The Drive Home...

It went very well! He slept well while we drove until 3:30 am (Utah time), and then the next day he was happy to look at books.

Obviously he was enthralled with the "Brushing My Teeth" book, so much it put him to sleep!

This was after his car nap, we were ALMOST home (about an hour away) and he was starting to get restless so we turned on some tunes.

Super Posting Time

I just spent an hour and a half posting all of the pictures thus far from our trip. I hope you enjoy the next few posts! The order you will see them in starts with the most recent occassion back to last Friday.
p.s. Thanks, Christa for sharing this article. I've been debating easing my security settings back so anyone can find my blog and so I don't have to invite people. This article reaffirms my already-made decision!

Feed the birds

We went to Layton park on Wednesday to see and feed the ducks.

Conrad really enjoyed this outing......
....probably more than the ducks liked getting chased.

First black eyeS, and having fun.

This is the best picture I could get of Conrad's black eyes. Yes, he managed to face plant on both of them within 2 days.
We had a rockin' time playing Rockband at Jamie and Kyle's house. Thanks Jamie and Kyle for letting us stay so late! We wish we could play more!
While we were playing rockband Conrad was trying to snuggle with Jamie and Kyle's dog, Buster. This is not the best shot... but it's hard to get a good picture of a toddler with a dog. Conrad loves to divebomb dogs and try to snuggle them.

EASTER PICTURES

Getting his Easter Basket... doesn't he look delighted!?

Enjoying his peeps, yum!

All cleaned up for the day and ready for a hunt...

...the hunt

oops, he cracked an egg open. He honored the 3 second rule, though and hurried and popped a jelly bean into his mouth.

yes, he is very delighted!

These girls were his competition. They all hunted very fair, though. In the end they each coincidentally got 5 eggs. On the left is his cousin McKall. In the middle is cousin Katie.

What are they looking at? And what's with the random expression, Conrad? It seems to be a popular expression with him (look at above picture). He's probably mid-"sentence." Recently he has started telling us these big long stories about something. He is certain of himself and knows what he is saying, yet we have no idea. I will have to record it and post it on here, it is pretty funny.
Realizing the hunt is over.
Later on, getting to know Grandpa Shepherd. Grandpa was laughing at how studious Conrad was being. I told him it's not uncommon for him to stare people down. He is just an observer, like his mom!
Josh and Conrad bowling on the Wii. (The Wii is a new and cool videogame device). Conrad really wanted his dad, and Josh has been having a blast playing the Wii nonstop, so he decided to just combine father-son time with Wii time.

The drive and the birthday dinner

Here is Josh buckling up Conrad at the beginning of a long journey ahead. We had actually already been driving for about 2 or 3 hours, so Conrad's look of desperation is not in vain. He didn't want to get back in. Still, he was a very good boy and didn't put up a fight.
The next day (Friday) once the sleep had settled in.
BIG TRANSITION

I really should post a new post for this one, but I had already selected these pictures to upload, and I guess I'm in a hurry to get my blog updated!

This is Saturday night, my Grandpa Woodbury had a birthday dinner at Robintino's in Bountiful. Here he is with my Grandma opening a present from his kids.

How cute, me and Josh.
Even cuter, my Grandpa. My uncles and aunts (and mom and dad) gave him a model of an airplane he flew back in his youth for WWII. I think it was a B-24. Correct me if I'm wrong!
Happy belated birthday, once again, to my sweet Grandpa Ethan Woodbury. He is the most affectionate member of my family. I can remember being a little girl and knowing that when he arrived I was supposed to give him a hug or else I would be in trouble. He always says things that make you laugh, too... in a way you wouldn't expect! When we announced we were pregnant he said, "I wondered if you two were getting busy." Ha ha ha! We love you Grandpa!

Happy Easter

We are in Utah for Josh's spring break, staying with Grammy and Grampy. Conrad is loving the Sadie dog (aka. "dee-dee" or "ruff-ruff"). We already changed out of our Easter clothes, or else I would have taken a picture and been good to post it.
The drive here was better than expected. I got a book on tape from the library, it lasted us up until 5 minutes before we arrived at our destination, it made the time fly by! I highly recommend doing this if you're going on a road trip ever.
Conrad is feeling better, Josh is getting skilled at the wii his mom and dad just got, and I am getting bigger, of course.
I will post some pictures sometime when I feel like it.

