Kimba

Festivities

We like to make birthdays special around here. That doesn't mean expensive, just special. We don't do much for Valentines Day, Mothers or Fathers Day, but we do like to have a good birthday celebration. And Caleb just so happened to have a birthday a bit ago. 

We celebrated the night before his birthday with some cake with my family. Wyatt is huge into birthdays, and made sure my entire family, Grandma & Grandpa included, wore their party hats. Party hats were at the top of his get-list for Daddy's birthday. 

I found these awesome candles that have colored flames. Pretty fun. 

Wyatt helped me the next morning to make Daddy's birthday breakfast in bed (and by help I mean he was quiet on the couch watching Curious George while we let Cabe sleep a bit more). Of course, as soon as he caught on to what was happening, Wyatt wanted in on this whole awesome eat-in-bed thing. 

Caleb took a half day off, so we went about our regularly scheduled Tuesday morning activities - gymnastics class and a haircut for Wyatt. We arrived back home in time to wrap Caleb's gifts before we went out to lunch. 

Wyatt was super excited to help with the wrapping, but as soon as I pulled out the gifts, he became confused and got all teary. "But where are all the toys?!?!" I tried explaining that for his birthday he got toys, but for Daddy's birthday, Daddy gets things that Daddy wants. "Daddy toys" if you will. It only sort of satisfied him, and I tried my hardest not to laugh as he tried to compose himself and help me wrap. I'd broken his little heart! He perked up though when it was time to let Cabe open them, and of course, the party hats were brought out again. 

Wyatt's gift to Caleb - but really, mostly because Wyatt knows Daddy would share.

And...yeah. Goofy. 

I got Caleb a fly fishing set - outfit - whatever they call it. He used to go quite often before we were married, but he's never had his own. Now that we're back home and near his brother and some friends who like to go, I thought it was high time we get him a pole. And high time he have some sort of fun thing to go do in his spare time. Wyatt is also excited to go fishing with Daddy!

(Also, I surprised him by planning a guys night with all our guy friends that weekend. He always teases me about all the girls nights I go on, and I always tell him he can and SHOULD go out with the guys. See a guy movie! Eat themselves sick with BBQ! They never plan it though, so I took matters into my own hands.)

For lunch, Caleb requested Five Guys, and Wyatt is only too happy to oblige. I don't know which of them likes that place more. Anywhere that Wyatt can spend the entire time cracking peanuts is good for him. 

Did you even question whether the hat had to come? 

Knowing we had a full evening planned, I wanted Wyatt to get a nap in. So we all went home and took a nap! How awesome is that? Even better, the nap seemed to be some magical do-over machine. Before we all fell asleep it had been cloudy and had rained all morning. When we woke up it was sunny, with almost no clouds to be seen. It was kindof awesome - and slightly eery. 

And what do you think Caleb wanted to do on his birthday afternoon off? 

Take his son to his most favorite place in the entire world (okay, in Utah), Boondocks. A local miniature golf / raceway / arcade / bowling alley etc. etc. etc. So that's what we did. 

We then met a bunch of our friends for dinner and had everyone over after for cake and ice cream. It was a full day, an awesome day, a day fit for our very favorite person. Only the best for him.  

Tuesday Bump Day: Week 32

BabyCenter told me today that I could be "starting to experience back pain." Ha! What would I give to have been pain free this whole time!? Actually, it made me stop and think, and at least it hasn't grown worse as the weeks have passed, it's just sorta that steady ache. 

The baby is supposedly 3.75 lbs and almost 17 inches in length, like a large jicama they say! Delicious with hummus. Peach fuzz is supposedly there (though I'm sorta hoping for a bit more hair for this girl than Wyatt had!) along with finger and toenails. I'm supposed to gain a pound a week now, with "half of that going to the baby." So. I guess that means the other half is for me? Blurg. 

Actually, while we're on the subject, I had my appointment yesterday and the nurse told me I'd lost two pounds since my last visit! And while I know you're supposed to be gaining weight while pregnant, you find me a woman who wouldn't be thrilled at a two pound weight loss, and I'll show you a liar. It's probably slightly off, since I was wearing a skirt, it certainly has nothing to do with any lack of eating on my part. I'm in that phase where you don't have much room for food, so you tend to eat less, more often. I bought a bag of those cheddar cheese sticks from Costco last week, and those have proved to be a great quick snack. Maybe too great. Too easy to pull out and snack on. Also? Found some ice cream sandwiches at Target that uses Ciao Bella gelato. 

I didn't even look at the calories, I just put them in my cart and advised Caleb not to look either. We're just going to enjoy them, alright? 

(Wish I'd done that with the Magnum ice cream bars...)

