I want this bumper sticker

Peter and I spotted this bumper sticker the other night and couldn't help but laugh. Laugh because its true! Personally I do miss him. I can't believe what is going on in our country because of Obama.

I sawwee #1

Me: (hears the crinkling of paper) Stinker, that better not be candy
Orion: It's okay
Me: No, it's not ok
Orion: I sawwee

Note to self:

Be very careful with your selection of movies and TV shows you watch. You are on an emotional roller coaster for the next 3 1/2 months, for sure. You may have the tendency to ball your eyes out!

CRRRRAAAAAAAAAAAP!!!!

I watched this movie toady and BALLED MY EYES OUT!

To be completely honest, I can't even watch when they pick the finalists for America's Got Talent.

Let the waterworks start!!!

Some very random thoughts

• Debating on using cloth diapers with Esme.
• Craving bacon like crazy, BLT's in particular.
• I can't wear my wedding rings any more :(
• I need a hair cut badly!
• Not crazy about this rainy summer.
• Can't wait to see how Orion is going to act with Esme.
• I didn't know that when growing Tomatoes in a greenhouse that you are supposed to shake them in order to pollinate them.
• So proud of Peter. He works so hard and I hope that his potential doesn't go unnoticed.
• Can't wait to pick my zucchini's and bell peppers!
• Loving the blanket that I'm crocheting for Esme.
• Loving my days with Orion more and more.
• Have not bought a single baby outfit yet.
• Excited to start watching the 2010 season of the World Series of Poker starting on Tuesday.
• Found material to make Esme's bedding set and can't wait to get started on it.
• Suddenly can't stand the smell of ripened bananas. The sweetness turns my stomach.
• Just finished ready Wicked and I need to find a new book.
• 22 weeks and I've gained only 10 lbs.
• In about another month I won't be able to fit into my laundry room to reach the dryer.

I am convinced it's chicken pox

Saturday morning Orion work up with a rash of red spots that looked like pimples all over his chest and stomach area. By that evening I was pretty sure he had chicken pox. On Monday I took him to see his pediatrician because I wanted confirmation for my daycare parents.

After seeing 4 pediatricians and 1 nurse neither of them were convinced since they hadn't progressed into blisters or even scabs and it had been 2 days. But here we are 4 days since the spots appeared and I am convinced that it is chicken pox. He has had a few develop on his arms and legs, but for the most part they are clearing up. There have been about 5 tiny little blisters and I have seen 1 scab over. The good thing is they don't seem to bother him. He is not itchy or running a fever, you can't even tell that he has them!

He has been such a good sport about everyone wanting to look at his "bumps". I am glad that it is such a mild case...it could have been much worse!

We survived the drive!

This last weekend Peter, Orion and I drove up to Fairbanks for the Holiday Company picnic. Friday was such a beautiful day and it was so hot! The views of Mt. McKinley were awesome.Orion was being such a turd! He wouldn't let us take a family picture, only one of him and daddy.

Orion feel asleep while eating potato chips. I laughed so hard! He had such a grip on the bag and wouldn't let go!!! He did so well. Only having 1 meltdown throughout the entire trip!

It took us 8 1/2 hours to get there due to the road construction but only 6 1/2 hours to get back. It was nice to get out of town for the weekend but I think I'm gonna wait a while to make another Fairbanks trip!

We're having a...

GIRL!

She was being so stubborn but modest, it took for-ev-ver to get a good view. I thought we were gonna leave without knowing, even the tech mentioned that he wasn't sure, but he was so patient. He said that she is sitting right under my belly button and that there is some scar tissue from Orion's c-section that was obstructing his views. He let me get up to use the restroom thinking that she would change positions and it worked!

I am 99% sure that we are going to name her Esme Helene. It's completely my choice says Peter. Yes, Esme is a Twilight character but it is also a form of Amy and we try to incorporate family in the naming of our children in a not-so-straight-forward kinda way.

