A Very Blurry Christmas...

My camera is on the fritz. Whenever I go to take a picture this annoying icon comes on like there's too much shaking going on. Even when I set it on something stable ... shaky picture. It's just plain weird. Well, I've decided to run with it. We are now an action shot family. We are so active that you can barely see our faces. (PollyAnna moment, right?)

So, here you go, my sister Amy and her family called the eve of Christmas Eve and said they were in Utah. WHAT? They live in Texas! Needless to say we had a good time with them. Alyssa is also here with us and I must say, she is one of the most pleasant teenagers I've been around. Don't get me wrong, she gets cranky sometimes, but for the most part, she's helpful and fun to be around.

Well, take your Dramamine because here comes the ACTION!

Friends-Past and Present

It's been awhile since I've written anything of substance, so here goes.

Who are your friends? How many friends do you have? What types of friends are they?

I ask because I was talking with my mom about not feeling like I had any close friends that live by me anymore. I mean, I have acquaintances up here in my new city that I like, but none that I've gotten BFF close with. When I used to live in North Salt Lake I had girlfriends. When I lived in Moscow I had some BFF's. But I can't seem to make friends up here. It's weird, right?

My mom expressed some of the same concerns with making friends. She hasn't moved from her house since 1987, and that's a lot of time to make friends, but she was always more concerned with our family (I came from a family with 10 kids). I suggested that she start a club. The "My last kid is going to kill me club". She thought I should start doing a book club like I always want to.

I want your opinions. How do you make close friends? I can take constructive criticism on ways that I have scared you off if you've wanted to be my friend. Really. I need the help! This is a desperate cry for opinions and ideas, not ego boosts! Really.

Two Months old

The Day of His Blessed Blessing

As I sit here thinking about what to type to explain the day that Ellis was blessed, I am stumped. I mean there are things that happened, there were family and friends involved, but more than that, all I can think of is how I felt. I felt grateful. I felt a gladness and pure joy in my heart. Grateful that I am lucky enough to call this little guy one of my own. Glad that he is part of our family. And just knowing that this is the way it is supposed to be. It just feels right. This spiritual high lasted a good week almost.
Sure there are things about this newborn stage that I hate; lack of sleep, the baby barf, changing diapers in the middle of the night when I'm about to fall over, and general fussiness. But it doesn't change the fact that I love the snot out of this little boy.

Sometimes...

Sometimes when the kids are at school or they are home from school and playing together somewhere else in the house, I can sneak off and have a nap with Ellis. This is the best part of my day. Not only do I get to recharge my batteries, but I get to just look at the miracle that this baby is. He is his own person, and by that I mean, stubborn and fussy for most of the day. But when he sleeps he is an angel. I don't have to walk around trying to calm him, I can just lay there peacefully. I am truly grateful for the opportunity to be a mother and to have children. I think some of us who are mothers forget that there and lots of women out there who can't have children, myself included. Anyway, that's my two cents for the day, take time today to love your children and if you don't have any, love your parents, because they love you.

The Littlest Dude

It's crazy to me that Ellis is already 3 weeks old! But he is and we are adjusting to life with him. The other day I could hear the kids debating something downstairs and so being the nosy mother I am I listened in. It went something like this...

Evie, "Well, I think Ellis is cuter."

Ethan, "Well, Shelly is cute too and she doesn't cry all the time."

Evie, "Yeah you're right, but baby Ellis is cuter."

So, there you have it, Ethan likes the dog better than his brother. :) Just kidding. Evie really adores him right now, but I think Ethan will show more interest when he can do more than the normal newborn stuff. Like play with Legos...or smile.

I Can't Stop...

taking pictures of this kid! It seems like I can't get the angle right to capture his true essence or something...But here are some of the ones that are pretty cute anyway. This first one I threw in because it looks like he has a magical mist surrounding him. I have no clue how that happened, it's not because I tried to do it on purpose, that's for sure!

