By the way

This Day, six years ago, I was awoken by James for a surprise hike up Saddle Mt. (our first date was a hike up Saddle Mt.)

It wasn't quite dawn when James woke me up.  The hike was an hour away and we hoped to get to the base of the trail by sunrise.  I jumped out of bed threw on some hiking clothes and was ready to go have some fun, when James asked if I would bring my makeup.  What?!  He had never cared for makeup before and we where going hiking but I agreed and brought my makeup to put on while in the car.  

When we got to the base of the trail the sun was rising, James offered to braid my hair while I put my make up on.  Then he handed me a back pack and said "This is your bag."  I was a little confused by his strange behavior.  We had always shared a bag while hiking before but for some reason he didn't want me snooping around in his backpack.  

First makeup, than no sharing, I was starting to wonder what had happened to my Hot boy friend.  But than he grabbed my hand, my heart started pounding and away we went, hand in hand up Saddle Mt.  The hike went by so fast.  We reminisced about the first time hiking Saddle Mt.  Then we came to our favorite rest spot.  James pulled out snacks for us to eat.  Finally James asked me if I knew how much he loved me.  I started teasing him.  Well, your ears are pretty big but I'm sure you love me more than your big ears, and your hands are pretty big but I'm sure you love me more than your big hands. I went on with a few more comparisons.  We held hands and looked out over the amazing view, James started humming a song.  My first thought was "Is that the graduation song?"  You know,  the one you march down the Isle dressed in your graduation gown.  Ha ha ha  I started laughing.  James, being very patient with my stupidity kindly reminded me that it was the song I asked him to sing to me when he proposed.  I thought he was joking so I started singing the song with him.  All of a sudden James pulls a ring and asked me to marry him.  I was in shock.  I couldn't believe it.  He does really love me.  He does really want to marry me.  How cool is that.  Of course I said yes, and after several minutes I finally had the guts to look down at my hand and see the ring he picked out for me.  It was perfect.  

After a few more hugs and kisses we packed our food and finished the hike up to the top of the Mt.  Hand in Hand.  We reached the top of the Mountain engaged.  It was the prefect beginning to our journey together. 

The end is near

My body keeps playing tricks on me.  I have 18 more days to go before the due date but really who knows how long until baby sister comes.  

Last Sunday I had contractions from about 1pm-8pm 10 minutes apart never increasing in intensity but definitely uncomfortable.  I kept telling my body "oh no you don't.  I"m not ready".  Finally my body decided to listen to me. 

After Sunday's scare I worked very hard this week to finish up all my baby preparations.  Now I'm ready and even though I still get contractions now and than (mostly Braxton Hicks contractions) I have a feeling I'm going to be pregnant for a few more weeks.  

I have mixed emotions at this point.  One side of me would LOVE to be done being pregnant.  I would love to have baby sister here and time to recover before James finishes his internship.

On the other hand,  As James puts it, "Do you know how difficult my internship would be if you had the baby early?"  

Gwenevere has also had a fever for the last 3 days and I've already told baby sister she has to wait till Gwenevere feels better before coming, because I new born and a sick toddler would not be convenient.

And just to add to the mix, I have a Tenant moving in next week, A vacant Apartment that needs to be rented out, and another Tenant just gave notice of leaving at the end of August.  My goal was to have the apartment complex full before baby sister came.  That's why I stayed home from my planned trip to Idaho Falls.  :(  Oh well. 

So even though it makes since not to have a baby right now, for the first time since people have started asking me, I'm now ready to to be done.  I guess that's just the way it goes.  

Pregnancy sympathy is welcome.   

Baby Shower

Bottles and bows
our love overflows!
Join us as we honor
Elizabeth and her new baby girl!

Hosted by Vangie Box and Sarah Day

I truly have the bestest of friends.  I didn't expect to have a baby shower but when my friends ask if they could host a shower for me I was super excited.  The best part was, most of our Portland family was able to come.  Thanks Mama Roemhildt, Grandma Wilcox, and Aunties Cindy and Val for coming to my shower.  You guys spoiled us.  

 The party started with some delicious food.  Fruit pizza, chocolate moose, brownies, poppy seed cake, fruit salad, cantaloup, and cup cakes.  We ate and ate and ate.  Then it was time for games.  We played a game where everyone opened up a present that went along with a story about Baby sister's birth.

We also had a celebrity name game, and a fairy godmother wishing jar.  The wishing Jar was by far my favorite.  Everyone was able to write down guesses for when baby would come, how much she would weigh, and give wishes and advice.  If you want to add your own wish to the wishing jar.  Just leave your message in the comment box and I'll type them up and add them to the Jar.  Please send your fairy godmother wishes, guesses or advice.

