hooray

I can't believe it's already Friday. I love long weekends because they make the next week go by quickly. This is a super exciting week for me. We met our landlords at the house last night to pick up the keys! No more apartment living. No more hearing our neighbors fighting, throwing ALL night parties, and doing unspeakable things. It's been a long time coming.

The house looks better than I imagined. I will post pictures of the inside when we get moved in this weekend. We have a massive walk in closet that I could actually use as a nursery too.

I drove back to the house this morning to meet the Sears delivery guys who were dropping off our new fridge. Suprisingly they came on time. I had a few hours to kill before lunch and naps so I drove 10 minutes south to Healdsburg. I have to say this at least one more time, I love living here! I never realized how perfectly Santa Rosa is located to everything. Healdsburg had a lot of fun shops and places to eat and is only 10 minutes away from our new house. I just feel like I am surrounded by everything I could want, accept my family.

Right now I am trying to find the perfect diaper bag. It's got to be cute, practical, not too pricey, and big enough to fit toys, diapers, wipes and all the other things that come with having three kids. I have found a few brands that I really like. I think I have finally picked the one I will get. I actually got to see it in person at a boutique this morning. Now I just have to pick the color. Please vote for your favorite! I am leaning towards Flora. I value all of your opinions and love to hear your feedback. The brand is skiphop and the style is the Duo Double. Another company I really like is loom.

1. Charcoal

2. Olive
3. FloraNext will be the car seat and stroller issue I am having! Oh and I found some bedding that I think will be perfect from Pottery Barn. Check it out. Now if I can just find a way to get it on sale or cheaper than the full price. I would like to get the bumper and blanket and do a solid colored skirt and sheet. I love it because I can incorporate any colors with it.

memorial day weekend

We took advantage of the long weekend by keeping busy. Saturday we drove to St. Helena, a cute town about 30 minutes away. It had some great shops that I would love to go back to after I lose the bump. We also drove through Calistoga, another cute town that I would love to explore someday.





Sunday we drove to Vacaville after church and stayed the night with my Aunt Rona. My cousins Jami, Lani, and Jason were all there. We had a great time eating, talking and playing bocce ball. Keal is such a beautiful baby. Ammon loved my cousin Jason. He followed Jason everywhere and at one point he even asked him to stop talking to his dad (Jody) and play with him. By the end of the night he was hanging all over him. Rona read books to Cohen and played by the pool with Ammon, they loved the attention.

Monday morning we drove to Six Flags Discovery Kingdom. This time we went to the sea lion show, the dolphin show and Ammon rode on an elephant with Jody. We got there when the park opened and were able to leave before it got too busy.

We get the keys for the house on Thursday! I am so ready to unpack. I feel like I have been camping for the last month. Dinners have been less than exciting.

Tasha has to take Makynna to Stanford for more testing tomorrow so she is going to drop Lex off to stay the night with Ammon. He is so excited to have someone his age to play with! The poor kid really needs to make some friends. I am hoping that will happen when we move to Windsor.

Innovative ideas

I either have too much time on my hands or things have really changed from the last time I had a baby. I have found SO many things I want to get for this baby to make things more simplified for both of us! I won't be getting them all but I just had to share these with some of you who are also expecting soon.

The Hootie Hider not only fashion friendly but very practical. "A simple blend of beautiful fabrics chosen with chic moms in mind, with the all important patent pending rigid neck line that allows mom to see baby and baby to see mom." For a great deal at only $35.

I like this pattern and the one shown above. But there are a quite a few to chose from.

I currently have a Maclaren doubler stroller. I love the stroller because it is light, folds up easily, and is easy to manuever. The drawbacks. No cup holder and you can't put an infant seat in it. I found a solution for no cup holder and actually a snack tray as well.

I am horrible at swaddling. But we all know that infants love it. So I found this swaddling blanket for $10 at Toys R' US. A must have!

"A revolution in diaper changes." Thanks to Lindsey who previously posted on these fabulous patemm pads. My only problem is that I don't know which pattern to get!
Both of my boys constantly spit up when they were nursing. The burp catcher would save a lot of cleanups, especially for when we aren't at home. Two for $10.

The bebePOD Plus. "Ergonomic design provides optimal support in helping Baby learn to sit. Your baby’s own body weight helps ensure a safe and comfortable seating position without the need for uncomfortable straps. " This is similar to the bumbo but it comes with a tray and attachable toy. It would be great for your child before they learn to sit up on their own.


I found this company in one of my parenting magazines. They sell these great diaper bags for $69.95 that come with a pacifier pod (pictured below), changing pad and tote.

Now if money weren't an issue I would get this bag from miabossi for $240.

