We've Only Just Begun

Henry started preschool last week. I realized that morning as I ate breakfast that it was only the beginning of a very long chapter in my life. He's just the first of my children to embark on the journey of education and everything that entails. Exciting, but makes me a little sad at the thought of my babies growing up.

Here he is just rearing to get out that door (notice the awesome two week old tattoo that my sis-in-law put on him in Utah. That stupid thing still won't come off! Thanks Kate!).

Here he is again with the first day of preschool prerequisites: a backpack that is bigger than he is and a baby sister who has to show off all of her cool stuff too.

A Message of Hope

I really haven't been on my computer much lately (obviously), but when I do I almost always check out a blog called C jane enjoy it.

Do you guys read her? I'm sure a lot of you do because she's hilarious. And if you're one of her readers, chances are, you read her sister's blog as well, nieniedialogues.com. If so, then you already know that Stephanie and her husband were in a plane crash two weeks ago and were badly burned and still remain in critical condition. Her sister (C jane) is keeping everybody updated on her progress. Over the past weeks, C jane and many other friends have said incredibly inspirational things about tragedy, God's love, and hope. They seem incredible.

The Nielsen Family

Anyway, they have declared today Nie Nie Day and TONS of people are auctioning cool stuff off with all proceeds going to their recovery fund (they estimate their medical bills will be astronomical as both of them will be in the hospital for MONTHS).

So check out C jane's blog. She has a link to other blogs that are hosting auctions (DesignMom has TONS of stuff being auctioned on her blog). I've checked some of them out and I just may have to get into the bidding ... if people don't get all crazy, which I'm sure they will as it's only 11 a.m. and a signed BYU football helmet is already going for $500. Yikes. If, in the end, we all decide we can't afford a $100 hair bow for our daughters, there's a button on C jane's site that is set up to accept donations in Stephanie's behalf.

Happy auction bidding and good deed-doing!

Say whaa?

So, I'm pregnant. Seems like old news. I am 10 weeks afterall. Woo hoo. A whopping 10 weeks.

Truthfully, I'd like to die. Okay, not die but maybe go to sleep for the next seven months. Wake me up when the babe gets here, okay?

Every week I look forward to my weekly pregnancy email, showing me how big my baby is getting, what is currently on the development forefront, etc. Well, today I open the email, practically praying that they reveal something incredible that will hopefully give me the strength and emotional stability to carry on...

A kumquat.

That's what they give me?!? My baby is the size of a freaking kumquat. Who even knows what a kumquat is? I'm thinking, maybe it's like a mango ... no, sorry, go directly to jail, do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars.

Your kumquat sized baby is about 1 1/4 inch long.

Sweet. A whopping 1 1/4 inch long.

At least my gut isn't sticking out yet ... oh wait.

I Ain't Heavy Father ...

... I'm just PREGNANT!

That's right. We're crazy/smart/masochistic enough to do this again.

I'm still only like two hours along (okay, more like 9 weeks but it might as well be two hours) so I'm currently wandering aimlessly through Yuckville. Honestly, call me spoiled, call me ungrateful, call me whatever you feel like calling me (except fat because I'm a little sensitive about my already-expanding gut), but I'm not going to lie, I HATE BEING PREGNANT. I do. I'm sorry. I just really do.

So on that positive note, stick around until March and you might get to see pics of our new little one!

p.s. Double Jeopardy question, can anyone tell me the reference to my post title? Here's a clue, the original quote is, "He ain't heavy, Father, he's my brother." The first one to get it right gets ... a $500 gift card to Target!! Okay, not really, because you and I both know I don't have one of those "sponsored" blogs. I'm SO not that cool. But what you will get is ... title of "My Smartest Friend," or at least "Best Internet Searcher."

These Boots Were Made for Walkin'

Ruby is the craziest little girl. She has become quite the yakker lately (although my family probably thinks that's a straight out lie because she clams up whenever they're around). At home, she is constantly yakking, trying out new words, repeating everything we say, singing, etc. Besides her yakking, she still has quite the affinity for adding crazy accessories to what otherwise would have been perfectly acceptable outfits.

Over the 4th of July (Yes, I realize I'm a little behind -- so sue me!), we were at the cabin in Idaho and Ruby became obsessed with one particular accessory. I think she insisted on wearing them every day.
Her pink cowboy boots

Outfit #1


Outfit #2 (on the 4th, her little patriotic jumper was suddenly sassed up a little by her pink boots)

Outfit #3

Outfit #4A (Yes, those are PJs. She looks so hot.)


Outfit #4B (Same PJ bottoms, coupled with her other favorite accessory -- pink, floppy sun hat. She sure does know how to make a statement.)
One other favorite accessory -- Henry's "fishing" hat (fyi, we don't know why exactly he calls it his fishing hat, he just declared it to be so one day)

I sort of feel bad for Ruby because apparently she's taking an interest in fashion. Unfortunately for her, her parents know nothing of fashion and therefore have not passed on any fashion-know-how genes.

This dilemma would be sort of akin to one of Brangelina's kids devoting him/herself to Dungeons and Dragons and all the dweebiness that it entails. Sorry kid, it's just not in your genes.

But maybe someday being completely fashion blind will be really hip. I hope so. Because then I'd never have to worry about my daughter and her "unique" style being made fun of.