Because I Probably Won't Get Around to a Christmas Card

There's a little more to October than Halloween

Not much more, but a little.

Happy Halloween!

We had a great Halloween.  My favorite part was seeing Madi race for the door when the doorbell rang last night.  We didn't have many trick or treaters, but the few were thrilling to Madi.  She got to hand out the candy and loved her job.  She would put one in each bag and then go back and give them all seconds.  Man, those were patient kids.  We loved the activities before Halloween and have had a lot of fun family times related to celebrating Halloween.  Hope you all had a great one too!  I can't wait to hear or read about them soon.

Sample 2... I like this new plan

I feel more productive already.  That was only the first 15 minutes of naptime.  Now I still have time to clean the kitchen. 

Sampling from my "Scrapbook"

So I am years behind on my version of scrapbooking, but here are a couple recent pages.  I am hoping that with a little more discipline and combining some goals I will be able to keep you posted here (and keep up to date with my photobook.)  So, here is the White Coat Ceremony page (that I will have to redo because it is not my standard size...don't know how I made that mistake) and the first half of September.  Hopefully by the time naptime is over, I will be able to add the latter part of September and I will have met part of my goal.

(If you want to read the text or see it bigger you can click on the image and it will open full size in another window.)

This is how I "Scrapbook".  After I finish a full year (I have several pages for every year since we were married, but no complete year) then I drag and drop them into a photobook, will magically push "publish" and 2-6 weeks later will have a fabulous Family Yearbook.  That's the goal...

I'm kind of at a funny spot with my blog(s) because I don't like spending time on something that almost but doesn't quite accomplish any of my goals.  It almost accomplish the keeping in touch goal -But not quite because it is a one way conversation. I almost keep a journal -but not really because I go away for months at a time.  I almost don't waste too much time- but then I get distracted and want a new header or layout or something, and then I waste a couple naptimes or neglect the kids.  Anyway, at least if I post the book page you are getting a little update (I am still almost keeping in touch) but I will actually accomplish the goal of being up to date on this years yearbook. (well, up to date from September on.)  And this won't take more than a couple of minutes outside of the time it would already take me to do the page.  You didn't need to know all that, sorry, I ramble.  But, that's the new gameplan.  I'll see you again soon, and then at least once a month from here on...

Do you miss us yet?

This picture just makes me laugh... for many reasons.

Hello. We are not dead. We're actually quite happy and well. I am just working on some goals so that I will stop narrating my life in my head (mental blogging) and will do a better job of living it.

I think what I might do, is just start doing a monthly post. And I will probably make the blog private so that I can just post the pictures page from my scrapbook and not have to worry about too much information on a public page. We'll see. I'm still deciding.

See you again... my laundry is calling.

An experiment

I'm sick of my blog at the moment.  I started another blog to see if a new concept would get me excited.  It's kind of working.  My concept is that it is my journal (sort of).  So, because it is my journal I don't have to finish my sentences or fill in history because I know exactly what I am talking about.  Also, because it is mine if I decide to speak relentlessly of how my children are the best children on earth, I can.  I'm not trying to brag, I'm just loving my children unconditionally and thinking that they are ideal... as I should.  And because it is mine, I may jump on a soap box from time to time.  Or, I may not post anything at all.  We'll see.  But, it's mine.  It is for me.  If you want to look you are welcome, but it is not for you, it is for me.  I am a terrible journaler, so this is my feeble attempt.  Take a gander if you want...

mostlyincompletesentences.blogspot.com

Maybe I will take the highligt posts from that blog and put them on this one, we'll see how this evolves.  It's all new and I'm sure will evolve more as I go.

My blog is ugly.

Yes, my blog is ugly.  

It complements my apartment well.  

Hopefully both will improve with time, and I guess some effort.  

But for now, I will distract you with my cute children.  

My (lack of) photography skills never does them justice, but trust me, they are super cute.

In time I hope to make my blog cute again, I don't like the current look. For now, get over it.  :o)

We have GAS! (and a place to live too.)

