What ELSE happens when I go to bed?!

Brian and I woke Magnolia for the fireworks last night.

At first she was pretty dazed. We couldn't tell if it was from the colorful explosions or from being woken from a deep sleep.

Then she was torn between wonder and fear, as what sounded like bombs detonated all around her. She clutched Mona with both hands and snuggled close to Papa.

Brian and I stayed really positive pointing at each flowery shower and twinkle mist saying "Look," "Oh, Pretty," and "Boom." Eventually, she timidly started pointing along with us.

Warming up (or maybe waking up) a bit more she started clapping and smiling, clutching Mona a little less tightly.

Then, all of the sudden, she sat up and started scanning the horizon.

From that point on Magnolia had a lightning fast pointer finger, and whenever there was a lull she emphatically signed for "more." There were more than a few "boo(m)s" said too and our made-up sign for fireworks caught on very quickly.

When I went to get her out of her crib this morning after a good sleep-in she immediately started signing for fireworks and urgently pointing at her window. I took her to her window, but sadly had to explain that the fireworks were "all done." Later, that afternoon I told her it was time for her nap and she signed fireworks again, as if to tell me it was okay to wake her up for them. I think she may have the idea now that fireworks happen every time she goes to bed!

Happy 4th of July '09

To all our family and friends in the USA...Happy 4th of July!

Birth Class Brainiac

Do you remember being annoyed in high school by that funny guy that never seemed to pay attention but then would score the highest on the exam? Well, I married him.I knew he was smart but had never taken a class with him until our birth class with Magnolia. We didn't take a birth class this time since it hasn't been long since the last one. Instead, we've been going through our workbook reminding ourselves of each week's lesson. Each page has little reminders of what it was like to sit next to funny-guy-smarty-pants. Most weeks he would spend the first half of class designing his name tag. One class he didn't even finish before the end.

The rest of the time he spent adding notes and illustrations to our book. Here are a few of my favorites:

His additions have made going through the book this time more fun, and have actually helped us remember certain things. But the "annoying" part is that some weeks I will read ahead and then quiz him on the section and he remembers the material without the refresher! The teacher in me wonders if he is on to something...maybe more of our students should be doodling during lectures. Either way I hope our girls get his gift of information retention.

Happy Canada Day '09!

To all our Canadian family and friends...We hope you had a great holiday!

Where did the last year go???

Four Eyes

Time for a Diet?

*Ahem* 38 weeks, doc...not 36!

Last Friday, we had our sizing ultrasound followed by a normal check-up.

After technician squirts jelly on my belly, our little girl shows us how she is practicing breathing, swallowing and sticking out her tongue. Both of us think she looks a lot different than her sister.

Then the usual routine -- blood pressure (same), weight (same), urine test (same), baby moving? (definitely) -- everything is healthy as usual.

The nurse spins her pinwheel to calculate how far along I am and comments "July 14th is just around the corner."

Politely, I correct her. "My due date is July 4th."

I look over her shoulder as she scans my chart. Sure enough, at the top of the page it says: "Due Date: July 14, 2009"

The nurse turns back a page. That one has the heading: "Due Date: July 4, 2009"

No wonder they've been freaking out the last few visits at how big I am.

A few minutes later, my doctor enters the exam room studying the ultrasound results and exclaims, "Yowzers!" in response to the projection that baby #2 will be almost 10 pounds and in the 90+ percentile.

I quickly share with him the discovery the nurse and I made, and his tune completely changes. He'll have the ultrasound tech re-run the report, but he guesses that puts Baby #2 in the range of 70th percentile with a weight estimate of around 8 1/2 pounds.

So planning for a VBAC is a go!

Just in case, this one decides she doesn't want to come out, like her sister did, we scheduled a c-section for July 13th. The end is in sight!

We can't decide if I am bigger this time or last...

Mistaken Identity

Today at the dog park, mixed in with Magnolia's usual stream of "FFff" and "Rrururu" was an occasional "Mew Mew." A cat at the dog park?? Confused, I scanned the park.

This is what I saw.

I tried to reason with her.

"Magnolia, that's not a cat. It's just a little dog."

She didn't believe me.

Urine for an Investigation

"Why are the Jeep doors open?" I ask Brian as I back out of our driveway heading to church this morning.

Neither of us is too worried since the Jeep is only loaded with stuff to take to the Re-Store and Goodwill after our weekend garage organizing project.

Brian jumps out anyway to inspect and close the doors.

Sure enough, someone had been in there. A few things were knocked around, but nothing is missing. Actually, something is gained: a cell phone.

The would-be thief left their cell phone! Brian turns it on, reads some text messages and gathers phone numbers for "mom," "dad," and two grandmas, before the battery dies. Sleuth Brian is on the case.

While driving to church..."Shan, does the car smell like pee to you?" "Yeah, maybe its the bag of salt and vinegar chips on the floor?" "No, its stronger than that -- definitely pee." He turns his head to smell the headrest. Sure enough, slightly dampened and reeking of pee. Someone, or something, peed on our headrest. Weird.

Later, Brian drives the Jeep to Improv class and finds the windshield wipers on, both front and back, and the dome lights turned on.

So someone broke into our cars, messed with the settings, peed and left their cell phone??? I feel like this could be on one of those police bloopers about the stupidest criminals.

Final Countdown...#2

Here are the facts:

• My due date is July 4th, but only 4-5% of babies are born on their due date.


• The average pregnancy is 41 weeks and 1 day, which puts us at July 12th.


• Magnolia was 2 weeks late.


• I am measuring three to four weeks ahead.


• I will be full-term on June 14th.


• School is out on June 18th.


• This pregnancyI haven't had any intuitions about when she will come.


• On June 19th, we will take another peek at this "little" girl and make some decisions. Brian and I have decided though, even if she is really big and the doctor advises another c-section, we won't schedule it until after her due date.

Cast your vote! You can get more specific in the comments after voting by picking an actual date to earn more bragging rights.