Christopher's Field Trip

I had the opportunity to chaperone a field trip with Christopher's class to the BYU Bean Museum. It was fun for both Christopher and I. We've been to this museum lots and he felt like he had a lot to show the kids in his group. They did an animal search and then watched a live animal show. I wasn't able to find a babysitter and so took Xander and Darci, too. Xander just went with the flow and you would have never known he wasn't a part of Christopher's group. Darci was in the stroller and was mad at me because she wasn't running around free and exploring with all the big kids.
Christopher's favorite part of the day was riding in a school bus and petting a real live lizard.

Grady and Rachel visit

Aunt Carrie Pingel came up from Las Vegas to Utah to attend BYU Women's Conference. While she enjoyed classes Bret and I got to look after cousins Grady (1) and Rachel (3). It was so much fun to play with cousins we don't get to see often. Grady was a little nervous around us at first. Then he totally warmed up to Bret. That entire first day Grady became Bret's little shadow. Darci wasn't sure how she felt about that. Rachel loved playing with Christopher and Xander and games on the computer were a favorite.

A day at the zoo

The kids have been on spring break this week and we had lots of fun activities planned, but then we got hit with weather more fitting to early March and not middle of April.

But TODAY we finally had sunny skies and no wind.

It wasn't too warm or too cold. The animals we're active and engaging.

Darci LOVED the penguins and the monkeys. Also, the little playground where she could run around. She cried so hard when we left the playground.

Christopher likes the big cats and the several mother/baby groups we saw. There was a baby giraffe, baby colobus monkey, and teeny tiny baby tamarins. Bret got a picture of the Giraffe mommy and baby and me with my baby all together

Xander was excited to go, but once we got there didn't want us to stop very long or look very much so he had some rough times. Although he really enjoyed the giraffes and a very engaging wolf. He also was fascinated by the white alligator. The picture of Bret with the kids has the alligator in the background.

Hogle Zoo gets nicer every year as they improve the animal enclosures and we enjoy using our annual pass as the weather warms up.

It all falls apart at 30

2008 has been the hardest year physically for me. I turn 30 and my body starts to fall apart. Makes no sense! I've had more illnesses this year. I'm probably eating healthier and exercising more than I ever have in years past and yet I continue to have health and weight problems. Right now I'm struggling with things in the category of "female problems". I've been to 2 different drs now and talked to many other drs and nurses. I have another appointment on the 7th of April and hope to get some answers by that point. In this day and age when people are living longer and longer I'm getting the short end of the stick.

Reflecting on numbers

Today I've been reflecting on numbers. Yesterday Bret turned 37 years old. He says he feels old, but I don't think he looks or acts old. I sometimes forget he's 7 years older than me. For his birthday we had a nice, relaxing day. He says it's exactly how he was hoping for. Just the kids, and he, and I. We watched the movie "Enchanted" and then had cake and ice cream. We "snuggled under the purple blanket". This is a new favorite of the whole family. Watching a movie in our family room and snuggling under an old comforter of mine. All 3 kids look forward to it and love it. So do Bret and I.
3 kids. Another number going through my head. I'd definately like to have another, but when... and is it possible to lose 50-60 lbs (another number) before getting pregnant. I think that weight loss is crucial to me not having so many problems late in my pregnancies. I've been stuck in the same 10lb range since Darci was born. I'll diet and lose 10 lbs and then get sick or just get derailed a little bit and eventually gain most or all of it back. I don't feel like I can even think about planning a pregnancy until I can lose a significant amount of weight and keep it off. That's why I'm looking ahead right now. It could be a good12-24 months before I feel like I can even attempt pregnancy (more numbers).
We measured and weighed our kids today... just for fun. Christopher recently had a growth spurt and all his pants got short. Christopher is 44 inches tall and weighs 41 lbs. I think he'll always be a little on the srawny side, but I think it's possible for him to be pretty tall eventually.
Xander is 40 inches tall and weighs 35 lbs. We get a lot of comments on how big he is. He's the youngest Sunbeam in primary, but he's by far the tallest.
Darci is 30 inches tall and weighs 22 lbs. She's right on track for her weight and a little on the tall side. Kind of funny to me because she does not look tall and skinny. She has quit the appetite on her.
Anyway, thanks for putting up with my wandering thoughts.

What a way to spend a...

