My mom just sent this to me. SO perfect.
PREGNANCY Q & A
Q: Should I have a baby after 35?
A: No, 35 children is enough.
Q : I'm two months pregnant now. When will my baby move?
A: With any luck, right after he finishes college.
Q : What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?
A: Childbirth.
Q: My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.
A: So what's your question?
Q : My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right
A: Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.
Q : Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?A: Not unless the word 'alimony' means anything to you.
Q: Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?
A: Yes, pregnancy.
Q : Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?
A: When the kids are in college.
"ESTROGEN ISSUES"
10 WAYS TO KNOW IF YOU HAVE "ESTROGEN ISSUES"
1. Everyone around you has an attitude problem.
2. You're adding chocolate chips to your cheese omelet.
3. The dryer has shrunk every last pair of your jeans.
4. Your husband is suddenly agreeing to everything you say.
5. You're using your cellular phone to dial up every bumper sticker that says:'How's my driving-call 1- 800-'.
6. Everyone's head looks like an invitation to batting practice.
7. Everyone seems to have just landed here from outer space.
9. You're sure that everyone is scheming to drive you crazy.
10. The ibuprofen bottle is empty and you bought it yesterday.
TOP TEN THINGS ONLY WOMEN UNDERSTAND
10. Cats' facial expressions.
9. The need for the same style of shoes in different colors.
8. Why bean sprouts aren't just weeds.
7. Fat clothes.
6. Taking a car trip without trying to beat your best time.
5. The difference between beige, ecru, cream, off-white, and eggshell.
4. Cutting your hair to make it grow.
3. Eyelash curlers.
2. The inaccuracy of every bathroom scale ever made.
AND,the Number One thing only women understand:
1. OTHER WOMEN
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Friday, October 9, 2009
The Love Dare
This morning, I am so thankful for my spouse & sweetheart. I am thankful for The Love Dare. If you remember my Fireproof post, you will remember that I really loved the movie, and the movie used The Love Dare as the foundation for changing their marriage.
I decided that I would try it! I think Jason & I have a really good marriage, but I realize that it can always be better. After 9 years and 2 kids (plus one almost here), it sometimes lacks the consideration, kindness, passion, love and putting each other first that it should have to really thrive.
I would recommend this book to anyone & everyone - people who's marriages are on the brink of divorce and people who think their marriage can't get any better.
The premise of this book is leading your heart, instead of following it - "The world says to follow your heart, but if you are not leading it, then someone or something else is. The bible says that 'the heart is more deceitful than all else' (Jeremiah 17:9), and it will always pursue that which feels right at the moment."
Each day I read about a quality of love. Do you think you know love? I thought I had a pretty good handle on it, but after reading 80 pages of this book, I'm realizing that I have so much to learn, un-learn, and re-learn about TRUE love. After the love quality, it gives you a dare. I am on day 16 and my dares have ranged from buying something for my spouse to say I was thinking of him (I got him a balloon and a candy bar), to giving him a selfless service, to truly listening to him, to just praying for specific things for him.
Even though I am only halfway through, I have noticed such a change - not just in our marriage or in Jason, but in myself. I am realizing how often I let pride take over instead of letting love and humility lead the way. I have such a long way to go, but I am so thankful for this journey and the change of heart that it's brought.
Accepting this dare has made my appreciation for my sweetheart increase ten-fold. He is such an amazing, good, handsome, wonderful man. I marvel that I was somehow able to capture his heart so long ago and that he has stuck with me - flaws and all.
If you are thinking of taking on this dare, I would suggest buying the book as opposed to getting it from the library. I got mine from the library to start with, but ended up buying a cheap one off Amazon. It's not effective unless you can underline and write in the journal spaces provided.
Just so you know...it is NOT EASY. Worth it, though? Absolutely.
Here's to 24 more days of life-changing, heart-changing love dares!
Friday, October 2, 2009
September Slideshow & Kids
Happy October! Below is the slideshow and kids' stuff from Sept. Enjoy!
