Friday, April 18, 2008

I am so NOT Martha Stewart or Rachel Ray....

I caught a few minutes of Rachel Ray the other day..she had Trisha Yearwood on as a guest. They were making a german chocolate cake that Trisha always makes for Garth Brooks on his birthday! It looked sooooo good..and I love German Chocolate Cake...so I thought Id give it a go. Mike's parents were bringing over his Grandma to see the baby..so I thought..perfect....Ill make this cake. Well I found a few minutes in the afternoon and looked up the recipe... darn it...I was missing 1/2 of the ingredients and had no time to dash to the store. So I had to majorly cheat and use a german chocolate cake mix...but I thought ...I could make the icing. So I did..and then assembled. And this was the result...a lopsided disaster!!

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

Who's the cutest Teddy???????





Paige and I were having fun with James and his teddy's today..lol.



He did not look too impressed....

Fun Pictures...

Smiling!!

James has been smiling for about 2 weeks now...it is just hard to catch on camera!! We LOVE his smiles and he has even started laughing. He also tries to talk to us..with little coos and bubbles. Sometimes Ill set him down and peek at him and he will just be kicking and smiling away! He had his 2 month shots and is growing so fast!! He is tipping the scales at 12 lbs and is 23.5 inches. He is sleeping great at night with the normal night consisting of one feeding!! That just thrills me!! What a sweetie!

Wednesday, April 09, 2008

A Whole New House!!!

Well....here it is...the house looks TOTALLY different! Yesterday they finished two walls...side and back. Today was spent on the front. They have been working long long hours and will finish the last side tomorrow! So we will look forward to some exterior painters hopefully soon to finish the garages and front door detail and then we will look like the rest of the street!

Tuesday, April 08, 2008

OUT WITH THE GREY...IN WITH THE?????



Well today is the day!! We are saying goodbye to the grey cement house!! We have been the ugliest house on the street for quite sometime...so we are nervous to see what color our house ends up. I say that..because we are the last house on the street our choices of stucco were limited. Architectural control dictates are such that it made it hard for us to get a normal color because they were all chosen!! So we are nervous to see what it ends up to be.....however...I feel safe to say we wont be the brightest....a house down the street was just stuccoed...and it resembles a pineapple...with light pineapple trim! So phew...we wont be the brightest!! Ill post a picture when its done....stay tuned!!

Monday, April 07, 2008

SLEEP GLORIOUS SLEEP!!!

Oh Im just so excited this morning!! James had a GREAT night and only woke up once to eat!! He has been quite regular eating every 3 hours on the dot until he turned 6 weeks. Then all of a sudden he was eating every 2 hours around the clock....after about a week of that..I was sooooo tired and couldnt keep that schedule. So I tried to figure out what the issue was ...and wondered if maybe I didnt have enough milk. So I started alternating feedings with a bottle...and WOW what a difference! He sleeps at night now!!! He has had 3 great nights..but last night was the BEST! I put him down at 9pm he woke at 4am and then again at 8am! Now that is a schedule I can live with!! I am seriously doing the dance of joy this morning. Amazing how a little sleep makes you feel like a million bucks!!

Dancing

Thursday, April 03, 2008

Peek a BOO!!



It just cracks me up everytime we are getting ready to head out the door. Ill get James in his seat all bundled up. Then I rush around getting everyone ready and come back and just see these little eyes peeping out...so cute! He is so patient while the rest of us try to get organized and out the door. Luckily he loves his car seat because he is in it ALL the time now that Im driving the girls 3 times a day! He was so good on our trip to Montana...not a peep! We are so lucky to have such a patient little guy!!

Spring Break in Montana!


We spent the week of Spring Break at the cabin! We were thrilled that Mike had the whole week off! The girls and Mike did a few ski days with fresh snow..and Mike did a few on his own! He totally scored on our last day there as there was a nice blizzard dropping loads of snow! The van couldnt even make it up the hill to the ski lodge...so he hitched a ride and enjoyed two feet of powder! We saw movies, played games and just relaxed together! It was so great to get away!! It felt like Christmas with all the new snow and the christmas tree was still up...lol. However, we are glad it is April and we are looking forward to summer! Ill post ski pics when I get them off the other camera!

First Church Day...Easter!!


