Memilyrae’s Digital Corner

Last Saturday we were trying to decide what to do…we haven’t had a full day with nothing planned for quite a while! Steve thought it would be fun to head to Salt Lake…let the kids ride on the Trax Train and spend the day at Temple Square. Sounded good to me! We called and invited Steve’s parents to come with us and we’re so glad they did!

We parked in Sandy, got our tickets (Wahoo! $12 for 4 adults versus $5.50 each adult!) and tried to not get blown over! The wind was insane! Evie was a bit scared when she wasn’t holding hands with daddy…she thought she was going to get blown away. I strapped Garrett in the snuggly backpack and we waited for the train to leave. The kids LOVED the train! It’s a 35 minute (ish) ride from Sandy to Temple Square and it wasn’t too bumpy.

(unfortunately the picture I took of daddy and Evie did not copy over along with 4 other photos)

We hadn’t had lunch (but we had a late breakfast) so we were ready to eat around 3:30. We went to a restaurant across from the Trax platform where we got off to eat. After that we went to an LDS history museum (I don’t remember the name). They had many neat things and we only saw a section of it before the kids were needing fresh air. Next we went to Temple Square and I ran into a girl who just started her mission about a week or two ago and will be heading to LA this Wednesday. We also ran into our neighbor who was at the Temple for his cousin’s wedding.

At one point I called to Spencer and Evie “Hold up you two!” and as I did, two sister missionaries were walking by, paused and turned to look at me. I said “sorry…not YOU two!” We had a good laugh!

We went over to the Conference Center and took the tour…even though I’m sure we’ve taken the tour 4, 5, or more times. You always learn something new every time you go, plus the people giving the tours are super nice. Mom Shaw’s feet were tired so they offered her a wheel chair (I almost asked for one too!) and Evie decided to help push and get a ride throughout the tour. At this point Garrett went to the bathroom in his diaper (which was a size too big) and it went down his leg and onto my jeans. At least it was only pee!

so I feel big. really big. too big too fast…(wait, didn’t I complain about this last week too?) Our bouncing baby boy is really starting to move, but I’m not sure if it’s really noticeable to outsiders yet…I know I feel him moving – especially after ice cream! – and it’s getting fun!

Here’s what Baby Center says for week 23:

And now that he’s more than 11 inches long and weighs just over a pound (about as much as a large mango), you may be able to see him squirm underneath your clothes. Blood vessels in his lungs are developing to prepare for breathing, and the sounds that your baby’s increasingly keen ears pick up are preparing him for entry into the outside world. Loud noises that become familiar now — such as your dog barking or the roar of the vacuum cleaner — probably won’t faze him when he hears them outside the womb.
So I ended up buying new shoes yesterday – slip on shoes that is! I was having a hard time getting my regular shoes tightened and tied, and when I played with my friend, Amanda, yesterday and saw her slip on shoes, I decided that’s what I needed too. So, I got some – and I can put them on without a struggle! YAY!!!!

The office is half clean so we’re getting closer to switching the kids room – they are so excited. I can’t wait to get more organized and have everything in its place. I’ve been getting rid of things we do not use and throwing away things we don’t need anymore. We noticed after we moved into our new place that we still feel overcrowded because of all the junk we have. So, we’re slowly getting through it. We’re saving up to buy new couches so I will be excited about that – we have a lot of ‘wants’ on our list to do so I’ll keep this posted as we do things. Can you say “nesting”?

So I’ve decided to give away our parakeets. First, since getting our cat, they haven’t had a lot of flying time outside the cage and I feel bad for them. Secondly, getting rid of the fish (and almost the tank!) and going through the office to prepare for the kids swapping rooms in prep for the baby, I’m ready to get rid of more stuff!

So, if you (those of you who are local) want or know someone who wants parakeets (cage, food, etc included) for free, get a hold of me!

Thanks!

So last Saturday while I was at work, Steve and the kids went to the weekly Stake basketball games. At the beginning of the game Steve took off with the ball and was on a breakaway…that was, until he went around an opponent and his break away almost became simply – a break. He was down with a rolled/sprained ankle and some of the ward men helped him off the court. We didn’t know how bad it was but Saturday and Sunday he iced and bandaged it. Come Monday he decided to make sure it wasn’t fractured or broken. Luckily there’s not any and the doc gave him and ankle brace. Look how lovely his ankles are!

