Friday, February 27, 2015
Flashback Friday - Me and Steph
Stephanie celebrated her birthday this week, so I had to include a few photos of us as kids. I am guessing we are in fourth or fifth grade here? We have known each other for 31 years - Yikes, we are getting old!
Wednesday, February 25, 2015
Last Tennis Clinic
I have been playing tennis once a week with my friend Janel since last summer, and it has been the one exercise routine I have kept up since being pregnant. I really enjoy it and have liked our clinic a lot - our coach wanted us to do a league that started in January but I wasn't sure how that would go being pregnant. I am glad we just stayed with the class instead.
I decided that this would be my last week - the belly is getting heavy to support just walking around, let alone chasing down a tennis ball. I just wanted to document that I had actually stuck with it, so we had Coach Craig take a few photos for us. I am pretty sure it was the first time he had touched an iPhone - he has a ten year old flip phone, so the photos didn't turn out that great. Regardless, here is proof of me playing tennis at 8+ months pregnant! Janel and I finally got to be on the same team, and we won 6-0 when we played a set at the end of class. Still got it! :)
I decided that this would be my last week - the belly is getting heavy to support just walking around, let alone chasing down a tennis ball. I just wanted to document that I had actually stuck with it, so we had Coach Craig take a few photos for us. I am pretty sure it was the first time he had touched an iPhone - he has a ten year old flip phone, so the photos didn't turn out that great. Regardless, here is proof of me playing tennis at 8+ months pregnant! Janel and I finally got to be on the same team, and we won 6-0 when we played a set at the end of class. Still got it! :)
Tuesday, February 24, 2015
Thoughts on Baby Names
People always want to know if we have any baby names picked out. I am used to having a list of girl and boy names to choose from and going to the hospital without a final choice. It was interesting - I looked back on a list I had for Claire, and Penelope was a name on the short list. I had forgotten I liked that name before!
I am also used to calling the baby "it" the entire pregnancy and I find myself doing it this time too, even though I know a little boy is the one kicking my bladder all night.
So it's kind of weird to have all this time to figure out a boy name. I also think boy names are harder to pick than girl names - boy names become girl names in a matter of a few years, less than ten a lot of times (in my expert opinion). So a boy named Riley in middle school now has a ton of baby girls named Riley to confuse everyone on the class roll. I like names that are clearly gender specific, but for boys that often leaves only biblical names and old fashioned boy names that will most likely stay masculine and are therefore, very popular and overused.
I feel a lot of pressure when it comes to choosing a name - so even though I know people are just making conversation when they ask me about names, it puts me in a tough spot. If I tell you a name and then you don't like it and go so far as to tell me so, well now what? Do I have to change my name choice? Or if you tell me a story about a boy who had that name who picked his nose and ate it in kindergarten, or who was a bully in high school, does that mean my baby will turn out the same? The answer to all is "no" but it still makes me feel awkward.
And don't even get me started on the lady at work who is into numerology and how each letter has a number and letters in your name can bring good or bad luck. Apparently L is a good letter to have in your name, so my first three kids are safe. Phew!
Guess we will find out in a month or so what this little guy is to be named, though we do have a few strong favorites, despite knowing not everyone loves them. But once you have announced the name, what can everyone say now? It's a done deal. :)
I am also used to calling the baby "it" the entire pregnancy and I find myself doing it this time too, even though I know a little boy is the one kicking my bladder all night.
So it's kind of weird to have all this time to figure out a boy name. I also think boy names are harder to pick than girl names - boy names become girl names in a matter of a few years, less than ten a lot of times (in my expert opinion). So a boy named Riley in middle school now has a ton of baby girls named Riley to confuse everyone on the class roll. I like names that are clearly gender specific, but for boys that often leaves only biblical names and old fashioned boy names that will most likely stay masculine and are therefore, very popular and overused.
