Wednesday, February 27, 2008

Rowan's Blessing



The picture on the left is Rowan at his blessing, the one on the right is Chandler at his. They are almost exactly the same age (5 weeks) when they were blessed. I'm thinking they don't look too much alike.

This last weekend has been a whirlwind. All six of my siblings were here and it was the first time we had all been together in almost 4 years. It was fun to have everyone here. Saturday we had family pictures done at Gugelman's and ate lunch at Gringo's. Then Sunday we had Rowan's blessing. Funnily enough I was asked to speak in church this day too. Marshall gave a beautiful blessing and it was an awesome day!

My Dad

Clint

Everyone at dinner after the blessing


Brother Geoff & BIL Joe

My sister Jeralee & me

Joe, Charlise (niece) & Kaden (nephew)

My 2 nieces Maeli & Charlise


Rowan


Family Picture


Rowan w/aunt Natalie

Grandma Snedaker & Chandler

Avry & Lia

Thursday, February 21, 2008

Blah...

I mentioned in my post on Tuesday that I hadn't been feeling all that great. I'd been taking Motrin to offset the body aches & headaches. Tuesday night I noticed that above my incision the skin was a little red and warm to the touch. It also seemed to be extremely tender and a little hard. Yesterday was the same thing. I started getting chills, a headache and I finally thought to check my temp. It was 100.5 which isn't too bad. I figured that I had some sort of flu bug. I took some motrin and it went down for a few hours and then spiked back up to 100. The spot above my incision also seemed to be getting redder and the skin felt really hot. I called the dr.'s office last night and was able to talk to Dr. Allred. He told me to come in today. I went in today and saw Dr. Crouch. He said there was a bunch of blood that had accumulated under the skin and I probably had the start of an infection. He tried to drain the blood but didn't get a lot. They did a CBC and my white blood count wasn't too high but he put me on some keflex to keep it from getting any worse. So I'm relieved I don't have the flu but it still stinks that I've felt so cruddy this week and an infection to top things off....

Tuesday, February 19, 2008

Uh-oh!

We are in the process of moving - we will be living with my parents for the month of March and the first part of April until we get a job. My parents were gracious enough to let us come stay with them, plus it will save us a ton on rent since our rent is getting raised to $700 a month. Seems pretty high for Rexburg. Anyways, we have been packing boxes for about the last week so we don't have to move all at once. I've been trying to really get going today but I've had some pretty nasty headaches the last few days and body aches last night and this morning. I'm having a hard time feeling motivated to do a lot. Anyways, I was in the bathroom for less than a minute when I came out and heard Chandler saying, "Uh-oh color! Uh-oh color!"

I rounded the corner to see this lovely masterpiece he had done with PERMANENT marker. Ugh. He climbed up on 3 different boxes to reach the marker and I didn't even realize I'd left it out. For some reason I didn't feel too mad about the whole thing. Maybe if we were in a house and it was mine I would, but since we are moving out of this apartment next week, I just sort of laughed about it. I've tried just about everything - rubbing alcohol, mr. clean magic erasers, nail polish. My sister told me to try aerosol hairspray and that seems to be working although the paint is coming off. I've worked on it for over a half hour and it is only about 50% gone. I made Chandler help too although he thought it was fun.

Monday, February 18, 2008

1 month



I can't believe Rowan is a month old already. Even though each day seems to drag when I am home all day with 2 kids, looking back it's really flown. Rowan started smiling a few days ago and it's fun to see him smile when he hears my voice. He's also really strong. Marshall will put him by his chest for some tummy time and he can lift up his head and chest and look around. Chandler is still enthralled with having Rowan here. I thought the newness would wear off but he still kisses him like 50 times a day. The first thing Chandler does in the morning too is go look for Rowan. He will come straight into our room and look into the bassinet looking for him.

