Big Red Engine

The Saturday before Easter our community hosted a community Easter egg hunt.  We actually didn't make it for the egg hunt but Gwenevere really enjoyed exploring the fire engine. 

Uncle Max comes to visit

Uncle Max applied to the Tacoma Fire Department a month ago and the department asked him to come take an exam.  The first step to getting a job at a fire department.  So Max few in from Salt Lake and Gwenevere was so happy to see Uncle Max again.  We all where happy he came to visit.

Gwenevere loved playing with all of Uncle Max's stuff animals.  (Max and Rebecca plan on moving back to the Portland area in the fall so he brought a few suitcases full of stuff to make the move in August lighter.)
Gwenevere really enjoyed the Cow that roared like a lion  animal and the baby dolls she had to wrap up and cuddle.

This is Gwenevere taking Uncle Max to the Tacoma Dome where he took his test.  Max was 1 in 3000 that applied for the job. 

While Max tested Gwenevere and I wrapped up Baby Baertlein's (Rebecca is expecting a baby in November) gift for Uncle Max to take back home with him. 

It sure was fun to have Max here, even if it was only for 24 hours.  Next time he comes to visit he'll bring Rebecca and we will take them to the Zoo and play at the beach and have lots of fun this fall when they live closer.  Hopefully in Tacoma but we'll be happy if they settle down anywhere in the Northwest.

Easter Morning

Gwenevere enjoyed coloring Easter eggs and eating lots of Chocolate.

I thought it would be a good tradition to include a scripture in the Easter basket.  Alisha's Easter basket came with a pair of workout shorts and a scripture about "exercising" in faith.  James got a pair of sunglasses with the scripture D&C 65:5 about the looking forward to the day when the Son of Man will come down clothed in the "Brightness" of his glory. And Gwenevere got a LOT OF CHOCOLATE with a note saying Jesus loves you and a scripture about praying as a family.  James got me a camping kettle for hot Chocolate. I've been wanting one since we got married.  He even filled it with candy since it's a Thomas Tradition to have the camping kettle filled with candy when we would go on long road trips.  We had a beautiful Easter Sunday.  My favorite part about the whole day was during Primary's Sharing Time, when we learned about all the people who have Testified of Christ's Resurrection.  It was a powerful sharing time.

I too want to share my Testimony of the Resurrection of Christ.  I know my Savior lives and I will see him again someday.

Happy Easter Everyone.

Quick update from the Roemhildts

I've been meaning to do our Easter blog all day but we've been super busy with the Apartment complex lately.  I strongly believe appliances brake is sets of threes.  But that is not why I wanted to blog.  An Easter blog deserves a moment all to it's self, so I'll wait to blog about Easter when I have a little more time.

I just wanted to give a quick update of our lives.

James- found out his 2nd internship (in January 2012) was approved but his 3rd internship was denied so he won't be going to Coeur d'alene Idaho after all.  We'll keep you posted when we find out what the plan is.  He also has two more weeks of school and than he'll start is first internship for this summer.  Yippee.

Gwenevere-  I'm excited to announce is officially day-time Potty trained.  She's been great the last couple of months but every now and than she would have an accident or ask to wear diapers.  We have gone a week now without any accidents, even at nap time.  So I've knocking on wood while I type this but I feel it is safe to congratulate her on her big accomplishment. 

Elizabeth- As for me, I got my very first stretch mark.  Not sure if I should really celebrate this accomplishment but I figured since it's happened I might as well. 

Little Baby- Is still very active, she loves kisses from her older Sister Gwenevere and we're excited to have her come into this family.  As much as I LOVE SUMMERS I hope this summer will go by fast, because we all just want baby sister come be here NOW. 

Okay, I'll go to  bed now.  Thanks for stopping by to read our family blog.  We love your comments and the idea that you care.  Have a good night.

His Sacred Name - An Easter Declaration

Gwenevere's sayings

Look into mine Eyes

Last night I was teaching Gwenevere that she was a child of God.  She than grabbed my face looked straight into my eyes and said "Look in mine eyes, I Child of God."  

who needs help
Then this morning while saying morning prayers,  Gwenevere was repeating what I said.
 Mama: "Help me to learn the gospel."
 Gwenevere: "Help Mama learn dah gospel"
 I was meaning Gwenevere but I guess I need help too.  It was so cute.  

