12/18/2008

That is the day I originally started this post. I wanted to post a few pictures of the snow. Instead I completely slacked on updating my blog. So 12/18/2008 that was before the kids flight here from Spokane was almost canceled due to 30 inches of snow that a fallen there over two days. They ended up getting here 5 hours late.

Before Nathans 2 month checkup was cancelled twice due to snow.

Before we had 3 weeks worth of garbage and recycling piled up outside, because of the snow.

Before we had 8 inches of snow in our backyard.

Before we tried to build a snowman, but couldn't because the snow was too dry.

Before Dare's work Christmas party was cancelled.

Before I took all three girls to get their hair cut.

Before my sister had to cancel her plans to come up from Vancouver for Christmas due to snow.

Before we had to cancel our Christmas Eve at my Dad's house because they had 2 feet of snow.

Before Brandon got his first loose tooth, and a few days later lost that tooth.

Before we got Rock Band as a family Christmas gift.

Before we played Rock Band for hours on end.

Before we realized how hard it is being a rock star, and started complaining about sore backs, arms, and voices.

Before we went to see Marley and Me, and Gabby and Kailyn cried.

Before Nathan got his first cold.

Before another Christmas passed so quickly.

Before I had to start nagging the kids about packing up to go back to Spokane.

So now you are caught up on what's been going on here the last 16 days. Oh and here are the snow pictures I was going to post way back then.

Ummm....That's Not My Dog

Let me start by telling you a little bit about my dog. We got him last year around Halloween. It took a lot of convincing on my part because Dare was not at all thrilled with the idea of having a pet. After talking him into it we took a long drive to pick up the cutest little ball of black fur you could imagine. We had some rough times in the beginning, but a year later you could say we really like our dog. Dare would probably not readily admit that, but I know deep down it's true. I actually find I like Shadow more than any pet I've had since my childhood dog Peaches. Shadow definitely has a unique personality. First of all he has a small dog complex (he is a shih tzu) and must try to prove to all other dogs and humans that he is tough. He likes to do this from the comfort of our living room by barking at everyone who walks by. Out in the real world he isn't so tough, and has been known to actually turn and try and run back home at the sight of another dog. Another thing is he just has random people that he really doesn't like. When Dare's sister visited a couple of months ago he growled, and barked at her the entire time. He always does the same thing to Lindsey's friend Karli when she is here. So we shouldn't have been surprised when we went to get him groomed a couple of months ago and it didn't work. The lady said in her 15 years of dog grooming she had never had a dog she couldn't cut. She suggested we have him tranquilized before we try again. So I had been putting off trying again for months as Shadow got scruffier, and scruffier. I finally broke down last week, and called one of those mobile grooming places. The lady came and picked him up, and the kids and I waited anxiously by the window for them to come back out. About 45 minutes later she emerged with what appeared to be a completely different dog. Shadow immediately went to hide under the bed. The first few days he acted so different the kids started calling him "Robot Shadow". They were convinced the lady had stolen Shadow and replaced him with a robot. It must have been really traumatic for him because it took about 5 days for him to start acting more like himself again. Just for a laugh here are some before and after photos.


Before


After, and yes he really is that small without all of the fur.

35 Weeks

First of all I apologize for being a bad blogger. I hate when people don't update their blogs enough, and here I am going a whole week. I do have excuses. It was the kids last week here so we were pretty busy. Also my keyboard on my laptop is all messed up which makes typing a pita. I did try to make up for it by adding my 34 week picture below as promised, and I have many half written posts I plan to finish this week.

In baby news a lot has happened in the last few days. We made the first of many trips to Babies R Us to get a few things we needed with the gift cards I got from my shower. I put together the crib, and dresser. Dare put together the swing. I also called and made an appointment to have the carpets cleaned in a couple weeks, it is long overdue. I only have one chiropractor appointment this week, and I also have a midwife appointment. I was successful in cutting back at work last week, but now I am stressing about all I want to get done in the next 3 weeks. I'm going to try hard not to worry about it too much as it won't change the disaster I am sure to come back to.

My "Safe" Place

Friday we took the kids school clothes shopping. I had been waiting all summer to get my Macy's coupons so that we could make this trip. Well they came in the mail about a week and a half ago so I put them away. Fast forward to Friday morning as I am franticly searching our bedroom.