McKINLEY: Here are some things our brand-new 4-year-old has been up to:
-We were talking about Horton Hears a Who and how he’s an elephant. Mom pointed out that Dumbo is an elephant, too. McKinley got really excited & said “MOM! Maybe Horton & Dumbo are FRIENDS!!”
-McKinley said one day “Mom, I like everyone!...even my family!”
-We were driving by the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, and McKinley said “I wish we could live in the temple! Mom – why can’t we live in the temple?”
-For our monthly dinner/bday celebration, Nate came (my mom’s cousin’s son). McKinley asked if he was related to us & I said yes. Then she asked if he was related to Tundra & Sydney (our dogs).
-Another trip in the car produced more interesting, thought-provoking ideas: “Mom – dad can shoot at bad men, but not deer, OK? Because deer are nice.” (We both weren’t sure how to respond to that since Jason got a tag this year for hunting.)
-McKinley woke up one morning at 2am, crying. Mom went into her room, prepared with the usual question “Did you have a bad dream?” She was crying “No! I had a GOOD dream & I didn’t want it to end!”
-One starry night, McKinley looked up and (mom helped her with the rhyme) “Star Light, Star Bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight…. I wish…I knew my baby’s name!!”
-We were having a discussions about unicorns one day & McKinley asked if unicorns went to the bathroom on the ground or if they used the potty.
-McKinley continues to love preschool and her Sunbeam class and talks about her friends a LOT.
-McKinley went on her first field trip this year to Hee Haw Farms. She had a lot of fun holding her friends’ hands as they walked through the corn maze, seeing the bunnies, pigs, and goats, going on a hay ride, and picking a pumpkin!
-McKinley & Ireland both love to talk to the baby in mommy’s tummy, but their favorite thing is to poke at her belly button!”
IRELAND: This girl is AMAZING in her abilities to get into things and make messes! Here’s some things she has been doing this month:
-Mom was in another room and came out to find that Ireland had taken a purple crayon & colored ALL OVER 3 different walls. NOT FUN cleaning it off!
-Ireland has been CONSTANTLY into mom’s eyeliner and mascara. It was kind of cute & funny the first time or 2, but after that, it was seriously frustrating! What am I going to do with a 2-year-old that is OBSESSED with shoes and make-up already?
-Whenever mom flashes an “I love you” sign at Ireland, she will make her come and make her hand do the same thing. She’s working at doing it herself, but she won’t stop until you help her make the sign.
-Ireland has become quite the picky dresser. She has a couple certain nightgowns that she WILL NOT wear to bed. She has certain shoes that she will & will not wear and she will tell you if she doesn’t like the outfit you picked out for her.
-So, after a good many “NO- NO’s!” about putting mom’s make-up on, it was no wonder when she saw a picture in Parent’s magazine with kids in costumes and their faces painted that Ireland shook her finger & pointed at them, saying “NO, NO, NO!”
-Ireland is doing better with saying please & thank you, but she usually needs at least 1 reminder. One morning she said “Mom – chocolate milk!” then she waited & said “Say Please! Chocolate Milk!”
-Ireland definitely learns a lot from her sister. She has started to copy her at night with “Moooom. I neeed you! Mooom – I need a book! But MOoooom!”
-If there was a messy-eater award, I think Ireland would win at almost every meal. She still is such a messy, messy eater. At the end of her meal, if we don’t catch her first, she will dip both of her hands in and rub them together and say “Mom – I’m washing hands!”
-Ireland was trying to do something & McKinley was getting frustrated. Mom told McKinley to be more patient with Ireland. Ireland then started saying “Gotta be patient, Kinley!” Gotta be patient!”
-McKinley & Ireland both love to talk to the baby in mommy’s tummy, but their favorite thing is to poke at her belly button!”
McKINLEY: Here are some things our brand-new 4-year-old has been up to:
-We were talking about Horton Hears a Who and how he’s an elephant. Mom pointed out that Dumbo is an elephant, too. McKinley got really excited & said “MOM! Maybe Horton & Dumbo are FRIENDS!!”
