No more room in the inn

I don't think that my belly can stretch any more. She is at her limit. She has very little room to move around in so I feel her every twitch. She has been pushing in my right rib quite a bit. After awhile the sharp pinch hurts and then I have a constant stab right there. Hey, as long as she is happy and content, I guess I will have to be right?!
I notice after I sit for awhile I get a pinch in my back (right middle). It's quite annoying. Sundays are pretty much the only day I feel it a lot because I sit for long periods of time. Standing helps. Although I feel like a dork standing up in the back not holding a baby like the ladies. I'm just holding up the wall.

But, overall so far so good! I'm on the downhill stretch now. I'm only 1 cm dilated and 50% effaced right now. That's nothin'. Head is down though, that's good. I guess we will just have to see next week if any progress has happened.
The room is coming along. Organizing and finalizing things are hopefully coming to an end. I say that, but I'm sure I will keep adding to my list these last few weeks.

Silly Bandz

The coolest thing these days at school. Silly Bandz. Kids collect them, trade them, want them. That is all they talk about.

Since we have been having a bit of trouble with Tage listening, obeying, being honest, not talking back or yelling....well, you get the point. We decided to get lots of silly bandz and put them in a jar on the counter. He has to earn his silly bandz. We are not just going to go buy him package after package of these things. Sad to say his good behavior only lasted one day. Then I got the "Fine, I don't care. Take them all away" attitude. Lovely. Just lovely. What should I do now? Yesterday he didn't earn any. This morning he earned one for being honest when I asked if he brushed his teeth with toothpaste and another one for being nice to me and not having a bad attitude. Maybe today will be better. After school for the few hours before Dad comes home is the hardest. I guess we will see what happens.

6:23 AM Walk

I walked outside this morning and it was only 72*! So nice! I decided to take Zeus on a walk since it was so nice. He actually took me for a walk at first. It's actually kind of a cute thing he does....whenever I say lets go for a walk he knows exactly what I mean and goes straight to the laundry room where I have his leash. He is always excited. After I attach his leash he puts part of it in his mouth and leads me to the front door and down the driveway. Then when we get to the sidewalk he realizes that I'm the boss and lets go (with me physically taking it out of his mouth of course. One time I left it in and he took me for a walk the whole time). He actually does fairly well and stays right by me. Even when I walk slow these days.

So Blessed

I am so blessed to have such wonderful friends! I feel like I have a second family here. My Mom doesn't worry one bit about me because she knows that I have the best friends ever taking good care of me.

On Thursday I had another baby shower. I feel like I am the luckiest girl alive. So many friends came to support me and my baby. I want to scream thank you from the top of the tallest building...what building would that be?....hold on let me do a quick google search.....

Burji Khalifa

Located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. (Wherever that is. No, I'm not going to do another google search to find out)

Officially opened January 4, 2010.

162 stories, 2,717 feet high (including spire)

Ok, back to the baby shower.

It was perfect! I loved it! I don't know what else to really say but thanks to everyone.

Beautiful display of such great food

With host Karolyn

Other cute friends

Christine, Carrie, Chrissy, Karolyn, Erin and Brooke

Me practicing my baby skills on tiny 6 week old Hailey or was it Hannah? I still get those twins mixed up. Those twins are going to be my girls best friends. I can't wait for them to meet each other and have little play dates! And then us mommies can chat too!

This little girl is already so spoiled with all the things I got from the shower. I have more clothes than I think she will ever use. But all of them are so adorable I will probably be that Mom that plays dress up with her baby.

Toothpaste Stinks

So we have been stuggling here getting Tage to be honest about brushing his teeth. He says he has brushed but have caught him not using toothpaste, or it has been for only 10 seconds or less. He went to the dentist about 2 weeks ago and didn't have any cavities (thank goodness) but part of me wanted him to have at least one so he realizes that no brushing/bad brushing=cavities. The dentist even gave him one of those sand timers. That was a hit for about 2-3 days, then it got "lost."
This morning when I asked him if he brushes his teeth he said yes (like usual) but then I gave him the evil eye and asked him again, he still said yes. I told him I was going to go check and that if he was lying I would not be happy and gave him one more chance to tell me the truth. He still said yes. So I told him that I wanted to smell his breath (I hate doing that), and it stunk! EEW! Me: Morning breath, gross!
Tage: "I did brush my teeth!"
Me: "Um, no. Then if you really did, you didn't brush with toothpaste, you just used water."
Tage: "I did! My toothpaste just stinks."

So there you have it. We no longer have to buy minty fresh Colgate toothpaste. It just stinks. Just save your money and use water, or don't brush at all.

