What's In a Name?

Dear Grandma and Grandpa,

Kinley wants to know if you got her Daddy's name "Justin" from a knock-knock joke on the Doodlebops?

Playful Little Boy

Credits: Background paper from "Vintage Dreams Retro" kit by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs. Brown paper from "Pink Chocolate" kit by Michelle Coleman. Hand Stamp Alpha stamp also by Michelle Coleman. All other papers from Little Dreamer Designs and Sweet Shoppe Design Charity Collab kit "Stand Up" to benefit "The Alliance for Climate Protection". Font is Pea Carrie.

Nuh-uh

Yeah, so Tanner appears to have some sort of stomach flu. I assumed that it was the same bug that our entire street has already had, but I'm not sure anymore. He threw up 6 times throughout Tuesday night, which sounded right on target. Yesterday I thought the active portion of the illness had passed, so I took him to the Post Office, where he threw up again. Embarassing for me and sad for the little guy, but better than in my van, right??

He didn't want to eat or drink anything yesterday, he took a 3 and half hour nap, then asked to go to bed early. He slept like a rock for 12 hours last night, came into my bathroom to say good morning, and threw up all over my bathroom. He was lethargic and weak and sad yesterday, didn't make a peep the entire day. Today the Pampered Prince has figured out that I'll come running (not a fun or pretty sight) if he makes a certain desperate squeal. I've been sacking out on the couch next to him reading a book while he watches Cars. Much easier than folding laundry upstairs and trying to navigate the stairs every 5 minutes. Besides, I'd rather read a book than fold laundry anyway. He's yelled at me all morning:

Tanner: Aaaaaack!!!
Mommy: What's wrong? Are you going to throw up?
Tanner: No!
Mommy: Then why are you crying and screaming?
Tanner: I don't know! Aaaaack!

Clearly he still doesn't feel well.

At least I can see the very obvious blessings that need to be counted in this situation. Aside from the Post Office incident, Justin has been home for every single bit of vomit and has taken care of it. As bad as it was getting up all night long two nights ago (especially right on the heels of the two previous nights), I quite literally can't imagine what I would have done if it had happened during the day when Justin is at work. He was the bed changing, laundry running, child stripping, sanitizing Super Dad. My job throughout the night was to bathe Tanner (after Justin put him in the tub) and get him dressed in clean pajamas (after Justin got him out and put him on the bed where I could reach him most easily.) Even this morning, Justin was unusually tired and slept in (which almost never happens). He was putting on his shoes, ready to head out the door, when Tanner made his grand entrance. Justin cleaned up the mess before going to work. So grateful for small blessings.

So, it's been a colorful Halloween Week to be sure. PS, I'm SO not praying for perspective or gratitude again anytime soon. I usually know better... And the next time I have a bad feeling about sending Tanner to nursery (and by that I mean worse than the usual yucky germy nursery feelings that I always have), I think I might just follow that prompting.

Inquiring Minds and Miracle Magnesium

I just know you are breathlessly awaiting the most recent update on our emergency family flotation device, more generally known as my body. Right? Just kidding :) Anyway, thank you so much for your concerned emails, comments, phone calls and prayers. I am happy to say that things are vastly improved on that front.

It may be too early to declare it a total and lasting success, but ever since I started taking the magnesium supplement that I picked up from the health food store yesterday, my contractions have actually been weaker and farther apart than they have been in months. I certainly wasn't expecting such a dramatic and quick response, so we'll just wait and see if it holds, which I'm inclined to think (and definitely hope) it just might. I even rolled over a few times in the night without a contraction at all, and I can't remember the last time that happened. They haven't entirely disappeared, but they have markedly improved. (FYI, Magnesium Sulfate is what they would have pumped me full of in freakishly high doses in an IV drip at the hospital to stop the contractions, had I made that midnight run the other night, so the low-dose supplement recommendation made sense.) I still keep up on the lavender belly rubs and between the two, I hope to avoid total bedrest and whatever medication with an unspellable name Dr. A. had in mind for me down the road. He didn't even really want to put me on it unless he had to, so maybe it won't be necessary! Yay!

