Blog Update

February 24th, 2012

I haven't really put anything on this blog for a long time. I have some good reasons, but the main one is I'm pregnant. I am finishing my 28th week, and I am ready to have this baby now ;) This is by far my hardest pregnancy, physically and mentally. With Brynn and Austin I felt really good except in the beginning and at the very end. This pregnancy, I had one really good month in January. I am really, really hoping this baby comes 1 or even 2 weeks early :) Brynn came 2 weeks early, Austin 1. Until then I am counting down, and trying to get big projects done, so that when this baby comes I can enjoy the little, tiny, guy and soak it all in. I also got called into young womens 2 days after I found out I was pregnant, and that was a big adjustment. But that is going much better and I am actually enjoying the calling, instead of dreading all the time it takes.

We had been debating if we should wait to find out if the baby was a boy or girl until the very end. Shane had no desire to go this route, and knew that I wouldn't make it. I also realized I didn't want to deal with getting all the clothes and such out with a newborn at home. So we came up with the idea of waiting past the 20 week ultrasound to find out. We took Brynn with us to the first ultrasound I had at 14 weeks (we surprised her and told her in the parking lot that I was pregnant, then she got to see the baby at the ultrasound), but decided it might be better to leave her out of the 20 week ultrasound. She would get bored, and I worried if something was wrong I didn't want her there to see us deal with that. Thankfully everything looked perfect. During the ultrasound we had to close our eyes close to half the time because the baby was moving so much and had the legs up by its head. During the appointment I mentioned to Shane we should just find out and enjoy seeing the baby more, but he stuck to the plan.

We finally decided Valentine's Day would be a fun day to find out if it was a boy or girl, in my 27th week. Shane came home with thoughtful gifts for all of us, including flowers for Brynn, sunglasses for Austin (he always wears Brynn's very girly ones) and my favorite candy, sunglasses, earrings, and necklace for me. He actually remembered I have been wanting new sunglasses for a long time, he put a lot of thought into my gift which I really appreciated. Brynn was super thoughtful and had picked out a locket necklace for me when she went shopping with Shane. Apparently she was really excited to buy it, and Shane put pictures of her and Austin in it. When I put it on she was so excited, and later that night kept asking me to wear it herself. Shane thinks she really wanted it for herself, but gave it to me. So we share the locket necklace. That girl I will always love for her thoughtfulness and sincerity, I am lucky to have her.

After the gifts we went out to dinner to smoky mountain pizza and pasta in sandy. We used to go there all the time in Boise, but have only been 2 or 3 times in the 6 years living here. It was delicious, with the same menu items we would get in Boise, the salad and pasta being awesome. They have a new item for kids where they make their pizza at the table. It looked so good when they brought it back cooked, and it was delicious. The kids loved it, its a brilliant idea.

We came back to the house and did the 'baby hunt' Shane put together for the kids. Each clue was a picture of Austin and Brynn when they were a baby, they had to hand Shane a mini blue or pink bottle for their guess if it was a boy or girl in the picture. If they were right, he would read the clue on the back. They were simple clues, and the kids loved them. At the end was the ultrasound picture in the envelope saying what the baby was. Weeks before we had the idea of teaching Brynn how to read boy and girl, and her reading to us what the baby was from the picture. She figured out that she only needed to know that boy starts with b, and girl with g. We are sitting and recording her while she takes what seemed to be a long time to figure out what the picture says. I saw her reading the top, and walked her through looking for the picture and finding a word next to the picture. She stumbled, and Shane was anxious wanting to help. But she stuck with it, and told us there was an "o". I said maybe there was 2 or 3 words, but to find the boy or girl word. She finally read the boy and was excited! We looked at the picture and laughed when we saw it said "oh boy!!!" It was fun to have the kids involved and Brynn was proud of herself. Then we celebrated with blue frosted sugar cookies from smart cookie, our favorite! I had a friend look at the ultrasound the day before and call in the color of the cookies.

