End of an Era

Pic is from when we carved pumpkins
Today is Kersten's last day of working half days. I am really actually very sad about it and a bit relieved. I have such conflicting feelings. Now, it means that he is healing and getting better. His back is stronger, he is happier and the world can go back to normal and so can our income.

On the other hand, I am 5 1/2 weeks from delivery our baby girl and it has been a life saver to know that Kersten will be home in the afternoons. Especially, lately. I am suppose to be down most of the time and I admit that I have been really bad at this. I have to feed my child and myself and my sanity and pride won't let me live in complete chaos and filth.

So I wait and look forward to the afternoons when I know my sweet hubby will walk in the door. He chases after Noah and gives him his much needed active time. The other day when he got home, Noah and Dad saved Mom from a massive attack of Sith Lords in our house, then promptly went outside to shovel the walk (naughty Kersten, but as he says who else can do it and it needs to be done) after the chore was done, it turned into a massive snowball fight. They both came in happy with bright red cheeks from the cold. They both could not stop talking about it. Afterwards, Kersten gave him a bath. Which is really almost impossible for me to bend down to get him clean. And while all this was going on, I laid down and took a nap.
The next day, they played Star Wars legos, went to the store and wrestled. While I slept. I know, I am so very spoiled. This has kept me sane and healthy. I worry about the next month. I will Survive, I really don't have a choice. But, the last little while it has been really nice to have my husband home in the early afternoon. we have had a lot of fun. I will miss it. The End of this Era has arrived. It has been rewarding, extremely hard, frustrating, scary, joyful and really nice in so many ways.

Fashion ABC's

I copied this from Carrie and Natalie's blog. Very fun

A: What accessories do you wear everyday? I don't wear anything everyday, but I most consistently wear earrings and necklaces. When not pregnant I wear my wedding ring every day

B: What is your beauty routine? Shower and wash my face, deoderant, lotion, concealer and mouse for my hair.

C: What was the last item of clothing (for yourself) that you purchased? My black swooshy pregnancy pants and yellow pregnant shirt

D: Do you use a dresser, closet, or both? Both, could you really fit all your clothes in just one of them?

E: What type of earrings are in your ears right now? nonexistent

F: What type of figure do you have? Tall with bosoms and long legs. when not pregnant. Now I am like a big beach ball

G: Do you wear glasses? Yes, brown plastic frames with copper sides

H: What type of handbag do you carry? Technically it is a bag that I got for my b-day. So very cute it is Haiku brown leather

I: What is your ideal of style? Simple with a splash of sass

J: What jewelry are you wearing right now? My watch, my wedding ring does not fit right now

K: Do you wear knee-hi stockings? Love them!

L: Do you *have* to wear matching lingerie? Yes, it's a covenant thing.

M: Do you wear makeup? No, not most days. Although I do put on a bit of base, any I do wear mascara and lips on Sunday and on dates

N: Do you wear nightgowns? I had one in college and I like wearing them around but not sleeping because they wrap me up like a cocoon.

O: What outerwear do you put on when going out on a typical winters day? My yellow coat, when I need more a scarf, gloves and house and my $5 pink boots from last year.

P: What is your favorite perfume?#33 from Victoria Secret

Q: Is your motto "quality over quantity" when it comes to clothing and accessories? It is now, I love having choices but I now like to find good pieces that will last a long time with care.

R: Do you wear rain boots? No, but I would love too

S: Do you wear socks or slippers when your feet get cold? Socks, I hate shoes and have a hard time wearing them in the house. I feel so constricted

T: Do you have a set of travel luggage? we have a duffle bag and Kersten's old suitcases from his mission

U: What is your daily uniform? whatever I can find that fits. the only shoes that fit right now are my mary jane crocs and pink boots

V: If you are married, did you wear a veil with your wedding dress? Yes. without a veil you are not a bride just a girl in a white dress.

