Thanksgiving in Sedona

We went to visit Ryan's mom and her husband in Sedona, AZ for the week of Thanksgiving and lucky us, the weather couldn't have been better!! It must have been in the low 70's the entire week...at least that's what it felt like! My sister-in-law and her family came as well, all the way from Boston...her two boys are the same ages of Haley and Morgan so they all made fantastic playmates. Of course we still got the occasional WWF smack down in the living room or the screaming over toys...but then it wouldn't be Thanksgiving without a little ruckus...right? Thanks to Sandy and Ken for hosting two families for the entire week!

During the week we went hiking, visited Montezuma's Castle and Montezuma's Well, went shopping at the outlets, took the kids to the park, went for walks, fed the ducks and of course we ate and ate and ate and ate!!

The kids with Grandma and Grandpa.

Afternoon TV watching after some good outdoor play.

(notice all their dirty knees)

Hiking West Fork.

This is our traditional PJ picture.
We have one for every year!

Chad, Beth and their boys.

Our family picture at Montezuma's Castle.

What a bunch of cuties!!

A few days before we left my camera decided to crap out...again! I'm beginning to hate that thing. So anyway, I decided to take Haley's camera instead. But as soon as I got to Sedona I realized that I left the memory card for the camera in my computer at home. What a BUST! So yes, I had no camera the entire week. But luckily Beth and Chad had brought theirs. So thanks to them for taking tons of pictures! I stole these from Beth's blog...thanks Beth!

The Big News

It's a GIRL!!!

However, I received some concerning news. They found two cysts, one on either side of her brain. I basically freaked out...silently. The tech or nurse or whoever she was told me that it is common to see. She said that it could be a sign that something else is wrong with maybe the heart, spine, kidneys, or be a sign of some type of syndrome. So it took her close to an hour to complete the ultrasound...she examined everything very closely. I even had to move into different positions constantly to try to get the baby to flip around to get better views (the baby was not cooperating). But everything looked great. The heart was excellent, she has both kidneys, her lungs are good, spine good, limbs...everything looked perfect. So apparently these cysts can just absorb back into the body and eventually disappear on their own. I may be sent to a specialist to analyze it further, or just have a follow up ultrasound later on to monitor them...it's up to my doctor. I guess he'll let me know during my next appointment.

I'm pretty upset, and worried...but everything will be okay...it will.

Almost half way!

I'm at 19 weeks...just under the half way point. I can feel a lot of little kicks now...I love it!
I'll find out what the gender is this afternoon, so I'm sure I'll be posting that news later this evening.

How do you like those pj pants...pretty cute, huh?

It's Road Trip Season!

So tomorrow is the big day...I get to find out what the sex of this baby is! I'm surprised to see that the majority of the votes are going for a boy...myself, I voted girl. I would love to have a boy this round (nice to mix things up), however, this pregnancy feels very much the same as my others. So, girl. And don't get me wrong...I'm excited either way, boy or girl!

When my mom was pregnant with Jeff, I was soooooo hoping for a sister. I would always ask her what she hoped it would be. And she always answered, "I want a healthy baby." That would always drive me nuts, she never would answer a girl or boy. Now, I understand...health of the baby is always the most important thing. Oh, and I never did get that sister. Although, I did have fun dressing Jeffy up in tutus and painting his nails...what a trooper!

In other news...It's road trip time! We're getting ready to head out for Sedona in a couple of days. I'm trying to get last minute things done, although I always manage to forget something. Morgan and I went on mission this morning to find things for the car ride. I think we did pretty good! Hit up the dollar store and got some workbooks, tablets to color in, and pencil cases. Then to the library where I pretty much cleaned them out of every horse book I could find, along with books on tape for the girls, and music CD's. I have a few other things that I've been saving; activity books, stickers and such. We are a DVD free car, and I plan to keep it that way. As a kid we went on numerous road trips every year, and I always looked forward to the travel kits my mom would put together for us. But no matter how much stuff I get the girls to keep them busy, we still always hear the dreaded, "Are we there yet?". But then, I guess it's just not a road trip if you never hear those words. Now, if the weather would cooperate Saturday, that would be nice.

