Halloween pictures!

Kalena was THRILLED to get dressed up as "a booytiful princess" and go out trick or treating.  Also thrilled about her "crown" which is a crown shaped barrette.  (Stayed on way better than an actual tiara would have.)

She was not so thrilled when grandpa put on his Frankenstein mask.  She is trying to make sure he keeps his distance.  Even though she's seen that it's her grandpa under there.  Will ran away every time he saw the mask.

Will is unsure why I'm taking pictures when I should be helping him open his only piece of candy.

Most excited to eat?  An apple.

Brian asked which piece of candy he wanted to eat and he asked for the apple.  Obviously he enjoyed it.

How was your Halloween?

Miscellany

I re-did my blog layout!  I've been meaning to do it, but I finally got bored enough last night that I actually did.

Here's me at 19 weeks.  Looks about the same as the one I posted yesterday.  But you know, the pictures are for POSTERITY.

I promise that tomorrow I'll quit posting pictures of myself and post darling Halloween pictures of the kids.  I have been too lazy to attend any Halloween anything thus far, but I WILL do something tomorrow.  (And by "will do something" I mean the kids will be in costume at some point.)

Brian had this conversation with Kalena the other night when she got out of bed for about the millionth time.

Brian: What do you need?

Kalena: I just have a little owie.

Brian: How did you get it?

Kalena: I got bit by a dinosaur.

Of course you did.  

I have eaten no Halloween candy thus far.  Because there's none in the house!  

So.  How are things in your neck of the woods?

This pregnancy so far

Somehow, I've managed to make it almost halfway through this pregnancy.  I'm about 19 weeks now (don't even get me started on the "dating this pregnancy" shenanigans.)  So far, it's been...harder than the others.  With both Kalena and Will, I woke up at 14 weeks and thought, "Oh good, my energy is back!"  This round, I'm still waiting for that.  I'm exhausted a lot of the time but, ironically, I'm also dealing with insomnia.

I had morning sickness much worse this time.  No vomiting (I'm not a puker) but for a while there all I could do was lay on the couch wanting to die while the kids destroyed the house around me.  I ended up taking Unisom daily to keep that under control.  That kept me from wanting to die, but did make me super-extra-crazy tired all the time.  (Seriously, I have NO IDEA how people take this on any sort of regular basis.)  Also, I have the world's greatest husband.  He took over ALL the dish washing and most of the grocery shopping for the first trimester because I couldn't stand to do it.  (And remember, NO DISHWASHER.)

I feel like I'm huge, but looking at my 18 week picture with Will, I think maybe I'm about the same size.  I did show sooner though.  I really stopped being able to hide it at like 13 weeks.  On an upside, I have, in the last few days, started to feel the baby moving every day which I love.  Also, with this one I've already started having braxton hicks contractions (not regularly) which is really throwing me off since I didn't have them with Kalena or Will until VERY late in the pregnancy.

Here's what I looked like at 18 weeks (last Friday) because I haven't taken this week's picture yet.

On a completely unrelated non-pregnancy note, I decided to join Twitter.  Because apparently I don't spend enough time online as it is.  I'm @vandeblogger if you're over there too.

Christmas cards! Yes, I'm aware of the date

Just so you know, I'm writing this post for free Christmas cards.  Tiny Prints is giving me 50 free cards to write about their cards.


You guys, I love Christmas photo cards.  I'm embarrassed to admit that last year is the only year I've been together enough to get photo cards made up and sent out.  But this year I'm on top of it again!

I also love Tiny Prints.  I used them for Kalena's birth announcements and I was VERY pleased with the results, so I used them again for Will's.  (Did I send you a birth announcement?  My adorable children are only part of the reason those cards are so cute.)  Also, talked Kirsta into using them for Eli's birth announcements and those were adorable as well.

Anyway, enough about birth announcements.  Tiny Prints also has a huge selection of holiday cards!  So huge, in fact, that I had some issues picking favorites.  They have handy little filters on the side of the page but even after I'd input my preferences (which are admittedly few- I don't want to limit myself!) I came up with approximately one million cards that I loved.  (No seriously, I had like 30 "favorite cards.")  BUT.  I love you guys and I won't bore you with my 30 favorite cards (unless you want to come over and look at them with me) so I narrowed it down to 6.  However, we don't actually have our picture(s) yet so my favorites may change.  ANYWAY.

Patterned Christmas I think this would be great if we just do a playful picture with both kiddos.

Merry Stamp  In my head I'd like one family pic and one of the kids, and this card would be perfect for that.  We'll see about the reality of the pictures.

Scrolling Frame  I love this one, but it might be too fancy.  Also, not sure how it would look with color pictures- Brian doesn't like to do black and white for cards.  Kalena's dress is red and white so I'm hoping it would look GREAT with this one.

Holiday in Nature  If we end up with only one good family picture, this card is definitely top of my list.