All three of my men giving each other the "stare down"


Government Cheese

So being that Marshall goes to school full time and we don't make a ton of $$ between our two jobs, the government has provided our household with cheese, milk, eggs, peanut butter and a few other random things for the last few years. Yes, we are recipients of government cheese :) Chandler and I are on the WIC program (Women Infant Toddler) which provides nutrition education & good foods for pregnant & nursing women as well as children up to the age of 5. I assume we will be done with the program in a couple months as Marshall graduates and gets a job.
Anyways, we went to the store the other night to get use a check as we needed milk & eggs. I ran in really quickly while Marshall stayed out in the car with the kids. I got everything quickly and then stood in line for about 10 minutes. I think I chose the wrong checkout. With WIC you have a folder with your signature on it so they can compare it when you sign the voucher check for the food. It was my turn to be checked out and the cashier asked to see my folder. I thought it was weird that he asked to see it before I even started checking out. He proceeded to stare at it and this is how the conversation went:

"How do you pronounce your last name?"

"Sneh-dah-ker"

"Wow, that's a really weird last name"

Thanks a lot I'm thinking, I've heard last names more weird...whatever, just get me checked out. He hands the folder back and proceeds to start checking me out. Halfway through he notices a notice that all cashiers are supposed to read on his register. He reads it and says,

"Does this mean anything to you?"

No, I think - WHY on earth would it?

Me answering politely, "No...."

He then reaches for the eggs and opens them up, which I have already done and which most consumers will do before buying eggs.

"It looks like none of the eggs are broken."

Whoopdeedoo...I know...

Finally, about 3-4 minutes later, after he's scanned all 5 of my items he gives me the check to sign. I sign it and he compares signatures.

"These signatures don't match...."

Are you kidding me???

"There is a small space between the d and the k in the signature on the WIC folder. You didn't sign it with a small space there."

By now I am starting to get really irritated.

"Did you want to see ID - because I have it..."

"No, I guess I believe you, but you really should have your signature changed to how you really sign it next time you go to an appointment."

Whatever.....I took my items and ran for it. I will remember this checker and be sure he NEVER checks me out again.

I head outside and expect to see Marshall waiting in the car. I don't see him anywhere and start wandering around the parking lot. After about 3 minutes, I finally see him doing figure 8's in the back of the parking lot. I figure Rowan is crying and he's driving around to get him to stop crying. I'm starting to get really cold as all I have on is a light hoodie and no coat. I start walking towards the back of the parking lot - Marsh doesn't see me and turns away from where I am walking. I start running after the back of the car, figuring he will see me in the rear view mirror. This goes on for another few minutes and I'm sure people in the parking lot think I'm crazy. He finally pulls into a parking spot and I come up behind him when I realize he is backing up and he's going to back over me. I back up quickly and avoid being killed by my own husband. The woman hormones start to get me and I'm about in tears. I go up to the front of the parking lot, and he sees me a minute later. As soon as I opened the door I burst into tears because I am so cold and frustrated at having to chase him around the parking lot. A 5 minute trip into the grocery store to get milk and eggs turns bad.....35 minutes later.
I officially hate grocery shopping.....sigh....

Brothers

Just some cute pictures of Chandler & Rowan hanging out that I thought I'd post :) These were from Feb 2nd....





Thursday, February 14, 2008

Valentine's Day

Ok, so I pretty much have the cutest husband ever. Here's what I woke up to this morning...



Those are cheesecake & cherry cordial hershey kisses. Yummmmm!! There was a pathway from our bedroom to the kitchen and then the single red rose and a card :)

Here's what I gave him last night. My cousins were making 12" sugar cookies for valentine's day. I got one for Marshall and it is SUPER yummy!

And here are a couple of my other two valentines. Hope everyone has a great day :)




Wednesday, February 13, 2008

Tagged twice

I was tagged on two different blogs. One by my sister Jeralee to post 6 quirky things about myself. The other was from Sara.

Here's Tag #1 - 6 quirky things about myself:

1. I am actually pretty afraid of the dark. I remember being a kid and my cousins lived right down the road. I would be so scared to come home if it was dark. I always thought someone or something would get me. Here's the quirky part of being afraid of the dark. We have a mirror right by our door and I have to pass it if I get up in the night to get a drink. I always avoid looking in the mirror in the dark because it terrifies me, lol.

