Missing story!

I checked out Tiff's blog tonight and remembered that I plum forgot to tell you all about our drama that unfolded a few weeks ago!

We had just arrived home from a fun-filled weekend at the cabin. Olivia was tired, we were tired, and ready for bed! However, as we walked into the house, we noticed that something was fishy. The items on our end table were all knocked over. Strange. Hmmm...we thought as we walked into the kitchen. I wonder why the bread is all ripped up all over the counter? My brilliant husband decided that it was a squirrel that had somehow gotten into the house.

Now the question remained, is it still here? I quickly got Olivia bathed and ready for bed. Checked out her room for critters, and shoved pillows under her door once she was safely tucked in. I headed downstairs to put our dirty clothes in the laundry room when I noticed something. Poop, lots and lots of squirrel poop...ALL OVER. Oh, and not to mention blood!! LOTS and lots of squirrel blood smeared all over the windows. I assume he/she injured him/herself in an attempt to escape. Sick.

Ryan, my dad, and I frantically begin cleaning the house to get rid of all the germs (ish), when my dad yells out "RED SQUIRREL!!!" A chase ensues (I hid in the basement with pillows under the door) between my dad, Ryan, and Ryan's brother as they attempt to get the squirrel out. Finally Ryan's brother catches it, and they get it outside. Of course, because we live in the boonies, the story is not complete without Ryan bringing out the shotgun to rid the world of such a creature.

I am just thankful it isn't in the house anymore. :)

Generosity

We were blessed tonight!

After dinner we took a walk over to the neighbor's farm to let Olivia see the animals. They have cows, pigs, cats, and a dog. She just loved it! While we were there, they unloaded a bunch of fresh picked sweet corn on us! Wonderful!

Then, when we got home, our neighbor had called and left us a message wondering if we would want an electric Jeep and a great wagon for Olivia! Wonderful again! He drove them over right away, they are in great shape and she will love them!

One last comment...

I can't believe I have another to write... Seriously, how do I attract these comments?

Yesterday someone said to me: I thought black was supposed to be a slimming color; it's not working for you today. You still look really pregnant.

Well, I guess it's a good thing I am pregnant or I'd have to feel bad about this! :)

Round #2

And so the comments that people should keep to themselves continue...enjoy reading Round #2!

And she strikes again! The neighbor (Round #1) chased me down again for another round of comments that could have easily been kept to herself. Now, imagine tone during this story, because it could easily be swayed another direction. The tone is one of criticism for those working outside the home during the child-rearing years.
Neighbor: Hi, Hi, are you the one who lives next door? (Yes, remember, you think I'm fat?)
Me: Yes, that's me.
Neighbor: Oh, and your little one! Now did you have a little boy? (Yes, I always put pink flowered shirts and pony tails into my boys hair, don't you?)
Me: No, a girl; this is Olivia (Hmm...didn't we just have this conversation a couple months ago?
(I'll skip the pleasantries about us having another baby)
Neighbor: Well, does Olivia ever get to see her grnadparents? (meaning Ryan's parents)
Me: Yes, in fact she's spending a few days up there this week because I don't have daycare.
(Now' here's where tone is important...)
Neighbor: Oh, you send her to daycare? (Eyebrows raised, mouth in a frown, critical tone)
Me: Yes.
Neighbor: Oh, so you work? (Repeat from before)
Me: Yes (I'll spare you the details of my work), I work part-time.
Neighbor: I see. So will you have a career??

I'm spent with that conversation....

#2: At church...again tone and gaze are important here.
Fellow church member comes up to me STARING at my belly
Her: Are you sure there's only one in there?
Me: Yes.
Her: ARE YOU SURE? STARING at my belly
Me: Yes. We had our ultrasound today. There's only ONE. Thank you.

