An Explanation

I figured it was about time I finally explained my infrequent blogging over the past several months. I think I have a pretty good excuse. No I'm not entirely lazy, but it does have to due with a lack of energy, or should I say extra energy. All of my extra energy has gone into trying to keep my house some what decent, spending time with my kids, getting them out of the house once in awhile, keeping the laundry caught up, doctor appointments, and occasionally fixing dinner for my family. I'm so extremely lucky to have a husband who doesn't mind doing the majority of the cooking and yes, I make sure he knows it is appreciated.

So without any further delay here is my excuse. (2/16/10 - 8 weeks 4days) We are all very excited to be adding a little one to our family. My friends' babies are once again safe - Noah will be getting his own baby very soon. My due date is September 24th.Here is a better look at our little one (12w4d). I was sent in for NT (neural tube) testing this time around given my medical history of Gestational Diabetes and I have a cousin who had a baby with Spinal Bifida. I can't believe how much technology has improved since the births of my other two kids. I was amazed at how much detail we could see, so early on. In some cases they can even determine the sex at this point. Or tech, who is actually a Perinatologist, wasn't confident enough to call it. She thought it was definitely a boy from one view point, but when she changed angles she wasn't too sure. As she put it she didn't like the "angle of the dangle. " However, Dan caught her telling one of the nurses that she was 70% sure it was a boy. I was okay with that - I knew it was really early, but I had a feeling since day 1 that it was a boy. (I was right with my other two)

Here is the most recent glimpse at our little one (19w3d). This was a standard growth scan and in depth echo cardiogram of the heart. All thanks to Gestational Diabetes. Yep, I have it this time around too, they tested me at 9 weeks, instead of the standard 24 -26 weeks. Since this is my 3rd time with Gestational Diabetes they are monitoring the baby's growth and my sugars a lot more closely this time around. In addition to my regular OB visits, I see a Perinatologist, and I consult with a Diabetes Nurse Educator on a weekly basis. They have done a few extra blood tests and I will have growth scans every 6 to 8 weeks. I will also be starting daily kick counts at 28 weeks and twice weekly Non Stress Tests at around 32 weeks. With all this extra attention, it makes me wonder how my other two ever survived without it.

A bonus of this latest scan was that we got to find out the gender. We will be adding a little boy to the mix. The kids are both very excited to have a baby brother. When asked what they would prefer, prior to finding out, Noah was adamant that you couldn't choose and Zoe stated she wanted a boy, since Noah already had a sister. So, they are both thrilled. Noah will have a brother to play cars with in a few years and Zoe can be the one and only Princess in the family. I wasn't surprised by this news and I am proud to say I have called the gender on all 3 pregnancies. I think it will be a good mix for our family: Noah gets to be the big brother, Zoe gets to be the only girl, and the new baby will be the little brother, everyone will have there own special role in the family. Here's a picture showing us he is a boy. (look at the bottom, just about center) The tech was trying to get a better shot at his face - he gave us a little bonus.

This has probably come as a shock to many of our friends and family. Those who know of our history, know what a long and difficult road it has been to get to this point (a future blog post). We didn't tell our parents until around 9 or 10 weeks, some close friends found out around 16 weeks when I could no longer hide my changes in eating habits and regular monitoring of my blood sugar. We didn't really make an official announcement until we found out the gender. We were amazed that the kids kept a secret for so long. They were told pretty early on, to explain why I laid on the couch so much, was so nauseous, had to change my eating habits, had to check my blood sugar, and needed them to be extra helpful. I also had to explain why I was going to the doctor so often. As of today May 28th, I am 23 weeks along. I am controlling my blood sugar with diet, exercises, and metformin. My c-section is scheduled for Friday, September 17th @ 7:30 am. I have lost 18 pounds. Most of all after several weeks of deliberation we have finally agreed on a name for our little one.

Jackson Taylor McDonald

(Right now his nicknames are "Baby Jack" and "Jack Jack")

Clearance Deals

I get so excited when I find a good deal, I can't help but tell everyone about it. Even those around me who probably don't even care about it. Here are a few of my most recent finds.

