Misc. Activities

There are a few things we have done lately, that I just haven't gotten around to posting about. The biggest is that we had our annual girls weekend (that turned into girls day b/c so many of us are preggies) on Saturday. The schedule was pedicures, lunch at Paradise, shopping (my exhaustion prevented me from doing this), dinner at PF Changs (thanks for being my date, Andrea) and then a movie - Duplicity. It was great to laugh and get completely rejuvenated with the girls. Love you ladies!

We also have done a few things with Steph. We attended Creed's birthday party - the girls adore their shirts. And we went to the Children's Museum. It was great to be with friends, but I must say as a mom who likes to teach at home, there wasn't much at the museum that I don't do already at home.

Finally, we've made some major progress on home projects. We purchased and Jason built a dresser to match Sara's bedroom set. Yes, we'll have enough kids that we won't have enough dressers. And then we got all the girls clothes switched out for proper sizes. In case you were wondering, Sara is a 3T and Laura is a 5. At the rate we are going, I'm afraid there will be hand-me-ups soon.

Also, a lot of work has gone into the floors. Jason grouted the basement bathroom floor and surround. And, while the grout was out, he touched-up tons of other tile in the house. It is wonderful to have the vent covers finally fitting perfectly. The next day he sealed all the tile. And after all that was done, I deep cleaned all the floors and baseboards in the house. This is serious progress on the pre-baby to-do list and it feels great.

Springtime

Oh, we have been enjoying the warm weather (that suddenly disappeared today...sigh) lately. Tons of time has been spent outdoors. The playset is the biggest hit.

The girls love the swing...and sunglasses.

Sara climbing up the stairs, ready to slide down the slide by herself.

We broke in the picnic table at lunch with Deb's boys.

Big Girl Bed

Sara has been asking to be able to get in and out of her bed/crib “by self”, so we struck while the iron was hot. We got the spare room downstairs all cleaned out (not the smallest task) and set up her bed. Sara helped us shop for a new bedding set and set up her room. So, by the time it was her bedtime, she was super excited to be in her big girl bed.
Sara has done remarkably well in her new room and bed. She is so proud to be a big girl, have a big bed, and be by her big sister. She will show it off to anyone who will see. I’m proud of you, my Sara! Oh, and that is one more (big) thing to get checked off the pre-baby checklist...phew, we are making progress.

Swingset

We decided on the Costco swingset (it was $400 less than advertised online and we got a good tax return) and started building it before the snow and major infections started a couple weeks ago. It was chosen because we're not moving and we never want to build one of these again; and because I'm a paranoid Mommy and wanted something super safe and sturdy. It took hours and hours to complete; two full Saturdays.

The weather on this Saturday was beautiful and we got it 98% finished - only a few more rails and a telescope to put up. And we still have the decision of whether or not to fill the sandbox that we need to make. The set is incredibly sturdy and seems like it will last. It is definitely incredibly fun.

I know the girls will spend hours outside swinging, sliding, picnicking, and imagining. Anyone want to come over and join us?

We're Having a...

We broke down and went to one of those ultrasound places on Friday. The baby is seriously active and it took the poor tech a long time to figure out what we were having because it wouldn't stop moving. But, he finally concluded we are having a GIRL! (Sorry, Dave, your breakfast theory just got blown.)

This means Jason will be seriously outnumbered. It also means that I get to make lots of bows and buy dresses! Also, it means no Boy Scouts for us...hooray. However, we are trading that for weddings. But, we can go to Princess events at Disneyland without any backlash! We are excited to be the princess palace.

It was great to see her moving about, stretching, rubbing her eyes and stretching out. The girls loved meeting their new sister.

Adjusting

We live in a really active ward. One of those wards where they apparently release you from any big calling when you are having a baby. So, I and the other preggie counselor got released from YW. I'm having a hard time with it. For some reason it just makes me feel like I wasn't doing a good job. I know it's not the case, but I feel it anyway. I also feel like I just didn't have enough time to accomplish some of the things I wanted - Personal Progress, etc. Well, at least when the doctor puts me on bed rest at the end of this pregnancy, I won't have calling guilt. Emotions should be over and done with by then.

