Daddy Daughter Date

Last Wednesday evening, my amazing hubby took Marin out on a date.  I LOVE that!  And where, might you ask, did they go?  Ice skating!!  I was a little hesitant with Marin being so young, but Kris seemed set on it, so ice skating they went.  They actually went to the rink about a half a mile from where I work, but, since this was a only for daddy and Marin, mommy went home for an evening (or a few hours) of quiet.  

Marin was still a bit young for ice skating, Kris ended up pushing her around the rink about 6 times before his back complained loud enough, but they had hot dogs together and so much fun!  I am married to the most amazing guy, I just love him so much.  Marin may not remember ice skating with daddy, but she will never forget that he took her :)

And, of course, we can't leave out our Thanksgiving weekend!  We drove up to Kristoffer's aunt's home in Vancouver and spent the day with her family and watched a movie.  Marin had a blast playing with her kids, she LOVES those kids!  The next day we invited them down to have their kids play at the indoor Out of This World play-place for a few hours, so Marin was just in heaven.  Saturday was a quiet trip to Wal Mart and Kris and I left Marin with a sitter for a few hours to grab some dinner and pick out paint swatches for the kitchen.  It was wonderful to have Kris home all weekend, I am such a greedy wife I've learned ;)

I can SOOOO tell that I am heading into the final stages of pregnancy.  And it's not the back aches or the increasingly hard time sleeping, or the big strong baby kicking me...it's all the projects I want to do!  I am literally laughing at myself thinking about all the projects I'm listing off in my head!  Here's a little sample:

*Paint kitchen (we have 2 samples we are choosing between).

*Make my own removable stove backsplash.

*Finish kitchen table (sanding is done, and yes, I did the sanding!)

*Build my own entry way table (so far I have the 4 legs purchased...it was scrap wood on sale at HD for 50 cents a piece, how could I say no?)

*Cut and paint small shelves for around the house (we have spare particle-board and 3 pieces of real wood, I just need to cut, sand and paint them...).

*Install extra closet shelving into the Master and Marin's closet. 

*Re-frame a large mirror I have sitting around that weighs a TON!

*Measure and cut apart my old tablecloth for some drapes.

And this is all that's coming to mind for the moment, I'm sure I could think of more.  Oh dear, can someone say Nesting Much?!  Well, I have 10 weeks and some change get that list done, and today I was able to sand our kitchen table!  That makes me really happy.  I had tried sanding by hand with not much success, so my friend lent me her belt sander.  WOW!  Where has that thing been my whole life?!  I was able to finish the entire top of the table in less than an hour, incredible!  I would paint today, but I have so much to do today and it will just have to wait until Friday.  I can't wait to post before, during and after pics!

Today is a day for laundry and dishes and making cookies for YW tonight and dinner ( I thought we would try a broccoli alfredo baked potato bar with chicken?) and playing with my little girl.  That will fill the hours! 

Snowy Mess

This morning, after getting Marin out of bed, I opened the curtains and the blinds and said, "Marin honey, come here, come look at the snow!" (all half an inch of it!).  I pick her up and point to the white stuff all over our deck and the trees and the ground.  "Do you see the snow honey?".  

Her response:

"Oh mama, look at the (s)now!  Daddy make a mess, daddy clean it up right now!", as she nods her head and looks at me.

She then promptly went into our bedroom, crawled onto the bed where daddy was laying and told him to clean up his snowy mess right now.  Such a funny girl, we laughed at this all morning!  I am loving those imaginative phrases that fall from her lips each day!

