Last night for FHE we all met as a Riches family (with the exception of Adam, Angie, Tyson, Porter & Kelli) and had a little Halloween Party. Tonya puts so much effort into it and the kids have the greatest time.
Connor was a pirate this year (Auntie Andrea made his costume) and Abi was a giraffe (Connor's first Halloween costume).
The evening got off to a very quick start with the kids separating into groups and putting together a skeleton. Connor had Whitney(the Tooth Fairy) as his helper and they did a great job. Then it was time for the "bone hunt". Bones were scattered around the house and the yard and all the kids were rewarded with little goodies no matter how many they collected. Next came the food!!! My favorite part...it was all easy finger foods and you would be amazed at how well each of those kids actually ate. Then the kids dove into a bowl of "brains and eyeballs" and had to dig out the eyeballs. Connor doesn't like to get his hands dirty..so he lost that game. The evening almost concluded with a donut eating contest. Once again...too messy for Connor, so he wasn't very successful (but cute). The guys took a stab at it too, it's always so funny when these brothers get together and do dumb things (which they always manage to do).
The best part was at the close of the evening some of the kids took their turns sharing Halloween poems and songs. I love those little songs "I'm a mean old witch with a hat" and so on! It was funny 'cause once they got going you couldn't stop them. Even the young one's hwo don't make a lot of sense took their turn standing on the "stage" and giving a monologue. Connor waited until everyone was gone to do his portion of the show.
Tuesday, October 30, 2007
Not Yet
Okay, so I didn't fill you all in on the last Dr.'s appointment. Maybe it was because I was too depressed to talk about it.
I have come to face reality and will now explain the outcome of the appointment. I had not dilated any further and I wasn't "ripe" enough that the Dr. thought stripping my membranes would do anything. So I took her advice and decided to wait it out. You know, like the pioneers had to.
What is so wrong with looking a little beyond my due date? I am not miserable (getting there...sleep is getting harder and harder to do) and there really is no rush in having Carly arrive. Actually, the longer she stays in, the healthier she'll be, right!?!
However, on the homefront there have been some good things going on.
On Saturday our ward had a "Super Saturday" and I got to make some handmade cards and these cute little tassles (I'll take some pics and most them later). I love doing crafts! I also made an invitation for our wards YW in Excellence program digitally...it's been a long time since I have had time to do that (I'll post a pic of that soon too). And I finished "New Moon." Time to move on to the next book (what a great way to bide my time while waiting this pregnancy out).
Connor has succesfully put himself to sleep for 5 nights in a row!!! It's gotten really cute, I will read him his story, say prayers and then push play on the cd player and tell him that I will check on him in 5 minutes. Usually he replies with "You going to go to the bathroom?" (I must do that a lot lately) or else "See you in 5 minutes." My favorite part is that he falls asleep more quickly than when I was sitting in his room or laying down with him! Yee-haw!!!
Todd is still plugging away at his dissertation. He gets frustrated not being further along than he is. Little things get him sidetracked...golf, kids, baseball games, naps. But, he is still putting in more time than he would have been able to had we stayed in Hawaii.
Abi is still my perfect sleeper and is coming out of her "clingy" phase. Some days are better than others. It sure helps having family around to take the kids for a minute or 60 when I need to calm my nerves. Abi tries them the most...girls!!! We're so moody (and she's so stubborn). Did I mention that she still has no desire to walk. Oh, she can do it. She just won't, especially when I am around.
I have come to face reality and will now explain the outcome of the appointment. I had not dilated any further and I wasn't "ripe" enough that the Dr. thought stripping my membranes would do anything. So I took her advice and decided to wait it out. You know, like the pioneers had to.
What is so wrong with looking a little beyond my due date? I am not miserable (getting there...sleep is getting harder and harder to do) and there really is no rush in having Carly arrive. Actually, the longer she stays in, the healthier she'll be, right!?!
However, on the homefront there have been some good things going on.
