Baby Daze

Sorry about that last post, I will make it up to you now with one focused on the apple of my eye, my angel baby, (toddler now) Conrad.

Lately Conrad and I have been getting super-bored from staring at each other and the box of toys in our front room. I remembered a post my friend Emily did a LONG time ago (like last spring probably) about this book called Baby Days. In it there are tons of activities to do with a child under 3 years old. I strongly suggest checking it out from your local library if you have baby(ies) under 3!

One of the activities that I read about was called "Tickle them pink" where you take a paint brush and tickle your baby and say, "I'm painting your toes," or "I'm painting your chin," and they get a giggle from it. I combined that with an activity where you take construction paper and let them get their hands wet and then "finger" paint, though it's actually just with water. The water shows up on the construction paper, there is no mess, and it dries so you can re-use the same piece of paper again. Here he is having fun:

He mostly had fun flipping the water around with the paint brushes! It was funny to watch. He didn't really care about the marks the water would make on the construction paper, he thought the flying water was pretty amusing.

He has learned to climb up to the kitchen table and stand on the chair, so that's how this activity started. He saw the paint brushes on the table and started doing his never-ending whiney-plea noise and I knew what he wanted. We've taught him to say "please," but the only problem is when he runs around saying "pees....peees....peees..." we don't always know what he wants. It's a guessing game. But he amazes me day to day with how much he learns.

SORRY, here's a little bit of me. Hey cousin KK, here's what you wanted---pictures of my pregnant self. Like it or not, this is what it is. Look forward to it. Cherish these pictures. Hold them dear to your heart. What you are about to see is the beauty of pregnancy.

I can't help but get the song "Isn't She Lovely?" by Stevie Wonder in my head when I look at these pictures.

Feelin' it

BEWARE: this is a long post, and it is in the "woe is me" category.

I am ready to have this baby. Is that pathetic, or what? Tomorrow (officially) I will be 6 months along (24 weeks) and I still have 4 months (16 weeks) to go. Every time I stand up I feel 50 years older because of the pain in my baby-related areas. I would really like a cane to help me up!!! I'm also already having trouble sleeping. You know how sometimes you sleep so soundly you go to sleep and then when you wake up the next morning you didn't move an inch? Every time I have to move at night I wake up. This is due to one of the following: the size of my belly and the pressure it is putting on my bladder, the fact that I can't breath when I lay on my back, or my arm is asleep from laying on my side. Ah, I'm so glad I have a blog so I can complain freely, and all you (as the reader) has to do is SCROLL DOWN!!!

Ready to pop!!!

Besides the uncomfortableness this pregnancy is going very very well. I have it so much better than a lot of other moms-to-be. I am able to be my old self still! I've heard men say, "I just can't wait to have my wife back," because pregnancy makes a lot of women so sick they can't do anything. You could say that I feel better about myself when I'm pregnant (at least this time around) because I take better care of myself versus when I'm not pregnant. I try to eat healthier (it's a lot more, but it's healthier selections) and I try to stay active (it's just walking, but it helps!!!) At this point with Conrad I had gained close to 30 lbs, and so far I've gained 10. I also had heartburn "radiating to my knee caps" (as quoted by Juno, from the movie Juno) a long time ago, and I've had it very mildly this time around. I had it so bad I couldn't have a drink of water or eat a banana without feeling that burning sensation in my chest. I couldn't bend over without it spreading upwards into my throat. With this baby I only get it for a brief moment if I eat something high in fat and then sit down and lounge.

One funny thing: whenever I hold Conrad, or another baby (I have been baby-sitting lately) this baby likes to kick them out of the way. A few times I will be holding Conrad (or another baby) and I'll feel something. Sometimes it's so strong it kinda hurts, comparable with getting hit on a bony surface (your knee or shoulder). Sometimes it makes me wonder "Was that the baby I'm holding in my arms or the baby in my belly?" I have to check wherever I'm holding the baby to make sure their foot isn't twisted up and funny-so they're kicking me, and they're generally always fine. So, it's safe to assume it was the baby girl.

