Fingernail Painting

Jeremy's never done this for me...


But...maybe that's okay.

Chunky Monkey

Some of you will remember that when Carolyn was a baby, I stressed about her weight just about everyday. I worried that she wasn't nursing enough. Jeremy set an alarm to wake me up to feed her at night (thank goodness the lactation lady told him that was just not necessary).

It all started with her two-week checkup. I had a pediatrician I knew little about, and I left the office crying after he told me that Carolyn was crying because I wasn't feeding her and she was at an unacceptable weight. Needless to say, I never saw that pediatrician again. We promptly switched and our new doctor was much better. He assured me that some kids are small and Carolyn was growing and developing just fine. I quit worrying about her when we moved her to solids and she ate so much we switched her to table food to save $15 a week in baby food. She eventually gained the twenty pounds necessary to go forward-facing in the car. At 18 months, and just by a hair. But it all ended well.

So Blake had his two-week appointment today. Although he's a marathon nurser, I admit to some anxiety because of my previous experience with a small child. But not this one. He hadn't been weighed since we left the hospital (8 lbs 2 oz.), but now he is a robust 9 lbs. 8 oz. How nice to have a baby that gets fat like all those other babies. How nice to know he gets enough to eat and isn't hungry. Here's to many more appointments where my child does not slide off the growth chart!

Sister Love

He's Here!

Blake Lawrence Horner

Born 15 December 2008 at 8:24 pm. I know that technically it was my due date, but I was done with this pregnancy weeks ago.

A little bit about Blake: he's blonde, he was 8 lbs 12 ounces (!), he seems lengthy at 20.5 inches and, like Carolyn, he has his Daddy's eyes...

Plus, I think he's pretty great...

but so does Carolyn, which is mostly wonderful. When she came to the hospital, right after telling me hi, she said, "I want to hold him." She climbed right up and gave him a sweet hug.

Now that we are home, she wants to hold him, rock him, hug him, kiss him. Someday, like when I get free babysitting out of the deal, I will appreciate her natural maternal instinct. For now, it just makes everything harder. Maybe I'll teach her how to change diapers soon.

P.S.: Those cute bows and hairdo are courtesy of Rachel, who had Carolyn for three days. Apparently, aunts can convince Carolyn to do things that she would never put up with from Mom.

Snow!

This is not common out here for us in Portland. Carolyn was so excited though. It was quite the effort to get her to church today instead of letting her play outside. Luckily, we are in Oregon, so they cancelled church after Sacrament Meeting. We were home with plenty of time to change and play before nap.

Of Hair and Creme

Sometime this summer before I decided to cut Carolyn's bangs I had spent quite a bit of time trying to find a salon to do it for me. I have no talent at cutting hair. But I couldn't justify the expense, especially because it was really just her bangs I wanted done.

Then months passed. And her hair got more out of control. I really don't know how to explain it. She has curly hair in the back and a little on the side, but the top layer all around her head is straight. It won't curl for anything. Also, if I gelled her hair, it would look really cute for about 10 minutes. 5 if she sat in her carseat. Then it would fall out and look silly.


We really needed some help. So I took her to a kiddie salon today. Yay for chairs that look like airplanes. And for big screen TVs showing movies. And hair people who can cut hair while their subject is trying to look at everything in the store at once.



Carolyn did a great job and her hair looks great. What I love the most is Bouncy Creme. Apparently, this is what we have been missing her whole life. It defines her curls, stayed looking nice after car seat rides, and wasn't all crunchy. Now I just have to find the energy to go to a beauty supply store to buy some.

Grandparents

Jeremy has been encouraging me to get to Olympia to visit my grandparents for months. But I never felt good enough to take that on. I get one day a week with Jeremy to help around the house, and I needed the weekend to recuperate and gear up for the following week with Carolyn. So, finally, when Thanksgiving weekend came around, and Jeremy had an unheard of four-day weekend, we made the trip up to Olympia. I am so glad we went. We just went for a half day, hoping that Carolyn would sleep on the way home for her nap. We should've known better than to hope for that. I wish we lived closer, or that Carolyn were more adaptable to sleeping in unfamiliar locations.


We had a wonderful time, capped off by a delicious milkshake from Eagan's, and were able to make it home without too much of a problem from Carolyn although Jeremy did have to sit in the back with her. Thank goodness for spouses that don't get car sick. Just thinking about making a two-hour drive back there makes me nauseated.