This past week

Q. What have I been doing?
A. Been busy!

Q. Have I accomplished anything?
A. Yes!

The baby room is painted. Furniture set up and where I want it to go. Baby laundry done, sorted, and put away by size. Went to the Mesa Temple with a friend. Returned a couple items at Target and spent more money than the return. Of course had to do the usual scrub toilets, vacuum, dust, etc. Still working on a few sewing/crocheting projects that I think I will never finish before she gets here (I just keep hoping). Probably gained weight from the 4 brownies I had from the baby shower my friends did for me. (Best, cutest friends ever! Thank you, I love you all!) Did reading with Tage everyday. Made dinner for a friend one night, oh and for my family everyday. Survived the "I don't care," slamming of the doors, "your the meanest Mom ever, I hate you" attitude from Tage. But enjoyed the night time kicks and punches from my baby.

What else......

Oh, and managed to drink a whole liter of grape pop within 2 days.

Yep, I have been busy and yep, I do think that I have accomplished a few things this week.

The first of many to come

Baby laundry.

My first load of clean baby laundry ready to be put away.

Everything is so tiny, I love it!

Landlords

We are officially landlords now. Condo #1 is

DONE!

Ty finished up Condo #1 on Friday and our first renter moved in yesterday.

HALLELUJAH!

Ty has worked so hard on this. There were many long days and long nights spent at that place. He now has a finished project to say, "I did that!" and is pleased and happy with his work. But is even more happy that it is DONE!

Walking in the front door view. Bedroom #1 is straight through french doors. Bedroom #2 is just to the left of bedroom #1.

The place that took the most time in the whole house. The kitchen.

Looking back from bedroom #1

Bedroom # 1 bathroom

Bedroom #2 bathroom

Shut the front door. It's finally done. That is until renter moves out and repairs come.

Mailbox

I have been like a little child anxiously waiting for a package to arrive. Checking the mailbox daily for weeks now for a certain letter.

Well, after 7 weeks and 4 days, the letter came!

This is not just any letter, it's a letter that determines eternal life for our family. It's a letter from the First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints giving Tyson clearance to be sealed for time and all eternity to me and therefore our whole family. I am beyond excited for this to finally happen. I want to spend eternity with Tyson and my children. This is the only way it could happen, by being sealed in the House of the Lord. What a special day it is going to be for our family and will effect generations to come.

We have not set a date yet. Still deciding what is going to be best for us.

A Miracle vs Talent

Every morning while Tage eats his breakfast I read scriptures to him. (The easy summarized comic book style with pictures). We are reading the Old Testament right now and read about the Prophet Elisha and the three miracles this morning.

After reading the first miracle about the woman who filled all the other jars full of oil out of just her one jar of oil, I said, "That is such a miracle huh?!" And then demonstrated with cups of water and showed him how that is impossible. His eyes were big and he was totally shocked how that could happen. He then told me it is because she had Faith. "Yep, your right, she had Faith and it's a miracle".

We talked a little more about miracles. Then this was his example of a miracle he told me.
"It's a miracle that someone can do a back flip on flat ground and land it." "It's a total miracle."

I don't think he got the point of a miracle vs just being very talented. I guess we will have to continue the miracle topic later.

Sold/Bought

So, remember my buyers remorse dilemma? I solved it.

After a week of still not happy with this purchase

I sold it back on craig's list in just 2 hours! I got my 60 bucks back. Now I wish I listed it for more and made a profit off of it. But, what's done its done.

But.....

I found this. Again, off craig's list.

$45. No work needed. I pretty sure I'm going to leave it the cream color too.

Yes, it is smaller, but here are my justifications between the two dressers:

Large dresser:

1) Needed a lot more work than I thought. I know you can't tell from the picture, but believe me, it would have been a project! I don't think Ty wanted to tackle that right now. We have enough going on.

2) The drawers weren't smooth and didn't have stoppers. I have a fear of drawers falling on her.

3) It really was too big for her room.

4) Did I really need all those drawers for her? Hummmm, I might change my mind on that one. This girl already has so much stuff! And I guess it would be good for storage for other things too. Ok, maybe the number of drawers would have been nice. Oh well.

Smaller Dresser

1) No additional work needed to be done to it.

2) All drawers are smooth with stoppers.

3) More of a 'perfect' size for a baby room. Fits perfect where I want it.

4) Yes, the number of drawers is a negative. But again, Oh well, it's going to have to work.

Ty says that I can't purchase anymore dressers because he doesn't want to be a dresser shop. I agreed.

Now onto painting her room. Think lavender. I can't wait!

Service

This afternoon Tage and I helped a family in our ward who just moved in yesterday unpack a little bit. This was a good opportunity to teach Tage about service since I don't think I talk about it too much with him. I usually just do things without saying that it is service so he doesn't realize that there are a lot of things considered service.
I also explained that there is secret service too and it's not just for other people, service can be done right here in our home among our family. He liked the idea of secret service and thinks that I will now make his bed everyday as my 'secret service act' to him. Also, his idea of door bell ditching with cookies on the front porch is an act of secret service.
So yes, there are cookies in the oven right now and someone will be getting a hit and run tonight. Oh, and I better remember to make his bed tomorrow.

