an activity a day keeps the boredom away

Since we've been back from our month-long vacation...sitting around the house isn't nearly as exciting as it was when we were surrounded by grandmas and grandpas, aunties and uncles and cousins galore!

It's just the two of us (C+Me) most of the day so I've been trying to make a big effort in getting C outside for a few hours as well as doing an activity at home each day :)

I did some searching and compiled a huuuuuge list of activities that should last us at least through the winter (message me if you'd like it. It's in spreadsheet form. I'm a huge nerd.) I'll be posting our favorites each week (at least that's the plan. I'm kind of a flakey blogger ;)

Here's what we did today...

Fan Fort!!

You need...

-a fan (or two in our case because they were so tiny)

-a duvet cover (or two flat sheets with three sides fastened together with duct tape, clothes pins, etc.)

-favorite books, toys, pillows and other fun things

Lay your duvet cover on a flat, comfy surface. Toss all of your fun things into the "fort". Place your fan at the opening of the fort (this should go without saying but make sure your duvet does not cover the back of the fan). Carefully snuggle your babe and yourself into the fort. Turn on the fan and have fun!

C had a BLAST!! We were in there for a couple hours just reading, doing puzzles, having tickle fights, playing with dinos, and taking a little power nap.

What are some fun things you're doing with your kiddos this summer??

Happy Valentine's Day!!

I'll post more about the days happenings tomorrow...

Hope you all have a lovely day!!

ode to love day

Valentine's day is just around the corner! Here are some of the things we've done so far to celebrate...

T.P. roll heart stamped cards...
This was SO fun! C figured out how to stamp the hearts all by himself and made 7 cards before he was ready to move onto something else (I'd say that's pretty good for a one-year-old).

Here's what you need...

  

Here's how you do it... 

So it's pretty self-explanatory but just take your t.p. roll and pinch the top in a line all the way down the roll. Then directly parallel, pinch the bottom out all the way down the roll and it should make the heart shape. Then just dip, stamp, repeat!

 

 

**I highly recommend you use non-toxic, washable paint**

Clearly C had a taste or two of the paint.

My gorge mama friend, Jen, over at delightfuldeets.com made these cute v-day cards using heart shaped cookie cutters!

Valentine's photo shoot...
My lovely friend Sasha over at moiology.com helped me take some cute valentine's pics of C.
We're planning on sending them out (with C's heart cards) to some of our far-away-fam for v-day.

(They still need to be edited, but here are a few of my favorites)

Sugar Cookies baked with love...
We made a couple of goodie bags for our sweet neighbors that shoveled the snow off our driveway and porch TWO days in a row.
They included chocolates, cocoa mix, and these delicious sugar cookies!

Leave a comment or a link and let us know how you're celebrating love day!

Here are some other super cute ideas I found on pinterest that I'd like to try someday...

*52 Things I Love About You *Heart Strings *Love Notes for the Kiddos

Baby Carter is Here!

Carter James Williams

Born at 1:31 am on November 12, 2011

7 pounds 4 ounces, 19 3/4 inches

So if you read my last post...I didn't make it to my next appointment :)
On Friday, November 11, my contractions were 10 minutes apart but of course they didn't hurt at all so I didn't think baby boy was coming. I went to bed around 10pm and woke up at 10:50pm because my water broke! I was a little disoriented and panicked haha. Brandon got my mom, a towel, and a trash bag and we hopped in the car and headed to the hospital.
We got to the hospital just after 11pm and checked in. The nurse checked me at 5 cm and 80% effaced. That's when the hard labor started. Brandon quickly put on my hypnobirthing cd and I tried to relax. Brandon, Mom, and Nurse Monica were SO amazing and helped keep me relaxed throughout my labor. We did such a good job that I started to doze of during contractions.
At 1:15am I started feeling really nauseous so my nurse checked me again because she thought I might be in transition. She said, "Oh! You're at a 9 and your cervix is gone. I need to go call your doctor!" After she checked me, my body immediately started bearing down, ready to get our little guy out. It was the weirdest feeling ever. It felt totally involuntary, my body was just doing all the work, I didn't even have to try!
Within a few minutes my nurse could see baby Carter's head! I had the hugest smile and could not wait to hold my boy. That's when my nurse put her hand on Carter's head and said, "Renee, I need you to slow down, your doctor isn't here yet." YEA RIGHT! I tried for a few seconds but I didn't know how to stop it. At 1:31am, Nurse Monica delivered baby Carter.
My doctor walked in just a few minutes after that (He came from Am. Fork Hospital, a 15 minute drive to Timp Hospital).
My nurse gave Carter to me as soon as he was out and I got to hold him for almost 2 hours before they started his newborn procedures. Brandon got to cut the umbilical cord and be with him everywhere he went. My doctor spent a good hour stitching me up afterward. I had three 2nd degree tears because little man came out with his hand up at his shoulder...awesome. It actually wasn't bad at all and recovery has been a lot easier than I thought...probably my easiest recovery all year!
Anyways, after a few hours they took us to our recovery room. We had TONS of visitors while we were there. I probably got about 3 hours of sleep the entire stay because all I wanted to do was stare at my sweet little son!
The entire experience was incredible. I don't think it could have gone any better. I'm so glad our little one is here with us. He is so perfect!!
P.s. HypnoBirthing is the best! If you're planning on going natural, I highly recommend this class!