Funny story:
Lately Morgan has been sleeping in until about 8:30 (I know, crazy! And totally opposite of Haley). Anyway, after I dropped Haley off at the bus, I wanted to jump in the shower to get ready for my errands, but Morgan was still sleeping. Now, any other person would just get in the shower anyway. But Morgan has a tendency to wake up grumpy. She likes things a certain way: she calls from her room, and then I usually have to go in and carry her out, she needs her milk, and a cuddle while watching cartoons. She's very particular. So I thought this might disrupt her morning routine. I decided to take a shower anyway. I got her milk out, blanket on the couch, cartoons playing on the TV before I got in...just in case she got up while showering. Well, she ended up getting up while I was showering. She comes into the bathroom crying (obviously upset that no one was waiting for her) saying that she had to go potty. So I peek out from behind the curtain with a very happy and enthusiastic "GOOD MORNING!!". She stopped crying immediately, and gave me a very puzzled look. From the shower (yes, I'm still peeking from behind the curtain) I instruct her one step at a time to go herself. Amazingly she does without complaining all the while giving me the same puzzled look. Finally, she finishes and I tell her to go get her milk and watch some shows while I finish up. I figured she would cry and want me to go with her and the whole, "How dare you leave me by myself!" attitude. But she didn't! She just turned and got out of there. Weird, I thought. So I finish up and get out as quickly as I could. I face the mirror, wipe the steam off and instantly realize why Morgan was so cooperative and gave me such a puzzled look. My face was streaked with mascara! I had forgotten all about that part of my showers! No wonder Morgan cooperated...she was probably freaked out, "What happened to my mom's FACE?".

So now I know what to do when I want some cooperation around here, I'll just smear mascara all over my face. And then I'll talk in a very enthusiastic and slightly crazy voice, "PICK UP YOUR TOYS!!". Maybe they'll actually do it!

Weekend update

We had a very COLD weekend...in the 30's and snow! Brrrrrr! Still had fun though. I left the kids with Ryan and my mom and I went shopping Saturday morning. I was on a mission for a maternity sweat suit...yes, I HAVE to have a good pair of sweats!! The ones I have now are starting so show the elastic in the waistband...not cool! Anyway, so sweats and I needed a new pair of pajamas. There is nothing more unflattering and unsexy than the pair of 15 year old flannel pajama pants and an over sized T-shirt that I've been wearing. For summer pj's, I have quite the array of cute things to wear. But as Winter approaches, I slowly have to cover more of myself up. First with socks, than pj pants, then I pull out the long sleeve shirts, until finally not one inch of skin shows. So anyway, if I'm going to be all covered up, I might as well cover up with something cute. Luckily, I was able to find both...sweats and pj's! Yay!

On Sunday, we had our Primary program at church. This is Haley's second year doing it. She was a bit freaked out in the beginning...she didn't want to get up in front of everyone. But we coaxed her a little, and maybe bribed her a little too (who wouldn't want a big piece of coffee cake when they got home from church?). She warmed up to it, and it turned out she was quite the ham...waving and blowing kisses to us. What a cutie! And she did great! Next year we'll have both Morgan and Haley up there singing...what fun that will be!

Time for a poll!

I have a week until my ultrasound! Cast your votes now! Girl or Boy?

Finally, a Diagnosis.

I was supposed to wait until today to take Morgan back to the doctor...that is, if she still had a fever. But I just couldn't wait that long, I wanted to her to see the doctor this time (the day before she saw the nurse). Something was wrong...I just knew it...mother's intuition I guess. The doctor came to the conclusion that she in fact has H1N1. And because her cough has lasted so long he wanted her to get a chest X-Ray to check for pneumonia. What a trooper she was! I had to take her to the hospital for the X-Ray. She had to wear a little mask, which she kept on the entire time, she never complained about it once. And since I'm pregnant I couldn't stay with her for the X-Ray (I watched through a little window), the techs had to get her in the correct positions and she did exactly what they said. She was just the sweetest little thing for the whole ordeal!

Result: she has pneumonitis, an inflammation of the lungs. The doctor has prescribed Tamaflu for the H1N1 and some antibiotics for the pneumonitis.

Boy, do I feel better to have a diagnosis finally. And let me tell ya, I'm glad I didn't wait another day to take her back to the doctor.

