Our New Arrival

Well, you will all kindly disregard the countdown nonsense on the right side of your screen. A chubby little kid defied all due dates by showing up on the scene at approximately 3:07pm MST this 29th day of May, 2008. A name for this obstinant little fellow is forthcoming, and your patience in this matter would be appreciated.

The proud Mama-to-be just minutes before the big event.
This was probably when the mean nurse jabbed us in our leg for the first time.
As you can see if you tilt your head just so, 8 lbs 10.5oz. As you can't see, no matter how you tilt your head, 20 inches.
Mama and baby (and I hope you all appreciate this contraband photo, because I was forbidden from using such pictures in the preview posting by the nice lady holding the baby in the photo). This is just between me and all of you, our viewing audience.
Maybe he wasn't quite ready for his close-up, Mr. Deville.

Yup, that's me, the proud daddy. He's already bored with me.

Some quality time with his big brother, who was SOOOOO excited to see "Little Brother."

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaw. If my heart had strings, which is really an anatomical impossibility, they'd be tugged at by this.

Looking a little less swollen and crusty after our first bath.

...and if that doesn't take us home on a happy note, I don't know what ever could.

50 things

So I know I’ve been “tagged” or whatever a few times and never done this. I always think, “Who really wants to know any of those things about me.” The thing is I actually love it when other people make these lists. I’ll read the lists of complete strangers when I find them and I think they’re so interesting. And of all the kinds I’ve seen, the plain, old list of random things is always my favorite as opposed to answering certain questions so I’ve finally decided to try this. I still don’t expect people to really care about these things, but it was an interesting exercise to see what I could come up with. And since very soon you will all only be interested in pictures and updates of a certain new family member (see count down to the right), I thought I'd take this opportunity to post this BEFORE this new member arrives. So here is my list of “50 things about me.” (I wasn’t sure how many I would do when I started, but at 25 the ideas were still flowing and after 50, the thought of trying to get to 100 seemed absurd, so 50 is my number.)