James and I finally made it to church...and it was Easter Sunday! It was so nice to go back and nice to meet a new ward! Mike had been to our new ward a few times with the girls and had already met a few people. We are thrilled that there are lots of kids and lots of girls in activity days for Emily and Steff to meet! It is a large ward with surprisingly lots of spanish speaking...so we feel right at home as we had lots of spanish speaking in our Florida ward as well...too bad we dont speak spanish...LOL! It is amazing how you miss that spiritual uplift each week when you arent attending church. It was nice to be back and we look forward to getting to know the ward as we plan on settling here for awhile! We will surely miss Parkland ward tho!! We have always loved being in that ward on and off my whole life!

Wednesday, April 02, 2008

Phew!!!!!



Emily had to make an emergency trip to the childrens hospital yesterday (It is a brand new hospital and so nice). She woke up with pain in her stomach and I told her it was probably due to the pilates work out she did with her sisters and I the night before (LOL). Well she could barely walk and was in tears..so I kept her home from school. She slept all day and then started with fever and vomiting....so I asked her about her pain..and when she said it was in the right side only...I called Mike. He came home and examined her...and was suspicious also. So they headed off to the hospital to take a look. Emily was scared to death to go to the hospital..she has quite a fear of them (I dont blame her) so it was hard to send her off. Luckily it was not appendicitus...blood work was normal and ultrasound was normal. So after pumping her full of fluids and some observation...she was sent home :)! Yeah...we are so relieved...we dont need any more hospitals, surgery or drama around here. She is much happier today and spending the day with me!! She just got out her human body book to read up on appendicitus (we never told her what we were suspicious of...we just said we needed a picture of her tummy). She read the symptoms and said...wow...this sounds exactly like what I had. I said..I know..that is why Dad took you to the hospital! LOL...then she says you know yesterday was April Fools...I said...I know...were you trying to April Fools us?? She said NO!!! I would never choose that as an April Fools joke! So no april fools...but no appendicitus!! YAHOO!!!!

Thursday, March 20, 2008

Surfer Girls Room




Mike made a quick trip to Montana to pick up our kitchen table (FINALLY)! He found he had a lot of space left in his uhaul..so he hit costco and filled up! One of the things he picked up was bedroom furniture for Steff and Paige's room! I was nervous when he called...because I tend to be picky about such things..and what if I didnt like the color. But luckily I took a peek online and gave him the go ahead! I love it! I need to order the night tables still. So we set up most of the surfer room..I still have things to go on the walls...Im just too nervous to poke the first hole in our walls...so nothing is up on any walls yet...Im sure I will give in soon and start hammering away! I wish this set came in queen so we could do it in Emmy's room too. So Steff and Paige are the first to get bedroom furniture! Mike and I are jealous and hoping to find something for our room soon. I guess after 15 years....it is time to get some furniture in our room!

Oh NO...its Diaper Time!!!

This is the face I get everytime it is diaper changing time! James does NOT like to be changed...and whoever is changing, races to get the diaper back on so the crying will stop. So I thought I would share that face with you....we will call it...'OH NO...its DIAPER TIME'! Other than diaper time...James is a trooper. He is such a snuggler! We all just fight to snuggle him! He is by far our best baby! Sorry girls...I speak the truth! He went for his almost 6 week appt today and was just over 10lbs and 22.5 inches. It seems everytime I blink he looks bigger! He was so good at his appointment. I have found doctors appointments so stressful in the past because baby fights the exam..but he just kicked back and relaxed the whole time! It was a pleasant experience....besides the fact that while being weighed he peed on the nurse....ooops sorry about that! The new fun experiences of having a boy!

Thursday, March 13, 2008

My Little Camo Girl....




This is my little camo girl! She LOVES camoflauge! She found some fun camo pants at pumpkin patch last summer in arizona...she wore them often and they quickly got holes! Luckily auntie Kristin found them on clearance and brought her another pair! She was THRILLED! Then she found a camo hat and sunglasses and thought she hit the jackpot!! She always has them on now! Mike and I just chuckle! I was unpacking some of Steff's clothes to pass down to Paige, she was telling me if she would wear them or not... I think only 2 shirts got the nod of approval. Ugh! No girl colors, no curly sleeves and nothing with flowers on it! But Paige thought her cousin Hallie would LOVE them! Little did Mike know he would have to buy a whole new wardrobe for this camo girl! Girly girl....she is definately not!


