One week...

I was going to wait to blog about this when I wasn't as sad about it because I don't want to sound like a whinnier...but it has only been one week (it's felt like 3 months) and I am pretty sure I am getting more attitude about it as the days pass on...so here it goes. It all kinda started with my 14 hr. shopping spree on Black Friday. I love everything about Black Friday, the crowds, the deals, the challenge, and the exhaustion. Thank goodness I finished most all my Christmas shopping that night and my house was already decorated. The next few days were just as busy, and that's when I first started noticing my contractions were getting worse. I was pretty sure they were just braxton hicks though. I didn't know that braxton hicks weren't supposed to hurt/take your breath away.  After about 4 days of it Nate made me call my doctor last Friday.  The Dr. said that I had to rest over the weekend, and if I got 6 or more contractions in one hour than I had to go to the hospital. I had 5 contractions an hour for most all of Saturday..yes I recognize now that it would've probably been safer to go in to get checked, but I hate going to the hospital and I still wasn't convinced anything was wrong. Monday morning at my Dr. apt they ran some test that takes 24 hrs to get results back.  The test tells you if you are going to have the baby within a week and that your contractions are starting your labor. Kinda crazy that they can know that from a test. After the test the doctor checked to see if I has dilated and/or effaced.  I am dilated to about a 2 and starting to thin out, so we were ordered to go rt. to the hospital because the Dr. said they could get the labor test results back within 1 hr. and they wanted me hooked to the monitors. Luckily the test came back negative or I wouldn't have been able to go back home! I was contacting while I was monitored, but only had 2 in an hour while resting. I guess I was dehydrated as well, and now that I am pounding water like crazy it has helped a lot.  So as for now, I am on "rest".  I shouldn't really call it bed rest, because I have had friends on bed rest that can't get up to do anything, only go to the bathroom. I am allowed to be on my feet here and there, just for 20-30 min and then have to lay back down. We made a trip to Wal-mart this weekend and it was the highlight of my week. Nate dropped me off right at the door before he parked and I got me the trusty ole' automatic wheel chair. So embarrassing, but so worth it. I could tell I was socially deprived because I was talking to anyone who'd give me the time of day. I am not a phone person at all, I like face to face interaction a lot more so it was nice to see people that weren't on my TV screen.

This is what I hate most about it: 
***I can't hold Kader. It makes me soooo sad. Maybe it is a good for him because he has become at lot closer to Nate this past week.  Kade has had many sleepovers at Nate's parents, they take him the nights Nate has to work. It maybe is easing Kade into not having just me and him 24/7, because when the baby comes I am planning on nursing and that takes up a lot of time at the beginning. Even if it will help with the new baby transition, it still sucks. I am obsessed with my little Kader so this separation has probably been harder on me.  We still snuggle as much as he'll let me while watching cartoons on the love sac.
***I have stay at home all day A.D.D. I can stand being home the whole day. I should use this time to catch up on scrap booking or something, but it doesn't really feel good to sit up. So basically I just feel like a big blob that is lazy around the house. My house is so messy because I can't really bend down to pick up toys.
***I don't get ready unless I am going out, so by 4'oclock in the afternoon and you realize you haven't even brushed your teeth for the day...you really start to feel good about yourself.
***No more Utah for Christmas. I want to cry just writing about it. I wanted Kade to play in the snow and to spend time with Jeff, B, and Dyl, and I will miss our traditional family parties, and HS girlfriends party, and cousins and grandparents. I guess of all the years to have to miss, it ends up being okay because Mark and Nat couldn't come from Hawaii. And a lot of my cousins weren't able to come home either. Still, way sad though. I try not to get jealous when I look at everyone's blogs when they are at their fun family holiday parties.

Forcing myself to look how it's blessed us:
***It's made me even more grateful for my husband and in-laws. They all will go out of their way to help make sure Kade is staying entertained and that I am taking care of this unborn baby by taking it easy. Nate has turned into super dad because now he is our full-time provider, full-time student, the mom and the dad.
***We see how willing people are to help. My ward has been incredible providing meals. I really can still cook, but it has truly helped so much because cooking is hard enough for me even when I don't feel like crap. It makes me want to help others as soon as I get the opportunity to serve because I have seen how willing these amazing people are to help. Also, my girlfriends have been great offering to take Kade, or do whatever I need of them.  I haven't had to take them up on it yet, but it is SOOO nice knowing that if I am ever in a bind I can count on anyone of them in a heartbeat. When we first moved to AZ it was really hard for me to be away from my own family. I still miss them all the time, but I am truly thankful for the friends we have made here and Nate's family being here.  It is humbling to have so many people offer support to me, and I feel like I am not doing anything for anyone else in return besides lay around my house.
***My parent's have decided to drive down Christmas morning. They will spend Christmas eve with our fam there and then come down here to spend a few days with us. It will be great to have them here!
***I realize it could be WAY WAY worse. Anyone that has been on hard core bed rest is probably rolling their eyes thinking I have no idea how much worse it could be. I am also SOOO grateful that the rest is working. My contractions are becoming less painful and less frequent. I am doing my best to stay down because I want whats best for baby Zane, even if it means I gain 500 lbs from being a lazy butt the next 3 long months. I am keeping my fingers crossed that my Dr. will tell me I can add some more "up" time to my day at my next apt.

