Lydia Update...

Lets just say that since my appointment last week I have been a little up and down. My doctor said that I was measuring small still. I have had a lot of people telling me that I look too small to be as far along as I am. So I finally asked my doctor why this was. After measuring me she told me that she would like to do a ultrasound to check the fluid levels and get some measurements.

Of course, this is going to send me through a loop, but life must go on. I chose not to worry about it too much since she didn't seem to be frantic about it.  The ultrasound was yesterday and I got the results today.

Lydia's head is measuring between on schedule to a week ahead. Her abdomen is measuring three weeks behind. I have an appointment to see my doctor this next Wednesday and the specialist on Friday. I have to say that I cannot wait until Friday is over and we have a better idea as to what is next for me and our little girl.

We would love any extra prayers in our behalf. Worse case is that I will deliver her early. How early? Time will tell. I only have six and a half weeks left until my due date... not too much longer I guess.

*Just a note, Hans is in Walla Walla (2 1/2 hours away) until Saturday, which means he didn't get to hear it when I did and help me not to worry much.

Happy Halloween/ Birthday Party

Arlee was invited to a Halloween/birthday party combo. This was a great time to get her all dressed up. The kids had so much fun together. Sadly, I only got one picture.

They made cookies, decorated them and ate them. They ate pizza, chps, cupcakes, grapes, carrots and raisins. They played pin the hat on the witch (Arlee didn't want to do this, by the way)

If you are unable to tell with out the rest of her costume. She dressed up to be a bumble bee. I love her costume! It came with a headband with antennas and a wand with a bee on it. (I think that I have posted her costume on the Utah trip post, but I am not sure.) She loves chasing us around with her bee wand and making bee noises. You are supposed to say, "Don't get me bee!" This really makes her day.

Thank you to Norma Anderson for the great time and invite. We had a lot of fun.

Happy Birthday to Lily!

Wenatchee, Washington

Hans was floating in Wenatchee, Washington for a couple of days. Arlee and I drove up to meet him and spend some time out and about while he was at work. This worked pretty well, but I have to say that I did like our Tri-Cities trip a little more. For one, I wasn't coming down with a cold. And two, there was more to do there.  However, we still had a pretty good time. Here are some of the moments on our trip.

Hans found out about a park right next to the Columbia River. It was a really nice park, but the day that we went was a little cold for mine or Arlee's liking.
There was a guy there holding a baby and he had his little boy playing on the toys. Arlee wouldn't go and play, because the guy was there. I don't really know what her deal has been the last six months, but she thinks that any guy that we don't know is a "BAD GUY". I guess this is okay at times, however, this time I really just wanted her to play and get really tired.
The guy noticed that she was hesitant around him so he tried getting his son to say hi to Arlee and maybe she would get over him being there. The little boy didn't want to and Arlee said to me, "Mom, he won't say hi to me!" as she was whining. "Why don't you say hi to him?" "I don't want to." "Well, why don't you just go and play or we are going to leave." "Okay" and off she went. Once she got over the shy factor she was just fine.

 WEEEEEeeeeee!

 Arlee with the Columbia River behind her.

 Columbia River.

I decided that we would go and find a place where Arlee wasn't bothering the fisherman by throwing rock in the river. We went down a little bit from them. Once I thought we found the perfect spot, I looked up and a guy was going to the bathroom. Fabulous! Well, I acted like I hadn't noticed him (50 feet away) and waited for him to finish before going to the perfect spot. Arlee had not noticed him doing his business so that was a plus for sure. She probably would have been asking me really loud. Why he wasn't using the bathroom?

 Arlee at the perfect rock throwing place. She loved picking up all the BIG rocks and making, "a really BIG splash!" I wish that I had the video camera with us to record it, but oh well. I guess use your imagination...

On our way home I decided to go and see what a town nearby was like called, Leavenworth.  It was only about 20 minutes out of the way, so not a really big deal. We didn't have to be anywhere anyway.  My sister in law, Amy loves this place and told me that I should go with Hans so we could see it. Well since it was raining I didn't get out of the car. I didn't want to get all wet and as you might be able to tell from the pictures there really isn't anywhere to park without walking for a long time in the rain. Not a fan of the rain as you might be able to tell. Good thing I live in the Palm Springs of Washington, right?

