Projects

Coloring book with sheet protectors and dry erase crayons

LDS Lace up Cards

A couple of the puzzles

Right now we are busy with lots of various projects.  May be it is the whole nesting thing kicking in early but I feel like we are behind with a lot of things.  We are trying to get things done before we find out what the little one is as it will add to our to do lists.  Right now I am trying to get Livi's baby book caught up.  I have it done except adding the pictures in.  I am over a year behind in organizing the pictures on the computer.  I don't do scrap booking so I just organize them in file folders on a hard drive.  We are also trying to declutter and organize our house.  My office and the spare room are the current dumping ground.  This week we are moving Livi into Emme's room.  I know sounds like tons of fun.  We want them settled before the baby comes.  We have even been adjusting the normal schedule to add more story time and let me do story time with both in my lap.  We moved it from their rooms to the couch and it seems to work out great.  I have been working on things for the girls to take to church to keep them busy.  Most Sundays I go by myself due to Matt's work schedule so I found some cute ideas off pinterest.  (of course)  The girls love them as usually keeps them entertained till about the last fifteen minutes of sacrament.  I made a coloring book using coloring pages I found on the net and printed on card stock then put in sheet protectors.  This way they can color over and over with their dry erase crayons.  (Livi loves this one)  I found a site with great LDS Clip art and saved it then printed it as a 8X10 on card stock.  Then used packing tape to laminate and punch holes in them.  (Livi wants me to lace it for her so she can pull them out.  Emme loves the temple one the best)  Finally I found this cute puzzle idea using large Popsicle sticks, which I found at Hobby Lobby.  I taped 8 together.  Then printed off pictures I found on the net.  5X7 on card stock.  I glue them to the Popsicle sticks and then used a razor blade to cut them apart.  And used packing tape to tape them on the sticks.  This is Emme's favorite.  She will sit and do these all afternoon.  
    My other projects are getting stuff done for Easter.  I saw this great pattern for a super hero cape around Christmas and since I was busy working on my tree skirt I decided to wait and use it for Easter baskets.  So I am working on making felt tiaras and super hero capes for the baskets.  Every day they make me tie blankets around their necks so they can be super heroes.  I might even make magic wands too if I have energy.  
   Our list of things keeps growing.  But we are happy to have a new one on the way to add to our fun. 

Coming Soon

For two months we have been trying to hide the fact we are expecting another little one, with terrible results.  We have been asked several times if we were expecting. (I am one of those people who just gains weight the instant I get pregnant.  I never get the cute basketball under the shirt look.  I just look like I went on a chocolate bender and gained twenty pounds) Honestly we lied when asked.  We told everyone no.  It has been a long road getting to this baby.  We have been trying for some time and had some sadness along the way.  Yesterday we went to see my amazing Doctor who specializes in high risk pregnancies.  He did our usually first time ultrasound.  Since we had waited a couple more weeks before our appointment.  (Due to Matt's schedule) He had a pretty good look at the heart and told us that there was a less then one percent chance of losing the baby because the heart is strong.  Which makes us happy and less nervous about announcing the baby.  We won't know until May 2 what our little one will be.  Emme has already announce she wants a baby brother since she has Livi already.  So far other then horrible heart burn, and my back injury I have been doing pretty good.  I am twelve weeks along one more week and I am done with my first trimester.  I have been craving veggies, rice and pasta.  Mainly veggies with ranch.  And not really wanting sweets.  The girls are good at entertaining themselves when I need to lay on the couch.  Though I am not looking forward to being hugely pregnant in the heat of the Utah summer. 

Valentine's Day

The girls painting with water colors.

Making a picture for her Auntie Sarah

Valentine's day is not a huge holiday in our house.  We never really plan anything grand.  I blame this on Matt working or simple we do lots through out the rest of year I think we are good when we hit Valentine's.  When we were engaged we exchanged big gifts.  I gave Matt a soap stone sculpture of two Eskimos hugging and he gave me garnet earrings.  The next year we both worked, and Matt has worked every one since we have been married.  The funny thing it is not a huge big deal to us.  However to our girls it is.  Emme gave home all excited by foam hearts Livi got in nursery. So I figured we need to do something.  So they made Valentine's for their Grandparents. (Which both sets were happy to get from the girls) For Matt's parents they decorated hearts with sparkles and stickers.  For my parents they water colored painted.  Both girls loved being creative.  Though I still have to keep a close eye on Livi who likes to see what tasted good still.  Emme insisted she had to make Sarah a picture.  She loves her Auntie Sarah.  Every time the phone rings she asks if it is Sarah.  Maybe it is because Sarah teaches her new faces to make on skype.  Next year we might make decorations and get more into it.  I have fond memories of the crafty things we did as kids with my mom so I want to pass that down to my girls. 

