2 Year Pictures

So I thought I would blog about our horrible experience with pictures, yet again! EVERY TIME we have gone to do pictures we have had a horrible horrible time. But this time it wasn't Claire! She was a perfect angel for her two year pictures. I decided to try Walmart again after I spent a ton of money at JC Penny with just as good of pictures. I didn't want to spend a lot, where else is there to go? We got there at 11am and it was an old man doing the photos, this isn't good anyways because Claire doesn't warm up to men she doesn't know very well anyway. This guy was kind of an old Cowboy, he wore turgoise rings and had long gray hair. He seemed like he had smoked the pipe a little too much, he was just kind of going in slow motion. So for the first 20 minutes he blew bubbles at Claire without taking ONE photo! I was starting to get really frustrated so I started getting her to smile myself. I got some really cute smiles from her, but he was so ridiculous that he wasn't even pushing the little clicker, and when he actual did he was too slow to catch her when she was actually smiling! I wanted to rip the clicker out of his hands and do it myself. We were there for and hour and a half, yep that's right. Claire was so good, but guess how many pictures he took of Claire in that whole time-4. Four whole pictures to choose from. Gerrr. When I finally decided on one he spent another 10 minutes explaining all of the different kinds I get and he was trying to sell me on the gigantic canvas that was like $50 even though I had already told him that all I wanted was the stupid portrait package for $5.88. After that we were finally almost done, just had to pay, you wouldn't think that would take very long. Not for this guy. He ran my card and then after waiting 5 minutes he realized that he had taken the phone off of the hook and so it wasn't processing. Meanwhile he was just chatting up a storm, by this time Claire was pretty much at her wits end with me trailing right behind her. Then he said to me "you probably have somewhere to go huh?" You think!!!! I guess he could finally tell how frustrated I was getting. Then he said what was the most comical of the whole ordeal. "You were my only appointment today so I was planning on spending all day on it." Are you seriously kidding me. So we got a soso picture, I'm not completely satisfied, but I never have been with pictures. I seriously think I could have grabbed a cashier and she could have done a better job than this joker. So the moral of the story, NEVER GO TO WALMART FOR PICTURES! I have given them their last chance, now the only problem is, where am I going to go that doesn't cost a fortune. Perhaps I'll have to save up like we do for Christmas, just to get a different photographer. Amy oh how I wish you lived close by!!!! Okay that's my rant for the day.

IT'S A BOY!

So I'm still in shock, but really excited. I'm realizing that this is going to truly be a completely different experience and I can't wait. No, we don't have a name picked out, we can't agree and you might not want to ask us until the baby is born because I'm sure it will take us at least that long to agree on anything. The ultrasound was pretty good, although the doctor is concerned that the placenta is laying too low, it should correct itself in the next few months, but if it doesn't I would have to have a c-section. But, the doctor seemed pretty confident that it would (about 99percent)and we will do a follow up ultrasound in about a month to make sure. He was being really cute during the ultrasound and was covering his face with his hands. He had the hiccups and was sucking his thumb for part of it. He also had fun putting his hands down between his legs, trying to grab at you know what-typical boy. We're just so glad he looked healthy and happy and Chris seems really excited. Let me caption the pictures. The first one is an up close profile, the middle one is a good shot of the boy anatomy, and the third picture is another profile with him sucking his thumb. Just click on the photo and it will become larger so you can see them up close. The pictures of me are a comparison between Claire and this baby at twenty weeks. I will try to post video of it if I can, it's fun because you can here our reaction when we learn it's a boy.

Happy Birthday Claire!

So we just can't believe that we have a two year old. Claire is just getting so big. We had a big party for her on Sunday because Chris had class and I had mutual on her birthday. She had a fun time and got lots of really cute things. (Thanks everyone). She got a couple of movies, including a Mickey movie that she is just crazy about and we had to get her a Dora the Explorer. Chris also saw this adorable golf set and is determined that she become a pro by age 14. LOL. She actually likes it a lot. I attempted to make her a Hello Kitty cake, and it turned out pretty cute if I do say so myself. Unfortunately her actual birthday wasn't so fun. I had an idea to get her a Dora balloon because every time we're in the store she sees it, but because it's been so cold (-12 degrees), my car wouldn't start yesterday, so we just stayed at home. We're getting her 2 year pictures taken today so I will have to post them at a later time. We are just so grateful to have her in our home and to have had these great two years with her. Time really does fly.

