Family Update!

Our year so far has been mainly uneventful.  We were all sick with the flu within the first week but since then we have been tip top.
William has been doing well at work and had his end of year performance review where his boss said that he had been an excellent employee. Not just good, but excellent.  We hope that means that he will get a raise.  William also got a calling in our new ward this month.  He is a team teacher for the CTR 7 class with another brother in the ward.  They are quite the group, 5-6 boys every week with one girl that joins them when she is having a weekend with her Mom.  It is a very... exuberant class.  In January William also turned the big Three Zero.  We had a fiesta and had a few friends and family members over.  It was quite the party.  The food was obviously the center piece with the pinata coming in second.  William got a brand new office chair for his birthday. After 10 years of his old one it was time for an upgrade.  After the party Tom, Tammy and ourselves went to Tucano's to celebrate.  It may just become the annual double date for us so that Tammy and William can get their free birthday meal. 
Erin has been working on New Year's resolutions.  She came in $10 under for the grocery budget in January.  She also is another 4 weeks further along in her goal to have a baby this year (why not have one goal that you know is going to be said and done for sure?). On Saturday she accompanied her family on a trip to Twin Falls to see her brother Justin go through the Temple for his endowments.  He is leaving for the Atlanta, Georgia North mission on Feb 22nd.  Erin has also been trying out a lot of new recipes from Pinterest. It is nice to have a few new recipes to liven up the menu.  Erin is also working on figuring out the layout of our garden now that we have ordered seeds.  We can't wait to have fresh veggies to pick and snack on at will. 
Sam started public preschool 4 days a week in January in addition to having his Montessori preschool 3 times a week.  He is a very busy boy and has adjusted to a full day with out any naps.  We can see so many improvements as he spends more time away from home learning from his trained teachers.  His words are becoming clearer.  He also is more willing to repeat words that we ask him too.  He calls William, Papa, instead of Mommy.  He is also learning how to share and follow directions better.  He is such a big helper and always wants to help us in the kitchen or with cleaning up the house.  One of his nightly tasks is helping to set the table.  He is so strong and he knows it too. 
Dallin is always in a hurry.  He runs everywhere he goes and knows when he is getting into trouble.  When Sam is gone at school he has a hard time staying out of trouble.  He just had his 18 month check up today and was a whopping 26 lbs and has a very steady growth range.  He got to shots, whined for a little bit and by the time I got his pants back on he was running down the hall giggling at the large stuffed animals.  He tends to copy cat whatever Sam does.  So when Sam runs through the kitchen and into the bedroom Dallin takes off after him.  Our dog Koa is his best friend when Sam is gone.  It is very entertaining to watch them stand at the front window together.  Dallin will start shouting and then Koa will start barking as a car passes or somebody walks by. 
Our friend that lives upstairs, Amanda, is a big part of our life.  To help us out she does the dishes and watches the boys if I need to go to an appointment or go pick up Sam from preschool.  She has been struggling with life in general for the last year, and just this weekend things started looking up.  She has gotten a job as a paralegal for a reputable LDS lawyer here in Boise.  She is the boys Aunt Amanda, and it is always fun to see them interact. 
As a family, we made a bunch of snacks and watched the Super Bowl last night.  Nobody was routing for a team, but we had fun listening to Sam as he shouted "GO!" at the T.V. while he waited for the teams to snap the ball.  Dallin was a big fan of Amanda's puppy chow (muddy buddies) and constantly had white hands and a powdery mouth.  As far as commercials go, we all got a kick out of the M&M's commercial the most.

If this post seems a bit... odd, it is because I adapted it from our family newsletter.  It really does do a good job of letting you know where and what our family is doing. 