SUN

Today while standing in sunlight coming through our window Gwenevere declared.  "I'm touching the SUN."

It was a very exciting moment.

We all scream for Ice Cream

On our way to the park, we drove by Baskin Robbins and Gwenevere said "Yumm,  I love Ice Cream."  I think she was trying to give me a hint.  

The Magic of Money 

Gwenevere:" Look at this Mommy."

Me: 'What is it?" not looking to see what Gwenevere is playing with. 

Gwenevere: "It's called money and it's in between my toes."

24 weeks

Over the last two weeks I have tried and tried again to get a decent pregnancy picture but haven't been pleased with the outcomes.  I really need to pluck my eye brows,  but that's another day's project.  Until than here are the best of my attempts.

 Laughing is okay.  

I'm still trying to find my funky free love for my growing belly. 

I have a hunch this baby will be early.

If it's like any of my other intuitions it's probably wrong.

But none the less here is my rationalizations to this hunch.

1. She sits super low and my pelvis is already super loose.

2. She is very active and I can't imagine her wanting to just hang out in a crowded belly for weeks on end

3.  James' internship ends two days after my due date and it would be very convenient for her to wait til he is finished before coming.  But  when does a baby wait for things to be convenient. Hence the reason I think she'll be early.

4. I wouldn't mind enjoying a few more days of summer un-pregnant.

Sunshine and Friends

And of course the shoes had to come off

Bringing in Spring

James said that as soon as he shaved his head spring would come.  

So we pulled out the razor and said goodbye to winter

He's going for the Shel Silverstien look.  Can you see the resemblance.

Hello Spring time.

Sunday Sunshine

Sunday Morning looked like this. 

We enjoyed a nice Sunday Morning walk on the beach.

Happy Birthday Anabelle

Gwenevere's been singing Happy birthday to Anabelle for the last two days, but I just now got her to sing to the camera.  The songs off camera are much more vocal and drawn out. 

Happy Birthday Anabelle!

Starting to feel like a mother of 2

Of course my second child isn't quite here yet, but somedays it feels like I already am a mother of two.

And I'm loving it.

Yesterday while driving in the car I realized Gwenevere was asleep and little strawberry wasn't kicking me like crazy.  It was a nice peaceful moment.  And than it hit me.  This is only the beginning.

I'm so excited for another baby,  I eat, sleep, drink, think and just about all I talk about is BABY. 

Pregnancy update:

I'm 23 weeks along.  On May 10th, I'll be in my third trimester and it's going by fast. 

I've gained 14lbs total.  More than I had planned for so far but still doing okay. 

The baby is measuring to be about 23 weeks, witch is a good thing.

Baby is mostly positioned hammock style across my stomach between my hips.  She doesn't like it when I sit for long periods of time.  that's when I feel the most kicks.

Gwenevere got a turn to hold the ultrasound machine on my stomach when we listened to baby strawberry's heartbeat at my appointment today.  "Dats mine baby sisters heart." Gwenevere declared.

I'm exercising about three times a week and taking Gwenevere to swim class.  I love going swimming.  When Pregnant with Gwenevere I loved going to the beach and swimming in the ocean.  I would spin around in circles and I could feel her spin too.  It was so fun.  James is looking into getting me a swim pass to his school's swimming pool so we can go to family night swim together.  I hope it works out.

I've just about figured out how we will transition Gwenevere to her new room and add baby sister to it.  I'm excited to see them share a room.

I got my home birth check list today at my appointment.  Yippee!  And when the time gets closer I'll start preparation work for that.  I'm getting a good visual of how this home birthing stuff works and what I'm going to hope mine will be like.  Thanks to some great friends who give detail advice and recommendations I'm at ease with this process of learning, my Heavenly Father has lead me through. 

I have and I am enjoying being pregnant again.  Although it's hard on James sometimes, since he usually only sees me near the end of the day when all my energy and patients are gone.  (Thanks James for being so supportive and patient with me.)  I hope you see enough of the good parts that you won't mind going through this again and again.  I love being a mother, it's so fulfilling even when it seems impossible and I'm making tons of mistakes. 

And when James gets home tonight I'll try add a few pregnancy pictures to this post.

Baby Doll Advice

Note:  This is a boring post I'm doing mostly for my benefit.  I've been doing some doll research and I don't want to forget brand names and locations, so that when I'm ready to buy a baby doll, I can get on my blog and look up my research.  So feel free to skip this blog and scroll down to see cute pictures of Gwenevere.

