The Final Countdown

So, there's about two weeks left before Operation Chaos begins. Here's where we stand on some pretty basic preparations.

1. Carseat out of storage. Nope.

2. Cradle out of storage. Nope.

3. Infant clothes washed and ready to wear. Nope.

4. Hospital bag packed. Nope.

5. Bouncy seat fully assembled and stocked with batteries. Nope.

6. Baby's name selected. Nope.

Obviously we have our work cut out for us. But lest you think we are completely ill-prepared, here are some things we have accomplished.


1. Pedicure. Because when I'm in the stirrups, all anybody will be looking at are my darling tootsies.

2. Eyebrows tamed. So Gabe will no longer say, "Mom, in the morning you look, umm, ummm, nervous." What does that even mean?

3. The 7-year quilt! Whew. Gabe asked why I never gave this to him after I'd made it for him. Well, because I never finished it, that's why. Shout out to Sara's mom Pam for the easily-understandable directions on quilt binding. Yes, I did hand-sew the entire back of the binding. Maybe I won't even let this baby use it. Maybe I'll just hang it on the wall.

4. Baby shower attended. Huge thanks to special ladies in my ward who hosted this, and gave really great gifts, and recognized that even boy #4 is reason to celebrate. (Pictured, my friends Sara and Whitney and the two in utero boys who will fight it out over baby Nora.)

5. Nearly 38-week self-portrait. No, I'm not expecting twins. Just one big, hungry boy.

Wild, Wild West

Me and my posse. What's more appropriate than a pregnant saloon girl?

How to have a great time with your best friend and only a lame post to prove it.

1. Forget your camera for the trip to Sand Harbor, Lake Tahoe. Trust me, all the kids had a great time playing in the waves, catching crawdads (except for Gabe--the little legs freaked him out), and building sand castles. Becky's kids are so cool and they really got along well with my boys. It was fun to listen to Celine boss Jacob about proper sand castle building techniques and to watch Jake willingly do whatever she asked. Becky and I braved swimming in the cold lake, but even if we'd had a camera, there'd never be a picture of that. Also, I don't have a picture of Wayland cooking the crawdads, nor of Way, Keenen, Logan, Celine, and JACOB eating them (although Jake's were known as "clawfish").

2. Forget to charge your camera for the trip to Virginia City. Everybody loved the ride on the authentic Virginia & Truckee train (I'm thinking about going again in two weeks to see if it will trigger labor). It was also fun to watch Gabe and Jake hero-worship Trajan, Keenen and Logan (I've never seen Jake order mint chocolate chip before, but he HAD to have what Logan ordered). Here's one shot we were able to get on our short-lived battery.

3. Assign your husband to take pictures of the BBQ at Davis Creek. This is the best photo I've got.

For a better summary and much better pictures, see Becky's post here.

P.S. We did get a terrific old-time photo of our family in VC, after much bribery, but we are waiting on the scanning. Stay tuned.

A Few Observations

Just some things I've observed recently.

1. Jacob never says "instructions." He says things like, "Oh, here are the CONSTRUCTIONS."

2. People are extraordinarily nice at In-N-Out Burger. Not just the cheery, freshly-scrubbed, highly-paid teenage workers, but also the patrons. In the booths, in the restroom, in the parking lot. I noticed this on a recent day trip to Sacramento for the boys' eye exams, a trip in which my head exploded at least three times. My theory is that everyone is so happy to be eating the best burgers IN THE WORLD that it carries over into everything they do while there.

3. I am not the only mother with the "exploding head syndrome." Read about what triggered this witty mom's symptoms. Seriously, I think there's a medical research study in the making.

4. If you are ever tempted to look at your 36-week pregnant and naked body after you catch a glimpse of it in the bathroom doorknob, RESIST. For the love of all that is holy, just avert your eyes. Doorknob reflections are in no way flattering.

5. A plus-size woman riding a Harley while wearing white leather pants and jacket with pink boots and helmet. Hmmm.

Memory Tag

My sister just posted this and I thought it looked like fun.

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Think, think, think.

Me and This Dude Craig

Dan and I have had a dining room table since we first got married. It has served us well, although lately we've noticed a slight problem since it only has four chairs and there are five in our family. Nate has been pretty tolerant of the booster seat on a folding chair, but sometimes he tries to boot one of the adults out.

So, I started thinking about a new dining room set. Thinking maybe that's something we can do for Christmas, or with next year's tax return. But a dining room set is SUCH A COMMITMENT. When we get the bigger house (the imminent need for which varies depending on the day), which shape will fit best? What kind of style do I want in the big house? Will my children ever learn to color inside the paper?

I was discussing my fear of commitment with my V.T. She suggested I check out Craig's list, because she just bought a great table for her family room on it. A couple days later, I told Dan about it and did a quick search.

Hmm, said I, this one is kind of cute. Not sure about the color from the picture, but I could always paint it. And it comes with a hutch. Where would I put a hutch? Hmm.

The next morning I was telling my sister Valerie about it and she said "Buy it!" She excited me, so I called and it was still available. After a few more phone calls arranging 1) Dad's truck and trailer, and 2) babysitting, I was on my way up to the North Shore of Tahoe.

Now our family of five and a half can all eat together!

The hutch is great for holding my extra dishes that don't fit in the cupboards.
(Not all the extra dishes, since I do have a mild addiction.)

And I really like the color--it ties together nicely with my "great room" and favorite rug. I don't think I would ever have walked into a furniture store with the intention of buying a green dining room set. But I love it.

And here's the best part. I got it all (cue music "I want it all") for ONLY $225!!!!!!

No fear of commitment.

Me and this Craig dude could start a serious relationship.

Don't tell Dan.

The Easiest Primary Activity Ever

Step 1: Wait for a major national holiday, such as the Fourth of July.

Step 2: Invite other primaries to participate because major national holiday falls on a three-day weekend.

Step 3: Advertise in ward bulletin, with the emphasis that parents are not to "drop-off" their children, but are expected to remain as spectators and to bring their own decorations.

Step 4: Play some MoTab music on a boombox (locating one of these antiques was the most difficult step), wave some flags, and lead a parade.

Step 5: Serve OtterPops (remember to freeze in advance, that requires some brain power).

The start of the parade.

Jake is racing.

Gabe is cruising.

Nate preferred a different ride.


The happy spectators.

"Otter" enjoyment!

What a success. I'm totally thinking this should count as a quarterly, but maybe not since only two families from our ward came.

A First Visit at Our House

Can you guess who visited our house for the first time last week?

Things we learned:

1. A loose tooth becomes SIGNIFICANTLY looser after your younger brother hits you in the mouth.

2. Pirate's Booty makes your loose tooth fall out.

3. Said younger brother repeatedly hitting himself in the mouth DOES NOT LOOSEN his own teeth.

4. The four quarters our visitor brought Gabe are synonymous with four dimes and four pennies. Apparently accounting isn't in his future.