Snips and snails, and puppy-dogs' tails

He's healthy and developing fine.

When we had Ian's ultrasound he wouldn't stop moving around. This little boy was all calm and comfy in there playing with his fingers. They're 95% sure it's a BOY! Due date was pushed back to May 1st. No name yet - it's is going to be tricky - the only name we could ever agree on was "Ian" and that's already taken. We're very excited to have another boy in our family.

John, we should send you a prize for guessing it right :)

Snowed In

winter wonderland

Blizzard

Mr. E loves the snow

Wow, we've got several inches of snow and counting. Duster's working from home today. A few of our neighbors tried to drive to work and got stuck in the muck.

Today was also the day for our much-awaited baby gender finding (and other things) ultrasound - but because of the weather, it was rescheduled to Monday. Someone from the clinic called to tell me that the ultrasound tech was stuck in a ditch and couldn't keep the appointment.

Duster took a break and we went for a walk outside so Mr. E could play in the snow a bit :)

Sniffles and a Little Snow

Yesterday we went outside and played on a thin layer of snow on the grass. But only for a while. Temperature had dropped to a record low and somehow our heavy winter coats, boots and hat, weren't enough to keep us warm. So we hopped on our car and headed to the mall where they have a large inside play area for children. Mr. E didn't seem like himself, he was whiny and only after an hour of playing, threw a fit over some lolipops he saw other children had. That meant time to come home. He kept sneezing and rubbing his eyes on our way back.

This morning he woke up with watering, itchy, red eyes, a runny nose and still sneezing. I called his preschool to let them know he wouldn't be coming today. I gave him some Tylenol in case he had a sore throat, too, and he told me after a while that he still had "water in my eyes" ... he thought the tylenol would make his eyes stop watering :) Unfortunately, there's not much I can give to comfort him further since he's not coughing. According the his pediatrician website, antihistamines such as found in benadryl that would stop watering eyes, runny nose, etc, wouldn't help unless those symptoms were from a nasal allergy (not a cold), which is not the case. I didn't know that.

He's been watching cartoons all day wrapped in a blanket on the couch. For lunch we finished off a box of chips ahoys, the reduced fat kind (that means we can eat twice as much cookies right?) and called it good.

Mr. E's favorite toy is now his new snow boots. He's smitten by them and has been wearing them at home. Last night he went to bed and put them right next to him asking if it was okay that they stay there :) He loves just looking at them and jumping with them on. He insists in calling them his "mud boots" for some reason.

On a side note: Snow. It shuts down the entire town. As a county/town, we're unprepared when it comes to snow, because, they say it's rare, so why be prepared? I somewhat disagree especially because sometimes it rains after snowing, and the water freezes over roads, sidewalks, etc. Last winter I counted and it snowed exactly 10 times here, each time with the snow melting soon after. That's often to me. Church is usually canceled and at Duster's office, people will work from home if it's snowing that day because they're afraid - with reason - to drive on Washington's untreated, unplowed, icy roads. Can you imagine canceling sacrament meetings in Utah every time it snowed a little bit? So far this winter, it has snowed once and it might snow again tonight. I don't know, maybe Dustin will be working from home tomorrow :)

Catching Up

Me and Luciana at my brother's wedding

Me and Duster

Christmas Ligths at Temple Square

Mr. E Watching "Bolt" in 3D

Lunch at Grille from Ipanema with Lizzie

After Watching Twilight with Mylene and Juliana

My Little Niece Ms. E

Thanksgiving at My Parents

Mr. E Bowling

We're back home now, it's been a week actually. Our trip to Utah was very productive. It was unusually warm for end of November/December and we were bummed out that we didn't get any snow while there. As always, there wasn't enough time to see everyone or do everything on our to-do list. There was so much more I wanted to do.

My older brother got married and we were happy to be in attendance. The bride was ravishing in a beautiful, long-sleeved white gown. The groom, it seemed, was very careful to not outshine his blushing bride on their special day - his hair went without a trim, and he wore a tux along with a tall hat and a walking cane ... don't ask.

They got married in the Salt Lake Temple in the morning and we barely made it in time - Duster's phone died in the middle of the night, so it didn't go off. His dad had to come downstairs and wake us up {thank you}. In our hurry to get there, I ended up forgetting my camera, so there's no pictures for this post save for a couple that a friend took. Their reception was beautifully done at a country club in Saratoga Springs and the food was just scrumptious. They had a DJ, and all the little kids were dancing, Mr. E and his little cousins included. It was really cute!

We also spent a great deal of time trying to rent out our house there. It was probably the worst possible time to do that - Not very many people interested in moving over the holidays - but our prayers were answered, and we found a great little family to rent it to {huge relief}.

Other than that, we visited with family and friends, made several trips to our favorite restaurants for lunch/dinner and just enjoyed our time there.

Thank you all for the great times, laughter and yummy food - We had a lot of fun :)

On our way to the airport, we stopped at the Temple Square to see the Christmas lights.

I Know This is Last Minute, But ...

To Our Girly ...