W: Do you wear a watch? Everyday

X: What item of clothing always makes you feel eXtremely beautiful? Not a lot right now. As long as my pants are not falling down and my shirt covers my whole belly

Y: What is your favorite type of yarn? Cotton

Z: Do you prefer zippers or buttons? Buttons and zippers on coats and pants

My Two Men

I love this picture of my two men. How could you not? Look at them, I could just eat them up. I love them so much. I am such a lucky woman. This was taken after we carved pumpkins right before halloween

Grateful Sunday 11-25-07

Birthday Week- It is so fun having your birthday along with a holiday. Wednesday was my b-day and then Thanksgiving and the fun F* fam party downtown on Friday made for a fantastic fun filled week.

Thanksgiving- I Love this holiday for it makes you step back and look at all the good and beautiful blessings that you have. You also get to eat yummy food and be with your family and loved ones.

Power of Prayer-I have been really anxious about everything this week. I keep having random contractions and my house is in upheavel. Ir always gets worse before it get better stage. I am just really grateful for prayer. Heavenly Father loves me and has really comforted me. I really don't know what I would do without it.

Expanding Belly- I am really grateful for my expanding belly. It means that she is healthy and strong and growing right. I feel so blessed to have my pregnancies be less eventful than they could be. I love the NST's every couple of days. You see her personality and learn so much about your baby before they arrive. It really is quite fun.

My Boys- Both Noah and Kersten are being so very sweet and tender with me. Noah has been really gentle and giving me lots and lots of hugs. Kersten is pampering me a bit more and I am getting more rest than I was. I can tell a huge difference.

Happy Thanksgiving

for each new morning with its light,
for rest and shelter of the night,
for health and food, for love and friends,
for everything thy goodness sends.

for flowers that bloom about our feet;
for tender grass, so fresh, so sweet;
for song of bird, and hum of bee;
for all things fair we hear or see,
father in heaven, we thank thee!

~ralph waldo emerson

Happy Birthday to Me

Well, Today is my birthday! And I feel really old, because now I am actually IN my thirties not just turning. Sad days really. I feel a bit old today or maybe it is just the pregnancy and the cumbersome feeling accompanied with that. I had a fantastic day. I got to sleep in until about 8:20am when my mom woke me up. She reminded me that she has been waking me up my whole life so it seemed normal. I also had a baby kicking me from the inside out trying to get me to eat breakfast. My morning was spent snuggling with my boy, throwing laundry in the wash (naughty on bed rest but I had no clean whites) and running the dishwasher. It was a really laid back morning which is rare these days. Noah even said "Thanks" that we did not have to go to a doc today. Kerst got home about 2:30 and played lightsabers with Noah so that he could have some active time.

Then as a surprise (although I asked, just knew he would rather commit sepaku than go) he whisked me off to the theatre to see "Enchanted". I had set up to see it on Friday with my friend Kieran so I was not that worried about it. Noah had told me already that he did not want to see that movie. But my boys sucked it up, because they love me and came. Noah sat on my lap through most of the movie. He even asked to go pee twice during it. Which just so you know has never happened out in a public place. I should give him the benefit of the doubt but I think he was trying to escape for a bit. Kersten was more than happy to help him go. Virginia and Christel (Kersten's sisters) showed up and watched it with us. IT was really cheesy, but I did not expect anything different. She is a cartoon fairytale princess sent to New York. It seemed so out of place the way she talked and thought. But it was darling and I am really grateful that I got to see it. I will go again. My man Patrick Dempsey is in it and he was fantastic. Did you know they even have a Barbie of Patrick now that he is in this movie? It is very cool.

