Does it mean....

...that I'm a seasoned mother if I find my son eating the snow off of the bottom of his shoes while driving in the car and I don't do a thing about it?

It's even possible that the thought that ran through my mind was "He's quiet, he's happy and he needed a drink anyway."

Let's talk a little bit more about this baby

as if that isn't what this blog is all about anyway (well, at least lately).

So, I'm due Feb. 22nd.

Ronnie leaves for Phoenix for regionals of a law school trial competition on the 25th. He'll be gone until the morning of March 1st.

This was causing me some stress.

Call me crazy, but I'd kinda like my husband to be there when the baby is born (although, now that I think about it, it would give me sole responsibility of the naming...hmmmm....something to think about).

So, I mentioned it to the doctor this time, assuming that they would just tell me "Good Luck!"

Next thing I know, I'm on the induction schedule at the hospital for the evening of Feb. 16th. Based on what happened when I was going to be induced with Easton, I fully expect to be pushed back a few times for women who actually need to have their babies, but as long as I can have this baby before Ronnie is gone, I don't care one single bit.

So it looks like this nesting business might actually happen

Proof: Yesterday I scrubbed all of my baseboards with a Magic Eraser*.

*Let it be known that I'm not completely insane, it was only the baseboards that can be seen without moving furniture. Also, why were the kitchen baseboards the least dirty? It made no sense at all.

It's my kind of cleaning

How to make your shower/bathtub combo feel 100,000 times cleaner:
1. Make sure your old shower curtain liner was a taupe/light brown color
2. Buy a new white shower curtain liner and have your husband put it up
3. Have said husband scrub down the whole darn shower

Done and done.

37 weeks

Full-term baby! Not that that means anything to someone like me who has literally no chance in this world of going early. It's just not in my genes.

It has been almost comical to me with how much I really had forgotten about being pregnant with Easton. The second time around, I thought I would remember it all, but every time some new feeling, movement, stage of baby's growth comes up, it's like I'm learning it all again. Something to do with selective memory I'm sure?

While I do feel "ready" to welcome a baby into our home, at this point the discomforts of pregnancy are in no way outweighing the work of a newborn. This baby can stay right where it is for 3 more weeks, thankyouverymuch. I continue to feel really good, just the waking up at night thing. And remember last week when I bragged about my feet not swelling? Well, this week they came out in all of their glory. Welcome back cankles, I [in no way] missed you. If you are wondering where the pictures of the monstrosities are (you sick and twisted people you), I'll be sure to get some good ones before my next update.

But guess what? Since you have all been so patient with our struggle to come up with, let alone share names with you, I'm going to reward you by sharing all 7 of our boy names. I'm convinced that we will be going to the hospital with at least 7 boy names. We may even be paying that fee that I hear about if you don't name your baby by the time you leave. Ahh well.

You'll remember that our girl names are (in alphabetical order--mainly because Ronnie and I can't agree on anything, and this makes things the least complicated): Brynn, Camryn and Kendree(I'm fairly confident that would be the spelling if this last name was selected).

And the boy names (again, in alphabetical order--see above reason): Bridger, Brock, Bryson, Caden, Drew, Jayce and Tate. I'm sure Ronnie would want me to add that he is not certain that the name is even on this list (sigh).

Other belly shots: 36 weeks, 34 weeks, 30 weeks, 28 weeks, 24 weeks, 20 weeks, 17 weeks

It's time to make your voice heard

You've all been listening to me go on and on and on (or I'm sure it seems) about how this baby is a surprise.

You either think I'm crazy (generally those of you under 50)

or

You think that I am the coolest person you know because that's the way you did it (generally those of you over 50)

So now, it's your turn. Tell me what this little bundle of joy is going to be!

Do I need to be washing all of Easton's clothes, or begging my sister and friends for the pink stuff?

You'll notice a little poll on the right sidebar there. You have until 2/21/10 at 11:59pm to vote.

It's almost like he knows

I'm starting to think that Easton is smarter than I give him credit for.

For the last about two weeks, he has been what I would classify as an "angel" child. Now, don't get me wrong. We still have time out sessions and he is still two after all, but he has just been so much fun!

Everything is an adventure, whether it be a trip to Wal-Mart, playing with Play-dough, or doing some puzzles. He tells me about his day in 3-4 word sentences and laughs when I am being silly. He is going down easily for naps and bedtime, sleeping through the night and taking 2.5-3.5 hour naps.

Overall, he is making my job as a mom and parent easy.

I'm loving this last little bit of time as a family of three.

It's like he knows that things are going to change and is giving me memories to cherish.

Bless that boy.

[he has no idea what is about to hit him]

Just a little January catch up

On Martin Luther King day, Easton and I went to Cheyenne with my mom and sisters and as a result, he missed out on a nap. At 6:45pm, this is how Ronnie and I found him on the couch! We thought he would wake back up when we were getting him undressed, etc. but no such luck. Thank goodness he ended up sleeping all the way through the night! [and yes, the outfit was his idea]
Being a boy, and not a girl, Easton has just barely begun to have an interest in shoes. Daddy's are infinitely cooler than Mama's (never mind that he could probably handle my size 9's a heck of a lot easier than Dad's size 12's).