Its been awhile

I would count myself among those who are not fantastic bloggers.  Seeing as I haven't wrote and published an update on our little family for many months.  Life has been crazy, just like it is supposed to be.  At points as I look toward something in the future I say, "Things will be more relaxed and much less hectic after ..." some said event like, William's graduation or the Halloween Party.  Right now at this moment, there is still a list of goals for the day, blogging not included, but I did feel that a quick view into what our life has been doing was in order.  William Graduated with his Electrical Engineering Degree in May and started work as a Software engineer 2 days later for CradlePoint Technology in Boise.  We started looking for houses shortly after and in July we found and put a bid on our "dream" home. In late August we got the keys and started with a few minor improvements that would be harder to complete once we had all of our things here.  We moved in officially on the 20th of September.  Boxes everywhere crowding and cluttering the main rooms.  But as life is crazy there was more to do.  A baby shower to plan, a jewelry party to clean the living room for and latest cleaning and decorating the entire house for a Halloween House Warming Party that came off beautifully with close friends and family invited to our home.  It is truly amazing how much life can change in 5 months!  To add to the fun, we found out in September that we are expecting.  With a May baby added to the calendar there still has not been much time to think and get to excited for the addition.  We feel very blessed.  I used to think that when William graduated from college with a degree in engineering that we would be instantly "rich".  Of course I was thinking financially.  But as of now I can testify that is not true, we still have enough for our needs, but the "rich" feeling is instead permeating our life in blessings.  Some how we had enough to replace windows.  Some how all of the house was able to be finished in time for guests to visit.  Some how I just know that life, despite its crazy twists and turns, will give us as a family the time and opportunity to learn and grow to become better people.   
This blog is obviously not at the top of my priority list, but becoming the person that can make it through each day and lay down in bed saying that my goals are done and know that my friends and family have helped me along the way is a wonderful feeling. 

The Waiting Game Begins

I am going to skipping the boring parts and just say, my Dr. has diagnosed me with mild pre-eclampsia.  He also said I am 2 cm dilated and 70% effaced.  With that diagnosis, he is going to induce me on Monday morning if I haven't gone into labor myself before then.  I had a nice talk with the baby on the way home from the appointment yesterday and told it that if it wanted to choose its birthday that it better get out of there before Monday.  

So here I am, and I just want the baby to come now, when it is more convenient.  Is that so bad? If I wait until Monday I will lose my babysitter for Sam the next day to Girl's camp, as well as the possibility that my sister that is our cameraman will still be at work.  That means I would need to go find replacements.  So on top of waiting, with the pre-eclampsia I am supposed to put my feet up and drink lots of water while taking it slow and not really doing anything.  I am already bored out of my mind, so I keep imagining that I am having contractions, which would mean that I could call William and have him come home from work.  But I can't do that when I am just imagining them out of boredom.  

Then on top of that, I still want to finish cleaning my house but I don't want to overdo it.  My carpet needs vacuumed and then cleaned so my sister can have her carpet cleaner back, the bathrooms need a little TLC and even though I just swept and mopped the kitchen it needs it again due to Sam spilling his wet cereal in little puddles as he walked across to the sink.  I need help but don't have anybody to ask because it wouldn't be appropriate.  And I can't ask William because he works 10 hours a day and how can I ask him when he gets home after 10 hours of working to go and do things around the house? 

Complaining done.  Off to watch Sam destroy the house while I wait, and then wait some more for nothing to happen. :(

Trying to walk this baby out!

By now it is probably not a surprise that I am taking all the opportunities that I can to get out and do something fun that includes walking.  On July 15th Sam and I went to the Zoo with my sister Amanda and her client Louie.

Sam was intrigued most by the monkeys, lions and giraffes.  

The Giraffes

Sam in the Safari Jeep

So then on the 17th William, Sam and I floated down the Boise river in the morning to afternoon.  Then in the evening went to the Twilight Criterium in Down town Boise.  On the way we stopped at Moons Cafe, ate dinner and tried out one of their famous milk shakes.  Blackberry is delicious!  We stayed at the races for a little over an hour and a half before we gave up on Sam because he was being a ridiculous turkey.

Men's Semi-Pro Race

 Then this Saturday the 24th William, Sam and I went to the Boise Music Festival in Ann Morrison Park. We caught a few smaller bands, then Macy Gray, Back Street Boys, and while Sam and I made the slow way all the way back to the car, William watched Bret Michaels. 

Back Street Boys on the Stage! 

Full Blown June and July up to now

Okay, okay. So I am cheating again. The news I wrote up for the family newsletter has everything in it! So I am just going to copy and paste it. Hope you enjoy it!

As a family we have been keeping busy with day to day activities. William has been working full-time at CradlePoint, Erin has been watching Sam, and Sam has been playing and making messes just like he is supposed to. We celebrated Sam's birthday on June 16th with Sam's friends from nursery and a few other friends of the family with basketball cupcakes and popsicles at Ivy Wild Park. We have been keeping busy with traveling on the weekends to several places including Utah for the Tour De Cure in June, several times to Gooding to finish the front porch (which is almost finished!) and to Buhl for the Fun Run on July 3rd which William ran with Mike, Nathan, Karen and Vance. Then on top of those travels we also were in Wendell for the Despain Reunion and then in Glenn's Ferry for the Grover Reunion. It has been a lot of fun traveling but it is also good to take a break for the rest of July and probably a good portion in August. Erin is getting a smidge to close to travel very far with out her feet turning into watermelons. We are all looking forward to meet the baby sometime in the next month, but still have no clue when it will occur, although we are wagering close to the very end of July or early August.

