthing center this time. I'm still bummed about it because they were such great experiences, and I'm still not in love with my new doctor, but I also feel like I don't have too many options either. My sister did remind me that lots of people have babies in the hospital and that it's not that abnormal, which was a good reminder. I just know it'll be a different experience with not being able to eat and being hooked up to moniters and IV's, but I'll manage; hence the books.
Our book club book this month was one of the best books I've read in a long time called, "These Is My Words" which is the diary of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy E. Turner. It is a story of her journey to and settling in the Arizona territory. It was really hard to believe that all of the things that happened to her were true because it is full of crazy adventures, love, death, her great personality and much more. I'm not doing it justice. Just go read it. I'm on her second diary now.
Home Projects
Our master bathroom has been torn out since July and the deadline to finish is baby #4. Jared took a few days off this week to tile and I helped him mostly with the cutting while he laid it. I think we both agree that this could very well be our last tiling project ever and that we don't like to tile! And after hours of crouching I realized tiling may be one of the worst jobs you could do being 7 months pregnant. I could barely walk after that. That being said, our bathroom is but some grout, a second coat of paint, and a toilet and shower door installation away from being done. Wahoo!
I also painted our bedroom a few weeks ago with the help of my friend. We got a new comforter set and installed new blinds and a new ceiling fan. And when I say "we" I mean I laid on the bed providing stimulating conversation while watching Jared do it. So far, I love the new look. Once our new furniture comes I just may post pictures.
That paint job got me thinking about our family room, so I picked up some samples and now have an unfinished, multi-colored splotchy room that also has a baby #4 deadline. Nesting is in full swing, I'm afraid. It does seem that I get more done in my third trimester than any other time in my life; I work better under pressure after all. In fact, I think I've only done painting projects while pregnant. I will say that the family room is the limit, at least for this pregnancy. I might just have to have another one if the kids want their rooms re-done.
Pregnancy
I'm now 7 months and weigh the same as my husband (or so he says--he's always rounding up). All I know is it is somewhat of a depressing day when you weigh more than your husband, even if he is a stick.
Do I...
Waddle? Yes, unfortunately
Have heartburn? Yes
Get up at least twice a night to pee? Yes
Feel 20 degrees hotter than everyone else? Yes
Take a nap every day? At least one
Also, there's the pregnancy brain and the clumsiness, which Jared does not believe has anything to do with being pregnant. But you can not tell me that splattering melted butter all over my maternity shirt, flipping half the chopped celery on the counter and dropping a saucy spoon on my shoe all while making one meal is normal behavior. Give me some solace in knowing this will end! Humor me at least.
New Resolutions
1. Change air filter more regularly (at least before the AC stops working)
2. Be more diligent about putting the flea medication on the kitty's (you could imagine where I'm going with this one)
3. Never, ever eat a hot dog again! I had the grossest and strongest one that I kept burping up a day later, ironically at an Earth Day Festival (shouldn't they have been selling organic vegetables there instead?) Seriously, no more. Don't even try to offer me one. I'm done.
Nursery
After that first post about being called into the nursery and having a great breakdown, I do want to say that I really, really like being in there. I might be in a bad mood before church and then half way through nursery I will look at the sweet, innocent faces of the little children during singing time and I feel sincerely happy. They don't care how fat I am or if my garments are showing while sitting on the floor or if I eat half their snacks. It's a pretty good place to be and I have a sweet group of kids, for the most part.
So that about sums it up.
Parenting
Another proud moment when Erin completed her goal of reading 100 books this year. The instructions said you could count books read to the child as well as ones they read, but Erin decided to only count the ones she read. My favorite part is how one of the books is "The Book of Mormon" (which was a little sacrament book about the BOM), but it's funny that it is on there. She is doing such a great job with reading!
Erin made a new Family Home Evening chart for us tonight that reads: familly houm eyvning... lesin... sonng... prer (prayer)... trite (treat)... aktivity. Gotta love phonetics.
Last night Alex says, "I don't know why I keep coughing. Do you think it's because I ate too many jelly beans?"