Well, the garage door just opened. Justin is home; time for tacos!

And So It Goes

What an interesting and eventful week this is turning out to be! Last night we had another episode, more intense, more frightening. After a very very mellow, lazy, well-hydrated day, the zealous contractions reappeared late in the evening. I was really surprised. They hit with a vengeance, revving up very quickly to 3 minutes apart, very strong. I thought "oh, here we go again."

Even though I didn't feel especially dehydrated, I drank a ton and climbed back into the tub. 45-60 minutes later Justin asked how things were settling. They weren't. Still 3 minutes apart, still pretty firm. We fretted for a while longer. I got out, we hashed out what to do, weighing our options, thinking what I should pack to take to the hospital.

He gave me a priesthood blessing to help with the contractions and to help us decide what to do and when to pull the trigger on getting a sitter and heading in for a long night in the labor and delivery unit. After the blessing he asked me if we had any of my "magic oils" to help. He doesn't usually put much stock in my quackery, but he was pretty desperate and concerned last night. We looked in my reference guide and I happened to be out of lavender, the one that might have helped. BUT my sister Courtney just sent me a package of oils, originally from my mom, that I hadn't opened yet. Voila!! Save the day! We rubbed it all over my belly and set Justin to rubbing my feet; within a short amount of time things started easing up.

The whole drama lasted just under 2 hours. Don't worry and don't scold; we weren't going to hang out much longer at the house. I've already been mildly chastised by my doctor this afternoon (as anticipated). He said I did everything exactly right, but next time I'm not to wait longer than an hour before moving out the door.

So today everything is back to normal, whatever that is. I still have an above average number of contractions (or "distractions", as Kinley calls them), but they seem to be "normal for me". They are varying degrees of intensity (though most are fairly mild), as they have been for many many weeks. I've never paid much attention to them before since I get them every time I stand up, sneeze, bend over, roll over in bed (you get the idea), but that has changed, as you can imagine. Every one of them makes me just a little more nervous than they did a week ago. They totally grab my attention now.

I always (apparently erroneously) assumed that if I took things pretty easy and stayed reasonably hydrated, that preterm labor wouldn't even be an issue. My kids weren't even home for most of yesterday and I spent a lot of time in bed. It was a seriously relaxed day. And still the contractions came...

So, I guess I take it easier now, laugh laugh? My doctor predicts bedrest and possible medication in a few weeks. Nice.

Perspective

It's interesting how the Lord helps us achieve perspective through our trials. For me, it's rarely in ways that I would choose, but always in the most effective ways. Last night was a very long night. Over the weekend I managed to get very dehydrated, which I know is a big no-no, but sometimes I just get so distracted that I forget to drink. Then it's so close to bedtime when I realize how parched I am that I don't want to guzzle a gallon of water and then be up taking a million trips to the bathroom all night.

Next time I choose the million trips to the bathroom all night. Better yet, I'm returning to my daytime hydration vigilance. If I don't, Justin will be all over my case, which tends to get really aggravating...

Short story, my usual semi-bothersome contractions took a pretty intense turn in the middle of the night. The truth is that my body is a mass of aches and pains right now, so it would be really hard to pinpoint something that says "race to the hospital! This is an emergency!" But the contractions started coming much stronger and much closer together. I couldn't sleep through them. Then I started feeling very crampy all over my stomach, my back started hurting (more than usual) and my legs started hurting pretty intensely. I was so tired, but the anxiety won out once that nonsense started happening. Around 3:00 I got out of bed, drank as much water as my stomach would hold, and climbed into the hot bath for an hour and a half, where I continued to drink more water. The contractions began to slow and detensify after about 15 minutes, but it took almost 2 hours until everything was fully settled back down again. Suffice it to say that there was a lot of pleading with the Lord that the episode would turn around and not continue down a path that would lead to the birth of two super-small babies.

