Snow Storm 2009

Case was getting cabin fever this morning (along with Mommy and Daddy) so we bundled up and went outside in the snow. Case had never been out in a lot of snow. Before we went out, Case wanted to take a picture next to Padme. It had been sleeting all morning, and the snow had just started. The wind was blowing crazy. Needless to say, we didn't stay out long. We stood in the shed most of the time. Casen and Newman would run to the play house and stay in there for a bit, then come back to the shed. Padme loves the snow - she just frolicked all around. By the time it was time to go inside (about 15 minutes later), Case didn't want to go inside - he was having fun! Of course, he didn't care once we were inside in the warmth.

Not too long ago, the weatherman on the news just said, "Now parents don't send your kids out to play in the snow - this is not a normal snow storm - you might lose them!"

Bricktown Lights

Two nights ago Josh wanted to go see the Festival of Lights down in Chickasha. I didn't think I could make the trip without having to stop a few times along the way to go to the bathroom. So we settled for Bricktown. It was okay - it was fun taking Case and walking him around to see the lights. I promise we do brush his hair - he had had a hat on and it was messy after that!

An Oldie But a Goodie

In honor of the ice storm that has hit Oklahoma and by request from my sis-in-law Jessi, we have a re-posting from 2007.

Ice Mountain

Sounds like a good title to some action-packed movie. Nope, it's just what our front yard has become. As many of you know, our house sits high up on a hill so our driveway and front yard is very steep. Now that it is covered with several inches of ice, it's crazy trying to leave the house. Since the ice hit, we had to park our car on the street since it couldn't get up the icy driveway. Josh couldn't break the ice up either in our driveway; it was so dense. I think as the days go by, the front yard is getting slicker and slicker. This morning began the Ice Mountain saga. Josh went out to start the car to get it warmed up. He calls me from the road to tell me he can't get back up to the front door - it's too slick. He proceeds to tell me what I must do - leave the items we don't absolutely need and slide down with the day's necessities. I slide his gym bag down the mountain first. Then of course my gym bag gets stuck halfway down by the only rough centimeter area in the whole yard. We had to take Padme with us to drop her off at the vet for her second hip surgery. Josh said if I throw down the lease (fully extended) he'll catch it and direct her towards him. Uh, it didn't work. The leash wasn't long enough and Padme just ran back inside the warm, non-slick house. Not to worry, I get to take her along with me and my other "necessities" down the mountain then. So I slide down our front yard on my butt with my backpack, purse, and Padme on a leash with Josh yelling out, "Don't forget your gym bag - kick it!" I manage to kick the bag down and get all of me down the hill. It was so cold that my butt isn't even wet. At least that's a positive. We get in the car and I wonder how on earth we're going to get back up to the house when we get home.
When we got home (thankfully Padme has to stay the night at the Vet's so it's just Josh and me), we decide to go along the fence line and hang onto the tree branches. I felt like I was in some movie - holding on for dear life onto a thin tree branch and pulling myself up a mountain. I slipped a lot but never fell completely down. All this is taking place with me laughing too hard and slipping some more and Josh asking, "What are you doing?" What do you think I'm doing? I'm trying not to die. We made it inside without any falls. Five minutes later, Josh bribes me with a hamburger to go with him to Braum's to get milk. Nice. At least, we entertain the neighbors.

Mamaw's Birthday Tea

We went to a tearoom for Mamaw's birthday - it was so much fun! I had been to 2 tearooms before - this one was probably my favorite. There was so much good food, and we each got to pick our own tea and then share. Yummy!

It was a fun ladies' day!

2 Pregnant Bellies

Jourdan and me - she's about 6 months and I'm 9 months.

We were avoiding a face picture - it was late at night and decided we'll take a picture together over Christmas if I haven't had him by then.

Case and Jaritt

Jaritt showing Case how to do push-ups - Case did a somersault instead.

Washing Dishes...Case Style

Another Baby Name Hint: A Riddle

Joshua Paul Nichols is to JAPAN as the Baby Boy is to LEBANON.