Ellis Guy Cash

Ellis Guy Cash was born September 24th at 7:37am and weighed in at 7lbs. 4 oz. and was 20in long. Not the biggest of the babies or the longest but cute none the less! :) He is doing well, the surgery went quickly and while on the table the elderly gentleman assisting in the surgery, I'm guessing a seasoned surgeon said, "That's a fine looking uterus." To which I replied "Thank you." It was an interesting comment, no doubt directed to my OB, but interesting none the less. So, don't be jealous ya'll that you don't have a good looking uterus like mine m'kay....

We are both doing well and home now. My mom is here to help and I'm excited to have her here. Well, I'm going to go sit down for a while because I'm wiped out, but thanks for the well wishes!

Baby Boy Cash

This little fella is as healthy as can be and mom is doing well too. No name yet. Then I couldn't get the pictures from Facebook to Blogger...sorry.

As most of you know, tomorrow I will be going in and having this little guy via C-Section. We are all really excited in the Cash house and can't wait! I just wanted to take some last pictures of the belly before it becomes a soft belly again with nobody kicking my guts around in there. :) I would really appreciate you keeping me in your prayers, as surgery is always quite scary to me. Thanks and we'll post pictures as soon as possible!

Silliness

Quick Update:

My C-Section is scheduled for next Friday the 24th at 7am. The doctor and hospital will only do this surgery up to a week from my due date which has changed and changed and changed due to the size of this kid. :) UNLESS...I go into labor really bad or my water has broken.

Well, labor started this last Wednesday. Really bad. I thought about going into the hospital, but I didn't. I prayerfully decided to wait until Friday when Bucky had work off and have the baby then. So I took it easy those three days waiting patiently for Friday. I was still having contractions and thought we were good to go. So Friday rolls around and I call the hospital. Booked. Booked. Booked. But they tell me that I can call early on Saturday morning and if I'm still having contractions than I can come in. So, restless Friday night in anticipation and contractions all night.

Saturday morning I call and talk to the charge nurse who has little patience for much of anything. I tell her my situation and she says that she will not call my doctor until I come in and they check me out and make sure that I am in fact in labor and there's a need to do the surgery early. AAAARRRGH. "Okay." I say through gritted teeth and hang up. Now I'm really grouchy because I told the kids we were having the baby today and I want to meet this little guy!

Poor Buck, I pull him out of bed at 7 in the morning and tell him we are going for a walk. A long walk. A strenuous walk. And we do. With the kids and dog in tow. And I'm sure you can guess where this is going. No contractions. None all day, maybe one or two here and there, but that's it. So now it's Sunday night and I have resigned myself to the fact that I have to wait one more week in this pig misery. But, I'm going to put on a happy face and use this week to do any last minute things I need to to get ready for this baby, who WILL be coming on Friday morning at the latest!!!

Enough with the drama, I took some pictures of the kids being goofy tonight because it was so nice outside and well, I think they're cute. :)

Soccer and the Next Two Weeks...

This weekend was eye-opening for Buck and I. We started both the kids in AYSO soccer. One of the philosophies of the program is "In AYSO, fans are asked to be cheerleaders, not critics. Kids Zone™ is a unique program that includes a parent pledge that moms and dads sign to commit to positive, encouraging behavior when they’re watching the games." Let me tell you Evie's opposing team had a dad that was so loud and outspoken that I wanted to waddle over there and plant one right on his kisser. Seriously these girls are 5!

And the team Ethan played was seriously competitive complete with pushing during throw-ins and pulling during break aways. It was something that you hear about but we hadn't witnessed it until this weekend. Of course the kids didn't seem to notice except Ethan who got mauled by the "attacker" on the other team and promptly told the coach of the other team who happened to be the referee. Then he actually talked to the boy. It's interesting. Does this happen all over the country? Or is it just here where people get really intense about winning?

I want to let you know that I played sports growing up, I have a healthy competitive nature and like to win and so does Buck. But at what point do you have to say, this is a crazy way to behave? I don't know. Just observations from a side-line mom. :) But, the kids are liking it and that's all that matters, right? Right. And they're exercising so that's good too. So, here's the pictures from last weekend.