So if everything goes as planned, she will be joining us just before Thanksgiving and our little family will be complete!

Any guesses???

On Thursday we find out whether we are having a boy or a girl. I couldn't be more excited to find out. I can't wait to start preparing for our new arrival.

My gut tells me its a boy but my heart wants to be optimistic about it being a girl. Here's whats been going on in this pregnancy...

• Sick from the get-go. Feeling much better now but still having a few sick days. (With Orion, sick for 6 months)
• I haven't felt too much movement (Orion was a mover and shaker)
• Instant cravings! I can't even watch the Food Network without craving something. (With Orion, just french fries, all the time)
• No desire to eat beef, chicken or pork except bacon. I can eat a BLT every single day!(Really didn't have this problem with Orion.)
• Can't shake the tiredness. (With Orion, just the 1st trimester and the last part of the 3rd)
• With Orion I craved Pepsi but this pregnancy I find it way too sweet along with most fruits and candies.

Peter's family even has a little pool going. I think the guesses are: boy-5 & girl -3

So what do you think?

♫ Let's go fly a kite ♫

While in Seward this weekend Orion flew his first kite.

You can barely see the kite in the pic...Sorry!

Who knew that something so cheap and simple can be so entertaining. It brought back memories of me and Melissa flying kites when we lived at Dusty A-7.

A day at the zoo

On Saturday we attended the Holiday Stationstore Annual Company Picnic at the Alaska Zoo.
It was nice to see a few old friends and meet a few of Peter's new coworkers. They always have all sorts of prizes and gift cards to give away. Peter won a $50 gift card to Sportsman's Warehouse. Wahoo!

Orion was being really shy, but we were able to get one good shot of him.

The Alpaca really took to Orion and kept trying to nuzzle him. Orion would jump back laughing every time. Orion was so funny, he would growl at the bears and say "I scare you!". They brought an Owl in to show the kids and he was just in awe.

A little water fun

This summer we invested in a kiddie pool and a slip n slide for Orion and the cousins to use at the grandparents house (the best $20 we have spent this summer!).

The water was a little cool so the kids weren't so sure about getting in the pool. Mostly they just would splash or scoop the water out with a bucket. Later in the afternoon we were able to get them to stand in it. Peyton and Paige had such a blast on the slip n slide. Even the aunties had to get in on the action!Orion needed a little help from daddy but after that first go round he was willing to go himself.

Ayla & Chebo's Wedding

The main reason for mine and Orion's visit back home was to see these two people "get hitched". (See the hitchin' post in the background? My dad made that! He is a very creative fella!!!)

It took us one stressful week to get everything ready for the wedding but it was a great sucess!

Here's the wedding party, the happy couple's first dance

and the cake topper that the bride made.

Doesn't Ayla just look beautiful?

The cake was made by Ayla's childhood friend, Holly.

The Carruthers' Family

Ayla and her in-laws, The Marsteller's

(Chebo looks like he's having a grand time dancing with his mom)

More random pics of the Carruthers' Family and Brianna too!

Pima County Fair

While Orion and I were in Arizona, Grandma & Grandpa Carruthers took us to the Pima County Fair.

Old Pueblo Hall had a train exhibit that Orion just adored. He got to control one of the trains. They even had Percy and Thomas the Tank Engine set out. Orion got to hold them!
Every animal we saw Orion referred to them as a "doggie". He was so taken by the piglets. He just stood there and stared at them.

Grandpa took Orion on the little Ferriswheel. He wasn't so sure about it at first but that changed when he made his first go round.

He had so much fun going on the rides and didn't want to stop. He even had a meltdown when it was time to go :(
He was bound and determined to go on this ride. We saw it twice, the adult and the kid version. Both times he'd jump up and down, pointed and screamed and tried to pull me over there.

Speech Therapy & Dentist Appointment's

Orion's speech eval was a breeze! Within the first 5 minutes of the appointment the therapist turned to me and asked why was he even referred! She said she understands him and that he is using 3 or more words to make sentences. She also said that he is right on target for his age. To me that was GOOD news!

