Emmerson Rose

For all of you asking- here are some pictures! Sorry I don't have time to write more!

When the kids come up to visit, they are really excited to see the baby- for about 5 minutes. Then they want to go back to my room and eat cookies and watch SpongeBob.

Fatty cheeks! And her eyes are still a little swollen.

A little present!! All wrapped up and ready to love!

She is super sweet and the nurses said that she is an "angel baby." She likes to eat and sleep! And she seems very cuddly and lovey and happy to be held and rocked, which she is a lot. I'll put more pics on soon if I get some more!

Dentists, desks and dances

Hi there! Hmm... there are a lot of things to try to remember to tell you about! First- Dances. On Valentine's Day Danny took me to something quite fun. It was a fundraiser put on by the Hope Lutheran Church to raise money for a youth rally. The theme was "A Night in Paris" and it was in their gym, all decorated with white lights and things and flowers and real wine! There were lots of yummy appetizers and then a dinner with beef and chicken and potatoes and salad and rolls and pies and cakes for dessert. And it was buffet style so you could get all you wanted! Then they had people sing and they were all really good and turned the lights down low and had percussion and guitar and a saxsaphone, so it felt very jazz clubby. It was really fun and the best part was watching the old couples dance together. You know, Hollywood wants you to think they know what "love" is, but they've got nothing on these people! They were so cute together, dancing cheek to cheek, and it didn't matter what they looked like or danced like, they were in love. Still. I loved it. And the best part was, it was only $5 each! We asked how they make any money on it, and the lady Danny works with and got the tickets from said something about people donating to the "goodwill" fund something-or-other, but Danny and I are cheap and so for us it was only $10! Are we horrible people?

Next- I have been trying to find an old school desk for the kids for quite a while for them to color at, etc. I saw this one on Craigslist and got it and the chair for $25. I should have offered $20, just to be cheap, but I didn't. These are the befores. The kids thought it was great already and it was in the house for a few days before it got painted, because I couldn't get them to leave it alone!

And this is Lainey enjoying it in her room after it was painted! It is just the right size and they all think it's cool. But I think they liked it better when it was in the living room! Also, Lainey keeps asking where the "other desk" is. The pink one. She can't quite grasp that this is the pink one!

Do you see how the silver doesn't go quite all the way to the top? A little of the old blue shows through. And on the chair, too. I kind of like and am leaving it like that for now. Partly just because I don't want to spray paint anymore. I did it in the living room, and even though I put sheets down, I had to mop like 4 times to get up the fine coating of blue on the hardwood floors. Oops!

All the kids have been to the dentist now and with no cavities for any them! Yeah! Now I feel like a much better mother. :) They were all really good (I should have gotten pictures) and I really like the office. When Alex went, he really liked the dentist's mask and so the dentist gave him one. He thought it was soo cool and wore it all night, just pulling it down a little to eat. Well, the other day I went to sleep for a little nap and Justy was upstairs with the kids. I woke up with a start realizing that the transportaion people would be there any minute to pick Alex up for speech. I ran to the living room and asked Tristan where Alex was. "He's at Kerrie's. See, there goes the van."

"Did Justin get him ready?"

"No, I did."

It turned out Justin had gone downstairs, and when they knocked on the door Tristan had opened it and then he said Alex came in and got his coat on and left. Kind of scary. Anyway, when he came back home I burst out laughing, because apparently he had worn his mask to speech! I called his speech therapist and told her that no, Alex didn't have any contagious diseases. He just really like that mask. She said she had wondered if that was why he was wearing it. Anyway, here is a picture, not of beautiful, clean teeth, but of Alex and his mask!

You guys keep asking to see a picture of me preggo- so here goes! I am due in one more week!

Have you ever thought you were looking pretty okay, and then someone takes your picture and you look horrible?! So then you take another and another, and it is very depressing. That was this experience. Finally, in a huff, I told Danny that he had no photographing skills whatsoever and took the camera away. I am going to try to get a better picture, so that this isn't all I have to remember this pregnancy by!

And my last thing (are you still there?)- I got a real, grown-up jewelry box! I have been going craaazy since the one I had from Mommy broke over a year ago. I have tried little garge sale ones and all kinds of compromises, but nothing worked and all my necklaces were stuck together- and I try to take really good care of my jewelry, since I can't afford more! Also, the day before, my little box I keep my earrings in fell all to pieces, anmd i had already glued it back together once. Anyhoo.. when I found this one I couldn't resist! Mostly because it had three huge drawers that are just big with a divider- perfect for necklaces! And it has a mirror and a whole drawer for earrings. It was so fun putting everything in! The jewelry box is really heavy and heavy-duty- it will last long after I am tired of it. And it was 75% off! I know this seems like a little thing, but these kinds of things make me so happy! I feel so happy now for all my jewelry. :) And there is still plenty of room for new jewelry pieces!! The only problem is that when I got it home, it was a little larger than I realized, so I had a hard time finding where it looked good. Do you like it here okay? I hope so- there isn't really anywhere else for it to go!