Here we are in Henderson and we finally have a place to live AND GAS.  We have been in our apartment since last Wednesday night and the wonderful gas man came today.  Okay, so that gas isn't THAT big of deal, but we did go without hot showers, gas stove and oven for the whole week.  Luckily we do have our trusty old energy inefficient AC.  We also have internet as of 15 minutes ago... so here I am with another incomplete update.

I said I wouldn't post until certain conditions were met, but I never imagined it would take so long to meet those conditions, so I am posting anyway.

Kevin started school last Monday so he has officially made it through one full week and he has his first exam tomorrow and another on Friday.  It is going well and he is doing a great job of focusing and getting his necessary studying done before we play.  The only exception was the first days we were here when Kevin came home and worked his tail off to get boxes, furniture and everything else into the apartment. He's a trooper.  I can tell you, this has not been an easy move for anyone. 

Since we have been here we have met two angel families that have saved us and eased some of the burdens of this move... and we can't wait to be past the needy stage and be good friends without asking favors :o)

Hopefully soon I will be past feeling bad for myself so I can tell the story of this move.  It really is comical, but I'm still too close to it to laugh.  Life is settling, we are all alive.  Some boxes are unpacked, we have warm water, beds to sleep in, and an AC unit.  What more can we ask for?  (Oh, and an internet connection :o)  I'll be back, but for now it's time to fire up that burner and make some real dinner that doesn't come from the microwave.

Change in Plans and Directions... just the essentials

Update: We're not moving to Vermont
Update: We're moving to Henderson, Nevada
Detailed Update: Will come when I have a place to live, arrived in Nevada, tuition paid, immunizations up to date, orientation started, Vermont tuition refunded, student loans applied for, campus seen for the first time, Nevada seen for the first time, etc...

or at least an extra moment to breathe and process my life.

Shayne's Special Day

Today was a special day for Shayne as he received a name and a blessing.  He is such a special boy, I just hope he knows how much his parents adore him.  He is a wonderful baby and brings us so much joy.  There is something so incredible about holding such innocent and perfect infants or watching them as they smile and coo, for me, this is heaven.  Here is one of my angels:

And here is the crew...

Madi knew today was Shayne's blessing and this morning when she got out of bed the first thing she told me was "Shaynie special day." (She says it Shayne E)  And then during the quiet of the blessing she said (a little too loundly)  "Shaynie blessing...Shaynie getting blessed."  We love our babies!

And we love our extended family!  Today we got to spend time with a ton of family.  The Millers (Tyler, Carrie, Lainey, Brady and Lila) and Papa and Tutu Miller as well as the Skeens (Andrew, Rachel and Kaili) and Jenni, Maea, and Gradma and Grandpa Skeen.  What a life!  It doesn't get much better than family binges.  We're so grateful to have such a wonderful extended family on both sides.  

 (I guess I need to work on my timer photography!  

And yes, that is the top of Tyler, Lainey and Brady's heads...Sorry guys!)

Stay tuned for the continuation of the family binge as we enjoy the Skeen's annual camping trip and then another whirlwind Boise trip.  I hope we don't whither up and die in Vermont during the famine.  We're going to miss this!  So, I guess I better get back to enjoying it while it lasts.  

We love you Family... near and far!

Sing Happy Songs

Shayne is quite the vocal boy these days.  I love baby noises!  Last night he shared a room with his Auntie Jenni and was serenading her.  She decided to use Garage Band (gotta love Macs) to catch some of his cuteness.  We didn't know how to put an audio only clip up so here is just a still picture of Shayne and some awesome baby vocals.

I Get Married.

So before I had Shayne I "lost" my wedding ring. (Not really lost it, just put it in my gym bag and haven't been to the gym for a while so I couldn't find it.) But I recently found it and Madi is really amused by it. She asks about it all the time and I have told her that is if from Daddy, he gave it to me when we got married.

