Sunday, August 29, 2010
Tuesday, August 17, 2010
Almost There
Week.........well, Sunday is the official due date.
I had some comments that there wasn't enough pregnant pictures of my sweet wife being very pregnant, so here's one up close and personal. As you can see, she is very much showing, as someone who is due on Sunday should. She went to the doctor today and he doesn't think the baby will come this week. By the baby's size measurements when we had the ultrasound, they predicted August 27. I suppose we'll see who is right. In this picture, she's wearing my shorts. I don't blame her, I'm sure they are way more comfortable with a buddha belly. So just to make things fair, when lounging around the house, I wear her shorts. There is no picture of this because, well, no one probably wants to see that. Lots of leg.......It makes Brittney laugh every time though, so I'll keep it up.
On our super post, I forgot to mention that we saw the movie Inception last Thursday. I'm not a huge Leo de Capo fan, for as Jordan put it, "he dabbled in gayness." Nonetheless, we both enjoyed the movie the whole way through. I thought it was creative and Mr. Nolan did a decent job pulling it together (and it has the actors who played Ras Algul and Scarecrow on Batman Begins-who doesn't like them?!)
My Predictions (I don't know if anyone has seen it already):
Mom and Dad: Don't like it
Kariah and Jerry: Like it
Jonathan: Doesn't like it
Hilllary: 50/50-I'm not sure
Benjamin: Likes it
Crystal: 50/50-I'm not sure
Sunday, August 15, 2010
Super Blog!!
Brittney is asleep now, so it is the perfect time to catch up on my blogging.........wasn't this whole blog deal her idea? I suppose that I should apologize because it has been a long long time since our last posting. We've been called, among other things, lame, boring, lazy, and yes, we deserved those names. This post's title is "super blog," because there will be a lot to cover. I would predict there to be future super blogs as well, so get ready.
Baby Goodies
So I think it was about 4 weeks ago or so that we realized, "there's still some basic baby junk that we need-namely a stroller and car seat." We had been looking at lot at random stores and online, as well as seeking the advice and testing the equipment used by friends in our ward. We made our decisions and purchased a car seat the same day that our stroller came in the mail.
To begin with, we put together our Phil and Teds stroller. It was pricey, but I think it will be good. It can be a walking, or jogging stroller (Brittney is excited to jog with it). It seems durable (all metal frame) with a canvas type material in between. It isn't too heavy and folds up pretty good too (and the wheels pop right off for extra small spaces). Also, whenever we're crazy enough to pop out baby #2, we can buy an attachment to have both children ride on the one stroller. I suppose time will tell whether it is as wonderful as it seems to be or not. The only thing I think they forgot to engineer into the system was an adapter for pulling behind a bike. I'm pretty sure that I could figure something out to make it happen, but Brittney says no-fooey.
Is a car seat just a car seat? Probably, but if you read all the reviews that these mothers write about them, you might begin to think they're something else... Whats more amazing is how many of these reviews talked about car seat colors and patterns and largely based their overall rating on those aspects instead of ease of installation or safety. Our seat is not just a car seat, but a "holds up to 35 lbs" monster. Seems big-oh well. This way, I don't have to buy another when she reaches 20 lbs. More importantly, Brittney was pleased with the colors :)
At the end of July, Brittney's mother visited and brought home the finished product of our little girl's quilt. She did a great job and Brittney is very pleased with it. If she were the one writing this blog, I'm sure her exact words would be, "its so cute!" While not pictured, there are also matching bumper pads, curtains, and a bed skirt for the crib. Has anyone ever used one of those breast-feeding-U-shaped cushions as a neck pillow? Boy I'll tell you what, I have a neck pillow for the vanpool ride up to HAFB every day and it is not that comfortable. This thing would be great.
Vitali and Vitali
I baptized this fellow in Daugavpils in 2006. He spent some time in the USA last year and stayed at our house. This year, he did not, but when he was in Provo one evening, we were lucky enough to see him. He's tanner and crazier than ever probably. Next summer he said he's going to Asia. I'm pretty sure he's seen more of America in the two- 3 week visits he's had here than I have. In the second picture, the fella on the far right is also named Vitali. We tried to teach him when in Daugavpils but nothing happened. His mother was one of those golden investigators. He later was baptized, came to BYU, met a girl, and was married in the temple (I think all within the past year?). The work goes forth!
