MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Make a Smilebox scrapbook

This is what you do on Christmas when you're bored!

Yesterday was not the best day of my life. It had been an incredibly stressful day. I am having major cabin fever because we have been snowed in for two weeks. I have a newborn that I am still adjusting to. It's Christmas. My house is a mess. Laundry is piling up. None of my clothes fit. My Christmas decorations were still not finished. It had taken me all week to make goodies for my neighbors.

I had a few minutes of quiet (Bridger was asleep) I was sitting in my nice warm living room and rocking Lily in my soft recliner. A Faith Hill Christmas special was on. She had an amazing song called "A Baby Changes Everything". At first I was thinking about how our babies have changed everything. These sweet little things come into our lives and create all sorts of upheaval. It's a lot of hard work being a mother.
As I listened to the song and looked out at the beautiful snow on a winter night, I thought about another mother...Mary. At Christmas time I always think of Jesus. But this year my thoughts are with Mary. What a remarkable mother she must have been. As we read about her experience bringing Jesus into this world, and the very uncomfortable conditions she had to endure...I just can't imagine! Surely giving birth to the Son of God deserves a room at an Inn, a warm bed to sleep in.
I am grateful to Mary for the role she played in bringing our Savior into this world. I am grateful for the fact that she raised him and I'm sure played a role in who he became as a man. My heart breaks for her suffering in watching him mocked and ridiculed and hung on a cross to die. I can't even stand to see Bridger scrape his knee!

Mothers are often overlooked for what they do. This year I am grateful for Mary, for my mom, and for all the other mothers I know.


MERRY CHRISTMAS!

Beautiful Sunset outside our house

Christmas Tree

One of my favorite things about living in Oregon, is being able to cut down our own Christmas tree. When I was younger, I wanted to snowshoe in the mountains and cut down a Christmas tree. While going to a Christmas tree farm isn't exactly what I had in mind, it sure beats picking up a Christmas tree in the parking lot of some store!

A White Christmas...I'm not just dreaming of it!

We got quite a storm last night. I don't just mean that for Oregonians....This was a storm even in Utah standards.








Bridger is holding a sheet of ice. We got freezing rain after the snow. It made shoveling our drive not so fun for Derek. He not only had to shovel with a short avalanche shovel but he had to break the ice first.

Portland is not accustomed to snow. We have seen some very unusual ways of removing snow from the driveways- push brooms, garden shovels and even someone blowing it off with a leaf blower.

Winter Wonderland

One of the things I miss most about Utah is the snow for Christmas. Christmas isn't the same without it. While I'm not sure if the snow we got will stick around until Christmas, it has certainly helped get me into the spirit of things. It has helped that we have basically not been able to leave our house for 4 days. I've been getting my Christmas decorations up. With Derek not being able to work much, I have been making a small dent in the disaster we're living in.

Derek has always loved the snow. Bridger seems to be following in his footsteps. They spent many happy hours playing outside. I gave it a shot but only lasted a few minutes. I do not like the cold. Bridger reassured me that I would "warm up in a mimute" (minute...I didn't just mispell it). I never warmed up until I was back inside. Lily gave it a shot too, but I think she may be following me instead of dad. Look at that sad face.

The Many Uses of a Snorkel

One of the best purchases we have ever made was buying Bridger a snorkel set when we were in Hawaii. He of course used it to snorkel and continues to snorkel in the bathtub. He also has created many other uses for it: protective eyewear when he plays volleyball, baseball and when he helps Derek weed-eat the yard. The snorkel set is also very effective at helping him breathe in smoke while he fights fires with the vacuum hose.

















As for this last picture...This is one I can't explain. Bridger certainly has an imagination! He loves using my old-fashioned egg-beater when he does "yard work". This particular time he thought the snorkel was necessary. Your guess is as good as mine!

1 month old

Does Gas Make YOU Smile?!

