Monday, July 11, 2011

30 weeks pregnant

Holy cow, I can't believe I'm 3/4 of the way done with this pregnancy! It has gone by really fast, much faster than my first pregnancy. I definitely feel very pregnant these days. I have mixed feelings about having this baby. He is very much wanted, but as he was not planned, I was not prepared physically, emotionally or financially before becoming pregnant. Heavenly Father knew I needed something like this to make me stronger and I definitely have become stronger through this process. One of the things I am looking forward to after having this baby is having my body back. I'm not talking about being skinny, although I would love that. I'm talking about after recovery, being able to walk normal again and not being in so much pain all the time. I look forward to meeting him and seeing what he looks like. I'm looking forward to breastfeeding again. I realized how much I missed the bonding experience after I weaned Claire. It's really a special thing. It's also going to be amazing watching Claire interact with him. She is obsessed with babies these days and loves to point out any baby she sees. She calls herself baby and also points to my tummy and says baby. Hopefully she'll keep that same enthusiasm when he makes his grand arrival. I'm scared of having two kids, though. I know that's hardly anything, but the thought still terrifies me. One kid is hard enough without adding another one. And then having to go back to work on top of it all. Plus, I'm really not looking forward to giving up sleep again. When Claire started sleeping through the night, I started feeling so refreshed in the morning and hardly ever have to take a nap during the day. Thankfully, I can still sleep well, although it is a challenge sometimes getting comfortable enough to fall asleep. Sometimes 10 weeks seems like an eternity thinking I have to be uncomfortable for that much longer (and it will only get worse), but other times I can't believe it's only 2 short months and he'll be here! Ready or not, I'm going to be a mom of 2 kids and I will probably have to rely heavily on help from others, especially Heavenly Father for the strength I need to get through this. When all is said and done, I'm grateful for the opportunity to be pregnant and to feel a human growing inside me. I love feeling this baby move and listening to his heartbeat. I love being a part of the miracle of life and assisting Heavenly Father in this great work - the work of bringing spirit children to earth. I know that this calling is so important and that I need to enjoy every minute I can because before I know it, my children will be grown and I will miss them so much. This is where I am meant to be and it is so worth it.

I'm not a huge fan of this picture, but it's the best one I have and it shows you my growing belly

P.S. This is my 300th post!

Thursday, July 7, 2011

Offerings

Claire likes to leave random objects (which I call "offerings") for me in random places. Sometimes, it will be her diaper bag, other times it will be right outside our room. This particular day, she chose my shoes. She's never done it before and hasn't since. But, for some reason, she felt the need to use my shoes. And not just one pair. The first was in the morning and the second was in the evening. Silly girl.

Friday, July 1, 2011

Del Mar Fair

Yes, technically it's called the "San Diego County Fair", but it will always be the "Del Mar Fair" to me. We went a couple weeks ago on $3 Tuesday. I thought it would be really crowded, but it was only crowded as we arrived. It opened at 11:00 and we arrived at the free parking lot at 10:40. By the time we actually got IN to the parking lot, it was 11:00 and then 50 minutes waiting in line for the shuttle to take us to the fair, since we're too cheap to pay $15 to park right outside the gates. So, by the time we were actually inside, it was already noon, but that's ok. We had so much fun! The whole day went by so fast. We started out with a picnic lunch and then looked at the shops, saw the animals (including the pig races and turkey stampede), browsed photography, woodworking and home ecs, watched a little of the Bill Engvall show, bought dinner and of course had to try some more deep-fried food.

I love the fair atmosphere. The weather was cool and overcast, which was absolutely perfect!

Jared and his friend went on rides. They're up there someplace.

At 6 months pregnant, I have a hard time walking, so I rode in a wheelchair most of the day. Seriously, best ride at the fair.

Sweet girl

Claire loved the animals

What's wrong with this picture?

Outside the photography, there was a table with cards and markers to create your own masterpiece and put on the bulletin board so Claire and I decided to add to the creations.

This was an actual display in home ecs. Really?

Claire watching Bill Engvall

Jared got tired, so Claire pushed him in the wheelchair

Ok, the burger looks like a burger, same with the hot dog. But, the cold drinks don't really look thirst-quenching.

It was $2 taste day, so at every booth they had a certain food you could try, which was usually about half the regular portion size. It was really a great deal. I tried the chocolate-covered corn dog, which was... interesting.

My mom and I shared this ice cream cookie sandwich. Oh my goodness - delicious!

You can't go to the fair without trying something deep-fried. Ever since they started with the twinkie (which I tried and is delicious, but artery-clogging), I've tried something new every year. My decision this year?

Deep fried girl scout cookies - thin mints! They were very yummy, but my body took a while to forgive me. It was worth it.

Friday, June 10, 2011

22 Months

I can't believe that in exactly 2 months, my baby girl is gonna turn 2! What?? How is that possible?

She is growing up so fast! As of today, she knows the following words:

mama
dada or da-ey (pronounced like daddy except leaving out the middle d's)
baba (bottle)
bah (ball)
wow (flower)
dah (dog, donkey or duck)
hi
peez (please)
tooh (toes or two)
Pooh
whee
baby/babies
ow
papa (grandpa)
ma (grandma)
touch
shzz (shoes)
kxzz (kiss)
tih (kitty)
cheese

She kind of knows:
book, go, wow and car

She loves to eat just about anything. Except tomatoes. She LOVES bananas, chicken and cheese especially. She'd be totally satisfied if all I fed her was bread. She enjoys pointing out anything that is round and calling it a ball (including oranges and apples.)


She loves all kinds of flowers.


She's a huge fan of her bear blankie and always has to have a stuffed animal with her.


She picks out her own outfit and gets herself dressed every day and LOVES to wear shoes.


She can drink out of a cup and use a fork.


She's very affectionate and loves to cuddle and give hugs and kisses. She adores her Uncle Jared and her Ma and Papa.


She's obsessed with Shrek and can pick it out from a bunch of dvd's if you ask her to.


She is a great big ball of energy who loves to keep mama on her toes.

She can point out her:
hair
ears
nose
eyes
cheeks
mouth
hands
tummy
toes
We're working on knees, elbows and chin


I don't know what I would do without her.

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

2011 Holidays

Ok, so I'm a little behind. I realized that I had barely blogged about any holidays this year. So, today we're playing catch up.


Valentine's Day

Coloring a valentine for her boyfriend at church

She received a princess valentine from her grandpa and step-grandma and she LOVED it


St. Patty's Day

Starting off the day with a nap (and green socks)

Sporting a cool hat

Bangers and mash for dinner

Ending the day with green jammies and an apple


Mother's Day

We received corsages at church

It didn't stay on well, so I put it in a vase instead

We played Apples to Apples after dinner and these were my first 3 cards - way to make me feel great on Mother's Day :)

Lame, little, worthless, revealing, ridiculous... but necessary at the same time (I suppose this may be how mothers feel sometimes)

They made me choose between these to describe "innocent": meatloaf, hostages, charging rhinos, bowling balls and choir boys

Anyway, I'm eternally grateful for this beautiful daughter of God for whom I have been entrusted with caring. I'm grateful for the amazing opportunity I have to be a mom. I love you so much, Claire!

Monday, May 16, 2011

It's a baby!

It's


a


BOY!!!



Now, what am I gonna do with all the pink stuff I have??

Friday, May 13, 2011

Ultrasound

...is scheduled for Monday at 9am!!!

(Yay for Medi-Cal cards coming sooner than expected!)