$1 zip up sleep and plays at Walmart. Picked one up in every size and color. You can never have too many. Babies love to spit up and poop on their clothes.

$3 jeans, also at Walmart. Wranglers adjustable waist for Boys and Lee Riders adjustable waist for girls. Bought 3 pairs for each child in bigger sizes for next Fall. This was such a steal of a deal I had to call my friend and my mom right there at the store, so I could pick some up for them. I must of bought about 21 pairs in several sizes: 12 months boys, 4T boys, 5T boys, 3T girls, 4T girls, and 5T girls. The cashier thought I was a little crazy at first - that was until she realized how cheap they were. I then quickly explained I was picking some up for friends of mine.

I think this is the greatest deal of all. A brand new Graco Snugride Car Seat, Snugride Car Seat base, and Snugride Snap and Go Stroller frame for $34.98. Yes, that's right all that for under $35. You can't even buy a car seat base for that price. Got to love Target!

Monkey Business

We made it to story time at the library a few weeks ago. The theme of the day was jungle animals. They started out dancing the Animal Stomp, listened to a story about a monkey who floated away on a lily pad and learned a thing or two from other animals in the jungle, and then we listened to a second story about a boy who was an outfielder on a baseball team that dreamed about being different animals. The activity of the day was making Monkey Cupcakes.

Here is Zoe's finished product. I think she enjoyed the chocolate frosting more than anything.

Noah's finished product.

This project was pure torture for mom, since she isn't supposed to eat sugar. The frosting smelled so good, and the licorice looked so tasty. Somehow I managed to control myself.

I am so thankful that my small town has so many free activities for my kids.

Playgroup at the Park

The weather cooperated a few weeks ago and gave us several warm days in a row. As a result we added weekly playgroup at the Green Valley park to the RS calendar. Unfortunately that was not meant to last, or what is warm enough for some, isn't warm enough for others. On this particular day the morning was really sunny, and things were great until we got to the park, then the winds decided to pick up a bit. My kids were set on staying at the park and luckily another family joined us. It actually wasn't too bad since the sun was still out. Here are the kids enjoying their lunchables at the park. Having picnics outside is one of their new favorite things.Hopefully things will start to warm up and more people will venture out to the park.

Grandma and Sleep

Noah and Zoe got to spend the first week of May at Grandma Sandi's and Papa Tim's. It was a nice and much appreciated break for Mommy and I think Dad even enjoyed it too. I'm not too sure how Grandma and Papa felt by the end of the week, since they had my brother's kids too. But from listening to my kids they had a blast with their cousins and Auntie Tiffany. Since that visit I have learned a thing or two. Papa Tim can drive and steer the car with his knees. Auntie is nice because she rents movies from Redbox and takes them out to eat, I'm just a mean Mom. Cali Jette likes to say No a lot, and Trenity is big enough to wear a bra. Also, Grandma doesn't make Noah share if he doesn't want too and lets him be kind of the boss. Needless to say, the kids can't wait to go back.

What did I do with my time? Doctor appointments, Relief Society Activity Night, watched half the season of Criminal Minds, and was just plain lazy. Thanks again Mom and Dad!

Here are a few pictures taken the day we picked them up.

Just like their father my kids can fall asleep and sleep anywhere. Grandma Sandi's couch surrounded by chaos. On the way home we stopped at the Texas Roadhouse (in Reno) for dinner. The food is so good there, reasonably priced, good kids menu, and you don't have to worry about your kids being too loud. Noah liked that you can throw peanut shells on the floor and that the servers entertain you. The manager and servers thought she was so cute that they asked to take a picture of her for their wall. Poor girl - I think she had a long week of trying to keep up with her cousins, plus since she gets carsick we drugged her before leaving Grandmas.

Here is a picture of Noah. He too was a little drugged up after puking just outside of Echo Summit (he's usually not my carsick kid). Dan and I are getting better about cleaning up puke out of the car. Luckily this time we had an extra car seat and lots of extra clothes. Plus we met a nice gas station attendant who brought out a can of air freshener for us and several garbage bags. We probably looked like awful parents having two sleepy kids out at a restaurant a little past bedtime.