-McKinley said one day “Mom, I like everyone!...even my family!”
-We were driving by the Oquirrh Mountain Temple, and McKinley said “I wish we could live in the temple! Mom – why can’t we live in the temple?”
-For our monthly dinner/bday celebration, Nate came (my mom’s cousin’s son). McKinley asked if he was related to us & I said yes. Then she asked if he was related to Tundra & Sydney (our dogs).
-Another trip in the car produced more interesting, thought-provoking ideas: “Mom – dad can shoot at bad men, but not deer, OK? Because deer are nice.” (We both weren’t sure how to respond to that since Jason got a tag this year for hunting.)
-McKinley woke up one morning at 2am, crying. Mom went into her room, prepared with the usual question “Did you have a bad dream?” She was crying “No! I had a GOOD dream & I didn’t want it to end!”
-One starry night, McKinley looked up and (mom helped her with the rhyme) “Star Light, Star Bright, first star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, have the wish I wish tonight…. I wish…I knew my baby’s name!!”
-We were having a discussions about unicorns one day & McKinley asked if unicorns went to the bathroom on the ground or if they used the potty.
-McKinley continues to love preschool and her Sunbeam class and talks about her friends a LOT.
-McKinley went on her first field trip this year to Hee Haw Farms. She had a lot of fun holding her friends’ hands as they walked through the corn maze, seeing the bunnies, pigs, and goats, going on a hay ride, and picking a pumpkin!
-McKinley & Ireland both love to talk to the baby in mommy’s tummy, but their favorite thing is to poke at her belly button!”
IRELAND: This girl is AMAZING in her abilities to get into things and make messes! Here’s some things she has been doing this month:
-Mom was in another room and came out to find that Ireland had taken a purple crayon & colored ALL OVER 3 different walls. NOT FUN cleaning it off!
-Ireland has been CONSTANTLY into mom’s eyeliner and mascara. It was kind of cute & funny the first time or 2, but after that, it was seriously frustrating! What am I going to do with a 2-year-old that is OBSESSED with shoes and make-up already?
-Whenever mom flashes an “I love you” sign at Ireland, she will make her come and make her hand do the same thing. She’s working at doing it herself, but she won’t stop until you help her make the sign.
-Ireland has become quite the picky dresser. She has a couple certain nightgowns that she WILL NOT wear to bed. She has certain shoes that she will & will not wear and she will tell you if she doesn’t like the outfit you picked out for her.
-So, after a good many “NO- NO’s!” about putting mom’s make-up on, it was no wonder when she saw a picture in Parent’s magazine with kids in costumes and their faces painted that Ireland shook her finger & pointed at them, saying “NO, NO, NO!”
-Ireland is doing better with saying please & thank you, but she usually needs at least 1 reminder. One morning she said “Mom – chocolate milk!” then she waited & said “Say Please! Chocolate Milk!”
-Ireland definitely learns a lot from her sister. She has started to copy her at night with “Moooom. I neeed you! Mooom – I need a book! But MOoooom!”
-If there was a messy-eater award, I think Ireland would win at almost every meal. She still is such a messy, messy eater. At the end of her meal, if we don’t catch her first, she will dip both of her hands in and rub them together and say “Mom – I’m washing hands!”
-Ireland was trying to do something & McKinley was getting frustrated. Mom told McKinley to be more patient with Ireland. Ireland then started saying “Gotta be patient, Kinley!” Gotta be patient!”
-McKinley & Ireland both love to talk to the baby in mommy’s tummy, but their favorite thing is to poke at her belly button!”
Tuesday, September 29, 2009
Thoughts on Baby...
Somewhere along the way, it hits me that we are going to really have a baby joining our family in about a month. I alternate between thinking "I have plenty of time..." and "Gosh! There's stuff to do! I'd better get on it!"Last Saturday, I started digging stuff out of the storage room - cradle, swing (which I haven't actually set up yet because the moment I do, I am going to have 2 little girls trying to get in it), nursing gear, etc.