Today she picks up my hand,
Madi: "I want one."
Mom: "Do you want a pretty one like Mommy's?"
Madi: "Yea, sparkle. I get married."
Mom: "You want to get married when you grow up like Mom? Who are you going to marry?"
Madi: "I love Dad, Madi marry Dad."
Mom: "Sorry Madi, I already married him, you'll have to find someone else."
Madi: "Madi marry Mom."
Mom: "Sorry Mads, Mommy married Dad. We'll have to find you someone else when you are older. Can you wait?"
Madi: "Madi read book?"

Ah, the attention span of a two year old. I hope books come before boys for many years to come.

I know it is almost cliche to post things like this, but when it is actually your kid and they want to marry their Dad it is about as cute as it gets. So, this post is for me so I can remember it, not for you. :o)

We love Madi. She is an awesome big sister and so loving. Motherhood is such bliss. (I say that because both of my kids are napping now. When they are awake, I don't have time to think of adjectives, so we'll stick with bliss all day.)

Life is great here, we are getting ready for the family binge and then the big move. We hope you're all having as much fun as we are!

If you need a little comic relief...

I don't know how to make this fit, but if you right click on the video and select "Show all" it will shrink so you see the whole thing.

Andrew sent this to me...talk about good advertising. :o) Enjoy.

We're so Happy!

Shayne learned to smile and does it all the time now.

You can't help but smile when you see that face.

Picture load!

It's been a long time...

Here's a glimpse at what's happened

Papa and Tutu came to visit and meet Shayne








Madi was glamacized by Auntie Maea








Shayne got cuter








Madi got a new bike and helmet











Madi and Shayne made funny faces with Daddy








Madi and Shayne went shopping together








Madi aspired to be a farmer...











And a Rock Star








Shayne slept








Madi read books to Shayne








And we went to Boise...but that will come in the next post when I have more patience for the Blogspot uploader.

Guess Who...

I am two weeks old today. I weigh over 10 pounds now. I flew through over one hundred diapers in the last two weeks. My mom thinks I'm the cutest baby boy she's ever seen.

Who am I?

I am

Shayne
Adam
Miller

Can't wait to meet you!

Compromise

Madi came 9 days early to be born on May 22 and this guy came 9 days late to share May 22nd with his big sis.

He's Here!
He doesn't have a name yet, so he goes by "brother"

"Brother" was born at 5:41 this morning. He is 22 inches long and weighs in at 9 pounds 13 ounces.


















and this is how we feel...









More to come related to our double birthday, I just thought I would get this posted to spare you the poll.

Not here yet.

I'm not fancy enough to know how to do real polls, but take a vote in the comment section. Here are the polls...

When will he come?

and

How much will he weigh?

(Oh, and if you have any ideas, what will we name him?)

Hint for the WHEN question: Official eviction notice will be served Thursday if he doesn't come on his own sooner (42 weeks is the legal limit :o). And, Madi was 9 days early so don't base it off of previous experience.


Side notes:
Life is good here. We've been able to join Kevin's Biology class for field trips the last two weeks Aquarium last week and Zoo today. We're getting a lot of family time in and enjoying every minute. We're definitely anxiously awaiting the new addition, but using our time well until he is here.

See you soon baby boy!

A Few Pictures

Today I was gathering pictures to send to Papa and Tutu Miller and thought I might just add a few here since I haven't posted pictures in a while.

This is our Dec 2009 Family pic that apparently I never posted:























Here is Daddy and Mads doing her favorite thing... "Fwimming at Y."















Next we just have Madi cause she's cute and we like her:
























And this is our sweet niece Hayden (Brian and Megan's baby) That was born April 3rd.

Today's news

2 Updates:

First, well I guess this isn't an update but more of a correction. Somehow that "Full Term" post came out really negatively. I'm not miserable, I'm not unbearably huge (albeit I am huge), I'm not in a hurry and I'm not sitting around just waiting for a baby. I AM excited for him and anxious to meet him, but not in any rush. I think I've decided I am as ready as I will be. There are still things to do and things to buy, but whenever he comes we are ready enough. I'm getting really excited. Strangely, I am even excited for the actual birth and when I get up in the middle of the night to rush to the bathroom, I would rather be rushing in to take care of him. If I'm going to be awake anyway I'd love to spend it cuddling him. I'm so excited to see how our love expands and grows and how the dynamics of our family change and welcome him. I know I will miss my wonderful life of just hanging with Madi, but I know she will be a wonderful big sister. We'll find a way to still have our special time.

