Merry Christmas...early just in case

Since today is the official due date, and I've been getting a contraction here and there for the last few days, I thought it's high time to post our Christmas card. I'm a punk that doesn't do a Christmas letter, but you read the blog, so you know what is going on for the most part. Though I will open this up to a question and answer forum. Any questions you have, I'll answer them! Think and ask away!!!

Merry Merry Christmas!!!!

Morning crafts

So I was told we had to make Buzz Lightyear wings this morning. Of course, each child needs their own pair, so I had to make two.

Enjoy!

Haha, tricked you, I'm still pregnant

Thought no blog posts meant a baby, WRONG! It just means I'm feeling lazy and tired. Hmm I wonder why? Oh YEAH, I'm enormous! Here look!


Though, I still feel like having fun some of the time, even with a cold.



Oh, and to show off how cool my MIL is, here are the boys and the stockings she MADE for them....BY HAND!! That means no sewing machine people.

Pre-baby to do list

Blanche and freeze boat load of green beans.

Make super batch of enchiladas.

Kindergarden Christmas party/automatic payment registration

Mumps vaccine for the boys

Find gift bags for goodies

Wrap gifts

Get a few more rows knit on the baby's hat.

Get Japanese family calendar printed

Japanese Christmas card

Iron 007's shirts

Eek, lots to do, but hey even if I don't get it all done I'll at least stop crying at Ed's baby pictures. Can't wait for he hormones to relax a bit.

Buzz success!

It was a success, even with the bottom still unhemmed. I haven't been able to get it off him long enough to finish it. I may have to hide it from him in the middle of the night to finish it at nap time.




After seeing the previous two pictures I said, "Wow, we have a really cute kid." Then we came upon this picture. Neither of us could stop laughing.

Christmas Extras

We took our Christmas postcard pictures, and had some fun outtakes. BK was especially excited to use the timer, and made 007 take multiple timed pictures. He even cried when we finished. Poor kid.


BK was so excited to be photographed by himself.


look at Ed




Another timer request.





This is Ed hopped up on a rootbeer float.

Copyright infringing

So BK is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear, totally and completely. Add to that a very cold house and the fact that he hates fleece, mornings are sad and cold. To make things warmer and happier, I made this.



Here they put kids in blanket sleepers for many many years(without feet so the kids can walk). When there is no central heating, kicking off blankets can cause some problems, so I modeled it after Ed's pink one. I'll let you know what BK thinks in the morning.

Speaking of Buzz Lightyear, we've watched Toy Story 2 and 3 and Ed loves the Gipsy Kings version of "You've got a friend in me". He's trying to teach himself Spanish, and wants to be part of a Mariachi band(in addition to being a paleontologist) when he grows up. He asked an awesome question though.

Ed: Mom, what does achi mean?
Me: Like in Nihongo or English?
007: It means hot like achi chi chi(atsui - hot in Japanese)
Ed: no achi.
007: Like in Mariachi?
Ed: Yeah!
007: Well what does Mari mean?
Ed: Well you and mommy are married.

Outback

We had a really nice weekend. We also got a surprising amount accomplished! It all started with a trip to IKEA to take back some chairs(and a smart decision to skip the whole top floor), then we stopped by a mall, and finally decided to go to Outback. It was almost all spur of the moment, but worked well, the boys were happy, and it ended with no one having to cook. We figured we'd splurge since this would be the last chance to go out for a while. Ed fell into like with the waitress because she was nice, and could speak good English and was a half kid like him. She was super sweet, and even gave us a free appetizer card. On the way home Ed said it was a great day, and that his favorite part was the ice cream at the end. Today was also a really easy day at church, child management wise. Nothing to complain about...except for maybe cramped living quarters for my internal organs. Just a few more weeks!

Let the games begin!!

Dec 1st = week 37 = waiting begins(kinda)

Thanks for your awesome guesses and for waiting with us.

My first baby shower!

I am blessed to go to a ward with enough young people that they decided to do a baby shower! FOR ME!!!! We had a small shower for a sister who just had a baby a few months ago, but it was after the baby was born, and not many people could make it. I was kind of sad when I had Ed that I wasn't getting one, but I quickly came to terms. I like parties and socializing, but I don't want to be the center of attention. I was extraordinarily excited to have a chance for a shower. It was simple, just lunch and some pictures, but that was perfect. We even got a few gifts for Mahana, including the diaper cake. I feel very very blessed to be in this ward.





