Holy cow -emotional rollor coster or what!

I don't remember being this emotional with Valin, but man, I just couldn't get over it today. I woke up after a terrible night's sleep (it was major windy and there was a tree outside our window sqeeking against it). So I guess I was in a bad mood to start with. Yesterda,y I eat ice cream when I knew I should have and still had hot chocolate this morning, so I was mentally betting myself up about it. Then it hit me when Patxi and I were having a dicussion about my asumptions and tears came to my eyes. All day I had to fight them back, knowing that they were irrational. And it was just little things, like my sister not calling me agian or Patxi teasing me. I was so impatient and even cringed at Patxi's closeness. It was like I had a terrible cloud over my head. Finally it got too much and I went to my room and snobbed my mascara away. It was terrible. It probably sounded more like I was grieving the lost of a loved one and not that I was just having a bad day. Maybe things just boiled over and I needed to have my cry out. But I did feel better once I finished and put on mascara for the second time today. It's not like I have things terribly either; I don't know what my problem was. I'm just extra emotional, I guess. Crazy, huh.

Crazy idea, tell if you think it'll work

Ever since I found out that Patxi was going to deploy forthe Army National Gaurd, I was thinkning about using the extra time I'll have to excerise and losing (finally) the weigth I need to be healthy. I've still never reached my BMI of 110-130 pounds. And it is my goal to do so during the year Patxi is gone. But when I found out that I was pregnant and having her a month before he leaves, it made things a little bit more challenging. I really really really want to finally get fit and in shape. Sure, I'm better then I was before -30 pounds is better then 80 pounds over weight, but I'm just so close I can almost taste it! So here comes my idea: What if I blog about my experience. Yeah, kind of like "Julie and Julia." I need people to be accountable too, someone to state my goals to, and people to cheer me on, if I'm going to be successful. Plus, exercising and getting fit is something I like to do and I'll need an outlet for sharing my idea and experiences, especailly since Patxi will be gone. I just think that it'll be the extra support I need for this to work. But what do you think? Will you read and comment on it? Would it interest you that much? Or do you think that after day 248, I'll be blogging to myself. The purpose is to be accountable to someone. Will it work? Tell me what you think.

One nap or Two?

We have been struggling with naps and crying/ screaming when he doesn’t get his way. Both, I think are signs of his age, but the naps have taken me by surprise. He’s not quiet 15 months, but he seems to only want to take one nap. It started around the time Petra and Mikey came up for a visit (which was so much fun, by the way). I would put him down after the usually time passed, he would go down great, but then sleep forever (3-4 hours). The first time, it freaked me out and I didn’t really know what to do. But I continued with setting him down for a second nap, which he would do fine, but play in his crib, never falling asleep even after the two hours. So I tried waking him up early from his first nap and giving a second, but he still wouldn’t fall asleep for the second. I tried this three times and cringed when I saw how tired he got before his usual bed time. Then, I tried giving him one nap, but after lunch, though he was clearly tired before, and the one nap didn't even last 2 hours. So I was at a lost for a while. Then, this week I gave in, so to speak. Yesterday, the day before, and today I put him down at a little bit later in the morning (around 10-11), and he would take one long (3-4 hour) nap. He seems to do fine as long as we stick to his usual bed time. He’s still sleeping 12 hours at night, so I hope that means he’s getting his full hours during the day and not getting too tried between sleeping times. Boy, being a mother is not easy –and there is a lot more trial and error than I expected.

Am I having twins? Jerk.

Many people asked me this question while I was pregnant with Valin. I gained a total of 50 pounds (Valin was 20 of it so I could have two babies with that amount). Yes, I felt that since I was "eating for two" that it also meant eating whatever I wanted -mostly things fried and sugared. Since I didn't really see the effects of my choices until I couldn't hid behind the baby belly, it was hard to rein in my enthusiam for food. It seems like I either have to say no to all crappy food or eat it everyday. There's no such thing as my "one treat of the month" It starts to turn into my "one treat of the week" and then "of the day." Unitl it becomes a hard thing for me to only eat one treat a day. Ugh!!! I'm really having such a hard time, and I don't want to gain tons again! It was so hard to get back to my pre-pregnancy weight after Valin -which I did for like two seconds before I got pregnant agian. It's going to be even harder this time around because I'll have two kids and no husband. Ah!! I am doing better than last time, so far, but I'm teettering along the line of gaining too much. Stink! Do you have any suggestions? Any tips? More exercise is out because my bladder can't take running and last night I was feeling some contraction so I don't want to do anything too strainning. I need help!