1. I’m an Aquarius. I’ve always liked my sign, but never believed a lick of that stuff.
2. I love my house to be spotless and I love to cook.
3. My house is never spotless and I cook frozen things or go out a few times every week.
4. I like to think that I would be a great writer or actress if I were to really try at either one, but in reality I’m pretty sure I would be horrible at both.
5. When left to my own quiet thoughts like while trying to fall asleep or driving alone (which isn’t very often) I calculate things in my head. A variety of kinds of things really: how much interest we’d save at this rate as opposed to that rate and how long it would take to break even if there were this fee attached to refinancing, how much it would cost to drive this far at this mpg, how much faster we’d pay off this if I paid another $25 per month—I guess it’s usually money numbers.
6. Though finance is my thing and I’m usually rather fugal in most areas, I consistently spend more than I should on certain things. I know it, but I just don’t want to change.
7. I hate my hair—always have.
8. I love my teeth—I never get cavities and since suffering through braces, my appreciation has never waned.
9. I’ve never particularly liked my hands.
10. I love my feet.
11. I don’t like other peoples’ feet.
12. It’s rare that I ever have a song in my head that isn’t sung by a blue penguin and his dancing friends, one of two little Spanish-speaking kids (or their inanimate objects like their camera or backpack), 4 little kids flying around in a magic rocket, or Mickey Mouse. (You probably need access to little ones to get those.)
13. When going to sleep and not thinking of numbers, I think back about the times throughout the day when Mikey was giggling and picture his smile. It makes me smile.
14. Almost every night, while getting ready for bed, at some point Lance and I race each other to Mikey’s room, quietly sneak in to look at him and talk about how cute he is. (He’s two now! Is this normal behavior?)
15. I have an intelligence complex. I’ve always been a good student and gotten good grades, but I often get paranoid about people thinking I’m not smart. (I know, it’s a pride thing.)
16. Cutting onions very rarely makes me cry. In fact, I usually feel nothing.
17. I love onions, raw and cooked, in everything. And even more so when I’m pregnant.
18. I love garlic and put it in almost everything, but not nearly as much when I’m pregnant.
19. When I was little I didn’t like how I always ended up sticky after eating syrup so I stopped eating it. Consequently, now I only put syrup on pancakes occasionally and never on anything else (waffles, French toast….)
20. I love tomatoes
21. I don’t like ketchup or most tomato-saucy things.
22. I absolutely HATE being cold.
23. I love to play time-sucking, stupid, computer games like the solitaire games that come on your computer and other word games I find online (though I never have time to).
24. I love chocolate, but I don’t like hot chocolate and usually only drink it out of the social pressures. (You know how demanding those hot chocolate drinkers can be)
25. I don’t like root beer floats.
26. I love the Price is Right. I can’t explain it; it just takes me back to childhood days.
27. I always peek during prayers. Try as I may, I just can’t keep my eyes closed tight! (Now, though, I have a good excuse: someone has to keep an eye on Mikey!)
28. When I’m pregnant I dream about long, hard workouts.
29. When I’m not pregnant, I think about sitting down and eating what I want with a good excuse.
30. I love to go to Joann’s and look at the fabric and other crafty things and think about the crafts that I could do. Then I have to try and restrain myself from buying most of it because I don’t really have the time or the skill to actually do any of it. (Lance would probably say that I don’t actually restrain myself, but if he only knew how much I really do, he’d be grateful.)
31. Similarly I like to look at plants and think of our yard and what we could do, but I’ve learned I have a black thumb and kill everything. I still try to garden, but I take things one little thing at a time.
32. I love cheese. All kinds. I don’t think I’ve ever met a kind I didn’t like.
33. I met Kevin Nealon at a tiny café in Dublin, Ireland about 9 years ago.
34. I love Lance’s eyelashes even though he hates them. (They're very long and thick)
35. I like a good outdoor pool more than I like a beach (though I love them both A LOT.)
36. When I was young I loved the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hostess pie. A hostess pie with green frosting and vanilla pudding in the middle? So good. I felt childish at the ripe old age of 10 when I’d buy one, but I couldn’t resist. I think I’d buy one today if I saw it.
37. I love pie. I’d choose pie over cake any day.
38. I love sleep, but I hate going to bed.
39. I failed my driving test the first time. What was going through my head during the first test? “If I really only drive 25 mph they will know I’m only doing it for the test. NO one really goes 25 mph.” I was just trying to be honest! But apparently you don’t get points for that.
40. I don’t like Skittles.
41. I’m 6 months and 6 days older than Lance.
42. I always thought I’d get married at 25.
43. I got married at 25.
44. I always thought I would like to wait one year after getting married to get pregnant.
45. Mikey was born 5 days shy of 9 months after our one year anniversary.
46. I almost always took first place in every event at swimming meets until I was 8. I then took one summer off and I when I tried to go back at age 10 I was slow as molasses and was never as good again. (How sad to peak at 8 years old.)
47. I bit my nails from as early on as I can remember until I started getting my nails done in high school. If I ever don’t have nails on, I resort back to the chewing. Not to mention I have terrible cuticles and they split and crack and hurt like crazy when I don’t have nails on.
48. If I could choose one actress to look like it would be Kate Beckinsale. I just think she’s the cutest thing ever.
49. I am very shy. (Don’t laugh, it’s true!)
50. I’m a complete “grass is greener on the other side” kind of person, but at least I’m aware of it so I do what I can to combat against it.

So there you have it. And like I said, I love to read other people’s list so you should all try it!

Playing hide and seek with Mikey

This is how it goes everytime we play hide and seek with Mikey. He's quite skilled and makes it quite a challenge to find him.

He's actually usually even louder than he is in this video, but when it comes to taking videos we have to take what we can get. As soon as he sees the camera he immediately wants to look at or take pictures so it's hard to get much of him.

Needs...

Well Mikey is quite the talker and I swear he learns 100 new words a day. It's so funny when he suddenly starts to implement a new word and he's constantly making us laugh. His latest cry is about the things he "needs." All of a sudden he "needs" everything. Instead of just asking for something that he wants in his few-word sentences, he now says, "I NEED that!" "I NEED those!" You may have to be there and hear it to fully appreciate how cute and funny it is, or you also may have to be his mom, but he's got me smitten!

I know what you're thinking...

You're thinking, "oh wow, so any day, huh?"

Nope! I'm just huge, that's all. Well I guess technically "any day" is accurate since at 37 weeks you are considered full-term, but I'm not due for another three weeks. Sigh.

Big Boy Bed!! Yay!

Mikey has finally done it! He's made the transfer into his big boy bed. Isn't it a perfect fit? Obviously he'd have more room if the dogs didn't sleep with him, but they all just love it so much that we couldn't forbid it.

If only we could get them to settle down enough to sleep!