I feel a lot of pressure when it comes to choosing a name - so even though I know people are just making conversation when they ask me about names, it puts me in a tough spot. If I tell you a name and then you don't like it and go so far as to tell me so, well now what? Do I have to change my name choice? Or if you tell me a story about a boy who had that name who picked his nose and ate it in kindergarten, or who was a bully in high school, does that mean my baby will turn out the same? The answer to all is "no" but it still makes me feel awkward.
And don't even get me started on the lady at work who is into numerology and how each letter has a number and letters in your name can bring good or bad luck. Apparently L is a good letter to have in your name, so my first three kids are safe. Phew!
Guess we will find out in a month or so what this little guy is to be named, though we do have a few strong favorites, despite knowing not everyone loves them. But once you have announced the name, what can everyone say now? It's a done deal. :)
Sunday, February 22, 2015
Don't Compare Yourself!
Just needed to hear this today and maybe again when I re-read this blog book from time to time. Love Elder Uchdorf!
Saturday, February 21, 2015
34 Weeks
I am now 34 weeks - just 3 weeks shy of being officially full term, but most likely 6 weeks away from delivering given my history. What's crazy is a baby born now would do pretty well - maybe some time in the NICU but they would definitely survive and be healthy.
The belly has eclipsed all other body parts - we are officially in the home stretch (I hope)! I am going to the doctor every two weeks, though just about to go every week. I don't like this part - I don't want to go in, I feel fine. And I never dilate early so what's the point of checking? I'm learning to say no more often and I like it.
Mostly I just feel tired... On average, I get up to use the bathroom 4 times a night - sometimes 5! I keep a tally in my mind every night, which is somewhat torturing myself but I can't help it! I use the tally to then calculate how much sleep I actually got. For example, if I went to bed at 10:30 pm, got up five times, and woke up at 6:30 am I really only slept for about 1.5 hours at a time... I really don't need the sleep deprivation practice, I promise!
I like to update the kids on the size of the baby using my Baby Center pregnancy app - this week, Baby Boy is the size/weight of a cantaloupe. He is about 5 lbs and 19 inches long already. According to my app: His fat layers - which will help regulate body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well.
The belly has eclipsed all other body parts - we are officially in the home stretch (I hope)! I am going to the doctor every two weeks, though just about to go every week. I don't like this part - I don't want to go in, I feel fine. And I never dilate early so what's the point of checking? I'm learning to say no more often and I like it.
Mostly I just feel tired... On average, I get up to use the bathroom 4 times a night - sometimes 5! I keep a tally in my mind every night, which is somewhat torturing myself but I can't help it! I use the tally to then calculate how much sleep I actually got. For example, if I went to bed at 10:30 pm, got up five times, and woke up at 6:30 am I really only slept for about 1.5 hours at a time... I really don't need the sleep deprivation practice, I promise!
I like to update the kids on the size of the baby using my Baby Center pregnancy app - this week, Baby Boy is the size/weight of a cantaloupe. He is about 5 lbs and 19 inches long already. According to my app: His fat layers - which will help regulate body temperature once he's born — are filling him out, making him rounder. His skin is also smoother than ever. His central nervous system is maturing and his lungs are continuing to mature as well.
Wednesday, February 18, 2015
Kids Say the Darndest Things
The other day, I was asking Penelope if she knew her middle name. It had dawned on me that we don't use it very often. I told her it is Jane, and without skipping a beat she sang, "...and Michael Banks!" from the song Perfect Nanny from Mary Poppins that ends, "Sincerely, Jane and Michael Banks, dunh!!"
Matt was wearing a shirt my dad had given him a few Christmases ago with El Dorado Fire Department on the back of it, and Miles asked what the shirt was for. When Matt told him it was for Grandpa's job, he asked Matt, "Dad, when are YOU going to get a paying job??" (Technically, he does -Matt's internship pays better than my first job in PR out of college!).
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| Found this gem on my cell phone the other day... |
So here is her card - pretty dang cute.
