It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas

Santa visited our ward party. Ian was so excited but kind of got shy once he was on Santa's lap. I'm not really sure if he was able to tell Santa what he wanted for Christmas, but he really enjoyed seeing him.

Again, I am having problems with the order of my pictures, sorry. But, guess what?! It snowed enough to make a snowman today!! Pretty crazy for Las Vegas. Ian was upset that we didn't have a hat for the snowman, but he settled for a scarf. I guess we get a white Christmas after all! Or close enough.

Ta Da!

I finally got pressured into taking a side shot. This first picture is actually a picture of me at my baby shower 4 days before I delivered Hailey. It's all I could find from that pregnancy, can you believe there was an 8.8 pound baby in there?!

So here I am in all my pregnant glory. I went to the doctor today and found out that I have gained 12 pounds in the last 4 weeks. Unbelievable! At least I'm finally catching up. My doctor says my most important job right now is to just stay pregnant. I guess I'll try, darn it.

Tagged

My friend Koreena tagged me to post the 4th picture in the 4th folder so here it is. Haha. It's from November 2006, Ian in all his glory.

Thanks Koreena. =O)

How is the pregnancy going?

The twins seem to be growing just fantastically. My doctor acts like I could go into labor at any second, which I find a little irritating. I'm only 23 weeks! So I am just trying to take it easy and spend most of the day sitting or laying around. Sound like fun? They test me every 2 weeks for some chemical that is supposed to induce labor or something. So far the test is negative so I'm safe for at least 2 weeks. I personally think the whole thing is kind of overkill. I am really sick of going to the doctor and the farther along I get the more often I have to go, oh well. On the up side the babies are very healthy and right on track and I'm still alive.

Happy Birthday Hailey!

Well, these pictures are totally out of order, I don't know exactly why, but I don't know how to fix it without doing it over so you get what you get...... Hailey had a happy little second birthday on Saturday. She was mesmerized by the candle but it magically went out when she tried to touch the flame. Maybe she'll get the hang of blowing out the candles next year. Her favorite thing was her balloons and the marshmallows on the top of her cake. I was surprised she liked the little tiara I put on her, I didn't think it would last more than a couple seconds but she left it on for almost an hour! When it was time to open presents Ian was more than helpful, of course. She put each little piece of wrapping paper in a neat little pile as she tore it off. It was a nice little 10 minute birthday party with the 4 of us, just enough for a 2 year old I suppose. We're so thankful to have her in our little (soon to be not so little) family, she is a little ray of sunshine and we love her smiles and kisses.

Kids and Costumes

I don't have the energy to write anything so here are a few pics. More to come later hopefully....

Ian quote of the day

Last night we were watching "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown" and as Charlie Brown got a bunch of rocks instead of candy in his treat bag I said "look at that Ian, maybe we should give out rocks for Halloween." Ian quickly argued, "No mommy!! I want candy! Rocks are really hard to eat!"

Sweet Sweet Moments

Lately I have been too sick or in too much pain to try to put my kids to bed with a song and a story. Adam has tried to be home more at bedtime but he's kind of unpredictable. So to help me feel better about my life Adam has taught Ian to rock Hailey and sing her a bedtime song. I didn't realize they were doing this until the other night when I was downstairs and heard Ian singing so nicely "I am a child of God" to his little sister. What a sweet little moment after a long day of tantrums and messes. I think the wonderful thing about children is that although they can really push your buttons a lot of the time, there is always a little store of these sweet moments to remember and you can't help but love them to bits.

What's happening with us?

