Saturday, November 22, 2008

One more funny

We're trying to teach WIlliam to sleep on the lower bunk bed since number 3 is almost here. It works out anyway since he can climb out of his crib anyway. But, he usually rolls out of bed between 3 and 4 am. Then I go rock him and put him in his crib to finish the night. I really have every intention of getting a bed-rail thing that keeps him from falling out. But, last night when I was rocking William, the pregnant belly starting punching William with a vengence. Apparantly number 3 didn't like being woken up and squished. I hadn't really noticed because he's the busiest little bundle of pregnant belly I've had yet and I'm used to it. But last night, William got tired of it and suddenly sat up and glared at my stomach. I totally had to laugh. Sibling rivalry or something like that starts young.

Sploring

We were running errands yesterday and we were near our old neighborhood, so I told the kids we were going to stop by and see a friend and see if she was home. It turned out she wasn't, so we went sploring as Abby said it. We looked at the new houses that were up, and looked around the neighborhood and then I was done, but she wanted to do more sploring. So we went up and down every little side street getting out of the neighborhood. Finally, from the back I hear, ok mommy, when I say 'let's get out of here, then we need to go to the store.' Ok. So another street or two and she was having so much fun until she pointed one way and said it was time to get to the store soon. I told her the store was the other way and she was convinced we were lost. So, then the magic words came, "Ok mommy, let's get out of here." OK. So, I started towards the store and she was still lost and told me I was going the wrong way. Who's driving anyway. I told her no, and started pointing out landmarks we see on a weekly basis, and then she felt better.

William has learned to unzip his pajama's. He doesn't know how to zip them up though. He unzips to his waist and then runs around like that. It reminds me of those men who have a button or two undone, and there's chest hair peeking out.Then to top it off, he likes to put toys in and out of the pajamas which always get stuck in his feet and he has to dig them out. The other night he dropped a globe from Abby's doll house in and searching for it. James laughing started singing, "He's got the whole world in his pants, he's got the whole wide world, in his pants..." Oh the funnies when trying to get ready for bed.

Thursday, November 20, 2008

Oh the things children say...

I love how kids keep you hopping (most of the time). Sometimes I will take a shower while William is sleeping and Abby is watching cartoon or playing on the computer. Today she knocked and asked if she could shower too. Who is going to turn that down? I had an opportunity when I didn't have to fight her to take a bath. I said yes. So she hopped in, I finished shaving and got her cleaned up. While I'm turned around,

Abby pops up and says, "Mom, you have a big botttom!"

Thinking to myself, Thanks a lot!. Out loud, "I know honey, I hope it disappears when the baby is born."

Then I turn around and almost smack her with my pregnant belly.

"Mom, You have a big belly too!"

Thinking to myself, Ya think! Out loud "I know honey, that should disappear when the baby is born too."

I hop out of the tub to go get dressed while Abby finishes soaking in the shower. From my room I can hear...

In a sing-song voice "Big butt, big belly, big butt, big belly..."

In a child that would be a few years older, they would be teasing me. But she was just singing in the shower. I'm not sure how I feel about that. I hope she doesn't bring it up again. And on second thought, I think I'll make sure to shower on my own for awhile. It might be worth the fight to clean her up later. :D