Monday, March 10, 2008

JAMES IS 1 MONTH OLD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

James
1 month old!!
I cant believe James is one month old already! Mind you the whole month has been a bit of a blur! I have had many 'momnesia' moments! I went to download pictures the other day and realized I had no memory card in the camera for the past week!! DUH! So frustrating! Then I went to a school to register my girls for next year and I was meeting a fellow for a tour...went to the front desk and asked for a guy that is supposed to install a fireplace in our basement!! DUH!! So embarrassing...hopefully when Im not so sleep deprived my brain will return and I can function somewhat normally...I really dont think Im safe to be in charge of 4 kids!! LOL!!
We have so enjoyed little James! He is such a good baby and SOOOOOOO patient with his sisters. He gets passed around and flipped and flopped and squished and cuddled every which way and he just takes it! Im sure that will change...but it sure helps me out when they can hold him for a few minutes so I can get something done! He is getting bigger already and just lost his hair! I gave him a bath...and washed his hair..and it just seemed to slide off his head...poor guy! Hopefully it returns soon! It just happens that I have scheduled his pictures for this week...darn it...maybe we can spray paint some hair on. LOL.
We are all doing great! Im feeling better going into this 4th week. There are definately rough days and better days. The fatigue is never ending...but Im doing everything I can to rebuild these red blood cells. My sister felt sorry that I was looking so ghostly so she got me some cream that is supposed to bring out my 'natural glow'.....I need about a gallon of it!!! Thank you Thank you Thank you to my mom and sister for all their much needed and appreciated help!! And thank you to so so so so many that have been so great to help us in the past months!!!! We are so indebted to soooooooo many!!!! Thank you!!!!
Funny story......
Eyes Poppin Eyes Poppin Eyes PoppinEyes Poppin
When Kristin was here...she was being so careful to watch Ben carefully...as this house isnt baby proofed yet. Well she was upstairs with Ben and Paige and I was downstairs and I just heard a loud crash and tumble...and Kristin screamed. Ben had taken a little tumble down the stairs...luckily only half way due to a turn in the staircase. Kristin rescued Ben and cuddled him...he was fine..but all witnesses were quite scared. Kristin commented to Paige....Oh, that scared me! Paige replied, YAH, I was so scared my eyes almost POPPED OUT OF MY HEAD!!

Sunday, March 09, 2008

Vampire Hands

This is a picture taken when I got home from the hospital..my hemoglobin level was 74. I just got a call and as of last week Im at 98! So there is improvement! I think the normal low is 120...but ideally 140ish...so still a bit to go. But at least Im not this white anymore!! And thanks to my 'natural glow' lotion...I should be glowing again in no time!!
Vampire

Tuesday, February 26, 2008

James 2nd week!!!


Here are a few pics of our 2nd week! We did manage to get James to the doctor this week. He is now 7lbs 14 oz and still 21 inches. No he didnt lose length...I was just misinformed as to his length until I was unpacking and found his measuring tape with all his stats on it. Ooops... and be sure to check out those boots!! Those were a gift from Auntie Kristin...I thought they would never fit him...they are so tiny! But...they are too big!!! He kicks them off....but they are so sweet!

Saturday, February 16, 2008

BLUE... is the new pink in our house!!



Here are a few more pics from the past few days! We are loving all the blue!!

A Picture by Paige



Paige drew me this picture the first day I was home. Hopefully you can see it. I thought it was so sweet! It is a picture of me..holding baby James.

Thursday, February 14, 2008

Introducing.....


James Michael Dunham!!

Finally, we decided on a name! I know..pretty lame that we cant decide after knowing for so long that we were having a boy. But the birth was pretty dramatic and we werent in any condition to make such a huge decision. We needed time to calm down and get to know this little guy. He was known in the hospital as trouble maker, mr. noname and buddy. We brought him home yesterday and we are thrilled to be together as a family again. Thank you for all the help that we have had watching the girls over the past week! It was so nice to not have to worry about them. They are just thrilled with little James and so happy to have him home. Paige loves his little nose and his little clothes. Steff loves that he is so good and CUTE. Emily loves to just hold and watch him. Mike and I love that he is finally here safe and sound. We already cant imagine not having him in our family.






Tuesday, February 12, 2008

First Pictures.....



Here are some of the first pictures of our new addition! He is so sweet and we fell in love instantly after quite a traumatic entrance! He weighed in at 7lbs 11oz and is 21.5 inches long. We are still debating a name...yes we know...last minute. Sorry about the black and white not sure why that happened..but I dont have time to correct. We will try to get some better pics up soon. Thanks for all your love and support!!

Sunday, February 10, 2008

He's Here!!!!!

