A Trip to the Orchard

This is a little late, but at the beginning of October, we were able to go to the cities to celebrate my nephew's 16th birthday.  He is the sweetest guy in the world and chose to go to an apple orchard for his birthday.  I wonder if that had anything to do with the fact that his three little cousins would LOVE the orchard.  That would be just like him.

It started with the haystacks...

Thanks Jonathan, Rachel, and Susan for hopping on board so the girls could go.  I don't think I could have fit...

 They have this BIG AWESOME slide that the girls went down over and over and over.  I love the expressions on their faces!

Taryn LOVES Nathan!

There was a band playing and Taryn jumped up on the table with these kids and started showing her moves.  She has no fear and loves to dance!

 Not exactly sure what Avery is doing right here, besides enjoying a delicious Honeycrisp apple

 Running thru the trees

Anyway, we had a GREAT day!  It was so fun!

Oh And...

We still haven't gotten any snow.  We've had gorgeous weather, trick-or-treated without coats, and went for a walk around the lake tonight.  I love it!  And I check the weather every few days to see the status of the snow forecast, which keeps changing.  A couple days ago, we were predicting snow on the 6th and 8th.  Tonight, it shows no snow in the next 10 days, but instead 40s and 50s during the days and 20s and 30s at night.  At least we're getting a longer fall to make up for our long winter last year!  It has now been over 6 months since we last saw snow.  I'll take it!

The Belly

I see all these adorable pregnant women posting belly shots at 8, 12, 16, 20, 24, 28, 32, 36, and 40 weeks on their blogs and think, "I wish I did that."  Not necessarily for you all to see, but to capture this incredible transformation that happens over the course of 9 months.  So, here, for your viewing pleasure, are all the belly shots I've managed to capture or have captured during these past 40 weeks.

5 Weeks--No, I wasn't showing THAT much, but that shirt is definitely not flattering to a non-pregnant belly.  Even at 5 weeks, I still got asked by my dear friend if I was pregnant because of this picture.

13 1/2 weeks--My attempt to start capturing the growth in a formal way.



18 weeks--Doesn't look like much, especially compared to the month before.

19 weeks--Dude!  What happened! 

30 weeks--Photo Courtesy of Taryn

32 weeks--Photo Courtesy of Keara

34 weeks--Photo Courtesy of Keara

Oh wait, mom, I didn't quite get your belly in that one.  Better do panoramic!

36 weeks--Photo Courtesy of me...my camera can be a bit delayed... 

39 weeks--Photo Courtesy of Taryn--Loved this Halloween "Costume"

 39 1/2 weeks--Photo Courtesy of Avery

Today--39 weeks, 6 days--With no one around, I had to take my own picture using the mirror.

Seriously?  Who is in charge of cleaning that mirror?  I would if I could reach it but this belly keeps bonking into the sink...

And there you have it, folks.  It can't get much bigger than this before d-day.  Hopefully!



I think I need a new photographer. 

Taryn's "Bright" Idea

I keep forgetting to post this.

Several weeks ago, Taryn announced that she and Avery had decided on a name for the baby.

T:  Mom, we should name the baby "Bulb."
M: Bob?  Bub?  What did you say?
T: Bulb, mom.  Like LIGHT BULB.

This is why the girls are not consulted when it comes to naming the baby!

Things You Never Knew You Never Knew

You always hear people saying that in pregnancy, you're hotter (temperature-wise) than normal and than everyone else.  I've never found this phenomenon to be the case with me. 

With Keara, I was pregnant thru most of the winter and found that I was freezing cold in the mornings.  When we lived in Arizona, I was pregnant thru two summers with Taryn and Avery, with Avery being born at the end of August.  So I was REALLY pregnant during the worst of the summer.  But I never figured I was any more miserable than everyone else.  Arizona was hot and everyone was hot.  I didn't think pregnancy made it worse.

However,  this time around, I'm beginning to realize that I probably WAS a lot hotter than I otherwise would have been.  I have been so warm, compared to Braden, this fall that it is almost comical.  At night, when we would have the windows open and the box fan going, he would sleep under 4 layers, while I slept with a sheet.  Last night, he stayed up reading in bed and finally decided to go to sleep once his hands were so frozen that he couldn't really turn the pages anymore.  I lay sleeping, again, under the sheet and feeling a little too hot.  Then this morning, I went out to turn on the car to take Keara to school...in short sleeves, feeling quite comfortable, only to discover that the car was covered in frost and it was only 30 degrees. 