I saw this paper and thought it would be so cute with Ayva. Here it is!

I wasn’t able to attend but Steve said he had lots of fun. The Elders Quorem had their own Pinewood Derby and each guy designed their own car. I stole these pictures from one of the blogs from a family in our ward…hope that’s okay Lai’s! Steve took 6th in each race.

Today hits our 15 week mark. Only 5 more weeks til we find out if Evie is right, or Spencer is. Babycenter is saying the baby “measures about 4 inches long, crown to rump, and weighs in at about 2 1/2 ounces” – or about the size of an apple. I can feel my tummy getting a little harder between my pelvic bone and belly button and I’m guessing it won’t be much longer until my bump forces me to do the rubber band trick. I’m still feeling fairly well except for the daily headaches. I’ve been told that it’s more common in pregnant women so I don’t need to worry. My dad said maybe I’m getting them because of chocolate withdrawals since sweets don’t sound too appealing to me when I’m prego. LOL

Steve’s been super busy this semester. His homework is just taking TONS of time out of his life so I usually only get to spend some time with him on the weekend and mainly when he’s ready for a break. So it’s kind of sad but I’m just praying he’ll be able to continue so well for the rest of the semester.

Spencer is starting to read!!!! I love his preschool! Miss Jamie has the kids reading the BOB books which are great for beginning readers. We have ‘sight words’ that we’re working on with him as well as the BOB books. He’s so excited that he’s starting to read. So are we!

Evie is…well, female. She’s been so cute lately, but then again she’s been so emotional too. Everything she does she says “Please I…” like “Please I throw this away” or “Please I play on the floor”, etc. I’m glad she’s saying please and being so nice but she asks about everything! She’s cute though.

Okay, now that we went to our first visit and we visually know there’s something there…it’s time to share!

So last February (’09) we found out we were pregnant…not because I took a home test or anything, but because something wasn’t happening that should have (you catch the drift, right?). After 3 months I had my doctor’s appointment and he told me it showed up positive. We did an internal ultrasound, but other than the placenta forming, nothing was visible. Dr Young thought it was maybe too early to see anything so I went in the following week for another ultrasound. Dr Young apologized and said I had a “miscarriage”…I’ve also heard others call it a “ghost pregnancy”. The body thought it was pregnant but there was never a baby. Steve and I didn’t take it hard…we didn’t actually feel like we were pregnant physically or emotionally. So it wasn’t too hard to “deal” with. My body did not have it’s ‘monthly cycle’ all year long. I wondered if something was going on and that my two cute kids was all we were supposed to have…and we were okay with that. We are luckier than others who can’t or have to have extra help getting a child. Monthly visit came once and Steve and I were “content” with our little family. Well, I guess you shouldn’t fool yourself into being content cause Heavenly Father had other ideas.

I was getting tired early and wanting naps in the afternoon…I wanted to sleep in (which is normal) but wanting to sleep until 11 or noon was a bit extreme even for me. That was when I figured I should take a test. My family kept teasing me at Thanksgiving that I was pregnant, and to prove to them that I wasn’t, I stole a test from my sister, Annette, right before Thanksgiving dinner. There…I proved it…no more teasing me. But in December I finally stopped by the store and grabbed a test. Positive. Looks like I was a liar at Thanksgiving dinner! oops!

When I went in for my appointment, we told Dr Young about the Thanksgiving test and he thought maybe we were not as far along as we originally guessed. He measured the baby (and thank goodness there was only 1! Dreaming of twins made me nervous!) and the due date was right on. I’m at 11 weeks (and 1 day as of today). Due August 11, 2010. But now the fun begins and I get to see if I go 2 weeks early like with Spencer, or really preemie (6.5 weeks) like with Evie. Hopefully no earlier than that! Maybe 2-3 weeks? That’d be nice…or maybe Aug 2 so the baby can share a b-day with Uncle Matt…or Aug 8 to share with Uncle John. Who knows!