Great Exam Answers

Well, I survived a semester of teaching Pchem and Earth Science pregnant. Or rather, maybe I should say that my students survived having a pregnant professor teach them.

Here are some exam answers I wrote down during the semester that I read:

1. Why do we say there is a natural asymmetry in the efficiency of converting work to heat and vice-versa?

As Christians, we say its because God made it that way.

2. This problem described a scenario that violated the 1st Law of Thermodynamics. The students had to identify which law it broke and why.

Energy was created magically.

3. Explain the formation of hail.

God makes it!

What Do Little Boys Smell Like?

So not always good things. Case lost that "baby" smell awhile ago. Now that he's getting bigger, he just smells sometimes - like he needs a bath or needs to brush his teeth.

But this past Friday after his Christmas party, he smelled like cupcakes. He had some left on his shirt and in his hair. He really enjoyed his cupcake! And when I was rocking him for his nap later that afternoon, he smelled precious.

Practice Practice Practice

I love watching Casen get on a bike. He doesn't know how to work the pedals yet, and usually his feet are still a little short to get the bike to move. OH, but you can tell he thinks he's big stuff on that bike!

Casen Squared

Casen and Cason are friends. They are about 6 months apart, but about the same size. They enjoyed going up and down on the "bridge", and then sitting at the "big kid" table. Our Casen decided he wanted to sit RIGHT NEXT to the other Cason. I couldn't figure out if it was just because he really likes him and friends sit next to each other, or if he just wanted to bug him a little. Probably, a little of both. Anyway, Cason didn't care for it - he wanted his space! But our Casen just grinned and moved back over.

A Boy and His Dog

Case loves his dogs, especially Padme. He also has begun to enjoy Newman more as well (Case now calls him JuJu). He asks for them to come inside the house so he can see them. When he wakes up in the morning, sometimes we can hear him over the monitor talking about Pa-may and JuJu. It's interesting because Casen acts as the Alpha. He bosses the dogs around and tells them No if they are into something they shouldn't (or tattles on them if they aren't paying attention to him). He also loves them so much - wants them fed and watered, loves to pet on them and kiss them, and just lay with them as you can see from the picture. It's sweet to see Case have such a love for dogs.

Christmas Luncheon

Here's some pictures we took after a Christmas Luncheon we attended - it was fun!

Name Hint

Last night I had a dream about having the baby. As many of you know, we are keeping the baby's name a secret until his arrival. Our hints so far are: Old Testament Middle Name and the First name is not a biblical name. So at the end of this dream description, I'll release another hint.

First, I think I had this dream because for the second night in a row, I had Braxton-Hicks throughout the night. Last night though, they were stronger. (Please, oh please, let that mean Baby Boy will be making his arrival VERY soon!) Anyway, due to the contractions, I think the dream formed. It was the first time this pregnancy I've dreamed about what the baby looks like.

I dreamed I had him in a cafeteria. Yes, surrounded by a bunch of family and friends....uh, totally, NOT in my birth plan! Anyway, I had short labor and he was born. He looked a little like Case did when he was born, but pretty different - not so much like Josh. He had dark hair and eyes like Case had when he was born (I'm thinking I'm having a red-head this time). He was beautiful - I can't wait to meet him!

His name in my dream was Connor. I think I got the name from one of my students; she has a son named Connor. I really like that name, but our baby already has a name. So here's the hint: his name is NOT Connor.

38 Weeks

Compare to my last pregnancy at this time. Yes, I'm definitely bigger this time.

Little Baby Boy, please decide to arrive soon. If you want to wait until next week, that would be fine. I can get my grades in AND have some relaxing days to prepare for your arrival. If you decide to arrive this week - that would be perfectly okay with me too.

Merry Christmas 2009!

Case Enjoying the Decorations (and an Audience)

Case loves the singing snowman and dog we have. He likes to give kisses to the dog.

We have two ornaments - one with Newman's picture and one with Padme's picture. Case has adopted those ornaments. He likes to hold them or carry them around looking at them. Sometimes he shows the dogs their own pictures. Too cute!