Nothing. Yeah I know, pretty exciting huh. Well here are a few little things that are going on. For those of you who don't know, we are about 95% sure we are having 2 boys. I am really happy about it, but a little bummed that I may not have any more girls. As far as the pregnancy goes, the babies are measuring a few days ahead of schedule and seem to have all the right parts in the right places and I have felt a lot more activity lately. I'm glad they are doing so well despite the troubles I have had. I am feeling a little better as far as nausea but I have been having many of the pains that I didn't have till the last month of my previous pregnancies already. It is a little discouraging but thankfully I now have a housekeeper who comes twice a week and eases my burdens quite a bit. I have been feeling a lot better (mentally) lately since I don't have to worry so much about the mess at home. It's unbelievable what a difference it makes. I'm just glad I'm about half way through the pregnancy now. The holidays are coming up and it really helps keep my mind off all my aches and pains, or at least it's just nice to have something to look forward to.

Ian is still loving preschool. He doesn't have class this week and his teacher told him it was a vacation. He came home and told me "I can't wait to go on vacation with my teacher!!" Yeah, if only that were the case..... He cracks me up. He is going to be Darth Vader for Halloween and is more excited than I think any other kid could possibly be. I'm sure glad I found the costume on sale! Grandma Nelson is coming for Halloween, I'm glad she can be here to do the fun stuff with the kids that I don't have the energy for. Ian is excited to make banana bread with her, as always. He is also having his first primary program this Sunday, I can't wait!

Hailey is busy stealing toys away from Ian and taking care of her baby dolls and care bears. She still only says a few words but I know she understands most of what I say and she is learning more and more sign language every week. I can tell she gets really frustrated because she has such a hard time communicating, but it is getting better. She sure is a daddy's girl and when I put her to bed she stays awake in her bed until daddy gets home and sings here a couple songs.

So that's what's up with us. I have to go to the doctor pretty much all the time, this week I have 2 appointments on the same day. It is kind of annoying. Otherwise we just kind of try to stay entertained without exerting too much energy (if I over-do it I am in pain for quite a while afterward). So there ya go, until next time......

Some pics of the kids

They get along every once in a while.....

Hailey's favorite thing to do with daddy: snuggle.
She's not really giving a "thumbs up" here. She's either about to put her thumb in her mouth or has just taken it out. She's quite addicted.
This is her newest thing. She likes to sit next to her stroller for some reason, I know, kind of weird.

Eating is always fun when kids are involved

I don't know why we can never get enough of our kids eating and making big messes. But you have to admit it's kind of funny and cute.

I think I ended up throwing that bib away when she was done instead of trying to clean it.
Ian likes to drink nacho cheese apparently.

Thankful Thursday

This week I am thankful that my husband has a good and secure job while many people are losing their jobs all over the country, including in his own company. I hate how many hours he works every week but because he has put in all that effort he will always have a job and I don't have to work to help make ends meet. Thanks Adam.

Thankful Thursday

Yeah, I know I haven't done this in a long time, or posted anything, but it is mostly because I have been so sick I could barely move (which makes it extremely difficult to care for 2 small children). So I am online right now so I thought, what the heck?

1. Relief Society - My Relief Society presidency came over the other day and cleaned my house. They even got down on their hands and knees and scrubbed the floors. It was so nice to enjoy a clean house for a couple hours (before Hailey ran around and messed everything up). I am so thankful to have the Relief Society, it's a wonderful organization, truly inspired.
2. Some much needed help - Another thing my R.S. president did for me was found me someone who can come help keeps things cleaned up a couple times a week. She hasn't started yet (Monday, yippee!) but I am really excited and feel better about the whole situation already.
3. Visitors - My mom and sister Marianne have both planned trips to come visit and help out at the end of this month and beginning of next month. Yay!! My sister Amy and her family are stopping through next week too. I am just glad to have some things to look forward to and help the time pass by a little faster.
4. It's ultrasound day! - We will hopefully find out what kind of babies we are having today! I am really really excited and I hope we will be able to tell. I always said I didn't want to find out with my third one but that went out the window when I found out I was having twins. I'm also just glad we will get to see the babies and make sure they are ok despite their poor sick mother.
5. Adam taking care of all of us - Adam has been working a ridiculous amount of hours lately, but when I really really need him, he finds a way to come through for me. Yesterday I really thought I was going to die or at least have to go to the hospital so he came home and took over so I could spend the rest of the day in bed. I know it probably makes work a lot harder for him when he has to drop everything and run home, but I sure appreciate it.
6. Panera Bread - It's a restaurant/bakery kind of place. I sent Adam there yesterday to get me soup, a bagel, and muffins. Interestingly enough, they sell exactly everything I was craving yesterday and it was the first food I was able to hold down in 24 hours.
7. Hailey, napping champion of the world - I really don't know how I would survive if Hailey decided she didn't want to take naps anymore. She usually sleeps for 2 to 3 1/2 hours every afternoon. It requires absolutely no effort at all to put her down, I just put her in her crib and walk out. Most people who are over when I put her down say it's pretty amazing, and I agree.

