Inspiration in Stake Conference

Jessica was allowed to play with the Doodle Pro during Stake Conference today to help keep her quiet. This is a recreation of the masterpiece she created and handed to me and said, "Mommy, this is a picture of you... you have a baby in your tummy."



Thanks a lot!!

Not so Sweet

Did I say that Jessica has been sweet lately? Maybe I should have said that she's been INTO the sweets lately. I had a whole box of Baker's semi-sweet baking chocolates on the top shelf of the cupboard. I only count 3 squares remaining with white wrappers scattered around the kitchen and chocolate smudges on the edges of Jessica's lips. Nice!

On Tuesday I came into the kitchen to find granulated sugar scattered across the table and sticking to the tile floors. She had filled up her sugar dish to have a Princess tea party (where she actually served water called hot chocolate).

I guess I WON'T be making those brownies from scratch anytime soon.

4:54 a.m.

I spend my nights in shallow sleep. Tossing repeatedly and uncomfortably from side to side. I wake to use the bathroom. I'm too hot with blankets even during the cool nights. Again I wake to the sound of "ching, ching, ching." It's still dark. I glance at the clock - not even 5 a.m. and my boys are up collecting coins in Mario's galaxy. I barely can walk down the hall to whisper the news they don't want to hear. "You have to go back to bed until at least 6 a.m."

Baby Bluejay

So you've heard I've been nesting. I'm waiting for my baby bluejay.

I have a bluejay story. A few years ago, I had taken James & Jacob to the Huntington Library & Botanical Gardens. We never went inside, just enjoyed the beautiful flowers and open air. But the day we went, it started to rain. So I gathered my little boys and we ran to take cover under a pine tree (I'm sure there was a more elaborate name on the garden plaque). While we waited out the rainfall, I pulled out Goldfish crackers for the kids. The most beautiful little bluejay wanted some too. He had also taken cover under the tree boughs. I was amazed at how brilliantly blue his feathers were and how close he kept coming to my kids. We tossed him some crackers so he would keep some distance while we enjoyed watching him.

For those of you who don't know, we plan to name our son Jayson Robert after his two grandfathers (Kent Jay & Robert). I know it's not the common spelling and we have a flair for common names, but I want to squeeze my dad's name in there somehow.

I've realized that I'm a bit nervous- for the delivery that is. It's not a real comfortable experience as I remember. I've had Braxton Hicks contractions this past week and I almost completely escaped them in past pregnancies. I'm kind of wondering what it would feel like to actually just go into labor and then go to the hospital instead of go to the hospital to get things started.

I'm not usually a fan of photos that showcase me in a bathing suit. But I'll make this exception. This is me 7 1/2 years ago at exactly 37 weeks pregnant. The point was to illustrate how HUGE I was. I laugh now because that was my most petite pregnancy. Somewhere between the time this pic was taken and swimming in that pool, my water broke - but I didn't know it. Later that night I realized I was leaking and went to hospital. The rupturing of the amniotic sac did NOT trigger a labor response from my body, so I was induced starting at 2 a.m. That's how I got my Jacob three weeks early. (And for all my friends who use this community pool - SO SORRY!)



Look how great that turned out!!!


Just a note: this is my SKINNY baby.

Heartbreaker

Jessica has been really sweet to me lately. She has been a good sport while running errands. She even decided to be a big girl and started using the potty all by herself. I had to hide all the Princess Pull-Ups because she was opting to change out of her panties to use the Pull-Ups to do her business and then return to underwear. (What a waste!). She sleeps in her toddler bed - not in our bed (which was never an option) or on our bedroom floor (which was a habit for about three weeks). We take 10 minutes to cuddle before she goes to bed - even though she'd prefer to fall asleep in our arms in front of the TV, she's been submitting to our revised bedtime routine.

Jessica still is a HUGE mess maker. She has ongoing cutting projects littering the house and strings her toys throughout every room. Yesterday we got her princess tea set out of hiding and she slipped into the kitchen to fill the sugar dish with real sugar for her H20 tea. What a mess!