And speaking of Valentine's cards, here is one she got from a boy in her class named Allen - they get paired together a lot because they are the best readers in the class. Claire had told me at Parent Teacher Conferences a few months ago that the other kids in her class teased her that she would marry Allen... well, seems like Allen thinks it's a good idea... Oh my!
And last one, I asked Penelope if she had taken a nap today, and she said she had taken a nap "at my dad's house." I said well, isn't that my house too? She said, "It's not your house, it's Dad's. Your house is at work!" Hmm - sad for me, I'm stuck at the office! Ironically, Matt seems to be at work more than I am lately - he even has to work on Saturdays!
Sunday, February 15, 2015
Valentine's Cards
Thanks to Pinterest, I am the queen of copying cute ideas. I just like these Valentine's cards so much better than the punch out paper ones, even though I know they all get thrown away at the end of the day.
Claire chose a card with a pencil - seemed a good fit for her.
Miles got the Kool-Aid packs - just add to a bottle of water!
Claire chose a card with a pencil - seemed a good fit for her.
Miles got the Kool-Aid packs - just add to a bottle of water!
Wednesday, February 11, 2015
Girls Day Out
Emily and I had a fabulous day out recently - no kids, lunch and a trip to the salon followed by frozen yogurt. I could handle that once a week I think... Emily recently broke her foot and needed to just get out for a bit - I was happy to accompany her :)
We both got our hair "painted" with a fairly new technique called balayage. It's kind of like the ombre look where you are darker on top, so the roots growing out doesn't make a big impact on your hair - I like that I won't have to go back as often too. Then they paint on a bleach to random pieces of hair to make the ends get lighter and look like natural highlights, but the color is blended and worked into the top a bit too. The only thing is it takes a lot longer to process - we were there for more than three hours! I like my hair - kind of red still.
We both got our hair "painted" with a fairly new technique called balayage. It's kind of like the ombre look where you are darker on top, so the roots growing out doesn't make a big impact on your hair - I like that I won't have to go back as often too. Then they paint on a bleach to random pieces of hair to make the ends get lighter and look like natural highlights, but the color is blended and worked into the top a bit too. The only thing is it takes a lot longer to process - we were there for more than three hours! I like my hair - kind of red still.
I forgot to get a "before" photo to go with my "after."
Tuesday, February 10, 2015
Baby Kicks and Pics
Sometimes this baby boy is trying to break out early I think - I recorded his kicks several different times but I think this video captured it the best.
Baby Kicks from Shannon Hiller on Vimeo.
We also had an ultrasound yesterday - probably my last one. I asked if the specialist had 3D ultrasounds since I had seen them mentioned on their website, but I had never been offered one. Going to a special 4D ultrasound place costs about $75-100 but since I was already paying $250 for this ultrasound (using our new health savings account plan, we pay the amount our insurance would normally pay but our monthly premium is less) I decided to ask for the extra photos this time. And low and behold, they did a few pictures for me!
Matt was at the appointment and he isn't a fan of these 3D images, but I think it's pretty cool to get a glimpse at what the baby will look like. And no one looks their best in underwater photos anyway :) They are a little crazy looking but I think he looks like he fits in with our family - same nose and lips.
And he is a thinker! He would not move his hand off his face for the longest time. Either that, or he is showing off his biceps. At 4 lbs 4 oz, he is starting to fill out a bit so I think this was a good time to do the 3D photos - any earlier and the baby is kind of skeletal looking.
A regular ultrasound pic, but it shows his lips and nose - we even saw him opening his mouth a few times. I have also been feeling hiccups lately. The night before the ultrasound I could feel them super low in my stomach, and sure enough, the ulstrasound showed that he is head down, feet up and very low. Early delivery??
Baby Kicks from Shannon Hiller on Vimeo.