On Saturday our ward had a "Super Saturday" and I got to make some handmade cards and these cute little tassles (I'll take some pics and most them later). I love doing crafts! I also made an invitation for our wards YW in Excellence program digitally...it's been a long time since I have had time to do that (I'll post a pic of that soon too). And I finished "New Moon." Time to move on to the next book (what a great way to bide my time while waiting this pregnancy out).
Connor has succesfully put himself to sleep for 5 nights in a row!!! It's gotten really cute, I will read him his story, say prayers and then push play on the cd player and tell him that I will check on him in 5 minutes. Usually he replies with "You going to go to the bathroom?" (I must do that a lot lately) or else "See you in 5 minutes." My favorite part is that he falls asleep more quickly than when I was sitting in his room or laying down with him! Yee-haw!!!
Todd is still plugging away at his dissertation. He gets frustrated not being further along than he is. Little things get him sidetracked...golf, kids, baseball games, naps. But, he is still putting in more time than he would have been able to had we stayed in Hawaii.
Abi is still my perfect sleeper and is coming out of her "clingy" phase. Some days are better than others. It sure helps having family around to take the kids for a minute or 60 when I need to calm my nerves. Abi tries them the most...girls!!! We're so moody (and she's so stubborn). Did I mention that she still has no desire to walk. Oh, she can do it. She just won't, especially when I am around.
Tuesday, October 23, 2007
High Hopes
So...as you can see, I still have a few more days until the "due date" of Carly Belle. I had such high hopes that she would come super early, like Porter did for Angie. Doesn't look like the odds are in my favor.
I am still carrying WAY too high and feeling WAY too good. People ask how I am feeling, and honestly, I feel great! I don't feel pregnant at all. I am sleeping well, I have enough energy to get me through each day (with a 2 hour nap each day), I am letting Connor ride me like his horsey and I don't mind carrying Abi. The only part that reminds me I am pregnant is this big ball sitting in my lap!
I really wanted Carly to arrive on either the 16th or the 21st of October. I may have mentioned this before...but my mind doesn't prove to be very clear in the memory department right now. So far all of our birthdays have fallen into a numerical order of some sort. I was born the 17th of June, Connor the 18th of January, Abi the 19th of September and Todd the 20th of November. How cool would it have been to keep that system going? NOT going to happen now.
Anyway...I do have a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow and based upon whether or not I am effaced, the Dr. wants to strip my membranes in the hopes that it will speed things along and we can avoid a big baby (my stomach measured 39 weeks at my last appointment).
Other high hopes would involve a toddler who can't sleep on his own (saving that for another post asking for suggestions, but I will wait until Carly has come. Why train him to sleep only to have him relapse at her arrival?) and a little girl that still won't walk.
Just a little whining today...sorry! On a good note, the kids were both so great today and kept one another entertained that I was able to read the entire book "Twilight" that everyone keeps talking about. My mother-in-law gave it to me to read while in the hospital...I read one chapter last night and didn't put it down until I finished it this evening.
I am still carrying WAY too high and feeling WAY too good. People ask how I am feeling, and honestly, I feel great! I don't feel pregnant at all. I am sleeping well, I have enough energy to get me through each day (with a 2 hour nap each day), I am letting Connor ride me like his horsey and I don't mind carrying Abi. The only part that reminds me I am pregnant is this big ball sitting in my lap!
I really wanted Carly to arrive on either the 16th or the 21st of October. I may have mentioned this before...but my mind doesn't prove to be very clear in the memory department right now. So far all of our birthdays have fallen into a numerical order of some sort. I was born the 17th of June, Connor the 18th of January, Abi the 19th of September and Todd the 20th of November. How cool would it have been to keep that system going? NOT going to happen now.
Anyway...I do have a Dr.'s appointment tomorrow and based upon whether or not I am effaced, the Dr. wants to strip my membranes in the hopes that it will speed things along and we can avoid a big baby (my stomach measured 39 weeks at my last appointment).