I'm glad to have more time with my girls and more time with my hubby. But, I sure will miss spending time with the YW.

1 Project Down

We are able to cross one thing off our list of like 40 things to do before baby. Our backsplash is finally completed! We ordered the tiles over a year ago, but just haven't gotten to it until now. They began as stainless, but I wanted them to be white - I just didn't think I could keep the stainless clean enough. I got the idea from a Divine Design episode.Three weeks ago it was warm enough to get the paint sprayer and spray them all outside. We sprayed them with a bonding primer and then our trim paint we had left over from painting the house. It muted the pattern, but I liked how subtle it became.Jason got some tin snips and adhesive and installed them completely by himself as I was super sick this week. He did a great job and I love the result! The job was not small because we put it everywhere between cabinets and countertop - 90 tiles. It was a good solution because I wanted something unique, traditional and easy to clean that did not clash with the stone floors or the countertops. It's beautiful and I love having the kitchen completed. Thanks for all your hard work, Jason!

Impatient - Girl or Boy

So, I want to know the gender of this baby.  I'm not doing a good job at waiting.  We were spoiled and knew with Laura at 14 weeks and I just am not waiting well.  Jason has no "feeling" on what we are having.  And I am ready to get started on the huge list of preparations that need to be made before this baby can come and lots of them are dependent on gender.  Therefore, we may not wait until the ultrasound that's scheduled at 21 weeks.  I don't know how some people wait 40 weeks for their surprise...I'm ready to have my gender surprise now.  We may go to one of these types of places sooner.  What gender baby do you think we are having?  Vote in the poll on the right.

Sara Fun

We are all still sick around here.  I guess the doctor wasn't kidding when he told me that this illness could last two to six weeks.  The only thing that has kept me from going truly crazy while stuck in the house is Sara's extreme silliness.  This kid was born with a sense of humor.  Things she has done in the past few days:

1.  Taken a header into the full bathtub completely clothed.  As the water went down, her arms went lower and lower, until she flipped into the tub.  A small portion of her back and a bit of her hair was not dripping from Jason's and my sprint towards her.  Is it wrong to laugh as your child is crying?

2.  Right after the bathtub incident she went from sitting on the stool to sitting on the floor in .2 seconds.  "Fall down"

3.  She likes to pick out her own outfits.  She couldn't decide between two pairs of socks  so we had to put on one of each.  After looking at them for a few seconds she told me "Dis one" and took off the one she didn't like.  However, her taste in shoes might not be quite so exacting as shown in the picture above.

Draper Temple Open House

My parents and I took the girls to the Draper Temple Open House last week. Laura has been looking forward to being able to go inside the temple for so long. I think she really enjoyed herself. Sara was difficult, but it was worth the effort to get Laura there. Laura's favorite part was the mirrors in the sealing room.

I went again with the YW last night. I got a lot more out of it (except for watching Laura) personally this time. It was truly beautiful. I loved the handpainted rooms, the wood work, and the chandeliers. The church does a great job of building beautiful houses of the Lord.

Influenza, Inside, In the Hospital, Insane

We got hit with the nasty barfing, snotty, coughing virus this last week.  Jason and I made it to our meetings and each taught on Sunday (thank you to my parents who watched the girls so we could both get to our third hour meetings), but other than that, we have been inside.

After a trip to the hospital for IV fluids and a major kick of anti-nausea meds for me, the family is finally feeling better.  What have I learned from this experience?

1.  I have the world's best hubby.  He took care of barfing Laura, so I didn't join her.  He came home from work early so I wouldn't have to go to the ER by myself.  He made sure I slept, often at the expense of his own sleep.  THANK YOU, Jason!

2.  My parents RULE.  Thank you for watching the girls so many times so that I could get feeling better and let this new little one keep growing in my belly.  I am so grateful we live nearby.

3.  I HATE pregnancy.  Love the kiddos, but truly abhor the pregnancy.  Good thing they are worth it!