More Gardening

During a warm spell early in May, Dan decided to take the kids outside to plant a few things in the Garden. They planted peas and beans in the main garden box. Zoe has her own little Poppy garden and Noah has his own Carrot garden. Unfortunately the good weather has not managed to stick around. We've had several wind storms, a few snow storms, and a couple of deep freezes. The rest of or garden still sits in the front room awaiting the day when we feel it is safe to move it outdoors. We are hoping maybe this weekend, but last nights' weather has put a little cloud of doubt on that. The kids are really excited and check for growth each day, sometimes even twice a day! Will spring ever come? Someone needs to remind Mother Nature that it is the end of May. However, we should all be grateful for the extra moisture this year. I know our lawn looks the best it ever has and we haven't had to turn on the sprinklers all that much.

Here is a picture of Dan practicing extreme patience with Zoe and letting her plant some seeds, even though it takes 3 to 4 times as long. I am very proud of him. I would have given up in 2 seconds. Noah cooperated much better and is really into the whole gardening thing. He must get it from his Dad.

Erin & Mikell's Visit

Erin and Mikell came for a visit at the end of April. It is turning into an annual thing. Mikell wanted to celebrate the end of another semester at BYU and Erin just needed a break from her job. This year things weren't as action packed, as everyone was in the mood to kind of take it easy. Instead of touring a ton of things we opted for BBQ's at home, staying up way too late to watch movies, and sleeping in as much as kids will allow. But no visit would be complete without a little trip into Reno. Zoe wanted to show off that she was tall enough to ride the Ferris Wheel now, a major accomplishment in her mind and Noah wanted to take them to the Shrimp & Crab place (the GSR Buffet) for all you can eat crab at the incredible price of $7.77. They also got the privilege of experiencing a Sunday afternoon picnic with kite flying, unfortunately I forgot to bring the camera. All in all it was a nice relaxing weekend and it was fun to catch up on the many things going on in their lives and families. Can't wait until next time. Here are some of the highlights I managed to capture on film.

Erin got the privilege of riding with Zoe..... Noah opted to ride with Mikell....

Daddy trying to get Zoe to eat something. She wasn't being very cooperative during our late lunch/early dinner.

Dad and Noah enjoying the good food. I think Noah ate the most crab out of all of us. He loves his seafood.

Couldn't resist his cheesy smile....

Holland Daze

So low carb gets old . . . eggs get old . . . and Shauna loves Eggs Benedict, so I thought perhaps I could take our lovely asparagus, poach some eggs and with some lovely hollandaise spoil Shauna a little on Saturday morning.

I have never made hollandaise before and it is a snap-highly fattening I am sure, but a snap and so delicious both Noah and Zoe mopped their plates clean with toast.

So try it, at least once, it's easy and will make you wonder what else you could drizzle, drench or slather.

4 egg yolks
1 stick butter
1 T lemon juice
dash of salt
dash of cayenne

Melt butter in microwave. Bring a saucepan of water to a low boil. Beat egg yolks in a metal or glass mixing bowl and slowly add the melted butter. Place the bowl over the saucepan ensuring that the water is NOT touching the bowl. Whisk about 2 minutes until almost doubles and starts to thicken. Remove from heat, add salt and cayenne, cover and place in microwave to keep warm until ready to serve. If too thick add a splash of hot water and whisk through.

Bird Alert!

Our yard has been an aviary as of late . . . first with this quail "scratch nest" full of 17 eggs and a mother that would sit patiently and bravely as we worked in our garden boxes just a few feet away. Sadly something ate those eggs as they gradually disappeared shell and all. As we were all feeling the sorrow over the loss of our own cute little quail family . . .
We noticed this cute little bird, a barn swallow on our feeder and then saw there were 2 and they were flying under our porch to see that they have built a nest although theirs is high and protected and has a much better chance. We're excited to share their new arrivals and hope all goes well.