Now, I'm worried about the rest of us. Will Ryan come down with something? He hasn't been vaccinated for anything. And what about Haley...is she safe since she's gotten her N1N1 booster. Morgan missed it since she had a fever that day. And my vaccine is going to really be put to the test...will it work?! And Jeff, will his vaccine work? And what about my parents, they have already been around Morgan this week...are they going to be okay? And Thanksgiving is right around the corner! We plan on going out of town to be with family...I certainly don't want to infect anyone there!

Worry, worry, worry...that's what I do.

Okay...back to cuddling with Morgan.

My Morgie...still sick.

Morgan STILL has a fever...we're on day six now. I took her in to the doctor yesterday morning. Unfortunately, we left without any explanation of what she has. She tested negative for a few tests...they took a nose swab and a throat swab, checked her ears...but it was negative for everything. They didn't check for H1N1, nothing they can do for that anyway except treat the symptoms, and her lungs sounded good. But I'm beginning to think that is what she has. They said if she still has a fever on Thursday to bring her back in for some more tests...blood work stuff. But last night her fever jumped to over 102, I gave her some Ibuprofen, but this morning it was back up to 102.4. So I'm thinking I'm going to call the doctor again today. I want answers!

I do love love the extra cuddle time with her though. After I took Haley to the bus stop, Morgan and I cuddled together for over an hour watching TV in our jammies. When kids are sick anything goes...jammies all day, cartoons all morning, lunch on the living room floor while watching a movie...that's fine with me. And of course, all my chores get thrown to the wind. Hmmm...do some laundry or cuddle with Morgan...hard choice.

It's almost over.

Morgan has had a fever all weekend, and was up most of the night (in our bed) with a really nasty cough. Not sure what she has, she seems a little better today...at least her cough doesn't sound as bad. Of course with those two symptoms H1N1 pops into my head. She's only had one dose so far (at her age she needs two...a month apart). So she's not fully protected yet! However, that didn't stop me from standing in line this morning for 45 minutes to get their H1N1 vaccine ticket for the week. The Health Department is doing a ticket system or appointments to get the vaccine, I guess to lesson the lines and mess of people everyday. But the only day to get the tickets are Monday mornings...if you miss it, you have to wait until the next week. Both Haley and Morgan are due for their second dose this week. So by tomorrow afternoon (that's when their appointment is) I'll be done with this whole H1N1...NO MORE LINES!!

In other news, my parents are coming back into town today! They're staying for two weeks...yay! So I need everyone healthy in this house!!

Telos Turkey Tri

Yesterday morning Ryan did his first ever Triathlon! I never thought I'd see that happen! But just to be clear, he doesn't want to be referred to as a Triathlete...he is a cyclist who has participated in a Triathlon. Although, with the result he was able to get, he may be doing quite a few more! Out of about 500 participates he came in SECOND overall!! Yeah! How proud am I...VERY! I'm so impressed that he stepped out of his comfort zone (referring to the running and swimming).

He did pretty well in the run, around top 40. During the bike he gained all the ground he lost, and was in second entering the swim. He held it (although at times I thought he was going to drown) to the finish...Second Place!!

Ryan's biggest fans.

He must not be too tired yet if he has the energy to wave.

Bike transition.

I think we might be seeing a few more Triathlons in the Spring.

Time for a new doctor!

I had my four month appointment yesterday morning...yea...I won't be going back to that office.

My appointment was at 9:00 and I got there right on time. They were pretty prompt with getting my blood pressure checked, weight check (I've gained three more pounds), pee in a cup, you know...all the stuff you do before you see the doctor. Then, it's back out to the waiting room...so far, very normal. They had a little movie playing in the waiting room, so Morgan was very content. But then 10 minutes turned to 20 minutes, which turned to 40 minutes...FINALLY, an HOUR later, yes at 10:00 I finally get called to go into a room. So I'm already a little irritated, but relieved to finally get to see and meet my doctor. I get Morgan situated with some books, a little notepad (luckily I had in my purse) for her draw on...she was happy. Me...not so much. 5 minutes turned to 10 minutes, which turned to 20 minutes. FINALLY 35 minutes of sitting in a very uncomfortable room, guess who waltzes in the room...the midwife. Now if you've kept up, you know I'm not a fan of her. I must have had a look on my face that said it all, something like, "What the blank (you can fill it in) are you doing here, where is the doctor?!" She immediately keeps repeating "I"m so sorry, I'm so sorry." Then she goes on to say that the doctor isn't there. WHAT?! Now I realize that doctors have deliveries, however, they usually tell you when you check in that the doctor is out and have you reschedule. Fine, I'm cool with that. But he obviously did NOT have a delivery that morning. They just stuck me in a room hoping that he would show up...he didn't. So they probably started feeling sorry for me after I had been sitting there for an hour and 35 minutes...send in the midwife. Here I am, nearly half way through my pregnancy, and I haven't even met the doctor that will deliver my baby!! I've just met a crappy midwife! I left pretty upset to say the least.