Time is ticking, folks. Thankfully, just as I was starting to panic about not having much ready for this little girl (except for an ever-growing closet full of adorable clothes...), Caleb finished painting the nursery. Tonight he set up the crib and moved in the rocking chair, and I've had him change the location of each at least 3 times. And am not set on their current location. An Ikea trip is planned for frames and hopefully a lamp base (I have a shade that apparently attaches at the top and so far I haven't found a single base that will work!) and maybe another dresser if I can't find one on the classifieds in a timely manner. Or Etsy. I've also created a list of items we need to purchase, and keep adding to it but haven't crossed anything off yet. Some form of double stroller (maybe a sit and stand that can convert later?), baby gates, mobile.... When I start to get discouraged about everything we need to buy, I start listing off the items we already have and will use, to console myself. It could be worse! We could be starting from scratch, right? 

Though she occasionally moves into the proper position, she still spends 98% of the time sideways. On one hand, this is actually the most comfortable for me, when she does venture downward, she shoves her legs or bum right up my rib cage and I feel like I can't lean forward at all. On the other, well, I've discussed this with each update. Blabbity blah, blah, blah. No worries yet, right? 

It's been unbearable hot the last few days, and it's only been in the mid 80's, so I find myself increasingly grateful that we're in the home stretch. I've spend the last two afternoons outside while Wyatt practices on his new bike (more to come on that!) and holy moly, it only takes about 10 minutes before my feet start to swell. Today I took my rings off at 11:30. Thank heavens for a house with air conditioning! I remember all too well our first San Jose house, spending all summer pregnant with just a window AC unit. I am blessed. 

I know, it does look a little small here, but keep in mind it's a morning shot. If you could only see me now! (Thankfully you can't, because after Wyatt's bedtime, bra-time is over.)

Basically though, it was all about the candy

I've vowed to be better at blogging. A few days ago I had to search my archives for something, and I was suddenly sad that I hadn't capture so many of life's little events lately. My original purpose in blogging was to have a fun record, but really, to keep my family and friends up to date on us since we weren't living at home. Particularly when we had Wyatt. So living at home kind of made that seem silly, since we see everyone so much more now, but that whole part about keeping a record? Still a good reason for me. In fact, it's almost more important to me, since I don't really keep a journal. So! Here's to being better! 

Wyatt has been talking about Easter since last Easter. For some reason, it's his favorite holiday. Not Christmas, not Halloween, not even the lure of fireworks can compete with the magic of hunting for eggs filled with candy. We sort of barely talked about the Easter Bunny this year, for some reason neither Caleb or I are into that. Santa, sure, but the Easter Bunny? Anyway. We had a great year, even though it wasn't as warm as our beloved San Jose. 

We used regular food dye this year, but next year I think  I'm going to try that awesome Kool-Aid trick from Pinterest! And of course, egg dying must be done with your shirt off. 

On Saturday we had a little party at my parents house, so of course Wyatt was thrilled. 

Emily even left him find some.  (Just kidding Em, it was more the other way around, wasn't it?)

More naked egg dying. He has no use for them after they're dyed, I can't get him to try one! Thank heavens I love a good boiled egg. 

Easter morning was the highlight of course, every time he found an egg he exclaimed over it as if it was the very first one, like he just couldn't believe he'd found yet another egg! Momma! I FOUND ANOTHER EGG!

I made sure to fill his basket with very little candy because holy crap, this holiday is all about candy!!

And I had to make our Easter morning special - Trader Joe's chocolate croissants and their Orange/Peach/Mango juice...ahhhh....

Church was excellent as always, and Wyatt has the cutest Sunbeam teachers. They sent him home with this little egg filled with a chick - which he of course, named Ted. His go-to name these days. 

We ended the day at my grandmother's house, something I haven't been able to do for a long time. I grew up playing there (for some reason I don't seem to remember eating much, though that was always half the fun! I guess that's called being a kid...we probably played more anyway) for every major holiday and birthday. We'd play long into the late evening, jumping on her trampoline and playing night games, always stuffed to the gills with our family favorite dessert, slush. It was so fun to get together (enjoy her fantastic potato salad!) and watch as the proverbial baton was passed - 

It was a perfect Easter! 

Th...Tuesday Bump Day: Week 30

(doctors move around my due date, but I think this is the more accurate one)

Well folks, 30 weeks, 10 weeks remaining. I am both in awe that I'm already this far along, and yet still can't believe I have 10 entire weeks left. Meaning, 10 more weeks of growing to do. I know better because I've done this once already, but this is about the point in pregnancy where I can't possibly imagine getting any bigger. How could my stomach stretch any further than it already is? Yet, 10 more weeks. And this is where they supposidly gain the most amount of weight! All the major organs and body systems are in place and we're smack dab in the middle of the fattening phase. 

The baby is supposidly somewhere between 15 & 17 inches and is somewhere around 3 lbs, about as big as a cabbage. Her brain is growing, and she's rather enjoying flexing her growing muscles. I know they're still tiny, I remember vividly how thin and spindly Wyatt's arms and legs were, but dude, it feels like they're little heavy weights in there. She's STILL sideways, though I can tell she moves around as I sometimes feel her a little closer to head down, where she should be. She still prefers to be transverse about 95% of the time. 