Wednesday, November 19, 2008

Naked Bum Run

Abby has just turned 4, and it's amazing the difference in attitude between 3 and 4. Most of the temper tantrums have ceased and I can explain things to her and she helps me all the time. But, every once in awhile we have a day where I swear she's reverted back. The last two days have been major temper tantrum days. Due mostly to her little brother who turns on the light at night and keeps her up. She needs a lot more sleep at night than he does and she hasn't been getting it. It shows. Which reminded me of my favorite temper tantrum about 5 weeks ago. She was out playing with the neighbors and I warned her that she had about 15 minutes before we had to go change for dance. It's been cooler with the fall weather and the kids weren't used to the change yet. They all wanted to set up the slip-n-slide. I told her she could, but that she didn't have time to change into her swimsuit. I told her to just get her clothes wet and then we would change into dance clothes. Well, that didn't fly apparantly. She asked 2-3 more times to change and I kept saying no, not only because of the time restraint but because William was taking a nap in that room, and he had been out of control. Finally, while I'm talking to a the neighbor kids mommy, Abby disappeared. I noticed after a few minutes and yelled for her and she didn't appear. I yelled again, no show. So I went to investigate. To my surprise (I know, you all aren't surprised) she was butt-naked and hiding behind a playhouse so I couldn't see her. I asked her to put her clothes on and go inside. It was time to change anyway. But it was two major blows. She didn't want her clothes on and she didn't want to go inside. She lost it, big time. So, I started to put her clothes on for her. I managed to get her underwear most of the way up, but I couldn't bend all the way down to her, and she was hysterical. She suddenly jumped up and started running (there's no way I was even going to try to catch her at 6 months pregnant).  But the funniest part was that Abby never stopped to finish pulling up her underwear. She just made a mad naked dash around the house. I was laughing so hard I just let her run, I figured she would come back. And she did emerge on the other side of the house and had somehow magically managed to pull her underwear all the way up. So, I don't know how much of the neighborhood she flashed before she ended up on the swingset, still hysterical. But, it took me a few minutes to stop laughing so that I could finish disciplining. Hence the name, the naked bum run. Must have felt nice in that nice cool fall air!

Tuesday, November 11, 2008

**HELP** Name Poll

Ok, there is one more thing for the day. I mentioned that I only have 6-7 weeks left of pregnancy and we can't decide what to name this kid. There are names we like, but nothing that is like za-zing. So, we're taking a poll. Here are the names we like, please tell us which ones you like and what order we should use them. There are no guarantee that we will use any given suggestion, but it would be fun to have some feedback. The only name that I feel like I should preface is Zethan. We found it in the Old Testament, he's one of Benjamin's grandsons and we like that it is different and similar from Ethan, but we're not sure about it as a first name.

First name options:

1) Alexander

2) Logan

3) Adam

Middle Name Options:

1) Alexander

2) Zethan

3) Adam

4) Jason

Or, If you have any other recommendations, we're taking suggestions. Thanks Everyone!!!!!

X-Flies

So, I spent part of August, and all of September and October canning. That is where I disappeared to. I didn't clean house, I didn't cook, I just took care of kids (kinda) and did a ton of canning. We have Apricot Pie filling, whole tomatoes, diced tomatoes, pears, peaches, apple pie filling, a TON of jelly and jam, a Ton of Applesause, and salsa. I made it that whole time without fruit flies. It was amazing and I was counting myself lucky until the very last week of October. Every day since then there are 4-6 flies around my house and they are driving me crazy!!! Mostly because every single day I kill 4-6 and the very next day there are 4-6 more. So I came up with a hypothesis. I think they are X-Flies. Just like certain X-Men who have regenerating powers, I'm totally convinced that these little stinkers can survive any kind of death and come back to haunt me. I'm going to find their weakness, one of these days.

In other news, here are the rest of the pregnancy pics that a few have requested.

6 Months

Ok, starting to feel crappy. Can anyone tell? This is desperate mommy at the end of the day with no makeup. This is a good day because I got a shower and I got dressed. I think church is the only place I wear makeup at this point. I just don't care. I want to sleep. This is 7 months and I feel like a freight liner. Now I'm down to 6-7 weeks or so. I can't wait for this to end. I'd rather be sleep deprived with a newborn everytime. At least I can breathe and bend over. Although, I do have to admit it's cool to feel the baby move.

I usually make something for each kid. This little boy is getting my first attempt at a quilt. This is the top, though my mom picked up the finished product from the quilters last week and says it is amazing. So, when I get it back I'll post that pic, but for now, here is the topper.

Alright, I think I got most of my thoughts out. It's time to sleep.

Monday, October 27, 2008

Friday, October 24, 2008

Shauna's version of July

So, in James blog, he already posted about his trip to Gillette, Wy. He and my dad both have BMW motorcycles and they went to a BMW motorcycle rally and had their boy fun. The kids and I went to Cheyenne and spent time with my grandparents and my mom and sister. My highlight was being able to go to Cheyenne Frontier Days...Finally. I always used to go as a child, but I haven't been in 10 years or more. So, i took my kids.