For dinner I have been craving Red Robin. They have a sandwich I adore there. So we headed off to dinner. It was yummy and hit the spot. And Noah asked to go potty at the restaurant also. Wow, this whole potty thing is blowing me out of the water. We will just see if it sticks. Overall, I had a pretty great day. Noah gave me lots of hugs and kisses and New Moon from the Twilight series so now I have them all. I have a new purse from my bro and sister in laws and a bit from husband, a new pump case from my in-laws, the new Anita book from Amy. So I felt overall very spoiled. It was a good day. So tommrow is thanksgiving and the crazy weekend ahead

Grateful Sunday 11-18-07

I am going to take it back a bit for I missed last week's Grateful Sunday.

Helpers - Last Saturday, a week ago the 10th, Kersten went Snow shoeing with his bro and so I spent the morning cleaning our house. My mom called and asked what I was doing. I told her how I was cleaning out my room in the basement so I could start on the storage room. She came right over. Not a half hour later, my sister Emilee and her friend Gerald and her kids also came. I have about 1/3 of the room cleaned out. I was so grateful for Gerald, he could actuallly lift. He cheerfully just kept moving, carting and lifting boxes. This is a huge deal right now. Everyone was cheerful and happy and the kids helped out too. Afterwards, we had dinner at Z pizzaria and had good times talking. I keep thinking about this all week and I am just so overwhelmed with gratitude for the help. I go a bit crazy thinking about all that I would like to get done and can't right now.

Pillows-I could not sleep or survive without a lot of pillows. I love them. I have one for my back and my stomach, under my knees and my head. They are a fabulous invention.

Babysitters- With so many doc appts I have been so grateful for the people willing to watch Noah so he does not have to always come with me. He has so much more fun playing or being anywhere but at the doctor. It makes life a bit easier and more bearable.

Noah-He is just so fun and listens so good right now. I watch him choose to make a good choice. He already is sticking up for his little sister and helps me remember what this is all about. He passed his hearing test with flying colors and though I had to bribe him, he actually let them touch his ears so we don't have to go back.

Announcements- thanks to my friend, Kieran and her son Heber for entertaining Noah. I finished Shaak-Ti baby announcements this week, at least to the point I could before she gets here. I wanted to get them done before my birthday and my mission was accomplished. I am really happy how they turned out. Just for info, I will NOT be sending out Christmas cards and will send a fam pic seperate with her announcement. I figured doing both was a bit to much for me right now. Lena helped me too, it was fun.

Nite Out- Last night Ginny wanted to go to a movie. We went to dinner at Kersten's parents and they were going afterwards. It was really nice to be invited and Kersten was agreeable for putting the boy to bed alone. So I went and saw a movie. We were going to go see "August Rush" but it was misprinted and they did not have that movie in. So we went and saw "Dan in Real Life". I absolutely LOVED it. I came home, feeling kind of fun and happy inside. I had to talk about it with Kersten. I think he would even like it so we might eventually rent it. And I got a place in the theater that I could put my feet up so I did not feel like I was cheating my bedrest. Hah Hah, I sat next to Christel or "Mo" and she is always fun to sit with in a theater for she freaks out with me and makes it even more fun. It was good to go.

Happy Birthday Nik

When my brother Nik was born, I was not a very happy little girl. I was 4 days away from being four and was very adamant that we did not have boys in our family. I did not want anything to do with a boy. Before his birth we had 3 girls. My dad was a very quick thinker and in the car on the way to meet him. told me that Nik had his own song. I actually remember thinking, "Well, he can't be that bad if he has a song." He was my bud after that. All of us adored our Nik. And probably spoiled him more than we should have as sisters. He totally changed the dynamic of our family. I am really grateful that I have a brother.

I have always felt really close to Nik. Although, "I played Pirate Ship weird." and Audrey was always better for the wild, rough and tumble games. I always felt that we had a special bond. Maybe because I chose to let him stay, in my four year old brain. I decided to take full advantage of a brother.