Prayers

I think I've blogged before about Claire saying prayers. She is getting to the point where she knows what to say and I just had to post this little clip of her saying a prayer. Enjoy. By the way, she ate that entire plate of eggs.

New Nephew!

Okay we just had to write about our new nephew. Chris' brother Marshall and his wife Tiffany had their second little boy yesterday. His name is Rowan. We went to see him, ADORABLE! It's so fun to hold newborns, okay the next six months better go by so fast! Claire thought he was "cute" and pointed out all of his body parts. We're glad everything went well for them and that Rowan is finally here! Congrats.

The Rexburg Temple

So today, for my birthday, Chris took the day off and we went up to the Rexburg Temple Open House. It was a great experience. The Spirit really touched my heart quite a few times. We brought Claire with us which made it even more special. I guess I felt a stronger connection to the work that we do there having her there. I just felt an overwhelming gratitude for my family. I think it was extra special for our family because during our time in Rexburg we were one of the first wards in the Stake Center next to the temple. We helped prepare it to open and I spoke at the dedication (of the stake center) so it just seemed like we were a part of the commotion there somehow even though we aren't there anymore. I'm sure there are many others from that ward who feel that way too. It was also nice to go and see a few friends from our Rexburg days. Good times. Claire was actually very good and we heard a lot of oo's and ahh's from her. When we saw the baptismal font she started mooing, because of the oxen, that was pretty cute, though quite irreverent. As some of you may know the Rexburg Temple has quite a few stairs and Claire being the independent soul that she is wanted to walk the three or so flights of stairs herself, she did pretty well until we got to the last few steps and she got slower and started grunting, I guess she was starting to "feel the burn" in her thighs, what a workout! But, she still insisted on finishing the stairs. Go Claire. I really wanted to take a picture of all of us there, but there just wasn't an opportunity, so we'll have to go when it opens and take one. I highly suggest to anyone that hasn't gone yet to go! Our tour guide said even if you don't have a ticket, they won't turn you down! It really is a great experience.

18 Weeks

So I thought I'd better start documenting this pregnancy at least a little bit. I just had my 18 week appointment today and they scheduled my big Ultrasound for two weeks. So I am sooo anxious to see the baby and make sure everything looks good and I'm really excited to find out what we're having. I am definitely showing much earlier this time around, I couldn't hide it at church any longer so I finally spilled the beans. I was hoping I could have made it a few more weeks, it just seems to make things go faster when you don't have a thousand people asking you questions. I am still down about 6 pounds from pre-pregnancy weight. Had the stomach flu last week which didn't help. This has really been a great pregnancy so far compared to Claire. I think my heartburn with her really ruined a lot of it. The baby is kicking a ton now and you can even see it if you look closely. I have started the cravings BIG time and it's mostly ice cream and sweets and I have had a major urge to shop for baby stuff but it is hard when you don't know what colors to buy! I'm really hoping the next two weeks fly by. Claire still has no idea what all the fuss is about. Things are good, just dealing with the terrible two's which have made their gigantic debut in the form of tantrums just about anywhere, today I had to drag her out of the dr.s office kicking and screaming at the top of her lungs because she didn't want to wear her coat. Ah, you gotta love that! And I'm having another one because?? It's hard to remember sometimes!

Happy New Year

Thought I would post our fun New Year's Day. Chris took Claire out in the snow and at first we didn't think she would have it because she just wouldn't wear her mittens. But after we forced them on she had a fun time and stayed out there quite a while. The boys got out the four-wheeler and hooked up the sled to that. I guess Claire wouldn't try it but of course Chandler loved it. That boy is fearless! So her very first snow excursion was pretty much a success. I'm glad Chris enjoys the snow because I get too cold!