FYI and History

I am 31 weeks, but yesterday at my appt. the doc said I was measuring 32 weeks. I thought I was feeling bigger!!! Oh, the swelling and Restless Leg Syndrome has kicked in. :P

Oh, and I really shouldn't be blogging because I am crazy busy trying to get us ready to go, but I was on the computer anyway paying bills.

Milestone: Conrad is sleeping. His first official nap since Sunday. *big smile*!!!!

We are hoping to leave tonight, that is, if I get off the computer soon and get us all ready to go fast enough!

Oh, what do you do:

1. When you don't have a car,
2. when it's Tuesday (MBA DAY) and your husband is gone 'til 10 pm,
3. when Conrad is sick with a miserable cold (yes, again),
4. and he won't take a nap more than 30 minutes long?

I blog.

I just laid Conrad down for the 3rd time today, and he is actually being quiet this time, so I'm taking a break from his grumpiness. Who knows if he'll actually fall asleep? If he follows his record for the last 3 days he will be quiet for 20 minutes then start sneezing or coughing and wake himself up and start screaming, "STUCK... STUCK..." or "UP... UP..."

growl.

Forgive me for not blogging for a few days, but I've been busy with a grumpy toddler demanding my attention. And I will be busy for the next couple days getting things straightened out before we drive to Utah for spring break. Josh has 3 huge tests in the next 2 days, so I am getting us ready (that includes getting our windshield replaced and an oil change, not to mention doctor appointments, nursery snack bucket decorated, nursery substitute lined up...) my list goes on but I'll spare you.

Sigh, there is Conrad babbling over the airways on the baby monitor. At least he's not screaming yet.

Nevermind, he just screamed "STUCK!"

being smart

Here is a glimpse into some of Conrad's milestones at this point in his life!

18 months old

18 months ago:
Nowadays:

What a fun journey it's been!

Thankful List

Today as the sun was shining and it felt great to be outside (74 degrees!!!) I started to think about all the things I am thankful for. I wanted to "jot" down my notes.
I am thankful for:
1- Chocolate Chips
2-Little Debbie Easter Cakes
3-Today I am 30 weeks along!!!
4-I felt great today, it wasn't a burden to get out of my house.
5-My new maternity pants, fitted with "secret fit," oh my heck they are so comfortable! Any women out there pregnant and sick of maternity pant shields that dig into your belly and end up sliding down, go to Motherhood Maternity and find them. They will save your life! The instant I tried them on at the store I wanted to let out a big sigh of relief to let the workers and every single human being in ear shot know how awesome they were.
6-Daylight Savings. This is the first time EVER that I am thankful for the spring ahead. Conrad is sleeping in until 8 o'clock again, allowing me time to get my exercise routine in for the day. And I loved going to bed early on Sunday night.
7-Conrad is the best kid ever! Sure, he's throwing tantrums randomly now, but he gives me kisses and hugs after meals, and when I go get him from his sleep. He is soo much fun now!!! When he was really little I struggled- and I would tell Josh, "I can't wait for a year from now because I know he will be so much more fun," I don't regret saying that. My favorite baby stage is now. I guess he's a toddler now. He'll be 18 months old TOMORROW!
8-The baby einstein aquarium mobile in Conrad's crib. He will play with it for a long time after he wakes up and before I go get him. It just plays classic lullaby music and has fish rotating around in it. LIFESAFER! That is what he is doing as I frantically type. Sorry about this weird picture, but this is it:
9-My husband, the most patient man ever. He puts up with my complaining every second we're together. He just lets it go in one ear and out the other! I LOVE him!
10-Our health! I have been sick free for almost 2 weeks now (and it lasted for 2 months), Josh got over his flu-like symptoms within a couple or 3 days, and Conrad... well, he is just a trooper. I only had to use the car Nebulizer for 3 or 4 days, and then he just didn't need it anymore. His symptoms are different everyday, but they're dramatically better. Yesterday, no runny nose. Today, a greenish runny nose. No more cough, except in the mornings.
11-I am finally getting used to my big belly. I am getting used to the pain that makes me stand up slower, and getting used to the idea that my bearings are not about me until about 10 steps around. It's taken a few weeks, but today I felt like I could handle this for 10 more weeks.

A'right, Conrad is finally done playing with his aquarium mobile, I better go save him!

Cinnamon Rolls Recipe

For all you cinnamon roll fans, here is the recipe and an actual picture to get your mouth salivating!