Guess What!

We just had an ultrasound today and guess what....

We're having a girl!!!!!

(it's a view from the bottom up. Her bum is to the left of the legs with nothing in between. The tech said she was 95% sure but from all other angles throughout the ultrasound, none of us could see a body part between her legs)

We are totally excited. We would be "totally excited" if it was a boy, but, to be completely honest, I was leaning toward a girl. A new experience, dresses, plus I know girls a little better, having only sisters. Anyway, we are stoked!!!!

Just thought everyone would like to know. Everything is going great! Love you all!
Here are some other ultrasound pictures:

Jabberwocky

My cute little one year old with his quick dimpled smile has suddenly turned into this jabbering Jabberwocky. We all know he's talking but we just don't know what he is saying. At lunch the other day he was just playing around with his tongue, moving it around in his mouth, when all of a sudden he giggles at himself. He repeats the last sound he made and giggles again. He then rapidly repeats that sound and I giggle with him. He was so proud at himself for making that cool new sound, it was hilarious. I use to put shoes on him so I could hear where he was in the house, but now I can hear him jabbering.

The different sounds are cute in themselves, but it's his inflection that cracks me up. This morning I went in to get him up and he said something in such a way that it sounded like, "Mom, where were you? I've been waiting." I've got a little sassy frass on my hands.

He also giggles whenever he gets what he wants. Whether it is fun, a treat, or chance to pet the dog. It really is the cutiest thing and really help with communtication. I always know if guess right.

Valin is also turning into a little pig. Finally. For those who haven't met him, he is my little light-weight. He will win the girls with his smile and fun personality and not his height. To put it differently, Patxi and I are breeding jockies or very short super-models. Anyway, I think he is going through a growth spurt or something because he will finish he own full peanut butter and jelly sandwich (without the crust of course), green beans, and peaches and still want bites of whatever I'm eating. I'm actually glad because maybe we'll be able to buy him a forward-facing car seat. Yup, he hasn't hit the 20 pound mark. All well, I'm just not destined to have a chubby baby. Life will go on.

Here are some cute picture of my Jabberwocky:

In Grandma's lion costume he brought to me.


He was helping with Dad and Grandpa build the tree house.


My Jabberwocky in action. He was calling down to me from the tree house.


It's spring so we had to be outside. Playing with some hoes




Playing with Grandma's dog Poppy.


Grandma and Grandpa have this barn set that miractiously Valin climbed into.




Hope everyone enjoyed this update on Valin as much as I did. Everything else is great here! The weather is geeting better and I'm getting excited about having our second child. We're having an ultrasound tuesday the 30th where we'll find out the baby's gender. I'm getting very excited.

Another cute video

Just him in the oats agian.

Valin's habit of copying

Valin was playing in the Hen house with their food and tt was so cute, I had to get it on video. Toward the end of the video Valin hears a rooster and tries to copy the sound. I think he does really well. It's pretty funny.

Valin's cutiness

I love this stage Valin is in. He is doing things that make me laugh and places a warm spot in my heart. Anything from a quirky look he gives me to dancing with his box of rasins in Walmart. But the thing he did which made me just burst out laughing happend about a week ago. I was in the kicthen cleaning up after dinner and Valin was playing with Grandma's pots in the dinning room. I heard him wine from the other room and slowly come to investigate thinking he must have got the pot suck or something. But the next thing I see, is Valin with his bottom suck inside the pot.

Oh, it was the funniest thing. Luckily, Valin loves to be in on the joke, and laughed along with us while we grabed out cameras. It was one of those moments you turly cherish. Hilarious!

He is also starting to give hugs. I don't know if he decided to do it after he saw his cousin, Summer, do it. But on our car trip to southern Idaho last weekend, he loved to give Seren and me hugs. And I love to get them from him. I think our reaction does play a role in this decision. I also think he is a lot smarter then we some times give him credit for.

Patxi also tested Valin's navigation and memory skills today. Valin is, it sadly seems, addicted to sweets, and Grandma had M&Ms on the counter this morning. Of course he zero-in on them. But then Patxi took him down stairs and Valin, through grunts and pointing, would lead him back to the bowl of candy, time and time again -even from different spots in the house. We moved the bowl once, and though it throw him off, as soon as he spotted them again, he would lead whoever was holding him back to the bowl and give a triumpt laugh. My son is so smart! I just wish it was something like brocilli instead of candy. All well, my parents had to fight the same battle with me, so I guess it serves me right. He still is so cute!