Well, that's all I have for today. Sorry I never post anything anymore, I'm sure you all can understand though. Until next time....

Thankful Thursday

I'm thankful for my wonderful family and friends. I'm also thankful that I went to the doctor this week and saw my little babies again. One if them seems to be quite active (another Ian??). And I'm thankful I got Ian into a preschool we could afford and he is starting soon. Sorry this is kind of short and to the point, it's better than nothing!

Hailey's new pillow, and other things

Well, I don't have any pictures, but I thought I would write a little update. Hailey got her first pillow yesterday. She has shown interest in all of our pillows so I thought it was time for her to have one too. I didn't have a special pillowcase for her so I put one of Ian's on it. She sure didn't care. When I put the pillow in her crib she started crying until I put her in too. She laid on the pillow and was all ready to go to bed. Since then she is so excited to go to bed and go down for naps. I wish I gave her the pillow sooner! Now she lays down without a fuss and has a huge smile on her face when I leave the room. Who would have thought?

I got Ian signed up for preschool. I almost didn't get up at 7am for the online registration but I am really glad I made myself do it. The class was filled up in 9 minutes, thank goodness I got him signed up! He starts September 8th!

We tried to explain to Ian that I am pregnant and we are having twins. He is pretty excited, the only thing is that 2 babies aren't enough for him. He constantly reminds me that he wants ten babies. Yeah right Ian.... He tells everyone that his mom is sick and we're having twins. Today he asked how the doctors are going to get their hands in to get the babies out. That was a fun question. I just told him not to worry about it and that seemed to satisfy him (thank goodness).

Things are going alright, we're surviving, it's what we're good at. I have been too sick to really get out much but Ian doesn't seem to mind as long as he has the Wii, and Hailey has been having fun destroying the house. Adam is working lots and lots of hours as usual, poor guy. All in all, I'm just glad I'm a quarter through the pregnancy and I'm having another ultra-sound next week which I'm excited about. That's all I have to say for now.

Thankful Friday

I have been so bad about doing Thankful Thursday lately. Gee I wonder why. Well I was determined to do it this week but then I was kind of in and out of sleep all day on the couch yesterday and forgot yet again. So I am doing it today.

1. Zofran - This is my new best friend. It is a medication for nausea and works pretty well in the mornings. By the afternoon I am back to non-functional, but I can get some stuff done in the mornings thanks to drugs and we sometimes even get out of the house.
2. Good health insurance - I can't imagine having a "high-risk" pregnancy with crappy insurance.
3. My sister Jill - Jill lets me come up to her house every once in a while and eat her food and lay on her couch while my kids are entertained by her kids. And sometimes she comes and cleans up the mess at my house. She saved me when I was pregnant with Hailey and is already saving me again, what would I do without you Jill?
4. Hailey has been sleeping in till 9am! - Thank you Hailey!
5. Twins - It really is a blessing and although I am sicker than ever and want to live in the hospital under a coma for the next 6 months I know I will survive and it will all be worth it.
6. I am signing Ian up for preschool tomorrow! - Yippee!!!
7. The Olympics - Adam and I have had a lot of fun watching Michael Phelps win a million gold medals the last few nights. Man that guy's amazing! It is hard not to stay up all night watching the games so we try to record it and go to bed. It's really cool, if you think about it, that all the nations of the world can come together in peace once every couple years and have some healthy competition (to some extent).

