Christmas 2010/Turning the big 3-0!

I blame my lack of blogging lately due to having family in town and being sick. I have not pulled the camera out in forever, so I have no picture evidence of our holidays! We're heading down to Utah tomorrow, and I will bring my camera with to try to remember to take pictures...should be fun! Anyway, Brian's family came in town the weekend before Christmas and stayed until the following Tuesday. By then, we were all sick! So, by the 23rd, Landen started getting fevers and his snot changed colors so I was able to get him into the doctor and get him started on antibiotics for his double ear infection. I've been battling bronchitis, which is hard when you're pregnant and limited to what medications you can take and Brian...well he's just had a cold, he doesn't really get sick (I blame this on the military since they vaccinate him with everything).



So, by Christmas Eve, I finally had enough energy to cook all day so we could have a nice dinner before Brian went to work. Of course we opened our traditional Christmas Eve present (PJ's), and Landen and I wrote a note to Santa and left him some milk and cake to eat. After getting Landen to bed, I had the pleasure of setting up his 101 piece Thomas train set, but I was only up until midnight, so not too bad!



The next morning I got the Christmas breakfast casserole in the oven and tried to keep Landen from seeing what Santa brought until Brian got home to open presents. I was lucky enough to get exactly what I wanted...a Kindle! It's so awesome, and I've been able to download a bunch of free books already! Brian got his Under Armor he wanted for running outside, and Santa also surprised him with a Blu Ray player he'd been wanting. Landen could not have been more excited about his train set! He's barely been able to put down Thomas and James since! It was nice to have a lazy day, then we went over to have Christmas dinner with the Gierke's and meet Liz and Dave's new baby Emmitt...he is so adorable! You forget how small newborns are! We had a little birthday party for me there before I headed off to work. I'd also had a little surprise party when Brian's family had been in town.

Turning 30 really was anticlimactic. When my brother asked if I felt any different, I told him no, and that I hadn't woken up with any new creaks in my body. I've been told it's the new 20 lately, and really, I don't feel any older than I did when I was 20! (except that I like going to bed early when I get the chance). Anyway, I've gone on long enough, but the holidays were great, and it was so fun having Landen be so excited this year! Looking forward to some more family time this week to celebrate the New Year!

Santa Came to Town...

At Landen's PAT (Parent's as teacher's) group meeting last night, not only were the usual games, stories and pizza involved, but we also got a visit from the jolly man himself. I was under the assumption that Landen wouldn't want to go see him because at Halloween he wasn't such a huge fan of people with beards on their face...he thought they we "scary". But boy was I wrong! Not only did he want to see Santa, but he almost tackled him as he ran to get on his lap! He even told him what he wanted for Christmas! It these little adorable moments like this that make me ALMOST forget his wonderful 2 year old antics he does throughout the day. I love his enthusiasm for EVERYTHING!

P.S. Sorry about the picture, forgot my camera, so this is from my cell phone that I enlarged enough so you could get the gist!

ROTC Ball

We got to go to Brian's last ROTC ball here at BYU-Idaho on Friday. It was kinda bittersweet! We're excited that he's graduating and we'll actually be living "normal" lives (that don't include school...at least for a few years), but we're also sad about leaving all the friends we've made up here. It was so much fun to get dressed up, get a babysitter and enjoy just the 2 of us for a whole 5 hours! I even got Brian out on the dance floor with me most of the time we were there!

This is the best picture we could get. The flash kept glaring off Brian's glasses or he would pull a "Popeye" face with one eye shut...pretty funny!

Our Thanksgiving Drama

This is where we spent Thanksgiving...well some of it. Landen had been sick for a couple of days (and we were in Utah), and by Thanksgiving it had gotten to the point where the rash that had started on his tummy was spreading to his armpits and legs. Also, he was having high fevers that medicine could no longer keep down. So, off the to E.R. we went (at least I had started my Sweet Potato Casserole and thanks to Katie for finishing it...she did a good job!). It took FOREVER to be seen because apparently we came in at the same time everyone else did and the E.R. was full. The doctor was going to check him for a urinary tract infection (weird we thought) and for strep, but he informed us that Landen was still a little too young to have strep. Well he proved them wrong! It came back VERY strongly positive! Easy enough fix though since antibiotics can cure it! Bad news it that it had taken 2 1/2 hours to get in and out plus we had to get his prescription filled, so we missed Thanksgiving dinner with my family down at my brother's house. We didn't really want to go spread Landen's germs with all the other grand kids anyway, so we went back to my parents house and Landen and I took a nap on the couch since we'd been up a lot the night before. We did however get to eat a bunch of left-overs that my parents brought back for us. So, not the ideal Thanksgiving, but what can ya do? At least Brian and I never got strep...crossing my fingers still!