Overall it was a fun way to include everybody. I am glad we finally found out it was a boy, and even though we were so sure it was a boy, it is still taking time to adjust to the idea of it actually being a boy. I also feel like it makes it more real for me, to think of the baby in my belly as a boy, and not just a baby. I also think of how much more energy this house will have with another boy. I just hope he is a good baby and gives me sleep ;)

As far as names, I have always loved the name Ethan. We have been calling him that already, but I guess it won't be official until he comes. I am going to think of other names, I don't love the idea of there being 50 other Ethans in his life, since it is such a popular name. But then I think, who cares, I have always liked it. We have 10 more weeks to decide (technically 12 ;)

 

I realize I haven't posted on this blog in a long time. I have been working on the posts, but am in the midst of trying to get Austin's baby book done (almost there).

But I need your help, I am desperate and can't find an answer to my problem online. I have considered calling my pediatrician, but thought I would try my friends first. So this is what I posted on facebook:

I need suggestions from experience. I am trying to potty train Austin, he is turning 3 next month. He will hold his potty for HOURS, as in 9 hours during the day AFTER drinking 4 or more sippy cups full. The problem is that he will NOT let out the potty on the toilet unless he is desperate, as in doing the potty dance for 20 minutes and he just can't hold it any longer. It takes a lot of convincing, and treats today, for him to even sit on the toilet. Today I even bought him his own "singing potty", and gave him treats every time he sat on it. But during the entire day, he went 1 time. I just tried again before bed, and he will not let the potty out. I read to him, and I started a strategy yesterday where if he wets his pants/floor, he has to clean it up, take his own clothes off, and put it all into the washer, then get cold water on his legs and bum to rinse off the potty. All day he hasn't had an accident, but has only gone potty 1 time! At 2pm. Have any of you moms experienced this stubbornness? If so, what works to get them to relax and let out the potty. I am tempted to stop, and try in 5 months (I don't want to do this 9 months pregnant, or with a newborn), but I am afraid he will be just as stubborn or even more. I am desperate and very, very frustrated. This is day 4.

Any advice is very much welcomed, Austin is winning this battle that I hate. Now I know exactly why moms hate potty training. Brynn was so good and I did not get frustrated like I am now.

Brynn's 1st day of REAL Preschool
9/7/11

The day has come. There was a lot of anticipation for this day for not only Brynn, but Shane and I as well. She has been waiting for this day for a LONG time. I can't believe it is finally here. And this is just preschool. How's it going to be for kindergarten and even 1st grade! I don't even want to think about that. I'll just enjoy having her around except for 2 hours every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday. I do love how excited she is though, and I hope she learns a lot. I have been working on a blanket for her to replace her raggedy 'cold blankie', and so that she has a blanket made by me special for her. I didn't start sewing until before Austin was born, and made him a blanket. This blanket has been in the works for some time, and I finally got the motivation to finish it. It was finished at 11:30pm the night before I gave it to Brynn. I decided I wanted to make a special occasion out of it, I didn't want her to not think of it as 'special'. That's right, I set up the whole situation to make myself feel better about spending hours on this blanket. Personally I don't love the patterns/colors. They are OK, but I knew Brynn would LOVE it, its just her style. Bright! And Pink!
So she kept asking me to do something special for her on her first day of school. She really wanted me to make this pop can candy gift I have been making for friends and my activity day girls. She told me specifically to have it for her as a 'surprise' after she gets home from her first day of school. So instead, I kept mentioning she would get something even more special. She woke up and instantly asked if it was time to go to preschool. She only had 4 more hours. I gave her the blanket with the most wrapping I could muster at midnight, and with her eyes closed. I gave it to her before Shane left to work. The reaction wasn't amazing, but good enough. She likes it. I told her that we could pack away her cold blankie, but she instantly refused. But I haven't seen it with her much. She has been carrying this blanket all over the place though. That night I asked her what her favorite square was, she said "all of it". Perfect response, better than I had hoped for ;)



I of course had to get some 'school' pictures. Austin wanted me to do his hair and get him all ready. Then when we were walking out the door he was saying loudly "preschool". I had to break the news and tell him only Brynn was going. He was sad, but only for a minute thankfully. Brynn picked out her own outfit, and the hair style she wanted me to do for her. In my amateur
pictures I didn't even think of getting a picture with her teacher, Mrs Hansen, until we were driving home. She made this cute craft thing that she made me close my eyes for (seems familiar....me making her close her eyes that same morning to see her blanket). It was a little poem about if she gets sad I would kiss her hand, and she keeps the kiss with her all day and it travels through her arm to her heart. It had a Hershey kiss in the palm. What was even more tender is that Brynn really honestly thought it was for me. Not her. That I would be going through separation anxiety. I really wonder if the teacher told them that. Or if Brynn knows me well enough to know that it truly is me who is having a harder time than her. Either way Brynn had a perfect first day and can't wait to go back.
Me, I'm slowing digesting everything I can get done while she is away and Austin is asleep. I think the time has come for me to make Austin's baby book, only 2 1/2 years after the occasion ;) Organize all of our home movies. Put together all the pictures and movies for Brynn and Austin. That's right, it is a life time goal of mine to actually use all the many pictures and movies we take. And have it all organized. Its never ending, but so worth it in my mind.