I have spent more than a few moments lately crying about how tired I am and how sore I am, fantasizing about the mom I used to be a mere 6 months ago, chanting "10 more weeks, 10 more weeks to 36". Not every day is like that, but they are getting more frequent as we head into the 3rd trimester. On my good days I tend to overexert, resulting in several sketchy days in a row. But the perspective came last night. "Would you rather be miserable for another 10-12 weeks or have your babies born today?" Well... when you put it that way! That's an easy call. Let's keep them baking a while longer and try to have a better attitude.

For a Laugh Comparison

Ahem, this picture is posted for a laugh at the comparison. This was taken 10 days before delivering Tanner.

Baby Update 25 Weeks

Go ahead. You can totally say it. Yikes!!

It's a magnificent 47 inches, don't you think? I've put on another 2 inches in the last month around my belly, but no new weight. Which is totally ok with me, since I'm already 15 pounds over my usual delivery weight...

I am completely out of all maternity clothes that I ever wore with Kinley or Tanner, I have gained some new stretch marks in the last few weeks as I continue to expand beyond what I've ever previously experienced, and I'm a champion waddler. I had another ultrasound of the little critters today. I am so in love with these little boys! For the last few weeks they have been out of their frantic movement stage and have progressed into the firm and fun stage, the one where I don't get quite so car sick. Kinley can now fully experience their bumps and shimmies as they bang around in there. She loves it! They are even strong enough to see their bumps from the outside when they really get going.

They are growing perfectly, right on target. I was concerned that the contractions I've been having and the violent coughing fits I experience might have done some damage to the placenta or the cervix, but such is not the case. Tight as a drum, perfect condition. After watching me move and shift with great difficulty, he did, however, shake his head and make the comment (3 times) that he doesn't know how I'm going to do this all the way to the end. Dang it, I was hoping he was going to give me some ideas!

Here is a fresh picture of one of our sons! We can only ever get one to fully cooperate for a profile shot every month. Oh well! Anyway, 11 more weeks to my goal of 36 weeks!!

Leapster Diva

After all the hard work she put into learning how to read, we thought it appropriate to get her some "Brain Candy". She is absolutely thrilled beyond description to be the proud owner of a brand new Leapster2! She's been very adamant for months that it be the pink and purple one only. Her wish, my command; she has the Leapster of her dreams :) I can't tell you how proud I am of her!!

Hallelujah!! She's a Reader!

We did it! Hallelujah!! One project finally off my plate. At long last, Kinley and I have finished the book Teach Your Child To Read in 100 Easy Lessons. What an amazing book; thank you SO MUCH for the recommendation, Heather B! Theoretically it could/should have taken us 100 days. Alas, we got derailed and distracted so many times, that it took us closer to 600 days, but who cares!! We finished! She's a proud, excited and semi-independent little reader now! She can read simple books to her brother and I'm so excited that she is continuing the grand family bookworm tradition!

I know it's not necessary to teach your child to read before they start school, but if you have any desire or inclination to do so, this is an amazing, comprehensive resource. No supplies are needed except this book (less than $20) and some time together with your child. You read what's written in pink, they read what's in black. 15-30 minute lessons. It's absolutely astounding and I feel so blessed to have been introduced to it. In fact, if you're a neighbor, I don't mind loaning it out.

Let me show you the final story/lesson in the book to let you see how far she has come. Keep in mind that she started without knowing a single letter or sound:

Hunting for Tigers -- Part 2
An old man was shooting at a tiger.

The Tiger sat down and started to sing. The old man shot. This shot hit a rock. A bug was in back of that rock. "Stop making this rock jump," the bug shouted.

But the old man did not stop shooting. The man shot a hold in the sand. An ant said, "Thank You. That is a good ant hole."