What? Are you joking??

Well, some of you may have heard, we're having twins! We just found out on Tuesday and I think I am still in shock. We don't have any twins in either of our families so it is quite surprising. We are excited though, and I am very sick. Which is why I haven't updated my blog in quite a while. It really is a blessing though, since I have such bad pregnancies. I get two for the price of one! I'll try to be better about updating the blog, but no promises.

Hailey is a silly girl

Hailey decided she didn't want to wait for her oatmeal so she pulled it down from the counter herself and started eating without me. She's a pretty determined little girl.

Hailey's new favorite thing is dressing up. Here she is with Ian's pajama pants and shoes.
The funniest new thing she does is put her swimsuit on like a little cape. She puts the straps on her arms then flips it over her head to her back. She's super swimsuit baby!

Happy Birthday Ian!!

Ian's birthday was July 12th. He is a big 4 year old now! He had his first party with friends this year, it was a little party, but he had a blast.

I made a "pin the smokestack on Thomas game." The kids loved it.
Ian and his party friends, A.J. and Alexis.
Ian picked out the exact same cake he had last year. Oh well, it tasted really good. I was just glad I didn't have to make it, it's too hot to turn the oven on!
Ian and his cake.
Ian and his presents.
Ian got a Hot Wheels race track for his birthday. He loves it, although Hailey tries to wreck it all the time, so is life with a little sister.
The birthday boy.

More Vacation Pics

On the 4th of July Ian and Hailey ate tons of watermelon. I think it was Hailey's first time. Aren't they cute in their little matching shirts?

Hailey also discovered corn on the cob. Yum.
Ian had his first diving board experience. Once he got the hang of it he loved it.
My friend Joy and her husband Jeff came over and made ice cream with Ian.
Ian got to smash up the Oreos, definitely his favorite part of the whole thing.
On our way home we stopped at my sister Amy's house in Fresno for a day. Ian and his cousin Emily are only a month apart. Here they are with their babies, Hailey and Allison.

Thankful Thursday

For some reason I knew it was Thursday but didn't realize it was Thankful Thursday until I saw someone else's blog. Ha.

1. Adam saved the day - On Tuesday I had an appointment and 2 babysitters cancelled on me so Adam took a half day off work and came home to watch the kids so I could make it. Thanks Adam!
2. Pasta Roni - My kids have been picky eaters lately but they will always eat Pasta Roni.
3. Hailey can use a fork and spoon - Yay!
4. My new fan - I got a new stand fan and I like it a lot. More air circulation is always a plus.
5. Happy Hailey - I like happy Hailey, not a huge fan of unhappy Hailey.
6. Jill's coming home next week - My sister Jill left town the same day I got back into town and has been gone a long time. I miss her!
7. Sno Shack - We got a Sno Shack right by us, it is my favorite ever! Shaved ice is what got me through my pregnancy with Ian (he was born in July....). I love red rasberry with cream, yum yum yum!

Thankful Thursday

Thursday already?

1. Ian - Ian just turned 4 on the 12th. I am so thankful to have him, he is a sweet sweet boy. I love how he sings and tells me everything. Earlier today he told me he wanted to "do fun stuff together like blowing bubbles and playing the Wii." He gives great hugs and gets excited about small stuff like mandarin oranges. I love my little boy (even if he drives me crazy sometimes).
2. Less stress in my life - It is nice to not have to worry about getting settled in a new apartment like we usually are at this time of year. I just have to find ways to keep the kids occupied and do chores around the house. Not too shabby.
3. Snuggles from Hailey - Hailey is very independent, but sometimes she just likes to snuggle. She also learned how to give kisses yesterday, cute cute cute!
4. Good old books - Adam and I have been reading The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis. They're pretty good, and not very long.
5. Going to bed earlier - It really helps, it just takes discipline!
6. Garbage day is twice a week - It makes my garage a lot less smelly.
7. Outdoor/indoor thermometer - It's really cool. Now I know just how hot it really is outside (106 right now).
8. Earplugs - With all the noise my ceiling fan makes I don't think I could survive without earplugs in the summer. It's too hot without the fan, too noisy without the earplugs.