Happy Anniversary!

Today is our 6th wedding Anniversary! I can't believe how time has FLOWN by! Granted either 1 or both of us has been in school those 6 years, but it's been fun to experience this together. Brian is my rock, my sounding board, my voice of reason, and of coarse my hunk of burning love (yes, I'm that cheesy). It' s amazing to go through so many ups and downs with 1 person (other than your family you're born into), and to KNOW that no matter how angry, upset, sad or lonely you get, you are ALWAYS to have that person there for you! Very reassuring! I remember after we were first married and Brian was in Iraq how much being married in the Temple not only for this time here on earth, but also being able to be with him again after death got me through so many nights of worry...I KNEW I would see and be with him again! Brian is very much my opposite, but in the ways that matter, my perfect match! Our balance is amazing and can be very helpful in the "big" decisions. I love my sweet, kind, gentle, rough military man! Such a contradiction, but perfect! So, here's to an ETERNITY with my love. Happy anniversary babe!

On a side note we went to Park City, UT while down there for the Thanksgiving break (we just got back today) on Monday to celebrate our anniversary early. We're both supposed to work tonight. No, I did not take this picture, we forgot our cameras...genius!

2010

2004

Bummed!

That about sums up how I feel. I found out today that I have gestational diabetes (pregnancy diabetes). The good news is we found it early so that I can take better care of myself and the baby for the rest of the pregnancy. How do I really FEEL? Honestly, I feel like a crappy mom! Gotta love being a woman. I've had insulin resistance for years and have been on medication for it, but there's also the fact that I'm overweight. Yes, I did lose some weight before getting pregnant, but I can't help thinking I should have been a little more "responsible" and lost more before trying to get pregnant!

As my mom says, in her attempt to cheer me up, that the only difference it makes for the baby is I will have a bigger baby. After having a 4.7 lb. baby, a bigger one definitely sounds great! So, I'm trying not to beat myself up about this, because there's not much I can do about it now. I can work on eating better (which I've already been doing this pregnancy anyway), exercising more (which I've also been doing better with this time around), and try to prevent further complications. So there's all my raw emotions. At least I'm not crying about it anymore (I felt bad for the doctor). I know that this will only make me stronger and hopefully instill better habits in me (as in not sitting down to eat peanut butter and chocolate to cope...which is what I really want ;).

That's right!

We're expecting! Finally coming out to tell the world, because I'm 13 weeks today and supposedly in a "safer" trimester for miscarrying (but mostly because I couldn't keep it in any longer). This is a picture of baby at 9 weeks. I don't know if any expectant mom EVER stops worrying about miscarrying until the day the baby is born!

As many of you know, we've had problems in the past with getting pregnant (it took us 2 years to get Landen), so we are super excited that it only took 6 months for this little one! Besides miscarrying, my biggest concern about this baby is having another preemie. Let's face it, living in the NICU for his first 25 days of life pretty much sucked! Also, I've been informed that I can only gain 5-10 pounds because of my BMI...embarrassing I know, but also stressful. I've been working with a dietitian to even know how many calories I'm supposed to be eating. My problem is that I gain a TON of water weight right away (9 lbs this time!) which technically only leaves me 1 pound? The "good news" is that with my ALL day sickness I've lost at least 2 pounds of it (this whole sickness thing is new since I didn't have anything with Landen, but at least I haven't thrown up...yet, and it's getting better!). My dietitian has been very helpful and reassured my fears and saying that even if I gained 15 it would be ok. That's manageable! That gives me about a pound a month the rest of the pregnancy.

All that aside, we are very excited about our new little baby that will arrive (hopefully) May 24th, 2011!

Halloween Week

I definitely don't take out the camera as often as I used to, so here is what I have of pictures from Halloween week.

Home made root beer...yumm!
"Cheesin" for the camera

the finished product

Wrestling with cousin Alex at Great-Grandparents Halloween party

The only shot I could get of him sort of looking at the camera post trick or treating (sitting next to cousin Bella)

A Few Favs

We finally got Landen's 2 year old pictures taken a couple of weeks ago. I'm not gonna lie, I didn't think any of them would turn out because he was being such a STINKER! Thank goodness for awesome cameras with fast shutter speed!! ;) So here's a few of my favorites:

Such a sassy boy...I get this look a lot (and worse!)