We also had an ultrasound yesterday - probably my last one. I asked if the specialist had 3D ultrasounds since I had seen them mentioned on their website, but I had never been offered one. Going to a special 4D ultrasound place costs about $75-100 but since I was already paying $250 for this ultrasound (using our new health savings account plan, we pay the amount our insurance would normally pay but our monthly premium is less) I decided to ask for the extra photos this time. And low and behold, they did a few pictures for me!
Matt was at the appointment and he isn't a fan of these 3D images, but I think it's pretty cool to get a glimpse at what the baby will look like. And no one looks their best in underwater photos anyway :) They are a little crazy looking but I think he looks like he fits in with our family - same nose and lips.
And he is a thinker! He would not move his hand off his face for the longest time. Either that, or he is showing off his biceps. At 4 lbs 4 oz, he is starting to fill out a bit so I think this was a good time to do the 3D photos - any earlier and the baby is kind of skeletal looking.
A regular ultrasound pic, but it shows his lips and nose - we even saw him opening his mouth a few times. I have also been feeling hiccups lately. The night before the ultrasound I could feel them super low in my stomach, and sure enough, the ulstrasound showed that he is head down, feet up and very low. Early delivery??
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Matt's 37th Bday
SOMEONE doesn't like sharing his b-day with the Super Bowl, so instead of celebrating on February 1st we had Matt's b-day party the next Sunday. He is spoiled and gets Nothing Bundt Cakes for his birthdays - but I don't mind because I love them too.
I just love the look on the kids' faces in this first picture - I think they like him. :) he also just snuck a taste of delicous cream cheese frosting and didn't get in trouble. Oh, to be an adult someday!
I just love the look on the kids' faces in this first picture - I think they like him. :) he also just snuck a taste of delicous cream cheese frosting and didn't get in trouble. Oh, to be an adult someday!
Friday, February 6, 2015
Pregnancy Vent Session - 32 Weeks
Pregnancy does weird things to me: my body is not my own, my baby is a (super cute) parasite taking all my energy, I can't sleep, and I lose all control over the filters that help normal people fit into society. Yeah, it's rough. Here are a few examples of what I mean:
The time you are using the microwave and start to smell gas, only to find out that your belly has bumped the burner controls on the stove and natural gas is spewing out into your kitchen. Life threatened? Check.
How all of your co-workers drive you crazy as you sit and listen politely to their chatter, while inside you are screaming at them to please leave your office so you can eat the candy you guiltily hid when they walked in 20 minutes ago to vent about something you have no control over? I should not be allowed in public.
When you check the clock because surely it's almost morning since you have already gone to the bathroom FOUR times (I like to keep a log), only to find out it is 1:30 AM! I call these "camping nights" because they never seem to end and are miserable. I'm not much of a camper, obviously...
That time your Mother in Law told you something you weren't excited to hear, and you unknowingly went from your normal "face at rest" look to shooting daggers at her with your eyes in a heartbeat? I would for sure lose at poker with this face during pregnancy, I can't hide anything.
Weird things happen to your body and everyone says it's normal because you are pregnant, but I'm here to tell you that the normal range must be ginormous when it comes to pregnant ladies. How can it ALL be normal? Just one less-embarrassing example I will give is that every pregnancy, I get a small dry patch of skin on the right side of my chest. It is about the size of a quarter and stays there the entire time, and fades within a week or so of giving birth. I have had it all four times - I might as well look for that dry patch instead of taking a pregnancy test and save the $12. Normal? Ohh-kaaay.
The time you are using the microwave and start to smell gas, only to find out that your belly has bumped the burner controls on the stove and natural gas is spewing out into your kitchen. Life threatened? Check.
How all of your co-workers drive you crazy as you sit and listen politely to their chatter, while inside you are screaming at them to please leave your office so you can eat the candy you guiltily hid when they walked in 20 minutes ago to vent about something you have no control over? I should not be allowed in public.
When you check the clock because surely it's almost morning since you have already gone to the bathroom FOUR times (I like to keep a log), only to find out it is 1:30 AM! I call these "camping nights" because they never seem to end and are miserable. I'm not much of a camper, obviously...
