Christmas Tree Decorating

So time for a little bragging....

Not only did Josh and I get things done around the house this past weekend (cleaning, baby's room - well almost completed), we even put our tree up and decorated it! You can thank Josh for that one. I wasn't real into doing Christmas decorations this year. I'm not real into doing much lately come to think of it. BUT I'm soooo glad we did put our Christmas tree up this year. I don't think I would have traded seeing Casen's amusement for anything. He was mesmerized. He is around a Christmas tree at his babysitter's. He helped decorate the tree at Bunny and Immie's. But apparently having your own tree at your own house is the best treat. He just sits by the tree and looks at it lovingly. He talks about the ornaments he sees. Case touches the lights and names the colors (sometimes even getting them correct!). This morning as soon as he gets up, he wants to turn the lights on the tree and play around the tree.

We had a good time decorating the tree this year. I'm so glad we did!

*Our house was hot, hence Casen's lack of clothing.

**Yes, I know I look..huge? Yes. Dorky? Yes. But that's my typical no-work outfit: shorts, tshirt, and tennis shoes since my feet kill me now.

Pchem Dreams

I really dislike grading lab reports (I probably should have made that my topic last Thursday). They are probably what I hate the most to grade and will procrastinate about for a LONG time. Last night, I finally got my last 2 sets done - whew! What a load off!

Until I go to sleep....

Apparently, my brain isn't done grading lab reports. In my dream, I was still grading lab reports. I was trying to figure out how much energy a cookie or salsa had. You can thank bomb calorimetry reports for that one (the students figured out the heat of combustion of sucrose in the lab). Then I was scrambling trying to find the time to make cookies and jars of salsa for each of my students so I could give them with their graded lab reports.

Then my friend Amber Brokaw pops up and convinces me to make no-bake cookies only. She told me they were easy, and she would help. I had read their Christmas letter earlier in the day, and recently on her blog she showed all the yummy Christmas desserts she had made. Also, Alyson had a blog entry recently about sneaking no-bake cookies. Too much blog-reading! I had shared some yummy salsa with Josh earlier in the evening. (Okay, I just realized that maybe I'm just really dreaming about food - I'll blame it on the pregnancy!)

I woke up this morning thankful it was just a dream but craving some no-bake cookies! So Amber, anytime you want to hop on up to OKC and help me make some no-bake cookies, you are welcome to!

Casen's Big Move

We got A LOT done this weekend in preparation for the baby. We still have lots to do for the baby's room, but we got Phase I done: Casen's Big Move.

Case moved into his new room yesterday. Daddy and Bunny put together his new big boy bed. Once it was all together, I exclaimed, "It looks like such a big boy big!" My mom replied, "It is a big boy bed!" While they worked on that (with Casen's help), Mom helped me go through a bunch of stuff for storage and cleaned the laundry room.

We were nervous last night - wondering how Case would take to his new room. As soon as we started moving his toys into his new room though, he understood. He went and got other toys and brought them down there. We also played in his room with him. Josh took a nap on Case's new bed. Case loves when we come into his room and lay on his bed. Sometimes he will lay with us; sometimes he just plays and talks to us while we are on his bed. He slept the entire night in his bed. I woke up a lot (thank you pregnancy and a cold) so I checked on him throughout the night. I straightened him out whenever he was twisted around too much. He never fell off though (we have blankets down to cushion his fall just in case). Today he took a LONG nap in his bed and never twisted around. We'll see how he continues to do, but so far so good. He might have to readjust when the baby arrives and is sleeping in his old crib, but we'll see. For now, we are really thankful he is so excited about his new room and bed.

We still have to put up the rest of Casen's decorations in his room. We also have to build his closet, and then we'll be done.

The baby's room will probably be done by next weekend I think. So little Baby Boy, if you hang on at least another week, your room will be ready, and Mama will have all her grading done and finals written.

36 Weeks

I'm a week bigger now...