We were going to wait until daddy got home and try to 'trick' him into eating the diaper cake, but Ed just couldn't wait to trick him, he had to open it. His good intentions ruined by himself.

two words!

BK has started saying two word sentences. It is awesome, I love seeing his language skill progress. I'm trying to think of some good examples, but the only ones I can think of now are

Mommy No! = mommy no(duh!)

Tattoo motto = More Buzz lightyear (music)

His name for Buzz Lightyear is tattoo because of the tattoo's grandma gave him of Buzz. I'll try to add to the list as I hear some good ones.

9 months, but you have only 1 day!

Here I am at 9 months. I still have one week before I'm considered full term, but I feel it. If you want in on the baby birth chart you have until midnight MST tomorrow!!! Those who know Pam, wish her a happy birthday too. I'm having lots of Braxton Hicks, so maybe sooner than expected??? come on, fill up December people!

Plus some fun with photo booth

I feel the need

...to post something.

I got nothing though.

I ache, need a knee brace to carry BK up the stairs, and I'm a ball of estrogen.

On the cool side of things, I'm starting to feel the need to deep clean my house...

...and make lots of frozen dinners(oh how I pine for green enchilada sauce), so that is a good sign.

Baby is active despite the daily pounding by her brothers.

Oh, place your bets by the way!

Ed is doing great, seems to be gaining weight, and is hilarious. He makes up songs, says Onigiri in an American accent, says he wants to be a missionary, and generally makes a mommy happy. I'm going to miss him a lot this April.

BK is obsessed with Buzz Lightyear, airplanes and helicopters(which he says with a Japanese accent). He's talking more and more, understanding more, and except for his inordinate strength is a sweet kid. He shares all the time, and as soon as his big brother starts to scream at a taken toy he'll give it back(how's that for not even being two).

Lots of blessings, not so much done....

oh yeah Cookies!

Ed has been playing on Starfall a lot and really wanted to make gingerbread men. We had no man cutter, but we did have dinosaurs, so we made those instead.

Ed was way into it.

BK had a fun time too, and surprisingly didn't try to steal any until we were done. He didn't even steal that many 'pinkles'.

Though the pink frosting ended up being red. I couldn't justify doing more than one color when the price of powdered sugar is so FREAKING high here. Seriously, why is it so expensive? It did remind me of some cookies I made with my parents and Dave one year on Christmas break in college. I don't remember if Pam was there or not. Ahh the memories, and inappropriate humor.

In case you missed it too...

GUESS A DAY!!

Done...kinda

I was stressing a lot last week, wondering if I'd get everything done in time for Christmas. Well thanks to some housework laziness(though I did bleach the sink and dish drainer this morning), I've been able to finish everything except for some chocolate covered pretzels, which I can't make yet anyway. I only have to buy something for my step-father, and I'll wait until mom comes out to do that. I kind of want to get Ed a book about Lego's for Christmas, but he already has more than he needs coming to him. I might spring for a Buzz Lightyear figurine for BK's birthday though. Hmm

Anyway onto the show off part.

I made this a few weeks ago for Halloween, but took the pumpkins off for Thanksgiving...woo hoo, double duty.

Thanks to some blog that I read(forgot, it's on my feed reader), I discovered how to silk screen with nylons and a embroidery hoop. BK is getting airplane sheets for his birthday, and at a fraction of the price of those silly pottery barn sheets. Ed was a very willing helper too.

Something for my nephew, it took one afternoon, and looks better than the one I made for Ed last year. I'm kind of jealous!

The piece de resistance! The quilt I've been working on for months for Mahana. It's finally finished, warm, and looks OK.

Gotta go!

Best mom/worst mom

Jello with sprinkles. My kids love me, a nutritionist wouldn't.

34 weeks

This is mostly for my grandparents, but also a plug for anyone who hasn't put in their guess to give it a shot. My belly button has already popped, so maybe the whole thing will pop early too!