Other high hopes would involve a toddler who can't sleep on his own (saving that for another post asking for suggestions, but I will wait until Carly has come. Why train him to sleep only to have him relapse at her arrival?) and a little girl that still won't walk.
Just a little whining today...sorry! On a good note, the kids were both so great today and kept one another entertained that I was able to read the entire book "Twilight" that everyone keeps talking about. My mother-in-law gave it to me to read while in the hospital...I read one chapter last night and didn't put it down until I finished it this evening.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Scattergories
Brooke had this on her blog and I LOVE word games (scrabble, scattergories, crossword puzzles). Thanks for something to bide the time (like I need something to bide the time).
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!
Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
Your Name: Melody
1. Famous Singer/Band: Madonna
2. 4 letter word: milk
3. Street: Morning Dew Drive
4. Color: Magenta
5. Gifts/Presents: Money
6. Vehicle: Mini-van
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Miniature Spoons
8. Boy Name: Mark
9. Girl Name: Milly
10. Movie Title: Monsters Inc.
11. Drink: Mr. Pibb
12. Occupation: Mathematician
13. Flower: Morning Glory
14. Celebrity: Mariah Carey
15. Magazine: Mode
16. U.S. City: Manti
17. Pro Sports Teams: Mavericks
18. Fruit: Melon
19. Reason for Being Late: Mad
20. Something You Throw Away: Mail
21. Things You Shout: Move it!!!
22. Cartoon Character: Mickey Mouse
23. Something You Wear: Mittens
24. Food: Mexican
25. Something Found in a Bathroom: Make-up
So if you have the urge to fill this out, go for it! :)
SCATTERGORIES...it's harder than it looks! Use the 1st letter of your name to answer each of the following...they have to be real places, names, things...nothing made up!
Try to use different answers if the person in front of you had the same 1st initial. You CAN'T use your name for the boy/girl name question.
Your Name: Melody
1. Famous Singer/Band: Madonna
2. 4 letter word: milk
3. Street: Morning Dew Drive
4. Color: Magenta
5. Gifts/Presents: Money
6. Vehicle: Mini-van
7. Things in a Souvenir Shop: Miniature Spoons
8. Boy Name: Mark
9. Girl Name: Milly
10. Movie Title: Monsters Inc.
11. Drink: Mr. Pibb
12. Occupation: Mathematician
13. Flower: Morning Glory
14. Celebrity: Mariah Carey
15. Magazine: Mode
16. U.S. City: Manti
17. Pro Sports Teams: Mavericks
18. Fruit: Melon
19. Reason for Being Late: Mad
20. Something You Throw Away: Mail
21. Things You Shout: Move it!!!
22. Cartoon Character: Mickey Mouse
23. Something You Wear: Mittens
24. Food: Mexican
25. Something Found in a Bathroom: Make-up
So if you have the urge to fill this out, go for it! :)
Monday, October 8, 2007
Special Projects
I have had some major therapy this last week. When I say therapy, it means that I have had the opportunity to do something that I like to do. This in turn means that my children get neglected because I use the time that I would spend with them doing something else. I force them to stay downstairs and watch movies or else take long naps.
Anyway, I have had a lot of fun doing these little things. My friend Katie is getting married this Friday and I have gotten to help make her a gorgeous puff quilt. When I learned about her bacherlorette party, I volunteered myself to make her a small pillow using the scraps from her quilt (ha ha ha...I am not very good at sewing). I have never emroidered before, or as Todd puts it "finished a sewing project" for that matter. So for this little pillow to be completed in time for the party was, in itself, a miracle! Let alone that you can actually read what I embroidered. Todd asked why I never do these types of things for us. Good question.
For those of you who can't make sense of my sewing "skills" the little pillow says "tonight" on one side and "not tonight" on the other. Woo-Hoo! I can sew.