In preparation of our baby girl's arrival.  I have decided to invest in a good quality doll for Gwenevere.  That way, when I'm taking care of baby sister, Gwenevere can take care of baby doll.  She loves dolls but all the dolls she has so far are cheap dolls given to us at garage sales.  And since I was a big Doll fan myself growing up, I think it's worth the investment to get a nice doll.

What I would like to see in the doll

Premie size, somewhere between  14-18 inches tall, I would like to be able to use old baby clothes for the doll instead of buying or making doll size clothes.

Clothe body- with some weight, to make it feel realistic.

Eyes that open and clothes

And maybe a mouth that could hold a toy bottle or pacifier.

What i'm trying to avoid.

Batteries- I don't a doll that can talk, cry, poop, or need battteries.  Just a simple doll is fine with me

A doll that can brake-  A doll that is meant to be played with.  I think it's funny when I find a cute stuff animal or doll that says, "This is not a toy".  Meaning it's intended for decorations or something strange like that.


Anyway, I've checked Target, Wal-Mart, Toys R US, Fred Myers, and a few second hand stores, but haven't found what I'm looking for.  That's when I pulled out the big guns.  Spending time online looking for baby dolls, has been kinda interesting.  Need I say more.
I've found two brands of dolls I like: Zapf Creations, and Bitty Baby.  Both do the job but on average cost $50.00-90.00.  I was thinking of spending maybe 30.00 at the most.  I've checked ebay, and amazon.  Some deals but still not quite what i'm looking for.  So if you see any dolls that look like something I might be interested in please let me know. 

And if you are mother of a baby doll lover, and have any suggestions, comments, or advice, please share.  I don't mind if you laugh at my blog and think i'm crazy.  I know I already am.  I guess this frantic baby doll search is somehow helping me feel like I'm preparing for another girl.  This time with a little more girlie loving attitude. 

And if you made it this far thanks for reading.  Have a good day.

Oh boy

This Girl sure keeps me busy.

Gwenevere: "Wutz dat?"

Mama: "It's glue."

Gwenevere: "put in mine eye."

Mama: "No, you don't put glue in your eye."


Than later on while driving in the car Gwenevere tells me

 Gwenevere: "Poison makes me sick."

Mama: "What?"

Gwenevere: "Poison ucky, don't eat poison."

Mama: Yes. don't eat poison."

Gwenevere: "Don't taste poison."


Thinking to myself "Where does she come up with these thoughts?"

And that is just a few of the many terrifying questions/ conversations Gwenevere and I have had.

Gwenevere has also taken an interest in working out with Mama.  

Here you can see Gwenevere is clearly doing Yoga

Gwenevere started Swim class two weeks ago.  She loves it, and everyday since has created for long discussions about when it's ok to wear a swimsuit and when it's not ok.

Gwenevere also loves giving her baby sister hugs and kisses. 

I get monkey kisses on my stomach everyday.

Gwenevere"Baby sister likes it."  referring to the monkey kisses

She's a real kisser lately.

Gwenevere's point of view.

I love my little girl,

James' first century bike ride

The daffodil classic: 105 miles, 7 hours, in the rain, and 5000 calories burned.

Getting ready to start the ride

Braving the rain at 8am for a 7 hour ride

Gwenevere eating her breakfast after Papa took off

The Final Rest stop 72 miles completed 18 more to go.

This is how he felt

Sharing his Victory Cake with Gwenevere.  What a loving Papa



I'm holding Gwenevere while filming but this is James when he finished.

Thomas the Train and other quotes

Gwenevere is coloring with Auntie Alisha, and is breaking the crayons.  

Mama "Gwenevere don't break the crayons."

Gwenevere "Percy break them."

Mama: "Who's Percy?"  As I think of all the kids in Nursery, Library Story time, and Swim class.  

Gwenevere "Thomas the Train, mom."

Mama:  "Well, don't break crayons."

Gwenevere gives me a big cheesy smiles and then says "Okay Mom."

She is getting way to smart for me.  

Little lady Bug

Gwenevere was playing at the window saying "I'm going to get you".  Curious to see what she was doing I walk over to where Gwenevere is playing and see her chasing a tiny bug with your fingers.  I love my little girl.

