Friday, November 25, 2011
Ladies' Night
What's the best way to enjoy this awesomely ridiculous little flick?
With about 20 ladies from church and their friends.
We ate lots of dessert before; laughed, oohed, and ahhhed at the movie; gushed over our own Edwards, regretfully admitted the Jacobs of our pasts, and giggled about that first year of marriage.
I love ladies' night.
Yet one more thing to really miss when we move.
Saturday, November 19, 2011
Help
Mac can get out of his crib.
He gets out at least one time each night.
Sometimes two.
He figured it out one day when he was really fighting me over a nap. He sure did not want to do it, and I sure did. I tossed him in and left the room. I hear sobbing, silence, a thump, and then suddenly he is running into my room saying, "I did it! I did it!" Sigh.
So far we just keep putting him back to bed, and trying to explain that he has to stay in there until he sees light outside. But once it hits 5 o'clock, there is no keeping him in bed. At five o'clock either one of us gets in the bed next to his crib, or we give him the iPod and try to get him to leave us alone.
What else do we do?
I assume he's just getting us ready for the baby ... right? Trying to make it less of a shock when we're waking up every hour or two? How very kind.
The problem is, I keep having nightmares that once I get the baby down, Mac will come tip-toeing in, whispering, "All done night-night."
No Mac, no. You have been my best sleeper up to this point ... don't fail me now.
He gets out at least one time each night.
Sometimes two.
He figured it out one day when he was really fighting me over a nap. He sure did not want to do it, and I sure did. I tossed him in and left the room. I hear sobbing, silence, a thump, and then suddenly he is running into my room saying, "I did it! I did it!" Sigh.
So far we just keep putting him back to bed, and trying to explain that he has to stay in there until he sees light outside. But once it hits 5 o'clock, there is no keeping him in bed. At five o'clock either one of us gets in the bed next to his crib, or we give him the iPod and try to get him to leave us alone.
What else do we do?
I assume he's just getting us ready for the baby ... right? Trying to make it less of a shock when we're waking up every hour or two? How very kind.
The problem is, I keep having nightmares that once I get the baby down, Mac will come tip-toeing in, whispering, "All done night-night."
No Mac, no. You have been my best sleeper up to this point ... don't fail me now.
Great With Child
Oh, I am ready to meet this little girl.
I think it is quite common to feel like "it's time" once you've hit those last two weeks.
But I really feel like she could make her appearance at any moment.
My belly has expanded to its maximum. Plenty of stretch marks have appeared (I'm thinking it's partially due to Mac sitting on me all the time), and I can feel her in every part of me. She pushes my ribs and punches my bladder at the same time. My belly rolls like a wiggling water bed ... except it doesn't feel like there's even any room for water in there any more.
My cousin-in-law Annie once told me that she feels like there's a time during pregnancy where people look at you and think, "Oooh, what a cute preggo belly!" And then there comes a point where they think, "Oh poor thing ... you're almost done." I think I'm getting the pity looks more often these days. I gave a prayer in church last week, and when I got up to the front, an audible, "Woah," went throughout the crowd.
The fun thing about this stage is how much you can tell there really is a little person in there, about to make her appearance. The other night Mark was attempting to work out that darn muscle in my lower abdomen that has been a problem throughout most of this pregnancy ... and he stopped. "Wait," he said, "That's her head I'm pushing on. That's at least two inches lower than she normally is. Do you feel like she's dropped?" Suddenly the burning sensation in the skin of the top half of my belly made sense, along with the progression of pain in my pelvic bones from crumbling to piercing. He then moved up my belly and showed me each little body part. "Here are her shoulders. There's her spine. And a little bum ... there's a foot ..." And she immediately moved it across my body, causing my belly to take on plateau-form. He chased her foot around for a bit, and she responded to every touch.
I love that Mark knows these things. It has been so nice to have him be a chiropractor during this pregnancy.