Nothing New

So...I've been meaning to blog. Really. But there just hasn't been too much going on here. We are mostly in a holding pattern. We don't make real plans because I keep hoping I'll have a baby. Well, I don't. The best thing is Jeremy is off for the next month for all intents and purposes. I am really looking forward to having him around to finish all the things I haven't been able to get to.

Maybe soon I'll have more pictures. We have some exciting things coming up this month. My sister is moving in with us short term while she figures out where she wants to live. I am thrilled about this because when Jeremy returns to work, it will be straight into busy season. My entire family is coming here for Christmas. We did it two years ago and it was a lot of fun. And, of course, the new baby. There will be lots of pictures once he arrives.

So stay tuned...

Name that baby!

I hate naming children. We just got super lucky with Carolyn. For some reason, I knew what I wanted, Jeremy agreed, and it was settled. Her birth announcement was mostly finished at least two months before I delivered.

This baby? No idea. I just don't like names in general. For awhile, it was all my issue. Jeremy had a list, I vetoed the whole thing and had nothing I liked to offer in return. Then I came across a name I liked. Jeremy and I talked about it. We were mostly decided. And then my cousin named her new boy that same thing. Everyone says that it doesn't matter, but...I don't know. I'm weird like that.

Then like two weeks ago, I came across another name I liked. The more I thought about it, the more it sounded nice. Then Jeremy shot it down. But I kept hoping he would just come around. You know, I could be in labor, tell him that's the only name I like, and he would have to agree. Of course, I find out that a friend due the week before me has decided to name her baby that. Now I will never get Jeremy to agree.

So, we need help. This baby is due in four weeks. I personally am hoping for only 2.5 weeks more of pregnancy. It's looking like we'll just follow Carolyn's lead and call him baby brother for the rest of his life.

Although there is no guarantee we will use any of these, input is always appreciated.

Bowling

We had the wonderful combination of a day with the schools closed and tons of rain. Not that days off school affect me directly, but all of a sudden all of Carolyn's friends have older siblings around that need entertainment too. This limited our options for activities, but Rachel suggested we take all the kids bowling.
Rachel helping Carolyn since my belly makes it a little harder to squat like that.


After some time, one of these ramps became available and we let the two toddlers use it to help them bowl. Carolyn loved it. She even got a high score of 80. I should use the ramp next time I bowl because that's pretty close to what I usually get.

How I've spent my time

I wanted to have this done for Carolyn when she moved to her toddler bed. That didn't happen, but, hey, I'm pregnant. At least I finished it. It's big enough to move with her when she switches to a larger bed again, and for now, she loves it. I do too.

People always ask

if she understands about the baby...

I think she gets it.

Christmas for Dad

We are planning ahead this year because of my due date:

me: Carolyn, what should we get Dad this year for Christmas?
Carolyn: huh?
me: A present. What kind of present do you want to get Papa?
Carolyn: uh....to come home.

Luckily for Carolyn, Jeremy has the month of December pretty much off to welcome the new baby.

Happy Halloween

We carved our pumpkin today right before we left for the trunk-or-treat. Here's Carolyn checking out his candle.


I think this has been Carolyn's favorite holiday so far. She really got in the spirit of saying "trick or treat" and "happy Halloween." Jeremy took her house to house and he said she was having so much fun she was running between houses. I just think she's the cutest ladybug I've ever seen.

He's growing up

Lucky me, my doctor was worried that the baby wasn't growing enough, so she requested an ultrasound for that day! The baby was just in a totally weird position, and is actually a little larger than my due date would suggest. Here are pictures of the growing boy.
This is his little face kind of turned toward the camera. You can see his forehead, eye, and cheek at the top of the frame.

Profile shot.

Carolyn dresses herself these days

Pumpkin Patch

Jeremy so often misses these activities because of work, but I missed two chances this week to go out to this farm and really wanted to make it. They have cute cows there, or so I've heard.

And cute sheep, but the rooster is suspect.

Is this our pumpkin? Nope.

Not this one either. Still looking.

I found it, Mom! I found it!

We must have walked that whole field twice until Carolyn was willing to call a pumpkin her own. Who knew she could be so picky. We thought she wasn't going to pick a single one, but when she saw her pumpkin, she just knew.

