No, I'm not predicting the end of the world, just the end of my "free time" as I know it. I thought, while I had a few moments of free time I should blog because I may not get around to doing that much once our little man comes, which may be at any minute. (That's a line for my family out there. Love ya!)
My pregnancy has been relatively uneventful, which I am thankful for. I was laughing with my doctor the other day because she asked if I was swollen in any areas. I said, "YES!!! Can't you see this belly?! And I'm SURE my legs have got to be swollen. Do you ever remember me being this fat?" She just laughed, but in all honesty, I laugh about pregnancy questions like, "Are you swollen?" "Do you have any veins that have changed or hurt?" "Are you feeling movement?" "Are you getting rest?" I mean, seriously...I'm pregnant! My body is NOT my own right now...my body has never been more swollen. My veins? Half of them I can't even see because I can't bend over to look at my legs. Movement? I feel movement all the time...The question is if it's the baby or just...well, other things. And as far as rest...Am I suppose to be sleeping with this watermelon?! I must have missed that memo.
Pregnancy is just funny. Beautiful, but funny. It's hard to explain to anyone who hasn't had the opportunity to experience it. It's an out of body experience that you experience in your own body that you swear isn't your own body. YEP! That about raps it up.
(Let me real quick say however how grateful I am to be able to be pregnant. I realize there are many women who would love that opportunity and it doesn't come. I am so grateful to be able to be pregnant.)
I am due August 15th...and so as the end draws close, I would like to take a moment to express my thanks to a few people, as well as other things that have made this pregnancy so memorable.
Thank you Kyle, my AMAZING husband! I can't imagine any man being more sympathetic and wonderful as you tell me each and everyday how gorgeous I look, rub my back endlessly, get me whatever I need and keep me laughing through the whole process. I LOVE YOU!!!! I can't wait to have another "mini Kyle" running around.
Thank you to my children for reminding me daily how large I am getting. It's really reassuring to have you tell me I'm big.
Thank you people at Wal-Mart for starring at me as I try to push a cart full of groceries and manage to keep track of my two oldest kids, and try to hush my crying two year old. I know what you are thinking. You don't have to say it. And yes, I want another baby. Thank you.
Thank you old women at church for saying things like "My, you've blossomed." I've always wanted to "blossom."
Thank you old men at church for saying things like "Don't you and your husband ever sleep?!" Even though you've had six kids and we're only on our 4th, I'm sure we are having more fun at night than you are at your stage of life.
Thank you odd shaped pillow that I sleep with every night. I'm not sure if you are doing anything for my body, but I'll keep sleeping with you because it keeps the kids out of the bed.
Thank you random cravings at random times. It's really awesome, not to mention convenient, to HAVE to make a grilled cheese sandwich at 2:00 A.M. Thanks!
Thank you maternity clothes for making me fashionable through all nine months of pregnancy. Seriously? Who are we kiddin?! That's about all I can say.
Thank you people who give suggestions on how I should hide my now outie belly button. I appreciate the help. And I have a suggestion for you. You should probably have that mole on your face checked. Either that or walk sideways.
Thank you iron pills that my doctor says I need to take. You are so particular at when I have to take you, and if I choose a wrong time, I know you won't be staying down for long.
Thank you sandals. I have no idea what else I would put on my feet during pregnancy.
Thank you, my dear_______. You know who you are. It's so nice of you to always point out my stretch marks and say, "Do ALL women get those?!" Guess what? YEP!!! It's totally awesome! And you're next sista!
Thank you people who tell me who has a birthday on my due date. Guess what...I don't know Great Aunt Millie, and I don't care anyway.
And finally...
Thank you Mom. I have so much more love and respect and honor for you now that I realize I caused you such discomfort even before I was born. I think you are the most wonderful creature in the world!!!! I LOVE YOU!!! (And thanks for laughing with me as we talk about our pregnancies. It's fun to have something else in common.)