Orion also had a dentist appointment that he slept all the way through! His very first appointment and he slept through it!!! It went very well. The dentist said that Orion should be getting his second set of molars in soon (bring on the crabbiness!) and that he is doing a good job at brushing his teeth. He doesn't have to go back in until he is 3. YEAH!!!

Next up hearing test and ENT appoint in 2 weeks.

Mixed Emotions

When I took Orion in for his 2-year wellness check-up it was suggested that he have a speech evaluation.

When kids go in for their check-ups at the Alaska Native Medical Center you don't just meet with the Doctor, you meet with the Nutritionist and a Developmental person (I can't remember the exact title). The developmental person basically wants to make sure that he is right where he needs to be in skills. You actually have to fill out a questionnaire about your child. Does he jump with both feet off the ground? Does he hold a cup with both hands? Does he want to turn the light switch on and off? If asked to put the toys away will he? When looking at books, does he turn the pages? ALOT of questions like this...about 5 pages about everyday life stuff. There is one question that sticks out in my mind the most. When your child speaks, do you understand what is being said most of the time? My answer "Yes, I feel he speaks very well for his age". I GUESS I WAS WRONG!!!

We saw the Developmental person first. She asked me a few questions then turned her attention to Orion. She asked him one question about his trains that he had taken with him and he went off talking about trains (he is passionate about Thomas & Friends). Then she turned to me and says that she couldn't understand him. What do you mean you can't understand him??? I was speechless and didn't know what to say. Then she said that she is putting a referral in for a speech evaluation. I was floored!

I have mixed emotions about today's appointment for a several reasons:

1. He is only 2 years old!
2. Granted, I spend all my days with him, I understand him very well.
3. I get compliments OFTEN on how well he speaks. On how advanced he is.
4. BUT, did I mention that he is ONLY 2 YEARS OLD!!!

IF, this is such a concern I would like to start working on it now instead of when he gets into school and real issues arise but I just can't get over the fact that she didn't try talking to him more or ask him different questions. She made her decision so quick!

Maybe I am just making a big deal out of nothing.

Thoughts of 2009

As I lay in bed last night trying to fall asleep, I couldn't help but reminisce about the past year.

Thoughts of Orion and how much he has grown. How he is such a little gentleman, forming sentences and wanting to go potty like the "big boys". He is so independent and proud of it. Oh my, his 2nd birthday is hastily approaching and I gotta get to planning!

Thoughts of places traveled: Kodiak, Fairbanks, Seward, Arizona & Las Vegas. Where will the roads lead us this year?

And thoughts of friends, old and new. It's amazing how fast people walk in and out of your lives. Looking back that's when you then realize how much they have influenced or touched your life. When did I realize that my best friend was no longer my best friend?

I am looking forward to 2010 and what it may bring for me and my family. What new thing will Orion do or say? Where will we travel this year? Who will venture into our lives? Answers I wish I knew but I guess that takes all the guess work and excitement out of it.

With those thoughts so fresh in my mind I can now let the stress of 2009 go, have a good cry and say 2010 will be an AWESOME year for me and my family.

With that being said...from our family to yours...

HAPPY NEW YEARS!

Our house has grown by 4 feet!

No, we didn't have twins! On Oct 16, Opus joined our family.

He traveled ALL day from Illinois to be with us. Poor thing had to make a stop in Houston and then Seattle before finally reaching Alaska. I was expecting a stressed little pup but he was very calm and immediately took to Peter, showing him with kisses!

He is 11 weeks old and weighs around 4 lbs. He is such a cuddle bug but yet won't sit still long enough to get a good picture! Potty training was a challenge at first but is much better now. He mastered the "Sit" command within 2 days and recently we started working on "Stay".

He has been accepted in to the family wonderfully. We can't even visit the family without someone asking where Opus is at or requesting that we bring him with! He is definitely one of the family...not to mention a momma's boy!!!

