Right now both my girls are sound asleep. Sadie is on her crib and Cambri is laying next to me in my bed. I planned on sleeping too but I can't slow my brain down. I would be productive and clean the house or get dinner started but my body is tired and begging for a little down time. Naptime was something that only pertained to Sadie for a long time but over the last week magical things have happened and if I lay down with Cambri, read her a book, tickle her back and cuddle her she too will take a short nap. It is awesome. It pretty much makes life better for everyone. Even though I don't always fall asleep too I get some quiet time to myself. I hope nap time is here to stay through the rest of this pregnancy.

On my mind today....

Should I go back to the garage sale down the street and buy the baby swing for only $20?
I need inspiration on how to decorate the wall above the couch in the family room.
What should I plan for Nate's big birthday bash in a couple weeks?
What kind of cake should I make?
What are we going to do for fun tomorrow?
I really wish a trip to Utah was in the near future.
None of these should be keeping me from sleeping.

Just because I don't want to forget how cute Cambri's hand-writting is right now.....

Tonight's family night was hilarious. I had planned a lesson about eating healthy foods and taking care of our bodies. Cambri and Sadie helped with the lesson which made it fun. After the lesson which lasted a few minutes Cambri decided to take the lead and share a story. She gave each of us lines we had to say. The story went like this... God told the Lord and the people would not listen. So God put rocks around the fire. Then Jesus fell off the rocks and he died. But then he was resurrected!!! The story continued with a lot more fire and death. But finished with God protecting Jesus so the fire didn't burn him anymore. Her imagination is awesome. We finished the night off hanging the flag on the front porch and enjoying some no bake cookies. My little family makes me laugh.

A view of our little house. I am trying to convince Nate we should take out some of the bushes. He isn't convinced just yet. We really have been happy with our first little home. Still lots of work to be done but its coming together and feeling more cozy.

20 weeks

It is so nice to be at the half way mark! Feeling good and not too big yet. I have to admit though that I am feeling quite old with this pregnancy. My feet hurt, my hips are sore and I am oh so tired. Please excuse the finger prints all over the mirror in this picture. I suppose I should clean them off since this is the mirror I use to take my weekly prego pics. Maybe tomorrow I will find the energy...maybe:) I am still teaching my classes at the gym. Right now I just have two. Monday is turbokick. Lately it has turned into major bladder control. I fear for when my belly gets huge. Without my classes I don't know that I would make it to the gym that often so I am grateful they get me off my lazy tush. Horray for the second half of this pregnancy!

Thinking about the future

We spent the weekend going to a few graduation parties for the senior residents Nate works with. It made me think a lot about life and the next four years. Sometimes it feels like graduation is light years away for us. The first year did fly by but four more years seems like forever. Especially since Nate will probably choose to do a fellowship to specialize which is another year on top of the five year residency. I prefer not to think about it really.

At the end of this journey Cambri will be 8 (9 if we do a fellowship). Nate and I will have just celebrated 10 years of marriage. We will have survived 9 long years of being professional students living off pennies. Hopefully we will be moving to our forever place and be done moving every couple years.  I am anxious to figure out where that forever place will be.  I have my list of wants and needs.  Some days my list of wants seem to be really long:)  We shall see how many of those are met. 

Although there are days when I am anxious to be done with residency I have much to be grateful for.  We like where we live.  Nate works a lot but he likes his job.  I have made a lot of really great friends.  I love the classes I teach at the YMCA.  This part of our lives will be full of great memories.

P.S.  I can feel baby brother kicking in my belly right now.  Seriously one of the best feelings. 

~M

Having a 4 Year Old Around the House is Fun...

My little Cam makes life exciting each and every day. Turning 4 years old has been magical for her. For some reason turning 4 has made her feel like a really big girl. Up to this point Cam has been a very timid and shy girl, but suddenly she has let go of so many of her fears. Everyday she tries new things that once scared her to death. It has been really fun to watch her come out of her shell. I am super proud of her and so grateful that I get to be her mom.

I think one of my favorite things about her is her curious little mind. We have no doubt entered into the stage of 4,000 questions all day every day. A few of my favorites to date-

1. In reference to baby brother "How did the baby get in your belly?" I am still trying to find an answer to appease her curiosity.

2. "How does the baby get out of your belly?" I decided to be honest with her on this one.

Even though I love my little 4 year old she also has a way of pushing my buttons like no one else can. I think it is fair to say it is because she is a mini version of myself. We get along in so many ways but oh we can drive each other nuts. I do love her!

And a few more fun facts that make me smile-
1. She puts her shoes on the wrong feet EVERY single time. I think she prefers it this way.
2. Despite the mass amounts of cute clothes in her closet she will only wear 4 of her shirts, all of which are hand me downs.
3. She wears a skirt 95% of the time.
4. She prefers to wear her hair down with a headband. She rarely keeps the headband in and her bangs are always in her eyes so it drives me crazy. Sometimes I can talk her into pigtails but she doesn't like me to put her hair up on top of her head because she thinks it makes her look like a lion. 5. She still sleeps with her books.
6. She loves her music loud.
7. Ballet and gymnastics are her thing.
8. Loves giving and receiving pedicures and manicures.
9. Wants a treat after every meal.
10. Can be bribed very easily.
11. Licks the frosting off and leaves the cake behind.
12. Needs a rag at every meal to make sure her hands stay clean.
13. Can down a whole pint a blueberries in a matter a seconds.