 

And here is a picture of what Tristan did this morning while I tried to do this post! Aren't I a good Mom?!

Wedding Pictures

These are horrible pictures, but we forgot our camera and so we took these with our phone camera. Sorry they're not better! Also, as everyone seems concerned about my comment, I was only kidding when I said they would be happy until they had kids!! We lovve having kids and can't imagine not having them. On Sunday we kept the kids home from church and traded off, due to the coughs, and for the last class Justy was home with them. After church we both commented on how without the kids it was so... boring. No one running up to you and hugging you, no pictures they colored or funny things they said. They are truly what brings color and life into our lives. I like to joke because then at things like the wedding, instead of being frustrated we are laughing by the end, because sometimes it is so crazy! And the older the kids get, and the more we have, the more joy and fulfillment it brings to our lives.

By the way, I think the baby's name is Emmerson Rose. I have never considered the name Rose, but somehow it feels right. We will see after she is born if it seems to fit! I can't wait!

Our family at a wedding...

  Yesterday was Jon Shipley's wedding reception! Since we were the only ones from our family to be able to go, I will tell you a little about it. From our perspective, of course.
  It was in the evening, in Rigby, so we made the kids eat dinner first. Danny and I were in nice church clothes from attending a baptism right before, but we were too tired to try to dress up the kids. So they came as they were. Alaina and Alex were cute and fine in jeans and shirts, but Tristan had felt sick all day and was wearing a verrry holey Spiderman costume with boots, put on the wrong feet. Like I said, we were too tired to care.
  The reception was at a church, and they really did a beautiful job with decorating it. There were pine/ alpine trees all around the edges, with bare branches in pots, all with lights going up toward the ceiling and white fabric at the bases. The tables were all white with a brown runner down the middle, with rocks and then a centerpiece that was clear with branches and green and silver and then lit candles on top. (The fake candles.)  And all the chairs had white chair covers with brown ties/ bows on them. The bride and groom and parents were standing on a really cool thing with pillars and curtains, hard to describe, that said "And they lived happily ever after..." on it.I found out later the bride's dad had made it. He should rent it out to other couples. There were more things in the room, but you get the idea. The whole feeling was very earthy and cozy. And someone was playing beautiful music on the piano, which made me very jealous.
  We took our place in line, quickly to be followed by lots of others. Did I mention that our kids have had colds? Particularly Tristan. Alaina asked a very nice man in line behind us to hold her, which he did. She talked to him, and coughed on him a lot. She told him she was a kitty and meowed. I'm surprised she didn't try to lick him, which is what she usually does. He should be glad she didn't.
  We felt very conspicuous standing there, with our kids coughing nonstop on everyone. On the plus side, the photographer apparently really liked Tristan's outfit and asked if she could take his picture. So he made his muscles, and when she said her battery was out and she would be right back, he just stood there with his arms up and muscles flexed until she came back.
  Their guest book was cool. (I am getting lots of ideas for when I have to put a reception together.) It was one of those books you can have made, with pictures of Jon and Emily and then at the top of each page asked for different pieces of advice- how to cherish each other, etc. I signed on the page that asked for advice on how to keep their marriage happy. I wrote, "Put your kids to bed early." It's true. I also added that they should remember the old Chinese proverb, "It is not economical to go to bed early to save on candles, if the result is twins." Hehehe....
  After waiting in line long enough for Alex to figure out that he could make shadows on the ceilings and Tristan to get several compliments, we made it to the front of the line!! Jon was really happy to see us and gave us big hugs. Tristan posed and showed Jon his "muscles" and Alex gave him a hug. His wife, Emily, seems really nice and her and her parents seemed really down to earth and kind. I was very happy for them. And yes, Mommy, I told Jon's Mom why you couldn't come and that you were going to send them something. So now you have to.
   After our 45 seconds of visitng, we sat down to eat some refreshments. They had little plates with a cream puff, and chocolate stick and one of those small cheesecake squares on it. Tristan was duly appeased, as we had only gotten him to eat dinner by telling him that we would have a treat after. There were also crackers and dips you could help yourself to.
  While Tristan and Alaina were happy with their sugar, Alex was ansy and squirmy. He didn't want to try any of the food. Possibly my favorite part of the whole night was when I looked over and saw Alex, with a quizzical expression on his face, take from his mouth one of the rocks from the table decorations that was shaped remarkably like a chocolate chip. After looking surprised, he looked rather disappointed, as he does like chocolate chips.
  After reaching maximum sugar intake, we decided we'd better get out of there while we were ahead. I did notice that although most of the tables were very full, while we were sitting there no one else had sat at our table. Weird.
  We were just about to leave the gym, when at the same time, Alaina pronounced that she had to go potty and the photographer asked to get a picture of our family. We all posed, and just as she was about to take the picture Alaina threw herself to the floor screaming, " I haf ta go potty!!!" So, no pictures for us. Just a trip to the family bathroom. On the other side of the gym.
  Lainey did her little tinkle, we convinced Tristan that he could wait till we got home and we started to go through the gym again, with the pretty music playing and everything quiet and peaceful. Alex tried to stop and open the presents and Lainey pronounced in a very loud voice that she had to go potty, again. Then Tristan started crying that he couldn't hold it and Alex started trying to escape the clutches of Daddy's hand. So off I went, again, to the other side of the gym, while Danny took Alex to the truck. We had to wait about forever while Alaina sat there on the toilet saying, "I'm going poop!" and when Tristan finally got to go he said, "I knew I had to go potty!"
  On our way back through the gym Alaina saw the presents and said, "I will unwrap them!!" I ran outside as fast as I could and the kids were mostly asleep by the time we got home.
  Sorry if there aren't more details you would like about the other people actually involved in the reception, but this was our experience and it was hard to see past it. It was a lovely reception and I'm sure they'll be very happy together. Until they have kids, of course.