Cousin Pics

These were the best ones I had....

Jaci's Party

Jaci turned two while we were there - we got to celebrate with her! It was a beautiful butterfly party : )

5 Kids?ll

Josh and I watched the 5 cousins this past weekend during the morning. I used to want 5 kids (when I was younger, I said 10). Since we've had Case, we are thinking 3. We'll see if we still stay 3 after the next one is born. It was fun but a bit crazy with 5 kids - and we had 2 older ones that helped out!

Later, JJ fed us all and watched the 5 kids while Josh and I went to the movies. JJ is an expert - she babysits for a living!

Baking and Cooking for Thanksgiving

Case helped me bake a pumpkin pie this year along with making dressing. He did a great job! I made the mistake in letting him test-taste the dressing. I had to cut him off from eating it after awhile.

Why God Didn't Give Me Twins...

I left Lily and Case alone in the living room for 30 seconds. I heard a scraping, and rushed into the kitchen. They had pulled out the bottom drawer completely. I caught them standing by it just smiling.

Lily and Case are 3 days apart.

(Ignore the food under the oven please.)

No Sharing!

Last month, Lily came over to play with Case. Case taught her how to use his car race track, but he didn't like the idea of her playing with his cars. So he carried them around in his arms - as many as he could hold.

This past weekend, he gathered all the cars at his cousin's house and sat on them. Yes, sat on them. Uncomfortable? Yes. But definitely the best way to avoid sharing.

Yes, I Was Told This...

So I was told another comment that needed to be recorded on my blog....

Last night at church:

"When are you due again?"

"December 27"

"Looks like you were due 5 minutes ago."

Yes, that's right. I told him that he just made my blog.

Case and Santa at OC

We went to the Lighting of the Commons Tuesday night at OC. It was great - Case really really liked all the music. He just sat there and listened to the jazz band, chorale, Summer Singers, and New Reign.

In this picture, both Case and Santa look surprised. At least, Case was too young to know what was going on before it was too late. It seems like any kid above 2 started screaming before they had time to put him/her in Santa's lap.

Baby Boy II

I had an appointment with my doctor on Tuesday. I was hoping she would tell me that I might have him any day now (he dropped over Thanksgiving) and my contractions have picked up (nothing regular yet). That wasn't the case though. Apparently, most women carry their babies the same length of time as their previous children - just their labor is quicker usually. Well, I'm not waiting 11 days like I did last time to end up getting induced anyway this time. So come on Baby Boy II - it's time to make your appearance (of course, if you want to wait until after Finals and I have my grades in, that would be perfect : )

Well, during my exam, the doctor was pretty sure the head was down, but she said she wanted to make sure by doing a quick ultrasound. I kinda got a bit worried, but it was a blessing - Baby Boy is in the right position. And we got to see the ultrasound. I didn't get any pictures, but it was very cool to see him so BIG. That poor boy has no more room left! We saw his brains and his heart beating. We could identify every body part we saw because he looks full-grown! He looks like he has long legs and arms - we will see soon enough. I'm still betting that he's longer than Casen was.

Things I Don't Like Thursday

Packing

or Unpacking for that matter.

The last time we moved, I'm pretty sure I only packed maybe 6 boxes. Yes, that's right. Josh packed the rest of the house. At the time, I had some good excuses. I had a baby and a new job where I was commuting an hour one way. I dread though the next time we have to move - I really really hate packing and unpacking. If it wasn't for Josh, we still would be living out of boxes.

So Phase III is being added to the Science Building at school. This new building will actually be built right next to my office wall and window....which means I have to pack my office up by tomorrow. They are just moving us over a few feet where they will put up a temporary wall (weather-proof), but I still have to pack up all my stuff. Have you seen my office? Let's just say I'm not the most organized person. Thankfully, I'm going to try to rope one of my graders to help me pack.

Even though I hate to pack (and unpack), I will be overjoyed when the new phase gets built, and I get a new Real Office!!!