Now this doctor might be really great, I've only heard good things about him. But, bottom line...I HATE that office. I don't really like the staff so much, and I can't stand the fact that they never answer their phone...it always goes to a recording. The office is too big, with too many patients! I don't feel that they CARE about ME. And someone needs to tell the girl that works the front desk that she wears waaaay too much make-up and that she looks like a clown!! She should not be the first person you see as soon as you enter the office. Whew...okay, I'm feeling better. I'm sorry to the people that love this office, maybe I've just had bad luck. But both times that I've been I've had bad experiences, so I can't waste anymore time.


I miss the smallness of my old office. I miss the staff, I miss my doctor.

I decided to change my doctor and try again...made an appointment for Tuesday...I'm really excited about it!


On a different note: The Utah State Trooper passed our Jeep...Yeah!

Wrangler Problems

Sometimes...just sometimes...the state of Utah drives me crazy!

Our Jeep Wrangler needed to be inspected so we could register it. Okay, no biggie, we have to do it every year...and like always, every year it fails in something. This year, however, the state inspection was totally out of line!!

Let me explain: When we moved here 6 years ago the Jeep failed the safety inspection because the wheel fender flares were not big enough, they did not cover our tires. Also, we didn't have mud flaps, another fail. You would think they would be strict in CA and called us out on these things already. But no...you can drive the biggest piece of crap in CA and they wouldn't care. As long as it's runs, you pass inspection. So we learned quickly that here in Utah they are not so loose when it comes to car inspections. Anyway, 6 years ago we did as they asked and replaced the fenders and added mud flaps. Problem solved.

Every year since the car was inspected, and although it failed at other things, the fenders and mudflaps were never an issue. Until this year. We ended up going to another place (big mistake) and they failed us on the fenders and mudflaps!! They say the fenders are not big enough and the mudflaps don't go down far enough...say what?!! We tried to explain that we've already had them replaced...blah, blah, blah...gave our sad story, but they didn't care. So, today I called the main inspection place in Salt Lake and had a Utah State Trooper come out to our house and inspect the Jeep himself. That's right...two can play this game!! I ditched the sweats, put on make-up and pulled out my womanly charm...I know, I'm pulling all the stops...but I'm desperate! So the Trooper came (I'm sure the neighbors were curious as they drove by) and he was totally on my side!! However, he said he needed a second opinion. He took some pictures and is going to show them to his superior or something, and he'll let me know tomorrow if they pass us. Please, please, please!!!

Halloween Pictures

We had a great Halloween. The weather wasn't bad at all so that's a plus! It was nice enough for Jeff and I to sit on the porch to hand out the candy. I definitely prefer to sit on the porch, since the doorbell rings about every 30 seconds if I don't. I can't stand that.

Everyone busy at work carving their pumpkins. I bought these cookie cutter type things that the girls could just stamp out stars and bats into their pumpkin. However, I wasn't a big fan of them. First of all the stamps were too small and didn't actually go through the entire side of the pumpkin (or our pumpkins were too big, whatever). Plus the stamps are a pain to get out. And then the mallets that they use to hammer in the stamps kept flying off. So everyone had to watch out...you never know when a mallet piece would go flying across the room. So anyway, the girls opted to carve their own faces instead...with a little help.
Not sure if you can see it, but Haley carved a little face herself. Pretty cute.

Morgan's design...our help carving.

My little ballerinas.

Ryan and Jeff's wigs cracked me up. Rock on!