We are still here!

We have been sooo busy lately!

Here's a few things that has kept us, well more like me, occupied:

• Close To My Heart Gatherings
• Putting in more hours at Wild Berry to get ready for the Holiday Season
• My addiction to shows like Ghost Hunters, House, Ugly Betty and the World Series of Poker
• Winter Cleaning (my version of Spring Cleaning)
• Crafting and making gifts for the holidays
• Poker Games
• Both Orion and I being sick...blah
• AND, our little addition to the family

I will be back soon with an update!

Wordless Wednesday #16

Debbie, Allen & I ventured out the Alaska State Fair with Peyton, Paige & Orion in tow. The first stop was of course was to fill out tummy's with all that greasy yummy fair food. Curly fries, corn dogs and corn fritters. Next stop "Fair Hair".

I was a little disappointed that they didn't do anything crazy with Orion's hair. After all "Fair Hair" is supposed to be CRAZY! Both Orion and Paige sat still and did so well. Doesn't Paige just look adorable?

The kids loved the Petting Zoo. I think Orion liked the goats most of all. He kept going back to pet this black one.

After the Petting Zoo we found ourselves surround by more fair food! Nachos, elephant ears, tacos, sno cones and cotton candy.

We didn't stay to long and we didn't get to see everything or even go on rides but we accomplished the most important thing our family strives on...FOOD! LOL

Wordless Wednesday #15

Orion's Great-Grandpa came to visit all the way from Pittsburgh, PA. I am surprised how well Orion warmed up to him. It's been about a year since they had seen each other. It wasn't long and Orion was giving Grandpa Howard hugs and kisses!

I couldn't get them to look at the camera at the same time :(

I think Orion was trying to tell Grandpa a secret. Paige doesn't look to happy.

Wordless Wednesday #14

At the playground with the cousins

This is the house that Martha built

This just wasn't a house, it was a home.

A home that survived the 1964 earthquake.

A home that provides evidence that life my still be presence.

A home that belongs to Peter's Great Grandma Martha.

Even though she hasn't lived there for many years, signs of her still remain.

Wordless Wednesday #13

Seward...On the boat for the very first time!

My baby loves the beach :)

Wordless Wednesday #12

Eating Raspberries

Kodiak's Wildlife

While I was getting a tour of the island we came across these horses just hanging out in the rain.

They even have cattle here too! I never thought that I would run across cattle on an island, in Alaska, but I did!

While picking berries I came across this creature crouching ready to attack.

I barely made it out alive!

Ha Ha! Just kidding! It's my mother-in-law Debbie.

One creature I didn't get to see was the Kodiak bear. I would have loved to seen one...

from afar!

He did leave me a lovely parting gift though.

Sights of Kodiak

This last weekend I had the pleasure of traveling to Kodiak to hang out with my mother-in-law who was there on business. I had so much fun learning all about the island where Peter and his family are from.

I know that this is not the best picture ever but, oh well, what can I say, I am still learning! City of Kodiak is to the left, all along the water. If you look really close, towards the middle of the picture, you can see a bridge connecting it to another island.

I met these guys coming into town. The big guy wanted me to run away with him. I told him that I was married but he was very persistent! I thought I was gonna have to call the hubs to come down and protect me.

This was taken from Ft. Abercrombie, which is now a park, but it was a fort during WWII.
Taken from the beach where Debbie and I were beachcombing.

Bunkers are everywhere! I even saw them on a few tiny islands when flying into Kodiak. They are the remnants of WWII.

This was one of the Salmonberries that found it's way into my belly! They look like a yellow to orange-red raspberry, but only larger and bigger seeds. Tart yummy goodness!

This is the church were Peter's mom and step dad were married and were his grandparents were married.


Deb, I was not bored, not one bit! I have such an interest in family history and enjoyed all the stories and places you shared with me. Thank you so much! I hope we can do it again next year but more berries!