It's over

Carolyn started swim class four weeks ago. I have wanted to do this with her for over a year, but it never worked well. Being due in two months, this was kind of a now or never sort of situation, so we signed up for the Mommy & Me swim class. I am so glad that we did this together. She loved her time in the pool, and the whole way there each day, she would tell me all the things we would do: songs, wash arms, bubbles, etc.

It was a tough four weeks because whoever made the schedule for the classes never had toddlers, or at least had them long enough ago that they forgot how hard it is to mess with nap or meal times. My two options were 12:20-12:50 or 5:20-5:50. Seriously? Those are my options?! Every Monday and Wednesday, Carolyn turned into a ticking time bomb. We would try to time lunch so she ate right before class and wasn't asking for food. Then we would rush out of the water at 12:50, get dressed, have a snack in the car, and try to get her in bed before 1:45. At least half the time Carolyn was yelling at me the whole way home about one issue or another. It was exhausting. Add in the extra fetus I've been toting around, and I think I was more tired than Carolyn ever was after going to class.

But her face after riding this giant water slide? Totally worth the whole thing.

It must be real...

In order to have room for a baby in a few months, we transitioned Carolyn into her big girl room yesterday.

Her whole room. Ignore the sheets at the window. I have yet to get a shade to darken her room.

Her bed (I just want to point out to her Uncle Scott that Bob (rechristened Littlefoot after Carolyn saw The Land Before Time) sleeps next to Carolyn's bed now at her request).

Wall thingies I painted and put together for her.

Lamp on the wall

This was actually in her old room. Now it hangs above her closet. I just like it.

We actually had to move quite a few things around to get her room ready. I took over our extra bedroom sometime in July because I couldn't sleep in our bed anymore with my hip pain. We finally took some furniture out of the master bedroom and that left room for my air mattress. It's nice to be back in my old room. Sharing a wall with Carolyn was not easy.

I just can't believe it's time to move her. This means a baby is really coming. It's no longer "things that should be done someday," but "if this doesn't get done, Baby and Carolyn will share a crib come December."

Cousin Fun

I was upstairs minding my own business instead of Carolyn when Gordon caught Carolyn and Chandler indulging in a little fun. Catch the video on Rachel's blog!

Elmo-wears!

Carolyn has shown numerous signs that she is ready to potty train. I really didn't want to start the process because of things like my giant belly, my aching hips, my extra sensitive nose.

The process started months ago when her cousin potty trained. She was fascinated watching him climb up on the toilet and would periodically ask to do it herself. We got a kid ring to go in our seat, but I never tried to get her to go. I finally decided that she was ready though when she messed a diaper, took it off herself, and climbed on the toilet to finish. Sorry if that's too much information for you all, but most of you are parents.

We went to Target to pick out underwear, and, surprise, Carolyn picked out Elmo ones. She actually calls them her elmo-wears. It is her favorite part of the day to pick out which Elmo design to wear.

She is doing fantastic. We've had accidents sure, but I never thought it would be this easy. It's been four days and two of those are accident-free. I know there's a lot more to do with nap time and night time, but she likes the potty so there just isn't the fighting I thought would happen.


She gets an m&m with each success we have, but this evening, she decided she wanted a Tums. Isn't it sweet she sees her mom eat them like candy right now and just thinks they are so delicious? When she asks for them, I give her the nasty green ones. Fewer of them for me to eat.

A Little Catch Up

We got a replacement AC cord so I can finally take the time to blog. I hope this one lasts longer than 2.5 months.

Carolyn has started swimming lessons at the pool. She loves it. I go in the pool with her and help keep her afloat. I didn't realize how heavy I was feeling from this pregnancy until I got out of the pool the first time. I really noticed the return to full gravity. Her lesson is right before nap time, so we always have a made dash to get her home and in bed before she turns into a beast. I don't think we've made it yet.

We've been to the zoo a lot in the past month. We got a membership pass, which was one of the best choices we made. Carolyn would go to the zoo every day if we let her, especially now there is a newborn elephant. We hear about him quite a bit. Although walking the zoo just about kills my hips and wears me out, it's worth it for Carolyn to take a good nap afterward.

Other than that, it's mostly survival until the baby comes. Unfortunately that's like 12 more weeks away! I think I forgot how big and awkward pregnant ladies get. Or I didn't really notice the first time because I wasn't trying to wrestle a two-year-old girl into a diaper. She is surprisingly strong while I have no core strength whatsoever.

