She's Our Love

Finally...

Cambrie Constance Kerr

9 pounds 3 ounces, 20.5"

December 26, 2008

10:30 pm

In Kenzie's words, "Cambrie is our LOVE."

Naughty or Nice?

Dear Santa -

I apologize. Clearly, the one major item on my wish list (aside from new running socks) was a totally out-of-line request. I realize, my request landed me a spot on your NAUGHTY list. Will you accept my apology?

Seriously...who am I to wish that we would have had our new baby home by Christmas? Why was I thinking it would be more fun to hold her in my arms...rather than inside my stomach? I know - I was way off base with my wishful thinking.

If you'll let me...I'd like to revise my wish list. I think you'll agree that this list is WAY more practical and much more likely to become reality.

* I'd like to have my legs swell to the size of tree-trunks. You can even pick which kind of tree. Please just make it so that I cannot see my ankle bones. I don't like to wear shoes anyway. And I don't need to be reminded of how badly I need a pedicure.

* As long as my limbs are swelling...feel free to pass it along to my hands and face. I kind of like the looks I get being 9 months pregnant with 4 kids in tow...and no wedding ring. 

* I'd like to gain at least 45 pounds. I'm really looking forward to the challenge of losing all the weight after the New Year. There is a greater sense of accomplishment that comes from losing 45 pounds - -rather than merely 15 or 20. And since I am getting older, the challenge to lose weight is all the more daunting. I'm up for it...but in the meantime, bring on the fudge.

* I'd like to only fit into Greg's clothing. I'm rather sick of my wardrobe as it is. Granted, he is 6'3" and likes to wear XXL...but that isn't such a stretch for me to fit into these days. I'll just need to roll the sleeves a few inches.

* Please, if it's not too much to ask...let one more person say to me, "You're still here? Wow. You are huge!" I've found that comments like these go a long way towards strengthening myself self-esteem.

* Santa, I've concluded that I do some really deep thinking between the hours of 3am-5:30 am. Please, let me continue to have contractions at this time...so that I can stay awake. I might just solve all the world's problems during my hours of great concentration.

 * If I could have at least 3-5 more people tell me how low this baby is, I would appreciate it. As the person carrying her, the only way I have to gauge how low she is is based on the unbelievable pressure I constantly feel. And really, how accurate is that? (I realize you aren't a doctor, but what are the odds that a baby could actually just fall out?)

* Finally, if you could see to it that this baby is 12 pounds (or larger) that would be great. Aside from the actual delivery, I've heard bigger babies get on schedules faster -- and are generally healthier. It's kind of a fun experiment to see just how big we can grow 'em.

I could go on with my requests...but I realize I've probably asked for too much already. Please just accept that I am contrite and remorseful for asking this baby to come according to my time table. We're just really excited to have her join our family and hope it happens before next year. 

Travel safely tonight. Ohio weather looks pretty clear --  unlike the ice storm from last night. We'll be sure to leave some cookies out.

PS - Since I thought I would be presenting him with a beautiful new daughter (the most valuable of all gifts), I didn't get Greg anything. And now the malls are closed. If you could throw a gift or two his way, I'd be much obliged!

More Holiday Cheer

Brynnley and I attended her preschool Christmas concert. Addysen had another activity and since I wasn't up for chasing...Greg took the rest of the kids and we went our separate ways. Brynnley is such a little socializer. She sang and participated throughout the program...and continually kept her arms folded across her chest. Not sure what kind of statement she was trying to make.

Chatting with Santa

If you scowl at Santa...do you still get a present? Apparently so. The funny thing is...Kenzie hasn't stopped talking about wanting to go back to Bounce City to sit on Santa's lap. I'm sure he'd welcome her back with open arms.

Too Much Attitude

We're seeing a lot of this lately...whenever someone doesn't get her way. We've been using the phrase, "Santa's Elves are watching" since October. Is that too soon?