After games it was present time.  Boy oh boy did we get spoiled.  I'm not trying to brag but for the record I do want to record the gifts that where given and by whom they where given.

Mama Roemhildt gave us a Baby Memory book. 

Sarah Day gave Baby sister a knitted hat and pants, and gave Gwenevere a handmade dress with shorts.

Marion Roemhildt (Green Grandma) gave us a teal crochet blanket

Val, Cindy, Deanna and Nancy Wilcox (Red Grandma) gave us a Kitchen gate (James has been wanting one for a long time) an Infant rocker, and a baby Einstein activity jumper.

Grandma and Grandpa Thomas aka (my mom and dad) gave baby sister some fun summer outfits both for this year 0-3 months and next year 6-12 months, lots of onesies, four receiving blankets and a knitted purple hat for Gwenevere.

Vangie Box designed a beautiful diaper cake for us and gave us the only diapers we have so far.  hee hee

When I got home from the baby shower my visiting teacher had left me a gift for my baby shower since she wasn't able to make it.  I love you Debbie.  

Debbie gave us, two super cute baby outfits, 6 pairs of socks (just what we needed) and four boxes of wipes.

I don't want to forget Barbara Jackson sent me a package in the mail last week.  She returned my nursing pump along with some cute onesies, and a package of newborn tees.  I am super excited about the newborn tees.  Since we are planning a home birth i need to find something super comfy to put baby in right after being born.  when I saw the newborn tees I knew this was what baby sister would be wearing.  now I just need to find a pair of pants.

The baby shower was so much fun.  Thanks again Sarah and Vangie you two are so sweet.  I'm grateful to have good friends like you.  And thanks again to everyone who participated in the baby shower one way or another.  A big thanks goes out to my Portland family for making the drive up here to celebrate with us.  

After the baby shower we loaded up the car and drove back to our place.  James and his younger brothers Austin and Daniel where their making dinner.  We ate some more visited for a while and than the Portland gang had to head back home.  :(  

Several new posts, keep on scrolling

Zoo

Let's not forget about the zoo.  On Saturday morning Stephanie, Lexi, Gwenevere and I headed out to the zoo.  It was kinda a quick trip since we started out later than we hoped but it was still lots of fun.

Seattle

Since Stephanie and Lexi where in town, we decided we should visit Seattle for the day.  The plan was to do Seattle Saturday morning after dropping off Alisha at the airport but when the zoo was closed on Friday we decided to do Seattle on Friday instead.  This turned out to be the best plan, because it was an all day event.  The girls where great.  Gwenevere loved the space noodle and Lexi really enjoyed the ferry ride.  We found parking for a 1.00 an hour.  AWESOME!  So we decided to walk everywhere.  The bus down town is free but since the trip was an impromptu trip I didn't plan ahead and find the bus routes we needed.  It was an adventure and a great workout.  hee hee

We first went to the Space Needle for a picnic lunch and picture taking. 

Why do kids love to play on the metal covers found on lawns and sidewalks?

 "Ring around the Rosies we all fall down"

After our picnic lunch we decided to take some pictures

Gwenevere wanted to sit on this ball

Gwenevere called the Space Needle 

"Space Noodle"

It was my favorite part.

"Look Mom, Space Noodle"

Lexi loved the Red tube art

After the Space Needle we walked down to the water front and caught a bus to the Ferry dock.

Timing for the ferry was perfect

We had to take this picture of the sail boat for Papa

The girls loved watching to water go by.

 Lexi's clapping,  she must be having a good time.

 I thought it was pretty cool that our Ferry was called "Tacoma"

And before the ride was over, Stephanie took a picture of the hot Mamas.  

Good times

Cousin time

Cousins are the best. '

A few weeks ago Stephanie, James' cousin and I decided we needed to get together.  Last thursday Stephanie and her daughter Lexi came to visit.  Gwenevere and I had so much fun.  It's always nice to have visitors.  On Thursday we went to the Children's Museum in hopes that it wouldn't be too crowded.  We didn't know that one thursday every month happens to be free.  So guess what.  It was crowded.  :(  haa haa Oh well.  I think the girls had a lot of fun.  Lexi really enjoyed the red rockers and magnetic ball ramp.  

 Gwenevere enjoyed trying on "HATS" and doing crafts in the art room.  She really liked the fact that I let her use scissors.

 

Gwenevere also enjoyed pretending to drive the bus

After the museum the girls looked ready for a nap

So we headed home for naps, more play time, dinner and bath time.

Before bedtime, the girls got their babies ready for bed. 

first feed the baby, then bedtime.

 Lexi thought this was a good idea

 What a good Mama Lexi.