HAFB Museum
Benjamin came down from Rexburg to go with us to the reunion. Before that , I decided to take him to the HAFB museum. We didn't have much time and they weren't too nice about kicking us out. I'm pretty sure it was because genius Benjamin decided to wear his hammer and sickle soviet communism shirt that day. That's him under the plane in the first picture. The second shot is an open-mouth picture next to an open-mouth airplane. It's an A-7 Corsair, and if Jonathan were to fly an airplane, this one's for him.
Reunion
The reunion was a lot of fun. Benjamin and I drove down to Fairview (about an hour south) on Thursday night and Brittney made it down on Friday after work. It was fun hanging out and talking with all the family again. There were many activities: softball game, board games and cards, tons of games for the children, talent show, Benjamin and I did some mountain biking with Cameron, volleyball, relay races, etc. In one of the 3-legged races, Kari had all the kids run and find an adult to be their partner. Macy found Brittney and Morgan found me. We also participated in a tug of war. Is it just me, or does the picture seem to portray Benjamin focusing more on the picture being taken than the task at hand? We lost, but all those Reeder farm boys were on the other end..... Brittney and I also spent some time with Melissa and shared our thoughts and tips on clothing, language, and culture as she prepares for her mission to Russia. One of the highlights, I thought, was the skit performed by Kari, Marc, and Mark. They did a spoof from SNL's Chicago Da Bears/Da Bulls fans skit and directed it at Grandad and the reunion. It was complete with commercials for IBC's (Budweiser's) "Real men of genius"-mister family reunion planner guy and Dos Equis.
Salem Days Fireworks
Brittney and I invited Jordan and his wife to watch fireworks at the pond. They might not be the best or longest show, but it's cool when you can be right up next to them. And I don't know about Brittney, but I didn't quite get my fill of fireworks on Independence Day. I'm full now.
Do young children, say infants, like fireworks? I'd guess not. So it turns out that babies in the belly (if mature enough) don't like them either. We sat about 30 feet from the pond firework show, so we not only saw the fireworks, but heard and felt them as well. The baby squirmed and kicked and rumbled around in Brittney's belly the whole time. This led to Brittney not feeling well later that night. We're betting this was all because of the fireworks. Also, ducks don't like fireworks much either (between each firework boom, a multitude of petrified quacks filled the air).
So still no real fireworks (birth happenings). Brittney is ready to be done with her big belly. She's pretty much a ticking time bomb now and sometime soon will explode.
To start out the super blog, we have to revisit the weekend of July 4th.
Brittney and I needed a break and decided to head down to Mesa for some heat. The real reason I suppose was to pick up the car that Dad found for me to buy. (Pictures coming soon!!) We found a ride using the BYU ride board-yes, people do still use it. The girl was nice, we made good time, and she let me drive for part of it. However, she would just not shut up. I was very social for the first few hours, when you're supposed to be. But later, when it was time to just sit, enjoy the music, and enjoy the ride, she just kept yapping. They weren't even constructive conversations!! This girl decided it was necessary to talk about her recent miscarriage, circumcision, and her troubled past with psycho fiancees and boyfriends. By the time we were in Mesa, every response I gave to her was a conversation killer, you know, those one-liners that don't provoke further thought or comment. Sadly, she'd just begin a new conversation.
While we were there, we had some fun. Mom showed us all the cute baby girl clothes that can be purchased in France (and the USA for that matter). For helping us out in finding a car, Brittney and I treated mom and dad to the Cheesecake Factory. We went earlier in the year for our anniversary and were impressed and wanted to take them there. I think we were all satisfied except for mom-it was too cold for her. Not having a jacket (this is Mesa, 110 F), mother had to make do with a napkin.
Baby Goodies
So I think it was about 4 weeks ago or so that we realized, "there's still some basic baby junk that we need-namely a stroller and car seat." We had been looking at lot at random stores and online, as well as seeking the advice and testing the equipment used by friends in our ward. We made our decisions and purchased a car seat the same day that our stroller came in the mail.
To begin with, we put together our Phil and Teds stroller. It was pricey, but I think it will be good. It can be a walking, or jogging stroller (Brittney is excited to jog with it). It seems durable (all metal frame) with a canvas type material in between. It isn't too heavy and folds up pretty good too (and the wheels pop right off for extra small spaces). Also, whenever we're crazy enough to pop out baby #2, we can buy an attachment to have both children ride on the one stroller. I suppose time will tell whether it is as wonderful as it seems to be or not. The only thing I think they forgot to engineer into the system was an adapter for pulling behind a bike. I'm pretty sure that I could figure something out to make it happen, but Brittney says no-fooey.