My doctor has confirmed that I definitely have dropped, that the baby is in a great position, and that she will definitely be bigger than Mac's 6 pounds 7 ounces. "But you are tall and strong," he tells me in his thick Japanese accent, "you will be fine. Easy birth." I really do like my doctor.
And I really do feel completely confident with this birth. It must be a combo of this being my second rodeo and all my doula training ... but I don't feel one bit of the anticipation I was completely riddled with before Mac came around. Perhaps that will change once the real contractions start ...
I've had those braxton-hicks contractions since I was around four months along, but now they hurt. The trick with labor is to ignore it till you just can't take it any more, but I've got to call my mom once things start up so she can hop on the next plane ... we're hoping she'll get here before I need to go to the hospital so she can take care of Mac.
It will all work out, right?
It will.
 |
| And ... this was taken about two weeks ago. I've gotten a bit bigger, but I rarely wear anything besides sweats these days, so I haven't taken a picture. |
But I really feel like she could make her appearance at any moment.
My belly has expanded to its maximum. Plenty of stretch marks have appeared (I'm thinking it's partially due to Mac sitting on me all the time), and I can feel her in every part of me. She pushes my ribs and punches my bladder at the same time. My belly rolls like a wiggling water bed ... except it doesn't feel like there's even any room for water in there any more.
My cousin-in-law Annie once told me that she feels like there's a time during pregnancy where people look at you and think, "Oooh, what a cute preggo belly!" And then there comes a point where they think, "Oh poor thing ... you're almost done." I think I'm getting the pity looks more often these days. I gave a prayer in church last week, and when I got up to the front, an audible, "Woah," went throughout the crowd.
The fun thing about this stage is how much you can tell there really is a little person in there, about to make her appearance. The other night Mark was attempting to work out that darn muscle in my lower abdomen that has been a problem throughout most of this pregnancy ... and he stopped. "Wait," he said, "That's her head I'm pushing on. That's at least two inches lower than she normally is. Do you feel like she's dropped?" Suddenly the burning sensation in the skin of the top half of my belly made sense, along with the progression of pain in my pelvic bones from crumbling to piercing. He then moved up my belly and showed me each little body part. "Here are her shoulders. There's her spine. And a little bum ... there's a foot ..." And she immediately moved it across my body, causing my belly to take on plateau-form. He chased her foot around for a bit, and she responded to every touch.
I love that Mark knows these things. It has been so nice to have him be a chiropractor during this pregnancy.
My doctor has confirmed that I definitely have dropped, that the baby is in a great position, and that she will definitely be bigger than Mac's 6 pounds 7 ounces. "But you are tall and strong," he tells me in his thick Japanese accent, "you will be fine. Easy birth." I really do like my doctor.
And I really do feel completely confident with this birth. It must be a combo of this being my second rodeo and all my doula training ... but I don't feel one bit of the anticipation I was completely riddled with before Mac came around. Perhaps that will change once the real contractions start ...
I've had those braxton-hicks contractions since I was around four months along, but now they hurt. The trick with labor is to ignore it till you just can't take it any more, but I've got to call my mom once things start up so she can hop on the next plane ... we're hoping she'll get here before I need to go to the hospital so she can take care of Mac.
It will all work out, right?
It will.
Momentous.
See this face?
This is the face of a man who's been taking tests for the past 22 years ...
And he just finished his last one.
Nice work, my dear. Good bye student loans, good bye homework, good bye inability to make any money .... hopefully.
Now we are prepping to move on into the real world. Oh the joys of becoming a small business owner ... anyone need an adjustment?
And he just finished his last one.
Nice work, my dear. Good bye student loans, good bye homework, good bye inability to make any money .... hopefully.
Now we are prepping to move on into the real world. Oh the joys of becoming a small business owner ... anyone need an adjustment?
Sunday, November 13, 2011
Injun Mac
In Utah, dark-haired people stand out. All my life there I was frequently asked "what" I was. My answer was always: "Native American." But then I usually added: "And Scottish and Welsch." People always nodded and replied with, "Of course, I can definitely see the Indian!" What I failed to tell them was that I was only about 1/32 Native American ... and it came from my light-haired, blue-eyed mother's side. The Welsch and Scottish blood was quite a bit thicker. But that Pocahontas obsession I had as a kid seemed to leave a lasting impression on me, and I told people that throughout high school as well.