The Tiger kept singing and the man kept shooting. Then the man stopped. He said, "I am out of shots. So I must stop hunting."

The tiger came over and licked the old man on the nose. The old man said, "you can not do that. Tigers do not lick. They bite."

The tiger said, "Not this tiger. I am a tame tiger." Then the tiger said, "I love to lick noses and I love to sing."

The old man said, "I must get out of here. But I can not see. So I can not find my house."
The tiger said, "I will take you home if you give me a good coat."

So now the tiger has a tiger coat and a coat from the old man. And the old man has no coats.

**Kinley is very excited about this blog post. She has worked very diligently and has put in a lot of effort to complete this program. If you leave her a comment, I will read it to her :)

I'll post pictures later of her enjoying her much-anticipated reward!!

Potty Training ROCKS!!!

I have to record this before the streak is broken. This is my kind of potty training! When we tried this a month ago, I was ready to flush Tanner down the toilet. Justin may have received some expletive-laced emails and phone calls during those few days from one over-the-top exasperated potty trainer. I'm just saying. Having it be Tanner's idea this time is waaaaaaay cool. Even much easier than potty training Kinley. Granted, the concept and skill was learned a month ago, but he needed time to process it and own the decision.

Like I said, I need to record this before the streak is broken. He had one accident on Sunday afternoon. And he has been completely dry day and night ever since!! He still hasn't pooped in the toilet, but I remember Kinley taking so much longer to get that concept. He's a once-a-dayer, so it's hard to catch that magical moment. But I can't believe he's even staying dry at night and during naps three days running! How long can this possibly last???!! (Probably as long as the Match Box cars and m&m's keep coming his way...)

I definitely count this as a "tender mercy"!

How Many Babies Are In There, Anyway?

Getting bedtime belly kisses from Tanner:

Tanner: Mommy, where is Baby A?

(point, get a kiss on the belly)

Tanner: Where is Baby B?

(point, another kiss)

Tanner: Where is Baby H?

Yikes!!! Shiver, shiver...

What Kind of Blogger Are You?

This was a quick 4-question test which is supposed to let me know what type of blogger I am. I chuckled at the result; I happen to think it's probably accurate. What type of blogger are YOU?

Your Blogging Type is Unique and Avant-Garde

You're a bit ... unusual. And so is your blog. You're impulsive, and you'll often post the first thing that pops in your head. Completely uncensored, your blog tends to shock... even though that's not your intent. You tend to change your blog often, experimenting with new designs and content.

What's Your Blogging Personality?

Still Dry!

This is more for my own documentation and journaling than your amusement, sorry. But Tanner has been dry all day!! He woke up this morning totally dry and went potty right away, first thing. Then he woke up from his nap this afternoon totally dry and went potty right away again!!! We're making P-R-O-G-R-E-S-S!! He's been peeing in the potty all day long, all with his own initiation!! It seems (as is so often the case with my kids and husband) that I needed to let it be his idea. If he smelled its importance to me, I was doomed. Thank you, natural pregnancy apathy and ambivalence! You saved the day!

Speaking of my beloved thinner half, Justin has become my rock. He's always been a little on the firm side that way, but I think he's sensed lately that if he doesn't hold things together in our family, no one is going to. He cleaned most of the weekend, did some of the cooking, all of the disciplining, laundry, bathing, and traffic directing. He took the kids out for more than 3 hours on Saturday, gave me a back rub during Indiana Jones, and slept on the too-small couch the whole weekend so that I could hack in my comfortable bed alone.

