Note to daughter

Get out and get out soon! I am so uncomfortable. I can hardly breathe or sleep. Please just come out already. I have everything ready for you, so please just get here and don't make it too painful. Thanks, Mommy

Before and in process...

Here is the nursery before. Just not a baby's room right?


If you take this room and add two rolls of painters tape, one and half gallons of lemon souffle paint, three coats, two days and two sore hands you get this:

It isn't done yet, but the major work is over with. We still have the armoir to move in and get new knobs for as well as adding shelves to the other wall and hopefully something fun for the wall above the crib. Any suggestions?

What I have learned in the process: Use a roller with a lot of nap and soak it to avoid a million coats. Don't use painters tape on a ceiling, it might need some touch ups after. Use an exacto knife when removing the tape to avoid peeling. Most importantly, do not do this at nine months pregnant, your balance on a ladder is not too good and you will be too sore to make it to church the next day!

Role reversal?

It really cracks me up to hear Micah using the same words I use on him on others. This morning Chad got in the shower without him and I think he was pretty peeved because he was following him as he got ready and was saying things like, "don't touch that....don't you dare!" and, "Chad look at me...do you want a spanking?" I was dying! Good to know he hears what I say even if it doesn't seem like it at the time!

Traumatized

Well, this weekend we did the big move! We went from our little apartment to a three bedroom house in Mission Viejo. It is so nice to have more room. I have empty cupboards and I get to decorate like a grown up! It has been crazy though. I would recap Friday for you, but I don't even remember it honestly. I just know I got almost zero sleep that night. Saturday I made sure that everything was organized and ready to go for the men to move. I have to say we have some of the best friends in the world who are so willing to help out. They just show up and ask what they can do. Thanks Brett and Aaron! Our families were also so helpful. Micah and I went over to the house and we were unloading boxes with my mom, putting the kitchen together and whatnot. Then as the trucks rolled up with the big furniture, I got out of there and took Micah to Luke's 2nd b-day party. Great excuse to get away, but I should not have been driving. I found myself stopped at a green light! I guess that is what no sleep will do to you! Anyways, Micah had a blast and let me tell you this kid loves cake. When he was served a piece, he picked it up with both hands and opened his mouth as wide as he could. He was literally shaking to get his mouth to open wider! It was hysterical, but he was a total mess by the end!



When I got back things were looking good! I had so many people there working their buns off to get things settled for us. We are now pretty much put together, we just need pictures and shelves put up on the walls. The nursery needs to be painted and assembled, but otherwise, things are good, but I will never move this pregnant again and I would encourage others not to either!

Micah seemed to really enjoy the move for a while, but now I think he is traumatized. He doesn't get that we have moved. When we went back to the empty apartment to do some cleaning, he just started crying and needed to be held and kept saying "It's OK." When we head home or we are at home he will ask to go home and the other day, just about everything brought him to tears. I mean even going to wash our hands and he lost it. If any moms have advice on how to make this easier on him, please let me know. It just breaks my heart to have him so confused and upset.

On a side note, I had a couple hours of false labor on Sunday, so she should be arriving very soon. Hopefully not before I have the nursery together and the bedding for whatever-her-name's crib!

Update

On Saturday my sisters threw a baby shower for me and it was so much fun! They did a great job of putting it together and I had a blast seeing friends that I hardly ever get to see. This child of mine was absolutely spoiled. She will be outfitted for years to come. I received a lot of homemade gifts this time around. I know most people don't like the thought of homemade gifts, but my friends are amazingly talented! I got burp rags, onesies, bracelets, blankets and even hair bows that are all done by hand and they are so cute! I will have to take pictures of them to post. What was funny is that a lot of the cards and even one of the onesies had the name Brooklyn on it. I think there are a lot of people counting on that name. To be honest, I am too. I think I will be devastated if I can't name her that. Anyways, I should have taken pictures, but I didn't have time too in all the chaos (fun chaos might I add).

Moving has been a bit crazy. Every night this week Chad and I have been taking over two car loads of boxes so that the move on Saturday will be minimal. I have to say we are making great progress! I was really nervous and stressed about it for a while, but I am totally relaxed about it now. I have just come to the conclusion that the baby is going to come and things won't be perfect at the house. I will have things in the wrong places, they might be unorganized and rooms probably won't be painted, but eventually it will be. Those thoughts are keeping me sane right now! I know that I can get things done while the baby naps and Chad will definitely be getting us settled too.

As for the baby, I think we might have an April baby rather than May. I went in for my appointment today and got good news and bad news. Bad news: I gained 3 pounds in two weeks! I have never done that before. Good news: The doctor noticed that I am swollen, so it is mostly water weight. Other good news: I am already dilated to a 1. I didn't think too much of it until the doctor was about to leave and he said to call if my water breaks or I start getting contractions. I have been having contractions almost daily now and I know I am going to have back labor again (yikes). I guess we are just about any time now! My new ward is throwing me a baby shower also along with another girl in the ward that is moving as well. I just found out that it will be postponed a week, so by that time I might just be able to bring her with! There are so many fun changes going on right now in our lives, but I have to admit I will really miss this ward even thought I don't know many people in it. I have just enjoyed the people and felt like we fit in with our young family. I am hoping when it is time to buy a house that we will be able to come back to this area and be in this ward again!

