Baby Shower...

I've been given the privilege of having a baby shower thrown for me by my step-sisters (thanks ladies). Since this baby will be my last, I'm having a sense of bitter sweetness, in so many ways. At the same time, I'm running into a huge dilemma in preparing for the baby and shower... this will be my 3rd baby boy and, although they aren't born in the same month, I've always thought the clothes could be handed down so I've kept their clothes. (this of course didn't work from Alex to Isaac because Isaac was so small compared to Alex.. 5 lbs 15 oz vs. 9 lbs. 6 oz. -- a hint from God?)

With the upcoming baby shower, I'm struggling with my morals.. do I register for clothes or do I just go with what I have? Do I look at newer and better baby things, like swings, bouncy seats, and other things, even though he'll be the only one to use them? Do I need to waste people's money for the sake of current fashion or newer technology? (yes, I've thought about this many times) So, maybe I'll just register for diapers and wipes.. lots of them! What to do? Help me with this struggle..

Isaac's "18 month" check-up..

With all the sickness we've had lately, I didn't know if Isaac would make it to his long overdue well-baby check-up today or not. Everyone was healthy upon waking this morning so we ventured out into the freezing cold to the doctor.

Everything went well with the visit. Isaac is on schedule developmentally for his age, which is good since he was premature. His stats are as follows: 13% for weight, 31% for height and 80% for head circumference. He had two vaccinations too.. much to his disliking.

Brrr... It's cold inside!

The weather in the midwest is always unpredictable and this week is no different. Yesterday it was a nice 30+ degrees.. today, -15 with -50 wind chill. Of course, living in the midwest means your house is insulated differently, but as we learned this evening, it's always helpful to have heat for your house!

Our power went out around 4:50 pm and unfortunately our house only has electric heat. So, the boys and I hung out in the semi-dark until Ben and Serenity got home and then we all packed up and went out for a long dinner. Before we left, it was estimated that the power would be fixed by 9:30 pm. When we returned from dinner, about 7:50, it was estimated that the issue would be corrected by 10:30. UGG!!

After sitting in th warm van we opted to stay home until 11:00 and if the power wasn't on by then, we would go to a hotel. So, we made the kids wear two pair of jammies and we all camped out in the living room upstairs under piles of blankets. It was soo quiet since the boys were asleep most of the time and there were no noises in the house. About 9:10, the power came on and we moved the kids to their beds... the temp was 57 in the house... brr! My nose was so cold as I sat in the candlelight doing a crossword puzzle that it started to run. It will be so nice to go to bed in our own warm bed tonight.

Ugg.. Men!

Is it just my man or men in general?

Isaac got sick last night.. vomiting everywhere and on both Ben and myself. Ben immediately gets the "eeewww" face and removes his soiled clothes, drops them to the floor and then removes himself from the situation leaving me and my pregnant self to deal with the kid and the mess. (which just so happens to be right next to and under the refrigerator!) This is how the post-vomit experience goes every time at our house. Don't get me wrong, it's not that the whole thing doesn't completely gross me out too, but it is always the woman's job to clean up or does being the mother come into play as well? Oh the woes of life..

Crazy!

Ben had to go out to get the newspaper and Alex insisted that he go with.. The two of them came up with this on their own. Keep in mind that it was 0 out! "but it was only out to the end of the driveway and back." (notice Alex has no shoes OR socks on!)

Ice Maker..

It's hard to imagine wanting ice water with the extreme cold we've been enduring lately, (-20s, with up to -50 wind chill) but, it's something I've always wanted year round. Not to mention our family guests that snicker at the thought of buying ice!

For Christmas I received an ice maker kit from my FIL and it finally worked out for him to come up to install it last weekend. With much frustration and irritation due to leaks, overflowing water, more leaks, not to mention several trips to Lowe's and Menards, he left for home Sunday under the impression that the ice maker was working properly, no leaks!

As it turns out, within a few hours of the in-laws leaving, a drip developed in the back of the refrigerator so we shut off the water and grumbled.

Knowing my FIL, it didn't take long to hear that he planned to return this weekend to complete the job. With his great knowledge of mechanics, he formed a small insert to place in the copper piping to keep the pipe from collapsing, thus eliminating the leak! We thought we were in the free and clear... but as it turns out, nothing could be that simple. Our next challenge arose when I opened the refrigerator and heard the ice maker filling. Odd thought.. After a few hours of contemplating the internet, the manuals, etc.. the electrical problem was fixed and it was a success! ICE at last! Thanks Bruce!

Bobner update..