Kade spends most of the day in Jammies until Nate can come change him, he doesn't seem to mind though.

Indoor football and a house full of tile is not the best combo. It is hard to tell from the pic but the goose egg is literally the size of a golf ball. Don't worry, I was just the cheerleader during the game, Nate and Kade were the players. Our poor lil guy.

It has been so hot here the last few days. I laid on a blanket outside and let Kade run around in the backyard. I had to take his long-sleeve off and let him play in just his diaper because he was sweating! After we came inside he decide to spruce up because someone in the house had to be looking good. He really put my head band on himself, I just tightened it a little.

That looks says, "mom, if you show anyone this picture you are dead meat...and if my daddy see's me like this you are in big trouble!"

Zoo Day

I think I have blogged before about my feelings for the Zoo. I am not really a big fan. I think it would be a lot cooler if you could ride the giraffe than to just stare at it. Now that Kade is getting older he is really into animals and the nosies that they make.  I was able to get us some free passes from the public library for the Phoenix Zoo and we couldn't pass that up. It is definitely more fun when it's free and you don't feel like you have to stay all day and stare at every animal to get your money's worth. The petting zoo was by far the hit for Kade (I guess he doesn't like just staring at animals either) The goats were a hit again.  Kade found a stick that he decided would make the perfect whacking device. He really let the goats have it. Nate and I thought it was hilarious until a lady came in and reprimanded him, then we had to act like we were concerned for the goats. You would've thought we took a million bucks from the poor kid, he screamed bloody murder when we took his stick away.

I have to put a plug in for Arizona winters in case anyone wants to come visit us. It was 77 degrees today! Nate didn't have a T-shirt under his sweatshirt and he was really hot. Nothing like a sunny day on December 1st. Oh, and PS. the monkey's were the funniest monkey's I had ever seen. They were so active. We sat and watched them and laughed out loud for a long time. Kade wished we could take one home.

Kade's first carousal ride.  He thought he was really funny at first, but about half way through the ride he wasn't so sure about it and did a fake laugh with a nervous face...it was to die for.

 

Kade thinks anything with a beak quacks like a duck.  It is so funny to hear him quack.  This duck in particular was not shy at all and came right up to us.  I gave Kade a piece of crust to throw at the duck, but the duck took initiative and jumped up and pecked it right from his fingers. He was so mad at the duck, again we couldn't stop laughing.  Our son is definitely a character.

Cleaning up after a fun day.

Do you think that boy has enough stuffed animals in his bed? Of course the Monkey is tucked in close by :) We love this little boy!

PS.. Notes for myself for 15 month check up earlier this week:
-Head: back to the 98% instead of over 100% :)
-Height: 33 in.   -Weight: 22 lbs
-Diapers: size 4  -Clothes: Size 18 month, but have to roll up the pants (he has long torso, short legs)
-Kade is going to start some eating classes at Primary Children's to see if that can help with his texture issues and eating strikes.  He used to gobble up everything and the last few months have been quite the struggle. Some days the only thing he will eat the whole day is a few Cheetos. He isn't teething or anything right now so they just want to observe him and go from there. Thank goodness for the pedi-sure from the McBrides so that he is still getting some calories.

Getting out

This past month I have been trying to plan at least one fun outing a day...sometimes it is just as simple of doing a library baby time, or play group at the park.  I am not good at staying busy in the house, so I like to stay busy by going out.  One day I will learn how to stay home a whole day and actually get stuff done like cleaning or cooking...but I figure when our next little man comes, we will have to be home for the first little bit...so for now, bring on the "funner" stuff! These are 3 recent activities that I actually remembered to bring my camera to...

This is at the Phoenix Children's Museum. We all had a blast there, not just Kade! They had 3 different floors and lots of rooms full of interactive learning games and fun activities. We stuck to the rooms that younger kids could appreciate.  Kade's favorite was the noodle jungle. It was so claustrophobic in there! You couldn't see anything but noodles!

