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."

Released

Well, it's official. I've finished my last day as a nursery leader at church. It has been an exhausting experience (especially bending and chasing kids while pregnant), but it's had it's sweet rewards. I'm ready to return to Relief Society and am excited about teaching on the 2nd Sunday each month. I like the challenge that preparing gospel lessons brings. I also like that I will be free to attend the Gospel Principles class with Jon.

3:03 a.m.

It was only a few hours since we had retired to bed when James came into our room. "Dad," he whispered. I gazed at the clock - 3:03 a.m. I calmly replied, "James, Dad is sleeping. What do you need?" James said, "I think I heard Santa." My body ached for rest, but I understand the Christmas morning enthusiasm. "I'm so glad he came. It's not time to get up yet... I love you."

James did return to his room down the hall. But if any of you were up around 3 a.m. Christmas morning, you'll know that we had super loud Santa Ana winds. It took me nearly an hour to fall back to sleep.

Just after 5 a.m., James returned to Dad's side of the bed. "Pleeease, I'm begging you... Can we just go downstairs now?" The truth was that James & Jacob had already gone downstairs to steal a peek. They even tried to eat breakfast (evidence of bowls, spoons, cereal, and milk were set out on the table). But they couldn't dump the stockings or open the video game boxes without our blessing. So, I reminded them of our agreement which bought me just enough time to wrap myself in a blanket before going down. Even on their return trip downstairs there was plenty of enthusiasm and smiles of rejoicing.

Christmas morning at our house is a VERY EARLY morning.


James wished for the Wii System w/ Super Paper Mario.

Jacob wanted the Nintendo DS.

Jessica dreamed of having Belle's dress & she got a doll & tea party set to go with it.

Mom needs a new infant carseat & likes the travel systems. Dad gets to share the stroller and carrier toting responsibilities. He can also share the new measuring cups, spoons, & spatulas for the kitchen. I think Santa left him some basketball shoes (he's the new coach for church ball).

James was super excited to find out that Mom & Dad got him the Mario Galaxy game too.

Jacob wasn't bothered that mom found a few Game Boy Advance used games on Ebay to use in his DS.

Jacob also LOVES the Lego building sets. One from his brother & one from his parents. He loves to work with his hands.

Jessica was the easiest to please. From the $1 Target spot she received: Cinderella purse, Hello Kitty notebook, pen, & princess journal. Those four dollars provided a wealth of enjoyment for her. She wanted to nestle in behind the tree in the corner to watch her Barbie movies in the DVD player. She also loved having new princess pajamas (she wears those like dress-ups too).

Pretty special to have her own lip gloss.

Grandma sent a Sleeping Beauty dress-up set. These are the only shoes that she willingly wears around the house.



By 5:30 a.m. (after I threw in a load of laundry), Jon & I were in the kitchen making Danish aebleskiver pancakes. Nobody else was interested in eating. Santa left them with their own candy stash which they lived on for hours.


What a Merry Christmas!!!

The Night Before Christmas

On Christmas Eve we loaded the family in our mini van to go see the Christmas Lights. After a healthy bite from McDonalds, the kids and Jon walked through the holiday display. I with my swollen feet and very pinched nerve drove 1 mph, stopping occasionally to take pictures through the windows.

We had planned a family talent show which kind of turned into a family war, so it was postponed until New Years. We needed to define the "acceptable talents" for our show. The boys wanted to do lightsaber fighting, goal keeping demos, or chapter book readings. It didn't really reflect the Christmas Spirit as Jacob was practicing his "I'm going to kill you" lines from the Star Wars scene. Jon was thinking more along the lines of reciting a holiday poem, playing an instrument (ie. Jon playing his guitar), sharing a Christmas story, or singing a carol etc.

We did make it through Luke 2, despite repeated questions of "how much more do we have to read?" We sang a few carols around the piano. Then settled down in front of the TV to watch Mr. Kruegar's Christmas & the Nativity. The kids were more responsive to listening to a Christmas message from the videos than from their parents. And at one point there was peace and evidence of the true Christmas spirit. Maybe that's why my parents had us watch those movies every year.

We made the Christmas Morning Compromise. I promised to get out of bed at 6:00 a.m. instead of 6:30 a.m. IF they:

#1- made their beds
#2 - picked up their room
#3 -combed their hair
#4 - brushed their teeth

I like for us to all go down together, so we can see their enthusiasm and Jon can capture it on video. My parents started making rules like this because I was the one who would get up around 2:00 a.m. and wake my sister to sneak downstairs. Sorry Mom & Dad.

Cozy Christmas

Dear Grandma-

Thank you for sending this cozy snowman blanket. We love it!

Love,
James, Jacob, & Jessica