I'm grateful for priesthood blessings and for having a husband who is able to give them to me when I need them. When I hit the wall and just get so overwhelmed with being fat, being sick, peeing in my pants because I'm coughing so much, not leaving my house for a week, not sleeping, being uncomfortable, not being able to pick up stuff off the floor, not wanting to face the dishes, not wanting to cook, not wanting to eat, feeling like an unplugged mother, missing scrapbooking, feeling guilty about missing scrapbooking when I'm so behind on everything else, worrying about all the contractions I'm having, hating the sound of my screaming at my kids, not drinking enough and not wanting to drink more because it makes me pee, potty training, letting my companion do all the visiting teaching for 6 months, doing all of Kinley's weekly homework with her at 7:30 pm on Sunday night, wondering if I'll ever emotionally feel like myself again, knowing I could do better if I just tried harder, etc... he has become really good (after some ugly trial and error a few months back) at just sending me upstairs to take a bath and then holding me and reminding me that I'd rather do this than cross the plains in a handcart :) Ok, fine, so he's reluctant to hold me on his lap these days, but I can't blame him for that. Yesterday was one of those days. Today, thankfully, is not. After a priesthood blessing and a few long-lost hours of sleep, I feel rejuvenated. I'm so glad I asked for a blessing; I very nearly didn't. I can do this. I think. No, I can do this :) Tanner and I had Mommy/Tanner bonding this morning, Kinley and I read for 90 minutes together this afternoon (let's not count my little snooze), I'm showered and dressed, the kitchen is clean, and we will live to fight another day.

Um... hmmm... this turned into a different post than I had planned... oh well. Yay for Tanner being dry all day!!

Busted

Sometimes I really feel like I've got a 15 year old living in my house.

Mommy: Kinley, why don't you read that story to me again.

Kinley: Again? You didn't hear it the first time because you were sleeping.

Mommy: I wasn't sleeping. I was listening and 'resting my eyes'.

Kinley: Yeah, Mommy. And snoring.

Mommy: Oh... Sorry.

Oops.

I Guess They Are Both Brown

Tanner: Mommy, I ha some chocolate milk please?

Mommy (pouring the starter white milk into the cup): Sure, come here and you can have some.

Tanner: That's not chocolate milk!! That's white milk!!

Mommy: Don't worry! Watch; here is the chocolate powder that makes it all yummy and chocolatey. Mmmm..... chocolate milk!

Tanner: uh, Mommy? You put poop in my chocolate milk???

Crazy Hair Day

In honor of Say No To Drugs week (or whatever it's called at our school), today is Crazy Hair Day. I dutifully beautified my angel with 9 teased out pony tails. I considered spraying them pink with halloween hair spray, but resisted because her hair is so blond and I've always been afraid it would stain. Kinley was thrilled to pieces. Alas, I took her to the bus stop and she was the only one out of 15-20 kids at the bus stop with crazy hair. Niiiiiiiice. (Ok, there was one 6th grader with green paint in her hair, but that could have just been her normal Monday routine for all I know...)

I hope more kids at school dress up! Kinley will always participate (if she wants to, which I imagine she will) in these silly things because I have issues. I'll always get up early to prepare her for crazy hair day, just like she'll always have valentines for the school party and she'll always have normal milk money. And by "normal" milk/lunch money, I do not not not mean Susan B. Anthony silver dollars. Do you have any idea how many lunch ladies I had to argue with about those dollars over the years? How many lunch lines came to a screeching halt when I got to the front of the line? "No, that's a dollar, not quarter. Yes, it's real money. No, it's not Canadian. No, really, it's not a quarter." Dad, I feel certain that there was a point to that particular eccentricity we endured, one that must be more important than just making sure we had an adolescence filled with public humiliation, but for the life of me, I can't figure this one out!!! Why the dollars, Dad?? WHY?? WWWWHHHYYYY???

Today Is The Day... I Guess

Um, so... Tanner decided this morning that he is done with my ambivalence and lack of support. He decided that he is done with diapers! YIKES!!! He's gone to the potty 3 times on his own (ok, fine, I have to put him on the toilet, but he's initiating the trips, which is huge) and he's been totally dry all day. I was up all night last night with my nasty congested cough and bad attitude, so this wasn't the best morning to restart this, but let's be honest, when is a good time to potty train???