Nik is really one of the most multi talented people I know. From the time he was little, he excelled at almost everything he tried. He is a brilliant artist. I have two originals in my house. (Not a lot of people can say they have an original Nik Painting), And man can that boy sing. He has an amazing deep bass voice that not many can match. He can act, just like my dad. He is so very smart at computers. He has a photographic memory and can quote movies and songs like no other. He is constantly entertaining and making everyone laugh. All the nieces and nephews adore him, for they know that Nik will always play. Whether it is wrestling, lightsabers or just being silly. We all look forward to Nik.

I am really glad that Nik is my brother. And that he was always honest with me if I looked horrible for a date and that he listened to all my ramblings about boys and life growing up. People always thought that Kersten and Nik were brothers and I was the in-law. I could not ask for a more fun November birthday club member. Love ya Nik

Happy Birthday Ginny F*

(By guest blogger, Kersten)

My little sis, Ginny, was born 27 years ago. She was full of life and energy during her youth. When we were kids, we theorized that she had a nuclear power plant somewhere in her body that gave her super-human energy. Ginny enjoyed the endless energy, but it exhausted us. Her infinite energy earned her the nickname of ‘Beanie’, after a Mexican Jumping Bean.

She also had a super-human immune system. She would put things in her mouth that would kill a yak and play on as if nothing happened. Some examples include the exhaust chips from my parents VW van and spiders.

Ginny wanted to be a dancer when she was young. Her attire often consisted of a dance leotard and tights. This was fine for a girl; however, she usually wound up roughing around in the sandbox and by the end of the day, she would look like vagrant dancing child.

Liking all activities related to motion, Ginny learned how to roller-skate. She received lessons from a professional clown on the finer points of skating. Through her hard work and sheer energy, she became the best roller skater in the neighborhood and would shame any competitors who dared challenge her superiority.

Ginny is a beautiful young woman. Her nephews idolize her, and for good reason. She is amazing with children. She can get Noah to eat things that he would never touch at our house. Ginny is also tender and kind with children. She seems to know exactly what an individual child’s needs are and she will use that knowledge to help the child. Ginny is part imp, and I think that helps her connect with children.

We are all grateful for our Ginny. I admire her and love her. I think our entire family would feel empty without her.

Happy Birthday Ginny!

So close

I felt so full of wonder at my scheduled ultrasound today. Shaak-Ti is so healthy and beautiful. She is a little imp and already so full of personality. She is getting big enough now that it is hard to see all her face or anything. So we see these itemized parts of her sweet body. Her stomach, back, femur, head, beautiful heart, kidneys, brain and my favorite pic of the day was of her chin lips and nose. It almost looks like she is smirking. And she has quite the prominent chin. When Dr, Esplin came in and started looking at her, He got really excited like a boy in the toy store and asked if I wanted to see her in 3D. A new thing at the new hospital. Of course, my girl would not hold still to get a picture of her face but it was so beautiful to see her with a real skin tone and looking so much like a baby instead of the black and white images on the screen. It made me so excited to hold her little body and be closer to the end. Sorry I don't have a working scanner to post the pic of her silly chin, it is a wonder to behold.

Shaak-Ti is 4 lbs 8 oz right now and growing right on. I am now down for the count and if my conditions worsen for me in any way the Dr will just take her. He put me on some stronger meds for my blood pressure and preeclampsia problems. I go back mon and next fri for NST's and will see him Mon again so he can she how the meds worked over the weekend. We talked for a good 20 min about my birth options. I have been praying to know what will be easiest and healthiest for both of us. Today it was confirmed in my heart and with the doc that unless I go into labor on my own, we will do a scheduled C-section on January 8, 2008. Okay, now that feels really weird having a real solid date like that. I hope she waits till after the holidays. I think it would stink to have a birthday at that time.