Scalloped Trim  Maybe I like this card because I'm really hoping we can manage the "happy family everyone smiling and looking at the camera" picture AND the happy smiling baby picture.  Okay, also the colors.  The whole card looks very happy to me.

Triple Gift  The other "in my head" version of our card includes one family pic, one of the kids together, and one of my belly.  Because I want it to be clear on the card that I'm pregnant and not just fat.  And I see those pictures on this card.  

Now I just have to talk one of my talented friends into taking pictures for us...  Oh, and a question for you guys: do you prefer photo cards with pictures of the whole family or just the kids?  Last year I did just the kids (because let's face it, they're cuter than Brian and I) but I'm thinking I'll change it up this year.

Want to pick your own favorite cards?  You can check out the whole holiday line here.  

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Blathering: the recap

As I was discussing my weekend in Austin with my husband I realized I did basically two things: ate and talked.  Originally there were plans for many entertaining places and things, but you know the great conversation that you just don't ever want to end?  That was this whole weekend.

I was seriously nervous to meet so many people at once, but you know what?  It didn't really feel like meeting new people.  It felt more like catching up with friends I hadn't seen in a long time.  Yes, it was nerve wracking to walk into a room full of people I didn't know (even if I recognized some of them from pictures) but it was nice to see people recognize my name when I introduced myself, and when I got out to the back patio and Jen said, "Hey, I know you!" I relaxed and thought, "Okay.  This is going to be good."

You guys, good doesn't even begin to describe it.  I could have talked with everyone forever.  And I would link to everyone I met that I got along with, but that would be EVERYONE.  Seriously.  I was especially glad I had a later flight out Sunday because that gave me more time to hang out with more people!  And I got lucky enough that Christina and I were on the same flight out of Austin and both had long layovers in Dallas, so we continued the Blathering for a little while longer with more chatting over dinner before we each left for our home states.

Anyway, it was an amazing weekend and I miss everyone already.  So next time you're in Western Colorado (HA HA HA. Like that will ever happen.) let me know so we can get together.

13 Things

So.  I'm going to Austin this weekend.  I'm going for the Blathering and I'm super excited to get to meet the editors of Food Lush and Style Lush as well as all the other lovely ladies who will be there.

Anyway, many of the attendees (doesn't that make this whole thing sound formal?) are putting up these lists: 13 things to know about me before you meet me in person.  So I'm copying.

1) I am sarcastic much of the time.  If you're not sure if I'm joking or not, I probably am.  Don't let that throw you off.

2) I rarely watch TV other than re-watching old series on Netflix or DVD, so if you start talking about current television I will most likely be totally lost.

3) I am a nerd or geek or whatever you want to call it.  I mean, I have an engineering degree from an engineering school.  And I've watched every episode of Stargate SG1. And the X-Files.  If that doesn't all scream "NERDY GIRL" I don't know what does.

4) I would be more concerned about what to pack/wear except that I only have about 3 shirts that will be weather appropriate.  I will have a much larger wardrobe at the end of next week, but right now my sister (who just had her baby 5 days ago!) has most of my maternity clothes.  All I have are the ones I talked her out of when I was in Denver a few weeks ago.  So, fewer decisions for me to make!

5) I have a pretty good memory for names and faces, and I'm really hoping that helps me out in meeting everyone this weekend.  However, I know that my name is unusual (and therefore sometimes hard to remember) and I won't be offended if you ask me repeatedly what my name is or how to say it.  I'm used to it.

6) I tend to be shy, especially in large groups.  This makes me a little nervous about this weekend.  Okay, a lot nervous.  I'll try to remember all my rush training from back in my Alpha Phi days to help me get through.  And before you think-- shouldn't being in a sorority have made you more comfortable in big groups?  The answer is no.  The school I went to is small, and only 25% of the student population is female, so while I was there sorority ceiling was like 45 members.

7) Although I lived in Texas for 3 1/2 years I never made it to Austin.  I'm looking forward to rectifying that this weekend.

8) I intend to blame this pregnancy for all the eating I do.  Don't get me wrong, I would do all the eating either way, I'm just using being pregnant as an excuse.

9) My sisters used to complain all the time that I mumble.  I'm not sure if I still do or not, but feel free to call me on it if I am.

10) I love karaoke, so if you need a buddy I'll totally sing with you.  Provided I know the song.  Which leads to...

11) I have a knack for memorizing song lyrics and movie quotes.  Actually, it's not just me, it's genetic.  All 4 of my siblings have the same skill

12) If the weather is as nice as it's supposed to be, I'll probably wear flip flops all weekend.  As much as my sister has tried to educate me in the ways of fashion I choose comfort over style almost every time.

13) I'm really excited about this whole thing.

There you have it.  And readers who already know me in real life, are there any big things I missed?