Dare "What are you looking for?"
Me " The Macy's Coupons"
Dare "You put them in a "safe" place didn't you"
Me "Yes"
Dare "Great"
Me "I know they are in the room somewhere. I think I should just get a box and write "safe place" on it. That way when I get something important I can put it there, and I will remember where it is."

Anyway I am notorious putting things in a place that's "safe". In fact it's often so safe I have trouble finding it again. Well sometimes I never do find it. Just ask Dare about his old watch it's been in a "safe" place for over a year now. =)

Weekend Rewind

Every weekend I plan on posting a recap of what we did, but somehow I never seem to get around to it. So here it is for the first and hopefully not last time. On Friday we went and saw Wall-E. It was a really cute movie with a good message about taking care of the earth. Everybody really liked the movie. I was afraid B would get bored especially because the first half of the movie doesn't have any talking (except by robots), but he sat patiently through it. We bought a small amount of fireworks for the kids and did these in the evening before leaving for a school nearby that has a great view of the area. We were able to see several of the big fireworks displays from here and didn't have to deal with any crowds as there were only 3 or 4 other families there. Our neighborhood is pretty insane for fireworks being outside the city limits we are exempt from all of the fireworks bans. Fortunately my pregnancy induced exhaustion has given me the ability to sleep through anything and I fell right to sleep.

Saturday we watched Jurassic Park 2. I couldn't believe I have never seen it before considering how much I liked the first one. It wasn't a bad movie and the kids seemed to enjoy it.

Today we did a whole lot of nothing. I was going to take the kids to the lake today, but the sunshine that was promised never showed up. So instead we sat around, did lots of laundry, and some cleaning.

Take a Deep Breath and Count to Ten

So I am kind of disappointed in myself for not keeping up on my blog this week I really want to try and write at least 5 times a week. This week was just really hectic towards the end here is an example of one of my days.

Thursday 1:30 AM

Alarm goes off. I have to be to work early because I have a hair appointment at 11 it was the only time I could get in and I'm desperate. Work is super hectic because it always is when I have myself on a tight schedule and because we are supposed to have visitors in and my boss is freaking out. After finishing all of the extra work he put on me I barely get out in time to make my appointment.

10:50 AM

Arrive to get my hair done. This is the most relaxing part of my day. My stylist and I have actually become really good friends in the four years she has been doing my hair we are even going to her wedding in August. My hair takes 3 hours I start to get really restless and tired of sitting. I'm also nervous I have to be home by 2:30 to pick up Kailyn from school.

2:00pm

Pay for my hair (wow that was expensive) realize I have 3 missed calls check voice mail it's Gabby saying they will arrive today instead of tomorrow.

2:15pm

Get call from salon they overcharged my by $70 I need to call with my card number to get a credit

2:40pm

Pick up Kailyn and her almost stepsister Mckayla here from Spokane give stepsister and her friend ride somewhere come home to franticly try and get some cleaning done before everyone gets here (this was supposed to be my nap time)

4:00pm

Go to the store to pick up hair stuff for Kailyn her 8th grade dance is tonight. Get to checkout realize I forgot my debit card come back home.

4:15pm

Come in to find my card I think I left it on the table from calling the salon. I make a quick trip to the bathroom and realize the card is in my back pocket. Get back in the car I don't tell Kailyn I had the card all along she is already mad. Go back to store again to buy hair stuff.

4:30pm

Pick up B from daycare. Pick up Mckayla and her friend come back to house so Kailyn can get her hair done and ready for the dance.

5:00pm

Get a call from the girls they want to spent the night at their friends because tomorrow the friends are leaving for the whole summer they need my to drop off some clothes.

6:00pm

Gather clothes for the girls. Start bugging Kailyn we need to be ready to go soon.

6:30pm

Do Kailyn's makeup for the dance we are now late.

6:45pm

Get everyone in the car drop them off at dance. Go drop off clothes to the girls.

7:00pm

Me and B finally get dinner. This is my first real meal of the day.

8:00pm

Leave to pick up Kailyn from the dance. Pick up Kailyn, Mckayla, and 2 other kids they don't want to go home they want me to take them to Red Robin. At this point I have a realization. My baby will be in high school next year. I will have a high schooler and a newborn. I also realize if I have to listen to one more Soulja Boy song blasting from my speakers on this drive someone may seriously get hurt.

8:30pm

Drop kids off at Red Robin.

9:00pm

Arrive home finally. Tell Dare he has to go pick the kids up later. I'm going to bed I've been up since 1:30AM I am tired!!