CJE

We have decided on a name for our baby boy. . . Carter James Edmonds.

What do you think?? We picked Carter, just because we like it. But his middle name has a cool little story. Aaron and I decided that we would always do family names for middle names. We had a really hard time picking out a middle name this time. I started thinking back into our family tree and remembered that my Dad's grandfathers name was James Bryant- perfect. I though Carter James sounded perfect together. So when my parents were over having Sunday dinner a couple months ago we told them what we had decided. Then my mom said "That's funny- did you know that James is also my grandfather's middle name?" No- I didn't! But that sealed the deal and now our little man will be named after both of his great-great grandfathers. Do you like it?

ps- we didn't use this book, but I am sick of posting without pictures, so I had to get creative!

You know you need to blog when. . .

your husband says "How about a new post? I am getting tired of looking at the old one." I replied with "Didn't you read the last post? I said I was taking a break." He didn't have much sympathy and told me my break was over. So here I am!

My computer is still broken. It's awaiting a new processor and then I can post some pictures. I am dying to show you all pictures of the kitchen. It's done! Hooray, hooray! I really have no reason to complain- minus the time it took to demolish the old kitchen, it took 10 days to install the new one. I have heard horror stories, in fact my mom's kitchen remodel went on for several (like 6) months. We really lucked out. The cabinet guys showed up on Wednesday at 10:30 and were completely done by 2:00. The granite went in the next 2 days and the tile for the backsplash. Then things were quiet for a couple days. Monday the floors came out, which was a HUGE mess. At that point I for sure decided that we had made a gigantic mistake and we should have just left good enough, alone. We had 5 guys in and out of the house all day, mexican music blaring from a boom box, all the furniture was moved into the garage and no floors downstairs. I promptly packed up the kids and I and we headed to my parents to wait it out. It was a good choice. We had a nice time. We took the train down to San Diego one day and hung out at Seaport Village. On Wednesday I got brave and came home late that night. When we got home, it was amazing, almost everything was done. The kitchen was finished, the wood floors were down and everything looked beautiful! The only things left are some touch-ups in the kitchen and the tile floor in the bathroom and laundry room needs to be grouted (that will be done tomorrow). It really turned out so great and I am loving my new kitchen!

So my break is over, although I wasn't able to accomplish ALL the things that I had wanted to before I returned, I still did a lot. Now it's on to the babies room. Aaron is going to texture the ceiling tomorrow and then my parents are coming back out to finish the crown molding and some painting. Then we can get the crib set up and everything settled in. I keep forgetting how close we are getting and how much there is to do before the little guys gets here. Only 5 more weeks and if I'm early (which I've always been) then we better get moving!

Just a tiny break

We had a great weekend away, returning yesterday! We headed out Sunday after church and dropped the kids off at my parents. Then we were off, by ourselves! We drove a short 1 hour and arrived at our destination- Hotel De Coronado. If you aren't from around here-Coronado is a little island located off the coast of California. There is a bridge connecting the two and it's a very short drive. There is a beautiful, historic hotel there, that I have always wanted to stay in. We had a gorgeous room, with a full ocean view. We spent our 3 days and 2 nights just relaxing, sleeping, eating, shopping and enjoying ourselves. It was such a treat! (I have some great pictures I will post when I get my computer back)

On our way home, before we picked up the kids, we had an ultrasound and doctor's appt. I haven't posted about this before, for various reasons, but we have had some concerns with this baby. At our 20 weeks ultrasound, we found out that our baby had a cyst in his brain and dilated kidneys. Those our both soft markers for Downs Syndrome, not to mention that they could be problem in and of themselves. So, it's obviously been a concern for us these last few months. They have been keeping an eye on the baby. At a following ultrasound, we found out that the cyst was gone, but the kidneys were still enlarged. At this last ultrasound, things were still the same. After meeting and talking with my OB and also the perinatologist the bottom line is that the baby seems to be very healthy. He is already 5 pounds and growing really well. My chances of having a baby with down syndrome are VERY low- despite these concerns. Having said that- the kidneys are a problem and we need to keep an eye on them. There are 2 explanations: 1) some sort of blockage and 2) duplication in the anatomy (like 2 ureters instead of 1). Both doctors said that the delivery should go just fine, but he will need an ultrasound within the first couple days and then again within the first couple months with a pediatric urologist. Worst case scenario is that the baby will need surgery/some kind of procedure to open the blockage to repair his kidney/s, but that's not the most likely situation. Things could turn out totally fine, too. We'll just have to wait and see. But most importantly- he is doing just fine and all is well!

