Baby Progress

Well, today we are at 5 weeks and counting. I had a doctor's appointment on Monday and everything is looking good. Two weeks ago the baby was head down and now he is breech. We are hoping with as much as he moves around that he will turn and not be as difficult as Sam was.

We are still debating over scheduling a C-section and just seeing what happens naturally. Brandon is supportive of either, so it is basically me being indecisive. I like the idea of being about to schedule a C-section a week or so early and having it over with. I know what is going to happen and don't remember the recovery being too bad. At the same time I want to try going natural, but am really nervous about all that involves and the recovery. Too many people sharing their bad experiences. We have decided to see what progresses in the next couple of weekly appointments and go from there.

Sam is getting very excited. Every morning we talk about what we are going to do that day. If I mention, "Guess who is coming over today." Sam always replies, "THE BABY!!!!" He let me know this morning that the baby was coming out today. He continues to give the baby hugs and kisses and tell him that he is so cute .

For some reason, I can't post any pictures so you will all have to wait a little longer.

Fablehaven Party and Utah

Brandon and I just got back from Utah and our last little vacation before the baby comes. We flew down to Utah on Friday morning to attend the Fablehaven Book 3 Launch Party. This one is called Grip of the Shadow Plague. It is my favorite one so far, and I highly recommend the whole series to any of you who haven't read it. If you like books along the lines of Harry Potter, The Chronicles of Narnia, etc, you will love these books! Anyway, they had a launch party for the new book on Friday night, and it was a lot of fun. There were over 3,000 people there, including Sheri Dew and one of President Hinckley's daughters. The Divine Comedy group preformed complete with glow sticks, music and prizes. Some of Brandon Mull's (the author) family dressed up as characters from the books. There were also staged areas of scenes in the book to take photos. It was a lot bigger than Brandon or I were imagining. We were there until about 11:30 or 12 at night, taking pictures with kids and signing autographs while people waited in line to get the Brandons' autographs. While most people were very complimentary about Brandon's artwork, there were the few who missed his introduction during the presentation and didn't know who he was or why he was so special to be signing posters (800-900) and books. These were a couple of our favorite comments:

Mom: "Come here and get his autograph. He is the artist for the book."
Son: Looks down at his book, "Um, that is ok."

(Um I don't know what else to say, but I feel like I should make conversation.) " Wow, sparkly pen." We got a lot of these. :)


Brandon and I with Muriel the Witch, a fairy and some Knights of the Dawn.

Brandon, Brandon Mull and Chris Schoebinger with characters.

This is a big billboard off of Highway 15 just south of American Fork.

We were also able to hang out with some of our friends while down in Utah. John and Dana Anderson and their two cute girls, Hailey and Camryn, met us for lunch at Bajios. We had to take advantage of all the places we don't have in Washington, like Iceberg and Bajios. (I am pregnant, food is important.) And we also were able to see Scott and Brooke Streadbeck and their cute kids, Emma and Jonah. And my brother, Jeremy and his wife Rachel. Thanks to all of those who made time to see us. We can't wait for you to visit us in Washington.

Brandon, John and Hailey Anderson. We talked about Sam, who we left with my parents for the weekend, and Hailey wanted to see pictures of him and then make sure that we got a picture of her to show him. What a cutie!

Covers on the Today Show

Not a show I normally watch (mainly because Sam dominates the TV), but this morning we had the Today Show playing in the background. R.L. Stine, the author of the Goosebumps series, was a guest and it was rumored that the covers of the new Goosebumps books were going to be the background. Well, they weren't, but they were shown twice. So it is official, Brandon's artwork has been on national TV!

You can view a clip from the show here: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21134540/vp/24255140#24255201

Sam and Athen

Brandon's sister, Haley, and her son Athen came and visited us the last couple of days. We had fun and Sam was so excited to have "Baby Athen" here to play with him. All worries of Sam being jealous when the baby gets here are gone. Sam was boarder-line smothering Athen with hugs and kisses. It was an eye re-opener for me as I was reminded of a baby's daily schedule. It has been a while since Sam has been on a three hour feeding schedule. I almost feel like it will be a first child all over again, because I don't remember many of the details of when Sam was that little.

Long Overdue

Sam got a haircut last night. It was LONG overdue and very obvious after everyone witnessed the bed head after his nap.

After the first couple swipes with the buzzers Sam's comments were:
"Oh, Dad. You're taking my hair off?"
"Put it back!" As he took a clump and tried to put it back on top of his head.


My handsome men...

And for those of you who prefer the Mowgli style, don't worry. It will probably be back the end of the summer or fall.

Thank You!

I just wanted to say thank you to wonderful mom and sisters, who just spent the day with me getting the baby's room painted and putting together the crib and changing table. We got a ton done today, probably as much as I could get done in a week by myself (and with Sam's help). Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!

I will post some pictures once I get things cleaned up and put together.

Captain Underpants!

Sam is officially potty trained! We are so excited to not have to change anymore diapers for the next two months (and then it starts all over again.) It was actually a lot easier and faster than I thought and was dreading. After two weeks of potty training and some "bribery" Sam now sports some high class Lightning McQueen or Thomas the Train big boy briefs. As a "reward" he also got some Lightning McQueen slippers, which you now rarely find him without.