#3: Crazy lady at the store
My mom and I took olivia shopping last week for new fall clothes and some maternity clothes for myself. At the MOA maternity store one of the clerks got WAY too friendly with Olivia. Who, to make matters worse, had not naped all day and was very tired. The clerk started with friendly small talk, which is typical. THEN, she took Olivia's nukie! Pulled it right out of her mouth!! Seriously, do you know no boundaries lately? Olivia handled it pretty well and even managed a smile for her. We continued our shopping around the store and during checkout she came back again. Came up to Olivia who was fussing (remember, no nap, and this was probably about 3:30 pm), and took her nukie AGAIN! This time Olivia wasn't too happy about it. I just couldn't believe it. Luckily, we were done at the store and could just leave.

SERIOUSLY people!

woe is me

I just need to whine a little bit this morning. If you don't want to "listen", the good thing is you can just stop reading!

I am 21 weeks today. I am still sick. I am SO sick of feeling SO sick ALL of the time. I feel like a bad mommy and a bad wife because I never have the energy or the gumption to do a whole heck of a lot. Blah. I want to be able to enjoy this pregnancy, but so far, not a whole lot of enjoyment in that department.

Okay, I'm done. Thanks for those of you who "listened".

Olivia!

Olivia just got home today after spending a few days with Mucka, Papa (Ryan's parents), and Grandma Dee Dee (Ryan's aunt). She absolutely had a fabulous time swimming, playing with her cousins, and being spoiled by her grandparents (ahem!). She went up north because we did not have daycare for the beginning of this week. She left Saturday and came back today. Boy did I miss her! It's funny, I was looking forward to a little break so much, but I missed her incredibly this time! Ryan and I were able to spend some time together, and even go on a date, which was so wonderful!

Olivia's new thing is that she has learned how to say her name. It's precious! Everything is Olivia now!

Oh, and we got our new computer! I just need to get some pictures loaded to update things!!

Monkey?

I had my ultrasound yesterday! Everything looked great-all the proper body parts were there! No, we did not find out what we were having! We will wait until baby comes to be surprised. I am planning on scanning one of the pics so you can see our cutie too--but we may be getting a new computer asap so I am waiting for that!

The funny part was when I showed Olivia the pictures today--she thinks the baby is a monkey. Too funny! She was saying "Oo-oo ee-ee"... I know she doesn't understand that there is actually a baby growing inside me, but she's pretty good with being able to point at my belly when you ask her where the baby is. I bet she'll be surprised to know the baby is coming to stay!

20 weeks down, 20 to go (or maybe less...but not too much less!)

Owee

Owee= Owen= Aaron= Ryan's younger brother

Aaron is currently a short term missionary in Sweden with the International Church in Gothamberg. He is loving it. But he misses being home of course! Olivia was born just two months after he left for Sweden the first time and they didn't get to meet until she was 10 months old when he came home for Christmas. This June he was able to come back again for 3 weeks and Olivia was able to spend quite a bit of time with him. To put it simply, she LOVED him. It is so adorable! He left shortly after the 4th of July and Olivia talks about him all the time. She always asks about all of her family members and people she loves when she hasn't seen them. Before Aaron left, he taught Olivia how to say goodbye in Swedish--pardon my spelling because I have no idea how to spell it, but I'm doing it phonetically by how Olivia says it! All the time now she says, "Heydo Owee!" Goodbye Owee! :)

He's coming home again in January; perfect timing for the new little babe! Hopefully Olivia won't miss him too much until then!

By the way...

I changed my settings so even my non-blogging buddies can comment...I know there are a lot of you reading out there and now you are forced to leave me comments! :)

I hope you haven't all forgotten about me!

I finally did it. I had time to call Qwest! FINALLY! We received our new modem yesterday and I got us all hooked up. We're back in business. Finally. :)

Here's some pics to catch you up!

The ever-growing Buddah...17 wks. (I'm 19 now...) :)

Olivia's tea party with cousin Maren
"winging"
"Helping" Daddy wash the truck
Huh?
Playing Outside