Okay, so actually the dogs aren't the biggest fans of this whole box game, but Mikey just insists on them joining him. Poor Willie is just pleading with us to take her out!
But in all seriousness, Mikey really has made the change to his big boy bed! He was very excited about it which was good because we wanted him to move out of his crib a while before the new baby needed it so that he didn't feel kicked out. He has loved his bed from the start. Sleeping, however, has been another thing entirely. It was a bit of a struggle at first. For the first few nights Lance or I had to lay with him until he fell asleep or else he was just hysterical. (I know, maybe we should have let him cry it out, but we're suckers.) Naps were also a bit touch and go. We tried skipping them (NOT a good idea for this kid). All sleeping was pushed back--late naps and late bed time (well, late falling asleep time.) But after about a week he was doing much better. Now he cries for just a minute when we get up to leave his room, but he lays back down immediately and doesn't make another sound. And his bed and nap times are slowly moving back to earlier and earlier. We're so proud of him!
It also took him a little while to figure out that he could sleep with his head up on the pillow and it would greatly improve his comfort level. But hey, as long as he's asleep, he can sleep however he wants!
So I have to admit one last thing. The whole time we were buying his new bed stuff and getting it set up, I thought for sure I would be all emotional about "my baby" growing up and taking this big step. I really wasn't feeling anything, though. I was just excited and he was so cute about the whole thing that I loved it! Even when he crawled into bed the first night--nothing. So we finally got him to sleep that first night and stepped out of his new room. As we closed the door, I caught a glimpse into the baby room next door and saw the empty crib...I started bawling. What can I say. I'm a baby.

Dress up!

Perhaps we should be worried about it when Mikey wants to stomp around in my shoes, but it's just so cute when he does it that I can't help, but take pictures.

And this particular day he was quite determined to also get his almost-too-small lifeguard hat on to complete the ensemble
I guess I also shouldn't be too worried since he actually spends almost all of his time trying to be just like daddy--like when dad was working in the garage and Mikey found these gloves and insisted on wearing them for quite sometime.
And he does make the cutest fireman around! (This actually started as one of those moments when I asked him what he wanted to wear--he insisted on this rain coat. I was lucky to even get clothes on him underneath! I'm not sure why I ever ask him that question. It never turns out "normal".)
Thanks Tom and Tobey for the rain coat! He definitely loves it!

A video promised

Well here is one of the videos I promised. They are taking forever to upload and not always working so you may not get the singing one. But this one is great.

Mikey is 2!!!

Happy Birthday, Mikey!!!

Mikey turned 2 on Thursday and he was so excited. We burst into his room singing Happy Birthday in the morning and he never stopping jumping around after that. It was so fun to see him so excited about everything. (We have a video of all of us singing, but we're still working on getting our main computer up so I can't post videos quite yet. I will as soon as I can.)

We had a super fun party with some of his cousins (Amanda, Kate and Ben). He was so excited all day waiting for them to come and the minute after they left he started saying, "more cousins! more cousins!"

Of course all kids like to help in opening presents so Kate and Amanda joined right in. Everyone brought such fun presents and Mikey hasn't stopped playing with them since Thursday.

Mikey loves froggies and since he can't go find them every night outside our door like in Florida, I thought we'd have a froggy cake.
We had fun decorating, though I admit I may have gone a little overboard :)
Diving right into the frog.

Here is my froggy creation before cutting into it. I was proud of the whole thing, but particularly the flies. When you have boys you have to do gross things! (Don't worry, they're just raisins and frosting)


It was almost warm enough to play outside....so out the kids went (though looking at Kate, you'd think it was a nice summer day! She's a little crazy!) Kate was spinning him around in the swing, almost to the point of vomiting, I think. (We have a great video I'll post later.) He loves playing with Kate!!
And cute little Amanda found the slide.

What a fun day! We heard Mikey on the monitor after putting him down that night and he sang himself to sleep with Happy Birthday. He sang it over and over. Well his version goes, "Happy birthday to birthday!" It was so cute. And he still sees balloons and says, "happy birthday, balloons!" We're waiting to see how he reacts on Wednesday for his cousin, Ben's birthday and if he'll understand that it's not his own.

We have arrived! (Barely!)

Well after what has seemed like the longest 3 weeks EVER, we are in Utah and in a house and finally getting settled. It's been an adventure, that's for sure.

Starting at the beginning of March, we were getting very anxious about getting our house rented with enough time to move before I got too pregnant. So three weeks ago, as the end of March was approaching and we still didn't have any renters, we started looking into just moving without our house rented just so we could get moved. We had worked out a plan and were about to buy me a ticket when we stopped and decided we didn't feel sure about it.

After a long (wonderful) day in Orlando going to the temple we both felt very strongly that we should just wait until our house rented. With a big sigh, we agreed we'd just wait. Well we showed our faith so then we didn't have to wait long! We got home late that evening and our broker called moments later with news of a renter. It was amazing.