We started this process over a month ago, when this really hot guy I know Justin offered me cold hard cash some incentives to get the job done. I had planned on considered waiting until the spring, but the thought of changing three butts for all those months all by myself gave me the heebie jeebies. My commitment waned after a few days of lifting him onto the potty 30+ times every morning and still having accidents. He started to do really really well after those few days, but life got in the way. Now Tanner is taking matters into his own hands no pun intended. Out of the blue, he walked into my room this morning and announced that he was going to use the potty from now on. We'll see how long this enthusiasm lasts! And hey, if I only have to take him to the toilet when he really has to go, I'm mostly ok with that!

He's still in pull-ups because he's never actually pooped in the potty. But he has the greatest collection of character underoos you've ever seen waiting for him...

Fresh Pages

Here we are, still lingering with this annoying cold. It's getting better though. I slept in bed the whole night last night (first time in a week), which helped. I've been on the Lazy Boy (not comfy) or the couch (even less comfy) since last Saturday night. Justin took a turn on the couch last night while I propped myself up on pillows in bed and hacked in solitude. Kinley is long since recovered and the men of the house never even got a sniffle (knock on wood).

I think my immune system is just completely shot. It seems that pregnant people take 2-3 times longer to get over simple illnesses as regular folk. I seem to have nothing left in the reserves for healing! While I'm not exactly healthy, I am definitely improved. I had some generous, inspired, and occasionally sneaky little neighbors who brought food over this week, which I'm positive contributed to my healing! I haven't had a fever in more than 24 hours and overall I feel much, much more human. The cold medicine hasn't helped as much as I had hoped. Jeesh, if I'm going to suffer the anxiety and guilt of taking cold medicine when I'm pregnant, at least it could work, for crying out loud!!

So, Justin took the kids out this morning to some random park across town, then to McDonald's for lunch, then to Blockbuster to pick up a movie, and then to the store to pick up the groceries. They were pleasantly worn out when they returned and are now napping (all of them). I actually had time to miss them while they were gone. Kinley and Tanner had major cabin fever (great time to have a 4 day weekend from school... NOT). While they were gone I made some more pages. Very invigorating. Are they so pretty?? I'm going to go join the rest of my family in an afternoon nap now. Credits: Beige paper for main background from "Being Me" kit by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Font is "Pea Courtney". All other papers and elements from "Seeing Stars" kit by Heidi Williams of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Stitching by Racketty Scrappety, included in template.
Credits: Pin from "Girly Grunge" by Lisa Majewski; Doodle from "Seeing Stars" kit by Heidi Williams of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Stitching by Racketty Scrappety, included in template. All papers from Sweet Chic kit by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs.

Broken Fishbowl

Tanner: Mama, what's dat?

Mommy: A humidifier

Tanner: But it's broken. I don't see any fishies in dare!

Scrapping As Therapy

I haven't been able to scrapbook at all, since June. Today I powered up the old PhotoShop Elements to see if I still had it in me to make a page or two. Due to lack of energy and time, I used a template that I made a long time ago, one that I hadn't ever made anything with or finished (or posted, if you're a Racketty Scrappety fan). I made three pages out of it and it felt so refreshing. I have really missed scrapbooking for the last 4 months. It was such a part of my identity and such a source of pleasure! Credits: "Beautiful Journey" kit (including word art) by Michelle Coleman of Little Dreamer Designs
Credits: "A Wildflower Holiday" by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design
Credits: Font is Batik Regular. Blue polka paper is from "Doing the Polka" set by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflowers Design. Striped overlay on red paper from "Painting a Dream" set by Gina Marie Huff of Weeds and Wildflower Design. All other papers and photo corner piece from "Tag Sale" kit by Tracy Collins.

Factor Talking Points

We're big fans of The Factor around here. I managed to watch these Talking Points last night 3 times (yes, once in the middle of the night because I was hacking up a lung anyway). I don't like to get too political on my blog, but I felt this was so spot on, I couldn't resist posting.

