Tomorrow is the big day! After 9 long months of anticipation, I can't believe that we will be meeting a new baby boy or girl so soon! This has been a rough ride, but I hope that I can remember the good things about this pregnancy, as I think this is most likely the last time for us.
Things I will not miss about being pregnant:
- daily vomitting
- heartburn
- back aches
- skin tags
- hemorrhoids
- leg cramps
- headaches
- numb fingers and toes
- bloody noses
Things I will miss about being pregnant:
- feeling the baby move
- having an excuse for weight gain
- stretchy pants
- not being able to clean the litter box
- having help with things like vaccuuming and laundry
- the anticipation of growing a new life
I know that when the memories of all the daily aches and pains are not so recent memories, the good things about this pregnancy will far outweigh the bad.
And I know that once I see our sweet little baby, I will forget all of them instantly.
I can't wait!!
Tuesday, December 28, 2010
Monday, December 6, 2010
T-Shirts, Santa, and Christmas Cookies
Noah and Ella got some t-shirts that say "I'm the big kid" at the sibling class they took at the hospital a few weeks ago so we spent some time coloring them with fabric markers. They turned out super cute. 
On Sunday they wore their Christmas outfits to church so they could get their pictures taken with Santa. 
Noah told Santa that he wants an Ipod touch, a cell phone, and (luckily, so Christmas won't be ruined) some Legos.
Noah told Santa that he wants an Ipod touch, a cell phone, and (luckily, so Christmas won't be ruined) some Legos. 
Ella was very excited about Santa this year. She asked for an umbrella. 
After church we went to my parents' house for our 3rd annual Cookie Making Party with my brothers and Lacey and my parents. Noah was a big help this year measuring out the ingredients and rolling the dough into balls. Ella had fun being in charge of the dishes.
After church we went to my parents' house for our 3rd annual Cookie Making Party with my brothers and Lacey and my parents. Noah was a big help this year measuring out the ingredients and rolling the dough into balls. Ella had fun being in charge of the dishes. 
The kids snuggled up together and rested a bit after making cookies. It was so sweet while it lasted..... about 2 and 1/2 minutes.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Exciting News!
We had exciting news in our family recently. My brother Jeff proposed to his girlfriend Lacey while they were in Chicago a few weeks ago. They are planning their wedding for May 28th. We all love Lacey so we are very excited! They have asked Ella and Noah to be the flower girl and ring bearer and the kids are beside themselves with excitement about that prospect. Ella doesn't quite get the whole concept yet. She asked if she gets to be in a garden, and she thinks that Noah is going to be a "bear". May will be here before we know it... can't wait!
We had parent teacher conferences today for Ella's 3 year old preschool. We "learned" that she is very social, loves playing in the house area and looking at and listening to books and that she loves music and dance. This was not new to us. What was a little surprising was that she knows all her colors, shapes, numbers, and most letters, and that she is a good listener and follows directions well. Huh? Well, I'm glad she can do that for someone!!
We had parent teacher conferences today for Ella's 3 year old preschool. We "learned" that she is very social, loves playing in the house area and looking at and listening to books and that she loves music and dance. This was not new to us. What was a little surprising was that she knows all her colors, shapes, numbers, and most letters, and that she is a good listener and follows directions well. Huh? Well, I'm glad she can do that for someone!!
Sunday, November 21, 2010
4 more weeks!
I can't believe that another Christensen is due to arrive in 4 more weeks. I am so ready to have this baby, but I still have a hard time believing that we're actually going to have a baby! I think we are very ready..... all the clothes and blankets and other baby gear are all ready and in the nursery.
This fall has just flown by.... I have been super busy at work and with all of our various activities- soccer, dance, swimming lessons, teaching religious ed., being involved with various groups at Noah's school, the list goes on and on. The bad thing about being so busy is that it makes me very TIRED, which, with this pregnancy, has been a big issue. The good thing about it is that the past 8 months have gone by very fast and this baby will be here very soon.
We can't wait!
