Happy Birthday Mama Baer!

Last week I was able to visit with a friend, Glenda, who I met while working at the fertility clinic in D.C. She moved to Colorado before we did, but we have kept in touch and it was nice to catch up with her. She just had a baby a few months ago so it was fun to talk baby talk and normalize some things that she is experiencing. Diana was very nice to help with kids while we met in Westminster at the house and before that I went to a NUCCA appointment. Funnily enough Lily wanted to go to the doctor with me because they had a tv. I reminded her there is a tv at Mama Baer's, but she wanted to watch "How Dinosaurs Say Goodnight" so she kept insisting she come too. I think she was also hoping that some "friends" would be there since last time she played with a little girl. I was very grateful to get an adjustment as well as get hit by an activator, stretched, and even got a little massage. I felt great after! I also was able to run some errands (alone, hooray!) and get some more storage shelves and bedding for downstairs. Little by little our unfinished basement is coming together.

The kids did well with Diana and after Ryan woke up from his nap Diana said she just held him for about an hour because he wanted to cuddle. I love it when he's like that. And Lily noticed the cake frosting and was very interested in using it. But when Diana informed her it was for Mama Baer's birthday cake she scooted it back on the counter to make sure it stayed safe until it's designated time to be used.

I had an ultrasound on Friday and the baby looks great at 33 weeks, 4 lbs 13 oz. The only problem is he is breech, but at least we know what to pray for now, that he'll turn. A friend in the ward, Tara Smith, had Lily and Ryan over to play while I went and I was very grateful because I was gone two hours. I ended up talking to the doctor a lot because he of course knows of my dad and had talked with him a few times. Jeff was supposed to be home but got stuck in Sheridan, WY due to plane issues so he had to stay an extra night and fly out of Billings, MT. It snowed on Friday so I was just relieved when he finally made it home and the flight wasn't cancelled.

Lily got an Elsa dress from my mom and when she wears it, rather than just sing the music or watch the music video, she had to perform just as Elsa was performing. This girl was intense and making sure she did all the moves just right. 

 Ryan loves this puzzle, but one time he put a wrong piece in a spot and I knew he was just joking so I said, "No." Now his game is to purposely put the pieces in a few wrong spots and say "No" before he finally puts it in the right spot. 

 We got some puzzles from the toy store and I was amazed at what Lily chose! It wasn't princess themed! 

 Ryan loves to run away and delay coming to get in the car. Here he just wanted to play in the bike rack, in the rain, for awhile. He was very sad when it was time to go.

Saturday we spent the day working on the house. Jeff tried to go play basketball in the morning but after waiting 30 minutes he realized no one was coming, which was a sad disappointment. But because he had been driving and flying so much he had to move his body so he went on a run. It tired him out but he did mention how when he played basketball today he was able to run a lot more and not tire. I guess exercising is beneficial after all. Lily very happily attended a "Frozen" themed birthday party for Sophie Murray in the ward and told me several times she wants a Frozen party too. When I went to pick her up she was playing in the girls room and of course didn't want to go. They had a lot of Barbies, Barbie dresses (and apparently you can find modest dressed on Etsy, I'll have to look into that), and a Barbie house and Lily was in heaven. She told me later that she saw me coming from the window and started to cry because she didn't want to go home yet.

Jeff and Ryan watching Saturday morning European soccer. Ryan's mouth was full of food but he'd often yell "BALL!" very exuberantly. 

Having a leisurly picnic of animal crackers on the blanket. Lily of course didn't want to pose.

 Jeff left the house and wore a hat so Ryan wanted to wear his hat. He kept it on for quite a while.

 Wearing his hat, standing on my kickboard, and vacuuming with his toy vacuum. He can do it all.

That night Jeff and I watched the Mitt Romney documentary about his campaign. I thought it was excellent and gave some great inside views about how grueling emotionlly and physically a campaign is, but it did make me very sad. He would have been such an amazing president. I had a dream that night that he won and I was so happy I was sobbing in my dream. When I woke up for a minute I thought it was real and then when it hit me it was a dream I was devastated all over again.

Sunday I had to go to ward council so we got everything ready before I left so I could come home and go straight to church. The time change was a killer though and the kids were up early so it was a tiring morning. While I was at the meeting Jeff worked on making some clothespin caterpillars with Lily to give to Mama Baer. They had a fun time and they turned out cute. Lily also wrote her name all by herself in the Princess card she gave her.  We left straight after church and the kids were so excited when we got to the house. Ryan and Lily wanted to take a walk outside (it was a beautiful day!) and play in the little house. Then Lily helped decorate Mama Baer's cake, which looked so nice after it was done. Since Lily was giving a Princess card she asked Mama Baer if she was having a princess party. Lily had to give her the catepillars right away and was happy to tell Mama Baer that she chose all the colors and glued it herself. She loves showing off her art and feels so proud when she has done it by herself.

They of course have to make a trip to the play house before any festivities could begin.

He loves talking on the phone!

"What a beautiful morning!" Deep inhale, then exhale, slam the shutters closed. 

Proud to show off her caterpillar clothespins and the beautiful cake they decorated. Lily kept asking me if she could put the candles on all by herself.

Just plopping next to Diana to take a breather and enjoy the scenery.

Picking some grass to put in the potted plant.

One of his new favorite activities, peeling oranges with Mama Baer.

Present time!

The kids loved their gifts from Mama Baer, such a thoughtful birthday girl she is.

The Barbie skirt changes colors when she twirls and took several adults to figure out how to use. Thankfully Diana figured out a way to rig the skirt so it worked.

Highlight for Ryan, playing in the tissue paper.

Ryan enjoyed throwing the tissue paper away and then putting it back in the bag. Lily on the other hand just wanted to throw it and make a mess. I won't say which child takes after which parent.

In his happy place, nestled in the gift bag.

Doing what men do, reading a car magazine.

So excited to blow out candles and eat cake! Lily kept yelling for us all to come upstairs and was a little impatient with how long it took to get everyone there.

Lily and Ryan both got to blow out candles (and be sung to), much to their delight.

Licking the frosting, who doesn't love that?

Painting with frosting, because, why not?

Today we had music class and went to the library. Lily was very nice to a younger boy there and invited him to sit next to her and helped get him situated on the seats. One time she turned back to me and shouted out, "Mommy, I'm listening!" We had talked about listening during the stories so I'm glad she remembered. One story talked about different animals feet and I was very impressed when she called out all the right animals just by looking at their feet. She's such a smart girl. When it was time for toys she went to find Ryan, who was not interested in stories but rather wanted to play with the folded up tables, held his hand, and guided him over to the toys. She helped him find a toy and there were several children playing on this particular toy and she was very good at sharing and giving all the younger children a turn. I'm not sure how this happened, but she was on a roll for being a great big sister today.

After stories the kids wanted to read books by the stuffed dogs. But then Ryan was getting a big wild and Lily was trying to take the dog on a walk so we had to go.

After preschool we went to the park by the lake and Lily saw one of her preschool friends, Cooper, there. She held his hand was thrilled to play with Cooper and his brother Luke. It's so nice when there are friends to play with at the park, it makes my job so much easier to just focus on Ryan!

The sisters came over for dinner Ryan was very cute smiling at them and saying words for them. They loved it and thought he was just the cutest. Lily kept reminding the sisters to blow on their food, because it was very hot, before they took a bite. We had a bit of a challenge during their message because Lily wants to talk the whole time and wanted to show them her friends, but we eventually made it through. Jeff was very nice and helped me bathe them before dinner since he went home teaching before the sisters left. Having that done made my night so much easier.