Coin Question

While holding up a quarter she found under a couch cushion and pointing to George Washington on its face:

Kinley: Mommy, is this the Prophet Frankenstein?

What? Boy, oh boy, did that precipitate a lengthy discussion... where did I go so wrong? And where did she hear about Frankenstein?

New Cousins

I am a little behind on my Bradshaw baby welcomings! We want to give a shout out to welcome baby Ellie M. on August 30th, daughter of Danny and Mardie.And a shout out to welcome Karlee Ann, who made her debut this last weekend, daughter of Matt and Kim. We're getting pretty flush with cousins, all at once!

Sick Sick...

Kinley and I have been enjoying the excitement of our first cold of the season, a creepy illness which continues to become more and more horrendous as time goes on. For both of us, it started off very innocently and has evolved into sustained misery. I kept Kinley home from school yesterday and was glad that I did because she had deteriorated into an icky little blob by the time the morning was over. She still feels miserable and she looks very gross. Her swollen eyes look like (as my mom used to say) "two little piss-holes in the snow." I almost wonder if it's two separate illnesses that we have gotten back to back, because I could swear we were both on the mend before we took a nosedive.

I dread the thought of Tanner or Justin contracting this plague. We're in quarantine for now, not that we feel much like getting up and out. Justin stayed home yesterday to take care of us and help get through the mountain of laundry that has been steadily building lately. He was extremely helpful. He even made an unprecedented trip to the library to pick up books that were on hold for me. That's big.

So, wah, wah. That is the state of affairs around here. Welcome to autumn!

Feel The Love

Kinley (while attempting to wrap her arms around my tummy): Mommy, I forgot to tell you this morning that you are the best mommy in the whole world. And... even if you are big and fat, you are still pretty.

Awwww, shucks.

First Tooth Lost!

One down, three more to go! We wiggled out Kinley's first baby tooth this morning. Mommy reached in and gave it the final yank, to Kinley's simultaneous excitement and horror! After it stopped bleeding, her biggest concern was that there was already a big tooth fully in her mouth, ready to take it's place. She thought that would diminish the impact of the gappy-ness. I assured her she was perfectly gappy, even with the shark tooth coming in behind.
Little brother wanted to see what all the fuss was about, especially when he heard Kinley say, "there is still a little bit of blood on it." Tanner isn't one to miss out on gratuitous gore, if it can be helped.

Tanner's Big Weekend

Tanner turned 3 years old this weekend! It's been a busy week, capped off with a a crazily busy weekend! Earlier in the week we spent some time with our Grover cousins, down from Rexburg, as well as our Bradshaw cousins who live close by. I have no pictures of these rendez-vous because I was content to sit on the couch and veg while they wreaked havoc elsewhere. Bummer!

This weekend more of Justin's family came into town for cousin Ellie's baby blessing, and we went out to Winger's on Saturday to celebrate the blessing as well as Tanner's birthday! I can't believe he is 3 years old already! He totally loved his birthday, really got into it. Every time someone said "Happy Birthday", he gave them a champion smile and said, "Thanks!" I wish I had gotten pictures (way too tired at the time) of him being sung to at the restaurant. When they handed him his ice cream, he just beamed. When they started clapping and singing to him, he rolled his eyes, put on his most bashful face, and became a stink bug in the chair, burying his head until they left. I was just glad he didn't cry. It. Was. Adorable. I love this picture of our cuties.
We gave him walking dinosaurs because he loves to play with them at his cousin Nicholas' house.
Tanner and Grandma B.
Playing with tractors
Happy Birthday To You!! I begged grandma to help make the cupcakes because I just couldn't face it. "Help" is a relative word. I think I frosted three cupcakes and she did everything else... THANK YOU! I have a cold and haven't slept well for a few days, which has made me even more tired, unmotivated, and irritable than usual.