And in other news, I'm scheduling my C section for the 24th of September. We are super excited to meet this little boy that I've known needed to be part of our family for so long. As you can tell I've nearly finished the nursery. I'm just waiting for a slipcover for the chair and ottoman and a few odds and ends. But, I have my bags packed and am for the most part ready for my life to change big time!!! Back to diapers and midnight feedings. Anyone is welcome to visit us on Saturday the 25th and meet little no-name Cash, I'll be at Ogden Regional. And if you have any good name suggestions for this little one leave a comment because we are still up in the air!

The Nursery

I am so excited for this baby to come I can't even stand it. I think some of the enthusiasm will quell the sleepless nights and the busyness that accompanies a newborn. I mean your every waking moment is devoted to making sure this little thing survives. It's amazing. In other news I'm excited to make this nursery a home for him/us on our many sleepless nights. I wanted a room that I could cozy up in and feel peaceful in. So, now I am set about cutting out millions of these felt fish to make a school of on the wall of the baby's room. I'm so excited. Here's the link to the designer's room. Of course, my nursery is complete with some stuff from DI that I'm recovering and spiffing up, but it'll have most of the same elements.

http://www.ohdeedoh.com/ohdeedoh/paige-rein-118886?image_id=1560418

The Little Man is 8

Whoa. Just writing that is crazy to me. It seems not that long ago that I was pregnant with Little E and he was learning to walk and talk and talk and talk...He had a great baptism and a birthday party after wards. Thanks to all who participated and helped with the baptism program. Here are some of the pictures from the big day!

Update

Well, no need to worry about little Ev. That girl can carry her own. She came home really excited because she made a friend at her table and had a good time. I knew deep down that she would be fine, but my heart went out to her! We are definitely adjusting to the morning routine of school and earlier nights to bed. Both of the kids are doing well. Ethan has a male teacher this year and he said today that, "Girl teachers make the day go by faster." I don't know what to make of that....but we'll see. We are good. Just getting ready for baby #3 and I'm trying not to eat everything that sounds good to me. Like nachos at midnight...

First Day of School

Well, Ethan and Evie started school, Evie for the first time EVER! It's amazing how protective you get over your little baby. I didn't think that I would, but when she started saying things like, "I'm not going to know anyone and I won't know what to do." My heart went out to her. It's hard to do something new. Don't you think? But, we said a prayer and she put on a smile for the picture and that's all I could ask for.

What Would You Do?

So once again, I need your advice. I am struggling with this decision and it's not a big one, but I just wanted to put my feelers out there to see if anyone has dealt with this before. I am seeing an OB right now. She is very efficient but her bedside manner is a bit...coarse and brief. I literally have spent a total of less than 30 minutes with this doctor my whole pregnancy/ 5 appointments. That's about 6 minutes per visit. And that's even being conservative. I would say my appointments are less than 5. I realize that doctors are stretched thin these days, but seriously sometimes it feels like an inconvenience if I actually have a question or want to talk to her about something.

At first I thought, not a big deal, this is number 3 I don't need a lot of explaining or doting about the stages that my baby is in. But, here's where it gets tricky. I'm really wanting to do a VBAC. Which just means that I want to have this baby vaginally instead of C Section. It is something that I tried with Ethan and it didn't work and with Evie I just didn't feel good about it. But I've prayed and feel good about it with this little guy. So, I'm wondering if my doctor is going to be just as brief when it comes time to have this baby. Is she going to want to just give me a C Section just because it's quicker and easier for her?

So, that's the question, have any of you ever thought about ditching your doc? Because I am. And I don't know what to say or do to address the situation. Help! I would like to go to a midwife because it seems, I don't know, more nurturing?! Any comments are appreciated!!!

Music I Heart

I have to admit that I am not a music buff. Most times I prefer the silence to music. Or......I listen to classical. My siblings are going to laugh because that's all my mom would listen to and it would drive us all crazy!!!!

It's sad, but true.