Best friends
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Monday, July 11, 2011
Classics
So, I have to give my husband credit for this post because it was his idea. Tonight, he reminded me of those good ol' sneakers the "cool kids" at school had. The ones you could pump up with air by pushing the tongue a few times. Do you remember those?! How totally cool was that?! And where the heck did they go? Nothing says "I'm completely bodacious" like pump up sneakers. And what about those school pictures, when you could choose lasers as your background? My son was looking at my husband's scrapbook and he saw his picture from '89, complete with techno color and LASERS and he said, "I want those in my picture!" And who wouldn't?? Only the cool kids got lasers in their school pictures...(which just a side note, I never had lasers because my mother thought they would "clash" with the family room decor.) Again, nothing says, "We're a totally rad family" like lasers in your kids' pictures. Or, how about the amazing snap bracelet? What an invention!! Or the socks that really weren't socks, they were just leg bands that went under your socks to give the appearance of "layering". GENIUS!! Not only classic, but cool my friends.
C-O-O-L. Just think about it.
C-O-O-L. Just think about it.
Monday, June 27, 2011
June
I always feel like I should post at least once a month, to keep up with what's going on in our family's world. I can't believe June has so quickly passed away. I looked at the calendar today, (which Happy Birthday Mom!!!) and thought wow, where is time slipping to?! So, here are some updates.
Kyle and I have purchased an insurance agency in Utah. It's been so exciting, new and challenging. My husband is such a hard worker and I love watching his ambition for life. He really grabs any challenge by the horns. In fact, he looks for a challenge when he feels like maybe life isn't challenging him. I love that about my husband. He doesn't settle for easiness. He wants greatness out of everything. I'm proud of you Baby!
I am definitely pregnant, for those of you that haven't received the memo, or for those of you that thought I was just putting on a few pounds. I can't believe our little man will be here in a little over a month. WOW!! I guess I should be setting up a crib and such. I feel really good and have been really blessed with a wonderful pregnancy. But let's face it. A pregnant body just doesn't move like a non-pregnant body. I've been wanting to paint my toes, but I feel like I'm running a marathon when I try that task. Maybe I can get my kids to do them for me.
Nicholas lost his second tooth. He was pretty excited. He's the sibling that is most excited for the baby. He counts the days until he'll have a little brother.
Natalie learned how to ride her bike this past week. She does amazing and was so quick to learn! I am always amazed at the process of learning new things with children. What determination and dedication.
Katie is getting much better at falling asleep by herself, although she still makes me completely laugh at what she says or does. She really is quite a character. She is speaking so well though, and that makes a huge difference in everything. It's amazing how wonderful it is to understand your children. ha ha
My older sister had her baby earlier this month, a little boy, Thomas. Although I haven't seen him personally, he looks so cute in pictures and is just so sweet. I can't wait to hold him. What a blessing children are in our lives! We are so excited for a new little on in the family.
My husband has been a super dad recently and allowed me to go off to Utah with my family to watch my cousin's wedding, as well as help my own sister pick out a wedding dress. She's going to be married in August and we are thrilled for her. It was so fun to be with my family and see family I haven't seen for awhile, but I missed my husband and children so much! They really are my family now, you know.
So, that wraps up June. It's been a crazy and full month, but so fun and wonderful.
Kyle and I have purchased an insurance agency in Utah. It's been so exciting, new and challenging. My husband is such a hard worker and I love watching his ambition for life. He really grabs any challenge by the horns. In fact, he looks for a challenge when he feels like maybe life isn't challenging him. I love that about my husband. He doesn't settle for easiness. He wants greatness out of everything. I'm proud of you Baby!
I am definitely pregnant, for those of you that haven't received the memo, or for those of you that thought I was just putting on a few pounds. I can't believe our little man will be here in a little over a month. WOW!! I guess I should be setting up a crib and such. I feel really good and have been really blessed with a wonderful pregnancy. But let's face it. A pregnant body just doesn't move like a non-pregnant body. I've been wanting to paint my toes, but I feel like I'm running a marathon when I try that task. Maybe I can get my kids to do them for me.
Nicholas lost his second tooth. He was pretty excited. He's the sibling that is most excited for the baby. He counts the days until he'll have a little brother.