Is a car seat just a car seat? Probably, but if you read all the reviews that these mothers write about them, you might begin to think they're something else... Whats more amazing is how many of these reviews talked about car seat colors and patterns and largely based their overall rating on those aspects instead of ease of installation or safety. Our seat is not just a car seat, but a "holds up to 35 lbs" monster. Seems big-oh well. This way, I don't have to buy another when she reaches 20 lbs. More importantly, Brittney was pleased with the colors :)
At the end of July, Brittney's mother visited and brought home the finished product of our little girl's quilt. She did a great job and Brittney is very pleased with it. If she were the one writing this blog, I'm sure her exact words would be, "its so cute!" While not pictured, there are also matching bumper pads, curtains, and a bed skirt for the crib. Has anyone ever used one of those breast-feeding-U-shaped cushions as a neck pillow? Boy I'll tell you what, I have a neck pillow for the vanpool ride up to HAFB every day and it is not that comfortable. This thing would be great.
Vitali and Vitali
I baptized this fellow in Daugavpils in 2006. He spent some time in the USA last year and stayed at our house. This year, he did not, but when he was in Provo one evening, we were lucky enough to see him. He's tanner and crazier than ever probably. Next summer he said he's going to Asia. I'm pretty sure he's seen more of America in the two- 3 week visits he's had here than I have. In the second picture, the fella on the far right is also named Vitali. We tried to teach him when in Daugavpils but nothing happened. His mother was one of those golden investigators. He later was baptized, came to BYU, met a girl, and was married in the temple (I think all within the past year?). The work goes forth!
HAFB Museum
Benjamin came down from Rexburg to go with us to the reunion. Before that , I decided to take him to the HAFB museum. We didn't have much time and they weren't too nice about kicking us out. I'm pretty sure it was because genius Benjamin decided to wear his hammer and sickle soviet communism shirt that day. That's him under the plane in the first picture. The second shot is an open-mouth picture next to an open-mouth airplane. It's an A-7 Corsair, and if Jonathan were to fly an airplane, this one's for him.
Reunion
The reunion was a lot of fun. Benjamin and I drove down to Fairview (about an hour south) on Thursday night and Brittney made it down on Friday after work. It was fun hanging out and talking with all the family again. There were many activities: softball game, board games and cards, tons of games for the children, talent show, Benjamin and I did some mountain biking with Cameron, volleyball, relay races, etc. In one of the 3-legged races, Kari had all the kids run and find an adult to be their partner. Macy found Brittney and Morgan found me. We also participated in a tug of war. Is it just me, or does the picture seem to portray Benjamin focusing more on the picture being taken than the task at hand? We lost, but all those Reeder farm boys were on the other end..... Brittney and I also spent some time with Melissa and shared our thoughts and tips on clothing, language, and culture as she prepares for her mission to Russia. One of the highlights, I thought, was the skit performed by Kari, Marc, and Mark. They did a spoof from SNL's Chicago Da Bears/Da Bulls fans skit and directed it at Grandad and the reunion. It was complete with commercials for IBC's (Budweiser's) "Real men of genius"-mister family reunion planner guy and Dos Equis.
Salem Days Fireworks
Brittney and I invited Jordan and his wife to watch fireworks at the pond. They might not be the best or longest show, but it's cool when you can be right up next to them. And I don't know about Brittney, but I didn't quite get my fill of fireworks on Independence Day. I'm full now.
(this was not the whole show)
Do young children, say infants, like fireworks? I'd guess not. So it turns out that babies in the belly (if mature enough) don't like them either. We sat about 30 feet from the pond firework show, so we not only saw the fireworks, but heard and felt them as well. The baby squirmed and kicked and rumbled around in Brittney's belly the whole time. This led to Brittney not feeling well later that night. We're betting this was all because of the fireworks. Also, ducks don't like fireworks much either (between each firework boom, a multitude of petrified quacks filled the air).
So still no real fireworks (birth happenings). Brittney is ready to be done with her big belly. She's pretty much a ticking time bomb now and sometime soon will explode.
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