William has been very blessed to be working full-time hours. When he gets home he gets time to play with Sam before bedtime and occasionally even gets to work out in the garage on his boat rack that he is constructing. He is getting closer to being finished but it may take another day or two depending on the amount of help Sam wants to contribute. With the Tour De Cure (which he rode 100 miles for) and the Buhl Fun Run (which he ran a 5k) done he hasn't had much motivation to get out the door and continue riding or running. He is looking for another event in the near future that he can train for. He has not lost much weight but he is more toned and a slimmer waist line to help with fitting in all of his used to be tight around the waist pants.

Erin spends a majority of the days trying to find something to do other than sitting at the computer, taking naps and chasing Sam. She is still involved in the Relief Society Committee to plan the monthly activities and gets to participate in 2 planning meetings then the event each month. Erin has also finally agreed to turn on the A/C in the house instead of sweating it and

keeping the power bill down. The warmer temperatures has also helped her make the decision to switch to the pick up as her mode of transportation since it is the only vehicle with A/C. Where ever it is coolest is where you will most likely find her. This last week she finally got to use her Mother's day gift of an hour long massage, which has improved her mood and almost completely stopped the groaning from getting up and down and lifting. When we are rich (ha ha) she plans on making it a monthly occurrence.

Sam is now a big 2 years old! With his birthday he has started having a couple of tantrums each week that start off with some small things like taking away deodorant or closing the bathroom door. After 20 minutes he goes back to normal and wants to help clean up toys, kiss mommies tummy or cuddle on the couch. He is still fairly relaxed and stays out of most things that are "naughty" and is a big help and throwing garbage away when asked or when he is finished with his snack. He loves nursery and is always helping with clean up and stacking the chairs in the corner after class, as well as coloring many pictures and participating with play-doh and the lessons. Sam is working on potty training mostly by himself when he wants to sit on the potty he strips off his diaper and sits on his potty. We are not pushing him because we have heard the most kids revert back to diapers after a baby comes and starts taking away mommy and daddy time. A few things he has mastered is opening doors (bedroom, bathroom and the fridge)

Sam enjoying his slice of cheese that he got out of the fridge himself.

as well as saying please (in sign language) thank you, and hi/bye at the appropriate times. He loves visiting family and getting attention from everyone. His favorite past time is throwing rocks, playing in the dirt and watching bugs with an occasion foot stomping to get them to stop moving so fast.

Yesterday as a family we floated the Boise River in a small raft. It was Sam's first time and he seemed to enjoy it and even had a short relaxing nap on Daddy's chest for the last ten minutes. We all made it okay except for Erin who didn't think to put sunscreen on her knees which were sticking up above the raft for a majority of the ride with Sam sitting between her legs. She got very badly burnt and is having a hard time walking, sitting, laying or bending without groaning or making noise.

Life continues to throw us curves, hills and trials that are not easy to face but as we struggle through them as a family we can feel our bonds strengthening. We love all of you and hope that the trials of life will be kept in a perspective of something that can be conquered.

The Highlights of June and the beginning of July

First off I want to say how much I have loved the cooler weather this summer. Being in the high 70's and low 80's through June has helped so much keep the last few weeks of my pregnancy bearable. As a family we have been keeping busy with engagements and events every single day that William has a day off. We have been to Gooding about 3 times to work on the deck and for family reunions/ get togethers. We went to Utah for William's first century bike ride on June 12th. We have even gone fishing twice, once in Boise and honce in Hagerman. William ran his first official 5k in Buhl on July 3rd. And the other days that William has had off have gone toward William working on his boat rack for the truck and running errands getting ready for the baby. Sam has gone swimming in his little swimming pool in the back yard a couple of times when his rash hasn't been to horrible. Sam has had his rash for almost a full month now and the only thing that he has in his diet consistently is his milk. So his pediatrician has put him on a 2 week no dairy restriction to see if it is the dairy causing the reaction... I hope not because that would be so hard to work with when Sam loves his cheese and milk so much.
I have been keeping busy with reunion preparation, doctor appointments, following my boys around and enjoying the free activities in the Boise area. Two weeks ago we went to the Saturday market then over to the Boise Rec Fest. That kept me on my feet for 3 hours! Last night we went to Ann Morrison Park for the fireworks which required a decent walk from our parking spot to a place to set up the blankets and chairs. Then today I went shopping with my cousin Stephanie at 2 stores and spent about 2 and a half hours walking. In short, I think that this has been a much healthier pregnancy then with Sam. And of course on top of it I also chase around my little Sam and carry him quite a bit. I am pretty amazed at how much this body is doing!
William and I both think that this baby is going to be coming before the end of July by itself. So we will keep you updated on when that happens and get some pictures up of our fun adventures when I figure out how to do so!

