They say the darndest things

So last night Joey and I were talking about how eventually this little growing thing has to come out of me. I was saying I hoped it would be easier this time around. Then HE said, "Man, I just hope I'm not as exhausted this time. That was hard." Ummm... yeah, you poooooor baby, that delivery sure was hard on you!

Those Crazy Lights

This year is off to a good start. I realized that this is as good as I'm going to get at somewhat of a journal, so I thought I'd give an update on us. Plus, I don't do the whole Christmas letter thing, so this makes up for it!

Max:

Oh where to start. He had his check up and I bet you can guess where he fell in the percentiles. The nurse reassured me that he is very close to being in the 20% for weight... all 22 pounds of him. He is still tall at 33 inches. So tall in fact, that he can reach the top drawer in the kitchen and pull out carving knives. He loves pushing buttons (literally and non literally). He frequently changes the cycle on the dishwasher and tries to turn on the stove. He is a good helper though, he loves to close the dryer door for me... sometimes before I want him to. He can say a few words (I use the term loosely). He can definitely say "shoes," but I think he may be referring to his feet. He can also say, "hello," "knock, knock (which he also acts out)," "socks," and "cracker." Most of these probably would still sound like gibberish to the untrained ear, but I speak Max and therefore we get along... until Daddy comes home and then I'm chopped liver. he loves being with Joey and really loves tools. He could bang a hammer on the drive way all day if we let him.

Joey:

He completed his FCC license in December. The class was super expensive (not to mention the week off of work unpaid) but he did really well, like always. Yeah, that's right, he could be the announcer on a cruise ship or be a DJ on the radio. Actually, he needs it to work at Sierra Pacific (his dream job). He has turned in his resume there and hopefully his connections there will pull some strings! Joey's also been itching to work outside the house (no closet doors yet, ahem). He loves pulling out ugly trees and getting rid of weeds, which I am very thankful for! He just fixed our side gate that was barely hanging on. He's a perfectionist, but it's worth it. He wants to finish the backyard this summer, and is a little disappointed his pack mule (aka me) will be out of service by then. I'm still working on convincing him that I will be huge and pregnant and then have a newborn while he talks of camping trips and anniversary cruises.

Me:

Well, I get the question a lot of, "So... what do you do all day?" I mainly chase a knife wielding toddler around keeping him from ingesting poisonous substances. It's kind of strange to me, but I've had feelings of wanting to teach again... hmm, guess those stinky fifth graders weren't so hard after all! Seriously, I love staying home with Max. I love watching him figure out new things like how to use a fork. He has a great sense of humor. Yesterday we were playing in the backyard and I showed him how to hit the tree trunk with a stick. He seemed to think that was ok, but chasing me and trying to poke me in the butt with it was much more fun! I have been working on a couple projects myself. Toni and Jake (we all know who really picked it out) gave me this awesome magnet board that I got to paint and decorate. It was the perfect gift! I'm sure I'll get more crafty as the nesting instinct starts to kick in... hey, maybe I'll have a clean house then too!

Stink, Stank, Stunk!

I don't have much new to report, other than I think I'm going to go into hibernation until spring. I think I could really sleep that long. When I'm pregnant I turn into one of those dolls where when you lay them flat their eyelids automatically close. I've missed a lot of good shows this way and apparently I snore.

On one hand, I'm really glad I'm not teaching with this pregnancy. I remember when I was pregnant with Max I would fall asleep with my head on my desk during recess, not to mention having to breathe out of my mouth to keep from inhaling the toxic fumes 10 year old boys produce. On the other hand, I have noticed if I'm busy, I don't notice how incredibly disgusting I feel. If I was teaching at least I would have bigger problems than whether or not my food would stay down. I told Joey last night that it feels like my stomach is full of rotten eggs on a ferris wheel. I can't tell you how many antacids I've taken or how many foods I've tried to settle my gag reflex. All I know is if I even hear about anything BBQ'd I have heartburn the rest of the day! Basically, I'm down to hot chocolate and peanut butter toast.

I know it may shock my family members, but I'm an optimist at heart. I have searched for the silver lining in this stomach-acidy balloon. First, it must mean the baby is healthy and I've got prego hormones up the wazoo, right? RIGHT?!? Secondly, all I wanted with Max was fresh fruit and now that is all he eats... all 20 pounds of him. SO this baby has got to be a fatty... a fat, docile, sleepy baby. (Don't burst my bubble on this one, I have to hold onto some hope!)

It's a bird! A plane! No it's...

You may be asking yourself, "What the heck is that? Is that a squirrel? A puppy??" That's exactly what Joey said... to my doctor at my appointment. Needless to say, Joey is not invited to many of my doctor appointments, but I thought this one was an important one. His presence usually makes my blood pressure go dangerously high mostly because I don't know what he'll say to the doctor next.

Anyway, this, my friend, is our little squirrel...er I mean baby #2. By now you've done the calculations and yes, we are crazy and yes, Max will be all of 22 months when this little animal comes and no, (for the billionth time) this wasn't unplanned (rude!). Also, yes, I will find out the sex of the baby, and no, I will not believe it until I see it's bits for myself!

Happy New Year! Countdown to July 31st!

Who Knew?

Who knew we would make it four years :) We laughed, we cried, sometimes it felt a lot longer than four years. When I was little, I was appalled and disappointed to learn I would have to be with my siblings forever. Guess that Family Home Evening didn't go as planned. I thought we got to trade families or something, or atleast older brothers. But I am glad to say, I wouldn't trade my little family for anything. And as they say, "Four more years!!"

Homecoming

Finally our coveted Ugly Christmas Sweater Party trophy is where it belongs. For three years now we have been shamed by the Johnsons and their holiday attire. But no more! We were out for the kill this year! Joey spent weeks growing out the perfect creepy mustache (I tried to make him keep it for church and ask to hold everyone's babies, but he declined) and I just seemed be inspired by everything around me. I even fashioned my ornament earings hours before the party. So now our blessed trophy (purchased at Savers many years ago by me) is back resting with the other members of our Nativity scene. Oh and one more thing, HAHA Johnsons, Losers!

Ho Ho Ho!

We had our ward Christmas party Saturday night. Last year, we didn't have Max sit, er rather lay like a blob, on Santa's lap. It just didn't seem worth it when he wouldn't know what was going on. This year was a different story. Although Max has no idea who Santa is and doesn't know anything about presents (lucky us), he was quite impressed with the jolly fellow. As I watched the extremely long line of crying children terrified of Santa, I thought of how every child needs a traumatizing Santa picture. When Max's turn finally came, I got all set with the camera. To my dismay, he just stared, open mouthed, at Santa's beard. He was no doubt thinking of ways to rip off his glasses or beard or both. Finally after practically screaming his name to look at me, I snapped this one. Atleast Max is smiling, can't say much for Santa.