Jackson's first corndog.

 
 
  

loving his penguin toy.

 
  

and his nemo towel.

  

so pleased with his Christmas pjs

  

Christmas Eve

We have Douglas' parents and Grandparents here for the holidays and it has been a blast!
 
 
  

 
 
 
  

Christmas was a hit!

Jackson totally got into unwrapping the gifts and wanted to open and play with all the toys at the same time. We left about five gifts wrapped that I think i will regift to him for him bday. There was too much. Next year I will take into account all the gifts he will get from grandparents, aunts and uncles and friends. He was a little overstimulated. His favorites: the slide (for racing cars and toys down, mainly), the tent and teepee set, cars, and Nemo toothbrush and towel and view finder. We are so blessed and times like Christmas make me so grateful for all we have. I hope I can halp my children understand the true meaning of this holiday and not just think it is about the presents. I think part of that is not going overboard with the gifts which can be hard.
 
 
 
  

Reading the Christmas story and...

eating baby Jesus.
 
 
  

Loving baby Jesus

Jackson would carry this baby Jesus around everywhere if I let him. I feared for His life though. Jackson is sweet one moment and then lobbing him across the room or eating him the next moment.

 
 
  

An Obsession

So, I really do have an obsession. Not to the extent of some others I know :), but none the less, I think I need help. I spent (clear throat) a LOT of $$ buying baby clothes yesterday. For Jackson, not a single thing, but rather for my unknown gendered, 4 month old, still in the womb baby. I bought some boy, and lots of girl stuff. Anyway, I guess waiting to find out what I am having is out, considering that I will have to return some of what I bought, but I am so excited!! Janie and Jack had a great sale. I rarely buy anything there because even on sale things are too pricey, but I got like 25 things for $300. They are mainly newborn stuff, but oh so cute. Then I went and visited this other site that I just found out about www.naartjie.com and spent another wad. They have really unique fun clothes--lots of texture, pattern and fabrics. I have seen some of the clothes on one of my cousins kids and they were darling--even cuter in person.

Well, I realize that I am rambling about kids clothes, so I will go watch 24 fifth season, another good use of my time, but hey, it's Christmas. Have a merry one.

Just to clear things up.

Had a conversation with a friend yesterday and realized that their may be a little confusion concerning my name. My real name is Stacia (stay-see-ya). I have never gone by this and have asked my parents a number of times what possessed them to name me something that they never called me. I guess that is a parent's perogative. Needless to say, I want to call my kids what they are named. Second, I have always gone by Staci spelled as such. My blogging name is Stace, pronounced as you would read it. It is another nickname that some people call me. Hope that cleared up the confusion. Clear as mud, eh?

the greatest feeling...

okay, at least one of them is having a clean house and not having cleaned it yourself. True, they say a lot of satisfaction comes from hard work, but I don't know, I am feeling pretty satisfied right now.

So, I am toying with the idea of letting the gender of this baby be a "surprise". In other words, waiting until he/she pops out to find out if it is a Jane or a John. I haven't run this by Douglas and I am sure he will veto the idea, but we all know if I really decide that I want to do that, he will eventually give it. I have to do some thinking about that one.

Jackson has taken up using the term "coldilocks" and it is so cute. I think I said it to him once and it stuck. Now any time he gets cold he will burrow into me and say, "cowdiocks, cowdiocks". It is so cute. I love how he says things and his lack of pronunciation. I have to keep myself from repeating it back to him that way. He loves the "pissmas" tree and "santahoho". He also loves to play with my olive wood baby Jesus and will carry it all around the house, cover it with a blanket, take a nap with it. He is a total crackup. Gotta love toddlers (most of the time.)

16 weeks

I went in for my 16 week appt. today. All is well. The baby's heartbeat was 158 beats per minute--very close to what Jackson's was (could it be a boy?). The most depressing new though--I have already gained 8 pounds. Seriously, with Jackson I don't think I had gained anything really at this point (well maybe a pound or two). The Dr. said that 2/3 of the weight gain should be the last trimester, so I figure that if I gain 30# like I did with JAckson then in the next 10 weeks I can gain two pounds. Doable right? Yeah right. The kicker--I have worked out this pregnancy and eaten no different. How depressing. I don't mind the weight gain during pregnancy, the problem is that I know I have to lose it once the baby comes and that is the depressing part.

Let it snow.

It snowed again...twice in 3 days which is not usual by any means. There is nothing more beautiful than waking up to a snowy day.

 
  

oh, and one more thing...

i fail to mention that my splurge also brings with it some serious buyers remorse. Hate that. And, I know how to spell obsession.

It happened again...

