36 Week Check-Up

I have survived 36 weeks of pregnancy! A major accomplishment considering what has been involved with this one.

I have been having some pretty intense cramping for a few weeks and last week decided I better have them check it out. It turns out that the baby is sitting really low causing lots of pressure and discomfort. I was 50% effaced and almost 2cm dilated. The Dr. could feel the baby's head. I have still been having lots of pain, but didn't really want to make another unscheduled trip to the Dr. so I've just been dealing with it.

I was really hoping that she would check me today and I would be really close to being ready. She didn't check me! She measured me, listened to the heartbeat and did an ultrasound. According to her calculations the baby is just about 5 pounds and 7 ounces right now. He could gain about 1/2 a pound a week. If those calculations are correct he is all the weight I have gained. I really don't understand how it is possible to look like this and to have only gained 6 pounds. I gained at least 30 with each of the girls. Now if I could just lose those 60 pounds after this baby I would be one happy Momma!!
None of my shirts completely cover the panel in my pants anymore. It's kind of embarrassing, but I don't get out much so it's all good!

A Zoe Funny

For some reason everyone was up early this morning. It was okay since I had a Dr. appointment and needed to be ready. When Zoe was done with her cereal I got her down out of her chair and she played for a few minutes until she saw Maggie with some book that had been left out from last night. She went over to the couch and proceeded to tell Maggie that they were her books and Maggie was not to touch them. She started walking off into the bedroom as I was getting after her for not sharing. I told her they were everyones books and we all share them. It didn't sink in at first so I repeated myself. She turned around with the most disgusted look on her face and simply said, "AHHH! I hate humans!!"

Super way to start the day!

Thanks for the laugh little Miss Zoe!!

A Little Catch Up

A very proud moment indeed! After two years of struggling with reading Maggie has finally gotten to the point where she is a pretty good independent reader! She has made amazing progress and was recognized at a school assembly for it. She received a reading award and got to stand in front of the whole school to be acknowledged for her accomplishment.

Way to go Maggie!

Principal Ingalls & Mrs. Masters presented the awards

November 13, 2009

North Evanston Elementary

Mrs. Masters 1st grade class award winners

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Maggie has asked me several times lately if she could have curly hair for school. That would be a big NO! We just don't ever have that kind of time. I decided that I should take the time to get her some curls for church. It took quite a while, but she loves it and she looks so cute. I kept asking Zoe if she wanted curls and she just kept saying "No, I fine!" However, just before time to leave she decided she really did want curls. I only had a few minutes so she only got a couple of curls. She was very proud of them and anxious to show them off to her teachers. I have tried to get pictures of Maggie with all of her primary teachers through the years and this year was the first year I got Zoe's too. I missed Maggie's first teacher of the year, but her new teacher is totally awesome and we all love her. Who wouldn't love a teacher that brings snacks?!Maggie and Sis. Lindsey Bowen
Evanston 5th ward
CTR 7

Zoe with her Nursery Leaders
Sis. Mindy Morrow, Sis. Charlotte Fry, Sis. Sheralyn Holgate, Sis. Annie Lewis
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While we were in Provo for our Thanksgiving break we had the chance to babysit Sadie and Kinley. Maggie took this opportunity to use Kinley as her personal Barbie doll. She had taken some of her dolls and clothes and thought this swim suit would fit Kinley. It was too cute! Kinley liked it too and got a little upset when we tried to get it off of her.

We also had the chance to be a part of Rachel's baby shower. She is due just a couple of weeks before me. It is kind of strange to be having a baby at the same time as my nephew and his wife! We are all anxious and excited to meet Hunter.
November 25, 2009

Mom, a.k.a Grandma, was there

Shelly was there

Mandi was there

Starr and Camille were there

Lindy and Cooper (and Ava) were there

Yummy food

Even yummier cupcakes!
I was there too, but no photographic evidence was taken. DARN!

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Four little monkeys sitting on the couch...

Kinley, Maggie, Zoe & Sadie

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Zoe doesn't really care for her winter attire. She tells me every day that she doesn't need her hat and gloves. As soon as she gets in the car they come off. She was attempting to get all of it off when we got home, but the hat to her coat came unsnapped and got stuck on her head. She looked pretty goofy, but she thought it was way funny!

