Tender Mercies

With Matt being on call over the weekend, we were still able to spend most of the day with him on Saturday (because he was able to sleep for 4 hours during the night at the hospital. He was doing a 26-ish? hour shift). So, that was a surprise and we were so happy. I happened to feel like garbage most of the day, cramping, contractions, headaches, etc. and he gave me a break by cooking me lunch and letting me veg and nap on the couch, it was awesome-seriously. But, with this pregnancy I can't stand not doing much. I feel like I always need to be getting something done. I was determined to mow my way into labor (going against Matt's advice, of course)...but that didn't work. I stressed about church the next day, because I knew Matt would be gone from about 5am to 7pm and Luke is not always very fun at church.

Sunday rolled around and at first I was quite nervous, but was feeling much better than I had the day before. I woke up, made breakfast, worked on some little crafty/games for him to do at church (thank you for all the great responses by the way, I got some great ideas!) and we headed off in the Bob (even though I felt silly, with my full term belly, pushing a huge, double stroller-which is amazing by the way) a few blocks away to go to ward choir practice. I was a little nervous about leaving my stroller outside their door (they live on a semi-busy corner), but I thought "if I'm making all this effort to go to choir at 9am on Sunday morning and dragging my two-year-old with me, no one will steal my stroller!" I had faith. And on top of that, two kids from the ward showed up and entertained Luke most of the time, so I actually got to practice with the choir.

Then, we walked back home, got ready for church, packed a bunch of toys and snacks, ate lunch and I took the advice from my mother-in-law and we said a prayer before we left, asking for Heavenly Father's help to help us get through church, by being a good listener to mommy and staying on our bench, while daddy's away.

Well, I think my prayers were more than answered! Luke miraculously fell asleep on the way to church!! I thought for sure he'd wake up when I took him in, but he was out cold. I was also worried I wouldn't find a good spot to sit, because we got there right as it was starting and I was hoping to sit by someone who could watch Luke while the choir sang and somewhere that I could easily escape if needed. It was like my bench was reserved for me, in between two great families that would have helped me if I needed it. Shortly after I got there, our good friends (who Luke absolutely adores and is a perfect angel for when they sit with us at church) came and sat on the same bench as us. But Luke was out cold and actually slept under the bench on the hard floor for almost the ENTIRE meeting! I was even able to go up and sing with the choir without him waking up. It was great! I didn't have to pull out anything from my bag for him. I was actually able to enjoy the meeting and feel the spirit! Whahoo! He hasn't slept through sacrament meeting since he was a baby, it was a miracle.

Then he was off to nursery (which he only got kicked out of once, that's an improvement!) and I was able to go to Primary. It was just great.

After church, Luke completed (not entirely on his own, with my guidance) his Noah's Ark 100 piece puzzle from his Sunday box, helped me cook dessert (I have a bad habit of making (this) dessert before dinner) and then make (this) dinner. We played some more, ate dinner, daddy came home, our home teachers came over and then it was bedtime.

By the end of the night I was exhausted, but so grateful that my prayers were answered and that I survived the day on my own. Normally, I don't think it would be such a big deal, but I'm really not a fan of disciplining and wrestling a pretty strong 2 1/2 year old these days, especially being so pregnant.

Per my mother's request....

She likes it when I update my blog and lucky for her my friend just gave me these photos today, so I have something to update it with. 

A good friend of mine recently convinced me to do a maternity photo shoot. It took a lot of convincing too, but I am really glad that she did it for me. She is starting up a photography business in the near future, but right now is just doing it to get experience. Normally, I am not a big fan of maternity photo shoots. I think a lot turn out cheesy and who really wants a picture of their face at its chubbiest anyway?

Well, I'll admit, it was kind of fun getting all dressed up (even if the high heel shoes killed my swelling feet and the currently-super-tight-jeans cut off my circulation at times...which left me sore and achy for the rest of the day) for the shoot.

She did a great job and here are some of my favorites.
I was 36 weeks in these pictures (and I am now almost 38).

I played around with some of these, doing some fun editing things to them...I just couldn't resist. 

I really do love this one.

And this one...which is why I posted two of the same...

Such a great shot!

