Some Time to Nest

Yesterday and today have been very nice and relaxing. Lisa had the day off so she and Diana took the kids to the zoo and I was able to go to the temple one last time, which was wonderful. The woman helping me with the intiatories is a labor and delivery nurse so she told me if I started having contractions she'd time them for me. They were all very nice and attentive to me at the temple, I love the patrons there! Then I went to Deseret Book (which is always exciting) and was off to Costco but first stopped to vacuum and wash my car. The owner of the car wash thought I shouldn't be working that hard, but I told him I'd like to get things moving and have this baby. But he later came over and offered me a free car wash. I thought it was so nice of him and couldn't believe how kind he was. Even though it was a small thing it feels so nice when people do little acts of service like that.

After being gone all day and very tired, I still had to go to the church for the Pinewood Derby (I'm on the cub scout committee since I'm 2nd counselor in the Primary) and Jeff was nice enough to come with me. It turned out to be a very fun ward event and we got to talk to a lot of people without chasing kids so it was great. Since the kids are spending the weekend in Westminster we got to go to bed without being exhausted from putting kids to bed and wake up when we wanted to! Unfortunately, I couldn't sleep and woke up at 5, but I knew I could take a nap later so it was fine. I got a lot accomplished in the early morning hours and then when Jeff got up he was ready to help in whatever ways I needed to get our house and everything else in order for this baby to come. I truly feel ready now and can't think of anything more that needs to be done, so I'm very grateful I have had this time to do some final nesting. I then had a stake primary leadership training which I wasn't thrilled about going to on a Saturday afternoon, but it was very helpful and nice and I'm so glad I went. Jeff and I were able to go to dinner at a local Thai restaurant. It was so fun to eat out since we haven't done that by ourselves for awhile. All in all it was been a fantastic day.

This week was good with the kids and we started chores and paying for chores with Lily. She cleaned her room, dusted, and helped me with laundry. She is a great little worker and even Ryan joined in.

dusting the piano

I have been reading some parenting books and one of the books talks about telling your kids you have an energy drain when they are giving you a hard time. And to get your energy back they need to pay you with chores or toys or whatever. So Lily only had to pay me once with her toys and then she learned quick and started making great choices (like not running in the parking lot on the way to the car, getting in her car seat quickly rather than sitting in the back making me come to get her, and cleaning up her room). She did try to pay me with the toys she liked least, so I told her I got to choose. The big scare of the week for me was when I found the kids in the front yard without my knowledge. They had been out back, which has previously been a very safe place for them since it is fenced in, but now Lily can open up the door and she let herself and Ryan out twice. Needless to say Jeff and I were very upset and I'm just relieved that no one was hurt. Scary parent moments.

One night while reading scriptures we read about Captain Moroni. Lily liked the story, but after a bit she said, "where's Captain America?" Since it's Easter and her preschool is called Resurrection Preschool this is obviously a big holiday there. Lily came home from school and delcared, "Jesus is alive!" One of the teachers uploaded a video to facebook of the kids singing a song called "Jesus is Alive" and it was really cute to watch Lily with her friend Amari. Amari's parents are from Nigeria so I have a special love for them since they're African. Amari and Lily were holding hands and looking at each other singing, it was sweet. And the next time at school I saw her dad and he told me Amari said Lily is her very best friend. I love hearing how other kids love her because she loves them so much too.

We went to a new park this week and Jeff came too. It is always so nice having Jeff there because it's a bit stressful for me with both kids. I can't keep an eye on both of them at the same time and they both like to be dangerous, so I'd much rather go when Jeff gets home from work. There is a section for kids Ryan's age with a little rock climing wall and a big rock to climb on. Ryan is a master climber and gets up all by himself. He's very proud of his efforts and then rewards himself with a nice ride down the slide. It's fun watching how independent he is becoming. The park was great until it was time to leave and because of some other issues Lily was very distressed. We got home and she was still upset, I put them both screaming in the tub and then it was time for Jeff to go to ward basketball. It was horrible timing and then Ryan dumped two buckets of water out of the tub (he dumped the second when I was cleaning up water from the first). Bath time was over very quickly and I got those kids in bed so fast and took a much needed break. Luckily Jeff's team won and it was a really fun game for him to play so at least he came home happy :)

Last weekend Jeff's family took the kids on Friday night and we had Saturday to get some things done. I had a long list but ended up getting a pedicure and my haircut and it was just nice being pampered a bit. His family is so good to us to always take the kids and give us a break. It's great being a parent but sometimes you just need to recharge and that's hard to do when you're exhausted and don't feel like you can catch up on sleep or chores.