A Busy Weekend

If staying active is supposed to bring on labor...I should have had this baby weeks ago. And, even if that didn't do the trick...this past weekend should have. But...it didn't. 

So, we're still sitting around waiting...and waiting...and waiting.

In the meantime, I've included some pictures from this past weekend:

Greg's company Christmas party (at Bounce City)

Our traditional baking day

Cannon's last football game

Addysen's choir concert

And those are just the events we took pictures of...

Note to Self

Note to Self:

Do not let this new baby become attached to any inanimate object in her bed. That means no special blankets, stuffed animals, books...nothing.

That way, when she is two, and gets sick during the night...clean-up will be SO much easier.

*************

Given that in the last 4 days, Greg has spent 48 hours in bed with a fever and cough, and that Kenzie has thrown up...I've decided I should start praying to remain pregnant until March...when the germs of winter have started to subside.

March?!? Who I am kidding? This is Northeast Ohio...I better pray I am pregnant until May!

Are December babies born with EXTRA strong immune systems?

While You Were Sleeping

I'll openly admit it: I love naps. I NEED naps. I'm not just talking about naps for my children...but for myself as well. Whenever possible, I plan our schedule around naps. Naps are particularly critical these days...since contractions (which only bring about lost sleep and irritability, not a beautiful new baby) and sleeping with a very large beachball-like stomach keep me awake for a good majority of the nighttime hours.

I'm pretty sure Kenzie needs naps as well. She's been getting up around 6:15 am - -coming into the bedroom asking for breakfast. (The fact that it is pitch dark outside does not phase her.) By the time we take Brynnley to preschool at 8:30, she's talking about being tired. A good indication of needing a nap, right?

So, every day, after lunch, it's naptime around here. And today was no different.

I put Kenzie down and proceeded to waddle myself into my room. After my 18-point maneuver of adjusting the body pillow, the pillow behind my back, the two pillows under my head, and catching my breath...I was out. (That 2.5 hours of 4-5 minute apart contractions last night really did me in.)

An hour and a half later, I was awake. Kenzie's door was still closed...if that doesn't signify a sleeping child, what does?

Now let's skip ahead to bedtime. The kids couldn't find the toothpaste - -but Kenzie knew exactly where it was. She quickly climbed into her bed and proceeded to withdraw the following:

* 4 tubes of toothpaste

* her toothbrush

* 17 q-tips, as well as the glass jar that holds them

* Cannon's Star Wars stickers

* Cannon's glow sticks

* Brynnley's purple lip gloss

* Brynnley's pink lip gloss

* 4 books

* 3 diapers

* 7 hair clips and rubberbands

* 2 hair bows

* 5 stuffed animals

* Addysen's drawing

* Brynnley's spider ring and bee necklace

At this point, I quit keeping track. 

So much for naptime...

I thought about taking a picture...but decided I was too tired to walk up and down the stairs. Besides, it's pathetic enough that I blog about our daily "adventures"...I should leave something to the imagination as far as the visuals are concerned. (Of course, there is always the slight possibility that the readers in cyberspace will envision something worse than the current state of the little girls room....but that would require quite the imagination.)

Ahh...and now I am putting Kenzie back in bed for the 3rd time...after we change a diaper.

Labor and delivery aren't sounding so bad right now...

Out of the Mouths of 4th Graders

Last week, Greg and his friend did a police/SWAT/K-9 presentation for Addysen's class. Several other classes joined in while they were there. Today, the thank you notes came home. Here are a couple of my favorites...in no particular order:

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Dar (the dog) is so cute. Thank you for coming in and deminstrating how you do your job. One day I will proble become a polece ofecer or some other person like a vet. Something like that. Dar is a really cool dog. Addysen is a relly nice girl. Also a vary smart girl. How do you train him?

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Thank you for coming in. Dar was funny in the gym. What does S.W.A.T. stand for? How many people get shot each year? How many tickets do you write each month? How much do you use your gun in two years? Do you use pepper spray? My ansestors came from Germany. How many K-9 units does your team have? Who has the other dogs? Do you have blue handcuffs? How many K-9's are in the world? Can the equipment weigh 200 pounds?