After a week of packing, I was on the plane with Mikey. Mikey being just under two, he was still a lap child...blessing? curse? We saved money at least :) It was rough having a lap child with my lap quickly disappearing. Especially with the middle seat on the first flight!

We got into Utah at midnight and I was to go find my father-in-law's car in the economy parking lot. But what a surprise, my parents had called Brad to come and help me with my bags! Exhausted and Mikey half asleep, we found the car and found the hidden key. With a sigh of relief I started the car and thought, "I made it." I then got out to help load the bags. I shut the door and for some reason still unknown to all, the doors all locked! So with my purse and phone in the car and the car running, we were locked out the car. If Brad hadn't been there, I would have been without a phone, locked out with Mikey in the freezing weather at 1:30 am! After some time and phone calls to those with keys (by the way, that whole unlock your car through the phone thing does NOT work), we finally tracked down a security guard who called an officer for us.

Well for Lance, the fun had only just begun. He and his dad continued to pack for a few more days and pulled out of Florida on Friday. After a few minor traffic moments, things seemed to be going rather well. That is until....Wyoming >:[ Does anything good come out of Wyoming? They got to Cheyenne on Sunday night and were planning to push through a little longer, but were forced off the road due to weather. We were crossing our fingers that the roads would be open in the morning.

They left the next morning with the roads being open until Laramie and hoped they would be opened by the time they got there. Lance called me a while later with great news as they passed through Laramie! We thought, "yay, he'll be here soon!" He then called a little later....he was stopped again and didn't know why. After sitting completely still for four hours they managed to pull over and get off at a service station. There they found out that there was a huge accident that was not likely to be cleaned up that day. They had to drive BACK to Laramie and spend the night there. Sigh. I was going to cry.

So the next day we thought for sure the roads would be opened. How long does it take to clear an accident? Well when a gas truck burns to the ground and they have to resurface the road, a long time! They just had no idea when the road would be opened. By late morning they were formulating another route--a 12 hour route! (I-70 was also closed due to weather so they couldn't go that way either.) So they were off to get breakfast and then likely start on the long route home. Low and behold, the lights had been left on in the moving truck and they had no battery. Sigh.

As you can imagine, it takes something special to jump a 26' truck. So a few hours later, they had power and now needed lunch. Well in the middle of lunch they finally got word--the road was open!!! If it hadn't been for the battery dying they would have likely started along the long route home, but because they were forced to wait, they were still there when the road opened.

So! 6 hours later they finally rolled in and it was the best ever! Lance and I had to rush out to see our landlords because they had been holding their house for us to rent just because they liked me and wanted good renters. They had been putting off this other guy for days because they wanted Lance to see it before signing. But we did it. We signed and we moved and here we are!

A million thanks to everyone who has helped us to get here. We couldn't have done it without you all!

Once we get our main computer up and running maybe I'll find some pictures to post.

And finally Boston

I know it's taken me forever to get these few little things posted, but what can I say, I've been busy. Anyway, the last day of our trip was spent in Boston and if you'll notice, I don't even have a big coat on in some of the pictures! The weather was MUCH better than New York. It was a balmy 50 degrees (or something). Anyway, it was actually very nice for walking around.

We stopped at lots of the quick sites around town. You know, as much as you can do in one day in Boston (with a pregnant lady waddling around with you).

All the men showing us what men they are. (Mikey's just the cutest, don't you think?)

Mikey getting friendly with a horse. Actually, we were trying to get Mikey to sleep when Lance saw this horse and couldn't resist. As you may guess, it didn't help the sleep factor.

Cape Cod

Well of course you have to go to the beach when you're in Cape Cod! Okay, so most people don't visit Cape Cod in the winter, but you gotta do, what you gotta do. So we still wanted to go. It was gorgeous and sunny...just freezing.

The dads were up for a picture...the kids not as much.

All of us huddled at the beach :) And in case you were wondering, the fact that they were in snow coats and freezing, did not stop the kids from wanting to play in the water and splash around!

So my wonderful Aunt Tobey is a fabulous potter and after showing us all how easy it is (see the finished bowl next to Lance), she let us have a go. As you can see, Lance was a natural. Don't be surprised if little pots just like that one start showing up wherever you go.

Now you really can't go to Cape Cod without having lobster, but the whole town was conspiring against us to try and stop us! So again, not really the season to visit Cape Cod and lobsters weren't all that available, but my Aunt did not stop until she found some VERY tasty critters. (By the way, Mikey is actually eating out of a red bowl in that background there, not a lobster, but I had to double check when I saw the picture)

Saratoga Springs

Some of our best friends live in Saratoga Springs, NY so we were very excited to get to see them and see their home even if it wasn't during the best part of the year. The first morning we were there it snowed a ton so Mikey got to have his first experience playing in the snow. Between the few cold things we had rounded up for the trip and the extra things our friends had, we were able to outfit Mikey enough to jump into the snow (even if it was in purple pants and girly hat:).