Oh, and because this video is just so cute. BK likes to pretend to go to sleep and then say "Good Morning" which sounds more like 'mening'. My favorite part is when he says Ok, ok, ok just like me when I'm groggy in the mornings and he's ready to go downstairs.

Dududu Dududu

Someone has fallen in love with Buzz Lightyear. He likes to repeat what his shoes say "Buzz Lightyear to the rescue!". It sounds like a growly Dududu dududu.

Baby #3 guessing Game!

Yes, it's that time again!

I love this part, because then we all get excited about the wait together. Here is the info:

Due date is December 22

If you use the new and improved Parikh's Formula, it is December 28th.

I was 3 days late with Ed, 6 days late with BK
She's measuring just right, very active and healthy.

The guessing starts from December 1st(37 weeks) to January 4th(41 weeks and six days), though they'll probably induce on the 3rd if we have no baby yet.

If you are wondering who has guessed what, the calendar is on the blog...so no viewing with your reader, sorry. The guessing goes until November 26th, upon which day it closes. Oh, and you should wish my sister a happy birthday that day too. I'm not guessing this time, so it is all up to you guys.

1 person per day, I accept facebook comments, blog comments and email. If someone comments in email, I'll post their guess in a comment on the blog, so look at the comments and calendar first!


Now, go! guess away!

p.s. Ed is voting for Christmas. So far he got his wish that it be a girl, and a few other things he's been praying for, so I think his prayers are being well listened too.

Primary Program

Today was the annual primary program at church. For those not in the know, this is when all the kids get to give a little talk and sing songs in front of the whole congregation. It was a total HOOT! Since Ed is in the youngest class(the younger ones are in the nursery and just get to play most of the time at church, 3-4 is the first year they actually try to teach them something), they were in front, and it was a blast to watch them. Ed was one of the wiggliest ones, but also very out going! He's normally so shy, but he was trying to go to the front of the stand to be in front, and he even gave a good try when they called him up to read another kid's part by accident. That was also when he discovered the neat trick of blowing into the microphone, which he proceeded to do several times. He finally got a chance to say his talk and he did it with good timing, a loud voice and was just happy to be up there. He also knew two of the songs and just moved his mouth to the rest(which was also very funny to watch). I was suprised because all the other sunbeams were quiet and shy, and normal Ed is the first one to try to leave primary on a normal day, is shy and just not happy to be there and today was a total 180. My kid the ham!

A picture from pumpkin carving last week

Halloween

It's late and I want to go to bed, but we had a fun Halloween Party at church, short, sweet and scary!


A pinata! Awesome idea, Ed wants one for Christmas, his birthday and probably every day of the week now.



Me and the boys!


BK was still a bit sleepy, he had napped half the party away.


I think this is so cute. Edamame's sunbeam class.

Anpan - the recipe

Edamame kept asking to make anpan(bread filled with red bean paste), so we finally got around to it yesterday. Ed can't believe that anyone wouldn't like red bean paste. He keeps asking, "Who is someone who doesn't like anpan?". I almost wonder if he'll go on a haters witch hunt. Anyway, if you want to make it, here is the recipe. You can buy red bean paste at an Asian market(chunky or smooth) or fill it with something else, chocolate anyone?

Put the following in a bread maker and put on the dough cycle.
Time for metric people!!
190 cc water
20-30g butter
2/3 tsp salt
2 tbsp honey(I always put extra in too)
1 tbsp skim milk
1 tsp yeast
1-2 tsp powdered gluten
170 grams whole wheat flour
120 grams white flour

Separate into about 16 balls, flatten and put a heaping tbsp of red bean paste in the middle and seal. Let rise for 30 min then brush with egg and cook for 15-20 min at 200C(375F). Be careful when eating, the paste takes longer thence bread to cool, but they are nice and soft when warm.

Baby Birthday Pool coming soon!

moi at 32 weeks.

Yes it is almost that time again! Since it is one of my favorite parts of waiting for the baby, we will again be playing guess the baby's birthday. Start thinking about dates in December you like and initials you'd like to use for the calendar/spread. I'll do an official rules and info post after my visit to the doctor on Friday.

Oh, and I was going to make this years prize a bento box, I'll pick it post birth so that I can tailor it to the person it is meant for.