2. I have double jointed elbows. If I hold my hand out, the inside of my elbow faces upward. Looks kind of funny, especially when I have really long gangly arms anyway.

3. I am extremely indecisive about anything, particularly a 50 cent candybar. If I am in the store by myself I will walk the candy isle for 15 minutes trying to decide what candy I want and what will be the best buy. Pretty sad, I know.

4. I love a good deal. In fact if I see a really good deal I will often buy in bulk even if I don't need it.

5. I have terrible eyesight but I can't wear glasses. The prescriptions in my eyes are so different that glasses distort my depth perception and make me extremely dizzy. Thus I wear night & day contacts that I only have to change once a month. I can't see or function without my contacts....I'm hoping to have lasic (sp?) someday

6. Lastly, I have old, man hands. My hands are pretty big for a girl and I inherited my dad's fingernails. Instead of my fingernails growing out shapely and pretty, they grow out round and weird. The inside of my hands are also pretty wrinkly. We're talking 70 year old woman wrinkly.


Tag #2
4 Jobs You've Had:
1. Abbott's (Variety Store)
2. Melaleuca
3. Tommassito's pizza at BYU-I
4. HUC on mom/baby at Madison Memorial

4 Places I've Lived:
1. Rigby, ID
2. Rexburg, ID
3. Burnsville, MN (Minneapolis)
4. Sorry, only ever lived 3 places

4 T.V. Shows You Love to Watch
1. Lost
2. American Idol
3. Deal or No Deal
4. Biggest Loser

4 Places You've Been on Vacation
1. Mexico
2. California
3. Vegas
4. Chicago

4 Websites You Visit Daily
1. Blogs :)
2. ivillage.com (My message boards & playgroups)
3. slickdeals.net
4. hotmail

4 of Your Favorite Foods:
1.Cream peas & potatoes
2. lemon pepper chicken
3. Steak & potatoes
4. Olive Garden Zuppa (sp) soup

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1. with my DH
2. On a shopping spree
3. Europe
4. In bed

Ok, I tag anyone who reads my blog to do one of these two tags!

Monday, February 11, 2008

Welcome Home Spc Nielson





As many of you know, my older brother Clint is currently serving in the US Army as a specialist in Iraq. He has been there since August and got home yesterday for an 18 day leave. He will go back and serve again until I believe the end of December. His wife Lia & daughters Nadia & Bianca flew into Salt Lake on the 9th and my mom went down to pick them up. It is so nice to see all of them as it has been 2 years since we have seen them and this is the first time I have met my 17 month old niece Bianca. My entire family will be here the weekend of the 22nd-24th. I'm really excited as it has been 2 1/2 years since all of us 6 kids have been together. Welcome home Clint, we are so happy to have you here!!!

Rexburg Temple Dedication


Yesterday was the Rexburg temple dedication. Marshall & I were able to go to the 4:30 dedication inside the temple. It was a beautiful and wonderful occasion. It has been so exciting to see the temple constructed right here - just over a mile from where we live. The Birch's watched Chandler & Rowan while we went. It was really hard for me to leave Chandler & didn't leave him with anyone until he was almost 4 months old, so this was a big step for me to leave Rowan this young. Chandler got play time with Carson so of course he was thrilled :)
I'm really glad that we were able to attend the dedication and that we have such a beautiful temple of the Lord here in Rexburg now.