It appears that that microscopic bit of Indian blood has been passed on to my son, however. Though his hair isn't dark enough for anyone to be curious about "what" he is, the second he opens his mouth you'll hear it. Mac speaks just like the stereo-typical, cartoon version of the Native American. Please read the following sayings in a gruff, staccato voice and you'll get it:
Of course I don't want him to be talking like this in high school ... but it's a little bit precious. I don't want him to grow out of it for a while.
It appears that that microscopic bit of Indian blood has been passed on to my son, however. Though his hair isn't dark enough for anyone to be curious about "what" he is, the second he opens his mouth you'll hear it. Mac speaks just like the stereo-typical, cartoon version of the Native American. Please read the following sayings in a gruff, staccato voice and you'll get it:
- "Dad. Hit ball."
- "I throw. Big big rock!"
- "Mommy. Cracker, Mac. Please"
- "Blocks. Now. Big big tower. Up high. Boom! Fall down."
Of course I don't want him to be talking like this in high school ... but it's a little bit precious. I don't want him to grow out of it for a while.
Friday, November 11, 2011
The Sad Part
We're moving soon.
And I am really going to miss this.
Utah has lots of wonderful things, but it certainly can't replace the awesome people we've met here.
Or the beach on a "chilly" Tuesday, when nobody is around.
And I am really going to miss this.
Or the beach on a "chilly" Tuesday, when nobody is around.
Beautiful Utah
We made yet another trip to Utah in our attempt to nail down our future.
It was so nice.
Matt and Danika took us in, even though they had close to no heads up. We had a great time. Mac was so excited he couldn't sleep at night. He would wake up every two hours saying, "Friends! Play toys! Night night all done!"
We talked, played, watched a cow be slaughtered across the street (on Halloween day ... very festive), went out to dinner, and took a lovely little walk through Zion National Park.
Matt and Danika were so very good to take us in, feed us, entertain us, and even show us some sweet neighborhoods close by ... those home prices are sure tantalizing ...
It was so nice.
Matt and Danika took us in, even though they had close to no heads up. We had a great time. Mac was so excited he couldn't sleep at night. He would wake up every two hours saying, "Friends! Play toys! Night night all done!"
We talked, played, watched a cow be slaughtered across the street (on Halloween day ... very festive), went out to dinner, and took a lovely little walk through Zion National Park.
 |
| Surprise! We threw rocks. I particularly love this picture because of Olive in the background. Danika spent the whole time in this area snatching her out of the water. |
Trick or Treat
He got it.
Mac finally got it!
Apparently the trick is to head off to Utah where there are some really neat cousins to show him the ropes.
After each house he would turn around and yell, "Candies!" Got a laugh out of the homeowner 90% of the time.
Mark opened one little bag of Mike and Ikes to coax him on to the next house. Mac tried to sit and eat each piece of candy as it was given to him.
Mark and I took the littles home after a block so the older ones could race from home to home a gather loot a bit more efficiently.
Thank you Matt and Danika, for letting us join in on your holiday festivities!
We are very excited to live closer to family.
Mac finally got it!
Apparently the trick is to head off to Utah where there are some really neat cousins to show him the ropes.
We are very excited to live closer to family.
2011 Jack-o-lanterns
Our pumpkins creations were slightly bland this year ...
We spent most of our time making and eating calzones.
They were divine.
But of course, we can't break tradition ... and although Mac wasn't as into it as he was last year, it was still fun.
Oh, and take note ... pumpkins mold significantly faster in a humid environment. Don't leave them out while you go on a trip to Utah. You will come back to a porch-full of bug-infested pumpkin soup.
We spent most of our time making and eating calzones.
They were divine.