Carolyn has done some adorable things lately, but I can't remember any of them at the moment. Here are the most recent pictures we have. They are over a month old from when Jeremy's parents were here for a visit. Apparently, while I couldn't blog, I also was not motivated to take pictures.

Busy Month

I'm not still in Utah. I made it back without all the drama of flying out there. But since then, Jeremy's parents were here and then my little sister. While she was here, our AC cord went out again for the laptop, effectively curbing my computer time. We are waiting for a replacement, and when we get one, more recent pictures of Carolyn will go up.

Quick Carolyn story before I try to get some sleep:
We were at a friend's house last night watching football when Carolyn climbed up on my lap to take a breather from playing. I asked her if I could have a kiss. She looks at me and thinks about it and tells me no. She then wiggles off my lap, goes over to her 3-year-old friend Mason, takes his face in her hands and plants one on him.

I thought traveling without a child was supposed to be easier!

I can thank my sister for actually amassing enough credits to graduate for my first solo trip. That means without Jeremy and without Carolyn. I love having Carolyn with me, but not the plane rides it takes to get places. The child does not sleep in public. She stopped sleeping at church at 4 months. She rarely falls asleep in cars. And planes, forget about it.

I was looking forward to a nice, leisurely flight down to SLC. I even packed a book in my carry-on to read on the plane.

We left with a little more than two hours until flight time. For those not in the area, that would have put me at the airport with an hour before my flight if we hit rush hour traffic. We didn't hit rush hour traffic. We hit a freaking accident that stopped all eastbound traffic on the freeway. Once we saw ambulances heading toward the site, we realized this was not going to clear up anytime soon. We were close to a light rail station, so Jeremy pulled off the freeway to put me on the MAX. No big deal. I should still get to the airport with 30-40 minutes to spare.

I don't want to bore all you outside Portland with the details, but apparently there is construction on the steel bridge going over the river that has thrown all the light rail lines out of whack. This means instead of getting directly on the Airport line, I would need to board one rail to go to the edge of downtown, hustle my pregnant booty off that rail to a shuttle to take me to the Rose Quarter where I then wait for the line that will take me to the airport. All of this changing meant I watched my buffer zone whittle away. At the Rose Quarter I had to wait 12 minutes before the airport line showed. I know 12 minutes doesn't seem like much, but when it looks like you might miss a flight, it is a long stinking time.

My flight was scheduled to leave at 5:50. The airport line showed up at 5:10. I was told it takes 30 minutes to get to PDX. Argh! We actually arrived at 5:37. Have you ever seen a 5-month pregnant woman booking it through the airport carrying her suitcase?! Well, it isn't very graceful. I managed to be at my gate at 5:47. Out of breath, with my calves cramping (I think the last time I ran was 5 weeks pregnant before the puking took over my body), I called Jeremy to tell him I actually made my flight. Last person on the flight. Was seated for two minutes max before the flight departed.

I will admit that I did pull my book out once I caught my breath twenty minutes into the flight.

Hallelujah for not trying to carry a two-year old through this ordeal! I optimistically believe the rest of this trip will go smoother.

Solo Prayer

Carolyn insisted on saying our family prayer without any assistance. This isn't verbatim, but it's pretty close:

Dear Father,

Thank you for dolly, water, blanket, pillow, Chan Chan, Papa, Baby, Aidan, Ethan, water, dolly. Jesus, Amen.

Saddle Mountain

Jeremy had the great idea to go camping last weekend. He also worked it out so I could plan and pack the whole thing while he just showed up to go after work on Friday. How convenient! We invited my brother's family and had a great time.


The kids were impatient for dinner and the trail mix ended up spilled on the ground. That didn't stop them from snacking. I believe the m&ms were eaten in about 5 seconds flat.


Once dinner was ready, it was delicious. This was my very first dutch oven cooking experience, unless you count girls camp when I was 11. It turned out great!


Ethan, after enjoying some s'mores.


This is Carolyn pretending to sleep in her sleeping bag. Trust me, it was not this easy to get her to bed. She thought the tent was the coolest thing ever and couldn't stop exploring. Jeremy ended up sleeping on the ground in Carolyn's assigned spot, while she joined me on the air mattress. And I ended up on the very edge of the mattress by the time the night was over. She definitely needs a crib to keep her confined while she sleeps!