Mad Bus

  Every day Alex's school bus gets here around 2:15. But sometimes later, and sometimes sooner. So I am always here very early to make sure I don't miss it. Then I sit on the couch for 25 minutes watching out the window for it. Sometimes I get tired of waiting and get on the computer, periodically checking out the window to make sure he is not here. But despite the fact that the bus weighs close to 4 tons, is diesel and bright yellow, sometimes I don't see or hear it. Then I am all a flutter as I run to the door and find Alex waiting there on the doorstep for me, sometimes with a person standing at the foot of the bus stairs waiting for me.
  Today was one of those days. And since I didn't hear it, I have no idea how long they have been waiting for me. When Alex came in today he pointed to the bus pulling away and said, "Bus mad." Did he mean the people on the bus were mad at me? Did they convey those feelings to Alex? Of course, Alex is no help at all in figuring it out. So then I am just left feeling slightly guilty inside and also kind of mad, because, good grief! How many times have I waited for them? And then also wondering, why does it bother me what the bus driver thinks? Why do I have to care so much about everything?
  Today I also spent 2 hours at the Dr.'s office for a 5 minute visit and found out that, thanks to the latest union agreement, 3 weeks before our baby is due our health insurance plan changed from covering 100% of the labor, delivery and stay with a $150 deductible, it will now only pay 90% with a $250 deductible for me and $250 for the baby. So instead of paying $150, we are looking at close to $2,000. Remind me again why I need them to help me have a baby?
  Also, we took our tax papers to our tax guy yesterday and when he saw them he said, "Wow. We didn't pay as much in taxes this year." So now I am paranoid that we will get nothing, or worse, have to pay. At least next year we will have one more little tax deduction on our forms.
   I saw a bumper sticker that said, "Honk if I'm paying your mortgage!" I want one that says, "Honk if your parents had you so they could save on their taxes!"

Late Night Readings

Justy is here and we are enjoying it immensely! The kids think it is great fun to have someone to follow around and bother and I like them having someone to follow around and bother. Danny and I can't get over the fact that we could actually go somewhere at night, although we have yet to do that.

I fell asleep last night at about 5 pm and slept until midnight. It was great. Then I woke up and got into a hot bath and read my book until 3:30. I don't know what's the matter with me sometimes, except that deep, down inside I know that the middle of the night is the only time I can really be alone.

I went to bed thinking, "I only have 3 hours to sleep before it is time to be up again." But I had only been in bed for an hour when Tristan came in and said he had an accident in bed. Time for another late-night bath. Re-dress Tristan, put him to bed, crawl back into bed and then get up again in one hour. I got all the right amount of sleep, just in the wrong order.

 The book I was reading was The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, and I loved it! Mommy got it for me for Christmas (thank you, Mommy!) and it truly is a charming book. I know that sounds trite, but it really is. But it deals with hard truths, too, about WW2, that are hard to accept. You should all read it.

 I wish I could send each of you a box full of books that we have read in the Book Club. They are so varied and interesting. You would open your box and have your pick of biographies, fiction, history, educational and children's books. And I would throw in some heavenly chocolates, too because we always have good food at the book club.