I'm at 34 weeks!

Should I start counting down? I'm afraid too.
40 days/5 weeks and 5 days/960 hours
Oh no! I better get going! I'm still not even close to being ready for her to come!

To rock her to sleep

It was love at first sight. I just had to have it, even though I don't really need it.
It's going in my bedroom for those late night/early morning wake-up calls.
I justified this purchase by telling Ty that I have always wanted a comfy chair in our room (which is actually really true, and he knew that). A place to read, relax, etc.. Ahhhh, Heaven. It's so comfy!

To wipe her tiny butt

I was given this basic changing table about 2 years ago. Even before I even thought about having kids. But I kept it in the craft room (soon-to-be baby room) thinking maybe I would use it.

And I am, just changed the color!

Not too bad if I do say so myself. The shelves didn't take the color very well so I am going to modge podge black material down. I just need to find some cute baskets now!

Buyers Remorse

I bought this off Craig's List this week. At first I thought it was a real bargain, but then I had buyers remorse the minute Tyson helped me bring it inside.

I noticed more problems with it that I thought. I have been filling in all the little dings and gouges this morning and still think I made a mistake. The plan is to paint it black for the baby room. Part of me wants to just go spend $500 on this dresser I found at Crowded House in Mesa.

But lets think.....$500....$60.....$500......$60.....I better see what I could do with the $60 dresser.

Table Top

Tage thinks that now my belly is so big I could use it as my own table.

I am always hot. Even in my own house! The air conditioning seems like it is always on and I can't wait to get the bill that I'm sure is over $400. Summers in AZ are NOT my favorite and being pregnant on top of that I hate them even more!

Back-to-School

Happy first day of school!

We had meet the teacher on Friday, went to Target to get all the necessities, set out his new clothes for the first week of school, had crepes for breakfast, I think that we are ready!

"But Mom, you already took a picture...."

No More Snaggletooth

What did the trick? Not the incentive for a movie....

It was candy!

Our next door neighbor told him that if he pulled it out that he would give him the rest of his bag of watermelon drops. Tage said that all he did was said one, two, three and then pulled and it was out!

Hallelujah! I got so sick of looking at that crooked tooth. Much better without it.

The List

The list came up today! You know, the teacher list! The list that every kid watches for as the first day of school gets closer.

Tage was hoping for Mrs. Harkins and well, you should have seen his face! He came running back to the car jumping and shouting, "yahoo! yippee! yes, yes, yes!" I got Mrs. Harkins!

Happy day it was.

See a Difference?

I feel a difference....

She is moving a TON. Especially at night when I am relaxing on the couch. It's also called entertainment time by baby. I love feeling her move. I love watching my tummy roll around. I love being pregnant. At times I wish that she could just stay in there forever. But ask me that again in another month and I'm sure I would have changed my mind.

The Best 10 Days

Our new pet, Fireball (the crab), died today. According to Tage the past 10 days he had him were the best. I really don't know why, but they were.

Hold on, let me shed a tear.

Ok.

Tage had a couple friends over this morning so they decided to bury Fireball in the front yard so everybody could see.

Complete with a graveside service....

and a prayer.

Fireball is now in Heaven or Pet World, the boys couldn't agree on which one.

Not Done Yet

What has it been now? 2 months? Yep. And still not done. How come Extreme Makeover can build a whole house, plus landscaping and furnish it and make spectacular all in one week?! And it takes us over 2 months? Hummmm.
We are on the downhill now (I hope) and it's really just putting on the counter tops and cleaning left. Ahhhhh, will I be glad when this is over!

But wait.....Ty picked up another condo. Does that mean we will be starting all over?! Nope, he promised me that we will be doing only the minimum amount of work to get it rented out ASAP. I looked at him with the evil eye and said, "really, uh huh."

Sunday Baking

What's for dinner?

I don't know!

But I do know that I want some bread sticks....

So the boys made bread sticks. I just watched.

Like Ty's apron? ha ha ha

(I just put on an apron so I felt like I fit in)

When I said boys, I really ment all my boys!

Tage making his own special pans with snakes, capes, airplanes, arms.....hummmm, where does he get those ideas?!

Snaggletooth

Now Tage looks like snaggletooth. His other front tooth is loose now and he has pushed it over so it now practically in the center of his mouth. He looks so funny. Again, he refuses to let us touch it and says that the dentist will pull it out. Um, no. We are not going back to pay the dentist to get this tooth out. So, we have tried a few more bargains with him......if by Thursday he has that tooth out, we will go straight to Target to go buy the Lightning Thief movie. Hopefully it will come out by then!