So- to address my title. I am going to be taking just a wee break from blogging. The kitchen is underway (cabinets in, granite and floors go in tomorrow and Friday) so my house is a mess, dust everywhere and things feel out of control. I hate that feeling! We are working on the babies room, so that's another major mess. Carpet is down and the walls are painted, but we need to finish the crown molding and some touch up paining, not to mention putting all the baby stuff in there! Plus, my computer is still down and my camera (which works now-- after going through a complete wash cycle!!) is a piece of crap and I need to exchange it at Costco. So give me a week or so to get things back under control. In the next week I am hoping that the following will be accomplished: the kitchen will be done, babies room will be painted and ready for me to get things moved in, computer fixed and new camera. Then I will get back to blogging! See you then!

Happy Valentine's Day!

Happy Valentine's Day!

I hope that you all have a wonderful day with your special Valentine's. I love Valentine's Day- although I am thankful for my loved ones every day, it is fun to have a special day just to celebrate those you love. I am especially excited that I get to go away this weekend with my own Valentine! I can't wait for a little alone time and a last get-away before the baby comes. Have a great Valentine's everybody!

Updates- good and bad.

It was making me sad to look at my last post everytime I logged onto my blog, so I had to think of something different. I am definitely disapointed about Mitt "suspending" his campaign, but there is a reason that he has done it, and I really respect him for his decision. I think he is a very noble man who has integrity. Obviously the time is not right, but maybe someday in the future!

On a happier note, the first step in the kitchen project has been taken today. The windows guys showed up this morning and installed 2 new windows in the kitchen. They look so wonderful- I just wish we could do all of them now! There has been another set back with the cabinets, so it's going to be another 10 days before they even start the cabinets. Yikes! I am on a tiny bit of a schedule people- my baby is coming in less than 9 weeks!

Sorry for the lack of pictures. Remember that my computer died? Still no news on that, it's at the repair shop right now, so hopefully they will be calling us with some good news today. Then, I was doing laundry and as I was moving a load from the washer to the dryer I found something in the bottom of the washer- yes indeed, it was my digital camera. OOPS!!! Not good. So now I have no computer or camera. Nice. Although- I have washed a digital camera before (not my fault that time) and after a day of drying in the sun, it came back to life. I guess there's a little hope- but it's been two days and still nothing. Not good.

Super Tuesday

Less than 24 hours, it's almost here, everybody! I am so excited!

We went to the Mitt Romney rally in Long Beach tonight. He wasn't planning on coming to CA, but with the changes in the preliminary polls,(showing him leading over McCain) he decided to make a stop. It was awesome! We met my family and some friends from the ward there. We got there plenty early, so we could get a good spot, and we did, right in front! He showed up about 7:45 pm and spoke for 30 minutes. Everyone was yelling and the excitement was contagious. What an amazing man and wonderful speaker! He has a great vision for our country and I know that he will do what it takes to get the job done, if he's elected. He really is the only true conservative on the Republican ticket. He stands for the things that I believe in: real family values, stopping illegal immigration, supporting the tax cuts, education, strengthening our military and staying the course in Iraq. I am really excited to vote tomorrow and watch the news, to see what happens during the course of the day! I am already nervous!

Tomorrow is a big day for the future of our country- DON'T FORGET TO VOTE!!!

Tears

I've shed a lot of them tonight. Why? I don't really know. I guess it's the first moment I've had to sit down and watch some of the slide shows.commentary on President Hinckley. I've been so busy and life has been so noisy, that the peace and quiet of tonight game me time to think. What an amazing life that he led and I am so very thankful that I had the opportunity to learn from him. He helped me to be a better person and I will miss him and his dear, sweet smile. It's so strange to think that he's not here, but it makes me so thankful for the knowledge that I have- that I do know exactly where he is and who he is with. That thought makes me smile.

Then I checked in on this blog. I have it linked in my sidebar under "A Beautiful Blog." If you haven't checked it out- you must. It makes me live my life differently and I can honestly say that I am a different mother because of her story and her thoughts. Her little girl, Ava, passed away almost a year ago. Her last couple posts are especially heartbreaking, I'm sure because the one year anniversary of Ava's death is approaching. She has the most amazing thoughts and reflections- not to mention, she is an unbelievable photographer and her pictures are breathtaking. Oh- just thinking of it makes me teary. I can't imagine going through what she has endured this last year. She has taught me that EVERY MINUTE of EVERY DAY matters and that I need to take the time to love, really love/hold/cuddle my kids, because I know she would give anything to have 5 more minutes with her daughter. What an amazing women- I only hope this next year will bring her more peace and happiness, she deserves it.