We're sick, again

Well, just Valin really, but I've been suffering from stinking hayfever (or being allergic to the world) so it feels like I have a cold. It's one thing for me not being able to take anything to releave my symptoms (all I can take is Benodryol which knocks me out and I can't take care of Valin so I opt not to take anything), but I have to watch and listen to Valin coughing and feeling terrible and I can't do anything about it. I did move the humidifier to the place where he's playing so he gets some relief all day, not just in his room when he naps. I'm going to be so happy for this flu/cold season to be over with. It seems like kids spread sickness as easily as smiles. I guess, what gets me is that I really can't do anything about it! It must be one of those life-lessons I'm going to have to learn. I can't always be in control of everything. Huh, dang, that is too bad.

But anyway, I hope everyone is dealing with the cold season better than I am. Best wishes!

First Doctor's appointment

I just went to my first OB appointment with my doctor, Dr. Brunsmen in Pendleton. He seems very nice and really knows his stuff -from what I can gather. Anyway, everything went great -minus the pap smear, which went fine but it's just uncomfortable. I thought that I was done for a while with all the poking and prodding. All, well. Anyway, I also got blood work done and an ultrasound to pin-point the due date. So it was a very busy day for me. After I told Dr. Brunsmen how irregular I was, he really wanted the ultrasound, and of course I was very happy about it. I'm due August 13th, so I was a day off. I got some ultrasound pictures, but I'll have to put them up later.

Everything is great here! Love you all!

Some News!

Well, I'm not much into beating around the brush, mainly because I don't have the talent of flattery. Anyway, I'm pregnant. Yup, crazy huh. Yeah, that's right Valin just turned one. Ah huh, one! According to my last period, I'm due August 14th. But I'm not totally satified with that estimate so I'm going to wait for my ultrasound before I get a date planted in my head. So, I've just started my second trimester and the neusea has almost subsided. But to my wonderful family on Patxi's side, yes, this means that we probably won't go to the reunion in California (an for sure not Disney Land, sorry Sara). We are beyond bummed. But at lest it's for something awesome, you know, like the birth of our second child instead of something silly like a job ;).

If I must be truthful, I was hesitent at first (that to put it lightly). Having kids so close wasn't my idea (very far from it actually). But since I really wasn't ovalation on my own (I took colmid to get pregnant with Valin) Heavenly Father must have thought that his plan was what I needed more. It's truly a miracle that I'm pregnant, so it must he His plan, right. After I realized this, and I got over my desire to finally get into shape (there's always later to do that, right), I finally got excited about it. So, my new doctor's appointment is coming up and I'll make sure to keep everyone updated.

Birthdays all around!

Last week we celebrated Summer's first birthday:


She was so cute, but the day was a little over shadowed by the fact that many were sick and not able to come. I personally ate way too much chocolate ice cream and am thinking about becoming gulten-intolerant after tasting Niki's gulten-free cake. Oh it was wonderful!

Then, on the 6th we had three birthdays: Kres, Niki, and Valin. So Kres' family celebrated it on Thurdsday and we celebrated Valin and Niki's on Sunday. I had planned to make Valin's favorite, spagetti, salad, and french bread, and of course have birthday cake. Since we had two gulten-intolerant people in our family (and two diabetics), I thought to buy special noodles, but couldn't find any. This is where Niki's celebration comes in. She brought her own noddles, cake, and ice cream -for her birthday. Oh it was great because everyone was happy.


I made Jell-o cake, of course, which is a cake baked from a box, poke holes in it with a knife or fork, make jell-o from a box but in instead of placing it into the fridge, you pour it over the cooled cake -then you place it all in the fridge. It tasted so good, and Patxi spagetti sause was amazing!







Valin started to cry when everyone sang to him, I think it's because it was pretty loud. Valin really didn't know what to do about the candle, so I did the honnors. Then he sharfted down the small piece of cake I gave him and demanded another -he tried to swipe Roen's piece from his plate.

Then we got the ice cream out and he didn't really know what to think, but got the hang of it after a while. He would quickly hold it in his hand, put it in his mouth, and quickly spit it out again when it got too cold. It was cute to watch.