James, Mark (my dads friend), and my dad.They were in 4 states in 4 days. They would go on a different ride everyday. They drove into WY, then visited the Black Hills, Mount Rushmore, Custers Last Stand, and a few other places. I'm glad they had fun.

Their campsite in Gillette. My dad's bike is on the left, and James on the right.

The kids and I saw a lot of horses...and cowboys....and more horses

A lot of grandparents, Abby is just starting to figure out which grandmas are which.

And we did a lot of driving! But we made it and it was fun. The only pictures I don't have are from the Taylor Swift and Rascal Flatts concert my sister and I went to. That was my fun!

And last but not least, a pregnant picture. This is 4 months.

An Update...Finally

Update from Shauna

So, I really just don't get around to keeping my blog updated. James is awesome at it. It's a kind of stress relief for him. My kind of stress relief is either talking to someone on the phone or scrapbooking or sewing or something. So, sorry to all those who even check to see if I've updated anything. It's not because I don't ever log in, it's because I find it so much more entertaining to chec k everyone elses blog, and by the time I'm done the house is in shambles and I have to go separate the kids before a serious injury occurs. So, here are a few pictures from the last couple of months.

In June we went to see Grandma and Grandpa Rucker in Colorado. That's where we cut William's hair and had his first birthday party (one of 3).

One of my favorite things to do at home is watch the sky, it's always amazing!

William learned how to get into the tub by himself. It was nice of him to make sure his clothes and shoes got washed.

Will got 250 of those Chuck-E-Cheese ball pen balls for his birthday. The kids both loved it.

Abby at the Denver Zoo.

So, there's our excitement in June. I'm just going to do brief updates for the next couple of months worth of stuff.

Wednesday, July 02, 2008

Cont. William's first hair cut


This was my cute little baby boy...

Then Mommy decided that the curls were starting to be too girly, and Daddy gave William a big boy buzz cut...


And somehow he grew up in a half an hour.


But he's still cute ! Just little boy cute instead of baby cute!


Charity, I can sympathize with you, just 9 months later!

I'm so not talented...

Ok Tiff, I really tried to put pictures in. And I so haven't figured it out. I'll keep working on it though because you are all going to love William's hair cut! To be continued...

Open Mouth, Insert Foot...

Ok, so Sunday night there was this activity for young marrieds in the ward. An homemade ice cream social. What pregnant lady is going to pass that up? And as far as young marrieds go, I don't feel like we're that young when we're at church and looking around we have more kids than most people have anniversaries. Nonetheless, as far as age goes, we still qualify. So, we packed the kids up and headed over to the neighbors house. It was a ton of fun, we got to see and talk to a lot of people. However, I had this one brilliant moment when a cute girl and her husband walked into the room and just looking at her you thought "Honey, for your sake I hope your due date is tomorrow!" Conveniently, at that moment, another cute pregnant girl asked the one who had walked in what her due date was. She answered that she had 4 weeks left. And darling me blurted, "Oh, you poor thing. Good Luck!" I regretted that outburst almost immediately. Let's review the situation. She's pregnant for the first time. She doesn't know my name except that I have kids. She has no idea what to expect in the coming weeks. She's brand new in the ward. She must feel even bigger than she is. Hmmmm. Go Shauna! Way to make her feel at home. I did manage to go find her again and introduce myself properly and then let her know that I wasn't trying to scare her. It was just in my experience that the last 4 weeks were the most uncomfortable. She took it really well and was super nice. Lucky me. Oh well. I guess I'll learn to be nicer. Sorry cute girl!

Friday, June 06, 2008

Catching up, Again.

So life got busy again. Since the last post, we've been to Jackson Hole, Wy. for a week. That was awesome just to get away, be with family, have a dishwasher, you know...Vacation. That was the same week that Leita was getting married and we had decided last fall that we couldn't go to Mexico with her. I've since heard that the wedding went awesome except some people got a little sick. So, it's probably a good thing that we didn't because we were supposed to fly out 5/6 and that was the morning that we had a surprise. We found out that I was pregnant with number 3!!!! Dum Da Da Dum!!! Ok, so even I was just a little surprised. James and I have known for a long time that we were going to have 3 kids at least. But, William and this one will be 18 months apart. I never thought I would have kids that close, but I know this one is supposed to be here. So, I've since seen the doctor and had an ultrasound. We didn't even know what my due date was. Go ultrasounds. So, ready...I'm 11 weeks along and due December 27. Yeah, we thought we would keep the Christmas baby tradition in the family. The doctor has already assured me that I can be induced a week early since I have 8 lb babies (when they are a week early). So, if I don't write again for another month (not that that wouldn't be a surprise anyway), it's because I feel like I'm going to throw up while I chase down two running toddlers, and I'm going home to Colorado for a week starting tomorrow. Thank heavens for home. I can't wait. James will be available, my mom has the week off, I'll see my high school pals, and I get to sleep. Oh to sleep, Yes! So, hi to everyone out there. And I will try to post another update as soon as I can. Have a great week!!!