Janelle, don't be offended when you notice something odd about this picture?

What? My head is missing?

It's only because, I felt like my face was too chubby, but I liked the rest of it...so that's where the cropping tool comes into play. 

I actually love it now that my face isn't in it! haha

Luke had to tag along. I LOVE these shots.

Thanks again for the photos!

P.S. Those of you who have been wondering...I'm dilated to a 3, yippee! My due date is the 14th, but I'm scheduled for an induction on the 13th (big whoop) (2 weeks from Monday!), only because with Matt's schedule and my ma and ma-in-law coming to town, it worked out best then. I would be more than happy to be induced a week early, because I can, and would love not being pregnant longer than I have to, but it wouldn't be so convenient. But...there's nothing you can do if he decides to come early on his own!

Please, oh please.

Girls rock.

I think the biggest blessing with us staying in Cleveland is that I have some really great friends!

I'm so glad that I didn't have to say good-bye  

(even though, most of them will be saying it to me in the next year or two when they move on).

A few weekends ago my good friends, Marilyn and Debbie, with the help of other gals, threw me a baby shower. It was so fun and there was a lot of work that went into it.

Here's the group (not sure why the picture turned out so blurry, darn).

We played some fun games of diaper smelling (melted candy bars), baby naming and I think the most entertaining was the outfit designs.

Marilyn had a great idea. Everyone paired up and was given a small bag that had random scraps of fabric and odds and ends. They were to make baby outfits in five minutes, using what was in their bag and either hot glue, tape or staples. It was pretty hilarious.

Cicely was very excited about the Peter Pan Christmas baby. Haha.

At the end, I was the judge and picked a winner. Terri and Laura won with their European shepherd boy...It was the vest and hat that won me over. They got the coolest prizes too! Marilyn had made the cutest aprons to give to the winners. I still can't believe how much work went into this party. It was so fun!

We enjoyed each others company, ate some good food and then I got to open all my awesome presents.

Janna knit the baby this adorable beanie. She is so talented! (And sells them on Etsy).

I got some very adorable outfits, blankets, diapers, toys and just tons of great stuff...including some adorable bags.

The spread.

My friend, Paige, made these super yummy and cute brownie pops, for the party favors!

THANK YOU SO MUCH 

to all my great friends who threw the shower and for all of you who could come!

I'm now very prepared for this little guy to come and so excited to use all the new stuff!

And just the other night a group of us went out for Mexican food and to celebrate our friend Shawny's (who is also from SF, wahooo) birthday. It was so yummy and it's always fun to go with the girls!

Happy Birthday Shawny!

I love my friends!

Any ideas for this cute little tooodler?

We need some new ideas to help us get through sacrament meeting.

Luke struggles.

So, that means, Matt and I struggle.

The hitting, the spitting, the crying, the yelling-"I want my shoes on!!!!"

It's all quite lovely really.

This coming Sunday Matt will be on call which means me, and my nearly 38 week pregnant-ness, will get to haul us two troopers to church all by my lonesome. I will be a fun experience, I can already tell.

 

Anyway, if anyone has any totally awesome ideas that could possibly help me survive through church alone, please let me know!
(I'm desperate!)

He looks (and ususally is) very cute and sweet.....

but do not forget,

he's two.

Gotta love 'em!

SCORE!!!!

I'm pretty sure Saturday was one of the best Saturdays I've ever had.
Seriously. It rocked.

All because, 1. Matt was off. 2. awesome garage sales (Matt's idea this week). 3. yummy Mexican food for lunch, half price. 4. Matt hung all the blinds and curtain rods. 5 I had "me" time while Luke and Matt napped, I was able to finish the baby's curtains. and 6. my super cool friends threw me an awesome baby shower (pictures of that later).

But this post is just for the 2nd reason.

I don't think we have ever been luckier with our finds.

I was so excited, I squealed.

Pretty much since Luke's first summer (at 5 mo. old) we've kept our eyes out for a double stroller at garage sales and craigslist. We've come close many times, but someone would always beat us to it. 

Anyway, here's the loot.
All from one garage sale.

A Bob Revolution Duallie Jogger, a twin Maclaren stroller, this adorable kitchen set & bench.