I just wanted to post for Lisa & Mike and let you know that their new baby boy is here!! He is one for the drama... after a dramatic pregnancy he made a dramatic entry into the world also! Her placenta ended up causing Lisa to hemerge so she was quickly taken in for a c-section! My mom said it was pretty scary for a few minutes. He was born a few minutes after 3:00pm and weighs 7lbs 11oz. He is doing great! Lisa is doing better but I don't think we can say great quite yet... hopefully their will be more updates soon and possibly pictures!!! We have all been so anxious to meet this little man!!!! Hope you recover well Lisa.. LOVE YOU!!!
Love Kristin

Friday, February 08, 2008

Baby is COMING!!!!!!!!!


Ok..here is baby update...FINALLY!!! I just saw my doctor...she is so sweet....she didnt have a clinic today and is off to Jamaica but wanted to check me before she left. So due to a few past concerns (placenta previa and transverse baby)..and present concerns (high blood pressure)...she wants to get baby out in a controlled circumstance. So she scheduled me to be induced this weekend....I just have to wait for a bed. So Im thrilled that we finally get to meet this little guy that we have worked and waited for!! Now if i can just finish up some more boxes before we get the call!! Crunch time now!! So Im just hoping the induction goes smoothly and baby just slips out!! Wishful thinking I know. Oh and I guess we should come up with a name...we have procrastinated that as well. Put in your bids now.....

Tuesday, February 05, 2008

Finally...my favorite song...on video!!

I was waiting for Daughtry to come out with this song on video! Finally! I went to his concert...which was awesome..but he didnt play this song! Huge disappointment! Love this song!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

We DID it!!!!!! We have moved into our FIRST home!!

Shiver

First, I have to say...for Calgary we have had a very mild winter. We had one short cold snap while I was on bedrest...but other than that...nice temps and hardly any snow. Well all that changed on Sunday as an arctic blizzard blew in. Not only was there snow...and crazy wind...but the temperatures PLUMMETED!!! All Sunday night I kept getting up and checking out the window..thinking we were crazy...no INSANE... for even attempting a move the next day..I was ready to back out and try again when the temps were a little more sane. In the morning, I turned the news on...the temperature was -33C but with windchill felt like -48C!!! I could hardly believe my ears. School was still on...and Mike wanted to move as we are on a bit of a time crunch. So we did it! Thanks to all those who braved those truly insane temperatures to help us accomplish this task. (For you US people...my dads vehicle at one time said -19F but that doesnt include windchill) It was a brave soul who showed up and I am so so so thankful!! I am hoping no one turned into an icicle or received any frostbite...it was bitterly bitterly cold and an unfortunate time to move.

That being said...I am truly ECSTATIC!! I was in tears driving over for our possession time of 10am. I have been such a stressed out emotional basketcase in the past few weeks (well ok...months)...but all of a sudden...Im following Mike pulling a little trailer with our first load and reality hit. We were FINALLY moving into our first home! Things then went crazy as we signed papers...and got our keys. I meant to get some photos before move in began...but our dedicated helpers were bundled and ready. They worked fast and furiously inside and out to help us accomplish this move. And we did it. By 4pm everything was in the house and everyone was trying to return their bodies to normal temperatures. We still have a LOT of work to do...but we are in!! Thank you Thank you Thank you to everyone who helped us with this move. We feel so blessed to have such great friends and family who would brave this weather to help us. We are truly thrilled and 15 years have been worth the wait!! I will post pictures as soon as we get some sort of organization happening.

Thank You

Monday, January 28, 2008

I was very saddened to hear the news of the passing of our Prophet President Hinckley. I heard only by round about rumor..and for 15 or 20 minutes could not find anything to confirm the news. I wondered if it could possible be true. Shortly after hearing rumor...the news was confirmed on CNN and LDS.org. After 12 years of listening to his testimony and feeling of his love and strong testimony...it is hard to let him go. I loved so much about this man....who tho small in stature was a rock for us each to follow. I loved his cute sense of humor and will miss his cheery smile. At the same time that I know we mourn for our prophet...I can only imagine how thrilled he is to be with his sweet wife and dear friends who have passed before him. A happy reunion!! His life was one of service to the church. It will be an emotional week as we say goodbye to a loved prophet and honor him...we will also welcome a new prophet and sustain him in his new calling.

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Stephanie's Baptism!



