Day 2- A book that you've read more than 3 times

There are quite a few.  But this is the one that I read at least once a year, since I was 17: 

A novel of epic proportions that just gets me everytime.  My husband says that I am picky about my fantasy novels, and that's because I compare everything to this book.  Which, I probably shouldn't, considering how awesome it is. 

And the only other book that I've probably read more than Lord of the Rings? 

Since I was 14 (starting early morning seminary) I've made an effort to read from this book everyday.  Sometimes, I don't make it, but I think I've done a pretty good job for the most part. 

30 Days of Books-Day 1- Favorite Book You Read Last Year

2011... let's see, let's see.  So many wonderful books that I read.  I think my favorite was this one though:

I had been wanting to read this book for a while.  Since I was pretty young, I remember getting freaked out in the movie from the 1930's.  It's the eerie beginning, when there's a mystery that needs to be solved at a fort in Africa.  I really believe what I like the most about this book is the mystery, the strong family/brotherly ties, and the adventure that you're swept up in.  After reading this book, get the movie that has Gary Cooper in it.  A very good adaptation of one of my new favorite books. 

Runner Ups:

Elantris by Brandon Sanderson--a really good fantasy book that I enjoyed.  I also liked that it was a stand-alone novel.  Sanderson writes good, likeable characters.

Dealing with Dragons by Patricia Wrede.  This is the first in the series of four books, and they are such cute, clever children's books.  I thoroughly enjoyed reading them last year.

I really enjoyed reading this book. It was an engaging, thoughtful story. One of those deep-down, wholesome coming-of-age tales that involves a little bit of science fiction. And awkwardness. Because it wouldn't be a good children's/middle school novel without a tiny bit of social anxiety that the protagonist would face.

Clumsy

I am so clumsy this pregnancy.  About three weeks ago, I fell down the stairs (just a few) and I landed hard on my feet.  I definitely felt jolted and I definitely was having lots of contractions.  By the time they got me in the Dr. office to monitor the baby and myself, everything had calmed down and I was told to be careful and keep my Dr. appointment for that Wednesday. 

Yesterday, Evan woke up pretty early.  I took him out of his crib, and then went to close the bathroom door (otherwise Evan likes to run up the stairs and go and play in the bathtub and he's learned how to turn the water on).  While I was closing the bathroom door, I tripped over one of Evan's toys, and fell on my hip/bum.  I really do have a lot of cushioning down there AND I grabbed the door which helped break my fall.

The doctor still had me go to the hospital yesterday morning to make sure that everything was okay.  And it was.  I really appreciate the doctor that I have.  He's very patient, honest and helpful.  He didn't make me feel stupid about coming in to the hospital, and he made me feel a lot better about the possibility that baby would come early (if baby came early at this point (35 weeks) he wouldn't have too many complications). 

So, that was one of the lamest Valentine's Day experiences ever.  Thankfully I was only in the hospital for two hours.  Evan was able to go to a Valentine's Day party (our friends who hosted watched him for us) and eat lots of sugar. 

The rest of the day passed by pretty quickly.  Evan had a nice fall from his sugar high and took a 3 hour nap so that I could sleep on the couch.  Rick and I exchanged gifts and put Evan to bed so we could have our fondue dinner to ourselves. 

So, the trip to the hospital wasn't that bad.  I am just annoyed at myself for being so darn clumsy (and not picking up after my 2 year old because I'm lazy). 

V-Day

Happy Early Valentine's Day!  This evening Evan, Rick and I went out for a family dinner.  We didn't bother trying to find anyone to babysit tomorrow, and we love going out together as a family.  Tomorrow will be our in-home fondue for two date night.  No fondue for Evan... I don't think he'd appreciate it that much.  Anyways, I thought that I would write down a little acrostic poem for my valentine, Rick.  I just love him so much and appreciate all that he does for me. 