1 cup hot water (not scalding)
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons yeast
1/2 cup honey (or white sugar)
1 1/2 - 2 cups warm water (depending on the season; if it's winter and the air is dry then use 2 cups)
8 cups white flour
3/4 Tablespoon salt

1. Combine water and tablespoon sugar. Add the yeast and let it rise until you have a good foam.
2. Add honey and rest of water. Add flour and salt.
3. Knead for 3-5 minutes (if using a kitchenaid or other machine) or 7-10 minutes by hand until the gluten develops and dough pulls away from the bowl. It should be very smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise.
4. Punch down after 20-30 minutes.
5. Cover and let rise again for 20-30 minutes.

After rising twice, roll dough out into a rectangle 1/2 inch thick. Spread 1 stick of butter on the dough. (my mom adds applesauce instead of butter for a healthy substitution. It tastes good, but its just not the same!) Sprinkle with 2/3 cup sugar and 3 tablespoons cinnamon. (You can also add nuts and raisins, or use brown sugar instead of white.) Roll the dough into a log and cut into pieces about 1 1/4 inch thick and lay flat on a buttered baking sheet. (I use a piece of floss to cut the pieces so you don't smash down your log. You can use string if that sounds wierd to you. All you do is lift up your log and put the piece of string underneath, pull up each end of the string until they cross and end up separating the dough into a little raw cinnamon roll!) Cover and let rise 20-30 minutes. Bake at 350 degrees for 15 minutes or until they get a tiny bit of golden color. Frost immediately with stiff powdered sugar frosting. (Blend 4 cups powdered sugar with 1/3 cup milk, 1 teaspoon vanilla and 1 cube of butter.)
DEVOUR WITH YOUR BARE HANDS! yum!

The credit for this recipe goes to Reed Larson (a baker somewhere in Utah) via Adrienne Haws (a sweet girl in my old ward who knows a lot about baking and cooking and everything domestic. -She even makes her own yogurt!)

Mr D playing with my shoes

It isn't the ideal pair of shoes if you're concerned about Conrad's masculinity, but I thought it was funny. I'm sure all it had to do with was the noise he made. I'm sure all it had to do with was the noise he made. I repeated that to make sure you understand that! Fun times at the Shepherd household.

"Bodies Revealed", read with caution, contains a graphic picture!

It's a professional picture, people. From a museum. I know what y'all Woodbury men were thinking.
Today Josh and I actually took advantage of living in Kansas City and went to the "Bodies Revealed" exhibit at the Union Station. Josh got the tickets through his school, otherwise we probably would not have even known about it. Above is a picture of a ... uh.... um, actual dead person ... playing the violin. I got the picture from the official website. I forgot the camera, and I'm not sure if they would even let you take pictures.
It was pretty cool. The coolest part for me was the reproductive section. It showed fetuses at different development stages. The farthest along it got was 22 weeks. Those babies are still really small!!! I thought that for sure it would be bigger, because I could definately feel the baby moving around in there.
Sorry if that picture grosses you out. I just wanted to share with you a little of what I got to see today. Josh was kind of bored with it. He "sees this stuff everyday," plus he was in charge of chasing Conrad around, so it made it kind of hard to get into. Anyway- interesting stuff in our lives.

Enjoying "bloo-bah-bas"

What to name the baby?

Josh and I are starting to get nervous. We cannot decide on a name for this daughter coming soon. We each have names we personally like, and there are a limited number that we cooperatively sort of like. (Did that just make sense?) So, we don't know yet. We thought we knew, but we've changed our minds. If it were up to me, it would be no problem naming her. I'm sure Josh feels the same way! But when there are 2 heads combined in this effort, it calls for teamwork. That means we BOTH have to decide!

We had Conrad's name picked out for the longest time. But it wasn't Conrad. He was going to be Spencer. Spencer Scott Shepherd. Sounded good. After a while it just didn't fit, though. We did some family research and found Conrad was Josh's grandpa's middle name. We loved it! On the day he was born we told everybody what he was going to be named and Grandma Cindy said, "Well, today is Grandpa Shepherd's birthday!" Wow. Talk about sealing the deal! That was freaking awesome. I want something freaking awesome again for this baby doll.

Read this story about baby naming trends lately and you'll see a name we've seriously considered. Hint: it's not Laura, though I seriously like the name. After reading the story I think we won't go with the name anymore, it's too popular now!

FYI: I just had to add that that swirling baby on my sidebar is not a good indication of what she is actually doing. It's more like stretches and spasms. She has the same foot flutter that Conrad would do, too.

Interesting...