Then we opened presents.


He got clothes from his Grandma and Grandpa Wheeler and a truck and a book from us. He absolutly loved his truck and he was so cute playing with it and making his car noise for it.


Then, he went to bed and we cleaned up. I think Valin really loved his birthday because he got to eat cake, play with his cousins, and got a new toy truck. And his happiness make me happy.

For church on Sunday he also got to wear his new suit. He was so cute in it!


Anyway, I think it was a success. At least I had fun!

"Hogan's Heroes" and "Love and Liquids"

I have a little time because Valin's asleep and I'm waiting for my bread to raise.
Speaking of bread, the last time I tried making french from my Betty Crocker recipe, it was a disaster! It called for the bread to raise three times and it only did it once. I cooked it anyway and it was terribly dense and very crunchy (I sprayed five different times) So today, not wanting to be a quiter, Peni (Patxi's mom) and I tackled the recipe agian. We totally changed it and so far it's working. Plus, she has a Bosch. It was like making bread on a whole different planet. I loved it. So much easier! I swear we skipped over 4 steps in my recipe. It was awesome. Now, I guess I can't say how wonderful it is because we haven't eaten them yet, but I can smell them, and I have faith that everything will go wonderfully.

Living with Patxi's parents is going great. We live in a separate part of the house so we still have our won privacy, but I still have wonderful company. That's something I didn't realized I missed when we were in Salem. I love being home in the morning and having people home in the afternoon. I absolutly love the company. Plus, they have all seasons to "Hogan's Heroes" an old comedy TV show about a POW camp in Germany. Patxi and I are totally addicted to it. They also have and exercise mechine that they let me use, which it totally convinant.

the only sad thing is that I've just got everyone sick. I thought I got it from Valin, but whoever I got it from, everyone has terrible shore throats and stuffed up sinuses. I guess it'a just that season. But yesterday night, after Valin woke himself up from coughing, I decided that I needed to do something to make it easier for him. we've been praying to know how we should help Valin and I just couldn't get back to sleep. So I did what years of schooling trained my to do, I went to the internet to research. Let me share some of the information I found, you might not have known, I certianly didn't. Since the early fall of 2007, the FDA deemed that children under 2 years of age should not take cover-the-counter cold and flu medicne. They plainly don't work and could be dangerous. Fever control medicine should still be used, but when asked what should be used to help children with their cold, they said, "Love and liquids." I also found out that the testing of children for children's medicine is almost non-exisited, so they don't even have the proof to say that it works. The motivation for the FDA to investigate was the fact that the medicine companies took their infant medicine off the shoves themselves.

So, now that I couldn't give him some relief through medicine, what was I going to do? Shelbey gave me a hint a few days earlier and it was a suggestion giving by a few Dr. articles I read: a humidifier. It made me remember when I was young and I realized that the humidifier my mom used for me totally helped me not cough. So the first thing in the morning I did was go into town to buy one. I also read articles saying that I could get rid of Valin's runny nose, so I was totally stoked. Then I spent over 40 minutes reading labels, trying to decided which one to buy. I got a warm mist Vick one that didn't need a filter and could, but didn't have to, work with Vicks vapor stuff. I had it on during his two naps, but he still was coughing. So I asked Shelbey and she said I need to get a cool mist one instead. So I returned it and got what I needed. And guess what, Valin slept through the night and didn't even cough. I was so happy!!!

He still has a runny nose and cough, but you can tell that a good night's sleep totally helped him.

I know that January is almost over, but...

Here are some of the pictures and videos from Christmas. I'm not quite a month late, right? I just happened to have some time own my hands (everyone is at the game and I'm home with Valin -yes, I'm alone in the house and of course I'm freak dancing to the awesome music blarring form the computer speakers, but I digress)



This is Christmas morning and a great shot of Santa's hard work.

Christmas was awesome and so much fun. The only sad part was the Valin was sick to the point that some times when he would cough, we would throw up the formula he just drank. (I guess I would too it I had to eat that stuff) But other than that it was great. Exerceising with my sisters-in-law was one of the highlights for me. Exercising is great but if you add doing it with fun people I love, it's even better, even though the actual exercising took second prioity. I had so much fun. Plus this was the first year I got to be Santa. Oh, I loved it. A whole new joy of the season came to me this year because if it. I love Christmas!