Mmmmmm!!! Cupcakes!!
Playing with puzzles.
A great weekend: baby blessings, birthdays, everything to be topped off by the (somewhat, but not really) unexpected arrival of our new cousin (name not officially released yet), first daughter of Matt and Kim. We're so excited that she has arrived at last!!

Mouthful

I just had to post this picture. Even though her mouth is full of candy, I think she looks so pretty with her painted birthday party face and big blue eyes after coming home from a friend's house this weekend.

Kindergarten Fall Walk

I'm trying to participate in as many school functions as I can before life gets even more complicated. I volunteered to help on the Kindergarten Fall Walk on Friday morning. Since I figured I couldn't actually make the walk all the way from the school to the park, I met them at the park. And since they were already divided up into groups when they arrived at the park, I just took pictures for the little class mini-yearbook. I took a bunch of pictures of kids that I don't know and a few of my favorite kids. Hopefully the pictures will render our presence there more helpful than harmful, though Tanner was rather distracting at times.

They are searching for fall items, like pine cones, pine needles, leaves of difference colors, twigs, and a few other things.
They made "binoculars"
Our neighbor friends
Kinley and another neighbor friend
Tanner having a grand time, as you can clearly see. I thought it would be a perfect activity to take him to, considering it was at our neighborhood park. I thought wrong. He had a very rough morning. Next time, should there be a next time, I'm farming him out.

Class picture
Little grouch...

Thanks!

Thanks, Heather and fam, for the awesome box of clothes! As you can see, we are getting use out of them already :) Did I not already have the perfect shirt for those gypsy pants???

Breathe

I always love my children. But some days I'd really like to sell their naughty butts to the gypsies. Some days I'm normal and relatively sane and other days the hormones get the best of me.

Signed,
One Freakin' Exasperated Mom

Freezer Meals!

I'm happy to report that I have 10 new yummy meals in my freezer! Remember Beef Day? Well, I'm finally getting around to posting the results. I did most of it that very day (and paid for it mentally and physically for 2 and a half additional ones...) but I'm very pleased with the results and I'm (mostly) excited about the plans I have for next week, which include mashed potatoes and potato soup!

I have 3 nights worth of Apricot Chicken. Justin can make the rice to go with it... right? Maybe?
Two nights worth of spaghetti sauce. I know he can make spaghetti noodles...
Two nights worth of well-flavored taco meat
Three nights worth of beef stroganoff. No noodles, just the sauce.
Aaaaahhhhh... now the question remains... if I didn't have a blog to post the final resulting pictures on, would I have really finished the project? I guess I'll never know because I do have a blog and I know how to use it! So, my increased freezer stash won't get us very far, but it's a start! A 10-day start!

No Cavities!! And... No ROOM!

I was the crazy mom at the dentist this morning, taking pictures of my big, brave girl getting her check-up! I was really proud of her. She didn't even gag, which totally surprised me! While she's getting her teeth polished in this picture, she's wearing headphones and watching Lady and the Tramp on the ceiling. What brilliant dental clinic decorator first came up with that concept? Grinning, waiting for her x-rays!
Watching more of the movie while waiting for the dentist.
Tanner took some trains out of the waiting room and kept himself happily occupied throughout the appointment. Thanks, bug, I appreciate you behaving yourself.

So the good news is that she is totally cavity free. The bad (and long-expected) news is that our little shark has a very small mouth and some very very large teeth trying to come in. Her first lower central has already come in, far behind where it needs to be. The other one is poised to make its appearance in just a few months. We are working on wiggling out four teeth to make room for just these first two (she'll have them pulled in November if we aren't successful on our own); we'll continue on that course for some years, robbing Peter to pay Paul (as my old boss used to say) two teeth at a time, headed toward an expensive future at the orthodontist office. I saw the x-rays, my friends, and let me tell you, it was a woeful sight. As I already suspected, she inherited her mother's horse teeth. Those sweet, teeny, tiny little baby teeth she currently has are all a ruse.