Thursday, August 14, 2008

I'm done!

I just wanted to post an update on what's going on. I had a doctor's appointment yesterday and I am dilated to a 2, but pretty much a 3. It sounds so nice, but as most of you know, it can be that way forever! Last night I had a couple of strong contractions...then nothing. This morning I lost my mucous plug, so now it's just waiting and waiting!! Hopefully something will happen in the next couple of days! My next appointment is Tuesday. The doctor says there is a 50/50 percent chance that I will not be pregant by then (I'm so relieved he let me know that) He will most likely induce me that day if I am still pregnant. Don't you just love doctors!!
We had our Family Home Evening on how the boys can help out around the house and help take care of our baby. They both are very excited, the only thing is they argue about who get's to hold the baby first...

Tuesday, August 12, 2008

Photo Tagged

I was Photo Tagged by Cami. The rule is to take pictures without tidying up (too much).

1. The Kitchen Sink
2. The Fridge
3. The Laundry Room
4. My Children...my boys...
5. My Favorite Rooms...are actually just like Cami, my kids rooms. They are the only places so far that I have gotten to do something sort of creative. I enjoy going in their rooms and playing and then in a few days I can't wait to go in the baby's room and rock him.
Grandpa Packer made this rocking horse and Taylor just absolutely Loves it! My most favorite part about this room is that Justin made the bunkbeds and the shelves, I thought they turned out so awesome and he made them just how I wanted them! It took a lot of time for him to do and I love and appreciate him so much for doing it! The only thing is that Corbin hardly sleeps in the top bunk, for some reason they both love to sleep in Taylor's, but I think it is pretty sweet. Corbin loves to tie rope (notice the picture) on the top bunk and climb up his ladder and then swing down - he's crazy!

Our babies room. It still is a work in progress, but it has been fun so far!
6. My closet - not much space, but it works. I still need to finish painting the inside. I can't wait to get rid of the pregnancy clothes and wear regular clothes again!!! Thankyou Mandi for lending me yours, but you can have them back really soon!
7. The Toilet...


8. My favorite shoes... 9. My dream vacation...
I would love to go anywhere with Justin...back east to the New England area, on a cruise, Hawaii, somewhere in Europe, at this point I'll take an overnighter somewhere!

10. Cheesy Me...

I tag Jessie, Jen (both Jens), and Shannon Ireland

Thursday, August 07, 2008

My little photographer

Lately Corbin thinks it's hilarious to grab the camera and take lots of pictures - sometimes I will find some random picture of his feet, the bed, Taylor, or who knows what! I thought I would post a couple of his pictures that he was so proud of!

Yes, he captured what we truly have been doing this summer.


Please ignore the desk - it's driving me crazy too!


This is totally Taylor. Corbin knows how to capture who you really are (refer back to picture number one)


Taylor is his favorite subject to photograph.


This was a random one I found, but I love the picture. Justin built these shelves and doors for us and I have been so happy with it!

Monday, August 04, 2008

Fountains and Slides

The boys sure had a fun weekend. Friday we got together with my sister, three of my sister-in-laws, my brother (sorry Brenton that you had to suffer through that!!), and lots of cousins to play at the fountains at the Gateway. It was so much fun for the boys to play with their cousins and play in the fountains. Corbin especially loved it. Taylor, not so much, but he loved being their still. Thanks to everyone for coming and I just loved seeing all of you. We really need to do this kind of thing more often! We missed seeing Monica, Garrett, and Emery - next time for sure!!!

Hanging out on the steps: Corbin, Taylor, and Hunter!

I was so happy that Justin got to come and say hello during his lunch break. He works right next to the Gateway (the green tinted windows in the background). He loved watching Corbin running around having a blast!

Every half and hour that is a big show with the fountains that plays along with music - there is tons of water shooting up! Corbin and Hunter just love it!


A few of the cousins waiting for the water! Cami - I just had to put this picture in because Grace is so adorable huddled over in the corner!

Drying off.

On Saturday, Alayna and Jeff took the boys to a water-slide park. The boys had such a great time (they absolutely love them!) Justin and I were able to go on one last date before the baby comes. It was so fun to just be the two of us. We got to go the temple and enjoy lunch together - even Wal-Mart was a blast with just the two of us!! Thank you so much Alayna and Jeff!


Alayna asked Corbin what his favorite part was about the water park, Corbin said that one of the slides was not his favorite, but his favorite thing was drowning!! I think he is slightly confused - he thinks drowning is just dunking his head in the water.

Saturday, July 26, 2008

Are you an Introvert?