My thoughts have drifted to the reality of a newborn, and again I alternate: sweet, tiny fingers and toes, 3am feedings, funny faces while they sleep, crying, fussing, pooping, sweet new baby smell, burping, feeling attached at the hip (or I should say breast), watching their eyes fill with wonder at every new little thing, and feeling like I am living in a sleep-deprived, non-motivated fog.
Yes... they sure come with their pluses and minuses. Good thing that our love for them outweighs everything else, right?
So...as I ponder the first 9 months of my baby's new life, I wonder if there's a way to have it all when it comes to the sleeping thing. Here's what I mean: I wonder if there's some trick that will help my baby sleep just as good in her own cradle or crib as she would in my arms, in a pack-in-play, on a blanket on the floor, or in her carseat. With #3, it's unlikely that I will be home for all the naps - and we do travel to Richfield a lot, so how do I encourage her to sleep WHEREVER she is when she's tired without making her DEPENDENT on rocking, feeding, binkis, etc to get to sleep?
My girls have both done well getting to sleep on their own. I usually put them down before they're totally asleep, so they can learn to fall asleep on their own, but when they are out of that environment (crib/cradle), they do not do well. They have a hard time getting to sleep and staying asleep. This causes me stress. There's a lady in my ward whom I completely envy. Her children until they're like 4 just fall asleep wherever they are when they're tired and she can just lay them on a blanket and they'll sleep through anything. She has 6 children. I ask her how she does it, but she just shrugs and insists that they've all just "been like that."
I love "The Happiest Baby on the Block" and "The Baby Whisperer." The Happiest Baby is basically what I go off of for the first 3 months of their life, along with the E.A.S.Y. system of the Baby Whisperer. These give GREAT sleep tips, but the Baby Whisperer stresses routine and really "encourages" the baby to be home for naps & bedtime. The more children I have, the more I do not see that as being completely realistic.
So - any tips would be great!
I still have most of my baby "to-dos" unchecked, but I've started, which is good. Would be nice for this baby to have a name when she gets here, huh? We're workin' on it.
And...even though I've technically only got a month left, nobody go getting excited, OK? Remember I was late with both of my girls, so I'm not PLANNING on this baby coming early, or even on time. I can't say that I'm not jealous because it seems like everyone I know is going early, but I'm trying to be patient and have a good attitude.
And as hard as it is, please try to resist comments like these:
-"Wow, Heidi, it seems like you've been pregnant forever!" (really? huh, that's funny, because it feels that way to me, too!)
-(looking at pictures from last year) - "Geez, I didn't even recognize you in this picture!" and "Look how skinny you were!" (Big morale boosters!)
-"A month left?! Wow! Can't you just make them induce you?" (Not that I would anyway, but this is not an option with a home birth :)
Tuesday, September 22, 2009
Family Pictures
We got our pictures taken at the very end of August by Katherine Jenkins and I think they turned out really cute! I grew up with Katherine & you can see her website HERE. I think she did a terrific job & her price is GREAT!
Also, check out the cute storyboard she did. It was hilarious because Ireland was supposed to kiss my tummy, which she did, but then she went & kissed McKinley's tummy, too.
I love to see how our family has grown & changed in the past 5 years. Check out the pictures at the end that show our growing family. We are truly blessed!
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009
Also, check out the cute storyboard she did. It was hilarious because Ireland was supposed to kiss my tummy, which she did, but then she went & kissed McKinley's tummy, too.
I love to see how our family has grown & changed in the past 5 years. Check out the pictures at the end that show our growing family. We are truly blessed!
2005
2006
2007
2008
2009Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Costume Swap & Make-up Ideas
I realize that Halloween is over a month away, but I have been thinking about it and wondering how I am going to come up with costumes considering that we have ZERO $ for that sort of thing right now.