Stephanie was able to be baptized on her birthday! Just like Emily was...it is becoming a bit of a tradition. It was so nice to have so many family and friends attend! Both her grandmothers spoke and did such a beautiful job and made it so personal for Stephanie! Stephanie was BEAMING the whole day! It was so fun to watch her! Later, we went for Chinese Food. Stephanie leaned over and asked me...if she was still pure from her baptism. I asked her if she had done anything wrong since 10am this morning....she said..nope...and was beaming again! So cute! She has been reading from her Book of Mormon and watching all the new Book of Mormon videos we got for Christmas. She just loves the stories and cannot choose a favorite story. Ill often find her and Paige snuggled together reading the stories together and she will explain them to Paige. She is such a fun girl and great sister! We were so excited to share this special day with her!!

Thursday, January 24, 2008

In need of a laugh today.......

Just for fun...these had me laughing....
Q. Should I have a baby after 35?A. No, 35 children is enough.
Q. When will my baby move?A. With any luck, right after he finishes high school.
Q. How will I know if my vomiting is morning sickness or the flu?A. If it's the flu, you'll get better.
Q. Since I became pregnant, my breasts, rear-end, and even my feet have grown. Is there anything that gets smaller during pregnancy?A. Yes, your bladder.
Q. What is the most common pregnancy craving?A. For men to be the ones who get pregnant.
Q. What is the most reliable method to determine a baby's sex?A. Childbirth.
Q. The more pregnant I get, the more often strangers smile at me. Why?A. 'Cause you're fatter than they are.
Q. My wife is five months pregnant and so moody that sometimes she's borderline irrational.A. So what's your question?
Q. What's the difference between a nine-month pregnant woman and a model?A. Nothing, if the pregnant woman's husband knows what's good for him.
Q. How long is the average woman in labor?A. Whatever she says, divided by two.
Q. My childbirth instructor says it's not pain I'll feel during labor, but pressure. Is she right?A. Yes, in the same way that a tornado might be called an air current.
Q. When is the best time to get an epidural?A. Right after you find out you're pregnant.
Q. Is there any reason I have to be in the delivery room while my wife is in labor?A. Not unless the word "alimony" means anything to you.
Q. What does it mean when the baby's head is crowning?A. It means you feel as though not only a crown but the entire throne is trying to make its way out of you.
Q. Is there anything I should avoid while recovering from childbirth?A. Yes, pregnancy.
Q. Does pregnancy cause hemorrhoids?A. Pregnancy causes anything you want to blame it for.
Q. Where is the best place to store breast milk?A. In your breasts.
Q. Is there a safe alternative to breast pumps?A. Yes, baby lips.
Q. What does it mean when a baby is born with teeth?A. It means that the baby's mother may want to rethink her plans to nurse.
Q. How does one sanitize nipples?A. Bathe daily and wear a clean bra. It beats boiling them in a saucepan.
Q. What are the terrible twos?A. Your breasts after baby stops nursing cold turkey.
Q. What is the best time to wean the baby from nursing?A. When you see teeth marks.
Q. Do I have to have a baby shower?A. Not if you change the baby's diaper very quickly.
Q. Our baby was born last week. When will my wife begin to feel and act normal again?A. When the kids are in college.
And a favorite....
A man took his pregnant wife to the hospital to give birth. The doctor told them that they'd developed a new machine and asked if the couple would like to try it out. The machine could take some of the pain of childbirth from the mother and give it to the father to ease the mother's burden.Well, they thought that was a good idea, and decided to give it a try. The doctor initially set the machine on 10 percent, telling the man that even 10 percent was probably more pain than he'd ever experienced. But the husband was surprised at how little pain he was feeling, and asked the doctor to raise the level.The doctor increased it to 20 percent, and when the man still felt fine, he raised it to 50 and finally 100 percent.After it was all over, the man stood up, and stretched a little. Both he and his wife felt fine, and they shortly left the hospital to take the baby home.It was then that they found the mailman dead on their doorstep.

Monday, January 21, 2008

30 DAY EVICTION NOTICE!!




After tenant forcefully took over the premises....



I am issuing 30 day notice for EVICTION. Tenant will have 30 days in which he can either gather his belongings and promptly vacate the premises, or wait until the final day. After which, he will be physically removed from the property. He's being evicted due to breech of contract and destruction of property. Expansions only to the FRONT of the house, within reasonable limits, were discussed. Not only have these limits been exceeded, but additions to the back of the house were also made! Remodeling and gutting of the home was never approved, nor was changing the initial layout and base structure. And due to property damage, there are now leaks in both the upper AND lower levels of the home. On top of which, the landlord has received numerous complaints about nightly disturbances. After 30 days from this day that he doesn’t comply with the notice will result in immediate and forceful removal at my discretion. Tenant is required to leave the premises exactly as he found them!!




Exception: He cannot leave in the next 8 days!! LOL