I'm suddenly feeling very concerned about how COLD I'm going to feel when I'm not pregnant anymore!!

Count Down

Has it hit you yet that Halloween is in just 5 days?  And that November, yes NOVEMBER, is in just 6 days?  Wasn't it just January?  And it is already November.  I remember thinking in March that November would never come as I hovered over the toilet, violently experiencing the joys of the first trimester, and yet here it is.  November.  Thanksgiving.  Christmas.  We're in the throes of autumn, which I absolutely ADORE, but very soon, we'll be wrapping up the year and putting away the decorations that bring so much joy and light to my life.  I love this time of year.  I just can't believe it's already here.

Which also means my due date is just around the corner.  8 days, but who's counting?  I'm hoping for a healthy baby and wonderful birth experience...and early or "on time" would be nice too.  My mom comes in town on the 5th, so I'm hoping this little one is here by then.  And yet, I stop to think about that and realize...that's in just a week and a half!  Seriously?  I just might be holding this little wonder in less than a week and a half?  Is that really possible?  I don't know why I'm having such a hard time wrapping my mind around the concept this time around.  It just seems like it's been off in the distant future for so long and I can't believe it's actually here.

I think one reason why the timing of this impending birth seems so odd is because I have had by far the least prenatal care of any of my pregnancies. With Keara, I did everything strictly by the book--every 4 weeks, 2 weeks, then 1 week until 41 weeks when she was born--that's like 14 appointments. With Taryn, I was a bit more flexible. With Avery, since I knew my doctor by that point, I worked it out to come every 6 weeks instead of 4, and then every 3 instead of 2 at the end. With this baby, I had an appointment in April, then May, then June. Then I had nothing until September with my new OB up here. I saw him again at the beginning of October and have my next tomorrow. So 6 appointments total so far. Enough for an ultrasound, glucose screening, and group B strep test, which was positive again. Still, it has made the whole experience seem a little less, um, timed? Maybe? I don't know how to say it.



I am concerned (and I'm trying to have positive thoughts so as to help the situation rather than compound it) that she isn't in the right position.  Sometimes she feels posterior, other times sideways, and tonight...breech.  I have my OB appointment tomorrow morning, so hopefully I'll learn a little more about her situation there.  A couple weeks ago, she was definitely head down and low, but she's not engaged anymore and is still floating.  I know that's common and normal for subsequent pregnancies, but I'd like to feel that she's settled and ready to come. 

But until she is, I still have 30 diapers to finish and an order for 12 yogurt tubes to send off.  Plus 20 other things that are still on my to-do list.  The girls halloween costumes are coming together and we have 3 parties to attend in the next 3 days. 

Hopefully, my next post will be filled with a happy announcement.  We'll see!

There it is...

I checked the 10 day forecast and there it is...the first forecasted day of "snow showers".  Of course it is in 6 days (on the 26th) so a lot could change between now and then, but we're really entering this new season.  Are we ready!?!

Sneak Peek!

Here's what I made last night...

Nesting?

We're counting down the weeks now...just 4 to go!  I can't believe we're really at the end of this pregnancy already, and yet I'm not sure I'm ready for it to be over!  I have so much to do...

They call it nesting.  I call it preparation.  And sure, do I really have to do ALL these things before the baby is born?  No.  But I know that life will be much easier afterwards if I do.

I started with making freezer meals.  In the end, I have enough meals put together or ready for 50 dinners.  FIFTY!?  Wow.  That was a lot.  This is the first time our freezer has been full.  Like really full.  Like don't buy anything that has to be frozen because it will not fit. 

I also had a bunch of orders (particularly yogurt tubes) that needed to get done.

And we're still trying to move in now that the basement is getting finished (though it should be officially finished this Saturday.  Hooray!!) so I've been organizing and unpacking.  I'd rather do it when the weather is perfect than in 6 weeks when it is snowing.  Last year's first snowfall was on November 13th.  That's a lot sooner than most of us realize...or want...