I love going to the book club. There is something so magical about all reading the same book together. Maybe because it is the closest thing there is in this life to living the same thing. It brings you together. And just like in real-life, you all have a different perspective.

Well, I will end this rambling now. I was just thinking of Meggie and how she gets sad when no one has posted for a while. :) But to close, here is a lovely pic of Alaina. One is with her new (to us) dress, and the other is her outfit she picked after church. You can tell me which one you like better.

Giant, gender-bending pigs!!

Well, it's been a while and there was a bunch I was going to write about. But now I've waited so long I can't remember any more! So, I will just write about what comes to mind.

Can you guess who this is??  This is Alaina! She came to me this way today and said, "I'm a pig!" She is wearing boys' underwear, which is what she prefers since they have all her favorite characters and a "pocket" in front to boot! She never wears pants at home since she uses the big potty now, she put on Alex's socks and shoes on her own and then put on this old helmet cover of Danny's. Like I said, giant, gender-bending pigs!

Before Haley left (we do not speak of such things!) she helped me re-arrange our room. I liked how it was before, but the bed was in the corner, so if you were on the side by the wall, which was usually me, you had to roll over the other person to get out of bed. As they say in China, "It is not economical to go to bed early to save on candles, if the result is twins." Hehehehe... No, actually it was just really annoying and it was hard to make the bed. So we moved everything a million times and found all kinds of really cute ways to arrange it- if I was willing to give up my rocker. Since I am not willing, this was what we came up with! It was really weird to sleep facing a whole different direction, but I really like having two sides to the bed, especially when Danny works early, and I'm sure he will really appreciate it after the baby is born! And, it is sooo much easier to make the bed every morning!

You can see my rocker, shoved in the corner. It's still a tight fit, but I don't care. I looove it! 

I am working very hard on organizing and getting things all ready for the baby. By the way, we are thinking of the name Emmersyn, and call her Emme. I like Emmersyn Monet, but Danny isn't won over yet. Here is a shot of the nursery, with the crib reassembled. Alaina likes to lay in it with her dolls and pretend they are going to sleep. Maybe someday I will feel motivated enough to paint it and other stuff. For now, this was the picture of the better side of the room. (Ya'll know what it looks like anyway!)

I tried to get a picture of Alex's missing tooth. It was hard to capture. The tooth next to it is really loose, too. When it came out, Alex seemed mildly surprised, but Tristan was nothing short of amazed! It took all the restraint we had not to tell Tristan that if you are bad, then you get your teeth pulled out! But we didn't tell him that, so maybe he won't need too much therapy when he grows up. You know how they have college savings funds? I wonder if they will start "Therapy Savings Funds" soon.

Other funny things the kids have said (I've probably already told you all of this on the phone)- Tristan loves to feel the baby move. (It is really close to the front, and soo easy to feel!) He had his hand on my belly and was laughing at feeling the baby and saying, “I felt the baby!” Well, Lainey couldn’t be left out, so she climbed up next to me, put her hand on my chest and wouldn’t stop pushing and saying, “Feel this baby!!”

Last Family Home Evening, we taught the kids about Esther and how she had save her people from being killed. At the end we told them about how Esther had been saved for that time to do something important, and that they were saved for this time to do something important, too and that they each had something to do. At this point Tristan piped in, “Yeah! I will kill all the people!!” Hmmmm.....
 A few weeks ago in sacrament Alaina kept saying something to me, but I could not figure out what it was. It sounded like, “Ima homo homo!!” She was really excited about it and kept saying it over and over, but I had no idea what she was talking about. Then a few days later Haley was here and she had this little cowboy hat we had found on her head and kept saying it again. “I’m a homo homo!!” Haley and I were dying laughing, but had no idea what she was talking about. Finally, later I asked Tristan if he knew what she was saying. So she says to him, “I’m a homo homo!” and he said, “Oklahoma!” “Yeah,” said Lainey. “I’m a homo homa!” At last, we had it figured out. She was saying that she was like Oklahoma, because she had a cowboy hat on! It was pretty funny, and we have been working with her since on the right way to say Oklahoma!


Today Tristan was watching tv and I told him he needed to turn it off and he said, “My brains are not coming out of my ears yet!” So I showed him some earwax from his ear and told him they were, and he turned off the tv.


Also, the other day he saw a crack in one of the cabinets and said, “The kitty scratched this!” I told him that it was just a crack. Then he saw another crack and said, “There’s another crack. Our whole house is breaking apart!”

For my last thought, I was on the phone with Megan and Audrey came up to her and had done something not very good. Meggie chided her and then was telling me what had happened.  Then I heard Audrey say in her little Audrey voice, and Megan told me her hands were folded across her chest, "I'm not listening!" Meggie, your kids say the funniest things!! I miss them!