I asked Jessica if we could go to one more store while I was on an errand spree. She replied, "I'm going to get a headache shopping if my baby doesn't stop kicking me." Pregnancy has taken a toll on her :)

Contemporary Art

Jessica has been very busy the last few days putting the finishing touches on her door gallery. Included in her work are cut outs of Princesses from Christmas boxes, a princess painting (yes, the colorful image smeared together black), sticker arrangements, & snipped paper goods. Each cup and bowl was carefully crafted to capture her vision (one that I don't seem to understand the symbolism or artistic nature of). She has loved getting tape all herself. I didn't take many art classes, but is this a masterpiece or what?!

Nesting

Check out this adorable invitation designed by my good friend Sara. She & my other friend Sara are throwing a baby shower for me next week. It's nice to have nice friends.

This invite is PERFECT because I really have been nesting this past week. I know that many expecting moms go all out and start vacuuming the drapes or painting rooms or spring cleaning every drawer & cupboard. I'm not mobile enough to go that crazy. But, we've transitioned Jessica to a toddler bed (I hope to share pictures soon), the crib is moved downstairs, Jon was in the garage all weekend painting my old furniture white for Jessica's room, I bought a crib set (still need a mattress), I registered at BabiesRUs (more so I could figure out what I need mixed in with what I have), & I plan to go on a cooking spree this next week to stockpile the freezer with our family favorites. I'm turning in my resignation as classroom volunteer for my boys' 2nd & 3rd grade classes. In between my little errands I'm propping up my swollen feet and running my neck messager on my ankles, sitting on ice packs, & wrapping heat wraps around my lower back & neck. Can't wait to bring home little baby blue Jay.

Another Vampire Weekend

On Saturday I checked the tracking number from Amazon to find out where my books were. It said it had been delivered. Sure enough my box was sitting on the porch. I finished it just after midnight last night. I'm learning that I am NOT a casual reader. I can't take a story a chapter at a time. I've got to read it all or I read nothing. It's been fun to be reading again.

Sucked In

So I've been sucked in. I read about this book which is part of a trilogy by surfing blogs. I had a hard time buying the idea that I could like a book about vampires. But most of the reviews I read were from other skeptics that ended up loving the book. I ordered it for myself for Christmas (you need to have $25 in your cart to get the super savers shipping discount :) ). I read it last weekend in two days. I'm a total fan. I just received e-mail confirmation from amazon that the last two books are in the mail. Yeah!

See Ya 2007 - Let's Get Started in 2008

Some years are just better than others. I will remember 2007 as a dark and difficult year for me personally. I was hit with three big changes right off the bat that set my year into a tailspin.

1- A miscarriage before Christmas - I was an emotional, mental, and hormonal basket case.
2- My dear friend of over 9 years moved from California - I was lost & lonely.
3- I was released as Young Women's President & moved to the nursery - I was dethroned of my leadership role and heavy involvement to feeling quite isolated and out of the loop.

So throughout 2007 I was trying to regain my direction and redefine my identity. For a short time I reconnected with my love of scrapbooking & piano playing. I've spent the bulk of this year pregnant - barfing, nauseated, bed-ridden, restless, exhausted, physically taxed, and enduring things that ought to have been enjoyed (ie. family trips, time home with my children).

Usually I opt for putting a positive spin on things. I believe in optimism. I could give you a list of good things from this year if pressed, but honestly - not one of my best.

So - LOOKING FORWARD -

I'm excited that Jessica has been in panties all week and only requests a diaper for #2. I'm excited that she offered to give up the crib because she is NOT a baby anymore. We bought princess sheets and she wants them on her big girl bed (that I need to buy this week).

I'm looking forward to being back in Relief Society.

I'm excited for James to have his 9th birthday.

I'm happy that my friends are throwing a baby shower in two weeks because I want everyone to be as excited as I am that this baby is coming SOON.

I'm looking forward to knowing the soul of this son that Heavenly Father is trusting me with.

I'm looking forward to walking again (although I will make no urgent attempts until February).

I'm excited about LOST returning with Season 4 (Thursday, January 31st - 2 hour premiere 8-10 p.m.) If you didn't know this about me, THIS is my favorite show.

I don't really care about having another birthday myself, but I do like a good excuse to go to the Cheesecake Factory or Mimi's Cafe.

Jacob will be baptized this year.

Then again, there are lots of unknowns we head toward this next year too. But as far as I'm concerned the future is bright and I say, "Let's get started."