Belated Thankful Thursday

I totally forgot yesterday to do Thankful Thursday, how sad. We just got back on Wednesday and are adjusting back to regular life in hot Las Vegas (it got up to 114 in the shade yesterday).

1. Sleeping in till 9am - Hailey didn't get up till 9 today, so I didn't have to get up either. Yippee!!!
2. Back in our big bed - I think Adam, especially, is thankful to be back in our Cal King sized bed.
3. Ian can entertain himself in the morning - Or, I guess the TV can entertain him. I wouldn't have been able to stay in bed otherwise.
4. Frozen food - It makes my life easier.
5. Air conditioning - Even though it's still hot in the house, it's not as hot as outside.

Diving Fun

Don't worry, Ian wanted to jump in, he just needed a little help from Grandpa. After that he did pretty good!

Mmmm, Yummy Corn!

No More Monkeys Jumping on the Bed!

Thankful Thursday

1. Generous Friends - My friend Heather invited Adam and me to a restaurant where her husband is a chef. It was SO yummy and so wonderful to spend the evening with her and see what her husband (Adam also) does. I think I ate enough food to hibernate through the winter. Thanks Heather!
2. Cooler weather - I am probably going to cry when we get back to Las Vegas. I heard it is at least 110 there right now.
3. Ian is getting older - It is so fun to be able to do a lot more things with Ian because he is capable of actually doing them. He got to go to the fair with Grandma and "Mantie Marianne" yesterday and he went on a bunch of rides and kept up with them, and the best part: I didn't have to go. I love babies, but you can do a lot more with older kids.
4. A new addition to the family - Adam's sister, Audrey, had her baby girl yesterday, 3 weeks early. What a blessing little spirits are.
5. The USA - I wouldn't want to live anywhere else.
6. A nap - I got to take a 3 hour nap today, yippee!
7. Friends who keep in touch - I love to hear and see what old friends are doing with their lives.
8. Reading stories - Ian loves to read stories and Grandpa loves to read them to him. Cute, cute, cute!

Monterey Aquarium and Dennis the Menace Park

We went to the Monterey Bay Aquarium with Adam's mom, brother, and nephews. I don't have a pic of all of us, but this is the same seashell that we took a picture of Ian and Grandma K when Ian was Hailey's age. It's fun to see time moving along. The most important thing for Ian was to see scuba divers. We missed the ones in the kelp forest, but he did get to see some outside in the bay.

Hailey liked sticking her hand in the water.

After the Aquarium, we went to the "Dennis the Menace Park." Ian's favorite was, of course, the big real train engine they had. It was hard to get him to go play on the playground once he saw it.

Ian ran across this bridge at least 25 times. He sang as he ran, it was pretty funny.

Again, Ian looks like a psycho when he says "cheese." He actually looks scared in this picture...haha.

Vacation Update

So far vacation has been pretty fun. We spent a few days at Adam's mom's house. Now we're at my parents' house but they aren't here because they went up to Boise for my grandpa's funeral. We are sad we couldn't go too, but it is kind of nice to have a little vacation house all to ourselves.

Hailey learned to feed herself French Toast. Yum.

We had a little "surprise party" for Ian's birthday (a little early). He loved the cupcakes and, of course, presents. This is his cousin Nick in the picture, and Papa Evans in the background.

Ian learned how to write his whole name on his new Thomas Magnadoodle. This is his very first time. Exciting!

My sister Marianne stopped by for a visit on her way up to Pleasanton. Ian can't say "cheese" without looking like a psycho.