Friday, February 8, 2008

One year older



and wiser too, I guess? So I'm starting to feel old, even though I'm still young. My birthday was Wednesday the 6th and I am now 25. I think birthdays should stop at 21, that's the perfect age :)
I had a great day. Marshall stayed home from his afternoon classes. We went to Dairy Queen & got blizzards and then I came home and took a WONDERFUL 2 hour nap. That was a great birthday present in and of itself. We went down to Idaho Falls that evening & dropped Chandler off at Grandma & Grandpa Snedaker's house. I got a few new clothes from Marshall as I have nothing that fits anymore and it's depressing to wear maternity clothes when you aren't pregnant, lol. My mom also bought me a few shirts. We met up with my mom & dad for dinner at Texas Rhodehouse. Yum! Then back to Snedaker's for cake & ice cream. My MIL made me a banana cake :) We stopped by my parent's house before we headed home for the night and my dad had gotten me a couple roses & some chocolate which really meant a lot to me. Thank you so much to everyone who called on my birthday - it's nice to know that people remember :) My sister Jeralee wrote a nice tribute/trivia on her blog, thanks Jer!

Saturday, February 2, 2008

Loving Every Stage



It seems with Chandler that I was always wanting him to get bigger - start smiling, roll over, crawl, start solids...etc. I told myself I would savor every stage with Rowan & I am doing just that.


Cousin Maeli



Chandler's cousin Maeli came up on Tuesday to stay the night. She & her brother Kaden are on year round school and live in Syracuse, UT. (My sister Avry's kids) When they are off track they come up here to stay with their dad who lives in Idaho Falls. We are lucky enough that we usually get to see them when they come up. Maeli is 7 and Chandler adores her. As soon as she walked in the the door Tuesday he started doing tricks and somersaults all over the living room and then proceeded to wrestle her which he does every time he sees her. Since Chandler has a double bed, he was excited that Maeli got to sleep with him. He slept great all night and didn't get up once. They both slept in until 10 the next morning, talk about NICE! They had fun coloring, watching movies, playing with play dough & playing video games. Maeli was a HUGE help and it was nice for Chan to have someone to play with all day.



Friday, February 1, 2008

Newborn poop

I know I have you all captivated by the title of this post.  Now that I change 15+ diapers a day, I thought I was beginning to appreciate newborn poop compared to Chandler's poopy diapers.  However, I noticed that there are tradeoffs.  For example, newborns have this uncontrollable urge to start going everywhere once they feel the cold air.  Rowan has peed on the wall a few times, on his own face and has had blowouts while I am changing him.  Today was no exception.
Rowan's umbilical cord has been bleeding on and off for about 4 days now.  I called the pediatrician's office yesterday because I wasn't sure it was normal as Chandler's never bled.  They wanted us to come in this morning to have it cauterized.  I guess it's not such a good thing for it to keep bleeding.  I called my mom to come up and help as Marshall had to go down to Idaho Falls and I'm not feeling good enough or ambitious enough to take 2 kids out by myself.  We got to the dr.'s office and the nurse put Rowan on the scale to weigh him.  She didn't bother to take his sleeper off, so he was fully clothed.  He weighed in at 10 lbs 6 oz.  I was a little surprised that he would put on 1 1/2 lbs in a week and a half.  Guess there is a reason he is nursing all the time.  Anyways, I knew he needed a diaper change too so I put him up on the table to change his diaper.  My mom had another diaper ready and I started the wiping process when he proceeded to "squirt" poop everywhere.  I kept trying to wipe him and figured he was done.  Oh no - not even close.  We tried to swap out the diapers and all heck broke loose.  He proceeded to poop all over the exam table, on his legs & feet, and all over his sleeper.  My mom and I were laughing so hard & crossing our legs so we wouldn't have accidents of our own.  Gotta love how the bladder isn't quite the same after having 2 kids.  Of course I didn't pack an extra outfit but luckily he didn't poop on his onesie.  When we finally got the situation under control I was curious as to how much he weighed with just a clean diaper on.  This time he was 9 lbs 12 oz.  Ok - so that's like a half pound drop!  That's a lot of poop :) ( I guess his sleeper probably weighed a few ounces too)  A 1 lb weight gain in 10 days still isn't shabby though!  Why do I have such luck with my kids pooping at the dr.'s office?
The dr. came in and cauterized his cord and told us to start putting rubbing alcohol on it so it will dry out faster.  
What a day - I think I need a nap.