This year Easter and my birthday fell on the same day. I recieved an email a couple of weeks ago that said that Easter coming this early is very rare. It hasn't happened in 95 years and isn't supposed to happen again for, like, 220 years. Add on that this was kind of a milestone birthday for me (30 years) and I guess it was supposed to be a pretty special day.
Then, life happens!
I got seriously ill the Friday before. I won't go into the gorey details, but let's just say I lived in the bathroom for the better part of 3 days. My birthday became an afterthought as I tried to figure out how NOT to spoil my children's Easter. Originally we were going to drop the kids off at Grandma and Grandpa Pingel's house on Saturday while we went on a double date with some neighbors to a play at BYU and dinner and then spend the night with the Pingel's and have grand Easter celebrations the next morning. After church Easter day was going to be a scrumptious birthday dinner and cake. We sadly cancelled on our friends. Bret took the kids to the ward Primary Easter egg hunt on Saturday morning and then we loaded up and headed down to Salem. I slept the better part of the day (man that phenergan stays with you). That night as I was starting to feel "on the mend" Bret started to complain that he didn't feel really great. Yep, you guess it! He spent the entire night in and out of the bathroom. As hard as he tried to be a part of things he slept through most of Sunday morning. The kids enjoyed a great egg hunt and looking through their baskets. I did my best to look like I had some energy and also to explain the REAL reason we have Easter. Thankfully Christopher "got" it and retained the story. Xander knew that we had Easter because of Jesus, but didn't really retain the reason. Darci just liked the eggs and treats. We got the kids all dressed up and did Sacrament Meeting in Salem and then went home and slept some more. Bret and I nibbled on birthday dinner and expressed our deepest gratitude to Karen and Jerry for helping the kids have a fun weekend (REALLY, thank you so, so ,SO much Mom and Dad). We looked at my baby book and pictures a little. I had a special moment with my dad feeding the horses some apples. And then we headed home to get the kids to bed and crash into our own.
Thanks to everyone who left birthday wishes on the voice mail and computer. It will definately be one that I'll never forget.

Just some photos...

1 of 3 "Easter" dresses.
She's getting so BIG!

Xander will sleep ANYWHERE!
Walking around
Loves her tutu and purse.

Where is Christopher. He's never in the pics.

World's Greatest Dad!!

There is nothing I enjoy more than seeing Bret enjoy our children. He truly knows how to connect with each one's individual personalities. Our favorite things to do as a family is snuggle on our couch and watch a movie. Believe it or not, only Bret knew I was going to take this picture.

Our kids especially love when Bret can be a part of the nighttime routine. He always blows bubbles for bath time and then it's jammies, brush teeth, story (which he reads), pray, song, and loves good night.

Darci's First Birthday

Has it truly been a year that Darci has been blessing our lives!!! She is truly a joy for our entire family. I never thought that having a little girl could be soooooo much fun. I enjoy every minute of it. She is already such a mix of girly girl and tom boy. She loves gadgets; cell phones, computers, remote controls, all the audio/video components. She gets excited when she hears a revving motorcycle or a helicopter. But she also loves to snuggle any stuffed animal or carry around a purse. She also loves to give her family hugs and kisses.

We had Darci's birthday party on Sunday, January 13th for convenience and I'll admit that the several days before I was in an awful mood and wasn't looking forward to it. But once I got decorating and saw her excitement that something fun was happening (and I think on some level she knew it was for her), I started to get excited myself. We decorated in pink princess ballons and she wore a pink tu-tu and carried a little wand.

Darci loves having her grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins around her. Add on the fact that they were here for HER and she was in 7th Heaven. Lots of food and cousins running around playing. Ballons flying everywhere and presents for HER!!! Her cousins excitedly helped her open presents and then sat on the ground with her to pull things out of boxes and play with everything new.

Then the coup de gras!!! A cake!! The sparkler #1 candle was a mystery to her. She wasn't sure what to think of it. Then the cake got put in front of her and everyone watched her expectantly. She looked from face to face and wondered, "what are they waiting for?". Mommy took her hand and put it in the cake. She looked up at me shocked. Then I put her frosting smeared hand in her mouth. WOW!! She dove right in after that and savored every bite.

All this activity makes for one sleepy girl. Everyone left and jammies were put on. While Mommy and Daddy cleaned up Darci, Xander, and Christopher played with the spoils. She went to bed very happy :)

The 14th was more a day of personal reflection for me. I vividly remember her birth. I remember how excited I was when I realized that she was coming on my sister's birthday. I remember the rooms and my labor and delivery nurse. I remember seeing her for the first time and being so worried for her well being. I remember the spirit in the room. Bret was there, my mom and dad were there, and my best girlfriend was there. You could also tangibly feel how thin the veil was. I truly feel like my Grandma Pingel was there and so was my sister. It was a precious day that I will always treasure.