Because the kids are gone this weekend (we will go have Easter dinner tomorrow in Westminster) I am really, really hoping to have the baby asap. I keep praying that if Heavenly Father is okay with it that I can just have the baby. Sandy is taking Monday thru Wednesday off from work so I'm extremely hopeful he comes by then since I will have childcare covered. I know it will all work out somehow and at least I am enjoying my break right now, which is a great way to go into a delivery, relaxed and happy.

Some photos from the last couple weeks.

Ryan and Lily love doing things together: coloring in a Sesame Street book (and why not wear a party hat?)

 Watching Barney

 They had a great time at Barnes and Noble with the legos. Lily was building a hospital because "Jesus loves going to hospitals." And Ryan just wanted to climb up and get the legos out of the bins.

 Watching the train go by never gets old. 

 Superman was tired so Lily put him down for a nap. 

 Construction worker Lily

 Enjoying some late night tool time together

 At first Ryan was content to place the rock on the shovel and then put it in the bucket. However, after watching Lily scoop up the rocks in her shovel he wanted to try too. Unfortunately it was a bit of a challenge for his little hands and he got very frustrated. 

 Enjoying a snack with some crazy bows in her hair on their rock filled table. Not a care in the world.

 They love their daddy so much. 

 Lily took a couch break so Ryan had to as well. 

 Reading Lily's favorite books: Richard Scarry stories and Disney fairytale classics.

 When we came home one day we saw a rabbit out front. We watched him for awhile and then Lily disappeared in the house. She was taking a long time coming back so I went in to check on her and she was getting some food for the rabbit. She got veggie straws, cheerios, and Annie's rabbit shaped crackers. After awhile she said, "Carrots! That's right, rabbits love carrots!"And then she got a bowl of water. Sad to say the bunny was gone when she went back out, but those snacks stayed on our counter for several days in hopes he would come back.

 Ben and Lora Cook came to Colorado for spring break. It was a great little visit. The first day we met at Janna Beecher's house for lunch (Janna was my roommate in Uganda, so it was a little Uganda reunion) and then Ben had to leave for Utah for the day to teach a class. The next day Lora came with Calvin, Ethan, and Andrew for dinner before heading to the airport to pick up Ben. The boys loved playing with Ryan, though he was a bit shy. I was surprised at how good they were with such a little boy and how much they wanted to be with him. After dinner Lora, Ethan, the kids, and I went on a walk to the park. Jeff stayed back with the other boys to play la crosse and soccer. After they left Jeff said he was exhausted. I said, "well that's what life is like with boys." Jeff's response, "I love it!"

 Andrew and Ethan played the piano and Lily stayed right next to them and said encouraging words, often resting her hand on their back. It was pretty sweet. 

 Calvin reading to Ryan

 Andrew and Lora

 Ryan had a play date with Blake from the ward. They played ball together and the three kids had a great time sitting on the back porch throwing rocks in the grass. There are a lot of rocks in the grass now so that will be a fun family project getting them out :)

 Ryan loves sitting on the floor and having the animal cracker bin all to himself.

 Lily's school had their spring concert and art show. For their fundraiser you donated money to pay for your child's art and Lily's class sang a couple songs. It was cute and Lily was very proud of her art. 

 Painting dinosaurs together. They were both really proud of their art work afterward. 

 Having a little computer time on the bed together. Notice Ryan's Elmo jammies, he was very excited about wearing these. 

 After computers they headed into our shower. At first Lily turned the lights off and they just turned the flashlights on and off (much to their delight), and then it was time to bring all the friends in. They played so well together this night and Jeff and I just enjoyed some quiet time to ourselves before their bedtime, it was great!