This is not a subject I would normally talk about and I'm sure my mom is horrified...but does gas make you smile? The first time I saw Lily smile was in the hospital. They nurse said it was gas. I don't know about you, but when I get gas you do not see a happy look on MY face. And I'm pretty sure Lily is not the same considering the crying I heard last night.

Lily always greets us with a smile when we go to get her out of bed. She also smiles when we talk to her. She seems to be a very happy and content little girl.

Just look at that face. Is that a face of someone with gas? I rest my case.

"Thank you for my cute sister"

To say Bridger is THRILLED to be a big brother is an understatement. He had been asking for a sibling for over two years. He used to pray for a sister. Now almost every night, when he says his prayers, he says, "Thank you for my cute sister."

Bridger tries so hard to be helpful and has even taken it upon himself to take care of the baby when I'm not looking. I caught him trying to change Lily's clothes the other day. She had spit up on them and she was wet and cold. You might be thinking that that is so nice but this was the scene I found. I was in the kitchen making dinner, Lily was in her swing. I heard Lily cry. When I went to pick her up she was almost upside down in the swing, her head was pinned against the side and she was partially undressed. Bridger was sorting through her clothes trying to find something to put her in. Sweet but NOT so helpful.

It's amazing younger siblings survive!

Thankful

Thanksgiving has always been one of my favorite holidays. You get all the warm, fuzzy feelings as Christmas without all the stress.

As always, I've reflected on what I am thankful for. While the list is too long to list (especially since I am typing one-handed while I hold Lily) I want to list a few of the things that have really stood out this year. First I am thankful for the newest addition to our family- Lily. She is so sweet. I am also thankful for Bridger. He is a wonderful kid. He is very thoughtful and helpful. Derek has been a lifesaver this past year. He has really stepped up and shown what a great person he is. I have had nothing but problems and sickness this past year, Derek has been there for me and our family. He has even been a huge help with Lily. He takes half the night so I can get some sleep.

I am also very grateful for extended family. My in-laws, my mom, and Maridee all came to help with the baby. It really means a lot that I still get support when we are so far away. Having a baby without family around is hard.

Pictures of Lily

A friend of mine took these pictures. She did a great job.

Me and my little girl

A friend of mine was gracious enough to take some pictures of Lily. She also got this one with me. I love it even though I had barely combed my hair that day and I don't know when I washed my hair last since I am limited to how often I go up the stairs.

A friend of mine is starting a photography business. I asked her to take Lily's picture. She hasn't taken many newborn pictures so it was a win-win situation.

I love this picture except for the fact that I'm not wearing any make-up and I look awful. Staying in the hospital for a few days without washing your face doesn't help your skin.

Make a Smilebox photobook

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

None of my costumes would fit this year...so I had to get creative. I also needed something to laugh about.

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What do doctor's know!

My due date has come and gone. While it is only two days past, they have had me on pins and needles for months now. At least seven weeks ago, they had me scared of pre-term labor. I've been dilated for over a month now, and every doctor appointment would end with, "We'll see you next week if not sooner." Basically, I'm paying a doctor to freak me out---the rest I am doing on my own.

Tomorrow I have a doctor's appointment to determine what we are going to do. I have been fighting the doctor's urge for me to "pick my baby's birthday" and schedule. But I have been warned all along that he won't let me go past a week over my due date. So tomorrow we will have to decide how we are going to force this baby out. Wish me luck.

10 Things I've Given Up On.

1. Tying my shoes.
2. Trying to see my feet.
3. Picking up anything that is left on the floor.
4. Taking care of my feet...painting toes, clipping toenails, and on occasion even washing my feet. DISGUSTING!
5. Playing football or any other sport with Bridger.
6. Shaving my legs.
7. Trying to keep my pants up and my shirt down. This is NOT pretty.
8. Sitting modestly in a dress.
9. Trying not to run into things with my huge belly. It's impossible. I have bruises to prove it.
10. Sleeping.

Another Wasted Saturday? Depends on who you ask...

I think it was a Saturday well spent. Derek on the other hand...