Oh, and I really wanted to get Christmas finished before the baby came so I could enjoy the season.  I've got half of it wrapped and the other half either planned, purchased, or started.  But I still need to get that done.

I needed to get things ready for when the baby does decide to come, like getting the hospital bag packed.  Not like I need it yet, but it is easy to do and check off the list so I don't have to think about it again.  So that got done.

And then, I am left with the little things I WANT to do to get ready for this baby.  Like making things.  I need to make her cloth diapers and covers, which I started weeks ago and still haven't gotten back to.  Tonight.  Must do tonight.  I also want a new mei tai carrier, so I need to make that too. 

But the most pressing thing for me was to recover my carseat...again.  With Avery, I made a cover that went on top of my existing carseat.  Like a glove, but one that I never absolutely loved.  Here's what it looked like:

This time, though, I wanted a more modern, more gender neutral, and more professional look.  Not so homemade.  So I followed the basic tutorial from Make It and Love It, made my own changes to make it easier, and ended up with this:

I love it!!  So, even if this baby has no diapers for her bum, she'll be riding in style!

Seriously, This is Getting Old

I know you're all tired of my posts being pleas for advice, but I appreciate the insights and ideas from those who have gone before.  Today's issue is not new and I'm sure I've posted about it before.  But I am at the end of my rope again!  I am SO sick of this that I think I just might scream.  We've been battling this problem for literally 3 years. 

I hate, with the deepest passion, HATE bedtime in our home.  Let me describe our day:

6:45 am-All the girls get up
7:15 am-Out the door to take Keara to school
8:05 am-Back home with T and A to get ready, have our adventure, etc.
11 am-Lunch
11:30 am-Naps/Quiet Time
1:45 pm-In the car to get Keara from school
2:30 pm-Home again for snacks
3-3:30 pm-Rest time (no sleeping, just alone time so Keara can unwind from school)
3:30-4 pm- Individual Chores/play time
4-4:30 pm-Mommy and me time/play time
4:30-4:45 pm-Scriptures
4:45-5:30 pm-play time while dinner is made
5:30 pm-Dinner time
6:00-6:15 pm-Dinner chores, pajamas on, teeth brushed, etc.
6:15-6:30 pm- Reading time
6:30 pm-Bedtime routine

Between 6:30 and 7 pm, we read either stories or, lately, a chapter or two from a classic.  While we read, I have soft music playing.  After reading, lately I've laid down with T & K and scratched their backs, talked about the day, or just snuggled for about 10 minutes each.  Then I kiss them goodnight and leave. 

Sounds like a good day and a good bedtime routine, right?

WRONG.  After I leave, it's like they think it's party time.  They get out of their beds, come down to go potty AGAIN, get in each others beds, run around the room, laugh, play...And the thing that really gets me is when Keara has this delight in her eyes that she's frustrating me.  It drives me crazy and really makes me mad.

We've tried everything:
*Letting them just enjoy being sisters and not worrying about how long it takes for them to go down.  But with our early schedule, if they're not getting enough sleep, they are monsters!  Keara loses her ability to function around 6:15 every night.
*Discussing the natural and logical consequences of their choosing to not go to sleep: being tired, needing extra rest time instead of play time the next day, having a hard time getting up in the morning.
*Deciding on ways to help them go to sleep.  Their suggestion was lay with them and scratch their backs.  Obviously, that's not working.
*Getting upset.  Obviously it doesn't work very well, but often times it at least gets them to stop their behavior long enough to shift and actually go to sleep.
*Enforcing completely illogical consequences: lose your blanket, for example.  This one was very effective because it shocked them into wanting to earn it back, but it always rubbed me wrong because it made no sense.
*Separating them and letting them fall asleep in different rooms and then moving them after they were asleep.  Yes, this worked really well.  But I don't believe it is the answer.  They need to learn to go to sleep together and to make the choice.  We can't have every girl in a separate room forever and they need to figure this out.
*Earlier bedtime or later bedtime.  But now with Keara in school, they can't go to bed any later than they are because they are so exhausted by 6:30 they can hardly function and otherwise Keara can't function the next day.
*Telling them they can have mommy/daddy time but if they don't go to bed well while the other has their personal time, then they lose their next turn.
*Bribery: If you go to bed well for 20 days, we can earn a trip to grandma's (that worked well, but after the trip, they completely regressed).  If you go to bed well two nights in a row, you can earn one PBS show.  That worked for 2 nights. 
*Laying with them until they fall asleep.  But I honestly cannot spend an hour every night laying with them waiting for them to fall asleep.  While this may be effective, it is not practical.  Plus, there have been several nights where they simply won't fall asleep with me there.