The other day, Easton got his hands on the camera. Many interesting pictures were the result, but this self-portrait is my favorite. "Cheese!"

36 weeks

Dudes, I am 4 weeks away! Seriously, where did the time go?

I'm feeling a little bit more prepared for this whole thing. I actually have a box of diapers, I made Ronnie get down the baby stuff and I have washed what I can at this point [never mind that that only includes one gender neutral outfit and about 10 onesies]. We are thisclose to having the bassinet set up and ready to go and then I think I can breathe a sigh of relief.

Well, a sigh of relief over that stuff anyway.

I continue to feel really good. In fact, that weird hip pain thingy I discussed a while ago is actually gone for the most part. I only have one complaint at this point and it is this: [prepare for a bit of a rant] I understand that when you are pregnant with your first baby and you have to wake up every 2-3 hours to switch the position of your growing belly, your body is helping you to "train" for having to wake up all of the time with a newborn. I do, I get it. But, with subsequent babies, it just doesn't seem fair. I remember! I know that it will not be fun to wake up every 2-3 hours when the baby is here, so for the love of Taco Bell, can I not just sleep through the night until the baby gets here?!? [end rant]

Other than the sleep thing, I really am feeling great. My energy is decreasing, but that is to be expected. I never really did "nest" with Easton, so I'm curious to see if I get that this time around. Also, I'm excited to report that only in the last week or so have I seen some swelling in my feet. Based on the size my feet were for the last month with Easton, that is a major accomplishment! I'm even still wearing my wedding ring (just the engagement band and not the other two bands, but still--it counts).

Other belly shots: 34 weeks, 30 weeks, 28 weeks, 24 weeks, 20 weeks, 17 weeks

Just something I've noticed

We're a brand loyal toilet paper family (Quilted Northern, thank you very much).

In my almost 5 years of buying toilet paper things have changed. Rolls have gone to the "double" or even the "triple" rolls.

Then, about two months ago, I noticed a new change.

My toilet paper roll is not as wide as it used to be!

How dare they take away my paper!

Now I can see almost 2 inches of the dowel that goes in the middle of the roll.

I know times are tough and all, but really--how much money can they be saving by cutting off an inch of paper?

Now don't get me wrong, this hasn't really changed my life in any way. It's just one of those things that bugs, you know?

What little things bug you?

Christmas 2009

After enjoying the presents that Santa and Mom and Dad brought (all of that footage is videoed and yes, I know I need to get it up here). The fam headed over to Grandma and Grandpa's house for more fun and food!

Any time Easton gets to hang out with Alayna is great by him. He's even starting to not be quite so mean to her (but we still have a ways to go).
With his birthday and Christmas so close together, he was really getting the hang of the surprised face. Sometimes he pulled it before the present was even open!

Concentration!

A Winnie the Pooh DVD! He loves "tiny Pooh." We have a little tiny plastic Pooh (that come to think of it will need to be put away at some point before baby two cares about that stuff) and I referred to it as tiny Pooh one day. Ever since then Pooh's name is always tiny Pooh.

Alayna had a little harder time getting excited over church toys. She must know what they are for! :)

Easton loved to help anyone who was patient enough to let him and would even give out his surprised gasp for their presents.

Alayna got a tea set and it was the hit of the morning. Easton now enjoys playing with it at Alayna's house twice a week when Erica is babysitting him.

Then Uncle Dan showed him how to play with his Racin' Ramps Garage.

It was a pretty great morning!

And here's all the Laramie loot (minus the garage). He was quite the spoiled only child! :)

And then we know....

...where we will be living after graduation that is.

Ronnie was offered and we accepted a job with the firm that he did his internship last summer with, so as of August 2010, we'll be residents of Cheyenne!

If anyone would have told high school KaLee that she would be living in Wyoming later in life, she would have laughed in their face, but life has a funny way of working--you know?

Having grown up 45 minutes from Cheyenne, most people assume that I am very familiar with it, but aside from how to get to the mall and Target, I know nothing! It's a whole new adventure people. Very exciting.

Plus, I will actually live somewhere that has a Target, and that right there is cause for a celebration.

The Robe

Aunt Aubrey made Easton an adorable robe for Christmas/his birthday. I was unsure if he would get it, since neither Ronnie or I utilize a robe on a regular basis. We explained the idea of the robe after his bath on Saturday night and he was all about it.

Right away he walked off to enjoy a little TV time in his new robe.

You are dying from the cuteness, I know.

When we finally had to get him dressed (since mom was convinced that we could not go diaper-less for too much longer without an accident), he was insistent that we put the robe back on over his pj's. He seemed to roast from all that fleece, but it was a struggle to get him to take it off at all to go to bed.