I kept Derek busy for yet another Saturday. This time he had to paint the wainscoting he put up. Being pregnant definitely has it's benefits...I would have helped paint but I can't paint when I'm pregnant.

Pumpkin Patch

Living in Oregon is great. They have a bunch of local farms that have activities all year. Baggenstos Farm is one that we visit. We pick strawberries, blueberries, and raspberries in the summer. We buy fresh produce there all summer and fall. They have animals and a playground. In the fall they have a corn maze, hay maze, pumpkin bowling, and tractor rides to the pumpkin patch. It is a lot of fun.

Check out this Gut!

I decided that I should take a picture of my BIG belly. Maybe someday when my daughter is a teenager, I can show her this picture and say, "look what I went through for you!" Although a picture of my stretch marks and labor might be more effective.

Keep in mind as you look at this picture that a 3 year old took it AND I am 39 weeks pregnant. I don't normally look this fat! It took a few tries for Bridger to get my head in the picture but after he mastered that they turned out OK. Bridger was getting frustrated that he had to keep trying so I gave him the incentive of taking a picture of whatever he wanted. That's how we got the second picture and third picture. (My in-laws just told me that it is hard to tell what the third picture is. It is the inside of the toilet.) He is such a boy!

What did I get myself into?

I mentioned doing a preschool co-op in one of my last posts. At the time I loved it. Maybe after I recover from my week of teaching, I will love it again. But right now I'm not so sure. It might have been easier if I wasn't 37-38 weeks pregnant when it was my turn.

I taught the boys about fire safety. My main motivation for doing this is that Bridger has been obsessed about firemen lately. He really wanted to see the fire station and I was too embarrassed to just take Bridger. So I had this great idea that I would use one of my days to take the preschool group to the fire station. Thus solving the problem of taking Bridger to the fire station and keeping my house from being destroyed on one of my days.

Day 1: I though I would go through the basics: Stop, Drop and Roll, Stay low and go etc. I had tons of ideas and thought it would go well. The thing I was not prepared for was the fact that I had seven boys that thought they knew all the answers. Most of them did know a lot and I was happy that they had such great moms that taught them about being safe (Good job moms!). The problem was that I had to continually break up arguments between the boys about who was right and who got to talk. They would just start yelling at each other to be quiet so they could say something. So what did I do? I joined them! I had to keep telling them that THEY needed to be quiet so I could say something. Circle time didn't last long. We moved on to games. We practiced crawling under smoke and rolling to put out fire. That went much better.

Day 2: We went to the fire station. I think the boys had fun. They were really polite and good most of the time. We started to lose them at the end. The firemen were VERY thorough about the tour. We saw the office and the computer in the office and the telephone and the bathrooms and the lockers where they put there clothes when they showered and...you get the point. The kids just wanted to see the fire truck and the firemen's clothes then leave.

Belly Talk and Getting Ready for Baby

We're down to counting days. I have 14 days left. Yes, I know, I could just say two weeks. But somehow saying 14 days makes me feel better.

Not only has this pregnancy been really miserable- morning sickness that lasted all day for 7 months, three sinus infections, back problems, hospital for preterm labor, bed rest, etc. But out of the past 19 months I have been pregnant for 14 of those. We lost a baby when I was about 4 months pregnant and then had another miscarriage shortly after that. My poor body needs a break! I don't want to be pregnant even one more day.

I have definitely started nesting. Problem is I don't get much done anymore. My to do list is getting longer instead of shorter. I just can't move fast enough!

Unfortunately for Derek, HE is the one doing most of MY nesting. He has been such a great help this past year with all the stuff I have been going through and dishing out.

This past Saturday Derek, with the help of a man in our ward, put up bead board in the baby's room. I have always wanted a room with bead board. So I am so excited. I got the room I wanted and Derek learned a new skill...Did I mention I wanted bead board in my bathroom?