Wedding

Its official, my little bro got married. To Kalee. Vince and Kalee Haley.

Logan Ut Temple, September 2nd, 2011

And I don't have a single picture of them. But I do have this gem. I really shouldn't have tried to ignore the picture annoyance and either a) taken more myself or b) made sure to get copies of family's pictures.

But is was a good time, especially because we got a hotel and didn't have to cram into my parents house with 20 other people. No exaggeration. AND we went swimming 4 times within a 40 hour period.

Soon I will have pictures of Vince and his bride, that's right...Kalee Haley. She must really love my brother ;)

MS Ride 2011

Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride

6/25/11

One ride I've wanted to do for some time was the Multiple Sclerosis ride in Logan, UT. Now that I have my bike I can. My dad has MS, and some time in the future I want to form a team. But I wanted to do the ride first to see what it was like. It was AMAZING! I am so impressed by how organized, fun, and educating that ride is. There are over 3,000 riders all wanting to have a good time and good food while supporting MS. And I don't think anyone was disappointed. I convinced Shane to come along, so he volunteered during the day and had a good time meeting people. We all camped the night before in the fairgrounds, where the ride headquarters are. I think I slept a little until 4 am, but after trucks kept making really loud backing-up warnings I didn't sleep at all. I was nervous about the no sleep part, but the adrenaline and fun took hold of me the whole day. The weather was great, a little hot but while riding cool enough. There were 9 stops in all, so lots of fun and food. I joined my bro-in-law's team that he has been with for a few years. I met the girls in the pictures below the morning of, except Krista, which I met the night before. Marylee and Sheralynn have ridden with Krista in the past. We left at 7:30 am while it was a bit chilly still. It was a beautiful course throughout the Logan area and Idaho, and it was nice and quiet with little to no cars the whole time. We were all planning on doing 75 miles, but by the 40 mile stop we were all feeling really good and making good time. At mile 42 you decide if you want to do the full 100 mile century. None of us had ever done a century, but we all felt good about finishing our first together. So we went on to finish the 100 miles! We finished at 4:30, so 9 hours later. Our riding time was good, at least to me, with about 6.5 hours. Yep, that equals 2.5 hours at all the stops. I told you the stops are fun with music and food, socializing, temporary tatoos, sunglass cleaning, etc. By the end I really wanted to be done, and I called Shane to be ready with the camera at the finish line. Apparently I came in too fast, and I couldn't see him anywhere. He got a picture of my back. So I went back to our tent area with the other girls and Shane and Brandon met us there for some pictures. Completing 100 miles was hard at times, but for the most part it was great. I just kept thinking of my Dad, which I do frequently while exercising. Realizing I never know if my health will ever be taken away, or if I myself will ever get MS. I try to take advantage of this functioning body and enjoy what it can accomplish and do on a regular basis. It felt amazing to have so many people support this ride, both financially and physically. It was awesome and inspiring to see on people's backs the red numbers that say "riding with MS". I just cannot get over how amazing that ride was. I am so appreciative for all those people, donating their time and money to a cause that effects me and my family personally. Its touching and emotional, and challenging, educational, and overall fun! I am in LOVE with these organized rides! This year the Harmon's Best Dam Bike Ride has raised nearly 1.5 million for MS research. Pretty awesome. And we got really cute shirts that I don't wear just for excersicing.