Once they are asleep, they are stars.  They rarely, if ever, get up in the night.  And if they do start on that habit, it lasts a day or two and then they're back to sleeping perfectly all night.  So it is truly only going to bed.  You could say we need to help them calm down, but they are completely calm by the time we leave their room.  And then they go wild.  Tonight, it has been 2 hours since I left their room and they are finally asleep. 

We'll come up with an idea and it'll work for a day or two and then it'll stop working.  I need a permanent solution.  Something that truly works.  I feel like there isn't a soul in the world who has this problem.  I know of plenty of people whose kids won't stay asleep or who wake up too early or wake up too often, but I feel completely lost in this problem. 

I know a big part of the problem is that Taryn is hyperactive and takes a really long time to fall asleep.  When she sleeps alone, she does great.  But having someone else in the room is really hard for her.  Lately, though, Keara has been just as big of a problem.  So I can't blame Taryn completely, though I know that Keara probably feeds off Taryn's energy. 

So, if you have a great answer, something that has truly worked for you, please suggest it.  Or email me at bradenandcheri at gmail dot com.  I am at a complete loss.  Ask around, get advice, whatever.  I need help.

I Do.

Wow, time flies.  I can't believe it's been almost 2 weeks since I wrote that post.  We're now into our third week of school and I have some advice in response to my last request for advice.

I realized, at the start of her second week of school, that Keara had switched from being truly nervous, to enjoying the attention she was receiving by not liking school, by clinging, and by crying.  She got sympathy from everyone...me, Braden, her teachers, her grandmas, everyone.  And we were talking about it with everyone, seeking advice. 

But when I stopped and paid attention to the whole picture, I realized that the sympathy and attention was actually perpetuating the problem.  So we flipped a switch and overnight, the problem changed.  That's not to say it went away, but immediately, we had less whining, less clinging, less crying.  She's gone 4 days of no tears at all and comes home much happier and excited about school.  The mornings aren't spent telling us that she doesn't want to go, but talking about what is going on that day.

What did we do?  We stopped paying attention to her complaints.  When she would say, "I don't want to go to school," we'd reply with "We understand.  Please get in the shower (or get dressed, or go to bed, or eat your breakfast, or whatever)."  We didn't dwell on the complaint.  And we explained to her teacher what we were doing and she jumped on board, not dwelling on Keara's crying, but moving on to the next thing. 

I didn't want Keara to think we didn't care, so we switched to focusing on the positive, like when she is happy, when she goes to school easily, when she has a great day.  Or simply on the great parts of school instead of the bad parts.  Once we took the wind out of her sails, per say, she started gliding and doing so much better. 

I'm grateful for inspiration and a Father in Heaven who not only loves me, but loves my daughter and inspires me and Braden on how to raise her best.  This advice has been extremely helpful.

Any Advice?

You already know how the first day of school went.  The second day started with "I don't want to go to school today."  But she survived, even though she cried again at the beginning.  But today started with "I dont' want to go to school today.  Please don't make me," and hiding in the corner, not helping get dressed, dragging her feet every step to the car. 

I asked her why, what was happening, and she told me she doesn't have anyone to sit with at lunch, how she's afraid of the whistle at recess and gym, how a couple boys have pushed her, how she's the only one who cries, how everyone else knows each other already and she feels new. 

I tried really hard to focus on the good parts of school, how Heavenly Father can help her, how she can reach out and be a friend, how she's not the only one who is afraid, how she can find a friend to sit with at lunch.  But nothing hleped.  When I took her to her classroom this morning, the tears came, she clung to me, and she begged me to take her back home. 

Even though I know exactly how she's feeling, I don't know how to help her thru this.  I know it takes time, that next week will be better, and then next week will be better than that, and so forth.  But what can I do to help her thru this every morning?  When she comes home from school, she loved it.  But in the morning, she's nervous, afraid, and doesn't want to go.