I had an appointment yesterday and had to take the beloved glucose tolerance test (which I still haven't heard the results from, this doctor's office has never been good about getting back to me on tests....as in, they've never done it...). This time around I was given a choice for the drink flavor, and picked lemon lime. This was better than the orange, especially when chilled. Like flat, incredibly sugary Sprite. Doable, but not awesome at 7 am. I didn't puke, as some people have done, just felt a little jittery and then spent the rest of the later morning and early afternoon exhausted. Big time sugar crash. I also recieved my rhogam shot, as I have A- blood, and was then sent home. This doctor is very no-nonsense which has been good and also sort of annoying (see above comment about the office response). He reminded me again not to worry about her position until about 36 weeks. Chill, Kim! I'll get a little more reassurance, since doctors appts are now every 2 weeks. 

There isn't many new developments, hips still hurt all the time (I finally wized up and started taking Tylenol Pm every night before bed...) and maddeningly, I have a tiny stretch mark! I didn't get any last time, just a couple on my thighs in the very last few days, but none on my stomach. This time, here I am, 10 weeks left to go, and have a stretch mark! It shouldn't bother me, but it does. Doesn't my stomach already have some stretch from last time? I'm carrying her totally different, I know, but dude. Unfair. 

Nothin' I can do though, right? Except continue to slather on my BioOil and hope for the best. 

The best being that she's cute. I wouldn't mind a brunette with curly hair - I wasn't a half bad looking toddler. 

(Me at nearly 2, holding my newest little sister)

Wyatt is getting more and more curious about this baby, and just this morning asked that dreaded question, "But how does the baby come out, Momma?" It was only a few minutes after we'd all woken up, and I just sorta groaned for a minute, wracking my foggy brain trying to figure out how to explain it in those perfect, not too much but enough to satisfy him, terms. Caleb answered him, just telling him that the doctor at the hospital helped us get her out. Though we're firm believers in making sure he knows the proper terms for anatomy (no "wee-wees" and "woo-woos" over here...and now I have a hankering for High Anxiety....) I don't know if he needs to know terms like vagina at this moment in time - when I've just so clearly discovered at his swim lessons yesterday that in class situations he is The Talker. Monopolizing the answering of questions and commenting as often as he can. I can only imagine the information he relays to his primary teachers at church. 

He's also very certain that she has toys in there. I've tried to tell him she doesn't, but he won't hear of it, convinced she's at least got some cars in there. Sometimes it feels that way. 

Forgot to do a morning shot, but this is just as well. Mid-morning works. I was slightly bigger, lower, and rounder last time. Totally weird to me that you can carry babies so differently. You'd think you'd carry yours all the same! Yet here I am, carrying high and sort of all over in front, despite her being sideways. Crazy, I tell you. Still completely fascinated / weirded out that we grow our babies in our stomachs. Honestly, isn't that wild? 

Book Review: Born Wicked

I could probably sum up my review for Jessica Spotswood's Born Wicked with this story: 

I was supposed to get the book weeks ago, the review was due yesterday actually. For some reason this time, my book was lost in transit and after a few emails back and forth the wonderful women of the Blogher Book Club sent me a copy themselves. It didn't arrive until yesterday, and I promised them I'd finish as quickly as possible. I started reading a few chapters during Wyatt's nap time and found it was going to be a quick read. Nothing I'd go picking up myself, Young Adult and witches don't usually hold anything for me, but enjoyable.

I didn't get to pick it up again until after Wy went to sleep, but then something happened and suddenly I found myself finishing the book at 1 am. I'd been sucked into a vortex of reading! It's the best kind really, the kind of book where you finish, or even just finish a chapter, and look up in a sort of daze and realize that, oh yeah, you're not a witch in the early 1900's. You're sitting in your living room at 1 am, bloated and pregnant, with a three year old in the next room who's bound to wake up in a mere 6 hours. I'd been officially hooked.

Born Wicked is the first in a series called The Cahill Witch Chronicles, it follows a trio of sisters, all witches, in New England in the early 1900's. Cate, the oldest, must look after her two younger sisters since their mother (also a witch) has passed, and keep their secret safe. Witches used the rule the area but have been stifled and forced into hiding by The Brotherhood, an organization of men who've taken it up on themselves to govern the city and rid it of witches. Witches used to be hanged or burned at the stake, but are now sent to asylumns or work camps, never seen again. 

Of course there's more to the story, Cate must choose a husband to marry soon or the Brotherhood will do it for her, but I don't want to give too much away. While I wasn't big on The Hunger Games, I did fall prey to the Twilight series (only because a friend gave me the book and told me to read it without looking at the back - she knew I'd not want to if I'd known it was about vampires!) and this series seems to have captured me like Twilight did. 

And yes, at 1 am I went to check when the next in the series is due out: February 2013. Cruel and unusual punishment, though I still recommend you check it out! 

 

I participate in the Blogher Book Club & am compensated for my review, however, all opinions are my own!