So perfect :)

Weekly Appointments

Wed. 11/2/11 - I had my 37 week appointment. I'm 2cm dilated and 80% effaced and lost my mucous plug (ewie). My doctor thinks baby Carter will be here within the next couple weeks! I told him not to get me excited and he said he highly doubts I'll be a 41 or 42 weeks mom :) YAY!!

Wed. 11/9/11 - I had my 38 week appointment. I'm 3.5cm dilated and 80% effaced! My doctor stripped my membranes and stands by his prediction. We'll see...

Thur. 11/10/11 - I've been having consistent contractions. In the morning and afternoon they were 6-8 minutes apart and lasted about 40 seconds. In the evening they were 2-4 minutes apart and lasted about 45 seconds each. And Mom flew in :)

Fri. 11/11/11 - I'm 5cm dilated and 80% effaced. My contractions slowed to about 10 minutes apart and 50 seconds long. Had my membranes stripped again. Baby Carter come on out!!

My Next Appointment is on Mon. 11/14/11.

Predictions?

Me - Nov. 18

Brandon - Nov. 20

David Essuman - Nov. 10

Brent Tracy - Nov. 10

Kim Goddard - Nov. 12

Mom - Nov. 12

-----------

Let us know what you think!

The Belly Diaries

-32 Weeks-

-28 Weeks-

-24 Weeks-

(Just After Surgery)

-22 Weeks-

(Just Before Surgery)

-20 Weeks-

-18 Weeks-

-16 Weeks-

-14 Weeks-

Surgery #2

Here we go again!

March 16, 2011 I had my laparoscopy to drain the 28cm cyst on my right ovary.

A month and a half later, at my 12 week ultrasound, my OB saw that the cyst had come back and was about 11cm. For some reason he thought it would be best to just keep and eye on it and see what happened.

At my 21 week ultrasound, my OB saw that the cyst had grown to over 30cm! Finally, he decided to act and sent me to a specialist. The specialist was pretty astounded that my Dr had waited so long to do something about it and she scheduled me for surgery two days later.

I had a mini laparotomy to remove the cyst, remove my ovary, and repair an umbilical hernia I got from my last surgery.

The surgeon and doctors were amazing, they took great care of me and baby boy. As soon as I was out of the OR they took me to Labor and Delivery for 36 hour watch. They had our little man hooked up to monitors to make sure he was doing well and that I didn't go into labor. After I was cleared from L&D, they sent me to the postpartum floor for 24 hour watch and continued care. All of the hospital staff was amazing and took great care of us.

The night I left the hospital, Mom flew in to help take care of me. It was so nice to have her here and to have her help. She did everything! Cooked, cleaned, helped me with my medicine and kept Lilly occupied. Thanks so much mom! I love you!!

Now I just have two more weeks of initial recovery and I should be good as new?

Ew, and I have to give myself shots in my stomach everyday...thank goodness for my sweet neighbor who is a nurse and has been willing to come over everyday after work to give them to me!

My belly is about half the size it was before surgery but now it's ugly :( like Quasi Moto...at least our sweet little guy is safe and sound and has the whole place to himself!

It's a...

P is for...

Pineapple

Pizza

Pudgey

Powerade

Pink, perhaps

Puke

Pringles

Phat...more like fat

Picky Eater

Potatoes, mashed preferably

and most of all PREGNANT!

The rumor is true! We're expecting!

Baby Williams is expected to arrive around November 25, 2011