Kyson's Experiments

Do you want to know what Kyson has been up to since I was in Seattle? Experimenting with our plumbing. Here is a run-down of what he has flushed down the toilet in the last 2 weeks.

1. a stick of chapstick

2. Lexi's Littlest Pet Shop, the Ostrich

3. His beloved binky (And yes, there were tears when the realization of what he'd done hit. But now the mangled binky rests in peace and Kyson is learning to sleep completely without it.)

And I think this has suffered the same fate, but am not yet sure.......

4. His Sunday tie. (Is that even possible???? I'm not sure, but I'm starting to think it is.)

The reason I think it went down the drain is because he had 2 ties out on Sunday trying to decide which one he wanted to wear. (The above picture is the missing tie. And, no it is not actually that long. It was a bad tying job on my part, but I left it on anyway :) Anyway, Kyson came to me with a pitiful expression on his face (something similar to I-Don't-Know-How-This-Possibly-Could-Have-Happened......But-It-Did) and presented me with one of his ties, dripping wet. And then he told me he "flushed". I ran to the toilet and indeed it had just been flushed. However, I thought we got lucky and the tie just didn't make down the drain. I still thought the other tie was downstairs. Now, 6 days later I'm not so sure. I still haven't found the tie and we've been cleaning out closets and corners and nothing has turned up. I wouldn't have thought it possible......

So in essence, I'm waiting for the back-up at anytime.

Seattle in a Nutshell

I did something I have not done since I've been married. In fact, I don't think I've ever boarded a plane completely alone.......until last week that is! Amber (sister) and I finally made it out to Seattle to see our brother. We've been talking about it for a few years now and we finally just did it. She flew out of Denver and I flew out of Sacramento.

I can't even begin to tell you how fast I zipped through the lines at the airport. Seriously. Zipped. I patiently waited for a woman who had about 5 trays she was struggling to fill and push through security. But I didn't judge. Even though I only needed 2 trays (I have an extra big purse that requires one all by itself. And extra big feet which requires another all to themselves.) Who am I to get irritated when I am usually lining up 10 different trays and frantically stripping my children of jackets and shoes and backpacks? Who am I to judge when I am usually the one that has backed up the line so badly that strangers start to push trays through for me in hopes to get me out of the way. Nope. Not this time. I breezed through security like it wasn't even there. And then I had an hour and a half until boarding time. Unheard of. An hour and half of uninterrupted daydreaming. Or reading. Or perusing over-priced stores. I sipped my coffee-free vanilla bean frappucino with caramel and whipped cream in peace. And I didn't have to share any. Ahhhhh.

Back to my vacation outside of the airport......we got to Seattle Thursday night and left Monday night. We were able to hit most of the main events, I think. Due to the rain there were a few things we couldn't do and due to my pregnancy there were a few more things we couldn't due (mainly kayaking which I'm not entirely sure I'd want to do anyway.......goes back to my fear of drowning. I can't imagine flipping upside down and being okay with it. Makes me shudder just thinking about it.) So here are some pictures of the things we did and saw.

Stopped here for a little treat......(thank you marshmallows rolled in cookie crisp and chocolate)

This was Snowqualamie Falls. It was awesome even in the rain!

A quick night shot of the Seattle skyline.

A giant starfish I couldn't stop staring at. Bizarre.

Just getting ready to walk downtown Seattle.

Beginning our tour of the city. (There's Amber, leaving me behind. No mercy for pregnant and slow.)

This is Phil's horse, Shelby. We brushed her and played with her. He has another horse, Peach, who is going to have a baby any day now. Amber rode her. I rode another horse named Sport. I didn't post a picture because I look like a giant mushroom riding a horse. No one needs to see that.

After the horses, we treated ourselves to a seafood feast at the Crab Pot.......It was delicious!
(Even though we didn't eat until 8:00. We were city living!)