Lately Justin has been reading this book called The Introvert Advantage. We have been discussing it a lot and neither of us realized how introverted we are. There are different areas in my life where I feel more extroverted (especially more than Justin), but I can burn out pretty easily and need to relax. To me I always thought that an introvert was shy and an extrovert was very outgoing. That is not true, it is how you create energy. For instance, Justin and I both get drained from being away from home too long, even if we had a great time where we were. So we need time to relax at home and re-energize.
There are these lists of questions in the book to determine how introverted or extroverted you are. If you are curious - take a look. Answer True or False.

"1. When I need to rest, I prefer to spend time alone or with one or two close people rather than with a group. Very true for me.

2. When I work on projects, I like to have larger uninterrupted time periods rather than smaller chunks. True - once I get going on a project, I am determined to keep going and I get really annoyed when I have to stop and put it away. (Scrapbooking, sewing, cooking, projects) Which makes this a challenge for me as a mother! (I try to get most things done during nap time and after bed time)

3. I sometimes rehearse things before speaking, occasionally writing notes for myself. True - I can never give a lesson without practicing or having very efficient notes.

4. In general, I like to listen more than I like to talk. TRUE!

5. People sometimes think I'm quiet, mysterious, aloof, or calm. True

6. I like to share special occasions with just one person or a few close friends, rather than have big celebrations. True, I do not like being the center of attention.

7. I usually need to think before I respond or speak. I am going to answer true, mostly because this is what I really need to do! I often times say things without thinking and people around me are confused as to what I am saying - can't they just read my mind!

8. I tend to notice details many people don't see. True

9. If two people have just had a fight, I feel the tension in the air. True, I hate that feeling!

10. If I say I will do something, I almost always do it. False, I am not the best at following through, although I am trying to be better.

11. I feel anxious if I have a deadline or pressure to finish a project. True, sometimes this is the best way for me to get things done.

12. I can "zone out" if too much is going on. True!

13. I like to watch an activity for a while before I decide to join in. True, I have never been the type to jump into an activity and make a fool of myself without knowing what's going on first.

14. I form lasting relationships. True and False. I am really bad at keeping in touch with people. I am sorry if I have offended anyone because of this. It's not that I don't want to stay close, it's just I get caught up with my little family and time goes by way too fast.

15. I don't like to interrupt others; I don't like to be interrupted. True - mainly I don't like to interrupt others, I worry they will be upset with me. But I also don't like to be interrupted when I am doing certain things.

16. When I take in lots of information, it takes me awhile to sort it out. True

17. I don't like overstimulating environments. I can't imagine why folks want to go to horror movies or go on roller coasters. True - horror movies are TERRIBLE. Roller coasters are fun, but I get exhausted from them.

18. I sometimes have strong reactions to smells, tastes, foods, weather, noises, etc. True. At first we didn't understand this question, but once we thought about it, it made total since. When there is a smell in the house that I can't find - it drives me crazy and I am totally distracted and cannot relax until I find it. As well - certain noises get to me so much.

19. I am creative and/or imaginative. Mostly False, sometimes true.

20. I feel drained after social situations, even when I enjoy myself. Definantly true.

21. I prefer to be introduced rather than to introduce others. True, I am always worried I will forget the name of the person I am introducing.

22. I can become grouchy if I'm around people or activities too long. True and False, really it just depends on how I am feeling. Sometimes I do a lot better than other times.

23. I often feel uncomfortable in new surroundings. True

24. I like people to come to my home, but I don't like them to stay too long. For the most part true, but don't let that stop you from coming over!! Again, it really just depends on how I am feeling.

25. I often dread returning phone calls. True

26. I find my mind sometimes goes blank when I meet people or when I am asked to speak unexpectedly. Absolutely True! I hate being put on the spot, I always say the dumbest things!

27. I talk slowly or have gaps in my words, especially if I am tired or if I am trying to speak and think at once. True, if you add chewing gum at the same time - I'm lost!

28. I don't think of casual acquaintances as friends. False

29. I feel as if I can't show other people my work or ideas until they are fully formulated. Totally true, I want my projects to be finished before people see them.

30. Other people may surprise me by thinking I am smarter than I think I am. TRUE!

Add up the number of Trues. -Did any of you realize what an introvert I am?

20-29 Pretty darn introverted. As a result, it is extremely important for you to understand how to keep your energy flowing and how your brain processes information. You relate to life through your ideas, impressions, hopes, and values.

10-19 Somewhere in the middle. Like being ambidextrous, you are both introverted and extroverted. You may feel torn between needing to be alone and wanted to be out and about. So it's very helpful to notice when and how you consistently feel more energized. You judge yourself by your own thoughts and feelings and by the standards of other people. This gives you a broad view, but at times you may get caught up in seeing both sides of a situation and not know where you stand. It is important to learn to assess your temperament so you can maintain your energy and balance.