Thursday, the 26th. We're planning on watching Twilight after the Thanksgiving festivities sometime.


Don't be ...


Everyone is invited ... so if you wanna join us, call, e-mail, orkut, facebook me or leave a comment and I'll contact you with the details.

A Letter From a Los Angeles Temple Ordinace Worker ...

I thought I'd share this forwarded e-mail letter that my husband sent me the other day ...

"My dear family, brothers and sisters, friends and leaders:

My heart is overflowing with joy and gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His tender mercies and mighty miracles in our behalf. I just have to share this with you.

As most of you know, I am a Temple ordinance worker and work the morning shift in the LA Temple every Saturday. Today, I had the privilege of translating sister Martz - the new assistant Matron's-message during our devotional.

She started like this "The prophet Joseph Smith said that no unhallowed hand would be able to stop this Work from progressing. These past few weeks when mobs have combined and armies have gathered against the saints, the Lord has protected His house". She went on to say that those, like her, who were inside the Temple when mobs were surrounding it, did not realize how scary and terrifying this looked on TV to the rest of us, because inside the House of the Lord all was calm and there was peace abundant.

After Proposition 8 passed, the Temple began receiving threatening calls and mail from those opposing it. They were warned that more than 5000 people would come to the Temple and burn it to the ground, and stop Its work. The first Thursday when the mob came, the new LA Temple President called the Salt Lake City Temple Offices for instructions. He was instructed to call the local police and to insure the safety of those attending the Temple by closing the gates. The assistant Matron said today, that it was a tender mercy from the Lord that the mob chose that Thursday to come since they had only one person coming to receive his own endowment that day, which he received in time to leave before trouble started. The LAPD and the FBI responded quickly to the Temple Presidency's summons and patrolled the grounds and kept the mob from entering the same. Most of them had never been there before and expressed their surprise at how beautiful and peaceful all around was. They were invited to come back during the Christmas season to see the lights and they promised they would.

On Thursday, November 13th, sister Campbell, a secretary in the Temple, was opening the mail and upon opening a large manila envelope found inside a smaller one. When she opened this one, a white powder flew all around her desk. She thought this could be related to the demonstrators and feared the worst - ANTHRAX. She contacted the President, who in turn called the Salt Lake City Temple office again for instructions. The FBI, the LAPD, and even the SWAT teams were once again in the grounds to investigate, and the Temple once again had to close from around 11:30 AM to 5PM. They closed the gates and were instructed to keep all the people there wherever they were found at the time. Those in the parking lot had to remain in the parking lot. Those entering the Temple had to remain in the first floor and those already upstairs were taken to the Celestial Room. Then, the miracles began to happen: A brother serving as a recorder that day is a Microbiologist by profession and used to deal with hazardous substances every day. He was the first to say the white powder in the envelope was only talc, and put every one at ease. Then the sister coordinator upstairs was impressed to call upstairs to the sealing area, and said "They said we can't go down but no one said we can't go up, and I have many people in the Celestial room with their ceremonial clothes on ready to work. Could they do some sealings?" As it happened, there were four sealers present that day and they ran four sealing sessions non stop while the Temple was closed. Downstairs, someone else thought to invite those in the Lobby to do some initiatories, which they promptly did for all those hours too, brothers and sisters alike. Among those waiting in the parking lot there was a large group of young men and women with their leaders who had come to do Baptisms for the dead, and who waited patiently all those hours and decided when the Temple was reopened to go ahead and fulfill their assignment instead of driving back home.

The Temple reopened in time for the 5:30 PM session. The next day when recording the ordinances, they discovered that they had performed 2000 sacred ordinances on Thursday, only one less than the day before when three stakes had been visiting the Temple. Once again the assistant matron reminded us of the words of the Prophet Joseph Smith, "No unhallowed hand can stop the Work from progressing...". But, this is not all, a prophecy was fulfilled also. When the new LA Temple President was set apart by President Uchdorft of the First Presidency, he received a blessing and these words were pronounced: " The time has come for the LA Temple to come out of obscurity and become an Ensign for Righteousness to the world under your presidency." The pictures of the Temple have been shown on TV, newspapers and the internet, not only in this country but worldwide. People of other faiths have called and sent letters to the Temple thanking the Church for defending marriage and protecting the family, and commenting how impressed they are by how beautiful and majestic the Temple looks. One minister of an African American church, who by his own admission had harbored ill feelings against the Mormons before said "I am impressed by your integrity and Christ like behavior, and even if I am not ready to consider you my brothers and sisters in Christ, we can be first cousins!".

I asked the assistant matron if I could share her comments and she said to go ahead. I can only add my own testimony that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints has the power and authority of God on earth. God Lives and Jesus, His only Begotten Son and our Savior is coming soon to redeem His people. I am grateful to know this and I pray we stand firm, steadfast and immobile while the prophecies of the signs before His Coming are fulfilled. "Be not afraid, only believe" He has said, and also " What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken, and I excuse not myself; and though the heavens and the earth pass away, my word shall not pass away, but shall all be fulfilled, whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." I testify that this is true and testify it in Holy Name of Whom I strive to serve, even Jesus Christ. Be faithful and safe is my humble prayer.

