Mantis Rocks

Long before Grace was into Kung Fu Panda she had a fascination with the praying mantis. All summer we searched for and tried to hold them.

Poor Guy

Mexico with Friends

We couldn't resist an invition from my friend Amy to celebrate her 30th birthday in Cancun. As always, it was a perfect getaway - Even being pregnant in a swimming suit!



Nasty!

We have a new Girl!

We have had some great things happen lately, not only did we have a new girl, but Angie has gotten me to write a blog. It was either that or try and feed Kate. I just didn't feel equipped for the feeding so I got the post. Angie had a very nice delivery. She started having contractions while we were at Amy's baby Ally's blessing. After the blessing we went back to Amy's, Angie wanted to get some good food in her before the hospital stay. I mostly ran around Amy's house trying to convince everyone to tell Angie to GO TO THE HOSPITAL. We got to the Hospital around 3:30 and she was only dilated to a 3, which means she had to wait for an hour to see if she would progress before they would admit her. That also meant I got the evil eye for convincing her to go to the hospital so soon. After about an hour they checked her and she hadn't dilated anymore. They asked her if she wanted anything for the pain before they called the doctor and sent her home. Angie looked like she wanted to cry, so did I. When they called the doctor he was already on his way in (It was his on call night at the hospital). He wanted her to wait another half-hour so he could check her before she went home. While we waited, Angie plotted the tortures she would inflict on me for the early trip to the hospital. Her contractions got much harder. When the doctor arrived and checked her she was dilated past a 4 HURRAY!!! He broke her water and told us we would probably have a baby before 12:00. They gave her an epidural and off she went. We had Kate around 9:45, Angie only had to push a few times. Thanks to me and my incredibly small headed genes. Kate was born weighing 5 lbs 7 oz and 18 inches long. She opened her eyes within the first minute and didn't shut them for two hours. We are so blessed and happy to have her in our family. We feel so lucky to have two healthy children. Thank you to everyone that has already called or given us gifts. Kate has more clothes than she will ever wear. For those of you that hadn't yet heard about Kate, all I can say is Angie really needs to get on the ball :)

Grace seems to be adjusting well :)

My Blog is Ugly

I've tried to change my blog layout, coloring, etc. - but to no avail. It's ugly and I just wanted people to know I know! I was trying to put one of those cute custom backgrounds on and I swear the instructions skip some steps. Even Chad couldn't resolve the issue, and after 10 minutes of trying I made him give up. That's a hard thing to do for Chad the problem solver, but I just reminded him of his "to do problem list" which sidetracked him. Someday though... my blog will be really really cool.

My "To Do" List

The farther along I'm getting this pregnancy, the less I make myself do. I try to do laundry, dishes, clean up after Grace, exercise (walk to the mailbox), grocery shop, etc. I never seem to get to other chores that are beyond daily maintenance.

Although I'm doing less, I'm sure planning to somehow snap out of it and become beyond efficient based on my many to do lists. I've found about 5 lists around my house recently, some from over a month ago, and the same tasks appear: deep clean shower/tub, organize paper mess in office, pull weeds, clean tile, magic eraser whole house. Chad's list has become unmanageable because now it includes all of my undone list, plus his undone list of house fix ups we've procrastinated on all Summer: dig lawn trench for rain gutter down spout, move items from garage into cold storage, fix grout in kids bath, re-caulk master tub. Who wants to do any of these things? Chad gave a nice laugh when I said the deadline is before the baby comes. He didn't laugh after I gave him that "I'm serious" look.

Why do all these unimportant things become such a priority right before you have a baby? Grace's clothes closet never bothered me before, but now it gives me such anxiety to see all the clothes she's grown out of heaped in a big pile and not yet folded into the 12-18 month bin. I guess part of being a Mom is learning how to be balanced and happy while managing the ever increasing list of to do's in your head and wondering if your husband will remember to do the same. Then something big happens in life (like having a baby) and sometimes you get to let everything go for a while and you realize nothing bad happened. Everything is OK. I'm not there yet, so let the insanity begin!

Beth's Visit

My sister Beth visited us for 2 weeks while in the process of moving to San Diego. We are very excited to visit her once she gets situated. She is moving on her own and finding a place and job once she arrives...so adventurous. Grace enjoyed all the personal attention and I enjoyed the company and help with house cleaning (embarrassing). It was so fun to spend time together and so nice to have extra help late in my pregnancy.

At Beth's House in July

Beth took Grace to the IF Zoo

We got to see this rainbow when Beth was here. It was a double rainbow. The best one I've seen

Welcome Home Baby Ally

Amy and Justin welcomed baby Ally (Allyse Nicole Anderson) into the world on August 18th. She was only 5lbs, 12 oz and 18 inches long, but healthy and happy. Emma is obsessed with the baby and such a "good helper." Roman is obsessed with Mom, but is still a good boy with the baby. Congratulations!

The cutest annoucement is at this link:

http://www.utahportraits.com/hospital/index.php?action=view&BabyID=081808ana