December 3, 2009

BRRRRR!

The temperature is -2.9 degrees at the moment with a windchill factor of -19 degrees.

Who wants to come visit?

Glenn called me shortly after 8:00 this morning to tell me I should go start the car. It was going to take a while for it to warm up. I just have to say another HUGE thank you to Glenn and Kayle for putting in the time to fix our heater. I do still dread the walk from the apartment to the car, but at least I know once we are in the car we can get somewhat comfortable.

I have been trying to decide if I should start sending Maggie to school on the bus. I don't want to be taking a newborn out in this horrible weather, but at the same time I don't want Maggie to have to stand at the bus stop in this horrible weather. When I take her to school we run to a mildly warm car and I get her there just in time to run inside. If she takes the bus she will have to be outside in the bitter cold waiting for it to arrive and then she will get to school about 20 minutes before the bell and have to be outside in the cold again. I cannot decide which is the lesser of two evils.

I remember walking to the bus stop in the winter and hating every minute of it. Being so cold that the contents of your nose freezes is not pleasant. It can be quite painful!

What to do, what to do?!

Heat Glorious Heat!!

It's fixed!

We have heat in our van thanks to Kayle and Glenn. It took a bit of destruction and reconstruction to get the job done, but it's all back together and I was toasty warm the whole ride home from Provo today.

We had a great Thanksgiving holiday. The girls had tons of fun playing with cousins and being at Grandma's house. I didn't break out the camera much the whole time we were there. Very unlike me, but I was pretty tired and just had a good time enjoying the company of my family.

Thanks Mom (and everyone else who helped!) for all the good food and the great accommodations.

I Totally Lied!

We are so not going to make it through the winter without heat in our car!

This morning was awful!

No AC during the summer was not fun, but no heat in the bitter cold of winter is miserable and pretty much unbearable. Luckily we have some help. My brother has said he will help us take apart the dash and work on whatever the problem is. Hopefully this means we only have one more week of no heat! I'm now looking forward to Thanksgiving break even more than I already was!!

She Loves Her Sister

Yesterday morning Glenn and Maggie got the chance to help the scouts collect food around the community. Zoe and I have been sick so we stayed home and hung out while they were gone. As soon as Maggie came in the house and Zoe saw her she grabbed her waist, gave a huge hug, wrapped her legs around Maggie's leg and in the sweetest way ever exclaimed,

"I so proud of you Maggie!"

Every now and then we get to see moments of the pure love and adoration they really do have for one another.

Veterens Day 2009

"I pledge allegiance

to the flag of the United States of America

and to the republic for which it stands,

one nation under God,

indivisible,

with liberty and justice for all"

I am so glad that Maggie's school honored our veterans today with a flag ceremony. I don't know if many other schools across the nation did this or any other kind of celebration. It makes me so sad that so many schools are not "allowed" to say the pledge of allegiance or any thing else remotely patriotic.

Seeing all the kids and teachers with their hands on their hearts reciting the pledge of allegiance got me very teary. I love my country! I love the flag! I love what it stands for. I know that I am free because of all those men and women that sacrificed their lives for that freedom. I know that there is no way I could ever adequately express my gratitude to those that serve our country to keep my family safe and free.

Thank you to those that are able, and most importantly, willing to put their lives on the line for us.

HMMMM!?

Could eating meals like this...

be why I look like this...

The baby bump is getting much bumpier! 32 weeks down, 8 to go! Actually 7 to go since I'll be induced a week early! YIPPEE!! The end is near!

Harvest Ball

Last Saturday our ward (and two others that meet in our building) had a harvest ball. There was lots of food, fun and dancing.

Glenn and Zoe had a good time dancing
Our super fun Primary President was out on the floor dancing with a bunch of little kids. They all loved it. She was pretty entertaining!



I couldn't get any pictures of Maggie because she was running around and dancing with her friend from school. Both girls had a great time dancing the night away. All the ward members had a good time watching all of Glenn's moves! He needs to be on Dancing with the Stars!