Overall we had a great time and got to see some fun things. And I had more energy than I thought possible. It's amazing how easy it is to just take care of yourself. I stayed up late and slept in and it was great! I went shopping and did what I wanted. I loved it. But I missed my family and was ready to come home. Thanks Phil for the tour and thanks Ryan, for watching the kids! It was certainly a good bonding experience for everyone ;)

Happy Birthday Lexi!

We just celebrated Lexi's 7th birthday! My, how time flies! We didn't get the cake frosted until she was home from school which suited her just fine......don't worry, Kyson and Kendri still managed to get their fair share of licks too! Every time I turned my back someone had a finger in the frosting. I had to banish them from the kitchen so I could finish the cake! We decided this year would be a family party. It was very low-key but Lexi didn't complain at all. She picked tacos for her birthday dinner and was happy to wait until after everyone had showers before starting the party. The main thing she wanted was an easy-bake oven so here it is!

The birthday party guests.......

and the turtle cake! Lexi drew out what she wanted and I put it on the cake. She pointed out to me that there are "7" hearts on the the turtle. I thought that was very clever of her.

We had a great party and Lexi is lucky enough to have another tomorrow at Gammi's house. All of her Reese cousins will be there. Who could ask for more?

Some things about Lexi.......Right now Lexi is in Girl Scouts. She just had softball tryouts today. She is not sure she will like it but because she is already enrolled she's going to find out for sure! (Meaning the next few months could be "fun"!) She is very social and loves to play with her friends. She is an awesome big sister......she is always willing to help Kyson and always includes Kendri when she has friends over. Lexi loves to read and play "school". She is very concientious of pleasing others. She really, really wants her ears pierced and does not feel that showers are completely necessary. She will do anything I ask her to do but also has a bit of stubborness to her. We love her and the dyanmics she brings to our family! Happy Birthday Lexi!

What to Expect When Expecting.......

Because I am pregnant.....

1. I have been having a hard time breathing through my nose at night. It makes it hard to sleep when your drowning in your own bed. However it isn't too bad yet. By the time I hit 8 months I'll be stuffy all night long versus just around 3:00 am. I am hoping for some heavy duty nasal spray!


2. I am left gasping for air by the time I make the climb up my stairs. It makes me feel like I'm working out all day instead of just in the morning.


3. I want to eat gaucomole chips for every meal. And sour cherry balls. Yum!


4. I have a huge zit on the bridge of my nose that could be confused for a third eye if one didn't look close enough.


5. I usually get the "pregnancy mask"........I can still see the one I got with Kyson. It never went away completely and I am just waiting for the summer time when it will really darken! So pretty....


6. I have had a little bit of insomnia if I wake up in the middle of the night.....which is every night. Due to the aforementioned stuffiness and other reasons. Aka children.


7. Even though I can't sleep well in the middle of the night, I find I have no problem falling asleep on the couch at 8:30 ;) Might be contributing to insomnia.


8. I can finally tolerate eating pasta again.....sort of. At least it doesn't make me feel as rotten as it did the first 13 weeks. But the shampoo I was using during that time gives me instant flashbacks to nausea. I'll never be able to use it again.



9. There are certain maternity shirts that have started to fit. Not maternity pants yet.


10. I've gained 7 pounds so far. I don't remember if that's typical for my pregnancies or not. I do know by the time I hit my third trimester I'm putting on weight three times faster. Yikes!

11. I'm still running. But I don't go as far or as fast.



12. I've had 2 different doctors tell me I won't feel the baby move until at least 16-18 weeks. I say I can feel it at around 14 weeks.

13. When I went to my last doctor's appointment (16 weeks), you could totally see the baby moving. By belly button was a circus. Lexi happened to be there and thought it was awesome! Too bad the doctor wasn't there. I don't think I'd have any trouble pointing out these were not the first movements felt!

14. Every week I read the description of what is going on with the baby as it grows. Lexi and Kendri love hearing about the growth of the baby.

15. My ultrasound appoinment is scheduled for February 28. Can't wait!