GILBERT DAYS:

This is our yearly tradition with the Williamsons. We were laughing how last year the adults went on all the rides and we took turns watching the kids. This year, the funnest part was watching the kids do the rides...we didn't even go on any ourselves.  You know you are a real mom when you have more fun watching your little one do something than doing something yourself :)

So maybe I had to tell a little lie to the carnival worker to allow Kade to ride the train. What? He doesn't look 2 years old? I tried getting him in on several kids rides to get turned down every time.  We had already bought tons of tickets and I wanted him to get to ride the train so bad...so I figured a little fib wouldn't hurt. Who lies to a carnival worker??!!

The pink elephant ride was the only ride in the park that Kade was legally aloud to go on. He felt so big sitting next to cute Liberty...He really loves her!

Bass Pro Shop Santa's Workshop:

They have the COOLEST Santa's workshop at bass pro. If you have one near by, then I totally recommend visiting it.  They have stuffed reindeer next to Santa's shop and everything looks so real.  It's totally how I would picture the North Pole :) Nate loves it because he can go look at all the stuff while I wait with Kade in line.  I did not mind waiting in line because then I didn't have to pretend to be interested in the fishing lures.   They let every kid do a craft and make a stocking.  I am a mean mom and kinda got into it, I wouldn't let Kade help by messing it up. He kept trying to eat the jewels anyways. He must have thought it was more candy cane.

 Kade wouldn't stop waving at Santa Clause...he loved him! I will have to scan the professional pic they took of him because it was much better.

It is getting much harder to hold Kade! He is always wants me to hold him because he knows I will let him down to go wander and cause trouble because I can never hold him long enough. 

And yes, I am that dorky mom that has her boy dress up as Santa to go see Santa. He might kill me for this when he gets older.  Maybe I will mix it up and let him be an elf next Christmas!

Red Head??

Nate the Great!

So the other night I was going on and on about something in the car and buggin Nate about this and that. He sits quite for a min after I ask him a question, and finally, calmly, responds... "You know what, sometimes I am so shocked that you weren't born a red head".  Even though I had a hunch on where he was going with it, I still asked him what in the world did he mean by that. Apparently he meant that I am a stubborn, spit-fire, free spirit, and easy to rile up girl. Nate is at work tonight and I am just missing him at home and hating the night shift. I am thinking a lot about him tonight and how amazing of a man that he is able to live with me, AND still love me despite my strong willed personality. You know you are full of it when your family tells you when you are younger that they kinda feel sorry for who has to live with me forever :) So this is gonna be a shout out post for my hubby and why I just love him sooo stinkin much!

-His humor. The other day I asked him to put a jacket on Kade so we could go on a walk....Kade came walking into the room with this "jacket" on. Nate didn't warn me of the joke he was playing and it made it all the better. I was DYING laughing

-He adores our son. Nate is a great father. He is very helpful to me and most of all he plays with Kade, and our son loves him so much for that.

-He knows how to take criticism without getting offensive. Always willing to work on things to make him better.

-Is never afraid to say sorry first.  Even if I am the one who started the fiasco.

-Patient with me to no end.

-He is punctual. He is calm.

-He is very helpful with chores around the house without ever being asked: He is our dishes doer, trash taker outer, mail getter, take the trash can to the curb man, payer of bills, lawn mower, weed puller, bug sprayer, and laundry starter.

-He never goes a day without telling me he loves me.

-Works hard at his job, even when he hates it. Works the night shift so I can stay at home with Kade.

-His passion for running.

-Nate spent his day off work helping me set up for our Young Womans Evening in Excellence without complaining at all.

I promised I wouldn't post this pic when I took it. I said it was just for me, but I couldn't resist. Thanks for teaching Kade your cooking skills!

-Embraces my motto on how to spend a Sunday afternoon....go to church, come home and watch football :)

-He is basically everything that I am not... I make him late, I don't admit when I am wrong, and I hate being told that I didn't do something right. If Nate doesn't feel good or is tired, then he just gets quite. Where as if I am tired, everyone suffers. I sometimes give him grief about him wanting to go fishing sooo much. But I am glad he is passionate about something, and that he can't wait to teach our boys to fish. I tell him that I would much rather sit and watch him play soccer than sit on the boat...but you know what, he doesn't complain when he watches me play the sport I love. Nate, I am going to try to be better! I love you so so much and am so lucky to have you as my husband and best friend. I like to think we balance each other out a little. I love that you are my sugar, and that I am your spice, and that we both wouldn't have it any other way.

Parents visit!