I had an OB appointment today, everything looks good, I'm 28 weeks tomorrow. Bobner's heartbeat was 145-ish. My blood pressure was good, even though I had had a horrible morning with the other kids. My weight gain was acceptable, +4 pounds. Nothing out of the ordinary.. I had to have the typical glucose test done and that went well - no results yet, but I'm sure it will be normal. My OB said I only have one more monthly appointment left until I start being seen every two weeks.. EEKS!! It's going too fast! (how many pregnant women ever admit that?) We also discussed the dates for my c-section.. I can go as early as April 6th, or wait until I go into labor, it's up to me. :)

Moon Sand... an unfortunate tale

Okay, so "Santa" brought Alex some moon sand this year, a blue and green bucket. For those of you that don't know what Moon Sand is, here's the product description,

Moon Sand is a specially formulated sand that molds just like dough, yet It will never dry out so you can use it again and again. Moon Sand can be squished, carved, molded, or sculped into any shape your mind can imagine.

Alex had a bucket of this stuff earlier this year but was forced, by me, to throw it away after he and it created a very large moon sandy mess all over the kitchen table, chair, floor, and his entire outfit for the day. As it turns out, "Santa" made quite a mistake in thinking that giving Alex a second chance with moon sand would be okay. This very morning, Alex opted to get out his moon sand to play with. I was optimistic for a while but as the playing continued, Alex found himself encircled in a 3 foot moon sand trap. The moon sand had attached itself to his shirt, pants, the chair he was sitting on, and surrounded him on the floor. Bleep, bleep!!!

So, please tell me, what is a mother to do? I can't very well blame "Santa" since he obviously had good intentions, but really, how can one play experience drive me to want to call the makers of moon sand and literally rip them a new one? I'm not a violent person, but honestly, this product is any mother's worst nightmare!

Estrogen Fest

My dear friend Liz has hosted a girls only night, semiannually for a few years now. The night has been appropriately termed Estrogen Fest. This was the first time I've been able to attend so I wasn't sure what to expect. As part of the event, each guest was asked to bring an appetizer or dessert and a couple white elephant gifts to exchange.

The night was very tasty and fun. I ended up coming home with a pretty lame gift though, a Valentine's Bear and a very small stinky candle. I learned my lesson about white elephant gifts though, it's perfectly acceptable to bring stuff you don't really like yourself and are certain no one else might care for either. So, everyone consider yourself forewarned!

Thanks for hosting a great night and as always for chatting into the night!

The name drama continues

As I sat in my chair watching tv and surfing the internet last night, (after watching Grey's Anatomy and ER), I found myself overly bored. What to do? As Bobner kicked and reminded me that I am indeed pregnant and due in 3 months, I looked at baby names. I've given up looking in the 5 or 6 name books we've acquired over the years because new names pop up all the time and those books are at least 4 years old.

In the past, naming our children has been no easy task, but this time it seems to be even more daunting. There are a few names that Ben doesn't completely shrug off, those include:
-Levi
-hmm.. and that's about it!

As I searched, I came across the name Elliot, again, which I've personally loved for a long time.. and, to my surprise, as I blurted out the name, he said it was okay!!! I nearly fell over and asked him why it was okay now and never before.. UGG, as always, he couldn't give me an actual reason, just that it's okay.

Did you say Bobner?

If you know my hubby Ben, you know how challenged we are, more specifically I am, to name our last child. We've come up with a name to hold us over until the birth of our 3rd son.. Bobner. We have no intention of actually using this name and realize we'd be totally mad to name any child such an unusual name, but it keeps us thinking of a real name.

I've spent many hours searching the internet, reading name books and even ideas from friends and family, but nothing seems to ring his bell. Please comment with your ideas.. I'm calling on the blog world for help... I'm desperate!

Christmas at the Jensen-Hoy's

Our last Christmas celebration for Christmas 2007 was at my dad's and his wife's house. Between the two of them, there are 5 adult children (4 of which had significant others with), 5 grandchildren and 4 grand-dogs, all of which were visiting for the weekend. Luckily 1 of the adult children, wife and dog live close enough so they didn't have to spend the nights. With good food and lots of laughs, and very sleepy kids, we all enjoyed spending time together since it doesn't happen as often as we'd like.

Cousin Sophie

My brother John's little girl Sophie, is about to turn 18 months old. I've been asked many times to take her pictures but haven't formally had the opportunity. Over this weekend, we were visiting my dad, his wife and the family for our Christmas gathering and I brought some of my photography stuff to do a large family picture. I nabbed the chance at getting Sophie's picture cause she was super cute as always and really cheery! Although she didn't have a pretty dress on like I would have loved, she looks adorable!