That time your Mother in Law told you something you weren't excited to hear, and you unknowingly went from your normal "face at rest" look to shooting daggers at her with your eyes in a heartbeat? I would for sure lose at poker with this face during pregnancy, I can't hide anything.
Weird things happen to your body and everyone says it's normal because you are pregnant, but I'm here to tell you that the normal range must be ginormous when it comes to pregnant ladies. How can it ALL be normal? Just one less-embarrassing example I will give is that every pregnancy, I get a small dry patch of skin on the right side of my chest. It is about the size of a quarter and stays there the entire time, and fades within a week or so of giving birth. I have had it all four times - I might as well look for that dry patch instead of taking a pregnancy test and save the $12. Normal? Ohh-kaaay.
Wednesday, February 4, 2015
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Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Kid Quotes
Miles was upset because kids in his class were making fun of his library book selection - he was very interested in finding a non-fiction book. He kept saying I just wanted a non-fiction book on caterpillars, but every book had a picture of a caterpillar eating bugs on the cover. All the kids said it was gross! Claire says, "That's not gross, it's just their food. What if a person was eating Panda Express on a book cover, would that be gross? It's science, and science isn't gross, it's cool!"
Penelope has a very specific list of songs she allows me to sing to her every night - I am trying to get down to three songs, but she is very greedy when it comes to bedtime songs (and books):
Penelope is a little parrot - she adopts the phrases that she hears a lot, so I guess this list of go-to phrases will show she has a healthy self-esteem (since we must tell her these things all the time too) :)
Penelope has a very specific list of songs she allows me to sing to her every night - I am trying to get down to three songs, but she is very greedy when it comes to bedtime songs (and books):
- Twinkle Twinkle, Little Star
- Away in a Manger
- Popcorn Popping
- Itsy Bitsy Spider
- Jingle Bells, Batman Smells Robin Lays an Egg (she says this as if it's the official title)
- The Sun Will Come Out Tomorrow (from Annie)
- Perfect Nanny (from Mary Poppins)
Penelope is a little parrot - she adopts the phrases that she hears a lot, so I guess this list of go-to phrases will show she has a healthy self-esteem (since we must tell her these things all the time too) :)
- Mom, I did it. All. By. Myself!! (potty time)
- I'm a genius!!
- I have an idea Mom!
- I must go do... (fill in the blank). For some reason using the word "must" cracks me up when said by a two year old!
- I can do it MYSELF!
- It's gonna be OK mom...
- I'm gonna be the BEST big sista!
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Hayden Elementary Award Ceremony
The second grade at Hayden Elementary had an awards ceremony last week and Claire received two awards, a reading award and a citenzship award.
She is in the 800 Lexile club for reading, which is an alternative reading category to the Accelerated Reading program we used in Claire's last school. I'm not really sure what it related to... but according to one chart I looked up, an 800+ score falls into the fifth grade reading level.
She was the only student to be in the 800 club (many others who received reading awards were in the 400 club, for example), and in fact, she has the highest reading score in all of the second grade and told us she had her photo taken for a special poster, that we have yet to see. We are very proud of her, and not at all suprised that the girl who cries if we don't let her read at night before bed is the best reader in her grade!
She is in the 800 Lexile club for reading, which is an alternative reading category to the Accelerated Reading program we used in Claire's last school. I'm not really sure what it related to... but according to one chart I looked up, an 800+ score falls into the fifth grade reading level.
She was the only student to be in the 800 club (many others who received reading awards were in the 400 club, for example), and in fact, she has the highest reading score in all of the second grade and told us she had her photo taken for a special poster, that we have yet to see. We are very proud of her, and not at all suprised that the girl who cries if we don't let her read at night before bed is the best reader in her grade!
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| Claire is shaking hands with her Principal, Ms. Burns (she knows ALL of the children's names). Her teacher, Ms. Michaelsen is on the far left. |
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