Have you had experience with this?  What have you done that has helped?  I really would appreciate any help you might have.

Happy Birthday Goose!

Wow, was it really just Goose's 2nd birthday?!  I can't believe she's 2!  And yet, of course I can.  This child is a dream.  An absolute dream.  We all adore her and love her smiles, her funnies, her happiness, her cuddles, her loves, and her friendship.  She is learning so much and makes us all so happy. 

A few things about Avery:

She loves books, puzzles, dolls, and her blanket. 
She can count to six without help and then counts "nine, twelve, thirteen, six, nine...there's nine!"
She knows all her letters in the alphabet, some also with their sounds and others with associated words, like A for Avery!
She could spend all day outside just enjoying being outside. 
She loves playing with her sisters and has recently developed a sweet friendship with Taryn.
She sleeps great, doesn't like lunch, and loves oatmeal.
She loves to say the prayer and at every meal the conflict arises "No, Avery pray."  "No, Avery, it's Keara's turn."  "Avery pray lunch."  "Okay, you can say it for lunch."  And then she reminds us all day that she'll say it at lunch.

Though her prayers have recently turned to "Dear Heavenly Father, Amen" "No, Avery, thank thee for this day" "Amen."  "Say day"  "Day.  Amen"  "No, thank you for our food."  "Amen."  "No, say food."  "Food, Amen."  You get the idea.

She loves her mommy...much to daddy's chagrin.  She is a cuddler, which I love!

She is seriously the sweetest, cutest thing we've ever met and I can't even begin to tell you all about her.  She is just so fun! 

When we'd say "Happy birthday Avery", she'd reply with "Mmm-hmmm."  You had to be there.  She's working so hard on getting her little fingers to cooperate and show that she's two years old.  But apparently, she understands how many fingers she's holding up because this morning, she held up three instead of two and when Braden asked how old she was, she looked at her hand and said "Three!"  This afternoon, when I asked, she held up four fingers and said "Four!"  I didn't realize she knew that.

Anyway, here are some pics from her birthday celebrations.  Braden had class basically from 9-9 on her actual birthday, so we had some minor celebrations that day and then had her real celebration tonight with my brother's family.  I know these are a lot of pics, but there are a few in her you HAVE to see, so at least scroll thru them, even if you don't read about them.


Her birthday began with opening "presents" that Keara had wrapped...library books, some of Avery's books, a play phone we have, and a baggie of animal crackers.  She wrapped them all in different colored construction paper, wrote "Avery, Lov Keara" on all of them, and then beamed for 24 hours waiting to give them to her.  It was so tender and Avery absolutely loved every one.

 This girl is not only beautiful, but she is also a complete HAM!  She is so funny and she knows it.

 I cannot believe how grown up she is!  Look at her!  Wasn't it just yesterday...??

 After naps, the girls and I headed over to these beautiful (free) gardens that are just 5 minutes from our house.  The gardens are H.U.G.E.  And stunning.  We loved this particular pathway lined with pink, Pink, PINK!

 Taryn loved this flower "as big as my head!"  I learned tonight it is called the "Dinner Plate" something...

 I love these three girls!  What a treasure to have daughters and for these girls to have sisters.  I know how much I adore my sisters and I am grateful these girls have each other.

 When we got home, we had ice cream with sprinkles and practiced blowing out candles. 

Tonight, we opened her real presents with my brother's family.  She was so excited!  She definitely figured out this whole unwrapping thing by the end of the night.

When we were in my brother's ward (church congregation), Avery would always ask to play with his watch.  Actually, she would do that any time she was with him.  He always graciously let her.  A few weeks ago, he got a new watch but didn't throw away his old one.  Instead, he wrapped it for her and gave it to her tonight.  When she opened it, she immediately hopped up and went over to put it on his arm.  Finding another one there, she was very confused!  But then she was very excited to have one for herself.  It is definitely going in the church bag.

Avery's favorite present was this baby doll and doll stroller.  She was then doubly excited to open her next present from Grandma...another doll!!  Tonight, she is happily sleeping with her own two babies.  It is adorable.  And she is thrilled to have her own stroller.  No more sisters being left out!