Climb and Sand

Such a weekend jumble of activities to share, where do I even begin?  Saturday was a wonderful day for some home projects, so that's what we did.  We set out to find a color for our downstairs walls (again), and found the perfect one.  The color we selected before was perfect as we admired it in the Home Depot under fluorescent lighting, but when we got the paint on the walls under our regular YELLOW lighting, it looked....so bad.  Kris thought it looked liked the inside of Mexican's house, it was pretty yellow. So, we found a toned down, but still happy color for our walls.  We spent a good hour and a half at Home Depot purchasing paint and sandpaper and brackets and scrap wood, Kris was in heaven ;)

We did take Marin on a fun outing around dinnertime, a place called Out of This World Pizza and Play.  $5 get's you a children's admission (no charge for adults) and they can play all day!  I wasn't as impressed as I was hoping, but Marin and daddy had a blast for 2 hours, it was perfect.  We didn't eat there, considering a pizza was $17!  I know!  That's how they make their money though, right?  I have one picture of Marin climbing up the loops to the slide in the bouncy house, I wish I had more, but Marin was struggling initially with climbing the loops, and other larger children were stepping all over her, so mama bear was having a hard time!  She climbed up a few times with daddy's help and then she was solo, she did great :)

My project.  Our kitchen table the I am going to sand, repaint white and detail with some black borders.  I think it will look pretty good!  I have no patience for sanding however, last night I sat down and sanded that right corner for 20 minutes, and it was like I hadn't done anything!  This means I need a power tool!  My friend has belt sander I am hoping I can borrow ;)

It's about that time again...to post a belly pic!  You know, I really don't realize how big I am until I see myself in a picture!  This is mama and baby at 28 weeks, and I am wearing my most unflattering sweatpants, blech...but, they are comfy, so I wear them. 

 And, I made some super yummy muffins the other day, what I am deeming:  Overnight applesauce muffins, I will post a recipe to the blog, but this is a wonderful way to get your kids snacking on something healthy and filling, click HERE for the recipe.

These past 2 weeks, Marin has been so articulate with her words.  Her sentence structures are becoming so pronounced and correct...it blows me away!  She is using "I" and "you" and "it", all those conjunction words, such a big girl!  We are giving potty training another go...this time with reinforcements.  I broke down and bought Pull-ups and M&M's.  Now, we don't have a big crisis when she goes in her panties, and she has incentive to go in the potty as she receives an M&M if she does.  One step at a time.

A Pie for Daddy

Growing up, I loved to help my mom in the kitchen, especially when she was baking.  Whenever she was making a pie or some kind of pastry crust, I was right there (huh, sounds familiar...).  Mom would maker her pie and cut the scraps off and give them to me.  I, in turn, would begin creating a pie just for my dad.  A raisin pie.  I would dutifully roll my dough into a ball and flatten it with the rolling pin, then I would fill my dough with raisins...every time.  Raisins and usually some brown sugar and cinnamon, maybe some butter.  Heaven only knows what this pie actually tasted like, but my dad ate every bit...every time, and told me how delicious it was...every time.  Thanks Dad!!!  So, last week, I made an apple pie, and assisted Marin as she made her very first raisin pie for daddy.  This one was pretty basic, just raisins and crust, but Marin was thrilled to show daddy her pie that she made JUST for him, and watch him eat it and sing praises of how tasty it was.  Such a good dad :)  So, here is my eternal kitchen helper, making her raisin pie for daddy:

 I don't have a finished product picture, but you get the idea ;)

Picture Delay

Just a very fast post to apologize for my lack of posting...so sorry!  We have been having some technical difficulties with our computer and it's internet security, so loading pictures is near impossible.  I hope we can be up and running again soon...so if anyone has tips or suggestions or has information on how to make little white boxes with red x's in them disappear, please let me know!! 

Blessings

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I have been truly blessed to have a Priesthood holder in my home.  A man who understands and honors his role as husband, father and provider.  A man who is able to bless us with the Priesthood. 