 The streets are very narrow...

 I have to say that this tiny town has some pretty cool buildings. I believe that I read on line that it was done after the Dutch people that settled there, but nonetheless, it was pretty cool to drive through. There were a lot of shops. They had chocolate shops, bratwurst shops, little cafes among other interesting places.

Here is a picture of the road on the way home. It was hard to capture the colors of the leaves while I was driving, but it was beautiful!

Until our next little adventure, which will not be until after Lydia gets here I am sure. I am getting to close to the NO TRAVELING time. I hope you are all doing well. Miss you.

Utah Trip

Getting to Utah: Hans took me and Arlee to the Portland Airport. We decided to head out a little early for one we didn't know what to do with ourselves and two we heard of some sites that we wanted to go and see. We first stopped at a waterfall off the freeway. It is really tall. Hans is the only one that got out of the car since it was raining. It looked like you could see everything that you needed to anyway. Turns out there is more to it that I noticed on the way back home 3 weeks later.

After we got into Portland we decided that we were going to go and see the temple. It is gorgeous.  I have to say I loved taking pictures of this one... as you might be able to tell.

 Arlee loved collecting the leaves and naming them. Mommy leaf, Daddy leaf and baby leaf

 This picture was captured by accident, but I am thrilled the way that it turned out. Notice the heart shape made up by the trees that I am looking through. Hans took a picture close to where I took this one and didn't see the same things that I saw. Pretty awesome if you ask me. It made me think of the song. I LOVE to see the Temple....

Hans and Arlee

Me and Arlee

 Arlee telling us to look at all the pretty flowers while playing in the little puddle of water.

After the temple we headed to the airport. We parked the car and rode a shuttle to get inside. I am so glad that Hans was willing to take us in the airport, because I really couldn't do it by myself. I had a heck of a time just getting through security with a couple of bags, a car seat and a stroller. Let alone you pretty much have to undress to get through the monitors and then get dressed back up.

Once we were through security it was a little bit better. Arlee needed to go to the bathroom after just going so I had to take her and do that plus all our stuff. Then we sat and waited. Once the plane was at our gate Arlee was excited and had a great time telling me and everyone else that was close enough to hear her screaming. "There is our plane!"  That made everything a little bit better.

 Arlee playing hide and seek

 Arlee pointing and telling me about something or other.

It was so nice to get off that plane. I got a bit sick. Luckily Arlee enjoyed every minute of it. By the time that I saw my mom I just bursted into tears. This meant that it was over and I could now go to her house and relax!

I told my mom that I brought Arlee's swimsuit and we should have her and Kasiah play out in the pool since it was almost 90 degrees. Well come to find out I didn't bring it... GREAT... oh well I guess She could just play in her clothes. They had a great time with the dogs, splashing and carrying on like little girls.

My sister in law, Amy asked us to go to Discovery Gateway with her, Brock and Landon. They had a great time playing together and apart.

 Landon and Arlee playing house

 Arlee and Brock playing with the trains.

 Brock playing in the Theater costumes

 Landon and Arlee didn't want to play in the costumes so they just played with some other toys there while Brock was putting on a play for us.

The main reason that we were in Utah was for Hans' brother's wedding. It was a rather cold day so I am glad that we were not outside for too long. Mainly just for pictures at the temple and the reception.

 Hans' dad, Alan, Landon, Hans' brother, Jens and Brock.

 Arlee and me in our reception outfits. Thanks again to my friend, Sara for lending me this dress. It worked out perfect!

 Alan!

 What a handsome looking guy. Seriously!

 Arlee, Hans' sister-Stine and her boyfriend- Jesse

 Me and Arlee cheesing it up!

 Arlee and Hans out on the dance floor.

 We all had a blast dancing and Arlee was really cute doing so. This is after a lot of the people got off.... Arlee was running around in a circle and sometimes skipping.

 Their car all made over. We forgot to do anything for it, but their friends were on the ball. Thank goodness.

 Hans and Arlee with a sparkler.