Valiant--Rick is one of the most selfless, noble people that I have ever met.  He does so much for our family, and I will always appreciate the love and patience that he has for us.
Admirable---I admire everything about Rick.  He volunteers so much and helps a ton with our own family.  He will drop everything to help others. 
Loveable---There is so much that I love about Rick.  He is such a happy, optimistic person.  He helps me when I ask.  He works hard for our family.  He can cook, and he's a great father. 
Energetic---Rick has a lot of energy.  He's a night owl, so even after working all day, he's able to come home and spend time with our family.  He is such an amiable person that gets along very well with others, and so much of that is because of his positive energy. 
Nerd---Rick is a nerd and a geek.  He plays video games, loves reading fantasy novels and will read comic books also. 
Teenager---Rick is now 26 (going on 27) and yet he still looks like he's in high school.  We have a joke that he may finally start to look 26 by the time that he's 40!  While Rick is a very mature person, he also knows when to have fun.  Especially with boy scouts, cub scouts, Evan and myself. 
Inspiring--- One of the reasons why I wanted to marry Rick is because he made me want to be a better woman and person overall. We always have arguments about which of us "lucked" out with the other.  I personally think that Rick is one of the best people, EVER.  Nobody else can compete with his awesomeness. 
Natural---Rick is a natural father.  He doesn't have a hard time bonding with kids at all, and when Evan was born he bonded with him a lot quicker than I did.  Rick is such a proud daddy, and I am so happy that I will get to see him bond with another one of his sons! 
Esteemed---I don't think anyone will doubt how highly Evan and I esteem Rick.  He is such a wonderful man. Everyday, he comes home to spend lunch with us, and that is the best part of the workday for me.  Evan and I both light up when he comes into our home to spend only a half hour with us while he eats.  Evan stops whatever he is doing whenever daddy comes home.  He'll run to the door and hug Rick's leg tightly. 

Our world would be a much sadder place without Rick.  I am so grateful that he is my husband and my one and only valentine. 

Painting Time

Evan painted a little craft back in November at a friend's house for Thanksgiving, and he really loved it.  For Christmas he got play dough, paints and brushes as a couple of his gifts.  He LOVES playdough.  He still takes a bite out of it every once in a while, but he is also learning how to play with it, roll it out, cut shapes, etc.  We use his trains and cars to make tracks in it, and we're starting to mold his name and other objects as well. 

Today, I broke out the paints.  I've been hesitant to do it, since I didn't want to spend forever cleaning up after him.  I put the butcher paper on the kitchen table, and we had a lot of fun painting.  I'm pretty sure he was going at it for close to an hour.  He had so much fun. 

A candid shot of him painting.  He was having such a great time. 

He has been giving me dirty looks like this for the past couple of weeks. 

His first paper.  I like the swirls.

His second paper.  The dots are made with straws.

What's up mom?

I swear he just had a growth spurt. I can't believe how skinny this kid is looking.

We enjoyed our time together, and I think we might have to do this a few days a week.  Honestly, I'm not going to do it everyday.  I'm too lazy for that--I don't want to have to clean up after him all the time.  I am looking forward to the weather warming up and getting an art easel to take outside for him to paint on also.

It's February Already?!?!?!?! A family update with no pictures..

So, January flew by a lot faster than I originally expected.  And now, we are in February.  It hit me yesterday, that quite possibly I could have a baby at the end of this month (I'm considered full term on 2/26) and I will definitely have a baby sometime next month, if I don't have one this month.  Crazy, right?

I've been doing a lot of pondering about our family, and I am really nervous about this new little guy to be joining us.  I'm very happy about it, but I am so worried because Evan won't be the baby anymore! I wonder how he'll take being a big brother, whether he'll be lovey, or just ignore the baby, or he'll be really helpful.  It's going to be interesting to see the transition that Evan will have to make as well as Rick and I. I'm also super nervous about leaving Evan with someone... my sister plans to be up here to watch Evan, but in case of an emergency we have a friend from the ward that will take him for us.