31 weeks

Today I am 31 weeks along in my pregnancy. My, how the time flies. I know pregnancy is 40 weeks long, but my doc's won't let me go over 39. So I really have only 6 to 7 weeks left. And all those weeks have big fun happy holidays, birthdays, crazy celebrations and doctor visits and more doc visits. In other words really, really busy. This seems to be going so much faster than it ever did with Noah. I feel it is the combination of being a bit more busy and everything is not so new, dramatic and life altering. Not to say that a new baby is not life altering or a beautiful miracle every single time. I am just saying that this time I have a better idea of what is to come. Therefore, I am a bit calmer about the changes in me and my body and more aware of how it will change my everyday life once this sweet one comes.

I have talked about a lot of my irrational crazy fears and worries with this baby and I really feel that most of them are a product of raging hormones and fatique. It is much easier to worry about changing a little girl diaper than any of the big and more important things. I sometimes want to strangle doctors, diabetic educators and other people that don't have to live like I do. The reason I want to strangle them is the unsolicited facts and horror stories they pound into your head. Basically saying if you don't do everything perfect, your baby will be ruined, maimed, altered or sick for it's entire life. At the beginning of this pregnancy I had my diabetic endocrogist look at me with horror at some of my blood sugars. His voice was so demeaning and horrific as if I had caused the ultimate sin and would be sent to Hades for the rest of my existence. I was 5 weeks pregnant at the time and just found out I was in the family way. I chose after that to have some of my other very well educated and trained doctors help and do the testing needed for this pregnancy. That is also one less doctor visit every 6 weeks. So I have decided that I would rather worry about my sleep deprivation than deforming my child. All I can do is what is humanly possible for me. And so I will. I have actually been incredibly blessed with my pregnancies. I talk to other diabetic mothers and hear how their kidneys stopped working or all sorts of things and I count my blessings and thank my Heavenly Father for helping me through this and giving me the blessing of my babies.

I have decided to embrace my silly, crazy, irrational fears to replace the real ones. And fret that my bra size is now what is was when I was nursing Noah, Yes, people you read that right, when I was nursing him. So that means they will still probably get even larger. So I can fret that I will look like a freakish woman with large ample bosoms and big baggy circles under my eyes. That has a darling little boy and a little girl that has lopsided bows and just keep laughing at myself and my imperfections so that I don't go totally and completely crazy. Just stay the little bit of crazy that I already am.

What Twilight Character are you?

Which Twilight novel character are you?

You're Esme Cullen - Your maternal instinct to take care of people and be kind draw people towards you. You're compassionate and loving, yet firm when you need to be. You appreciate hard work and value the beautiful results of your dedication to any project.
Take this quiz!








Quizilla |
Join

| Make A Quiz | More Quizzes | Grab Code

Cinderella-The King

My Dad is in a play and luckily for me it is Cinderella. If you don't know this about me, I love Cinderella. So I was really excited for it and last night I got to go see it. I went with Nik and Lena and when we got there my Grandma Sh* was there and my Aunt Mary and Cousin Karen and husband Bryce , my dad's wife Kayleen and my sister Audrey. It was a bit of a family reunion. I was going to go tonight and plans changed so I got to go with Nik, which made me happy.

The play was really darling. My dad was absolutely amazing in it. He played the King. He grew his beard and what hair he has a bit longer so you can see his curls. And surprisingly his beard is now mostly white with a bit of pepper just around his mouth. He looked very handsome. It made me proud that I was his daughter. He really is talented at acting. I am really glad that he started doing it again.

The play was a bit cheesy but hey it is Cinderella. The Stepsisters were hilarious and cast really well. I loved that when the Chancelor had to go around trying on the shoe, he went in the audience and tried it on some of the little girls. I told Nik it was a good thing they did not try it on me for the play would have been over for I am the real Cinderella. Cinderella's dress was yellow for the ball and had a tulle skirt. It was so fun. I am so glad I was able to go.

November Real Simple Interview

What are you really good at? I feel like I am a really loyal friend. Once I have made a real friend, It is really hard to get rid of me. I hold my friends and dear ones close to my heart.

What is your favorite Thanksgiving Food? My Grandma S* homemade stuffing and gravy. Oh, I still dream about it. I have the image of my Grandpa carving the turkey with her standing right next to him thickening the gravy. I really miss that.