Halloween Continued.... I am a firm believer that Halloween should be celebrated for at least a week.  So This was actual Halloween weekend.  We had a ward Trunk-or-Treat and parade.  It was SOOO great to have my parents come visit for the weekend!  Kade loved having them to play with as soon as he woke up all the way till bedtime...24/7 attention can't get any better than that.  My mom likes changing diapers (I don't have that figured out yet) and getting Kade dressed, and I loved having a helper!  Especially because holding him is becoming more of a chore.  Nate and I didn't mind getting spoiled by my parents either.  They took us out to dinner and lunch, and helped re-stock our fridge for us.  Food is the #1 way to a mans heart, right?  Oh ya, and a pregnant lady!!!  My dad couldn't get enough of the AZ weather, it was mid 90's while they were here!  We went swimming and to the park, crazy weather for November.  Thanks for the great weekend mom and dad!  We miss you tons already!

Kade can't get enough of the ducks at the pond...

The car slide is one of his favorite toys, the Williamson's gave him for his B-day.  He would squeal at the top of his lungs every time they flew down!

ASU Boo Bash

Fishin' for Candy & The Bean Bag Toss

I am sure you all are going to get sick of seeing Nemo pictures from all the different Halloween events, but I can't contain myself and will probably still post a million of them. I can't get enough of Kade in this puffy costume! The tail in the back wiggles side to side when he walks, it is adorable. Is there anything cuter than kids dressed up in Halloween costumes?! I originally had a duck costume for him from Carters. Kade loves ducks and quacks at anything with a beak.  I wanted the Nemo costume so bad but it was a lot more expensive (as everything in the Disney store is)...luckily it went on sale for 40% off and I returned the duck for the Nemo! ASU East campus, where we used to live, has a Halloween Boo Bash every year. I was so excited to take Kade this year because he could actually participate in the activities. We thought the huge bouncy slides/cage things where a little to wild for him, but he did love playing the carnival games!

 

Kade loved spending time with Nate and riding in his wagon.  Nate was the first to volunteer to take him around to all the Trunk-Or-Treat cars...those two boys both LOVE candy!

The Sager family was able to come enjoy the carnival with us. Kade has been such a blessing to all our lives. He really just makes us all so happy and we all love to spoil him with attention. Aunt Heidi got Kade that little glow stick and he wouldn't put it down the whole night! I made a rookie mistake and forgot to get Kade a Trick-Or-Treat bucket, so his Nana bought him one after the carnival. Kade puts his monkey in it and walked it around the house with him all day today. He even dragged in the backyard to fill it up with rocks. It will be funny to see him carrying it to the houses on real Halloween day.

Don't ask what I was dressed up as cause I have no idea. I was a LAMEO and made no costume this year because we don't really have a couples party or anything big to wear it to. I can't help myself though and at least had to do something Halloween-ish...any excuse to dress up a little.  I really wish there was a designated dress up day at least once a month. I thought I had drastic makeup on my eyes to look kind or rock-star-ish (why do I keep using "ish") and now that I look at the pictures you can't even really tell. Sad that it was actually a lot of eye makeup for me. It looks like I just had a little bit of a black eye.

Kade was so tired that he fell asleep before we pulled out of the parking lot! We all went to eat at In & Out after because not all of us could stomach the free hotdogs.  Although, Kade my picky eater downed a whole hot dog and a half! We laid Kade down in his wagon while we ate burgers, he looked so cute passed out in his costume.  Who knows if you are allowed to drag a wagon into In-and-Out, I didn't think anything of it until people were staring at us!

Campin out

 Our friends the Lemieux's invited us on a camping trip last weekend. It was SO nice to wear a sweatshirt. We went up to the North Rim and left the desert behind us. We are still hitting temperatures over 100 degrees in the valley.  It was a really fun trip and Mark's parents brought up their trailer which was great for all the kids to run around and play in. I can't say it was our most successful camping trip cause Kade blew out of 4 outfits in one morning! He was teething and apparently got some nice runs to go with it. I think I got about 20 min of sleep during the night. I guess I should just plan on it when we are on vacation. Kade sleeps like a champ in his crib, but has a hard time else where. I successfully made my first peach cobbler. I have eaten that stuff over a million time and never tried to make it in my own dutch oven.

Kade would stand like a statue until I would pick him up because he didn't like walking on the uneven ground. He definitely had no time rolling around in it and making rock piles though. He is such a boy :)

So I think I am done fishing for a while. I know I have said this before...but I used to love it when we went about once a month...but this once a week stuff is to much for me. I guess I am not cut out to be a fisherman's wife. Gone are the days when Kade slept in his car seat and I read my book while Nate fished. Now it is stressful making sure Kade doesn't dive in the water (which he tries) and he refuses to wear his life jacket so I tie it to his shorts (does that even count??) I feel bad to ditch out cause it is always been our family thing...but I think it will be better when Kade is bigger and can go with his Dad.  I am have a feeling next week you'll see more fishing pics though, I always give in!

This is obviously not from our camping trip...but look at the grin :) This little man has me wrapped around every one of his fingers.