Natalie learned how to ride her bike this past week. She does amazing and was so quick to learn! I am always amazed at the process of learning new things with children. What determination and dedication.
Katie is getting much better at falling asleep by herself, although she still makes me completely laugh at what she says or does. She really is quite a character. She is speaking so well though, and that makes a huge difference in everything. It's amazing how wonderful it is to understand your children. ha ha
My older sister had her baby earlier this month, a little boy, Thomas. Although I haven't seen him personally, he looks so cute in pictures and is just so sweet. I can't wait to hold him. What a blessing children are in our lives! We are so excited for a new little on in the family.
My husband has been a super dad recently and allowed me to go off to Utah with my family to watch my cousin's wedding, as well as help my own sister pick out a wedding dress. She's going to be married in August and we are thrilled for her. It was so fun to be with my family and see family I haven't seen for awhile, but I missed my husband and children so much! They really are my family now, you know.
So, that wraps up June. It's been a crazy and full month, but so fun and wonderful.
Thursday, May 26, 2011
Cultural Enlightenment
What the hulla ballu flying monkey be-gummies descrepen mung cho HO!!!! UMPH!!!!That's about how I feel right now with my little two old daughter! (Before you read any further, you should understand that I love my daughter with all my heart and soul, and I have no intention of doing anything drastic. Just a note to the reader.)
My daughter, bless her sweet little heart, is an Aztec. Or a Mayan, or Buddist or one of those naturalist-earthy sorts. I can't quite figure it out, and it's about to drive me bazerik. I honestly wish I could post a video of my daughter for you to witness the absolute phenomenon for yourself, to let your own eyes behold what I endure night after night after night. (Or maybe in her mind it's moon after moon after moon.) Anyhow...I will try my best to paint a very real picture for the reader.
My daughter, (whom I love...footnote to reader), holds a nightime ritual of sorts. It begins with a begging of food, normally something that shouldn't be ingested right before bed, like chocolate or ice cream or skittles. After a LONG fight of "No, you can't have that before bed," she finally settles for something like bread, or cheese, or a cracker. Grasping her rations tightly, we normally gallop to the bed chambers. Here, she settles in to bed, and begins to nibble so delicatley, and slowly on her provisions provided. After the small feast, "The Dance "begins.
Although not exactly the same every night, "The Dance" proceeds in a somewhat similar manner moon after moon.
We begin with a fanning of the sheets. The sheets are tossed ever so gently up and down from the body, and then violently shaken. Sometimes, they are thrown over the head while the body flings around underneath. This is often times accompanied by chanting, which is barely audible nor understandable. An ancient tongue no doubt.
We then proceed to the war paint. This consists of lotion, chapstick and sometimes oils. (Yes, oils! My mother-in-law has so graciously given me many natural oils, which I really do enjoy and use.) The lotion must be applied to the legs and feet, and chapstick must be put on, and remain on. If sheets or pillow touch the lips, a reapplication is necessary.
Next comes the longest, (as well as my favorite) part of the ceremony; audience participation. My hands are placed somewhere, typically on her chest or head, and then she proceeds to continue chanting/singing while she makes salutations to the sky. (YOU LAUGH....BUT IT'S TRUE!!!) Take tonight for instance. My daughter put my arm across her chest and then uses her hands to sweep across my arm and then throw her hands up toward the ceiling. She then rolls her arms as they slowly come back down to my arm, and the process begins again. Weird???? ABSOLUTELY DRIVE YOU CRAZY!!!
The practice ends by her slowing her chants, and slowing her movements, but they are ever still present. She just slowly slows down until it's over. Again, tonight she had place my hands on her ears and then mumbled to sleep, as if my hands were headphones and she was singing along to her favorite album. I had to laugh, to keep from crying, as I tried to pull my hands ever so slowly away from her ears, and she would quickly "re-adjust" her headphones for better clarity. This took about seven minutes before the soundtrack ran out and she was snoozing.
I ask you, my fellow bloggins, WHAT IS THAT?????!!!! All I can figure out is that she is from some different culture.