Thursday, April 17, 2008

Loves!

Usually I have a ton to tell about Abby, but this is for William. He just doesn't talk as often. But, we've made a break-through in communication in the last 2 weeks or so. One day I gave Will a hug and he kissed me back. A day or two later I was telling James about it and he looked at William and said I love you. William promptly planted a cute baby kiss on his cheek! You know the kind, the infant, open-mouthed, gooey, slobbery kinds of kisses! So Cute! So it's nice to know that he understands what we're saying to him.
For all intents and purposes Abby is now potty trained and I'm looking into dance classes for her. I'm trying to find a combo class where they go once a week and learn a little bit of ballet, jazz, tap, and gymnastics. Over time, they naturally figure out which ones of those that they prefer. I think it would be awesome.
On other fronts, James got a camera for graduation last year. It's a Nikon Digital SLR and it's awesome. So, for his birthday he got the flash and some people at his work asked if he would do their engagement pictures. They liked it so much they paid him. It's official, he's a professional. And they were cute pics.
As for me, I was talking to a friend back home (ok, maybe griping just a little), and she says "why don't you do a home-based business?" And that's when I told her that in all theory I did, I just didn't do my Mary Kay stuff on a large scale. So, I decided to go to a conference, and I got all motivated again and I started working again. I actually have classes booked, and I'm making money this time around. My goal, to 1) provide some funds for myself to have some fun just because (jewelry, being able to go on vacations, etc), 2) get a few things we need around the house (furniture, carpet cleaner...), 3) someday earn a car, 4) but most importantly to get our school debt paid off so that we can get a house. Realistically, I think this will take 3-4 years considering a starter house in this area is ridiculously expensive. My parents custom built their dream house 8 years ago with 1/2 acre of land for a WHOLE lot LESS than what we are looking at. Oh well. But, it's do-able if I can finish paying of the school loans. So here's to
being busy, having fun, and reaching goals. Thanks to Hales, James, and those who have been so supportive of my dreams. Sometimes I forget to dream, and it's been nice to do that again.

Tuesday, March 25, 2008

You're the best!

So I don't know where Abby got this from. But this morning we were all up for a change before James left for work. Just before he left Abby suddenly piped up and said
"Daddy, you're the BEST!"
I don't know how she knew he needed that or where it came from. But it totally melted his heart. Such cute kids!!!!! William wouldn't let him go out the door without about 12 hugs. So, in case he didn't know, James is the BEST and we love him!

Tuesday, March 18, 2008

Burps

So, we're sitting at dinner. And from Abby's side of the table, James and I hear a toot. We ignore it and keep eating. Abby looks up with a shocked face and says, "mommy, there's a burp in my bum bum!"
Trying not to laugh, James explains that it is a toot. And Abby looks at him and says
"No Daddy, it was a burp!"

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Cute sayings

So we've been pretty busy, still working on that potty training thing and getting caught up with dentist and eye doctor appointments. It's that time. I have to admit that I get into my ' go get it done' mode and I must be a tyrant of a mommy when I get into that mode because my kids are always trying to figure out a way to bring me back to real life. So, Abby had a couple of 'accidents' and William has been crying a lot. I swear they are trying to call to me and tell me they need me, but I just get frustrated and need to have my own time and escape it all. So I tried to escape a few times, and it didn't work. We ended up having nachos for dinner and watching Enchanted as a family (it pays to have a sister working at Blockbuster. You can see all the movies before they come out to determine whether or not it's worth buying them the first week they are out and $5 cheaper at Wal-Mart). I finally started to relax and Abby was so cute at the end of the movie, she leaned over and said "Mommy, that was a coooool movie!" I have to admit I was shocked because the dragon lady had scared her. But, apparantly she liked it enough to race down the hall pretending to be the dragon lady. 10 minutes later she had another accident. I have to say I'm thankful for the cute, good, funny moments day to day, because otherwise this mommy job would be a lot harder. Oh well, back to real life. :D