I'm really not a fan of the headaches

I haven't blogged in a while and here's why: headaches.  Every. Single. Afternoon.  And since I'm pregnant, you know what I'm allowed to take for them?  Nothing!  Okay, not nothing, I can have tylenol which does zero good.  I think they may be allergy related, because benadryl seems to help, but you know what else benadryl does?  Makes me SUPER tired!  Interesting side note here, did you know that, based on the active ingredients, taking a tylenol PM is exactly the same as taking a tylenol and a benadryl at the same time?  It's true.  So, not surprising that it makes me tired.

Anyway, I'm pretty sure I had a point here, so I'll try to get back to it.  I can't take benadryl during the day because then I'm not awake enough to take care of the kids.  So every night as soon as they go to bed I take one.  It helps with the headache, but then I'm also tired enough to go to bed at like 8:15.  It doesn't so much make for good blogging.  I guess that's my point.  I haven't been blogging because I have been spending every evening in a benadryl induced coma.  Hopefully I'll be back to my regularly scheduled rambling soon.

Everyone knows boxes are the best toys

Two empty diaper boxes means the kids found plenty of entertainment while I washed dishes this morning.

Also, yes, in this house putting on a sweatshirt or a princess dress over your pajamas TOTALLY counts as getting dressed.

Kalena kept insisting that I refer to her as a beautiful princess.  Who am I to argue?

Look, I found some pictures!

So, a couple weeks ago I sent Brian to the store before work because we were out of milk.  (I am realizing that I do this WAY too often.  I really need to pay attention to how much milk we have before we have none.)  Anyway, about the time I heard him open the door when I he got home I thought, "I should have had him pick up some donuts too.  Well, too late now."  But apparently he's a mind reader because he had donuts!  (This is why we're married.)

The kids, of course, were SO! EXCITED! that I had to take some pictures.  I mean, come on.  There was chocolate!  And sprinkles!  For breakfast!!

Will was incapable of saying cheese and opening his eyes at the same time.

Kalena insisted that I take her picture, but then wouldn't put down her donut and smile long enough for me to actually do that.

It's probably a good thing the Krispy Kreme here closed, because otherwise I would find excuses to have donuts WAY more often.

Pancake Sunday

In our house, we have a little bit of a Sunday morning ritual.  Brian gets up with the kids, turns on some cartoons, and then makes pancakes for breakfast.  The kids LOVE pancakes and eat a ton of them.  And today, Will was eating so fast that Brian was having a hard time keeping him supplied.  Finally he brought in a whole one, thinking he'd just cut it up at the table, but Will was having none of that.  Oh no.  He wanted that pancake whole.  With NO butter.  And NO syrup.  (Weird since he all but demands syrup if you bring him an already cut up pancake.)  So then we got to watch and enjoy as Will tried to figure out how to eat this giant pancake with nothing but his spoon.

Strategy 1: pick off tiny pieces with fingers

Doesn't work fast enough.

Strategy 2: attempt to cut up pancake with tiny spoon

No go.

Strategy 3: wad up entire pancake and shove in mouth.

Excellent.

I should have lied

Tonight, just after we put the kids to bed I ran over to Dairy Queen to pick up some dessert for Brian and I.  (What, you don't sometimes have the good dessert without the kids?)  I brought it home and we laughed about the incompetence of the girl taking my order who thought I was asking for a waffle bowl filled with hot fudge rather than a waffle bowl SUNDAE with hot fudge.  (Also, she made me the wrong blizzard.  And then forgot to give me the sundae until I reminded her.)

Anyway, I was just walking into the living room to enjoy my ice cream and some netflix when Kalena walked out of her room.  (Presumably to go to the bathroom, although some nights I really just think she's trying to see how many times she can come out and bother us before she gets in trouble.)  And before I could say anything she asked, "Why do you get some ice cream?" in this sad little voice.  This is where I should have lied.  I should have convinced her it wasn't ice cream.  Probably anything was better than what I said, which was, "Sometimes only mommy and daddy get to have ice cream."  You guys, she just looked betrayed.  Also heartbroken.  I reassured her that she would get ice cream too, some other time.  Possibly tomorrow.  You know, because of the guilt.

In the future I think I'll wait until they're ACTUALLY sleeping before getting dessert.  Don't worry though, I still enjoyed every bite.  Apparently I didn't feel that guilty about the whole thing.

For Kari

To give her something to look at while she's super bored waiting to go into labor.  

Cute things from the three year old

When my mom left early last week to go out to California and be with her sisters, Kalena made sure to tell us often, "My grandma misses me SO MUCH."

After seeing a spider on a show Kalena told Brian, "I've never seen a spider before.  I love spiders."  This from the girl who makes me pick up any speck of dirt she believes is a bug.

If you ask her a question she will sometimes say, "Let's stop and think."

The other day she heard Will wake up from his nap so I told her she could go in say hi.  I could hear him calling out, "mama" and when she went in he got excited and said, "Mama!"  And Kalena responded, "No, it's just me.  Missy van de Boogaard."  Like he needed clarification on which Missy.

I am loving this age.