We've been thinking about names a lot lately, much to no avail. We really would like to use a family name but we don't really like Hattie, Hilda, Altha, Margaret or Vada. Kim-the-girl suggested a name that would combine both my mom and Josh's mom's names. My mom is Jane, and Josh's mom is Cindy. How does Jacine sound? (pronounced Jay-seen). We could even add a little flair and go with Jacinda- add some Afro pride. Or, we could go with Josh's mom's nickname (Lou) combined with my mom's middle name (Ann) and go with LouAnn. Hmmm, we love you 2 wonderful mothers, but are not in love with these names. We are not going to set a name in stone until the baby girl is born, but we would like to have some options.

An interesting thing I came across the other day... I was looking at Josh's family history and noticed his paternal great-grandma. Her name is Vada Amelia. We're not in love with the name Vada, but the name Amelia is nice. I was reading her writings and was enthralled. I started wondering how long ago she passed away, and then started thinking "I wonder what her birthdate is." Keep in mind this baby is due May 21st. Also keep in mind that Conrad was named after his great-grandpa Richard Conrad (also Vada's son), and then coincidentally born on his birthdate (Sept. 13). I found that Vada Amelia was born on May 18th!!! We don't want this baby to come on May 18th (because Josh has 8 hours of finals the next day- the 19th, plus the 19th is his birthday), but I couldn't help but laugh out loud when I noticed that. Who knows, maybe we'll just go with something simple and easy like Kim or Sara(h). Ha ha, just kidding. We already have multiples of those in my family. No thank-you. :)

I thought I'd leave you on a good note. Particularly if you were one of the people that ended up just scrolling down through the post. This is Conrad before he knew how to walk (the first part of October), only a few short months ago, yet it sure seems like forever ago! It's actually about 4 months ago, and that's how long I have left in the pregnancy! I think I can make it!!!

This Morning

I wanted to show y'all my dainty little eater. He really enjoys breakfast time. It's his best meal of the day, as far as eating goes. He's caught a cold, though (yes, he's been to the gym with me recently, that's why!) and is not eating so well. So, I've got my underwear tied in a knot about his appetite lately.

"Baff"

The other night Conrad had a poopy diaper, so I took him and changed him. When I was finishing up he started saying, "BAFF! BAFF! BAFF!!!" I wondered why he was so insistently saying this mysterious word, and then I realized what he was saying. He wanted a bath! His routine generally consists of a bath after a poopy diaper, but- it's always in the morning. So I had to disappoint him by saying, "No, you can take a bath in the morning." I lack the energy to give him a bath at night, so I do it every morning.
The pleading look in his eyes was almost enough to get him what he wanted, but this poor mom was pooped. So, I gave him a bath the next morning and he was fine.
Don't I have such an interesting life?!? ;)

What a man, what a man, what a man, what a mighty good man!

Yes he is!
Josh had the day off from school so we went and bought thread and patched up our couch cushions with my new sewing machine! He said "we" did it, but I can't take any responsibility for him showing me exactly what to do (and I only patched 1 hole), then me sitting there watching while complaining about sciatic pain.
In this picture he is saying, "IT WORKS!" (I got it for Christmas, this was the first time "we" used it). He was all giddy and excited... I was nervous and stressed.
When we were walking into JoAnn's together to buy the thread there were 2 different cars with husbands dropping off their wives, and I couldn't help but be grateful my husband loves to do crafts and create things. We are polar opposites!!!

p.s. We are planning on buying new couches with the tax money we get back this year. We feel we owe it to ourselves for living with 20+ year old couches!

Flashback Frid...Saturday :)

Sorry, but I know you'll forgive me for posting this a day late. I really haven't done well about posting on my blog lately, especially with the "Flashback Friday" theme. I just really wanted y'all to read something with the focus on something besides ME (read below post).