1-9 You are more extroverted. You judge yourself in the light of the values and reality of others. You work within the bounds of what exists to bring about change. As you reach midlife and your body slows down, you may surprise yourself by wanted to take a break from socialized or needing time to yourself and then not knowing what to do. You can develop techniques to help yourself remember what is best for you to do when you need solitude. To do this you will have to balance your extroverting skills by learning more introverting skills.

If you're still not sure if you're an introvert or an extrovert, consider the following question: In a crisis, do you tend to feel shut down and somewhat detached and to respond in slow motion? Or do you tend to move your body immediately, take action without even thinking? During a stressful event, we revert to our basic hard wiring. If you tend to pull back, a hush falling over you like a fog, then you are more introverted. If you are more extroverted, you react by propelling yourself forward into action."

One of the funniest things that Justin and I have discovered from this book is that Introverts don't keep eye contact when they are speaking, but when they are listening they keep great eye contact. Extroverts on the other hand keep eye contact when they are talking and their eyes wonder around when they are listening. This is because as Introverts, we are distracted by the eye contact when we are talking so we have to look away to get our thoughts together. That is sooo true for the two of us! We never look at each other when each of us is talking. So now when we are in a conversation, we will say - "hey look at me while you are talking!!"

I have been fascinated with this book and can't wait to read more. If anyone is interested the book is called The Introvert Advantage by Marti Olsen Laney.

Friday, July 18, 2008

List of things to do

I know there are always a million little things to do in anticipation for a new baby, but these are some things that have just been at the back of my mind for a couple of weeks and I just need to get them done! I figure that if I have a list of them written down where other people can see them too, I will be more motivated to get them done, so thank you. I know there are several items that have paint in them, but don't worry, it's just touch up and I will keep the area well venalated. The list is to your right and everytime I accomplish something, I will put a star next to it! So here it goes - 5 more weeks!


Sorry - no makeup - ahhh! But this picture is for those who really really want to see my belly!

Monday, July 14, 2008

4th of July, East Canyon, Lagoon, Bear Lake, and Exhausted

You know for a pregnant woman, in the middle of the summer, 1 1/2 months away from her due date, you would think I would be sitting around in my lazy chair drinking lemonade and enjoying myself. Don't get me wrong, I have been doing that too, but what's summer without the lake, fireworks, happy kids, and tired parents!

We have had a really fun couple of weeks full of lots of activities. Here are several pictures from our good times.


4th of July

Sparklers! Corbin was fascinated by the fire, we had a nice long talk about the dangers of fire.


Proud to be an American!


Corbin and Taylor each did about 20 sparklers.


I know this picture is dark, but I just had to capture a beautiful moment. Justin is in the background lighting the fireworks.


We can't get enough of Taylor's giggles and smiles!


Kayaking at East Canyon

Riding in the Kayak has been one of our favorite summertime activities, nothing much, but it is so much fun riding out a ways and then jumping in the lake.


Corbin is the little head poking out on the very right, he just laughs and laughs when he is out there.


But really, it's all about the sticks and the rocks!


Taylor would try so hard to pull the kayak back to shore.


Lagoon
We told the boys they needed to take a nap before heading to Lagoon, this was right before they woke up. Almost everynight they sleep in Taylor's bed together, I figure why not just let them, I'm sure they won't be doing that much longer!

The Merry Go Round was one of our favorites. It brought back memories of the time my sister-in-law, Cami and I went to Lagoon during Jr. High, all of our friends went to ride the Collasus and we were too scared, so, we rode this thriller ride!!!


Yippee!


Another Yippee!!


The train ride was the best. I forgot that there were animals along the way, so that made it even more fun for the boys! We went on the tilt-a-whirl before this ride. Justin, Corbin, and I were laughing so hard and having a great time, Taylor on the other hand hated it. When the ride ended he said, "This was not funny!" and he was pretty sad. So going on the train ride made him so happy!


Checking out the elk.


Bear Lake - a yearly tradition!

Of course, the sand is the best! We sat in the sand about half the time buring ourselves and enjoying the warmth of it.


Each year, we bring our bat and ball and play baseball on the beach and in the shallow part of the water. It's a blast!


Corbin and Justin found these plants and they both made good use out of them. Corbin made a fishing pole...

and Justin made a swing. He braided three of the pieces together to make it extra strong. He was so proud and now he knows that he can survive like Bear Grilzes (not sure on the spelling of the name, but you know the survivor show that every guys just loves!!)



And now we have two very happy boys, and two very tired parents! But what a blast it was for us!