Catch Up

                   The past two months have been full of silliness and sickness.  December was filled with colds, tonsil infections, and preparing for Christmas.  January was filled with the flu, colds, and my birthday.  I thought we had finally been through our last bout of sickness.  Everyone was feeling good.  Noses had finally stopped running.  Emme's cough was gone.  Then I hurt my back.  It was our usual morning routine, showers first.  Emme always sits wrapped in a towel till she feels warm.  She hates being cold and refuses to dress till she feels warm.  I wrapped Livi in a towel and picked her up to put her on the bed to get her dressed.  Matt was doing dishes in the kitchen.  When I picked Livi up something popped in my back and I fell to floor screaming.  I know even in pain the Lord was looking out for Livi.  Where I was standing and how I feel she should have gone head first into our fan and foot board of our bed.  She was fine others then scared for mommy.  Matt had to help me into bed.  And for two days I couldn't get around with out his help.  For a week I had to use a walker.  (His parents had one.  It's wayne's mom's)  It is on the mend but it is taking a lot of time.   We also had a lot of family illness. Matt even got to take the girls to church by himself on Sunday.  He told me he feels my pain.  Since I go most Sundays by myself because of his work schedule. We both found out that a member of each family is battling cancer.  So a lot of people have been included in our prayers. 
     There has been a  lot of great stuff that has been happening too.  Emme is now officially in primary.  She is loving her class.  I think she enjoys singing time because of the music.  But she is at the stage where she would rather make up her own lyrics then learn the correct ones.  Her cousin Emma was the same at this age.  Her tantrums have decreased.  We are down to maybe two a week.  She pronounces she needs a time out and goes off to her room.  She returns a few minutes later saying she is happy.  She has become a little hoarder.  She carries everything around in her purse.  Matt told her she was a hoarder and told him "No I am Emme Losser"  She wants to know the far end of everything.  She is nearly completely potty trained.  She is down to a diaper at bedtime.  She is such a heavy sleeper we have a hard time getting her up at night to go.  But we are getting there.  She is such a happy child who enjoys decorating me and her dad with stickers.  And helping in the kitchen. She is obsessed with dress up and being a pirate and a super hero.
    Livi is beginning to talk.  This was about the time Emme started.  She loves to say No, and mine.  Though she says Emme, Mama, Dada, Milk, water, juice, Love you and many more.  If she can't say the word she points or goes and get what she wants.  She is quick to copy what ever Emme is doing no matter if it is good or bad.   She has become a stuffie kid.  Emme never was.  But Livi has to have one constantly.  She has a doll that is her baby.  She carried her every where and has to have her at bedtime.  She has graduated from her high chair to a chair at the table.  She insists that Emme must sit by her.  Which is not the greatest idea.  They have figured out how to sword fight with their spoons.  She loves music and dancing.  She even dances in her chair.  Though she has started the terrible twos.  She gets mad if she doesn't get what she is after and will hit or flop on the floor crying a tearless cry.  I send her to her room but half the time she spanks her self and goes back to playing. Not sure where she got the idea to do that.  We do spank but only when time outs have failed.  

"I am a Flower"

A normal smile pic with out a dirty look very rare

Emme loves playing on my kindle

Making a train out of fruit snacks

Snack before church

Emme loves playing with buckets

I can't go anywhere with out my baby

Dress up with attitude

   We are waiting for spring to come but the snow keeps showing up.  We are ready for the air quality to get better.  The air here in the winter is horrible and not good to breath.  I am ready for the warmth and the sun.  I know the girls and Matt are ready for some adventures.  I am praying for spring.  
       

Happy Birthday To Me!!!

 Thursday was my birthday.  Despite being sick it was a nice day.  I woke up to Emme sitting next to my head stroking my hair, and telling me it was time to get up.  However she was quickly rushed out the door by her dad so I could sleep longer.  Finally when I did arise we went for a brunch.  Matt doesn't cook and I didn't feel like cooking my breakfast.  Then I decided I deserve a nice long nap.  I slept til it was nearly time to get ready to head to Matt's parents for dinner.  I got a lovely bouquet of flowers from my sister, a new dress from Karen, and money from my parents which I spent on clothes.  My in laws were super nice and took us to the Roof Restaurant.  For those non Utah people the Roof is a gourmet buffet on top floor of the Joseph Smith Building.  They had Prime Rib, Chicken Corden bleu, several different fish, shrimp, yummy chowder, and so much more.  Of course they had dessert so many to choose from.  It was a good thing we were towards the back as Emme got bored and decided to do laps around the table.  She also sick and started coughing and threw up twice Red Velvet cake all over her white sweatshirt. When we left the elevator was having issues so we got to ride in the service elevator, with Russell M. Nelson and his wife. 

Emme and Livi playing the fountain while we wait for the Roof to open

Emme always the cheese and Livi looks like she want to hurt someone.  Love her dirty looks

Me and my girls

She loved the rolls

Me and my sweetheart

Another classic Livi look

  What made the evening even more fun was going home and getting on skype with my sister and my Brother Chris who had a layover in Seattle.  It was nice to talk with him and see his new beard.  I had a nice birthday though I wish Emme wasn't so sick.  She spent the night coughing until she throw up.  Lots of time changing bedding and cuddling our poor sick girl.  We new she didn't feel well when she wanted to go to bed instead of skyping with Auntie Sarah. 