I will definitely be trying out these new nursing pads called LilyPadz. You can reuse them for up to two months. "The special soft, flexible and non-absorbent silicone (the same material in most baby bottle nipples) conforms to your breast for a secure fit. This allows you to wear whatever you like with confidence--swimsuits, tight fitting shirts, or even go braless while sleeping! " On sale for $16.75 at mom4kids.

Last but not least. I love these babyhawk Mei Tai baby carriers that carry from a newborn up to a child that weights 40 lbs. So practical and once again fashionable. Go to the website to see a large variety of styles.

36 Weeks

I promised a photo. Ignore the facial expression. Ammon took the picture for me and I wasn't quite sure when he was going to snap it. My belly looks like a bullet. For some reason I never get that nice, round basketball look. Oh well, it will be gone soon! I can't believe how good I am feeling. Usually by this stage I am ready to be done but I feel great. I am however getting sick of maternity clothes and am excited to get back into my regular stuff.

In other news Jody and I had a big scare the other night. I got online to pay some bills and started noticing some rather large amounts of money being taken out of our account. I hadn't checked our balance for a few days. As I looked further down I saw 4 amounts withdrawn between the amounts of two and three hundred dollars and a total of almost fifteen hundred! I panicked called the bank and they started a fraud claim. It was a relief to hear that we are one hundred percent protected. The scary thing is that whomever was taking the money out was using an ATM card and Jody and I both have ours and have never let them out of our possession. The money was being taken out of ATM machines in Canada. The representative from the bank told us that you should be very careful when using ATM machines. Supposedly theives put a device in the machines that copy your card and the pin number you put in. I don't usually use ATM machines but when I was visiting Jody last month I needed some cash and had to use a couple. It's so scary to know that someone has your personal information! So be very careful and check your balance often.

We bought our first washer and dryer last night! It's about time.

sweet, cold watermelon

Yesterday I picked the most perfect tasting watermelon! I love it when I do that. It was the first of the season for me. It's always a guessing game. I picked one up, put it in my cart and then second guessed myself. So I looked around a little more and grabbed one that had more sugar marks on it (brown lines). Supposedly this means it will be sweeter (says my mom). I made a wonderful choice. Lucky for me I am the only one in my little fam who likes watermelon. So I have been eating it like candy and peeing even more, if possible, than I was before. Last night I counted from the time I went to bed until I woke up that I went to the bathroom 6 times!

I may be going crazy. The other day I swear I heard a baby crying but the kids were both taking a nap. For one small, insane, moment I imagined and actually contemplated the thought that it could be my baby in my belly. Wow what an imagination I have! The noise got louder, obviously wasn't coming from inside of me, and was a baby outside on a walk with it's mother. I have also been paranoid about something else. I was in Walmart, somehow without kids, and had to stop at the bathroom before I grabbed a few items. As I walked in a women suddenly appeared right behind me, a little too close for comfort. Well once again my imagination went wild and I thought of those crazy people who had stolen women's babies. One had even cut the woman's belly open and taken the baby out. Yes this is what I have been losing sleep over! I'm losing it.

I had a doctor's appointment yesterday. I am on the weekly appointments now. This is when it goes very quickly. She checked to see if I was dilating at all and I am happy to say that I am not. Until we get in the house and unpacked I want this baby to stay right where she is. I am feeling great and getting bigger. I will post a picture this week!

I heart sun

We are really enjoying living in Santa Rosa, although I miss our old friends and of course living near my parents. The last two weekends they came down to visit us. It makes it hard for us to get homesick because we have seen them so much. Ammon especially loves it when his best friend, grandpa, comes to play.

Last week we took them to Six Flags. This weekend my mom and I went shopping while Jody and my dad hung out with the boys.

My favorite things about Santa Rosa:

1. Warm sunshine. I must emphasize warm because we would see the sun every so often in McKinleyville, but it was rarely warm. There is nothing like waking up to sunshine everyday.

2. Shopping.

3. Much more going on. We have fun parks, the city, surrounding towns to visit, places to eat, and Six Flags.

I am looking forward to Memorial Weekend. We may try to hit up Six Flags again. Jody also wants to take me to a town he went to last week called St. Helena. I look forward to having him around for three whole days!

Comments?

I noticed that my comment link isn't showing on the previous post. Please post comments here!

Bedding

A big thanks to all of you who helped me decide to purchase the brown leather couch, love seat, and chair from Levitz. We didn't get the chair pictured but went with a similar one that reclines. I let Jody pick it out.

Now onto bedding for Rylee. I really want a simple look. Not too much color, flowers or butterflies. I have gotten help from the tangled and true blog but haven't decided yet. I have some time because Cohen still sleeps in the crib and Rylee will sleep in a bassinet for a couple of months.

1. I like this one but it's got a little too much color. I was thinking of possibly getting a few of the pieces and then just getting a plain white or green sheet and crib skirt.