Update number two: (is a real update and more interesting to most of you...)
Kevin was accepted to another school! Albany College's Vermont campus said yes! We are so excited to have yet another bit of security in our lives, and even options. There is still stress ahead as every school has slightly different prerequisites and Kevin will have to squeeze in some online classes, but we are so thrilled to be able to move confidently in some direction :o) Kevin really liked the Colchester, Vermont campus when he was out there 2 weeks ago... so we'll see. We are soooo grateful to not be waiting until August to know if we have options. Kevin, I am so proud of you! (Your writing sample must not have been that bad.) Thank you for your hard work and for loving us through and with all of this stress!

Hooray for Kevin! (and Kristen!!)

Something to Post About!

Nope, he isn't here yet, but we have other good news...

Today (Kevin's birthday) we received a letter of acceptance to Pharmacy School!!!!

[a sigh of relief sweeps across the nation as friends, family and well wishers read]

Hampton University in Hampton, Virginia (down by Newport News) gave us a YES!

We are also on the waiting list at the University of Southern Nevada and the University of Wyoming, but it is SUCH a relief to have an official acceptance to a school. Hampton is not our first choice, but we are still thrilled. Now I get to start learning more about the area and while we will continue to wait to hear from our waitlist schools, I can know for sure we have somewhere to go in the fall. We WILL be going to school and I don't have to develop the backup plan. We are so grateful for the news. This is great timing. (Maybe now I can get a few nights of peaceful, not stressed sleep before the baby comes.)

Congratulations to Kevin who has worked so hard and sacrificed so much! I love you, Happy Birthday, Congratulations!

Today is a great day!

Full Term (random ramblings)

So I know I haven't posted in ages, but this isn't an update post. This is random thoughts and the update will (maybe) come later. Feel free to spare yourself the reading if you aren't REALLY bored and just looking to pass time.

Full Term...

I do feel full, full of kiddo. But what about that term part. Term, as in, Kevin's term is over at school? Well, that's not very encouraging because he is back into another term and there was hardly a breath in between them. If that is the kind of term we're talking about, no thank you. I'll be "Full and then done for a while." I don't mind being pregnant, but come on, I'm not ready to think about next term like in school.

Term, maybe we're talking about "my term." Yeah right, like this baby will come on my terms. Maybe I'm the full part and he chooses the term.

Or is it term like terminate. That's sounds negative, but yes pregnancy will terminate and parenthood will ensue. Which is easier? I think I'll take the big zebra striped, can barely keep it covered, need a crane to roll over belly. Okay, maybe not too much longer, but I'm not in a rush to turn my restless nights into udderly sleepless nights (yes, udderly not utterly).

Okay, so I'm full term, or he's full term. Whatever, birth is imminent. Am I ready?...Sure.

It's funny how this is so different than with Madi. With Madi, equipment, clothes, and furniture were all listed, checklisted, and in some cases excel spread-sheeted. This time, if I don't have it I either figure I don't need it or I will get it later. Basics are covered because we had them with Madi and it is just a matter of pulling them out of the right box, not researching, shopping, price comparing, and couponing. This is so much easier.

Also, I really just haven't taken the time for any of it. I need to take some time. Not necessarily time for the stuff aspect, but time to realize this is for real and there is a baby coming. With Madi that's all I thought about... she was coming, I was buying stuff for when she came, I was thinking about what we would do when she came, I was thinking about when she would come, life happened in the background while I prepared for a baby. But this time life is happening and gestation is just going on in the back ground. Any suggestions for last minute bump bonding? I feel like I haven't given enough thought to this baby that is coming and in that way I'm not nearly as ready as I was with Madi. I know he will be welcomed, adored and cared for as well if not better than she was (you know how it is with your first test child), but I do kind of miss that pregnant sentimentality I felt last time.