Today, after a VERY....VERY long day, I received a moment in time that will not soon be forgotten.  After waking at 3am for the usual bathroom-run, I tossed and turned until I had to be up for work at 5am.  I had very little sleep, and I could tell by looking in the mirror...half of my face was all swollen and puffy...not pretty.  I worked until 6:45pm and raced to pick up my little girl, who had yet another diaper rash and no nap...issues I thought we had previously resolved with the sitter (sensing my frustration?).  Coming home, I threw some ingredients into the breadmaker for bread and chicken into the oven to make chicken noodle soup for my hubby who had a sore throat etc. that day.  Taking my sobbing 2 year upstairs and into the shower where she continued to sob until we layed her down.  I ran to the store and back again, coming home to hear my little girl sobbing in bed and ran up to comfort her.  She clearly was not feeling well.  After multiple attempts to feed her and console her, then put her down, she continued to be be restless and toss and turn in bed, not finding a comfortable position. 

Finally, I turned to my husband and asked him to give her a father's blessing.  I pulled Marin into my chest and snuggled her while he layed his hands on her head and blessed our baby girl as she whimpered.  Just moments after finishing his blessing, Marin sunk her tired body into mine and fell asleep.  I layed there for a few minutes to ensure she was truly asleep and placed her in her own bed.

I love my husband.  I am so grateful to have him in our home.  I would be devastated if I knew the power of the Priesthood and did not have a worthy man in my home to hold it.  This moment tonight made me remember the wonderful gifts that God has placed on Earth for us.  We are never entitled to partake of these blessings if we are not worthy, and they are carefully administered by the Lord based on our faithfulness.  I am guilty of having my moments of doubt, but the Lord continues to show me He loves me in way's that are so much more important than what I ask for in my prayers.  He blesses me with what I REALLY need, not what I THINK I really need.  Apparently there is a difference!  I just had to share my experience from tonight, it made my day....all worth it. 

Baby Baby

The other night, we convinced Marin to try and listen for the baby's heartbeat, like daddy does.  She was so sweet and layed on my lap with her head on my belly.  I was loving every second.  Such a sweet girl.

Baby boy was pretty quiet that night, so she didn't feel much, but she is very aware that there is a baby in mama's belly, and she daily gives him head butt's and kisses.  My belly was a little squished that night, so it looks pretty flat!

So, Baby Boy updates!  If you have been following the ticker, I will be 27 weeks on Saturday...CRAZY!  This pregnancy has been flying by.  I called yesterday to make a follow up OB appointment, and they are every 2 weeks now instead of monthly...what?!  I guess I still thought I had some time, but apparently, we are going to be having a baby. 

And boy oh boy is he getting strong!  No longer are his kicks always soft and gentle, sometimes he packs quite a punch!  And now I can actually feel appendeges, most likely a foot if he kicks to the side.  Its amazing that I can actually feel my baby boy's foot now. 

And weight.  Oh dear...the weight.  I am forced to relinquish this information as I promised...I am 32 pounds up for 26w4d.  BLAH.  I promise I have been trying to curb my portions, although I haven't been pushing away what I crave, I try to eat less of it.  And I have been exercising: walking, pilates, weights.  I guess it isn't enough.  I don't feel fat, I feel pretty good, and my figure looks pretty decent, I just look...pregnant.  I have to keep telling myself not to give up and curb those portions even more, it's hard when you know you are fighting a losing battle either way.  But, I have stayed the same weight for 4 days, so this is good news?  I'm also trying to make sure I eat something every couple of hours, so I don't get so hungry I eat a whole pie...you all know what I'm talking about ;)

Marin, I think is warming to the idea of having a little brother, although, she most likely has no idea what that will mean for her.  Let's hope she continues to embrace it!



Who Loves to Craft?

Marin is to the point where she wants to 'make something', as she say's daily.  So...after realizing she is bored with the same old stuff, I bit the bullet and bullet and bought a few crafting items for her at Wal-Mart...some plastic string (you know, for those key-chain boon-doggle things?), some toddler scissors and some pipe-cleaners.  I was going to buy beads, but then I realized...I could make my own!  I took some Ditalini pasta (short, tiny tubes), and soaked them in colored water for a few hours, then dried them out on parchement paper in the oven on low for an hour.  Perfect!  So, she made a bracelet...