Thanks Aubrey--I think it is safe to say this present is a hit!

34 weeks

Please excuse my facial expression. I believe that Ronnie said something to me right as I was taking the picture (at least that is what I am blaming it on).

6 weeks to go! It is crazy to think about. Especially since I am having a hard time working up any kind of motivation to do anything (strange since before Christmas you couldn't pay me to slow down, well you probably could have paid me). I still have to take my five quilts to be quilted and finish those, not to mention regular baby preparations. Oh well, 6 weeks should be enough time, right?

I'm still feeling good. I have definitely started to waddle, and it seems more pronounced at work, since I sit at my desk for longer periods of time and then get up so I am a little stiff. Baby is moving all of the time and is head down. The doctor this week even told me what a few of the "sticky-outy" body parts are so I can better identify them when the baby is moving.

My mom asked this week if I had any feelings as to whether I will go early or late with this baby, and my inkling is late. But most of that could be because Easton was late, and because I semi-begged the doctor to give me the earlier due date at my first appointment.

I have apparently entered the time in pregnancy when it is okay for complete strangers to touch my belly. Luckily it doesn't bother me too much, but I always wonder if I will ever be the stranger who does that at some point in my life. I just don't see it happening.

Easton gave us a big speech at dinner last night about the baby being a sister (we didn't even know he knew the word "sister") so who knows what that means. We probably shouldn't put too much stock in it though, considering when you ask him if the baby is a boy or a girl, he answers "boy-girl!"

We're continuing to narrow down those boy names, don't worry, I promise to share as soon as we have a "modest" list.

Other belly shots: 30 weeks, 28 weeks, 24 weeks, 20 weeks, 17 weeks

Goodbye for now...

Last night, Ronnie's sweet grandpa, Jay Everington Edwards, passed away. We were fortunate enough to get to see and visit with him several times while we were in California.

I was even able to get this photo of Easton and grandpa on 01/02/10 {poor quality, I know--darn cell phones}.
He was an awesome man and we all love him. In fact, our family is full of his namesakes, Ronald Jay and Easton Jay.

Ronnie wrote an awesome tribute to him for his 90th birthday two years ago, which can be read here.

We'll miss him, but know he is happy to be reunited with his two dear wives, Lazell (Ronnie's grandma by blood) and Frances (the grandma Ronnie knew growing up).

Dear Diary,

Something happened to me today that has never happened before.

My car wouldn't start.

Actually, my car wouldn't start because it was too cold.

I'm a little shocked. After all, I've lived in Wyoming for over 15 years and this is a first. Luckily, I have two cars and the second one decided to come to life, so I was able to get to work today.

I knew it was cold when I walked outside and it hurt to breathe through my mouth, but I figured it was another zero degree morning. Then, my "Bahama thermometer*" of a car thermometer informed me that it was -16 degrees and I knew it was really, really cold.

I quickly checked www.weather.com when I got to work and saw this:

[let us all pretend that there is a picture here of a screen shot of weather.com. It says that at 8:05am in Laramie, it is -25 degrees, but feels like -42. I am not smart enough to figure out how to make it appear. sigh.]

P.S. Today may not have been the greatest day to be running late and throw your hair up in a wet pony tail.

*Our car thermometer always runs about 10 degrees warmer than it really is. After about 10 minutes of driving, it settles to the actual temperature, but since everywhere in Laramie is under 10 minutes away, it is very frustrating.

While I was gone...

a few things of note happened.

• I broke my little toe but I'm too cheap to go to the doctor to have him tell me to tape it to the next one and that is all they can do
• We drove for approximately 34 hours and all lived to tell about it
• Ronnie and I narrowed down our boy names from 21 to 7 (we have a bit more weeding to do and then I will share, I promise)
• I realized that I probably didn't break my little toe, but it still hurts, just not like a broken bone
• We had a great Christmas and New Year (pictures coming soon)
• Easton's talking exploded, he can pretty much communicate whatever he wants
• Lots of people touched my tummy--apparently I am to the stage in the pregnancy where people are drawn to it

It's a tradition

and one that I selfishly post.

I have no idea how many of you even utilize this calendar, but it is so vital to my everyday sanity, that I will post it yet again.

2010 Monitor Calendar

Enjoy.

Hello

Hello there friends!

Hello there 2010!

Where have I been?

Enjoying the holidays, the warm California sunshine and all of our dear family.

This year is going to be great.

All it took was peer pressure

Remember how Easton was Woody for Halloween?

And I couldn't get him to wear the cowboy boots that I bought two MONTHS in advance, despite bribery and other tactics?

Well, my sister and her family moved to town and it just so happens that little Alayna has the exact. same. boots. And she wears them.

So, Easton gave in.
Dang, if they aren't cute.

Thanks Alayna! I love that you are here--and not just because you make my son wear what I buy him. :)