Lately I have been thinking a lot about what it was like in the beginning with Conrad (anticipating the upcoming arrival of baby #2). I seem to have forgotten about these kind of times:

I am mostly remembering these times:

Oh, how I look forward to it! I feel bad for Conrad- that he had to be my first baby and put up with all my mistakes and imperfections. He'll always be in those shoes, though, won't he? My poor little guinea pig.

Right now as I type this my baby girl is moving and reminding me that she'll be here soon, so get ready! I am a whole different person with this pregnancy versus with Conrad's. I was SCARED STIFF during Conrad's pregnancy. His was a very big surprise, so I was more hesitant about the thought of becoming a mother already. The difference between having your first baby and your second is comparable to... let's say getting your hair cut. The first baby you get your hair cut WAY short. The second baby (I'm betting, this baby's not here yet) you're just getting it styled differently. Not a big deal. You have to work with it a little to figure it out, but the whole WOW factor is not involved as dramatically.

Am I up in the night? Would you say I'm looking through rose tinted glasses? Or am I pretty accurate?

A "Me" Post.

This is a ME post. I saw these questions on Kim-the-girl's blog and really wanted to do them too. Feel free to do it on your blog, too- anybody and everybody!

1. How often do you exercise and what do you do for exercise?
I try to go to the gym 3 times a week, and I POWER WALK! No more running for me, thank you very much. This baby girl starts her own exercise routine when I’m running, it’s enough to make me slow down to a walk! Oh, and I lift weights and focus on my legs and butt. This baby is coming right at the beginning of swimsuit season so I won’t be able to hibernate underneath layers of clothes like I did with Conrad (born in Sept).

2. Do you make your bed everyday?
The last couple of days- nope. But if I just hurry and do it right at the beginning of the day it happens. I’ve been busy right at the beginning of the day the last few days so it hasn’t been made.

3. What do you do in the evening hours? TV? Blog? Read? Clean the house? ;)
After dinner, dishes, and Conrad to bed I like to relax and watch TV or sometimes blog. I’m pretty much toast after all of those things, I can’t do anything but veg.

4. What are you having for dinner tonight?
Maui Mex. Yep. And I’m hoping it turns out better this time than it did last time. It just didn’t seem as good as my mom’s.

5. What did you have for dinner last night?
We had German Pancakes and fruit. We have 3 ½ dozen eggs in our fridge (thank you WIC!) so I’m trying to use them up. If anyone knows anyone that needs to be EGG'd, let me know. :=)

6. Who does the dishes at your house? Who takes out the garbage?
I do the dishes. Sometimes I take out the garbage, but lately it’s been so cold I’m willing to wait with the pile until Josh gets home, then I ask him to do it. He’s a good sport.

7. Give me one favorite cleaning/household tip that you have learned and use regularly.
Hmm. When I vacuum I go over the same area a few times. Ok, I really don't, but my dad taught me that trick when he sold carpet at RC Willey’s. It helps prolong the life of the carpet. I could use a few lessons when it comes to cleaning.

8. Do you pluck your eyebrows?
Yes, sir. I have ever since I was probably in 6th or 7th grade. And I overdid it back then. I’m still seeing the consequences of it today!

9. How many nights of the week does your family have dessert?
I generally make one dessert once a week, and just let it take its course throughout the week (a snitch here, and a snitch there). But I’ll always have some sort of snack sometime before bed.

10. What time do you wake up in the morning, and what time of day do you take a shower?
On the days that I don't go to the gym I am guaranteed to be up by 7 am, because Josh leaves at 7:15, so I have to make his lunch. And then I meander with my breakfast, watch some TODAY, then take a shower around 7:45. It’s the life, I tell ya. (Gym days I'll either get up and go at 6ish, or take Conrad with me later on in the morning.)

Cute boys

Josh had a test to study for, but he didn't want to go downstairs, so he decided to study upstairs at our kitchen table. Little Conrad would not leave him alone, he kept saying, "Up...Up...Up." So, Josh let Mr D help him study.