I was nominated for a Liebster.

So I was nominated for a Liebster. Which is a kinda like a chain letter for a blog.  Someone who   reads your blog nominates you.  You have certain steps you must do before passing it along. 

So my job.

1.  Post 11 random things about myself.

2.  Answer 11 questions my nominator set for me.

3.  Create 11 questions for my nominees.

4.  Nominate 11 other fellow bloggers with fewer than 200 followers. (no Tag Backs)

5.  Tell them each of their nomination.

Randomness

1.  I was born in Vancouver, Washington.  (Most people don't realize there is a Vancouver in Washington they only know about Canada)

2. I hit my sister in the head with my brother's baseball bat.  We were playing tee ball and she was too close be hind me when I swinged.  

3.   My brothers convinced me when I was three that our dog could talk.  

4.  When I was a kid we used to feed the Moose off our deck

5.  I know how to make meth ( I several patients tell me how to do lots of illegal things. Which I have never done.)

6.  I was once kicked in the throat by a patient.  It bruised my larynx so when I yell to this day it hurts.

7. When I was born my mom's coach announced I was a boy.  I have four older brothers so she just figured I was another boy.  

8.  My eldest brother is eighteen years old then me.  His daughter is only six years younger then me. ( My next brother is seventeen years older.  I was his flower girl at his wedding  )   

9. When I was little had the biggest crush on Danny Kaye

10.  My husband is one of the few people I feel completely comfortable with. 

11.  I know when I am getting sick because my neck starts to hurt and get stiff.  

 

11 Random Questions for me to answer:

1.  Who was your childhood best friend? My first best friend was Becky Babb we lost contact when we moved to Alaska.  My next best friend was Lorien Lemon she passed away when I was eleven.  She was killed by a drunk driver. 

2.  What's your guilty pleasure?  Chocolate, Crime Shows, and Cooking completions shows

3.  Do you screen your calls with Caller ID? Yes.  I was stalked for a bit by an ex patient so I still don't answer if I don't know the number. 

4.  What's your favorite T.V. show?  Leverage but it just ended so NCIS or Psych

5.  Snow...Love it, hate it, or tolerate it? Love it at Christmas and tolerate it the rest of the year

6.  What's the farthest place from home you have ever been?  I went on a cruise with my sister and friends to Mexico/Belize/ Honduras. 

7.  Do you paint your toenails in winter?  I always keep them painted I think toes are ugly and need the paint to make them half way cute. 

8.  How long will you let dirty dishes sit in your kitchen sink? Maybe a day

9.  What is your least favorite and also favorite household chore?  Cleaning toilets is my least and cooking is my favorite

10.  If you could read anything what would it be?  The originally manuscript for Jane Austen's Persuasion.  or the 116 pages Martin Harris lost. 

11.  What is your favorite scripture or thought and why?  D&C 2  because it is all about my favorite subject genealogy.

   So I nominate the following blogs :

  Stephanie Gisseman, Jennifer Clarke, Melissa Meade, Chris Olsen (update your blog mister man), Shanna Farley, Sarah Olsen, Ariane Marley, Jill Butikofer, Amy Bennion, Coralie Seright, and Rachael Middleton

My questions to my nominees
  1.  What is the weirdest thing you have ever eaten
2.  If you could spend a day with one famous person who would be and why
3.  Which zombie movie would you think would have the best chances of surviving.
4.  Who is the most annoying sesame street/ Muppet character
5.  What was your favorite childhood movie
6. Disneyland or Disneyworld
7.  Worst Job ever had
8. If you could attend any concert no matter who the performer was who would it be.

9. Were you saddened by the loss of Twinkies?
10.  How often do you actually make your bed
11.  What is your favorite and least favorite remake movie?

A New Year

A new year is upon us.  Last year went super quick.  We had a fun year with lots of milestones.  Emme turned three in November. Her vocabulary improves daily.  Each day she shock us with some else she has learned.  We have to be very careful what we say around her.  She has finally made some progress in potty training.  We still have an accident here and there, but she is underwear except during naps and bedtime.  
Livi turned on in May and  has begun speaking.  Her new words from yesterday is No and Thank You.  They both love to help though it turn out to be more of a mess than help.  
  This year we decided to make a family resolution.  To declutter and get our home organized.  Well as much as you can with two toddlers.  We have cleaned out toys, movies, and mainly working on the basement.  Part of our decluttering is getting rid of things we no longer need or want.  I have been selling some on the Facebook garage sale sites we have here in Utah.  I am hope to earn enough to buy some new furniture for our basement.  Anything we don't feel we couldn't sell we have sent to the DI.  The biggest challenge is my office and the spare room.  Since this seems to be the dumping ground for anything with out a known home.  So much work to be done.  But I think we will be happy with the results at the end of the year.  
  Our other resolution is to get Livi Potty trained since she will be two in May and get Emme pro at it.  

Hope you all have a wonderful new year!