If you could change places with anyone, living or dead, for one day, who would it be? This one is really hard for me. I am going to have to say Kersten. He says that he is really simple to figure out but sometimes I am baffled about how to help and be a better wife to him. It would be fantastic to get into his head

Would you rather be a little smarter or a little sexier? I already am really smart. I would like to be a bit more articulate with words so I could express myself better. But, right now I am totally going with sexier. I still want to turn Kersten to butter by looking at me when I am old.

The best decision I ever made was . . . Marrying my husband Kersten, He really is my perfect match although not perfect. He makes me happy, the second decision was to finish college and get my BS degree. I am eternally grateful that I stuck it out.

What are you most proud of? My son and family, I love my life as a mother. I had many people discourage and tell me I probably would never be able to have children. The fact that I have this beautiful boy and one almost here is such a miracle to me.

Something on my mind lately is . . . I have really irrational fears about this second baby. Unlike the first, where labor etc were my fears. This time it is changing a girl diaper, doing girl hair and clothes and if Noah will still like his baby sister when she is here.

Before I die, I'd like to . . .Travel to the countries of my heritage. She my children grow up and get married and have grandchildren. I just want to be vital still to enjoy it all

Happy Birthday Jason F*

(written by guest blogger Kersten)
Today is my brother's birthday. Jason's birth heralded the end of the estrogen dominated house hold of my early youth. I was so thrilled to have a brother. Because I felt that my parents chose such weird names for their kids (Nina, Kersten and Virginia) I insisted on naming him. Jason was always my buddy. Before he knew any better, he would follow me anywhere and do anything for me.

As he grew up, he worked hard at being both creative and funny. He started the first family newspaper and called it the Salt Lake Baboon. The Baboon would always feature interviews with family members, news reports about family scandals and hand-drawn comics. Jason started writing a musical that he is still working on today. This musical contains songs about the ups and downs of drinking alcohol. He broke the boundries of traditional male and female dress standards when he and his male friend dressed as girls, complete with makeup, and pranced around the yard. Jason even had his own catch phrases. I will never forget such jewels as "hoo-hoo-hee-hoo".

Jason has grown up to be an oustanding man. Much to everyone's surprise, he turned out to be straight. He is self-reliant and strong. He is hilarious and can have the whole family laughing in minutes. Jason is very dedicated to his family and friends. He will never turn his back on anyone. My brother is motivated and I am sure he will become rich, famous and drunk.

Grateful Sunday 11-4-07

BABY BLESSINGS: Today was so much fun. I had two baby blessings to go too today.

My friend Kieran blessed her little boy, Graham Williard this morning. Noah was so excited to go to Heber's church. It was so fun visiting with her family especially, her mom and sister in law. I got to hold that cute chubbs for awhile, he is a snuggly, contented boy.

Afterwards we went to Jim and Cherie's baby girl, LilleeOna Josephine openhouse. It was so good to see our friends from the old condo days. Noah was in heaven running around with all those kids. He cried when Maci had to go home. And begged to play more as we stayed. It was really fun to see our friends

OLD GOOD FRIENDS: This weekend has been full of friends. We saw Ryan and Kristine on Saturday and went and saw their new house and as mentioned before we saw lots of friends today. It is so fun to see people that you have a history with and can pick up where you left off. We have been really blessed and lucky in our life with good friends

KERSTEN: I am so proud of him and of being his wife. With going back to work this week and still not feeling fully himself, I know it has been tough on him. He really is so smart and talented and I know that we will get where we need to be. He is such a good father and husband.

NOVEMBER: I am a bit overwhelmed with the holidays looming, I usually have all my shopping pretty much done or figured out by now. I am not even close. I love the energy and the festive air around everything that starts with Halloween. I only have 2 months left with this baby and I am going to enjoy every minute of it. It will be so fun now.