Okay, get ready for this.  Braden had this great idea to make a 3-D cake, ever since we saw some episodes from "Ace of Cakes" on the cooking channel.  He got inspired, had ideas flowing, and insisted that he get to make her cake this year.  I haven't let him make a cake for our children since his last two ideas bombed MISERABLY.  But I decided to back off, though I still had serious doubts when he told me his ideas.  He has GREAT ideas, but the execution always seems to lack.  I was truly worried we wouldn't have a cake at the end of it.

But not only did we have a cake, we had the most AWESOME cake I have ever seen in real life.  It comes in close with my brother's toilet cake he made my nephew 14 years ago, though he insists this is actually cooler.  I may have to agree.  It was incredible.  I was so proud of Braden sticking with his ideas, taking advice when necessary, and just going with the creative juices that were flowing.  And we were all blown away by the result. 

Isn't it incredible!?!?!

You may be asking, why a pig?  Because pigs are Avery's favorite farm animal.  She loves them and does a perfect pig impression.  I'll try to get that video uploaded...

Oh, and of course, pigs are pink.  Braden graciously wore a pink shirt today, much to his daughters' delight.

I know there are a lot of pics of it and you're probably thinking, "why are there so many pictures?" Because I couldn't choose just one and I can't believe how amazing it is so I just look at picture after picture and think "Oh my goodness! That is crazy amazing!" Braden, I concede. You can make the cakes from now on.

This cracked us all up.  Avery reached up and broke off the curly tail and just popped it right in her mouth. 
 

Avery loved her cake, especially the marshmallow fondant. 

 Avery cake and presents, we ran back over to the gardens to show my brother's family how beautiful they are right now.  They LOVED them and I hope they'll come back while they're still beautiful. 

Happy birthday baby girl.  I guess you're not a baby anymore.  But we adore you and love you and can't get enough of you.  You light up our lives and our home and our hearts every single day.  You are such a joy and a total blessing to us.  Before you were born, I had a strong, distinct impression that you would be an angel to our family.  And you are.

Well, This is New

We moved.  Braden started school.  We're in a new city.  We have no friends here.  We have no family here.  And we have no income...yet, hopefully.

As if all that change weren't enough (plus the upcoming start of kindergarten and then the arrival of our baby), I've decided to add something totally new, unexpected, and unchartered to our family.

On our drive up here, I suddenly had the thought that I should cloth diaper our next baby.  WHAT?!  Cloth diaper?!  I have NEVER wanted to cloth diaper.  I like the advancements of diapering, namely being able to toss the mess in the trash and not worry about it.  I like not having to do the laundry more often than absolutely necessary.  I like that my skinny children have skinny buns.  While I admire those who do cloth diaper, it has never interested me.  In fact, I have had a few prejudices against it.  But the inspiration came and wouldn't leave. 

Flashing into my mind was exactly how to make my own cloth diapers in a way that I would like.  I helped my friend a few years ago in her cloth diapering business, but I knew those types of diapers were not what I was looking for.  I had a very specific criteria in my mind and suddenly I could literally see the pattern in my mind of what to do and how to do it.  It was an incredible experience.

Still, I delayed a few days before bringing it up to Braden.  Surprisingly, he was pretty supportive.  We decided we needed to get the hang of it with Avery first and I needed to actually make the pattern I saw in my mind.  So I got the fabric I wanted and started to sew.  My first few attempts were unsuccessful, but every time I laid down to sleep, the thoughts of what to do kept flowing.  Needless to say, I haven't slept well in over a week (well, more like 7 months, but who's counting?).  This afternoon, I finally got it.  I think.  And I love them. 

I have such a sense of satisfaction when I put one of these diapers on Avery.  I don't know what it is.  Is it creating something?  Following clear inspiration?  Saving the planet?  I don't know.  But I know that it makes me happy...which I never thought cloth diapering would do. 

Tonight, I'm making mini diapers for the baby.  Since I have no child to model for me, I'm guessing here, but I'm hoping the inspiration is still flowing so I'm not wasting fabric. 

Why cloth diapering?  Not because I have a moral issue against disposables, believe me.  Not because I'm trying to be green.  Not because I think cloth is better, or whatever other argument could be made.  I am cloth diapering right now (besides the inspiration part) because of the financial savings.  I buy diapers for $40 every other month per kid.  That's about $250 a year per kid.  For three years of diapering, that's $750.  Or $3000 to diaper all my kids. 

