Saturday, January 30, 2010

A Wish List

On the eve of my birthday I thought I'd post a list of things I would love to receive, but won't be asking for! This is the fun kind of wish list. The "who cares how much it costs I can still dream" kind of list.
It's always fun to dream.

This is a painting I saw at Zgallerie the other day. It would be perfect over my mantel. It's HUGE.


Or how about this super cute and quirky cookie jar from Anthropology. It would look great with my "vintage" yellow formica counter tops.


I'm thinking this would allow me to drink Diet Dr. Pepper on the deck and watch the kids play all summer long. Or a least until the first fight breaks out over who's turn it is to go down the slide.



I couldn't find a better picture of this one. See the green leather chair in the back? I want it. Badly. (World Market)


We have several weddings to attend this spring/summer. This little dress from Anthropologie would be perfect.


Here's another from Anthropologie. When I'm postpartum/nursing I love jackets. They hide a multitude of sins (or bulges)!


OK, just one more. With baby #4 on the way cleaning has really taken a back seat in this house. I realized a LONG time ago that I can't do it all, but this gift card would help bring me just a bit closer.


So what's on your dreamy wish list? Maybe it's something I need to add to mine!

Friday, January 29, 2010

Help And Delurk

Alright, I'm reaching out to all of you, my closest internet friends.

HELP!!!!

It turns out Tyler and I have a limit on good baby names. The limit is 3. Too bad we're expecting #4 in a few short weeks.
We have a list of several names for boys and girls but nothing we're completely sold on yet. Actually, I'm sold on a girls name, but Tyler's not quite there yet.

So, would you help us out? We tend to like names that are a bit "older" (dare I say vintage?). I'm not into trendy or made up names.

The second half of the title of this post is "delurk". So that means if you're reading this, let me know! I'm so curious about who it is that reads this blog. Click on "comment" and leave some of your favorite names. Or if you don't have any name suggestions, just say "Hi!".

Wednesday, January 27, 2010

LOVE

Let me introduce you to one of the great joys in my life right now.



Seriously. I can't get enough. I'm trying to limit myself to one a day, but it's taking more will power than I seem to possess. A plastic cup, lots of crushed ice and an ice cold Diet Caffeine Free Dr. Pepper. All are imperative to this experience.

The only thing that can make this better is if it comes from Sonic. Their ice makes me even happier. The few logistics involved in this, however, make it more difficult to come by....

Children begging for a drink of their own
Money
Have I had my limit of caffeine? Because theirs isn't caffeine free.




It's the simple things in life isn't it?

Sunday, January 17, 2010

30+ weeks



Well here I am at 30+ weeks. Honestly, I feel A LOT bigger than I look in this picture! True to form (haha, no pun intended) I'm measuring about 2 weeks ahead. I've done this with all my babies. Have I mentioned that I have BIG babies?

I've always been active during my pregnancies, mainly in the form of long walks, but being a Jazzercise Instructor this time around has definitely put new meaning to the word active. As a result I've gained significantly less weight. I gained 35-45 lbs with each of the other kids. This time, so far, I've only gained 20lbs. I've always assumed that the reason I have big babies is because they are genetically predisposed to large birth weights. Tyler was 10lbs 1oz, I was 9lbs. We have lots of big babies on both sides of the family.

But, I've always wondered, how much influence does my weight gain have on my babies birth weight? So far the answer seems to be none. But I've still got several weeks left, so we'll see.
(I should mention that this train of thought does not come from my Dr. She tells me repeatedly that my weight gain is perfectly normal and the result of a heathy diet. She also frequently mentions that women who gain 50+ lbs still have normal, 7lb babies.)

Things of interest (to me):

*My blood platelets are low again. They did the same thing during my pregnancy with Charlotte. If they follow the same pattern, they'll drop too low and my Dr will want to induce at 37 weeks. Although I'd rather not be induced (it makes a natural childbirth harder), it does help me have a smaller baby. Charlotte was only 8lbs 12 oz (tiny for me!) and she was 3 weeks early. Blood platelets cause your blood to clot, very important during childbirth!

* I'd really like a natural (drug free) childbirth again. I did it with Brennan, but had epidurals with both Calvin and Charlotte (I was induced with both of them).

* I still think I'm having a girl.

* I have not purchased one thing for this baby yet! Wow. I need to at least go get a baby girl and baby boy outfit for the hospital.

* The kids have said some very cute things lately about this baby/pregnancy, but I'll have to same them for their own post! Ahhh, the suspense.

Saturday, January 9, 2010

Christmas Catch Up

We had a wonderful Christmas. It was full of family! I'm not going to try and write about it all, but here's a picture summary with some commentary.

First off, Calvin's preschool Christmas program. He was a wise man. And yes, that's our tall guy on the back row!


Brennan lost his 2nd front tooth just before Christmas...priceless!


First celebration was Christmas Eve morning with Grandpa Walt and Grandma Deb. We always open gifts in new jammies with them.

The kiddos waiting patiently to open gifts!

He was so excited about a wii!


We went back home that evening so that we could be at our own church for Christmas Eve service. We also like to have Christmas morning with just our little family. It's become our favorite part of all the Christmas celebrations. Just the 5 (almost 6!) of us, reading the Christmas story, opening gifts, eating a yummy breakfast. I don't have very many pictures, but here's a couple cute ones.
Does everyone do this picture? I know we did growing up! Here's the kids waiting at the end of the hallway before getting to go and look under the tree. Such suspense!

Tyler and Char taking a little break.

Here are the kids with some of their favorite gifts.



(yes, my sons got hunting games and light sabers and my daughter got a vacuum, we're nothing if not stereotypical.)

On Christmas afternoon we drove out to Grandma Janet and Papa's Skips house. There was about 8 inches of beautiful snow on the ground. But that didn't stop us! Again, I don't have many pics, but here's a few.

Here's an ariel view of everyone hanging out in the living room.

Brennan got a set of real (junior) golf clubs!

Me, trying on one of the kid's hats.

All the grandkids (we'll add 2 more in the next 8 weeks!).

We did a lot of this while being snowed in at Grandma and Papa's. Brennan got UNO and we seriously must have played at least 100 hands. It was so strange to have him sitting with all the adults playing cards. I vividly remember chasing him around that house trying to keep him from destroying things! We have entered a new phase.


It really was a wonderful Christmas. The kids (at least the boys) seemed to really understand the true meaning of Christmas this year. Of course they were excited about gifts, but their comprehension of the birth of Christ seemed evident this year. I always worry about Christmas getting buried in gifts and family (don't we all), but they seem to have a simple understanding of why we do all those things. They understand we are celebrating the birth of our Savior.

I'm leaving a lot out. The blizzard of 2009, dead car battery, a very meaningful Christmas Eve service, kids with colds, great sledding, family tension, great food, short nights in uncomfortable beds, greedy children, greedy parents, an addiction to frosted sugar cookies, the list goes on and on. But this blog is only a snapshot of life. You know that don't you? I hope when I look back on this in 20 years I remember all the things I didn't take the time to write about or didn't want to post for others to read.
Hope you had a very Merry Christmas! And now on to 2010. I'll start blogging about that soon, I promise.