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Thank you for coming in for a presentation. Bringing Mr. M was a great idea for us. Coming in was probably hard because you had to talk to a chief. According to Mrs. ____ you took weeks to get time off of work. 

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Mr. Kerr I love the gajet that you brot and Mr. M I love your dog Dar. I have a dog named Darry and Zoey. Thank you Addyson for having your dad and his friend. And it was so funny the dog jumped on me. And the helmet is so hard. And how is Dar is he being good. Do you like your job. Did you ever kill someone. And Addyson, your dad rocks. I wish I have a cool dad like you. And I hope your dog and you come agen any time. I do not care. PS. I love the outfit so much. I hope you have a grate Chrismas and do not forget to be good and always be happy not sad. Oh PS. What does S.W.A.T. mean. And I love the gun, razer, flashlight and helmet to.

* Dear Mr. Kerr and Mr. M,

I thank you for spending your time with us for an hour. Out of everyone, I think Dar had the most fun! I'm glad that Mr. M let us pet Dar, he's softer than he looks. I think most of the kids watched Dar instead of listening to the information you're giving out! I do think Dar was great though. I can't tell you how grateful I am!

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Thank you for coming to my school! I know it took a lot of time to get permishion to come to our school with Dar and Mr. M. I know some things about guns and gun safty. I did have a question about a gun. Does a pistil only have a magizine to put its bullits in, and if it doesn't, does your pistil use a magazine or a barol to put its bullits in?

* Dear Mr. Kerr,

Thank you very much for bringing in Dar, it was so fun. Dar is so cool, I can't believe you were aloud to bring in Dar and let us pet it. I always thought that being a S.W.A.T. would be hard because you have to arrest people. I could never do that. I would be like ashamed of myself.

And a few other comments:

* I loved the razer...

* I loved the taser...

* I loved the laser...

* Please keep us safe

* I used to have a german shepherd but my mom got rid of him

* Have you ever got bit? And what would be his (Dar's) punishment?

Overall, a highly successful visit to the school.

Decorating

Isn't there a movie about the "Nightmare Before Christmas?"

What's that song about the 12 Days of Christmas - - and the &*@*@*!! lights?

I LOVE the lights and smells and sounds of Christmas. I'm particularly excited this year - - something about bringing a new baby home that makes everything seem that much more magical. (Remind me I said that in 3 weeks when I've just given birth, am not sleeping, and am cussing out the "natural" feeding method of nursing!) Just kidding, of course! We are SO excited for this baby to make her appearance.

The kids and I have been counting down for weeks as to when we can put up our decorations and start listening to Christmas music. (Of course the unwritten rule is that we have to wait until after Thanksgiving). Thankfully, good man that he is, Greg just goes along with our requests.

Remember how exciting it was as a kid? I've concluded that although still exciting...decorating with so much "help" is pretty much a huge chore.

Alas, after many hours inside and out (and only a few children being sent to time out)...it's as done as it is going to get....

Thankful Jar

A few weeks ago, our high council speaker talked about making a "thankful jar" as a way to focus on all of our blessings. Apparently, Addysen was paying close attention (thanks Gavin!) and decided to make one for family home evening. She did -- and here are some of the results:

* Jesus, Church, the Whole World

* Food (specifically turkey and ravioli)

* Water

* Warm house, sheets, blankets

* Education

* Recess

* Friends, Family, Good Health

* Employment

* When kids listen and obey (this was listed on several days - -by both mom and dad)

And here are a few other "things" for which I am grateful:

* My treadmill (what a great Christmas gift -- 8 years ago. It will be a sad day when it quits working - -and I can't replace)

* That we're about being done with the pregnant stage (oh -- how I wish I could find some pants that would stay up!)