So... here's my idea: a costume swap! I have costumes from the past few years that I'll post below, from newborn to 4T. I am looking for newborn (just in case this baby comes before Halloween!), 2T, and 4T-5T costumes. Let me know if you'd like to swap or even just let us borrow.
THANKS!
Sweet pea costume. McKinley was only 2 months old when she wore this.
Flower/Ladybug costume. Ireland was ADORABLE in this costume. She was just over 3 months old & it fit perfectly.
Cheerleader Costume. This was last years' costume - I think it's a 3T. Comes w/ pom-poms!
So... here's my idea: a costume swap! I have costumes from the past few years that I'll post below, from newborn to 4T. I am looking for newborn (just in case this baby comes before Halloween!), 2T, and 4T-5T costumes. Let me know if you'd like to swap or even just let us borrow.
THANKS!
Sweet pea costume. McKinley was only 2 months old when she wore this.
Flower/Ladybug costume. Ireland was ADORABLE in this costume. She was just over 3 months old & it fit perfectly.
Doggie Costume. Would work for boy or girl. McKinley was 1 year old when she wore it.
Sooo cute butterfly costume. It's a 2T, but was almost too small when she wore it. I think it would work for 12M-2T.
And...if you need any make-up ideas for Halloween, here's some from Ireland. That girl has been driving me NUTS getting into my bathroom drawers!
Yes, folks, that is MASCARA
And some up-and-coming eye-liner ideas.
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Four?!
OK - so as parents, we may have varying opinions on many different topics: breastfeeding, co-sleeping, binkis, spanking, etc, but I think there's one thing we ALL can agree on: Our kids grow up too fast!!
Seriously, will someone please explain to me, how my sweet pea went from this:
to this:
in seemingly the blink of an eye?
It truly amazes and baffles me how quickly they grow!
My sweet Miss McKinley turned 4 years old yesterday - on 9/9/09! In fact, she was born at 9:24am, so that makes this a pretty special birthday!
This year, McKinley had SUCH a hard time holding in her excitement. The night before her birthday, she kept saying "Mom - I just CAN'T WAIT for my surprises!" She said it in an excited way, but also frustrated because she just wanted her birthday to be here NOW! I just love it, because I was the same way growing up. Birthdays were a big deal!
So - here's the re-cap of her special day:
We woke her up about 8am, singing happy birthday. She only took a second to wake up and said "You're right mom! It IS my birthday!"
("breaking through" to the next year)
Her birthday breakfast request (after we denied her request for pizza) was for ebbelskeevers (it's a family recipe - if you don't know what they are - they're like little puffed pancakes that you dip in butter & powdered sugar/cinnamon/syrup - or all 3 if you're McKinley). She got to wear her birthday crown, eat on the birthday plate, with her birthday tablecloth, & enjoy all the birthday decorations we put out for her. All through breakfast, she kept asking "What does a 4-year-old do? Do they go to Kindergarten? Do they reach the sink? Do they wipe their faces?" It was pretty cute.
After breakfast & she got to watch Super Why & Dinosaur Train, she searched for & found her presents downstairs that were hidden. She got a Mermadia DVD, a My Little Pony, and a Polly Pocket from mom & dad. She got some clothes, shoes & socks from Grandma & Grandpa Devenish (thank you!), and Aunt Keeley & Uncle Jeff got her another My Little Pony & a drawing calendar. Aunt Kim got her a princess chair.
After that, we were off to Sherrie Price's house, because mom had a prenatal appointment.
For her birthday lunch, she again asked for pizza, but settled for a ham sandwich and she got to watch her new Mermadia movie! She also helped mom & dad make her cake!
After the movie, we took off for Jumpin' Jacks - where she had her birthday party! What fun! We had the way-cute Castle Room & we decorated it & got everything ready for all her friends! Here's who came: Alyssa & her mom & sister Krysta, Jack & his mom & brother Sam, Amanda & her mom & sister Isabelle & brother Nathan, her friend Lizzy, Hendrix & his mom & sister Lilly, Michael, Aunt Cindy, Joshua, Aunt Trisha, & Uncle Darrin.