 Me and Arlee


The Sunday that Hans was in town with us (day after Sven's wedding) we went to some of our good friends' church for their baby girl's blessing. It was great to see them and especially her. This was our first time seeing her. Let me just say that she is so stinking cute. I am even more excited to see what Lydia is going to look like. It was a great reminder of what a little baby looks like. Hahaha! How can one forget? But it seemed like I did. Her dad did a great job giving her a blessing. His emotion about his little girl brought tears to my eyes.  All around a very special moment.

 Arlee, me and Blakely

Hans and Blakely

 Seriously! How could anyone not want to just eat her up? She is adorable! Just saying...

 Arlee and Gage actually let us take a picture of both of them looking. In the past it has been pretty hard.  I think it turned out pretty good.  Just a reminder that Gage is 2 weeks older than Arlee.

 Arlee climbing through the doggy door at Kali's house.

 Kali wanted to see if she could still fit into her wedding dress. Of course she would! She was happy that it still fit. Here is there family picture. Shawn, Meeko and Kali. What a good looking family.

 Kali and Arlee just before she changed out of her dress.

We celebrated my brother in law's birthday a little bit late this year. Abbie was out of town, he had clinicals and then Shawn celebrated his birthday with a bunch of family and friends at their new house. My family only gets together every other week since most of the people live in Utah and so does the spouse's family.  That is why it was late, but at least Hans, Arlee and I could be there. My sister, also had some of their close friends come as well as Matt's parents. Abbie and my mom made his cake. Kali was going to do it, but she thought she should celebrate her anniversary instead. The cake turned out great! I think that most everyone was shocked how well it turned out.

 Abbie, Kate, Gracie, Arlee, Matt and Kasiah. Kate and Gracie are their friend's kids.

 Kali, Meeko and Shawn. Meeko is a complete baby. He loves to be held. We got this picture mainly, because he is wearing sunglasses and looks so smooth doing so.

On Monday, Hans had to go and pick up his diploma. While he was inside getting it I took a picture of his school. It is now called Roseman University, but I didn't really get the name in there. Hans was the last graduating class with the original name.

 Hans left on Tuesday. After he left my mom got Kasiah and we took them to Jungle Jim's.  This is Arlee's favorite place to go I think. I really like taking her here too.

 Kasiah and Arlee and the Merry Go Round

 Now on the roller coaster

 Arlee and Kasiah playing in the slides

 Kasiah is boosting Arlee up each level. There were plenty of times that Kasiah couldn't get her up with out several tries. I am so glad she is willing to do it though, because we had a lot of fun watching them laugh and talking to each other. Let alone I didn't have to climb in there 7 months pregnant. I have a hard enough time when I am not pregnant.

You really have to watch yourself going down these slides because you will go shooting out. Kasiah would try catching Arlee. She would start waiting to catch her, but then she would turn and start screaming as Arlee came down. This was really funny to watch. Have to say that I almost wet my pants a few times laughing at them.

 My mom and Arlee on the bumper cars. Arlee was just barely tall enough to ride, but not big enough to do it herself. My mom and Kasiah took her on them. As you can tell it was pretty tight when my mom took her on them. let alone having your legs jammed up on it when you got bumped by anyone.

 Kasiah's whole body would shake with anticipation when some was about to bump her. She would of course scream as loud as she could too.

 Kasiah being a 4 yr. old... acting like she was picking her nose.

 Kasiah and Arlee

Arlee again on the Merry Go Round. She loved riding on the small horses. Normally it is that she wants the big ones. This was a switch for sure.

We had a great time in Utah. We were there for 3 weeks and enjoyed all the time that we spent there. Have to say that we really missed Hans and our lives in Washington. It was great to get back home and back to the things we normally do.

We don't have that much longer until Lydia gets here and we can't wait. Arlee has been so cute about the thought of having her come. She hugs and kisses my stomach and tells me that she loves her baby sister. I know that she is going to be my big helper and I look forward to having my two girls together at last.

My mom has booked her ticket to come into town and help me. I talked to my doctor and asked her if she would consider inducing me. She told me that if I was at a 3 a week before my due date that she would. If not, I guess she will come when she comes and hopefully my mom is here. This is going to be the first of all the babies to be born outside of Utah. So I guess there is no good way to do this yet, but hopefully it all works out smoothly. That is the part that I am the most nervous about. But, there is nothing that I can do about it.