The next little project was also for Katie. Instead of just having the regular old sign-in book at her reception, she wanted something a little more personal that she would open up again after the wedding. She asked if I would make her a scrapbook with just one picture on each page and room enough for people to write their name and a sentiment or two. What a great idea! I had never seen this done before. Here are a few pictures of some of my favorite pages and the cover of how the book turned out.
Anyway, I have had a lot of fun doing these little things. My friend Katie is getting married this Friday and I have gotten to help make her a gorgeous puff quilt. When I learned about her bacherlorette party, I volunteered myself to make her a small pillow using the scraps from her quilt (ha ha ha...I am not very good at sewing). I have never emroidered before, or as Todd puts it "finished a sewing project" for that matter. So for this little pillow to be completed in time for the party was, in itself, a miracle! Let alone that you can actually read what I embroidered. Todd asked why I never do these types of things for us. Good question.
For those of you who can't make sense of my sewing "skills" the little pillow says "tonight" on one side and "not tonight" on the other. Woo-Hoo! I can sew.
The next little project was also for Katie. Instead of just having the regular old sign-in book at her reception, she wanted something a little more personal that she would open up again after the wedding. She asked if I would make her a scrapbook with just one picture on each page and room enough for people to write their name and a sentiment or two. What a great idea! I had never seen this done before. Here are a few pictures of some of my favorite pages and the cover of how the book turned out.
Apology
My apology is mostly to myself and my little kids. I have stopped taking near as much pictures and videos since we have arrived here in Utah! I am so dissappointed in myself. I have tried to disect the reasons why this strange phenomenon has taken place.
1) Since we live here, there is no need to take pictures of the kids...the family can see them all the time. But I forget that my family rarely reads the blog...it's those great friends that live out of state (and some that live in state) that read it...I am sure they would still love to see pictures of these growing little munchkins.
2) Busy. Yeah right. I feel busier, but I think I am only lazier.
3) My kids just don't do cute things any more. So there is no reason to take pictures. Ha Ha Ha. We all know that isn't true.
4) Convenience. When living in Hawaii, our apartment was the size of a shoebox, so the camera was always at hand, ready to take snapshots at a moments notice. Now I am living in this big home. That means that if the kids do something cute, I have to run and get the camera. I don't exactly "RUN" right now. I waddle, and it takes too long to go up and down the stairs. By the time I got the camera, the cute thing would be over...which would mean I would have to "pose" the kids and have them re-enact the moment. It loses it's luster after that.
5) Nature. It is the nature of man to stop taking pictures after the second child. The first child has lots and lots of pictures, the second and has some and the third has none. I cannot let this happen!
So to you who are still taking pictures...more power to you! What is your secret?
1) Since we live here, there is no need to take pictures of the kids...the family can see them all the time. But I forget that my family rarely reads the blog...it's those great friends that live out of state (and some that live in state) that read it...I am sure they would still love to see pictures of these growing little munchkins.
2) Busy. Yeah right. I feel busier, but I think I am only lazier.
3) My kids just don't do cute things any more. So there is no reason to take pictures. Ha Ha Ha. We all know that isn't true.
4) Convenience. When living in Hawaii, our apartment was the size of a shoebox, so the camera was always at hand, ready to take snapshots at a moments notice. Now I am living in this big home. That means that if the kids do something cute, I have to run and get the camera. I don't exactly "RUN" right now. I waddle, and it takes too long to go up and down the stairs. By the time I got the camera, the cute thing would be over...which would mean I would have to "pose" the kids and have them re-enact the moment. It loses it's luster after that.
5) Nature. It is the nature of man to stop taking pictures after the second child. The first child has lots and lots of pictures, the second and has some and the third has none. I cannot let this happen!
So to you who are still taking pictures...more power to you! What is your secret?
Back on Track
Life as I know it has gotten busier, but I don't feel like I am getting anything done! So here is a little post to catch you up on the happenings in the Riches world.