Here’s where we are:

the baby is the size of a fig (and it’s showing it compared to a quarter…which when spencer saw this, said “Can I have the money?” LOL)

So, I almost posted this on Facebook, but then I realized my boss is on Facebook and out of town so I need to wait until next week when he gets back so I can have a little chat with him. Wish me luck!

Our New Years week was quite fun and full of activities…mostly cleaning and dejunking. We did spend some time outside of the home and with friends and family:

Mini Golfing with Mike, Nicole and Gavin:

We had a small get together for New Years. By midnight, all the kids where at home in bed (or upstairs in bed) and 3 of us stayed up to ring in the new year with Super Mario Brothers Wii. Love how we each have our own bottle? Well, we had more bottles to ourselves still in the fridge! We stayed up til 3:15 when Matt left and then hit the pillows around 3:30 AM. YAWN!

On Saturday we went sledding with Joel and Annette and kids. Spencer wasn’t worried but it took a bit of convincing for Evie. She only wanted to go down with Steve or me, mostly me, but after a while she decided she would go with the others. We had a grand old time!

Love Lauren’s screaming face!

There goes Evan…

Always smiling

There he goes again!

Come here little girls…I’m going to get you!

Yeah…that’s me sitting on Steve’s lap on a little disk made for 1.

And now Annette and Joel’s turn

Keep it PG please! There’s kids around!

L-O-V-E this picture of Annette and Joel!

Love this one from far away…up close it looks like my one cheek is swollen and the other cheek has shape to it. ick

Dramatic, Dying Lauren

See…she learned to love it…and has an open mouth in most pictures.

He he he he he…had to put these up

Does he look like a 4-legged animal to anyone else, or is it just me?

The end.

After we cleaned up at the Shaws’ on Christmas morning, we headed down to my sister’s house for more presents (by this time we already knew the kids received too much and we were going to have to find room to put it all!!!) We hung out and played games, napped (poor tired Steve!) or read (uh, yeah…I was trying to finish reading OUR gift TO Lauren before she opened it) while Gavin took his nap.

(Look: Matchy-Matchy and we didn’t even plan it!)

Mr G woke up happy and it was on to the presents. Look at his cute face!

Can you say HOLY ADORABLE JACKET, BATMAN! Yeah…that’s her 2nd DIVA coat in a month…I think we’re in trouble!

Steve was excited for this present. He knew he got something from me from the Robot store but he didn’t know he’d be getting more from Grams and Papa. At least one gift was a surprise to him! LOL

Lauren and Kayley were great with their gifts to my kiddos. Lauren printed and created cute characters as magnets for Spencer and Evie’s magnetic wall in their room. Now they have Spiderman, Princesses, sports, etc. etc. etc to play with on there! Kayley created Spencer a puzzle book. His favorite puzzles lately are the “hangman-like” phrases with numbers underneath them. You have to use a chart to match the number to a letter and fill in the blank. Kayley made him a whole book like that and on each page it describes someone in our family. Such creativity girls!

Okay, have to explain this one. Back in March for Spencer’s birthday we had a Superhero Party and everyone came dressed as their own super hero (Whoa…I just realized I never posted pictures! What a slacker! I’ll have to do that soon…for those of you who have me on facebook, it’s in my pictures). My sister, Annette, was Wonder Woman and instantly became Evie’s favorite girl super hero. Now, EVERY TIME she seems Wonder Woman she calls her “Netty”. Annette is still AUNT Netty, but Wonder Woman is Netty. She even has an action figure Netty…and now, thanks to Aunt Netty, she has a Netty book too. Funny, huh?

That evening Steve and the kids and I went to our own house for our own Christmas. They opened their last few presents (like Legos) and then daddy gave them their own kid computer…each with their own account to allow for Princess or Batman backgrounds! It’s great cause it’s Linux and it’s free and it’s the education version so it has great games for the kids already on it. What a hit!

And I just think this is a cute Diva picture with Evie and her Cheetah friend, both animals of the Feline Family.
Welp, these 2 posts describe our fantastic Christmas celebration filled with family and fun. Thank you all for your generosity, for letting us sleep in your bed, for making us breakfast, for allowing us to ransack your house, for not getting mad for ditching dinner, and for just being there and for loving our little family. We love you all – Merry Christmas (all year round!)