Your sister in Christ,

Patricia H. A."

In Utah and Loving it!

Top Ten Reason Why We Love Utah

{in no particular order, because nobody should have to choose between these ...}

1. Temple Square During Christmas Time
2. Thunder & Lightning Storms
3. Warm Summer Nights, Fall Colors, and Winter's First Snow
4. Cafe Rio and Grill From Ipanema
5. Seven Peaks
6. People. Our Wonderful Family and Friends
7. Bear Lake
8. Utah's Beautiful Moutains and Hiking
9. Dog Sledding
10. Stucco Houses

WE miss you, Duster! Soon you'll be here having fun with us, too, CAN'T wait!

What are some of your favorite things about Utah?

This Movie ...

... Is probably already sold out by now for tomorrow. I'm hoping to watch it sometime during our upcoming stay in Utah - yay! - preferably on the huge screen at IMAX - That would be awesome! I'm just excited to be watching a movie at a theater that wasn't made by Disney. But I'm heading there with low expectations just in case they've managed to ruin this movie somehow. Especially since I loved, LOVED the book. Isn't it true that the lower the expectations, the better you enjoy a movie? Maybe that's just me.

And how about Robert Pattinson as Edward? What do you think? I've heard people say they could have done better for Bella, but I don't know ... something about him ... I say he's perrrfect! Of course, I haven't seen the movie yet, but still ... I wonder if that has anything to do with him being in some (?) of the Harry Potter movies. I wonder if he was a nerdy kid in it and now people are having a hard time seeing him as a the hot heartthrob he's supposed to be in Twilight?? No idea, I have only seen the first Harry Potter movie ... so you tell me ...

Anyone else excited? When are you planning on watching it?

Our Little Halloweener!

At first he wasn't too happy about wearing a halloween costume, no matter how cute he looked in it.

and it's off ... at least he kept the vest on.


Then he figured out the candy angle ...

Oh, did you say "candy"?
Trick-or-Treat

En Garde!
Not sure how the sword fits into his Robot costume but he wouldn't let go of it.

Daddy the Vampire and Ian the "Samurai" Robot

Name That Bump

Despite such a bad rap, empire-waist, babydoll and baggy tops and dresses are back with a vengeance (did they ever go away?). A quick look at store racks at the mall will tell you they are very much in style right now.

Although I always thought it was kind of cute and very flattering on some people, I sort of avoided that style because I could rarely pull it off. It would sometimes make me look pregnant when I wasn't or like I had gained a few pounds when I hadn't.

That was of course, until last week when I noticed my regular clothes getting tight, and when trying on my maternity clothes (that I've kept from first pregnancy) realized I was not big enough for them either - Ahh, the dreaded "big lunch or baby " stage.

So I went out and bought a whole bunch of these tops and I love them! Since I'm both pregnant and gained a few pounds I don't care if they make me look just that. They're very cute and comfortable - exactly what I need to get me through another month or so. Way better than my husband's t-shirts I wore at first last time. It only made me feel frumpy. Oh well, you live and you learn.

An added bonus is that once I outgrow these tops, I'll be able to use them again after I have the baby. Sure, I'll look "pregnant" then, too, but hopefully the newborn in my arms will give away that, instead, I just had a baby.

These cute tops can be found at Banana Republic and Victoria Secret. I also found a cute shirt at Ann Taylor :0)

One Year Older and Wiser, Too!

I had a fabulous birthday yesterday! It started out with me and Ian sleeping in. How great is that?! Most days I'm up early (kind of) with Ian and still wishing I could sleep another 5 more minutes. He must've known, and it was his way of saying "happy birthday, Mom".

My parents were here visiting from Utah - we had fun birthday gift shopping for each other at the mall (My mom's birthday was only three days before mine) and my Dad was kind enough to watch Ian while we shopped. I had fun talking to everyone who called to wish happy birthday, too.

And of course, it wouldn't be a birthday without going out to dinner. This year's restaurant of choice: Red Lobster. Yup, I'm very easy to please, throw a couple of shrimp my way, and I'm happy :) Thanks hungies for always making sure my birthday is special!

It'll take a few days getting used to saying I'm 26 instead 25. 26, does that sound old to you?

Ian Will Be a Big Brother!

That's right, our little family is growing!

We're expecting our second baby next April.

Needless to say we're very excited and feel really blessed to be adding to our family.

We wanted to share the good news with everyone.

I found these funny comics online, and thought I'd post them here.

I remember Leslie posted some similar {baby tips} a while ago on her blog.

These are the "pregnancy tips" version of it.

First Day of Preschool

Monday was Ian's first day of preschool and he did very well. He seemed to really enjoy his first day and was excited to tell us all about it.

I stayed by the door for a few minutes after dropping him off and saying goodbye and I saw him playing and talking to the other kids. I left after making sure he was ok, and teared up as I walked to my car.

He's growing up so fast. Anyway, check out our cute preschooler.