The same day, after some thought, he decided it was okay for me to help him with his car seat. "Mommy, you can help me because I love you, but I just don't like you." He said that again tonight when wanting help from Daddy with his prayer, "I want Daddy to help me because I love Mommy but I don't like her." Yes, that does make sense.
Literature
In general I've been reading books on home decorating, pregnancy and delivery, and a pretty good financial book. I picked up the pregnancy books from the library because I've already read all the ones I have three times (yeah, yeah, yeah "What to Expect When You're Expecting", I've got "Hypno-birthing" and "Home Birth in the Hospital"). This delivery will be different from my last two because I can't go to a birthing center this time. I'm still bummed about it because they were such great experiences, and I'm still not in love with my new doctor, but I also feel like I don't have too many options either. My sister did remind me that lots of people have babies in the hospital and that it's not that abnormal, which was a good reminder. I just know it'll be a different experience with not being able to eat and being hooked up to moniters and IV's, but I'll manage; hence the books.
Our book club book this month was one of the best books I've read in a long time called, "These Is My Words" which is the diary of Sarah Agnes Prine by Nancy E. Turner. It is a story of her journey to and settling in the Arizona territory. It was really hard to believe that all of the things that happened to her were true because it is full of crazy adventures, love, death, her great personality and much more. I'm not doing it justice. Just go read it. I'm on her second diary now.
Home Projects
Our master bathroom has been torn out since July and the deadline to finish is baby #4. Jared took a few days off this week to tile and I helped him mostly with the cutting while he laid it. I think we both agree that this could very well be our last tiling project ever and that we don't like to tile! And after hours of crouching I realized tiling may be one of the worst jobs you could do being 7 months pregnant. I could barely walk after that. That being said, our bathroom is but some grout, a second coat of paint, and a toilet and shower door installation away from being done. Wahoo!
I also painted our bedroom a few weeks ago with the help of my friend. We got a new comforter set and installed new blinds and a new ceiling fan. And when I say "we" I mean I laid on the bed providing stimulating conversation while watching Jared do it. So far, I love the new look. Once our new furniture comes I just may post pictures.That paint job got me thinking about our family room, so I picked up some samples and now have an unfinished, multi-colored splotchy room that also has a baby #4 deadline. Nesting is in full swing, I'm afraid. It does seem that I get more done in my third trimester than any other time in my life; I work better under pressure after all. In fact, I think I've only done painting projects while pregnant. I will say that the family room is the limit, at least for this pregnancy. I might just have to have another one if the kids want their rooms re-done.
Pregnancy
I'm now 7 months and weigh the same as my husband (or so he says--he's always rounding up). All I know is it is somewhat of a depressing day when you weigh more than your husband, even if he is a stick.
Do I...
Waddle? Yes, unfortunately
Have heartburn? Yes
Get up at least twice a night to pee? Yes
Feel 20 degrees hotter than everyone else? Yes
Take a nap every day? At least one
Also, there's the pregnancy brain and the clumsiness, which Jared does not believe has anything to do with being pregnant. But you can not tell me that splattering melted butter all over my maternity shirt, flipping half the chopped celery on the counter and dropping a saucy spoon on my shoe all while making one meal is normal behavior. Give me some solace in knowing this will end! Humor me at least.
New Resolutions
1. Change air filter more regularly (at least before the AC stops working)
2. Be more diligent about putting the flea medication on the kitty's (you could imagine where I'm going with this one)
3. Never, ever eat a hot dog again! I had the grossest and strongest one that I kept burping up a day later, ironically at an Earth Day Festival (shouldn't they have been selling organic vegetables there instead?) Seriously, no more. Don't even try to offer me one. I'm done.
Nursery
After that first post about being called into the nursery and having a great breakdown, I do want to say that I really, really like being in there. I might be in a bad mood before church and then half way through nursery I will look at the sweet, innocent faces of the little children during singing time and I feel sincerely happy. They don't care how fat I am or if my garments are showing while sitting on the floor or if I eat half their snacks. It's a pretty good place to be and I have a sweet group of kids, for the most part.
So that about sums it up.
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