Blogging

My friend Lauren recently posted her reasons for blogging. Normally, I am on the same page with her, wanting to preserve memories of day to day life that you may not remember down the road. Today, though, I am looking for any excuse to do anything other than the mountain of chores and errands that lay ahead of me. I have to do more cleaning, laundry, dishes, bed making, grocery shopping and packing. Would anyone like to take over for me as I try to sleep? Maybe that is what I need, just a good nap to feel a little less exhausted and more enthusiastic. Not going to happen! What is really hard for me is that the nesting instinct is in full gear. I want to clean and organize everything, but when moving, the exact opposite is happening. I feel like I am just spinning my wheels. Oh well, I guess it is back to chores, but I think I might have a couple e-mails to write and maybe a crossword puzzle or two to solve! Maybe I should just leave the chores to Micah to do. Looks like these kids have it down!

Heard from the bathroom....

First thing this morning, I heard my little boy calling for his dad. I told Chad to put him on the potty right away (yes, we are still trying to get him potty trained). Chad goes and gets him from his room. From the bed I see a very chipper little boy running into the bathroom to plop on the potty. Dragging behind him is a very groggy daddy. As Micah is sitting on his little potty, Chad decides to go himself. From the bathroom I hear Micah say, "wow, good job daddy!" He is so encouraging!

Couple of things...

Tuesday night my dad took Chad, Micah and I to and Angels game. We haven't been in a long time. Micah was really little before, but had a blast so we were hoping for the same this time. As we were leaving, we asked him if he was ready to watch baseball and if he was excited. He told us he didn't want to see baseball and insisted on football. Finally, we just said, sure we are going to see football. Then he was happy. We were in the nose bleeds, but you still get a good view. I wouldn't recommend anyone as pregnant as I am to climb to row M though. We were all having fun until there was a home run. That is when the fireworks go off, which went over fine, but right after there is another blast of water that goes off and at that point, there was horror in my little boy's eyes and he screamed for mommy! So brave! Anyways, the home run was hit by Vladimir Guerrero. When I heard the name I thought I was looking for a half-Russian and half-Mexican guy. Here he is:
Yep, I was surprised too. Who would have guessed it was a black guy with dreads? What was his mom thinking naming him Vladimir? Oh well, to each their own right?

Lately, I haven't been getting much sleep. This tends to happen towards the end of the pregnancy. I will wake up and be totally unable to go back to sleep for a couple of hours. Part of it is just your body getting ready for sleepless nights, but I think another part of it is the fact that my babies sit so far inside of me, that it makes it hard to breathe. The nice part is that Micah has been sleeping in lately, so we are getting up around 9 or so. I will cherish it while I can!


In the little time that I actually do sleep, I have the strangest dreams. Last night, I remember something about a party at my parents house and a donkey jumped in the pool, but he stubbed his toe on the way in, so I was looking for hydrogen peroxide in the house. I know, very weird.

Anyways, I think the lack of sleep has gotten to me a bit. I am a little air headed at times. For instance, on Wednesdays I end up over at my parents house until about 9 because Chad has class. Well, I thought when I had left that I had left the house earlier it was a little untidy. When I got home I was getting changed and I noticed the beds were made and things were put together. I thought I had surprised myself, I'm good! I cleaned and it didn't even register! So I went back out to Chad and said, "Isn't it nice to come home to a clean house?" I was patting myself on the back a little. He looked at me and laughed. "I just did all the cleaning," he said. What a sweet guy! I am so lame sometimes. Looks like I need a nap to get back on top of my game!

Yuck!

Yesterday I went to Henry's to do some grocery shopping. They are my favorite for produce, just the cheapest and the freshest stuff ever. The rest of it is a little granola for me. You know the whole gluten-free or organic. Not to say I don't like to eat healthy, but I don't want it to be painful. Case and point, exhibit A:

Micah will ask us for cookies all of the time. I don't make them and I don't buy them, so he only gets them at Grandma and Papa's house. I decided that I would get him some cookies as a treat. Looking through the shelves my only requirements were that they were soft and that they were chocolate chip. I would have picked up Pepperidge Farms if they had them, but they didn't, so this is what I chose. I brought them home and YUCK! They truly taste like health food. There is no fooling these taste buds. I know the difference between a treat and a disguised bowl of oatmeal! Never again will I buy them. If you see them on the shelf of a store, leave them be for that person who can close their eyes and imagine a much tastier experience. I, on the other hand, would rather a real treat. One good indulgence during the day to keep me going. Next time, I will be buying Trader Joe's Carmel Clouds. Carmel, pecans and milk chocolate. Now that is a treat. Thanks Joe!

