Henry Present and Sleeping on the Floor

January is a tough month to have two energetic little boys, especially when I'm feeling very un-energetic. Cold weather, dark evenings, and sickness combine to make lots of inside days, (not to mention Marcus has stopped taking naps and Kjell's extremely busy with his new business), but we try to be creative when we are home and leave the house as often as possible! Even though the boys try me (they have a 6th sense that the baby is coming!), they never fail to make me laugh!

Holden. We transferred Holden to Marcus' room before Christmas to free up his crib for the baby. Holden sleeps on the bottom bunk especially made for him not to roll out of bed, but easy for him to climb out. He's recently discovered the latter and now immediately climbs out of bed as soon as the door shuts (for his nap and at night) and roams around the room playing with toys and looking at books. Inevitably, we find him asleep on the floor with his blanket and stuffed animals that he has pulled off the bed as well.

Marcus. Marcus has been asking for a "Henry present" for quite a while now and one day I said, "maybe when the baby comes out he'll bring you a Henry present." Marcus immediately latched on to this idea and has since looked at my belly daily and said something like "there's the baby and there's Henry!" and "I want the baby to come out and give Marcus a Henry present." Recently he's been asking to make a door in mommy's belly so the baby and Henry can come out. Suffice it to say, I think I know who Marcus will be more excited to see...

Siblings Class

Last night I took Marcus and Holden to a siblings class at Utah Valley Hospital where a nurse teaches about newborn babies to siblings-to-be. She showed pictures of babies in utero, had the siblings hold a baby doll, took them to the newborn nursery, and showed them a room like the one their mommy will be staying in after giving birth. It was a great class for Marcus' age but Holden mostly ran around the room and wanted to push the elevator buttons. The nurse even stopped the class and said "I know what he's doing." We all looked at Holden who was leaning against the stroller with a bright red face and making grunting noises. Fortunately, Pam was there to help! At the end, the boys got a coloring book and a baby bottle with m&ms in it.

Photo 1 - Marcus looking at a newborn baby boy, which he noted "the baby is crying."

Photo 2 - Pam and Marcus about to go on the elevator.

Photo 3 - Mischievious Holden who has no clue he won't be the baby of the family much longer.

Photo 4 - Marcus holding the doll. As soon as the nurse turned away Marcus poked the doll's eyes and threw it off his lap. Yeah, I don't think I'll be putting down the baby much....

Progress

36 weeks. 1 cm dialated. 50% effaced. 3 trips to the bathroom a night. Very excited. Very tired.

Snow, snow, and more snow

Earlier in the week, it snowed for 2 days straight. Here are some pictures of Marcus and his friend Dallas enjoying the weather (and mounds of snow created by the snow plow).

It particularly makes me happy that all of this snow is hiding our landscaping...or should I say lack thereof....

Goodbye Wilson

Obituary (written by Kjell):

Wilson was discovered shortly after we were married in August of 2003. He hung around the parking lot and was often quite dirty from sleeping under cars. Gradually, he went from an occasional visitor, to a frequent presence, to full-blown indoor pet.

As a cat, Wilson had the expected catlike characteristics, but notably: He seemed considerate and discreet (was very careful where he sharpened his claws, did his business, etc.); he was patient with kids (rarely defending himself even when it was definitely merited); and he was quick to befriend and comfort those in need. He was also very accomodating to our less-then-attentive pet care practices, teaching himself to open his own food bag and drink from toilets (only clean ones).

Wilson was a fighter, overcoming a lot of near-death illnesses and experiences, but around Christmas seemed to be nearing the end of his 9th life. A visit to the vet confirmed that it was time to let him go.

Here's to a great pet, companion, and friend. He was loved and will be missed.

Christmas 2008

This was a very special Christmas for us for many reasons, mostly because we were surrounded by family (Dad, Mom, J.P. and Uncle Tom) in our newly completed home. Last Christmas season was filled with moving, renting our old house, and making our new home liveable (we barely passed our home inspection to obtain a temporary Certificate of Occupancy the day before moving in!). In fact, last Christmas day Kjell and his brother Shawn spent almost the entire day spraying primer on the newly sheet-rocked walls. Late nights went on for weeks on top of school and work for Kjell. It was all very stressful but fortunately we were able to move in on time (January 15) thanks to my mom flying out after Christmas and helping with the boys. We've diligently been working on projects since then and really pushed hard the last 4 months to have everything finished by Christmas this year (in time for our guests and the newest member of our family due in 5 weeks). We were successful - this Christmas we spent lots of time playing. Here's what we did:

Mom and Dad arrived in a snow storm on the morning of the 22nd. Grandma, Marcus and I played in the snow for quite a while (we made a snow man, shoveled the walks, and played with the sled) during which time Holden napped and Grandpa worked. Later, mom and I went to the grocery store for a big shop. We were all excited when J.P. arrived home from skiing that evening (he drove from CA the day before with his friend Brian). We ate tacos and caught up together.