BABY ENVY
Angie has had her little Porter home and in her arms for two weeks now. I envy her, because she no longer has to go to the bathroom every ten minutes, her joints are no longer stiff when she sits in one position for too long and she can sleep on her stomach (when she actually gets to sleep). We have just a few more weeks till our little Carly is expected to arrive. I hate to get my hopes up and imagine that Carly will come early, but I have. Oops. Oh well, she'll get here when she gets here! For the most part, I am feeling fine. I am taking Connor's only nap away...read his blog to find out why. This means that I do not get a nap...so exhaustion is setting in. I will survive, the pioneer women did it while crossing the plains...I can do it while sitting here at the computer.
TRIP TO LOGAN
Last Saturday, the kids, my mom, my sister and I all took a drive up to Logan to visit our old stomping ground and visit some friends. My two little angels were just that on the drive up, angels (I know, I don't refer to them as angels very often). We first stopped at the Logan mall. Supposedly it had been re-done. They added on a "food court" with one place to eat. It is a cute and sweet little mall and the stores have upgraded a bit since the last time I was there.
Then we stopped and visited some friends from our old neighborhood. It's sad to see people age (but hey, that's what we do) and really sad to see the neighborhood going down hill as far as the new caretakers are concerned. For those of you familiar with the Logan area, I grew up on the Island, just off of Canyon Road. It was such a pleasant place to have my childhood.
Our last stop was to the Buchert's. How strange is it that we met this incredible family in Hawaii and they have ended up in Logan! Once again, the ENVY sunk in and I admired their adorable little (BIG) home and dreamt of the day when Todd and I could once again afford a mortgage (and responsibility, yardwork, household maintenance...yeah, it would be nice).
The drive home was AMAZING!!! Through Sardine Canyon we were able to witness two seasons at once! On one side of the highway, there were the ever changing trees and on the opposite side, SNOW!!! So beautiful!
I love living in a state where the seasons change. The smell of Autumn has got to be a personal favorite.
LITTLE PROJECTS
I'll save this one for a separate post...my therapy!
BABY ENVY
Angie has had her little Porter home and in her arms for two weeks now. I envy her, because she no longer has to go to the bathroom every ten minutes, her joints are no longer stiff when she sits in one position for too long and she can sleep on her stomach (when she actually gets to sleep). We have just a few more weeks till our little Carly is expected to arrive. I hate to get my hopes up and imagine that Carly will come early, but I have. Oops. Oh well, she'll get here when she gets here! For the most part, I am feeling fine. I am taking Connor's only nap away...read his blog to find out why. This means that I do not get a nap...so exhaustion is setting in. I will survive, the pioneer women did it while crossing the plains...I can do it while sitting here at the computer.
TRIP TO LOGAN
Last Saturday, the kids, my mom, my sister and I all took a drive up to Logan to visit our old stomping ground and visit some friends. My two little angels were just that on the drive up, angels (I know, I don't refer to them as angels very often). We first stopped at the Logan mall. Supposedly it had been re-done. They added on a "food court" with one place to eat. It is a cute and sweet little mall and the stores have upgraded a bit since the last time I was there.
Then we stopped and visited some friends from our old neighborhood. It's sad to see people age (but hey, that's what we do) and really sad to see the neighborhood going down hill as far as the new caretakers are concerned. For those of you familiar with the Logan area, I grew up on the Island, just off of Canyon Road. It was such a pleasant place to have my childhood.
Our last stop was to the Buchert's. How strange is it that we met this incredible family in Hawaii and they have ended up in Logan! Once again, the ENVY sunk in and I admired their adorable little (BIG) home and dreamt of the day when Todd and I could once again afford a mortgage (and responsibility, yardwork, household maintenance...yeah, it would be nice).
The drive home was AMAZING!!! Through Sardine Canyon we were able to witness two seasons at once! On one side of the highway, there were the ever changing trees and on the opposite side, SNOW!!! So beautiful!
I love living in a state where the seasons change. The smell of Autumn has got to be a personal favorite.LITTLE PROJECTS
I'll save this one for a separate post...my therapy!
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