The kids had so much fun eating pizza (finally!), cake & ice cream, opening presents (she got lots of Littlest Pet shop stuff, a Mermaidia barbie, some foam necklace beads, some clothes, and an Ariel toy) and OF COURSE, JUMPING!
(the castle room)
(ready to PAR-TAY!)
(4 candles! No problem!)
(enjoying the cake & ice cream)
(Sam hanging out)
(Jack lovin' the helicopter)
(Lizzy hugs!)
(gifts! I LOVE how all the kids gather round & want to help!)
(Some of the party-goers: Alyssa, Amanda, Michael, Krysta, McKinley & Isabelle!)
Seriously, will someone please explain to me, how my sweet pea went from this:
to this:
in seemingly the blink of an eye?
It truly amazes and baffles me how quickly they grow!
My sweet Miss McKinley turned 4 years old yesterday - on 9/9/09! In fact, she was born at 9:24am, so that makes this a pretty special birthday!
This year, McKinley had SUCH a hard time holding in her excitement. The night before her birthday, she kept saying "Mom - I just CAN'T WAIT for my surprises!" She said it in an excited way, but also frustrated because she just wanted her birthday to be here NOW! I just love it, because I was the same way growing up. Birthdays were a big deal!
So - here's the re-cap of her special day:
We woke her up about 8am, singing happy birthday. She only took a second to wake up and said "You're right mom! It IS my birthday!"
("breaking through" to the next year)
Her birthday breakfast request (after we denied her request for pizza) was for ebbelskeevers (it's a family recipe - if you don't know what they are - they're like little puffed pancakes that you dip in butter & powdered sugar/cinnamon/syrup - or all 3 if you're McKinley). She got to wear her birthday crown, eat on the birthday plate, with her birthday tablecloth, & enjoy all the birthday decorations we put out for her. All through breakfast, she kept asking "What does a 4-year-old do? Do they go to Kindergarten? Do they reach the sink? Do they wipe their faces?" It was pretty cute.
After breakfast & she got to watch Super Why & Dinosaur Train, she searched for & found her presents downstairs that were hidden. She got a Mermadia DVD, a My Little Pony, and a Polly Pocket from mom & dad. She got some clothes, shoes & socks from Grandma & Grandpa Devenish (thank you!), and Aunt Keeley & Uncle Jeff got her another My Little Pony & a drawing calendar. Aunt Kim got her a princess chair.
After that, we were off to Sherrie Price's house, because mom had a prenatal appointment.
For her birthday lunch, she again asked for pizza, but settled for a ham sandwich and she got to watch her new Mermadia movie! She also helped mom & dad make her cake!
After the movie, we took off for Jumpin' Jacks - where she had her birthday party! What fun! We had the way-cute Castle Room & we decorated it & got everything ready for all her friends! Here's who came: Alyssa & her mom & sister Krysta, Jack & his mom & brother Sam, Amanda & her mom & sister Isabelle & brother Nathan, her friend Lizzy, Hendrix & his mom & sister Lilly, Michael, Aunt Cindy, Joshua, Aunt Trisha, & Uncle Darrin.
The kids had so much fun eating pizza (finally!), cake & ice cream, opening presents (she got lots of Littlest Pet shop stuff, a Mermaidia barbie, some foam necklace beads, some clothes, and an Ariel toy) and OF COURSE, JUMPING!
(the castle room)
(ready to PAR-TAY!)
(4 candles! No problem!)
(enjoying the cake & ice cream)
(Hendrix on the BBall "court")
(Sam hanging out)
(Jack lovin' the helicopter)
(Lizzy hugs!)
(gifts! I LOVE how all the kids gather round & want to help!)
(Some of the party-goers: Alyssa, Amanda, Michael, Krysta, McKinley & Isabelle!)
Happy Birthday sweet girl! And thanks to everyone who came to celebrate! We love you!
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