But of course, we can't break tradition ... and although Mac wasn't as into it as he was last year, it was still fun.
 |
| The best part was pulling off the top. I'll bet sister liked it too. |
 |
| This is probably the reason the boys weren't that into carving pumpkins. What could possibly top it? |
Friday, November 4, 2011
Sunday, October 23, 2011
Grown Up's Costume Party
Our bunch of same-aged people from our ward get together every year for a costume party.
This one was fantastic.
The Maughn's put it on, and they went all out. The front was intensely decorated; you had to walk through a smoke-filled spook alley to get through the front door. (Nobody attempted to spook us when we walked through ... I guess they were more scared of me and my I'm-about-ready-to-go-into-labor look.) The bathroom was covered in spider webs, bugs, jars of creepy dead rats, and bloody rags. I loved their attention to detail!
We then talked, ate, voted on costumes, and took very official pictures. (Mark loved getting so many shots of his undies.)
And here we have all the costume contest winners. Mark and I took "Most Original" yet again. Hopefully Mark has plenty more award-winning childhood memories that we can turn into costumes for years to come.
After this, all of us duty-bound to put our children to bed had to take off. Those fortunate enough to have theirs in bed or or none at all stuck around and played games till midnight or so ... I was told.
I sure hope every ward we live in does this.
This one was fantastic.
The Maughn's put it on, and they went all out. The front was intensely decorated; you had to walk through a smoke-filled spook alley to get through the front door. (Nobody attempted to spook us when we walked through ... I guess they were more scared of me and my I'm-about-ready-to-go-into-labor look.) The bathroom was covered in spider webs, bugs, jars of creepy dead rats, and bloody rags. I loved their attention to detail!
We then talked, ate, voted on costumes, and took very official pictures. (Mark loved getting so many shots of his undies.)
 |
| Greeks, Gnomes, and Where's Waldo |
 |
| Homeboy and his homegirl ... so funny. |
 |
| Biggest Loser! |
 |
| Waldo and Wenda |
 |
| Garden Gnomes! |
 |
| Napoleon and Deb! |
After this, all of us duty-bound to put our children to bed had to take off. Those fortunate enough to have theirs in bed or or none at all stuck around and played games till midnight or so ... I was told.
I sure hope every ward we live in does this.
Prepare Yourself ...
This could really gross you out.
But at the same time, it's so incredibly awesome ... don't you think?
I got the idea from this website (found on Pinterest, of course), but made a few changes. In case you are feeling brave and iron-stomached, here's what you do:
1. Buy a skull, and get it EARLY. No stores had any of the cheap Styrofoam ones by the time I got around to doing this. I ended up with a red candle. More expensive.
2. In an effort to save my expensive red skull candle for future use, I wrapped it in tin foil.
3. I then coated it in cream cheese. I ended up using three blocks. It was kinda fun ... it molds just like clay would.
4. Add some eyes. You can use hard boiled eggs and olives, or you can cheat and buy eyeballs from the dollar store. Mold the cream cheese around them.
5. I could not figure out how to make the teeth stand out, so I just ended up cutting the tin foil off from around the mouth so you could see the candle's nasty red ones.
6. Add some delicious raspberry-flavored salsa. I've heard of one from Costco that is divine ... but I don't have a Costco card and so settled for a Target-version. It wasn't as tasty as I was hoping it would be.
But the effect is quite disgusting.
I'm usually pretty anti-gore ... but I won't lie, this was kind of fun to do.
But at the same time, it's so incredibly awesome ... don't you think?
1. Buy a skull, and get it EARLY. No stores had any of the cheap Styrofoam ones by the time I got around to doing this. I ended up with a red candle. More expensive.
2. In an effort to save my expensive red skull candle for future use, I wrapped it in tin foil.
4. Add some eyes. You can use hard boiled eggs and olives, or you can cheat and buy eyeballs from the dollar store. Mold the cream cheese around them.
5. I could not figure out how to make the teeth stand out, so I just ended up cutting the tin foil off from around the mouth so you could see the candle's nasty red ones.
I'm usually pretty anti-gore ... but I won't lie, this was kind of fun to do.
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