Just to make a point about my costco obession...I went in today to order a shrimp platter, knowing full well that I would be back on Saturday to pick up Christmas food. So, how much did I spend, you ask? $188. I'm telling you. I am a sucker for good deals, well packaged merchandise and anything festive. Some of my treasures include: a thing of jelly bellies (which have brought me much enjoyment as I have made JAckson taste all the gross ones to see what he would do.), a fleece sweatsuit (wish I could wear them everywhere), a gingerbread house kit (for FHE tonight), whipping cream, butter and naked orange juice. Gotta love costco.

Three in a day

Well, really the only reason I am so active on blogger tonight is because D is out of town. Camping, actually. He invited us to go and we politely declined. Go figure. I am okay with camping, but I prefer it not to be ice cold outside and not to be pregnant. Oh, and the whole toddler in a tent thing doesn't appeal. Actually he is up at my grandparents cabin with no running water since it is closed for the winter. Which brings up the other issue of peeing when it is freezing outside and inside. So not fun. So here I am, alone, except for the dog and a sleeping baby. I kind of enjoy being alone sometimes until I have to go to bed and it is about then that I start to get freaked out. I am kind of a pansy about staying home alone. I have gotten a lot done today/tonight though. I finished going through all the Schick's pictures while managing to consume 2 watermelon blow pops, half a twix, some Reisen, and a bowl of Chex. I am a serious boredom eater and when I edit photos that is how a spend much of my time while I wait for the computer to open, convert and save. I swear there must be faster computers out there.

So, Pandora Radio also helped me pass the time. What a great invention that is. Tonight the stations of choice were JAck Johnson and Air Supply. Really, who doesn't like to listen to Air Supply and related artists every now and again. It is total feel good music. And the sad part, I can sing along to most of the songs--thank you retail job experience. I had planned on getting more done, but I think after I am finished with this blog I will a) go brush my teeth--they seriously need it after all the junk I ate and b) soak in a warm tub and read before putting on Pride and Prejudice to fall asleep to. Last time I put a movie on to sleep to I chose Lord of the Rings thinking that would put me right to sleep. Six hours later it occurred to me that it was a little to interesting to be considered a sleep movie. I have to watch something I have seen a million times.

Today was a happy day, you know, one of those days where your Karma is just right and you can take things with a grain of salt and you actually enjoy your child and all that goes with that. Today I thought, yeah, it will be kind of fun to have another one (let me tell you that thought is not a common one in my head these days.) Don't get me wrong, of course I will love the baby, but I am also aware of how crazy my life is going to become and I already feel like it is crazy now. Jackson was a crack up tonight. He was happy, most likely because I had to strip him down to his diaper after he poured a water bottle on himself at the mall. I was over at my grandma's and thought I should throw his clothes in the dryer. I think he felt like a free little bird because he ate a good dinner (miracle) and played, giggled, performed. We (my mom, dad and grandma) sure got a kick out of him. We played tickle and gonna get you and just had a fun time together. It was really rewarding. The reason I go into so much detail about this is because I feel like I gripe more that I share the joys of being a mother. This was one of those days where the joys were evident.

I finally put my Christmas lights up outside as well. And I pulled some weeds. And folded all my whites. Pat on my own back, thank you very much.

Well, off to relax. Tomorrow I have to wrap and mail some gifts if they are to reach their destinations by Christmas. I think I will stick around a little which is needed since I had total cabin fever all week and left way to much.

I read an awesome talk today while I edited photos too. It was from October Conference by Elder Wirthlin entitled, "Sunday will come." I don't know why specifically, but it really touched me. I feel so blessed to have the knowledge that families can be together forever. Could you imagine how much better the world would be if they understood this concept?? As I read it made me feel a greater appreciation and love for D too and that is such a great feeling. So, read it if you get a chance.

Off to relax.

The Schicks

Whooo, my last shoot of the year is done. That is a good feeling. Isn't this such a nice looking family? And, they were really easy to shoot!

 
 
  

One of the best songs...

I love this song...the words are great, it is jazzy, romantic. What more do you need in a song. And no, it isn't K Fed. Don't get too excited.

Merry Christmas!

1. Egg Nog or Hot Chocolate? Hot Chocolate. I have actually never tried egg nog, but my parents didn't like it so I just assumed it was gross.

2. Does Santa wrap presents or just set them under the tree? Gifts must be wrapped! Okay, since this is the first year that Santa is visiting our house, I think they will be unwrapped--many are too big to wrap.

3. Colored lights on tree/house or white? Red, White and Green on the tree and hmmm, when I put them up (hopefully today), red and white on the house.