Favorite food- Yogurt
Favorite color- Pink
Favorite Movie- Rapunzel
Favorite thing to do with mommy- Paint
Favorite thing to do with daddy- Cuddle
What she wants to be when she grows up- A Mommy
Favorite song- Questing Questing Questing (From Backyardigans) It is mandatory that we listen to this song loud and proud.
Favorite treat- Cookies

Oh Baby!!!

I already broke the news on fb so I know most of you already know that baby #3 is well on HIS way.  It's true we are having a boy:)  I have become so accustomed to the girly world of princesses, dolls, make-up and painting nails I am not sure I know how to raise a boy.  Ready or not it is happening and I couldn't be more excited about it. 

Truth be told this baby was completely unplanned.  We wanted another baby but had finally compromised on waiting another year.  I guess that is what happens when you try to plan your life:)

This pregnancy has been the hardest one yet.  Around week 7 the sickness set in and I pretty much never left the couch...except to go visit the bathroom.  And on occasion to feed my poor children who had resorted to eating gold fish cracker crumbs they found on the floor or hidden in the couch.  I cried and cried and cried wondering how in the world I was going to survive.  One day after Cambri had been told by Nate that she needed to help me clean the house because Mom was sick she replied, "Ya cause mom has been sick for like 100 days."  My favorite line to date:).  Luckily by week 16 I started to find relief and could function without crying.  I feel bad even complaining because although it was a long two months I know some women are sick up until they deliver.  If you are one of those lucky women, I admire you more than you will ever know. At 18 weeks I feel good 80% of the time and you will hear no complaining from me anymore.  

The ultrasound was last Thursday.  Nate was unable to attend the appointment because of work so I had the ultrasound tech take a picture and put the results in an envelope.  I walked out of my appointment at 11:30am with an unsealed envelope in hand.  I wanted to peak oh so bad!  I threw the envelope in the glove box before my curiosity got the best of me.  Problem was I didn't know when Nate would be getting home that day.  He was in surgery so I wasn't able to get a hold of him either.  Lucky for me it wasn't too late when Nate walked in the door at 5pm.  I wasted no time pulling the envelope out and handing it to him.  To my disbelief he told me he wasn't sure he wanted to find out anymore.  I love surprises but there was no way after having proof in my possession for over 5 hours that I was going to be able to not find out.  He was rather serious though and wouldn't let me have the envelope.  I begged and pleaded for the next 30 minutes when he finally caved.  Once finding out baby was a boy he was pretty excited and proud.  He is ready for a little more testosterone in the house:). 

Baby should makes his arrival just before Thanksgiving.  Loving on a new baby seems like a rather perfect way to spend our Thanksgiving holiday.   

I just remembered another funny conversation compliments of Cambri...

After driving past a cemetery and asking who was buried there-
Me: Just people who have died.
Cam: When is Sadie going to die?
Me: I hope not for a long time.
Cam: It's okay mom we will have a new baby when Sadie dies.
Me: But I will miss Sadie
Cam: It's okay mom she will come back one day when she is resurrected.

Love her even when she is a little stinker.

Birthday Time!

We celebrated Cambri's 4th birthday today.  I think the party was a success, but can I just say I am EXHAUSTED!!! 

Upon request we had an all out Rapunzel party.  Miss Cambri knew exactly what she wanted and has been talking about it for months.  I am just happy that the cake put a huge smile on her face.  When I asked Cambri what her favorite part of the party was she said, "EVERYTHING!"  That one word made all the hard work worth it. 

The highlight of the party (in my mind) was listening to the girls sing "Happy Birthday".  It was so loud and so funny.  The picture above was taken after asking the girls if they were ready for cake and ice cream:)

These pictures are very out of order.  Towards the very end of the party the girls received their Rapunzel hair and all my little pretty princesses played a little game of freeze dance.  Once again they sang the songs at the top of their lungs.  It was so loud and I loved every second of it. 

Little Miss Gracie

Cambri was spoiled with gifts from her friends.  She loved them all and I was so proud of how well manored she was.  It made me laugh that each girl wanted to sit so close so they could see the presents.  They were practically sitting on each other. 

We had some fun hitting the Wanted posted of Flynn Rider with a frying pan.  Thank you pinterest for such a cute idea:)

 

Sorry totally out of order...Of course we had to get a picture of our princesses making silly faces.

Miss Giana meant serious business when she swung the frying pan.

The table spread before the chaos began.

Honestly I can't believe my baby girl will be 4 on Monday.  How does time fly so fast when it comes to my babies growing up.  (It could totally go faster when it comes to Nate's residency).

Happy Birthday to my sweet Cambri!!!