May as a WHOLE!

So, I typed up the news for our family and sent it off to a family member for it to be compiled with everyone elses and I realized I hadn't updated the blog lately, so I thought, "Would it be cheating to copy and paste the parts I wanted into the blog?" Nah! So, here are the highlights of the month and a few extras... So all the parts that say Erin, is me and I am not changing anything cause it is late and I have been as restful as possible due to it being Sunday.

May has been a good month for all of us. William finished up all of his classes and passed all of them (other than the one he dropped later in the semester). William was also allowed to switch to a full-time employee for the summer until he goes back to school. He works 4 ten hour shifts with Wednesday and the weekends off. The extra income will be a great blessing when school comes around again so that we have quite a bit of savings built up. William also received his father's day gift early as well as part of his Christmas and birthday presents. He bought a 14 foot Aluminum fishing boat and has spent quite a bit of time in the garage finding a way to rig it up for in between uses and making a boat rack for on top of his truck as well as just enjoying time in a place all his own. And despite how much William has wanted to take his new toy out for a test drive the weather hasn't been cooperative, and when the weather has been nice he has decided to go out for a bike ride to train for the 100 mile ride he is doing on June 12th.

Erin has been making their new duplex into a home. There are still a few boxes laying about the house with misc stuff in them that will end up in the garage soon. The walls are still bare, but there may still be movement in the furniture as the rest of the boxes leave the house so no point in hanging anything until we are certain it will be there for the rest of our time here. Erin has also grown quite a bit this month in the middle section as our new addition becomes more apparent and active. Due to the addition she has not minded in the least the cool and wet weather and is hoping it will hold out a bit longer to shorten the amount of suffering that will occur once the sun decides to come out of hiding.

Sam has probably loved the move most out of all of us. He now has a backyard, his very own room (not for long, but still), a new firetruck toddler bed and the park just a 4 minute run through the baseball field out our backyard fence. Sam seems to understand the concept of the baby and loves giving mommy's belly kisses and cuddling with it but we don't think he has grasped the amount of noise and time it will take to get used to once it is here. Sam is turning 2 on June 17th and is very much like a rambunctious 2 year old already. Not to the point of terrible, but still very active. He is getting a larger vocabulary and understands yes or no questions and answers them truthfully most of the time. He also knows when he is doing something wrong, like pulling out DVD's from the shelf, so he hurries and puts them back, points his finger at them and tells them "Stay!" very seriously like they jumped off the shelf by themselves. He is very interested in potty training since he saw one of his friends Gideon go potty like a big boy but still hasn't done anything other than a few dribbles into the potty. But he still loves to sit on his potty anyway.

As a family we have really enjoyed having Grandma Grover staying with us while Grandpa is at Elk's. Sam has grown very close to Grandma and acts like she is just as much a jungle gym as mom and dad. We also enjoyed going to Gooding for Memorial day to help with the deck and house improvements. While Sam played with his cousins, Erin learned how to tile with Faye, and William worked on the deck with Tom. Once the hard part of the deck was done Erin came out and helped go Rambo on the deck toe nailing boards and putting on boards with Tammy while Tom and William worked on silly things like stairs...

A very recent update on the news from today is that Sam can officially open up his bedroom door. He doesn't seem compelled to try any others out for now, but he has a reason to escape his bedroom when he doesn't want to take a nap. Not so much of a purpose to break into the bathroom yet.

The funniest update is that William has joined the elite bicycle riders of the world. In order to prepare for his first century on the 12th I taught him how to shave his legs. Lets just say, his legs are smoother than mine and I can't stop rubbing them because it makes me giggle. And I probably won't get in trouble for writing that for a while because William doesn't ever read what I put on here. I will be taking pictures on Saturday and I will make sure to get one of his sexy bike lets with all the muscles toned and defined as he petals himself to exhaustion.