This fall has just flown by.... I have been super busy at work and with all of our various activities- soccer, dance, swimming lessons, teaching religious ed., being involved with various groups at Noah's school, the list goes on and on. The bad thing about being so busy is that it makes me very TIRED, which, with this pregnancy, has been a big issue. The good thing about it is that the past 8 months have gone by very fast and this baby will be here very soon.
We can't wait!
Saturday, November 13, 2010
First Snow of the Year!
The kiddos had fun playing in the snow this morning. It was perfect wet, heavy snow for making snowballs and snowmen. The snow was pretty much all melted by 1:00 this afternoon. It was fun while it lasted! I'm sure it will be back soon.
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Halloween Photos
The kids had fun carving pumpkins this year. Noah did his all by himself and did such a good job! His is the one in the picture on the far right. Seth's is on the left, mine is next, and the ghost is Ella's, although she had lots of help from daddy.
The kids had a fun time at a friend's birthday party where they got to wear their costumes and play fun Halloween games.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Throw Up Shoes and Pee Pants
The following is from a post I made in August 2009 after my miscarriage:
I know that I will get pregnant again, and that it will be a healthy, full-term baby. When that time comes, I will appreciate every moment of that pregnancy. I will try hard not to complain if I am nauseous, or gaining a lot of weight, or tired, or whatever. I will know that the time spent being miserable is so short, and that there is something so much more miserable than being a little nauseous or tired, and the outcome is so worth it. I may need reminding of that when the time comes, though.
Yeah. So, I have been pregnant for approximately 238 days now, and, of those 238 days, I have thrown up probably 230 of them. I am so miserable!! And I whine and complain about it every day. Every minute. And I feel bad reading my previous post and remembering how much I wanted to be pregnant and to have a baby. And I so do...... so why can't I just be happy and appreciative?
At first I threw up because of morning sickness, but now I throw up because of indigestion and heartburn and it's terrible. And, not only do I throw up, but I also pee my pants about 80% of the time when I do. And I also pee my pants when I cough, and sneeze, and laugh, and cry.... lovely.
Which leads me to the title of this post.....
I was at a conference today in Ames, IA with a friend. I got a bad tickle in my throat and couldn't stop coughing, so I went into the bathroom. I was afraid with all the coughing that I would wet my pants. Again. I was using the potty in the stall and all of a sudden turned into the girl from The Exorcist and projectile vomited all over the stall. Again. Luckily, the only part of me that got hit was my shoe. After I attempted to clean up the stall- which is a gross enough task even without the vomit- I had to go get my friend's car keys so I could get a different pair of shoes. Luckily I had some since we had stayed overnight and I had an extra pair.
The night before we were hanging out in my hotel room watching Hoarders on A&E and this grossly overweight man who hadn't left his bedroom in years and couldn't get out because of all the junk in his house had just gotten chewed out by his seriously mentally ill wife and his response was ......."can you get me a pickle?" It was probably the funniest (yet saddest) thing I've heard in a long time, and I laughed so hard I peed my pants. Again. So, I had to change my pants and put them in a bag in my suitcase.
Needless to say, I was dreading coming home to unpack my suitcase which was full of pee pants and throw up shoes. Pregnancy is fun.
My mom reads my blog and I can just hear her thinking "Jennifer! Why would you write about that?!?!" The answer is because I want to remember it. People remind me that I was sick with Ella and I honestly do not remember! I can't imagine I will forget all of the disgusting events that have occurred with this pregnancy, but, just in case... it's all here in writing.
And, oh yes, this baby will be here in 6 weeks or less and we are so excited and this will all be worth it!!!!
I know that I will get pregnant again, and that it will be a healthy, full-term baby. When that time comes, I will appreciate every moment of that pregnancy. I will try hard not to complain if I am nauseous, or gaining a lot of weight, or tired, or whatever. I will know that the time spent being miserable is so short, and that there is something so much more miserable than being a little nauseous or tired, and the outcome is so worth it. I may need reminding of that when the time comes, though.