The other day Heidi and I went to Zona Rosa (a retail district) where they also have a place for the kids to play. On big fruit. Here is Conrad climbing onto the plate the fruit sit on.
This is Luke and Conrad figuring out this big peach (sliced in half, it also works as a slide).
Luke and Conrad play really well together, whenever they see each other they give each other a big hug and end up toppling over!
Conrad is doing so well lately, as far as eating goes. No, this is not in relation with the picture of him almost eating the Kiwi. Sorry, that would be funny. He eats more than I do at breakfast (a full bowl of cheerios, a banana, and probably 1/2 cup of milk.) and at lunch he eats his whole PB sandwich, some slices of cheese and some sort of fruit (usually a diced peaches fruit cup), and another 1/2 cup of milk. And then at dinner time he's finally eating more than just drinking his milk. He's finally eating!!! And he's really starting to love his milk, last night before bed he drank a whole cup full... something he's never done all at one time.

I think he's putting on a little bit of weight, and for that I am grateful. Here are some pictures Josh took last night after dinner.

Don't I have the cutest boy? (Sorry to everybody else out there who thinks THEIR's is the cutest!)

Saying Cereal

This morning I aspired to get Conrad to say cereal so you can see that Conrad learned something new again!

Sorry, but he doesn't say it until the very end, so you mostly get a video of me talking. Fast forward if you can't stand to hear my voice... that's what I do!

If you are reading this,

CONGRATULATIONS! You made it through my new privacy settings. This is all new to me, so I'm hoping it works out without too many gliches. I can now rest at ease about any unknown wierdos looking at my blog. Well, actually, now I know which of the lookers are weirdos or not. ;)
Love to you all, and I hope everything is going well in your life. Feel free to comment so I know you made it through.

December 25th, 2008

Here is Josh and Conrad, before we opened the presents, full of anticipation!

Here is Conrad discovering his pile of presents.
Josh is a pro at guessing what something is. It looks like Conrad may take on that trait, too!
Here he is mid-action. Opening up.... new socks!
Santa brought a caterpillar that sings and counts, judging by Conrad's face he likes it!
Here is a ball he got from Grandma and Grandpa S! You can't go wrong with a ball.

A few hours later, Conrad got loose and pulled the whole cupboard apart. You would think he was a puppy or something! Actually, he and the puppy Sadie were good buddies, they played so cute together!

During the afternoon Josh and I left Conrad at Grandma and Grandpa S.'s house (to take a nap) and drove to my parents house so we could open presents and talk to my baby sister Erin on her mission in Australia. I didn't take any pictures there (Conrad wasn't there, what else should I have taken pictures of?!?) sorry. I knew I would regret it later, and I do.

We ate cheese and crackers, and had lots of fruit. I also had a very nice quick chat with my lil' sis. When she found out I was pregnant a couple of weeks ago, she knew it was a girl, too. She said she just had a strong feeling. Just like me! We decided together that this little girl is going to be very special.

Later on we headed back to Grandma and Grandpa S.'s house (Josh's parents) and had dinner and opened more presents. Here are random shots during the present opening.

We got everything we wanted, don't worry. The most important part to us was that we were all together for Christmas. (Thank you Scott and Cindy for helping us with that part!)

We sure love and miss all of our family members. I get a little emotional thinking about the next time we will all get together again. (Besides my trip in Feb. for my brother's wedding). I hope it's sooner than this next Christmas!

We loved being home for Christmas, it was so nice that we got to be there for so long, because it made coming back here easier! hee hee. :)

Christmas Eve

I am finally getting settled down to the point where I can post the majority of the pictures from our trip back to Utah on my blog. So, here is what we did Christmas Eve.

Fortunately, my Aunt and Uncle were able to reserve a church, so Conrad got to run free and I didn't have to worry about him breaking too many things. We had a lovely time, we had soups and breadsticks and salads and a super-yummy dessert.
Here is Josh hanging out with Kim and Brindy. Can you believe Josh was able to play "PIG" even though he was large with child?!?! (Kim, you look like you could feel it kicking!)