Wednesday, February 27, 2008

A busy week


So I've never posted to our own website. Never felt the urge to, but I thought we would try it today. And in all theory this should post to my blog too. So we'll see if I break it :D (PS- I broke it and had to copy and paste :D)

It's been a busy busy week. Monday the girls in James family got together to scrapbook and have fondue. Cheese and chocolate. Yummmm. Here are some recipes that don't call for alcohol that we tried.

Chocolate Fondue

8 oz Semi sweet chocolate pieces
8 oz Milk chocolate pieces
2/3 C + 2 Tbsp Heavy cream (we used heavy whipping cream)
2 tsp vanilla

Chop chocolate up into small pieces if it isn't already. Melt chocolate over low heat (in a double boiler if you have to cook it before you serve it in a fondue pot). Add cream. Stir until chocolate melts and the cream is blended. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla. Enjoy

Cheddar Cheese Fondue

4 Tbsp Butter
3 Tbsp Flour
3 shakes Dry Mustard
1 shake minced Garlic
1 Tbsp Worcestershire Sauce
2 C Milk
6 C Shredded Sharp Cheddar Cheese

Melt butter in saucepan, whisk in flour, mustard and garlic. Gradually add mild, stirring constantly until thickened. Add Worcestershire sauce and blend. Add cheese and stir over low heat until cheese is melted.



The other part of our busy week was potty training. This has been very difficult for us. When Abby was showing us a year ago that she was ready to potty train, I was in my last trimester of pregnancy with William. I wasn't ready to start. Then Crystal was living with us and that was hectic, and then she moved out. So, I figured that now we are getting into our own little routine finally we had better get on it. Especially since Abby now has such a negative attitude about it. So, we had a party. A potty party. The book said you could potty train your child in one day, and I almost hoped. Now I've come to realize that Abby is not that child and we will just keep working on it. But we did take some very important steps on Wednesday. She will sit on the potty. She likes the stickers, and she wants to ice skate and dance. I told her she could have dance lessons if she would learn to use the potty. It actually costs less than the diapers and wipes. So, now we are learning. And she's doing well. I'm glad she's so smart, and I told James the other night after she was fighting us, that I'm glad she's a fighter. I just hope and pray that we teach her good principles and that she learns to fight for good causes as she grows older. She's my cute girl :D

Thursday, February 14, 2008

It has been sooooooo long...

Since I last did any kind of post. Yes, it's been years as a matter of a fact. Since then I've graduated college, supported James as he graduated and had another baby. So here I am with two beautiful kids, still living in Orem, and lo and behold, some wonderful friends inspired me to open my account back up and write a little. So, here's to you Charity, Tiff, and Melanie, for making sure that we can all keep in touch. Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So, as for funny stories lately. I have to say that Abby is the one with which I have the most hysterical conversations with. After talking to my dad this morning and relating some of her funnies, here's my favorite. As for back up information, you need to know that I painted her room a year ago because of some black crayon that went along 3 walls, 2 closet doors, and the main door. I am not a fan of crayons or anything in her room like that, but sometimes, things just happen!

Shauna: Abby, come on, we need to change your diaper!
Abby: NO!
Shauna: Come on, hurry!
Abby: NO!
*After a tussle, and just beginning to change her diaper...I shut her bedroom door a little and saw crazy eight and candyland game cards stuck to her door...Horrified!...
Shauna: Abby, did you do that?
Abby: (excitedly) Yes!
Shauna: What did you do?
Abby: I glued it mom!
Shauna: Glued it with what?
Abby: Diaper Rash Cream!!! (Totally proud of herself)

And to quote a friend, what does that say about the diaper rash cream that we can glue things with it? Well, at least it works for a lot of things!!!

And lastly, I really didn't forget... HAPPY VALENTINES DAY EVERYONE!