Such good parctice for a little one's fine motor skills.  I needed to help her from time to time, but she loved every minute of crafting!

A few day's later she crafted with her friend, Eden.  She loves playing with Eden, who is almost 4.

And I had the chance to finish up the Reliefe Society crafts I had signed up for never got done a few Saturday's ago. 

I made a few hair clips for Marin, aren't they cute?!  She actually likes to wear them, I put them in her hair and she say's "Look, mama, soooo pretty!".

I am so happy to have a few fun decorations for my home, they make it seem so much more...homey!

Halloween Recap

I truly cannot believe that this has been Marin's THIRD Halloween!!  Amazing!  Granted, the first one was pretty dull for her, she was just 2 months and wrapped in a pea-pod so mommy could take pictures, but nonetheless!  I think that this year was the first time Marin understood and became excited about the concept of Haloween and Trick or Treating.  She totally knows the word "treat" and "candy", so she just needed to solidify mommy's promises that people were going to be giving it away, by doing the Trick or Treat walk for herself. 

I had these grand plans of making Marin a Blue's Clue's Halloween outfit...and time and money kept slipping away, honestly, these past few weeks have been CRAZY busy.  So Saturday came and I had no costume...we settled for a store bought princess costume, and Marin was just fine with that.  Kris's aunt Marci and her ward were partcipating in a Saturday Trick or Treat around their neighborhood since so many are members, so we drove up to Vancouver, Wa. and partied at their house.

Marin not wanting to have her picture taken.

We were able to stay and play with the cousins for a while, and Marin was able to spend time with Great Grandma!  She had a great time and we are so lucky to finally have some family fairly close by so we can get together with them!

Sunday night (REAL Halloween night), Marin helped daddy hand out candy to the trick or treaters that came to our door.  I almost think she loved this more than going herself.  We had filled her yellow 'Happy Bucket' with the candy, and she hauled that thing all over downstairs.  When the doorbell rang she would run to grab the bucket and RUN to the door and hand out candy (in her white onesie, pink tights and pig-tails, SO CUTE!).  We ran out of candy in ONE HOUR!  Crazy how many kids we had...now we know for next year, and now I know to buy some of the cheap candy too!

It's November?!

Just when did THAT happen?!  I was happily trucking away with life (for the most part), and then I realized....it's NOVEMBER?!  Wow, how the time has flown!  I have such a long list of things I would LOVE to get done over the course of the next...5 months or so, but time...and money too, is slipping away at an alarming rate!  What is a girl to do? 

So...my list of things I can currently remember I would like to do/get done/accomplish:

1.  NOT gain another 25 pounds. (so hard!!!)

2.  Keep my sanity and keep exercising

3.  Sand, paint and refinish our kitchen table.

4.  Have my hubby re-paint the walls (not for MOI, he doesn't like the color).

5.  Hang our pictures back up.

6.  Get my baby boy's nook ready in our bedroom.

7.  Pull out all the baby gear from the garage and clean it, then find room for it.

8.  Any other 'nesting' needs I see fit.

9.  Build (from scratch) a waist high, narrow table for our front entry...how hard can it be?

10.  Continue writing my book (?!) without getting freaked out that a first draft is NEVER an A+.

11.  Save money for a doula.

12.  Save money for maternity leave.

13.  Realize I don't have enough time to save for both, so make a choice.

14.  Continue to be extraordinary.

Yes, yes, I know, I am one ambitious pregnant lady...but then again...it must be the hormones?  I realize I haven't posted Halloween pics yet, rest assured, they are coming. 

Oh, and seeing as how Christmas is coming, if you would like suggestions on what to get for Marin, should you feel the urge to...I will try and put a new tab up on the top of the page that will give some ideas.  I have found she is getting to the age where she is getting into specific things, so it may be helpful.