2. I like this one because it isn't too girly. But I don't like the ruffly crib skirt. Not too sure about it.

3. Once again hate the ruffly skirt. But like the green color. I would probably just have a plain white skirt. It seems like the bows could be a little too much but I could just tie them a different way.

3. This is a bit more modern. I love the colors but would like to see a bigger picture of it.

4. Simple, clean. Couldn't post a picture but check out the site. Go to baby and then to pink globe.

5. This is from Pottery Barn and is on sale. I would just get the quilt and then a green bumper posted below.

What I really want is to find something green and white and then add a touch of purple throughout the room. Does anyone have ideas or suggestions? Wish I were crafty and could just make my own!

I stumbled across this cool swiss strolli rider that attaches to a stroller. Ammon would love it!

dilemma

Since we are finally here in Santa Rosa and will be moving into a rental home soon it's about time we got some decent furniture. Jody and I have spent the last two evenings driving to different furniture stores in pursuit of the perfect combo of love seat and sofa or sectional. At first I was going for an upholstered piece but now I am leaning more towards leather, because I don't want my kids to ruin our new stuff. Jody is a little more traditional and I like the modern/sleek look (think square, simple lines, no rounded or puffy pillows). And we are going between black or dark brown leather. Ultimately we all know that I will get the final say but I want him to be happy with it too. Last weekend we went to a really cool store that Carrie, the only person I know here, told us about. Cokas Diko has two regular stores and one outlet store. I took my mom to the outlet store Saturday and Jody found us the perfect table. Seats 6 but a leaf comes out of the center to seat 8 for only $380! Bargain. I love bargains and rarely buy anything full price. We are going between couches at Levitz, Ashley, and Jennifer Convertibles. I really love the couches I found at Jennifer but couldn't pull pictures up on the site. Below are a few we are considering. Please give me feedback and any advice. I am a person who loves second opinions, especially on big purchases!

1. I think this is my favorite so far. The one I really liked at Jennifer Convertibles was similar to this style but black.

2. Pillows may be a little to puffy.

3. This is Jody's favorite. But I think it may not be sleek enough for me. I also am leaning more towards brown and I think he's leaning towards black. Thankfully my mom is coming again this weekend I hope we have time to show her the couches and make a final decision.

counting down

Each time I look at that ticker above this post I feel a wave of emotions. Anxious, nervous, scared, excited, anxiety, and happiness. I am so excited to hold, dress, and just look at this baby girl. But I am worried that I may lose my mind with three little ones. Everywhere I go people tell me that I am going to have my hands full. The other day a man even said, "Wow, you must be a very good catholic." I know that my life will change and things will be hectic but don't people see the good in being a mother of young children? Is having three kids really that insane and unusual these days? Even on the hardest days there is nothing else I would rather be doing. That is an honest answer. It makes me emotional just to think of the day when I won't have little children to hug and kiss at any moment.



Above all I just want people to know that yes I am nervous about taking care of three children. I don't look forward to sleepless nights only to get up in the morning and take care of my other kids. But this is the life I've always wanted. I can't imagine doing anything else that would make me happier or feel more fulfilled, loved and needed. There is no better feeling than being the very one person your child wants when they are scared or hurt. And knowing that you can make it all better.

I am also nervous about going through the physical experience of having a baby. Contractions, back pain, bleeding, breastfeeding, and most of all, after labor contractions. The last about killed me with Cohen and everyone tells me that they only get worse with each baby. I think I would rather have an epidural for that than I would for actual labor.

In probably less than 5 weeks and 3 days we will bring our daughter home. Things will be hectic and crazy for the first month or two but I know that it will settle down. Having three kids will eventually feel normal to us and life will feel like it has always been that way. Right? Right.

Happy first birthday to Izzy, my beautiful British niece!

back tracking

I am going back a few weeks to post some pictures and events that took place before we left Humboldt County.

This is Ammon's teacher Ali. On the last day of school I went on a field trip with the class and then watched as Ammon said goodbye to his teachers and friends. It took everything I had in me not to tear up. Even his teacher got emotional because he was leaving. He LOVED school this year and still talks about wanting to go back. I hope I can find something good here. On Sunday we found out that a lady in our ward teaches at a preschool in Windsor so we are going to an open house tonight.

On the second to last day of preschool I got to go to Ammon's school for his "almost birthday" and tell his class somethings about him (his birthday is in the summer). When I started talking about him he turned around and looked at me with the proudest look on his face, it made me get emotional. He is the sweetest kid. The cape he is wearing belongs to the school, enough said.

Before I left I went out to dinner with some of my best friends from high school. We get together every once in a while to gossip and catch up.

Last but not least. My friends, Tasha and Tammy, threw me a baby shower. I got some adorable clothes. It is going to be so much fun dressing a little girl.