* Raid - allows me to kill my "enemies" from a distance

* Body pillow - (I can't wait to be able to sleep in a position other than my left side (anything else causes charlie horses or breathing difficulties...)

* The ability to reconnect with friends and family through blogging, Facebook and Christmas Cards...so fun to catch up!

* PURE SLEEP - we took the plunge and made the investment in a mouth guard for Greg - -to try and help with his snoring. It's only been a week or two...but so far...it WORKS! Now, if my bladder...and soon...this baby...would cooperate...I might really be able to get some sleep!

Pumpkin Bread Recipe

Pumpkin Bread

1/2 cup oil

1/3 cup water

1 cup pumpkin

2 eggs

1 1/2 cups sugar

1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. baking powder

3/4 tsp. salt

1 1/2 tsp. cinnamon

1/2 tsp. pumpkin pie spice

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1 2/3 cup flour

Bake at 350 degrees for 1 hour

** we added some chocolate chips to one of our loaves - -in honor of the pumpkin spice muffins that we used to serve at Adriana's...the restaurant where I worked years ago when we lived in Cedar City. YUM~ too bad the restaurant is no longer there.

Let the Holidays Begin

Baking the pumpkin bread that Cannon's class made. He loved it and requested the recipe from his teacher. We liked it also...and thought we'd share in case you are interested. (See recipe on next post.)

Brynnley's Thanksgiving Feast complete with cornbread, applesauce (that the kids made with their own apples), dessert, crafts and a short program.

Cub Scout Camporee

Although it was pouring rain the entire day - Cannon had a blast at the Cub Scout Camporee. I'm just glad Greg was the parent volunteer that day -- rather than me.

Address Updates

I'm trying to update my address book so I can send out Christmas cards. If there is a chance that I don't have your current address...please send it to me.

In Honor of the First Snow

In honor of the first snow today, we had to go over "THE RULES."

Brynnley and Kenzie immediately started licking snow off the car this morning when we left to take Brynnley to preschool. So...we had to reiterate the finer arts of snow eating.

In Kenzie's words:

"We only eat white snow. Not yellow snow. Yellow snow is NOT allowed."

Words to live by.

Father Knows Best (at least sometimes!)

Given my very pregnant physique, we've had a lot of baby talk around here. 

Today, Brynnley said, "Mom, how does a baby get into your tummy -- even before you know it's there?"

Not quite sure how to respond to her 5-year-old inquiry, I said an oh-so-intelligent, "What?"

She repeated her question. "How does a baby start growing in your tummy even before you know it's there?"

I replied with, "Dad's in the office...go ask him."

So, she did. 

I listened from around the corner as she repeated her question again.

Without even looking up from the computer, Greg said, "Heavenly Father puts it there."

"Oh," came Brynnley's simple reply. Then, seeing me standing in the doorway, she said, "Heavenly Father puts the baby there. Didn't you know that?"

Hmmm...good answer. Why didn't I think of that?

A Few Minutes With Family

For Time & All Eternity

I spent a fabulous (and busy!) weekend in Las Vegas -- returning home very early Tuesday morning. My youngest sister, Season, got married in the Las Vegas temple -- and how lucky I was to be able to attend. 

Yes, I was sad that the rest of my family couldn't attend (6 plane tickets and a rental car just isn't in the cards these days)...but it was so fun to actually be able to visit with my friends and family - -and not just chasing kids.

Making the Most of an Indian Summer

We've had perfect weather these past couple of days -- and decided that we better take advantage.

We (Cannon and me) cleaned out the car... we (Greg) cleaned out the garage (I'm SO hoping we'll be able to park the van INSIDE from here on out), in addition to raking and PLAYING in the leaves. The tree that provides the leaves isn't even ours...but we certainly get the work that comes from having a giant tree on the property line. Unfortunately, as you may/may not notice...my raking didn't even tackle 1/3 of the front yard...and now my back is killing me. 

I guess folding laundry will have to wait another day.