Free Stuff?

I'm registered for numerous coupon sites that most of the time I delete, but I got a good one today that could benefit some of you! Check out http://www.sevenslings.com/index.php/content/home. While supplies last they're giving away free baby carriers with the code "Halloween". They're so cute! (of course the women on there don't actually look like they've had babies!)

Visit to Kuna, ID

A few weekends ago, we went out to my brother's house in Kuna to celebrate some birthdays (September is a huge birthday month in my family). Specifically it was my SIL Kristina's birthday and my niece Kariessa's was the next day, but they had a birthday party together. Katie's (my sis) birthday had been earlier that week, and Cory's birthday was the following week...so like I said, lots to celebrate. Here's a few pictures from the adventures

Everyone on the teeter-totter (sp?)

Landen had so much fun with his cousin Kaden even though there's a 3 year age difference. In fact, Kaden wanted to come home with us...very cute!

My brother Kevin and Kelsie goofing off for the camera.

Kelsey, pianist extraordinaire!

Caught ya Kaylee (eating yummy Costco cake)

The birthday girls Kristina and Kariessa, oh and Kaden wanted to be in the picture too!

Just Cuz

I don't get a chance to upload my pictures onto the "right" computer very often since school is back in session and Brian always takes the laptop with him, so I'm hurrying to take the opportunity while I can! I found some cute pictures of Landen and the dogs (one of them is my sister's dog Sadie and of course our BJ). They made me laugh, so I thought I'd share.

Landen helping wash Sadie and BJ helping himself to a drink!
Right after Sadie got in, Landen's not sure what to think yet!

BJ and Sadie are best buds! (we just need to get one of them fixed soon so that they don't make cute little puppies together)

Precious (BJ's wondering what the heck we're waking him up for. Sadie...oblivious!)

Excuse his nasty shirt, but he likes to "play" on the organ.

Birthday Boy

Landen had a couple of fun days to celebrate his birthday. The pictures are out of order, but on Wednesday (his actual birthday), we had a little "family" time and opened presents then went to see Toy Story 3 (such a funny movie and Landen loved it!). He was spoiled rotten by his family (thanks so much by the way fam!). We had his actual birthday party on Friday (today) and had about 7 kids running around the house and yard having a good time. Ate lots of good food and had some cake and ice cream. Enjoy the pics (I'm tired!)

Landen blowing out his candle...with dad's help. Love Landen's face in this picture!
Me Landen and Braden checking out Landen's birthday cake

Helping the kids make an octopus

Landen and Lucas chatting it up

One of Landen's favorite toys he opened on his birthday.

Kid Time

Landen had so much fun with his cousins while we were down in Utah! Unfortunately I didn't get any pictures of him playing with Autumn and Aiden, but here's some from him playing with his "Rosenlund" cousins.

Landen and Cason wearing bowls for hats in the the tubby
Landen loved wrestling with his cousin Abe...he was such a good sport in letting Landen tackle him climb all over him (sitting on his conquest above)

Bella, Cason and Landen having a good time in the tubby!

Mountain Home

Another one of our adventures while down in Utah was going to my grandpa's house in Mountain Home. It was so nice just hanging out with family, riding 4-wheelers, making tin-foil dinners and roasted marshmallows. All the fun things of camping, but having the comforts of running water, beds and electricity...my kind of camping ;). Here's a few pictures of the good times:

Landen and Cason "catching" bugs with their nets
Trying to find bugs

Checking out the campfire and making s'mores

Landen squished on the 4-wheeler with mom and dad

Just the 2 of us going for a ride

Dress Shopping

We were down in Utah for a week to have one last hoorah before school starts up again and had a blast with lots of family (more posts to come). One adventure was going dress shopping with my mom and Katie. She looked awesome in all the dresses she tried on, but we finally found the one (didn't post it). So here's a sampling:

This one was her favorite at this store, but it wasn't as beautiful as the one she ordered.
Not a fan of the broach (sp?)

She decided she loves the bolero jackets

Tried it with a little color

Same dress, but without the purple sash (one of my favorites)

Loved the lace, but not so much the style!

Rigby Lake

So we've been trying to make sure we are visiting all the "spots" before we leave Rexburg next May (so awesome!), so we went to Rigby Lake for FHE (family home evening) last Monday.

Building a sand castle
Cold boy

Sorry not so attractive shot of me, but Landen's cute ;)

Wanting to be buried in the sand like Cory

Dad and Landen venturing out into the cold water