Uncle Tom arrived late on the 22nd so we didn't see him until the next morning. That day he and dad walked around BYU campus while mom, Marcus and I did Christmas shopping and wrapping and Kjell went to work. Kjell came home feeling very ill while the rest of us were out. He and Holden took a nap. J.P. and Brian went skiing everyday but Christmas. That night we ate at Carrabas.

Christmas Eve, dad and Kjell drove Joshua (Kjell's brother) to the airport and then went to a meeting together in Sandy. Uncle Tom and I went on a hike to Bridal Veil Falls. We brought Marcus with us and he did very well in the knee deep snow (we pulled him in the sled for quite a ways). Afterward, I showed Uncle Tom Sundance and he got excited to go skiing. We drank hot chocolate in the lodge. Later that day, dad, Uncle Tom, and Kjell went on the same hike to Bridal Veil Falls. Mom and I wrapped presents. Dad helped me cook curried chicken. I subjected everyone to game-playing that evening.

Christmas Day was yet another snowy day. Dad was sick, J.P. slept, Uncle Tom, mom, Kjell, and I took the boys tubing at Rock Canyon Park after a morning of opening presents and Swedish Pancakes. That evening Pam joined us for a dinner of ham, potatoes, peas, rolls, and pumpkin and coconut cream pie (homemade by Kjell) for dessert. Pam and I played J.P. and Brian in pool with mom watching. We were constantly laughing at how often I scratched and J.P. managed to hit the 8-ball in. Kjell eventually joined us. Casino Royale was the movie of the evening.

On the 26th, Dad, Uncle Tom, Marcus, and I hiked up Rock Canyon in deep snow, plus it was lightly snowing. Uncle Tom pulled Marcus in the sled most of the hike. Afterward, Marcus and I bowled a game at BYU while dad and Uncle Tom walked around campus for a bit. We got sandwiches at the Food Court afterwards. Later that day, Kjell, Uncle Tom, and Dad went on a long walk around the neighborhood. We were all tired that evening, but mom and I really wanted to try tubing at Soldier Hollow and everyone (except J.P. - he was still skiing) kindly joined in. Holden and I played in the snow under the lights while everyone else went tubing for an hour - we'll join in next year when I'm not hugely pregnant and Holden is old enough!

Kjell, J.P., Dad, and Uncle Tom did a half day of skiing at Sundance on the 27th. A great time was had by all. Mom and I stayed home with the boys after shopping that morning. I hung some hooks in the mudroom while mom built train tracks with Marcus. I rested in the afternoon because it was getting harder and harder for me to breathe. Kjell and I both contracted bronchitis over the vacation and that was the worst day for me. Still, we all ate at Bombay House that evening - delicious!

Sunday was a relaxing day. I finally got my camera out about an hour before everyone left. I drove Uncle Tom, mom and dad to the airport that night for a red-eye flight back to NYC. J.P. also left that night. A great time was had by all. Thanks for coming!

Photo 1 - Uncle Tom, J.P., Mom, Dad, Kjell

Photo 2 - Uncle Tom and J.P. watching Cast Away

Photo 3 - Grandpa, Holden, Kjell

Photo 4 - Grandma reading to Marcus

Photo 5 - Holden climbing on Uncle Tom

This is the year

Yup, the baby will be born some time this year, maybe even this month. Also, Kjell begins a new company on Monday and graduates with his MBA from BYU in July. How blessed we are to have so many things to look forward to! We may even have a chance to landscape our yard....

This picture was taken at Pizza Factory a couple of nights ago in celebration of Laura's b-day. Isn't it so fun to catch up with old roomies?

The trim is in!

Actually, the trim was finished before Thanksgiving, but I have finally gotten around to posting some pics of the amazing transformation! Check out some before and after pics of our living room. (Note - Since the after pics were taken, black knobs and hinges have been installed on the cabinets, the wires from the ceiling are now speakers, and the fireplace is no longer surrounded by plastic:)