Whatcha think?

I really, really love Kate Gosselin's hair. I need to get my hair cut soon and I was wondering what you all think about this--

Should I do it?

FHE with a 3 year old

We've been trying, and doing pretty well, at having FHE with Ethan every Monday night. Now that Mike is home by 5:30, we usually have dinner and can have it all cleaned up and start FHE by 6:30. ("House" comes on at 7 so we have to be done by then so Mike and I can watch!) Last night was my night to teach the lesson. I usually go through the Friend and pull a story out of there. The first message in the magazine from a memeber of the first presidency and the sharing time lessons are great too. They are short, easy, and make for a good lesson for my 3 year old who has no attention span. Last night I looked at the sharing time message and thought it would tie the last two weeks' lessons together very nicely. Well, we started by singing "I Am a Child of God" at Ethan's request, but he wouldn't sing, we had a prayer and then Ethan was all over the living room. He didn't want to sit still, he didn't want to sit on the couch, which he usually does for FHE, he didn't want to be anywhere near me or Mike. We had to have a chat with him about FHE and that we would love to have him join us but it was his decision. When he still showed no interest, we told him he could go to his room to play with his toys while Mom and Dad had FHE or he could sit on the couch with us and join us. He was sent to his room because he really didn't want anything to do with FHE. He cried and cried and Mike talked to him about it and guess what? He made the choice to come join us for FHE. We were very excited that he made that decision. (I know he'd rather be playing with toys.) And I swear that neither Mike nor I tried bribery or guilt or anything like that to get him to join us. We both made it very clear that it was his decision. We had a great lesson, he participated, and he even picked the closing song, and sang the whole thing. He even picked a second song and sang it and did the actions. After FHE, we made cookies and they were yummy. I'm very glad that Ethan made the right decision to join us for FHE and I really hope that he continues to make those right decisions. (ie going to church on Sunday, but don't get me started on that rant!)

Ethan says the darndest things in his sleep

Last night I was reading my scriptures, in bed, when I could hear Ethan in his room making noise. I couldn't quite tell if he was crying, starting to cry, or talking in his sleep, which he hasn't done before. I went into his room to check when I could tell his was crying a little, just to see. He was tossing and turning and then when he could somehow tell I was there, he started to cry harder and when I asked what was wrong, he said he just wanted to read books. I had to laugh because it was nearly 10:30 and he wanted to read books. Now, I know he was dreaming, but it was still funny.

He proceeded to wake up every hour or so after that until after 1 AM. I am so tired and need a DP and a nap this afternoon.

This is the tower that Ethan built

Last week Kristen was kind enough to let us borrow her blocks while her girls are using Mom and Dad's, thanks again, Kristen. Ethan and I pulled them out and first off, he built a tower. He was so proud of it, and it actually got pretty high before being tipped over.

Here is the proud boy with his tower...

before

After...oops!
We had a lot of fun. And I know he has had lots of fun with his dad too while I was at meetings all weekend long!

Christmas cards, oops

I know, I know. I was going to be good and send out Christmas cards this year. I even conned my friend, Tina, into coming over to take our picture in front of the Christmas tree. After just a few shots, we got one where we all looked pretty good, she and her family, even got Ethan to smile. Now I know he's not looking at the camera, but he's happy! Well, we ordered cards and they were supposed to get to Wal Mart by the 24th and we didn't hear and didn't hear until 1 pm Christmas eve, and we, of course, were gone with family. When I finally got around to getting the cards, there was a note on the package that said that the cards had been there for a week before they called us. I am so mad at Wal Mart and I may just have to go another way next year. However, I am hoping and aiming for having a great picture of both kids way before Christmas so I can have them all sent out sooner rather than later, or like this year, never.

For those of you who didn't get a card which is everyone who doesn't live within a block of me or my immediate family who was here at Christmas, here is the picture that you would have gotten in the mail had I been more on top of things.

Just remember, I have been feeling pretty yucky and not motivated to do much but get out of bed and I only have done that because Ethan wakes up and knocks on his door wanting to get out of his room. (He has a child lock on the inside of his door.)

Ethan's new favorite song

Last week I bought the soundtrack to Twilight and I have to say that I love it. I listen to it all the time while I am cooking or cleaning or even blogging. Ethan has gotten to the point where he asks what every song is. In the car, in the kitchen, everywhere. So it's no surprise that he wanted to know what the first song on the Twilight soundtrack was the first few times I played it. I told him and then he loves it and requests it often I figured I needed to add it to our play list! I hope you enjoy! (Oh and it's Supermassive Black Hole, if you've seen the movie, you'll know right where it's played.)

May sound crazy but it was great

Last night for our combined YM/YW activity I was in charge and I asked the bishop if there was any service that needed to be done in the ward. He told me that the chairs in the cultural hall were yucky after all three wards that meet in our building had their Christmas parties. He and the first counselor in the bishopric suggested we clean the chairs. Now I know that sounds gross and maybe even that the youth would not even want to show up, but we had 6 YW, a good number of girls that come to activities, and that many more YM and most of the leaders. Man, those youth cleaned, dried, and had all the chairs in the cultural hall done in 25 minutes. And what do you think they did after all the chairs were taken care of? The pulled out the tables and cleaned them. We have a fantastic group of youth and I just want to thank them for their hard work and dedication and non-complaining attitudes! Way to go YM and YW!

A mother's favorite sound

Today was my first visit with my doctor. I would have been in to see him sooner, but our new insurance didn't kick in until January 1! I was excited and nervous at the same time. I got to hear the baby's heartbeat and that always makes me a little nervous, just in case, you know. But everything went great. The baby's heartbeat was at 160, about where Ethan's was when I first heard his. I could even hear the baby moving. When there was static, that's the baby moving, according to my doctor.

I have been feeling pretty good. I wasn't for a while. I had some friends tell me to take half a unisom and a vitamin B6 pill. That worked but not completely. I still lost my lunch, or whatever was in my tummy. When I was pregnant with Ethan, I got a prescription of Pyri Dox and that was lovely stuff. I asked for it again, and it didn't matter that I didn't have insurance because insurance won't cover it. It's the best $17 I've ever spent. I feel icky at night time, but I just take a few pills and go to sleep. Ah, the joys of modern medicine. And heaven bless my pharmacist!

My official due date is July 12! (The same day as my great friend's birthday, and if she really wants, I'll even let her name the baby!) Both Mike and Ethan are convinced we are having a boy, I'm not partial to either. I'm just relieved and happy to be pregnant again. I'll take a healthy, happy, perfect baby, just like Ethan was when he was born, boy or girl, makes no difference to me.

That's the update from here for now. I know I've gotten a lot of friends asking so I thought I'd let you all know now that I know there really is a heartbeat attached to the baby growing in me!