Yeah. So, I have been pregnant for approximately 238 days now, and, of those 238 days, I have thrown up probably 230 of them. I am so miserable!! And I whine and complain about it every day. Every minute. And I feel bad reading my previous post and remembering how much I wanted to be pregnant and to have a baby. And I so do...... so why can't I just be happy and appreciative?
At first I threw up because of morning sickness, but now I throw up because of indigestion and heartburn and it's terrible. And, not only do I throw up, but I also pee my pants about 80% of the time when I do. And I also pee my pants when I cough, and sneeze, and laugh, and cry.... lovely.
Which leads me to the title of this post.....
I was at a conference today in Ames, IA with a friend. I got a bad tickle in my throat and couldn't stop coughing, so I went into the bathroom. I was afraid with all the coughing that I would wet my pants. Again. I was using the potty in the stall and all of a sudden turned into the girl from The Exorcist and projectile vomited all over the stall. Again. Luckily, the only part of me that got hit was my shoe. After I attempted to clean up the stall- which is a gross enough task even without the vomit- I had to go get my friend's car keys so I could get a different pair of shoes. Luckily I had some since we had stayed overnight and I had an extra pair.
The night before we were hanging out in my hotel room watching Hoarders on A&E and this grossly overweight man who hadn't left his bedroom in years and couldn't get out because of all the junk in his house had just gotten chewed out by his seriously mentally ill wife and his response was ......."can you get me a pickle?" It was probably the funniest (yet saddest) thing I've heard in a long time, and I laughed so hard I peed my pants. Again. So, I had to change my pants and put them in a bag in my suitcase.
Needless to say, I was dreading coming home to unpack my suitcase which was full of pee pants and throw up shoes. Pregnancy is fun.
My mom reads my blog and I can just hear her thinking "Jennifer! Why would you write about that?!?!" The answer is because I want to remember it. People remind me that I was sick with Ella and I honestly do not remember! I can't imagine I will forget all of the disgusting events that have occurred with this pregnancy, but, just in case... it's all here in writing.
And, oh yes, this baby will be here in 6 weeks or less and we are so excited and this will all be worth it!!!!
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Entrepreneur and Beaver Boy
Today when I picked Noah up from school he was very excited about a new plan he had thought up to set up a stand in the yard to sell various snacks from our house. I tried to explain to him that, since the wind was blowing about 60 mph, tonight might not be the best day for such an endeavor. I really did not want to have to sit outside with him, and, sadly, in this crazy world we live in, I would never let him be outside in the driveway waving at passing cars by himself. He would not be swayed, however, and found a box for his "wares" and wrote the prices on the box. Cookies and crackers were $.40, yogurt was $.60, and Gatorade was $1.00. He set up his little shop in the driveway and sat there hopefully waiting for people to go by.
Unfortunately, most people were still at work, but he was patient. When our neighber came home from work, Noah ran over to give him his sales pitch and came back with $1.00 and a HUGE smile on his face. I felt terrible for trying to talk him out of something he was so excited about. Soon other neighbors came home and, when all was said and done, he managed to make $4.00! He now thinks he's going to sell his goods every day after school. I told him that if he continues to have success, he's going to have to buy his own merchandise rather than raiding our pantry.
So what about Beaver Boy? Last year Noah had a wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Broesch, who would give him extra projects that went along with topics they were talking about. One project that he really got into was when they were learning about beavers. He had me take him to the public library and got a bunch of books about beavers and then did a presentation to the class about how they make their homes. I came up to school and helped the kiddos make little beaver dams using chowmein noodles and peanut butter. We learned more about beavers than I ever thought was possible or that I ever wanted to know.
This year, Mrs. Broesch is teaching 2nd grade. She was planning her lesson plans, and, apparently, 2nd grade also has a beaver lesson. She asked Noah if he wanted to be a "guest presenter" and talk to her class about beavers. We made another trip to the library and he did some "research" and planned a little talk about the important points about beavers and their homes. He was so excited about his presentation and said it went well.
He said that since 1st graders and 2nd graders go to lunch at the same time, that some of the 2nd graders have been approaching him to ask questions about beavers. I wanted to be sure and blog about this, because I think when he is a high schooler he will be pleased that he was the "beaver expert" as a 1st grader.