Preschool

Bridger has started preschool. He loves it! Mom loves it too! I get four hours a week to actually accomplish something without fighting and trying to distract a three year old.
I am involved in a co-op preschool with 5 other women in our ward. We each take turns teaching. So far we love it. We'll see if I still feel that way after I take my turn teaching next week. Having six VERY energetic boys in my house might change my mind.

Bridger's Great Grandparents visit

We were soooo excited to have my grandparents come for a visit. They just celebrated their 85th birthday's! My mom also came.

We had so much fun with them. I have fond memories of my grandpa teasing me as a kid. It was a joy to watch him tease Bridger the same way. Bridger also had a good time teasing grandpa!

My grandpa was a dairy farmer. So we thought he might like the Tillamook cheese factory. They at least enjoyed the ice cream!

My grandma LOVES the ocean. It had been 10 years since she had been to the beach. So we spent some time at a Cape Meares. We visited the lighthouse and the beach.

My mom, grandma and I played hours of boggle. I learned a lot of new words some of which I am sure were not real words. But I wasn't about to say anything!

Our one and ONlY camping trip this year

After many months of being sick. I was begging to go camping. (I had big hopes of sqeeezing in as much fun as I could before we had our baby. Didn't happen.)

We went camping at Gales Creek with our friends the Nielson's. Despite the fact that Jenny forgot her kids sleeping bags and we had two pregnant women sleeping on the ground, we had a great time!

Peaches, peaches everywhere!

One of our favorite things about Oregon is the pick-your-own fruit farms. Every summer we spend hours at different farms picking strawberries, raspberries, marionberries, blueberries, peaches, pears, and apples. There is something about picking your own fruit that makes it taste better. Bridger has a hard time not eating while we pick. For the first five minutes, I pick as fast as I possibly can and I just barely stay ahead of him. Luckily, the farms don't mind kids eating while they pick. I have seen many kids walk out with red-stained faces! They couldn't hide their guilt if they wanted to.
    This year, even though I was 32 weeks pregnant, I decided to bottle peaches. So Derek, Bridger, and I headed to the farm. We only picked for about 15 minutes, but it was so quick and easy that we got more than we bargained for. We thought we had 50-60 lbs, which seemed like more than enough. When they weighed them, we had picked 110 lbs!! Yikes!
    So I spent EVERY available minute for the next week canning peaches. Where is your family when you need them? I tried to vary what I did because we are going to be eating peaches every meal for the next 5 years. I made several kinds of peach jam, peach-vanilla syrup, frozen peaches, etc. What a nightmare!
    By the end of it, I needed help. Derek now knows all there is to canning peaches! He was a good sport and spent many hours late into the night helping me.
    Peaches anyone?

Who would have thought that being obedient about food storage could put you in the hospital? I sure didn't.

The day we picked peaches, I had called the doctor with some complaints about a possible bladder infection and cramping. Turns out I didn't have a bladder infection; it was the baby's head. The baby had dropped. I was up on my feet so much with the peaches that the cramping turned into major contractions. The doctor decided I should go in for a visit. What I thought would be a quick appointment turned into an all-day stay at the hospital. I had to be monitored to make sure I wasn't in labor. I am now on bed rest to make sure the baby is not born for at least another 2-3 weeks.

Good news, my doctor (who is a stake president) said I could pay him in peaches!

Our Trip to Utah 2008

This summer has been really busy. June was a really busy month. We had our good friends from Utah (Messerly's and Stuart'S) come up to our house to visit. We rented a beach house and got to enjoy the Beautiful Oregon coast.

The day after our friends left, we went to Utah. We had a busy schedule with my grandparents 85th birthday party (they were born three days apart), Derek's family reunion, and Maridee and Wayne were sealed in the temple. We did all that within 3 days of arriving to Utah. Luckily we were staying for two weeks so we had a bit of down time. I got more down time than I bargained for because Bridger was very sick for 7 days of that.

We did get some family time in while we were there. We spent some time at one of Derek's favorite places- Powder Mountain. What a beautiful place! We rode the ski lift to the top of the mountain and got some breath taking views of the valley.