Which is tragic sometimes because Bucky LOVES music and wants to rock out in the car and I'm usually the one to subtly turn it down when he's not looking. But, there are a few bands that I have absolutely fallen in love with over the past year that when I ask if people have heard them, they say..."Uh no." So if you are feeling adventurous, check out these bands. I won't be hurt if you don't like them either. :)

Band of Horses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JK716RqoUms

The Avett Brothers
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-4pjrmH967c&feature=channel

Band of Annuals
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ylRz5DdwX1I

Apricots up the Wazoo

I have been so busy this week because if any of you have fruit trees, you know, when they are ready, they are ready. And when they're ready then you have to do something or they will start plopping on the ground making it prime spots for bees and flies. So, we, or I, more like have already made apricot freezer jam, dehydrated apricots for school lunches and have fruit leather in the fridge all ready to cook tonight after I go to bed.

Phew.

This is also an open invitation for anyone to come pick as many apricots as you can shake or pick off that darn tree. :)

This was the weekend we watched Bucky's sister's kids. It was fun. That is all.

Going Well...

I have to warn you, this post is all over the place. There is no good writing to be had here. Not that there normally is Pulitzer Prize winning family journalism, but I try to at least follow a theme. Sorry. I don't have the energy today. :)

Well, after some exciting times over the last two weeks, things are finally settling down a bit. We replaced the pad and cleaned the carpet in the back room from our flood, had a yard sale to get rid of and de-clutter the house, and babysat some nephews and a niece.

Although, it seems more crazy/cluttered now than before (how does that happen, Mr.Universe???). We finally got our sprinklers fixed (fingers crossed of course).

If any of you have ever experienced nesting when you were pregnant then you will understand my need to have things cleaned up and finished. I can finally breath a little bit.

The unfortunate news of the day is that I can't find the camera cord that I hook up to my computer, so I have all these fun pictures and I can't post them. I think one of the fun neighbor kids may have mistaken it for a lasso...

Speaking of which, does anyone have neighbor kids that freely walk into your house? This bothers me. I understand they're kids, but I don't like feeling like I can't take a nap or go to bathroom for fear that someone else's kid is going to do some thing in my house, such as get hurt or break something or write on the wall. Take for instance the other day. One the the neighbor kids was on my COMPUTER. With my kids on Lego.com or something and he all the sudden just took off. This boy and his brother are 4 and maybe 2. I come downstairs later and get on the computer. Here's the worst part. My butt is getting wet. Evie tells me that the little boy peed on my upholstered chair in front of the computer.

I totally freaked out. What the crap??? I would be mortified if my kid was wandering the neighborhood peeing on other people's furniture. It's bad enough when someone is babysitting them or something. Anyway, we have a new policy. Outdoor playing only. ONLY. I lock my doors now. Do you think that's mean? Let me know. Because maybe it's just me being hormonal...

Been too long...

Every time something happens here, I think, post it! But then I think, nah, I'll just eat some more and watch TV. How pathetic is that?! To be fair, it has been really hot lately and I am heading into my third trimester. But there's been a lot going on so I'll post as much as I can before I feel the pull of the couch in the cool basement.

Ethan decided he wanted to up the ante on Evie's broken collarbone. So he climbed a fence at the dog park trying to get a ball and snagged his hand on the top of the chain link. On his way jumping down his hand got stuck and literally ripped a huge gash in his hand. It was nasty. The next morning I brought him in and he had not just a few stitches, but 9 stitches!!! That was traumatic to say the least. But after a needle of sedation in his backside he was ok. Although, I have to admit it was funny hearing him talk because he kept saying things like, "Um, doctor what size of needle are you going to use? What is it going to look like? What will it feel like?" Rapid fire. It was funny.

My dad's side of the family had a family reunion up in Park City this last weekend. It was a total blast. We had lunch and a scavenger hunt complete with a treasure chest for the kids at the park, rode the Alpine Slide up at the Olympic Oval, swam and played games at Jordanelle State Park, and Bucky and Ethan went for a hot air balloon ride with my dad and some other family members. We had an awesome time, and if you couldn't make it to this one, start planning for the next one in ALASKA in 3 years. I'm totally excited. Okay, here's the pictures...