4. Do you hang mistletoe? Yes. I have a cute little Annalee that holds mistletoe--if I ever put it up.

5. When do you put your decorations up? Good question...today?? Actually I have a few things out, but I am pretty simple about how I decorate. I hate to have to move other decorations to make room for the new ones. Lame, I know.

6. What is your favorite holiday dish (excluding dessert)? Special Breakfast (Breakfast souffle in my family. Calling it special breakfast was my firsst compromise as a married person, and let me tell you, it was hard--isn't it a silly name?)

7. Favorite Holiday memory as a child. I think the whole anticipation of waking up really early and waiting with my siblings for my parents to wake up. Why was it always so hard to fall asleep on Christmas Eve?

8. When and how did you learn the truth about Santa? I must have been 8 or so...I asked my mom and although she didn't give me a really direct answer, I could tell.

9. Do you open a gift on Christmas Eve? Yes, always PJs.

10. How do you decorate your Christmas Tree? With the old Christmas lights of my parents that I found and lots of random ornaments. I loved helping decorate the tree when I was a kid and having my box of special ornaments. So, until my kids are "over" it, I will have a hodge podge tree. Jackson already loved helping me put the ornaments on (and take them off).

11. Snow! Love it when I don't live in it and have to drive in it.

12. Can you ice skate? Yes, at least I could when I was in young womens.

13. Do you remember your favorite gift? Not really, although I still have my hope chest which I love.

14. What's the most important thing about the Holidays for you? Being with family and the spirit of giving. I love to get/make gifts for other people.

15. What is your favorite Holiday Dessert? Ummm, all of them. I love sweets.

16. What is your favorite holiday tradition? We are just trying to establish our own so I will have to get back on this one.

17. What tops your tree? A white distressed star that I bought years ago. It is really cute, but really doesn't go with the rest of the tree. Oh well.

18. Which do you prefer giving or receiving? Giving. Seriously, not jusst saying that to sound righteous. I love to shop, make and give gifts.

19. What is your favorite Christmas Song? Can I have a few? Traditional--Oh Holy Night; Untraditional--Mary's Lullaby

20. Candy Canes! Yuck or Yum? Yum to any kind. See #15

Now I am tagging some others to answer. Christian, Sarah, Robyn, Rachel, Holly, Jessica, Kellie, Lindsi, and anyone else that wants to since I am sick of linking people :).

So Sad...

I was just looking through some pictures and realized that I have taken very few (like 5) pictures of Jackson in the last few months. Poor kid.

Christmas Eve

So I am on a quest to establish some Christmas traditions and I was wondering what you all do for Christmas Eve dinner. Let me know so I can have some ideas!

Jackson "helping" Nana and Papa move

He loved sitting in the empty filing cabinet...whatever floats your boat, buddy.

  

Just an Update

You know what one of the greatest inventions of all time is?? COSTCO. I love that place. Some days I just need Costco therapy and although I know there will be a little guilt with the amount of money I will doubtless spend, such satisfaction is derived from wandering the aisles and adding little treasures to my cart. Today was one such day. I set out to buy dog food and diapers and came home with "Cars", some kids books (which they have been a little low on lately), delicious clemintines, and many other delights which I won't list for your sake. Needless to say, I feel so happy, a sort of Costco shopping euphoria. Hey, and I can feed the child lunch while I am there.

I am finally back from my short Thanksgiving trip that turned into a moving extravaganza. My whole family went out to celebrate and I ended up staying to help my parents finish packing up and moving. Dang, it was sad for me and I can't imagine how my mom is feeling. Change stinks. It was crazy though and for a while there I never thought we would finish. It is nice to be home now and I am slowly getting unpacked. Why is it that I can pack in an hour, yet it takes days to unpack?

I went and got my flu shot today. I tell you this only to tell you the dumb question the nurse asked when I told her I was pregnant..."are you excited?" How do you answer a question like that. I mean, seriously, excited isn't necessarily the word I would choose, yet what would it sound like to say no. I am not not excited. I am sure she was just being friendly, but it is like asking newly returned missionaries, "how was it?" as if he/she can sum it up in a word or two. I guess they can always answer, "horrible" and the questions will probobly stop there.

Well, the Christmas tree is up. I haven't gone beyond that, but hopefully by the end of the week I can get some lights up in the ghetto yard and finish decorating inside. I think I will do it after it is cleaned on Thursday.

On to that, my new found love, Eldonna, the housecleaner. I finally broke down after the dust bunnies were joining us at the table. It is heaven. For at least a few hours my house is clean and even better than that, it forces me to declutter. I don't know how long I will keep her coming. I guess it all depends on how my businesses go. I am trying to be fugal with the money I earn, but it can be really tough.

Well, I think I will run to the bank while the child sleeps.