Here he is, barely able to put his arms down and ready to play.

It took Mikey a bit to figure out what to do, but luckily he had Hallie there, who is quite versed in snow play, to show him the way.

Oh, and the dads helped some.

My cute boys in the snow. (The moms got to stay inside where it was warm.)

(Cape Cod is next...)

New York City...

We went on a wonderful (albeit FREEZING) trip to New York, Cape Cod and Boston. We got back a week ago and it has taken me that long to finally accept that it's over and to try to resume my normal life. (Well, that is if you call "normal" sitting by the phone and desperately willing it to ring with someone who wants to rent our house so we can move already!)

Anyway...we made 4 stops in 8 days so we moved fast, but we had fun. NYC was the first stop and the coldest.

I know we look adorable and "cuddly" at Rockefeller square, but trust me, it was all I could do to not DIE of cold. It was about 25 degrees, but with the added wind chill it said it was about 10.
These pictures were taken very quickly since we were about to freeze. But at least it wasn't raining, right? Incidentally, this was right before Mikey had his break down. He did remarkably well for two days of walking around in the cold. This was the last night we were there when the wind was blowing the hardest and he just suddenly started screaming. It was so sad. He refused to put gloves on that day so his hands continued to get colder and colder. He wouldn't let us touch them to try and warm them up. He didn't understand why they were hurting and suddenly it just got to him. We ran down into the subway and after cuddling with dad for awhile, he recovered.

(These pictures are out of order) This is the first day when it was cold, but not AS cold as the second. Mikey just quietly said, "burrr" and cuddled with dad to warm up.
Mikey dressed and ready for that dreaded, cold day. Luckily my good friend, Ash, had already for purchased a warm, winter coat for her son for next year that fit Mikey so he was plenty warm (until the aforementioned, hand incident). He has no memory of every having this much clothing on at one time!
Ash and I in her twinner hats getting ready for cold. (It's hard to see because of the black, but I looked like quite the stuffed pig with my belly protruding out of that borrowed skin-tight coat.)

More cities to come...

Water fights already?

Well I only have myself to blame for this. But I didn't think he'd be such a fast learner!

So the other day I was out planting some new flowers in the front yard while Mikey was doing his thing and running around. After I finished I got the hose to water the flowers. Mikey immediately wanted to help so I stood behind him and helped him. He quickly learned how to squeeze the trigger and stood there watering the flowers with me for awhile.
Suddenly he starts to laugh and turns the hose on me! It was actually quite funny and we had fun running around. I let him get me from time to time (and from time to time he would just get me because he seems to be a natural at aiming a water hose.) But I'm wondering if I should be concerned about his devious nature here. His little 22-month-old mind came up with the thought of how funny it would be to spray mama with water all on its own!

Daddy was actually the real victim here. He came home from Lowes for just a minute before needing to head back there. He was in the garage for only a few minutes before Mikey came in and got him good. He wasn't thrilled about having to return to the store like this. (Mama and Mikey laughed, though. Hee hee.)

Yes, I'm showing

I was starting to get questions about whether I was starting to show a lot. The answer is "yes!" It is now unmistakable (which is a good stage to be in--people at least know why I'm fat :) This was taken a few weeks ago when I was just over 5 months. Now I'm closer to 6 months, but I was pushing out my belly quite a bit in the picture so it's probably a pretty good representation of me now.

Mikey has already started to try and wrestle with the kid by trying to jump on my stomach every chance he gets. His brother is definitely a kicker, though, so I think he'll at least have a shot at defending himself. Luckily Mikey seems to have quite the soft spot for babies and is very gentle with them so I have high hopes for at least the initial meeting of baby brother.

Rise and shout, the Cougars are out!

Well it looks like BYU has decided that they, in fact, have NOT had enough of Lance during his undergrad and would like him to attend their Law School in September of 2008. We are very excited as this is really the only school we wanted to go to. Congratulations to Lance! We've missed Utah and are excited to return. Well, actually I have not missed the frigid winters AT ALL, but such is life. I guess we'll have to just go to Hawaii every February, right mom? ;) (Yes, my parents missed my birthday in February on many occasions due to a necessary trip to Hawaii in the middle of winter--it's okay, mom, I've recovered and now I most definitely understand :)