Josh subscribes to this magazine, The DO. On the cover they are advertising a story about changing the initials, D.O., to something else. Something that would correlate more with "MD." I know that when we were applying to medical school and Josh mentioned the idea of a "D.O." school I didn't know what the heck he was talking about, and we've had to explain it to a lot of family members and friends along the way.
"DO" stands for Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine. What is Osteopathic Medicine? To have a very nice explanation by Wikipedia, click on this hyperlink. Now, I want to emphasize something interesting Wikipedia said.
"In the United States, the D.O. and the M.D. are the only two degrees permitting licensure as medical physicians. D.O and M.D. physicians have similar training (both requiring 4 years of training in the basic and clinical sciences and include licensing exams) but osteopathic physicians receive additional training in Osteopathic Manual Manipulation."
Thumbs up to the D.O.'s from Wikipedia. Josh is learning more than the regular MD doctor. And let me tell you, he has practiced some of what he has learned on me (OMT-osteopathic manipulative technique) when I've had sciatic pain, and it has made a difference. :)
I go see a regular MD doctor for Conrad, but when our next baby is born I want to find a DO.

So, in this article it talks about different reasons why they want to change the DO letters to something like OMD (osteopathic medical doctor) or DOM (doctor of osteopathic medicine) or MDO (medical doctor of osteopathy) or self-explanatory MD, DO. The general reason is for more recognition. Admit it, you had never heard of a DO until you:

1. came to live here and heard about it,
2. heard about Josh going to this school, OR
3. What? This is the first time I've heard about it.

The article didn't say that it was going to actually happen, but it has been a hot topic among DO's for a long time (the article mentions a DO doctor that graduated 30 years ago from medical school wanting to have it changed). It is getting more and more attention, so now you can be "in the know."

ETA: DO's are a lot more popular along the East coast, and they get more and more sparse as you travel West.

r.....s...........v

And Josh caught my horrible cold, too. He is miserable. I am trying to stay positive in a house full of sickness, but it is hard when I am feeling HUGE already. Seriously, I didn't waddle with Conrad, but even Josh noticed I am carrying this girl lower and popping out further. It makes for uncomfortableness and no motivation to do ANYTHING!!! Because it hurts to move!!! I actually measured my belly today and I am 3 inches smaller around than I was full term with Conrad. Proof! I've popped out!

Back to the main subject, sorry. I took Conrad into the DR. today because he was wheezing, and right before I took him in he spiked a fever. So, here is Da-Da giving Conrad his albuterol nebulatized. He loves the car nebulizer. He sees it and says, "vrooom vroom." So, he's wheezing, and today had a dramatic drop in appetite from yesterday. I'm glad he's just not a newborn little baby going through this. It's not hitting him quite as hard as it would a little baby.

Poor Josh has made best friends with our blessed La-z-boy chair. He only gets out of it to blow his nose, and that is actually pretty often. He's tried stuffing tissue up the nose, but that only can last for so long before.... ... yuck. I felt bad after I said, "Now you get to go through what I went through when I was on "vacation" in Utah!" He's popping Ibuprofen to keep his body aches down (which is what I lived off for a few days on vacation, I mean, I used Tylenol, for all you know-who's and what's about what's safe to take during pregnancy) and he's going through Sudafed and Dayquil. He had a test this morning and he said he felt like he was in a fog the whole time. Poor guy, I empathize for him! I'm sad he can blame it on me. Thank you, Mother Cindy for the words of persuasion. I don't know if he actually will listen to you, he is pretty stubborn when it comes to going to the doctor.

To my cinnamon roll fans, I will post the recipe on my blog, or I might just e-mail it to you because it takes a lot of steps. I know a lot of people would be happy to have the recipe, so perhaps I should post it on here. It is not a family heirloom recipe. I actually got it from a good friend in my previous Layton, Utah ward, Adrienne! She reads my blog, so Adrienne, thank you for that awesome recipe, it is benefitting a lot of people!

sunday and my boys are sick

This is something I did today. Yum! I did it in celebration of smelling again. I can finally breathe through my nose!!! I am tasting food again!!! The heavenly choirs of angels sings for me.

On the flip side:

Now that I am feeling better, Conrad and Josh are both sick. Thankfully Conrad is acting normally (ie. not grumpy, no fever), he just has a yucky cough. Unfortunately, Josh is getting hit harder than we are all happy with. He has had a bad back ache for a long time now (and will you readers please convince him that he needs to see a doctor?!?!? he will not listen to me!!!), plus he has a sore throat and cough. They were both sick enough to stay home from church today. I hope Josh is feeling good enough to take his test at 7 am tomorrow morning! And I hope Conrad doesn't catch RSV, which hit his buddy Luke this week!