AND THE GENDER IS.......

...sealed in an evelope, hidden somewhere in my house unknown to me. (sorry, I have to tease others since I don't know) Ryan and I decided to wait until the baby is born to discover what we are having. However, my husband knows me all too well, and decided to have the technician write the gender on an index card and place it in an envelope in case I were to come to him in tears wanting to know what it is. I have been very good and haven't asked once. He seems to think I have obsessive-compulsive qualities that inhibit me from waiting until June 12th to find out. I have no idea what he is talking about and I am out to prove him wrong! However, we do have these absolutely sweet pictures of our little one which we are so proud of!

To Mommyhood

I got a call at work last Sunday night from Ryan telling me Lexi didn't look so good. He gave her some cold medicine and sent her off to bed. The next night while watching a movie together I noticed a strange sound. After muting the movie, I noticed the sound was a wheezing sound coming from none other than Lexi. So, we carted her off to the doctor the next day only to be told she sounds fine and to keep an eye on her. The next day who should get sick, but poor Mommy. So, I ask my sweet hubby to pick up some Benadryl to help with the sniffles and the sleeplessness. I take this at 11pm and at 12pm the fun begins. Lexi decides that just as the Benadryl is kicking in, she is going to begin vomiting over and over and over again. She proceeded to do this until 7:30 the next morning when I finally woke up out of my Benadryl transe and realized 'wait, this isn't right!' (Those nursing instincts were just a little behind that night I think) We get her to the doctor and low and behold, her lungs are all junky! (The mom told you so 2 days ago!) We got an X-Ray, started her on albuterol treatments, got her some zofran and then tried to get her to pee. Well, she didn't like that idea and proceeded to cry for the next hour saying she couldn't go to the potty and she just wanted to go home. I finally talk the doctor in to letting me take her home and just catch some urine at home. So, we go home with Zofran and breathing treatments, she is happy, we are happy, and we all sleep for the next 4 hours!! Then we have to wake up and take Ryan to work. Half way there, Ryan looks at me and says, 'I think I am going to be sick'. (AHHH!) So we turn around and go home, get Ryan in bed and chill at home. Or so we think... Lexi then spikes a fever of 102! As does Ryan. So, because I never use Tylenol in my home (I love Motrin) I have to go out again to get Tylenol. While I am out, I call my poor sweet sister Ashley, who the listens to me gripe for the next 5 minutes about how I am pregnant, sick, sleep deprived and forced to take care of my sick hubby and daughter. I think I am being reminded of what Mommyhood is like. Lexi has been a breeze for the past couple of years. Well, Ryan is doing much better and poor Lexi hasn't eaten much since Wednesday...what she does eat she doesn't keep. I, of course, am still sick, but at work and sucking it up like a real mom does!

Backgrounds

While updating tonight I realized the site where I have been getting backgrounds was not working properly. I have found another cute blog that has some adorable backgrounds! Go check them out! http://www.simplychicblogs.blogspot.com/

My Baby Girl

Can I even express how much I love this little angel? What a sweetie!!

December catch-up

We had so much fun this Christmas! We started off the Christmas holiday with a trip to Brown County. It was absolutely enchanting while we were there. Being the weekend after Thanksgiving, there were Christmas festivities all over the town. We took a Christmas train ride in the dark, saw Santa Claus, and did a little shopping. However, I forgot my camera in the room the day we did all the fun stuff (leave it to me). Lexi did get a couple of snapshots on our way out of town though. She LOVES taking pictures.

And of course we had such a great time at Nana and Pappy's for Christmas. I don't think there are too many things that can beat going to Nana and Pappy's. That night we went to their ward Christmas fireside and had such an amazing experience. Everyone was dressed in clothing from the time of Christ. We were read at the beginning of the devotional the decree to go to our home land and pay a tax. One by one, each family left the chapel and went to the cultural hall which was decorated with booths that represented shops in Bethlehem. We paid our taxes (non-perishable items that were given to a local food pantry) and were able to purchase items from the booths...bread, olives and cheese, fruit, drinks, etc. We then were told the story of the birth of Christ which was acted out by certain members. There were white lights on the ceiling that looked like stars. It was such a beautiful experience. Here is a quick pic of my mom and Lexi at their booth. And of course my sweet niece Lily.

Later that week, Lexi and I tackled some yummy Christmas cookies. Lexi began frosting and I quickly realized that she was eating more of the frosting than was making it to the cookies. She then became my sprinkler. She liked that job a little better. I think her favorite job though was licking the icing beaters. Too cute!






Lexi enjoyed all of her gifts Christmas morning, but I think she was the most excited about having us open our presents. She was able to get us presents at her school. She even got 'peanut' a present. A bib that says "All American Baby" on it. It was the tackiest but sweetest thing. Ryan got a Dad mug and keychain and I got a porcelain kitty and a heart necklace with a red stone in it. She is so sweet.

She also received a visit from Santa on Christmas Day! Her Uncle Chris was as excited about it as she was I think. She came so close to figuring it out though. We had to make up some pretty crazy things to get her to believe. She is so smart!

We had a great holiday season and can't wait to see what 2009 has in store for us!

My amazing 3D artist!

So, have I mentioned how incredibly proud I am of my amazing hubby? He has worked so hard this semester compiling one of his best animations yet! He began putting this together as an idea for his capstone project which he is no longer using. However, he happened upon this idea while thinking about his childhood. He had a dear friend who struggled with cancer for many years. Throughout all of his trials, he remained incredibly positive, accomplishing many things that are still helping other children. Shortly after he was diagnosed, he became very sore and weak, requiring crutches and a wheelchair. Ryan so vividly remembers the time they spent at a local golf course and the fun times they had. Keeping this in mind...watch Ryan's demo and listen to the words in the song. It is amazing the emotion you can feel while you watch this beautiful animation. Way to go honey!!!!

http://inspiralmedia.com/clips/golf.html

Cat Numero 5'o!

Helmont helped us rescue our feral friend #5 recently. "Squeaky" or "Princess Sophia" or "Harvey" is doing well. She loves Tiger and is finally warming up to people ... finally. She's a Tortise Shell Calico - very energetic (most especially at 3am!).

Lexi in JibJab!

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Wish We Were Still Here

We had an absolutely amazing time on vacation this year. Was it the octupus, the crabs, the sea turtles, the diving, the amazing food, or the best virgin pina coladas ever? No....it was 9 whole days kid-free!! It was our first vacation together without Lexi and we had a marvelous time. However by the end of the week we were beginning to miss her terribly. It is probably a good thing she didn't come with us though; we probably wouldn't have come home! There isn't a lot of pictures, but we spent so much time under the water. Next time, we need an underwater camera!

This is the view from our room...can't you just see yourself sitting on the beach drinking a virgin pina colada?

Sunset on the beaches of Grand Cayman. You can't see in the picture but it is raining out on the horizon.

Ry-love getting ready for a dive.

Are we loving the pink yet? (My fins and mask are pink too!)

And we're off!!

The Boys

David, Ryan, Chris, and Steve

Our last night in Cayman. (You can't see it in the picture, but we are really crying;)

Can't wait until next year!!!

After finding claw marks on the counches, Stumpy climbing up the curtains, Stumpy climbing up Ryan's back, and Stumpy clawing Tiger in the face we decided it was necessary to declaw her. Is this not the most pitiful thing ever? She has gotten royal treatment the past couple of days and is loving every second of it. Lexi and I of course loved the hot pink bandages she had.