Either way, I'm excited. Boy, you, yes, you unnamed child with your foot in my ribcage, you are welcome now. Come when you want to. I'm ready. Feel free to find that perfect balance between hearty and unnecessarily large so that transition between womb and room is not more difficult than it needs to, but whenever you feel inclined, I'll be here and ready.

Dad and I will keep working on a name for you, but don't wait on us. When you decide, we'll be here to catch you. See you soon!

Travel Tip, Please

So, exciting news this time is that Kevin has an interview in Hampton, Virginia. We're hoping to make it a family trip because I have never been out there and it is a perfect excuse to see Auntie Jenni. The question this time is related to travelling with a nearly 2 year old. Of those of you who have travelled with little tykes, what works better for long flights, through the night or daytime flights? It will be AT LEAST 7 hours on a plane with at least 1 plane change. Do I gamble that she will sleep some if we are late at night, or am I asking for trouble. I hadn't even considered the night option (leave here around 10 pm and get there around 8 am) but there are some cheap flights and...well, let me know what you think. I haven't ever flown with a kid for more than a couple of hours. Help! :o)

Good News for the Day!

Kevin was invited for his first Pharmacy School interview!
We're excited at the idea of someone giving us a chance! :o) We'll be a lot more excited when we get an admission letter, but we're working on enjoying the ride. Challenge is, how do you go to interviews for less than a thousand dollars? Sheesh. We're trying to make plans and I don't know how people afford to go to a ton of interviews. Speaking of cutting costs, does anyone have family or friends in Laramie, Wyoming? or even tips on cheap rental cars in Denver or anything at all, maybe someone owns a personal jet? Anyone? Well, we'll figure this out...let us know if you have any tips.

Enough Suspense Already!

It's a BOY! We're so excited!
(But let's be honest, we would have been either way.)

That's our news. Here are a few pictures...nothing more to say today.

(3D Ultrasounds are kind of freaky to some, amazing to others. If you are one that hates them, reserve your comments for another day.)
This ultrasound was amazing and we saw so much more of this baby than we did with Madi's ultrasound. Unfortunately, the regular shots were not very good because this baby was snuggled into my sides and would not move for more than a second at a time. Poor kid, we were literally poking and prodding to get him to move just enough for one picture. He was moving and kicking almost the whole time, but his face was in it's place and he did NOT want to move it.
I love this next one...enough pictures already, I was taking a nap!

My New Years Resolutions

In this season of New Year's resolutions, personal improvement and self-mastery I would like to personally admit that I love elastic waist band pants. Yes, only at certain season, but this is one of them. I also love chocolate and naps during the day (I bet I could nap more than Madi if it weren't for the guilt). Many of you are thinking, "how dare Kristen remind me how great naps are, I need to be on my elliptical" and to that I say... I have no remorse. I just love naps. I too should be on an elliptical, but my goals are different than yours. You are probably making some goal about losing weight, or eating better, right? Well, I should too. But I'm not. My goal is to gain weight. And eventually lose it. So that you don't think I am anti-ambition or anti-new years resolutions, I too will publicly make one:

In 2010 I will gain weight. I will gain weight until May. In mid-May I will lose approximately 8 pounds (hopefully a lot more, but let's be conservative). By October I intend to weigh what I weighed in October of 2009. I think that is fair, ambitious for me, but I need goals.

So why would anybody be dumb enough to admit liking elastic waist band pants and planning to gain weight...well, you probably know by now. I'm pregnant. Yep, number 2 is in the oven. Half baked in fact. When I am at the other computer and not delirious because I am so tired I will post a picture and tell you the gender, but I think you deserve a little suspense.

Congratulations to all of you who have real resolutions, I do have some more serious ones too, I just needed to let you all know about the impending bundle of joy. I've been trying to think of a cleaver or cute way to announce, but as you see, I've given up. I'll just blog-ramble until the truth is out. Check back later for an ultrasound picture update...until then I will be sleeping.