Unfortunately, most people were still at work, but he was patient. When our neighber came home from work, Noah ran over to give him his sales pitch and came back with $1.00 and a HUGE smile on his face. I felt terrible for trying to talk him out of something he was so excited about. Soon other neighbors came home and, when all was said and done, he managed to make $4.00! He now thinks he's going to sell his goods every day after school. I told him that if he continues to have success, he's going to have to buy his own merchandise rather than raiding our pantry.
So what about Beaver Boy? Last year Noah had a wonderful kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Broesch, who would give him extra projects that went along with topics they were talking about. One project that he really got into was when they were learning about beavers. He had me take him to the public library and got a bunch of books about beavers and then did a presentation to the class about how they make their homes. I came up to school and helped the kiddos make little beaver dams using chowmein noodles and peanut butter. We learned more about beavers than I ever thought was possible or that I ever wanted to know.
This year, Mrs. Broesch is teaching 2nd grade. She was planning her lesson plans, and, apparently, 2nd grade also has a beaver lesson. She asked Noah if he wanted to be a "guest presenter" and talk to her class about beavers. We made another trip to the library and he did some "research" and planned a little talk about the important points about beavers and their homes. He was so excited about his presentation and said it went well.
He said that since 1st graders and 2nd graders go to lunch at the same time, that some of the 2nd graders have been approaching him to ask questions about beavers. I wanted to be sure and blog about this, because I think when he is a high schooler he will be pleased that he was the "beaver expert" as a 1st grader.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Pumpkin Patch Fun
The kids and I had a really fun time at Vala's Pumpkin Patch last Friday. Noah had the day off for fall break and we lucked out with gorgeous weather! This was the first Vala's trip that I can remember that we weren't dressed in our winter coats. After work Seth came to meet us and we ate dinner there (had to take out a minor loan) and stayed until after dark. Another first! I found out that the teenagers also come out after dark. It really made me appreciate my sweet little ones. they grow up so darn fast.... I can do without the teenage years coming too quickly.
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
Thursday, September 16, 2010
Lots of 1st when you're 3
Ella is getting to be such a big girl! First soccer, then preschool and dance. She loves all of them! She was so excited for her first day of preschool last Tuesday. She's literally been talking about it since last April. She also had her first dance class last Tuesday afternoon. The little 3 year old girls in their leotards and tights is too cute for words!
Monday, September 6, 2010
Gotta love those pink shinguards
Ella started soccer this fall. She is playing with other 3 year old girls and it is so stinking cute! She's actually pretty good at dribbling and kicking- she's been watching Noah's soccer games for so many years, she has a pretty good idea of what to do.
She didn't always understand the soccer terms, though. The coach told them to "dribble" and Ella picked up the ball and dribbled it like a basketball. Then they were told to shoot it and she picked it up and threw it into the goal.
Maybe basketball is going to be more of her sport?
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Baby on the Way!!!!!!
Since I've announced the news on Facebook, I figured I could finally start blogging about what is really on my mind lately..... we are having a baby!!! The due date is December 31st and we are all very excited. Because of our last experience, I waited a loooooong time to tell anyone and was frankly a nervous wreck for the first 12 weeks. At about 10 weeks we had to tell close family and we did tell the kids because it was getting a little obvious and harder to hide.
I had quite a few ultrasounds at the beginning, which was basically my doctor's way of trying to get me to relax a little bit. It did help a lot seeing that heartbeat, I can't believe how much I took that for granted with my other two. Noah really wants a baby brother and Ella really wants a baby sister. Shocking! One of them has a pretty good chance of getting their wish!
I had quite a few ultrasounds at the beginning, which was basically my doctor's way of trying to get me to relax a little bit. It did help a lot seeing that heartbeat, I can't believe how much I took that for granted with my other two. Noah really wants a baby brother and Ella really wants a baby sister. Shocking! One of them has a pretty good chance of getting their wish!
Monday, August 16, 2010
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)