The Observant one

I love that Gwenevere is so observant.  She notices the smallest things and points them out.  She notices when I have miss matching socks.  Or when Papa cuts his hair.  She points out the ice cream shop her and Papa went to on a daddy daughter date two months ago.  And she always asks "where's Papa" when she wakes up after he's left for school.  

All day today Gwenevere has been saying "HAPPY BIRTHDAY SETH!"  Good thing it's his birthday.  

"Plans are meant to be changed"

I once was given a blessing where I was told by my Heavenly Father, that "plans are meant to be changed".  I have often wonder what that means, and I guess it just means we need to willing to accept the Lord's plan even though we are told to plan and be prepared. 

With that being said, 

James and I have been planning a home birth.  We have told some, but we haven't really shouted off the roof top our plans.  

When we have shared our plans we have had several negative and sometimes hurtful comments and remarks.  These remarks, said with good intentions, have left us at times confused and concerned.  Today my sweet sister asked me "Why we wanted a home birth?"  And for the first time I was able to express what I wanted to say.  So thank you.  

This is my response to her questions

I don't know if I can really explain why I want a home birth.  To me, it's very personal and I don't feel like I should try to explain because it's a personal thing, between my heavenly father, James myself and our child to be born.  I've tried to share my thoughts with others and whenever birth stories are brought up, it seems like the worst horror stories are told.  I've been judged by many and I've felt hurt and confused.  That is when the Lord has stepped in and has taken my hand in the processes.  He has confidence in my choices and I must have the faith to believe in him. 

I want the baby to come into this world in the most comfortable environment I can create and the home just seems to be the right place for us.  

To be perfectly honest, I really don't like hospitals.  And on a somewhat selfish response  I don't want to have an IV, I don't want to be monitored by machines, and I don't want the after birth screenings that are required at hospital.  I HATE the security chips, the 24 hours observation afterward, and I Hate the feeling of bring a prisoner.  I guess my feelings of a hospital are a little bit different than (some). 

With Gwenevere I was so uncomfortable being in the hospital that I didn't eat and couldn't sleep and my body yearned to go home, but I was told I had to stay at least 24 hours.  It wasn't fun, and I missed my home more than any other time in my entire life.  And on top of that I missed sleeping in the same bed as James.  I felt so out of place, I wasn't able to really rest and recover like some.  And the Recovery is so important. 

I can tell you all the reason I don't want a hospital birth but the choice for a home birth is more than that.  I just don't know how to really explain it.  A home birth is somewhat different and therefore not as easy to explain.  Especially because many of my friends and family members have had complicated births and wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the medical technology and hospital systems that we have today.

But with that said, a home birth is going to be a LOT of work, and I want to make sure that the work is worth it and if not, than I'll give up some of my wants and go with a hospital birth. 

I also have some health concerns and I don't want to put my baby at risk so if it's better for me to be at a hospital, that's were i'll be, but the Lord is by my side and I'll follow him.  If he believes I can have a healthy home birth, than so do I. 

Like I said earlier, I really don't know which way the Lord is leading me.  A week ago I got a strong impression to visit another hospital.  So yesterday James and I took another hospital tour.  And now the Lord is telling me to get to the temple.  I don't know the meaning of all this but I know He's by me, leading me in this process and teaching me each step of the way.  I can almost hear His voice.

I still feel comfortable pursuing a home birth at this time.  The end result isn't as important as the lessons I'm learning in this process.  I'm very humbled by this process and I'm grateful for my Heavenly Father's active parenting.

It's been a great testimony building process and I'm happy to have the faith to follow.  I'll plan all that I can and than the rest will be in the Lords hands.  

Words worth Remembering

Mother, I am

I am a shoulder to cry on, an ear to listen, a hand to hold. I am a dancer a singer a teacher a comedian. I am a protector, a comforter an enforcer and friend. I am their memory keeper. I hide I seek I lead I follow. I will go as far as my child’s imagination will take me. I do this not because my life is small and without any greater meaning but because my life now means something greater to lives that are still small. I am anything and everything they need me to be. I am…a Mother.

little bare feet

I have found that the path I now journey down is best traveled barefoot...To feel the earth beneath my feet is a way in which I stay firmly grounded in my beliefs and my convictions...Living life in a simple way...being content with only the bare necessities...Living a life of greater purpose for myself for my family and for those little bare feet.