My Weekend

I had a fun and busy weekend. Friday we met up with friends and got to spend most of the time watching our little hooligans run around playing with each other. I think there were seven kids under the age of five, but they played well together. No bleeding and only a few tears. Sorry Bailey! Micah loves playing with other kids and didn't want to leave. I was embarrassing Chad left and right with all of his funny stories (his little swagger walk, bubble baths, etc.). Poor guy, but luckily he has one on me now that I am sure he will be happy to share with others soon!

Saturday was busy. We actually got to sleep in since we got home late on Friday. Micah slept until 9 and we just turned on the TV to Sponge Bob for another half hour of rest. Of course, that doesn't last too long, so we were up and running. Micah and I left to meet up with my sisters while we let daddy have some alone time. Lucky for me, he made the bed, unloaded dishes and did laundry during his alone time! As for Micah and I, we ran around town here and there. At one point, I was pretty worn out, so I was laying down on my side letting this big belly hang out. My sister Ashley came in and she is always wanting to feel the baby move. This one is a stinker though and every time Ashley would go to feel her move, she would absolutely stop. Anyways, I hadn't been feeling the baby kick, so I assumed she was sleeping or something. Ashley came up and blew a raspberry on my stomach and holy cow, the baby jumped out the other side. No joke! She said she felt my stomach move down. It was because she was trying to get away. What a rude awakening!

Sunday was nice also. We had a slow morning and watched conference on the computer. Thank goodness we have a decent sized screen! Then we all got showered and dressed and left for my parents house. We took Micah to the park and watched the second session of conference. I have to say I LOVED the talk for young mothers by M. Russell Ballard. You don't even have to be religious to enjoy it. The advice to not over schedule our lives, look for the small joys and especially having the husbands be extra appreciative and engaged in raising our kids. I would put up a link if it was up, but it won't be up until Thursday. Anyways, then we had dinner together and I made sloppy joes and others enjoyed hamburgers, which Micah called Krabby Patties. I also kicked butt in dominoes. No, it's not an old person game!


In the world of Micah, he has discovered both his nipples and his birthmark in the same weekend. In this picture you can see his birthmark on his hip. He was calling it his "birthmilk" for a little while, but I think he has it down now. He is such a crack up. While watching conference he was listening as they told the young children to be helpful in the home and said they can do so by picking up toys, etc. Immediately, he started running for the bedroom and telling me to help him pick up toys. Talk about taking advice to heart! He also is doing some major counting, but needs help getting past 29 because he then will say "twenty ten, twenty eleven..." Good guess, but not quite! My favorite has to be that he now makes excuses. If I ask him to do something that he doesn't want to do he will say "I can't do it, is too hard." I enjoy having him around. He is so much fun for us!

How could you not know?

Last night I was laying in bed as my child kind of did her thing. She will turn and you see this big lump pass by or stick her feet under my ribs. Lately, she has tried to stretch out, so I can feel her pushing up against my ribs and against the opposite hip at the same time. It got me thinking about those women who go through an entire pregnancy and don't know they are pregnant. You can see them on talk shows every once in a while and they say something like "I went to the emergency room because I was having terrible stomach cramps and the doctor told me I was in labor!" How do not know you are pregnant? How can you feel everything going on inside and not think there is something really wrong? Seriously, I can understand them thinking morning sickness is a stomach flu, but what about the rest? Given, all of the women that I have seen tell this same story are large and you wouldn't be able to tell they were pregnant, but still! There are so many symptoms of pregnancy. How do you miss it? More importantly, how do you go from not knowing you are pregnant to bringing home an infant without a thing to take care of them?

Yum!

So, I had a craving for Sloppy Joe's recently, but the problem is that I haven't had them in over a decade, so I really don't know how they taste anymore. Maybe it was that old SNL skit that came to mind that made me crave it! Strange, I know. I didn't want to buy Manwich because I am not a fan of preprocessed food. The I remembered a recipe that I got for a casserole that had a meat filling that was super good. I made the filling and threw it on some buns for last night's dinner and it was delicious. Best I've ever had! Very simple recipe too. Here it is:

1 1/2 pounds ground beef (I use turkey)
1/2 small onion minced
2 cups shredded cheddar cheese
1/2 cup of water
1/2 cup chili sauce (find it next to the ketchup at the grocery store)
2 tblsp taco seasoning
1 tblsp Worcestershire sauce
1/2 tsp garlic salt
1/2 tsp pepper

Cook beef (or turkey) and onion in a skillet on the stove until cooked thoroughly. Drain excess grease if necessary. Make sure to break down the meat into small pieces. Add remaining ingredients and cook until they are all incorporated. Serve on a bun (toasted is good). Enjoy! Should serve about 4-6 people.