As of right now in the pregnancy, I am totally okay with doing things still.  I just can't do a lot or I feel like an old lady with hurting everywhere.  I'm also having short nesting bursts .  It's crazy how much nicer the house is looking since we came home after Christmas and New Years.  It's so nice not to be on bed rest this time around, even though I've been trying to be good about making myself take breaks when I am feeling not so well.

And at this point in the pregnancy, I've only gained 6 pounds, which is great... BUT, I'm having all these cravings for crappy food, and at this point, I don't really care if I eat a lot.  I'm still trying to watch my portions though, because if I can weigh less going home from the hospital than I was before I got pregnant, I'll be pretty dang happy. 

We're also doing a lot of making lists around here, of meals we can make when the baby comes;  of food storage to stock up on for a few months while I am adjusting to have 2 kids at home; and of course, baby stuff and Evan stuff.  I'd like Evan to get a couple of "big brother" gifts from us and Logan.  And, I'd like Evan to bring Logan a gift in the hospital when he goes to meet him for the first time.

Evan is progressing pretty well with development, except for speech.  I'm pretty sure that he is just one stubborn little guy, and when he wants to start talking, he will.  He can write the letters N and W (by just seeing it after we write EVAN--the W comes from the N).  He likes singing songs with us, and making hand motions.  We've been counting together, and he loves to help count (mimicking us).  He has moved up from wooden puzzles (so boring mom!) to jigsaw puzzles that he makes us do for him while he watches intently.  He is very loving and cuddling lately.  AND, he never wants mommy or daddy to leave him behind.  If we do, there is all sorts of drama with that.  I think that he senses that a big change is coming because he is taking more breaks from playing to come lay down with me or cuddle with me.

We haven't moved him into his toddler bed yet... I'm just really lazy and the baby will be sleeping by our bed or with us for the first few months anyway (to make nursing easier), so I figured I'd give him more time in the crib.  He still hasn't figured out that he could climb out of it if he wants. 

I've been doing really well with sewing more habitually and I am finally figuring out my stubborn machine.  It does require me to be more proactive with switching things up (like the stitch length, tension, etc).  But, I've learned to practice on a piece of fabric, and if I need to take a break from the machine, it's okay if I put it away and go back the next day.  I even figured out the best way to sew on velcro (that's the biggest problem I was running into with the car seat covers), and the other day when I made Logan's car seat cover, I was able to sew it on rather quickly.  My next project will be a nursing cover for myself. I have one already that is a bit beat up from when Evan had it, but it's still useful, so I figured having two was extra nice. 

Rick is doing well at work.  He is applying for Air Force Officer Training School.  His application is due on March 1, and we should have the results sometime in May (maybe...).  We don't know if he'll get in or not, but we know that he's done the best that he can.  It's all about his competition and how many officers the Air Force will really need.

He also loves his calling.  He was released as a ward missionary and put in as the 2nd counselor in Young Men presidency.  He loves scouting, so this is an awesome calling for him.  A lot of work, and time-consuming, but he supported me when I was in Young Womens, so I am working on supporting him.  Even though I am totally jealous that he has the "fun" calling. 

This update is a lot longer than I thought, and I can't really think of anything else...

Snow Time!

A few weeks back, I told Evan we'd go outside and play after he woke up from his nap.  (I'm such a lazy mom right now, I didn't want to go out earlier in the day).  Well, when he woke up, the snow was falling steadily, and we went out to play (or at least, daddy, Evan and kitty went out to play while I took pictures). 

He's so cute.  I love his lumberjack outfit.

He tried escaping to play with all of our wilderness animals in the forest behind the house.  Eww...

Rick actually threw a snowball at him!

Kitty lay forgotten in all the awesomeness that was the snow.

Evan running back and forth.

Deciding it was time to go back in.

The snow in his face (wasn't a fan of that!)

On our way inside after only 10 minutes. We're from the southwest, and are wimps!