Not pictured, lacrosse set, sidewalk chalk and miniature wheelbarrow (it's so cute, I'm going to use it for photos).

The pink bench (which has already been painted brown) and the other stuff that isn't in the picture were all free. 

Oh and a big, wooden dinosaur puzzle (for Luke for Christmas $2).

I know, you're all dying to know how much we spent.

Well, let me break it down.

(Can you tell how excited I am?!!!)

This adorable wooden kitchen is in great shape (some crayon marks) and is actually a pretty good size.
Luke ran straight to it saying, "do you like it mom?"

$20

We're saving it for when the baby comes.

And before I go on about the strollers, let me just explain why I needed (that's right needed) both.

I researched strollers for a long time and decided that we use ours often enough that it would be something I'd be willing to pay a pretty penny for (more than what we got these two for). I wanted something that would be great for walks (or jogs-for Matt-I'm no jogger), but that I could also use at stores, airports, etc. So I wanted an in between of these two strollers. The thought never occurred to me to get both, since clearly there would be no way I could afford both. 

 This twin Maclaren stroller retails for $380.

Plus, not pictured, it came with a rain cover, fly cover and two of those warm and snuggly bags for each seat.
Total retail, with accessories $530.00  

(for an umbrella stroller?!! Ouch!)

They wanted $100 for it.

We paid $65.

And yes, I had to post a lot of pictures, because I am SUPER EXCITED!!!!!!!!!!

And the BOB.

This thing is huge, but surprisingly weighs less than the Maclaren.

The BOB Revolution Duallie came with a rainguard and cup holder console thingy.

I actually love the color. It's 2 years old and in great shape.

The Bob retails for $570, and if you include the accessories it's $655.00.

They were asking $235 for it.

And, we paid $235 for it, because they weren't willing to negotiate, due to other interested customers.

So, we got both strollers, that are in awesome condition and only a few years old, for a total of $300 bucks!

I just think it's so retarded that all the high-end, super expensive strollers have all the accessories that you have to buy separately. 

We are SO happy (me especially and Matt is just happy that I didn't drag him to the Stroller Mama store on Saturday to "test drive" a million different strollers)!!!

Seriously, Ohio garage sales ROCK!

Self Memo

30 days to go.

30 day left to swell, ache, waddle, stretch, loose my breath, have contractions, swell some more, pinch nerves, take an inner beating, more contractions, feel hiccups in my hip, eat anything I want, drop things and leave them on the floor until next month, wear Matt's clothes, sleep with all the pillows in the house, use the "pregnancy card," choose a daily outfit out of my selection of maybe 10 shirts, 3 shorts and 2 skirts and wear either my crocs or flip flops (because my feet are too fat to fit in my other shoes).

30 days left to finish the nursery, choose a first and middle name and prepare to have another kiddie around here.

30 days....or less.

The good news is I'm already dilated to a 2 and 70% effaced.

But, chances are good I'll stay that way for the next three weeks, so I'm not getting my hopes up.

Even though I am so tired of being pregnant, this kiddie has to hold out so that I will have some help around here when he arrives!

Today Matt told me to remember how I am feeling, because for some reason we all seem to forget how "fun" the end of pregnancy really is. And before we know it we're saying "awww, I miss being pregnant!"
Or, at least I was. 

Round two is almost over.

More pictures I had to add

Back in June, our good buddies from Virginia came up here to visit. I posted about it here. Maddy just posted about it and I loved her pictures, so, of course, I stole them, because they are just too cute to not document.

Our boys are so cute.

Here they are in Kirtland.

We ate lots of yummy food while they were here, including our favorite homemade pizza dough from Alesci's Italian Market.

Our time at the "beach" with the cute Egbert family.

I love this picture of Britton. Those are white, sharp shells he's standing on. Thankfully Bryce kept carrying the boys across the shells, but this face is priceless!

Fun at the kiddie park...

And one gorgeous night we spent outside, BBQing, playing and catching fireflies.

And even later that night we went to the drive-in.
Fuzzy pic, but we had so much fun!

Saying our good-byes....booohooo.

Thanks again for coming! 

We love you guys!