My daughter, bless her sweet little heart, is an Aztec. Or a Mayan, or Buddist or one of those naturalist-earthy sorts. I can't quite figure it out, and it's about to drive me bazerik. I honestly wish I could post a video of my daughter for you to witness the absolute phenomenon for yourself, to let your own eyes behold what I endure night after night after night. (Or maybe in her mind it's moon after moon after moon.) Anyhow...I will try my best to paint a very real picture for the reader.
My daughter, (whom I love...footnote to reader), holds a nightime ritual of sorts. It begins with a begging of food, normally something that shouldn't be ingested right before bed, like chocolate or ice cream or skittles. After a LONG fight of "No, you can't have that before bed," she finally settles for something like bread, or cheese, or a cracker. Grasping her rations tightly, we normally gallop to the bed chambers. Here, she settles in to bed, and begins to nibble so delicatley, and slowly on her provisions provided. After the small feast, "The Dance "begins.
Although not exactly the same every night, "The Dance" proceeds in a somewhat similar manner moon after moon.
We begin with a fanning of the sheets. The sheets are tossed ever so gently up and down from the body, and then violently shaken. Sometimes, they are thrown over the head while the body flings around underneath. This is often times accompanied by chanting, which is barely audible nor understandable. An ancient tongue no doubt.
We then proceed to the war paint. This consists of lotion, chapstick and sometimes oils. (Yes, oils! My mother-in-law has so graciously given me many natural oils, which I really do enjoy and use.) The lotion must be applied to the legs and feet, and chapstick must be put on, and remain on. If sheets or pillow touch the lips, a reapplication is necessary.
Next comes the longest, (as well as my favorite) part of the ceremony; audience participation. My hands are placed somewhere, typically on her chest or head, and then she proceeds to continue chanting/singing while she makes salutations to the sky. (YOU LAUGH....BUT IT'S TRUE!!!) Take tonight for instance. My daughter put my arm across her chest and then uses her hands to sweep across my arm and then throw her hands up toward the ceiling. She then rolls her arms as they slowly come back down to my arm, and the process begins again. Weird???? ABSOLUTELY DRIVE YOU CRAZY!!!
The practice ends by her slowing her chants, and slowing her movements, but they are ever still present. She just slowly slows down until it's over. Again, tonight she had place my hands on her ears and then mumbled to sleep, as if my hands were headphones and she was singing along to her favorite album. I had to laugh, to keep from crying, as I tried to pull my hands ever so slowly away from her ears, and she would quickly "re-adjust" her headphones for better clarity. This took about seven minutes before the soundtrack ran out and she was snoozing.
I ask you, my fellow bloggins, WHAT IS THAT?????!!!! All I can figure out is that she is from some different culture.
Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Season of Change
I've decided I like change. I really do. Which is shocking seeing that I come from a family that loves tradition and similarity. (Not that either is bad.) I, for one, love the freshness of change. For example, I love to rearrange the furniture in my home. I love to paint the walls. I love to try new meals for dinner, new products and watch new t.v. shows. Along with all this, I love to change my hair. I was noticing the other day, as I was scrapbooking....actually, I DON'T scrapbook. It's more like filing pictures away....I noticed I had a different hairstyle in practically every photo. My family has been pretty faithful to have family pictures taken yearly, and I look different in every one. So, I thought it would be fun to post the many hairstyles of Erin, and let the viewers decide. ha ha
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Preslee
Our cousin Preslee has been visiting us for the last couple of weeks. It's been so fun to have a cousin here. I know that my sister has been missing her girl dearly, and also has wondered what in the world we do everyday, so here are pictures for you Amber. Preslee is soooo much fun! Thanks for sharing her.
Preslee doing the long jump.
At the circus
Doing Grandma's hair. "Where are you Grandma?!"
How do those eyes look?
Pres going in for her massage.
Preslee doing the long jump.
At the circus
Doing Grandma's hair. "Where are you Grandma?!"
How do those eyes look?
Pres going in for her massage.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)