I can't wait for my next MS ride, and look forward to joining that crowd again. I will be investing in better biking shorts for my next century, since the hardest part was sitting down on my bike after the 75 mile lunch. I couldn't sit down completely for a couple miles, it hurt so bad. But then it was good enough. After the ride we had dinner and packed up our things. Shane and I needed to get back to our kids, but Brandon and his family had a great time at the swimming park. The ride is actually a 2 day event, the next day I think you can ride up to 60 miles or so. Sometime in the future I think I'll try doing both days. Hopefully there will be lots of rides in the future for me, and even for Shane when I convince him of buying a bike too ;)

I had to get a picture of the finish line for my family (on my phone). A few weeks before the ride I was riding with Tricia in American Fork. We were crossing rail road tracks that were angled about 30 degrees to the road instead of perpendicular to it. I noticed she was turning to cross them head on, but didn't think anything of it. Then I went to cross the 2nd set and learned quickly why she did that. My tire somehow (I still don't know how) swiped into the track and was stuck. Since the track is so narrow, and my tire is so narrow, the tire wouldn't come out. So the bike took a sharp right, and my body flew off the opposite direction. I landed on my ankle, up to my hip, shoulder, and then banged my head on the asphalt. Good thing I wasn't going very fast. I felt pain, but not too bad. And I am so glad Tricia was with me, since I cried for a few seconds ;) After turning my bent gear head/handle back we kept going. The next day before I went riding again I realized I should check my helmet, but I didn't expect anything since I didn't hit too hard. Surprisingly it was cracked in the Styrofoam, right where my head hit the road. Wow, that was an eye opener. Now I truly appreciate my helmet. So much so, I felt a little uneasy doing the MS ride with a new helmet that I wasn't acclimated to, it wasn't part of me yet, a foreign object. But I got over it quickly, and now she (its pink and white) is my best friend while riding.

We love lots of popsicles, bars, and ice cream cones in the summer!

(our family picture: Austin in the background, me taking the picture, and Shane & Brynn. oh, and chloe ;)

Shane turns 34

June 1st, 2011

We actually celebrated the night before his big day with a bbq with friends. I made the teriyaki chicken that we all love. Brynn REALLY wanted to make a cake that she saw in a magazine. I had to convince in different ways why we couldn't do that. The only one that worked is when I told her that daddy wouldn't want a swimming pool cake, that's what she wants. And for his birthday he gets what he wants. Then I told Shane to confirm my excuse. Someday I might actually make cakes, but for now I do not. But I did make cookies bars, which are Shane's favorite. That with rocky road ice cream, his favorite, he really did get what he wanted.

Awhile ago Brynn was introduced to the bead things you make patterns with and then melt them together. She fell in love with them at her cousins. So we got some for our house, and who do you think loved them even more than Brynn.....Shane. I'm not sure how he feels about me sharing this, but it is appropriate. The same friends we had over for his bbq, the Peterson's, are the same friends we had over awhile ago and while we were talking Shane was putting together a Tinkerbell pattern of those things. So for a long time Brynn has been planning on getting Shane a set for his birthday. Brynn has already learned the skill of getting someone close to you a gift that you want and can use as well. She picked out the glow in the dark ones that she has wanted for some time conveniently. Too bad it wasn't a surprise. Because the morning after we bought Shane's gift Brynn had Shane guess what we got him. She replied "no, we got you some glow in the dark beads". The surprise and humor was ruined, but at the same time not, Brynn is so funny.

The beads have been all over the house, so I am hiding them until Austin gets bigger, or I am in an extra nice mood. Shane couldn't have a gift holiday without getting some tech item, so he ordered himself some 'parts' to make some type of robot/computer thing to convert his grandpa's 8mm slides into a good quality movie. I can just feel the 'tech high' he'll be getting building that thing.

Neighborhood Preschool

May 24th, 2011

The last day of our neighborhood preschool was at our house. We had lots of fun this day, to celebrate. We had otter pops, even though I think some of the kids moms don't let them eat this kind of thing. I'm not sure if a couple of them had ever had an otter pop. Whoops. But it was fun, and the last day. We made graduation caps that did not stay on their heads. But it was a fun idea. And we collected things from outside and glued them onto their numbers. I think their favorite thing every time at my house was finding the numbers/letters of the day that I would hide throughout the house. It was fun while it lasted, but I am excited to have Brynn in a paid preschool next year. She can't wait. She asks frequently when the summer will be over, especially since I told her she could get sketchers when preschool starts. The commercials on kids channels get Brynn every single time. Even the baby bullet. I can't even repeat all the funny times Brynn has mentioned the baby bullet. when she sees my friends who are pregnant, when she plans her future and when she has a baby. She wants that thing. The power of marketing.