Here is a large group of the people that generally sat at the "adult table" while I was growing up. In the picture is my Grandpa W playing with Conrad (though you can't see Mr. D).
No, these were not all for me. These were for our $5 dollar/white elephant gift exchange. I ended up with 5 children's books and Josh got a gift card to Wal-Mart. We were lucky we didn't end up with the toilet seat with the Metamucil bonus!
Here is the whole clan, playing "Do you love your neighbor?" ... a big family favorite. One of my most memorable moments as a child (Ok, I was like 14) was when someone said, "No, but I love everyone that's gone skinny dipping." Me and a few of my girl cousins (that were the same age) shocked a lot of people when we ran to a new chair. (We were silly young girls that dared each other to skinny dip one time when we were boating, don't worry, no harm done!)
Here is the next generation of grandchildren acting out the Nativity. (Notice how cute the little sheep are.)
I got to chase Conrad around so I decided to take some pictures of him getting into things that required adult supervision.
Here he is loving his new cousin Brielle, he started rocking her car seat back and forth. I think he remembers me doing that to him when he was younger. ;)

...ready to climb underneath the stage...

...ready to pull everything off the kitchen shelves...

...ready to intercept someone's game of football...

...ready to push one of those tiny Lego pieces up his nose...

Like I said, we had a very nice time. The worst part was driving home in the blizzard-like road conditions. From the time the party started to the time we left it had snowed 4 or 5 inches, and the roads were awful. But, we made it home safely (obviously) and were able to celebrate Christmas safely, too.

Way to Go Ali!

I got some perfume for Christmas, but it wasn't the exact kind I wanted. It was the right brand, but wrong scent. We took it back to Target (where it is sold, and where Josh purchased it) only to find out that the scent I wanted is not being sold anymore. (Sonia Kashuk, "Ginger Citrus," anyone?)
So, I decided to pick out a different scent off their picked-through shelves. I took a risk and bought Sean Puffy's "Unforgiveable" without smelling it (there was no tester). We purchased it, and brought it home last night. I didn't open it.
Today we decided to go shopping to Macy's so Josh could get some new pants (he found a great pair, thanks Jeni for the gift card!). While there I thought it would be smart to go "test" this perfume.
LONG STORY made short, I discovered I had bought the men's version of Unforgiveable. Ha ha, way to go Ali. (We took it back today so don't worry about me smelling like a guy- phew!)

Flying Home

Thanks for the prayers that our flights would go well. All in all, it did. Conrad was better behaved than before, and we didn't have any major stressful moments.
At the airport in SLC. Josh was showing Conrad the airplanes and walking around.
Conrad climbed up on the ledge by himself... ... ... just killing time.
Conrad got loose a few times, so here's daddy chasing him.
Look who we saw at the airport?! Conrad's buddy Luke! We had the same flights as his mom and dad, Heidi and Kyle, so we got to let our boys play together, and catch up with how Christmas went! We even "celebrated" New Years Eve together. We landed in KC right at the stroke of midnight.
This is at 1 am on 1/1/08 FINALLY in Kansas City. (Special thanks to Heidi for taking a picture of me and Conrad while Josh and Kyle were getting taxis). Each of our flights were delayed about 30 minutes each, so we did a lot of waiting around. This picture was taken after Conrad had a major meltdown over getting his diaper changed, so he was wide awake.
We're glad to be home! Conrad's schedule is way off. Last night we laid him down at around 8 pm and didn't get him up until 10 am today. I'm sure he's just happy to be in his own bed, so he doesn't make a peep even if he's awake, hungry, and has a dirty diaper.
We're now just enjoying our last few moments before school starts again. Josh will go back to school tomorrow, and I'll be getting back into the swing of things, too.

First time playing in Snow

Conrad got to play in snow for the first time while we were in Utah, unfortunately, he was throwing a tantrum before we even went outside. Here is a perfect shot of the tantrum.


You can't tell, but he is still throwing a tantrum. The whole ordeal was not as much fun as we hoped it would be. Oh well, there's gotta be a first time for everything!