Plus, the amount of diapers we go thru is astounding.  I calculated something like Avery has gone thru well over 4000 diapers in her short 2 years.  Average out 3 years per kid of diaper wearing and that's over 6500 diapers per kid...or 26,000 diapers for our 4 children alone.  Wow.

Anyway, I like that these are slim fitting on Avery.  She's so slender and I can usually not tell that she's wearing one.  But I know I haven't figured out the washing part well.  I don't really know the whole routine or how to make this simple.  It isn't that big of a deal, but those poopy diapers...whew.  Any advice? 

This is a new and very unexpected road we're on, but for now, I'm grateful to be on it.

Freezer Meals

The other day, instead of packing, I spent a good 4 hours making meals for next week and beyond that can be put in the freezer and pulled out when we need them.  I've been thinking about doing something like this every month which would provide about 10 meals or so that we could have on hand thru the month.  With our upcoming move and then the pending arrival of our baby, I thought now would be a good time to at least get something prepared for the many days ahead where I won't have time to cook. 

Thankfully, I already had a lot in the freezer that was done or easy to make into something else.  But by the end of my 4 hours, here's my list of what I have ready to go:

Sloppy Joes (enough for 2 meals)

Green Chile Chicken Enchiladas (2 dishes)
BBQ Chicken
Salsa Peach Pork
Chicago Chicken (2 dishes)
Cheese Lasagna (2 dishes)
White Chicken Chili (enough for 2 meals)
Pepperoni Pizza (2 trays)
Chalupa (2 bags)
Navajo Tacos (enough for 2 meals)
Chimichanga Chicken (enough for 2 meals)
Italian Chicken
Green Chile Egg and Sausage Casserole
Meatballs (enough for 2 meals)

That's 24 dinners.  Not only does this mean I can now pack most of my dishes, but it also means I have plenty of extra meals we won't eat next week that I can save for when the baby is born. 
 
I'm really excited about that.

May I Suggest...

My sister's father-in-law always provides a "baby moon" for her and my brother-in-law before the birth of their babies.  I've always thought that was a great idea--a chance for mom and dad to get away and have one-on-one time before adding another child to the family. 

However, I now have another suggestion.  My definition of a baby moon is to have your older children taken for a couple/few days so you are left with only your youngest...your baby.  It has been incredible having these past few days with Avery.  And these will likely be our only days just us before she is no longer our baby.  She has loved it, Braden has loved it, I have loved it.  It has been so rewarding.

So if you have a chance to spend some quality one-on-one time with your baby before your next baby is born, take it!  It is SO worth it!

(I wouldn't, however, recommend coinciding this baby moon with packing to move.  It definitely cuts into the "quality" time.)

So...

My Totally Awesome and Amazing sister (she told me to write that) kidnapped my kids on Sunday (legally, no charges pressed) for a week-long adventure in Chicago (with her, anything's possible).

It's been over a day and a half, and reportedly, things are going AMAZING! The girls are having the time of their lives, but of course, if I was there, I would be too!

Aside from a super fun road trip with their cousins,

ever-entertaining Uncle Steve and Aunt Kerri,

they have lived it up...in only one day so far:

Yesterday, they went to the Children's Museum in the morning

a super cool park in the afternoon

and roasted marshmallows before bed.

They called a left me a message before bedtime that was the sweetest thing I'd ever heard. Lots of "I Love You, Mom's". Ad.or.ab.le. Will be saving that message for a while. Though--what is it about hearing your kids' voices on the phone that makes them sound so much younger?

And all of this is AFTER a weekend of hot hot camping in Nauvoo where we were the mosquitos' Thanksgiving Feast...oh I didn't mention that?

There is too much.  Let me sum up. 

My friend got married this weekend in Nauvoo (a very special place in our church's history).  It worked out that my sister and brother's families were both there too!  It was so fun, besides being hot, humid, and full of mosquitos.  AND...we were camping.  Yes, that was my idea.  No, it was not my brightest. 

Now I'm back, I have 10 days to pack and get us moved to a new city.  WAHOO!  So, with that in mind, I need to go...