30 weeks, flu, cold, and accidents

Wow, what a day! First Garen woke up a few times last night crying which isn't normal and at 5:30AM (Andy had already left to work) I went to lay him back down and stuck my hand a big wet spot. I thought maybe he'd leaked through his diaper but once I turned the light on I realized it was throw up and it was all over the bed and floor. Poor kids was miserable.

I think this is the worst age for them to have the flu because they can talk and run away but they don't understand what's happening to them. Garen cried all morning for food, I gave him one small drink and it came right back up. I would try and take him in the kitchen or bathroom to save the carpets and hold a towel out, but he would not have it. He would try to run away and he'd cry and just choke on his throw up. It was awful!

He was so weak all day, but finally about 20 minutes ago (4:00) he had a cracker and a drink and it hasn't come back up yet (knock on wood).

Then Maddie has a bit of a cold and cough but said she felt fine and refused to stay home. So I made her lunch, got her ready, helped her pick her show and tell, and sent her to school.

Garen finally fell asleep at about 12:30 so I thought I would lay down for a minute. (This pregnancy thing makes me tired!)

But at 12:45 Maddie's school calls. And when the voice on the other side says, "Hi Mrs. Pugmire this is the school nurse" I though for sure Maddie had thrown up as well. But, to my surprise it was something else.

Maddie had fallen off the playground equipment onto her head and had a goose egg and a skinned up forehead. The nurse said she was fine and that Maddie didn't want to come home. I wanted to go check on her but the nurse reassured me she was just fine and that she didn't even cry. It was probably good that I didn't have to go get her since Garen had finally fallen asleep and I had not showered or put any makeup on or anything.

Maddie's teacher is so nice and even called after school to make sure she got home okay and that I knew what had happened to her head.

Check out the huge belly!!!-

And lastly, I am 30 weeks today! Only 10 more to go. And with days like these I'm afraid the 10 weeks may go by to quickly! After trying to take care of the 2 I have today I am kind of doubting my ability to handle a third. :(

Check it Out!!!

My friend Alisha has got some amazing bows and other cute things you've got to see! She's having a bow giveaway on her AJ's bow-tique blog you can't miss! Plus she's got some fun stuff on sale at her Ebay store and her ETSY store.

Here are the 10 bows you get to choose from if you win-

Maddie's drawings

Maddie was so good to keep herself busy all through Saturday and Sunday conference. Here are some of her drawings (she made about 50). She has just started drawing people with bodies and not just stick figures. These are great for her because she's never been very interested in drawing or coloring neatly but now she wants to draw and color everyday. I think she has already passed me up on art skills :)
This says To dad From Madelyn. Happy Birthday. It is a picture of her and Andy walking to school together-

Dad-

mom-

Happy Birthday!

Happy birthday to my wonderful husband! I'm so glad he got to be home today and we got to watch conference together!

On Friday, he got to go fishing and this morning we made him bacon, eggs and cinnomon rolls. He is such a great guy and we love him so much even though he's getting pretty old!!!

He even spent the majority of his birthday money to pay for some lab and OB bills instead of getting anything good for himself. The kids and I are so lucky to have Andy in our lives.

Happy Birthday Andy!!!!

Helping Out

Besides picking up their toys, my kids love doing chores! And they are actually getting pretty good at them.
Maddie washed all the mirrors and windows-

Here's some team work of taking clothes out of the washer and putting them in the dryer-

And here is what I usually find after each load of laundry- My kids really like to put rocks in thier pockets.

Last night at bedtime the kids said they didn't want to go to bed yet, so I said you can only stay up if you help me with the laundry. They thought that was awesome. They both helped me do 3 loads of laundry, wash, dry, fold, and put away. I guess it was a win/win situation. They got to stay up and I got some help.

Dr. Appointment and Kindergarten

Yesterday I had my second appointment with my newly chosen midwife. This visit reassured me of my choice, especially after meeting the OB doctor.

I drank that fun orange glucose drink which always makes me feel sick because I am not a pop drinker and then to gulp down a sugary carbonated drink in 5 minutes just doesn't sit right in my stomach. But I survived :). As always my glucose was normal, my blood pressure is good as always, the babies heartbeat is just how it should be, I'm measuring exactly on, and have gained another dreaded 4 pounds this month.

From now on I get to enjoy the weigh-ins and urine tests every two weeks instead of every four. I can't believe how quickly this pregnancy is going. The baby will be here soon and I won't be ready for her! Yikes.



Also yesterday I got to go meet Maddie at her school for some lunch. Andy was home so I thought I'd surprise Maddie. It was fun to get our hot lunch trays and for me to sit with her and talk to her and all her little friends.

Plus, I came at a good time-the teacher saw me and said 'hey, is your husband home for the afternoon to babysit? I had a helper call in sick and we need someone to do center time after lunch!'

So I got to stay the afternoon and play bingo, play in sand, and hold worms. It made me miss teaching so much! I just love the way it feels to show or tell the kids something and see their faces light up with knowledge and excitement!

And that age of kids just love anybody who walks through the door. As I was leaving I heard a boy tell Maddie, "your mom is so fun, is she coming back tomorrow-I wish my mom would come to our class."
If you ever need a boost of self-esteem go into a Kindergarten room where everyone loves you and thinks your beautiful and fun and want to hug you before you leave!

So I am so excited to finish our basement and open my own preschool next Fall! I can't wait! I don't have a name picked out for it yet so I need some creative suggestions. Help me out!

No naps!

Garen has started to forgo the naps a few days a week and when he does take one, I just hear him play in his room for about an hour and then find him sleeping by the door, in the rocking chair, or in the middle of the room. I am so not ready to give up his nap time, but I'm afraid that it is coming soon!

So this is how I find Garen during nap time these days, anywhere but his bed and surrounded by toys-

Also thank you to Jann and Boyd from Maddie and Garen for the dollar bills. We went to the dollar store today so they could pick what they wanted and buy it themselves. They were both very excited about their choices! Maddie is really loving these opportunities to use her own money and to count it out for the cashier. She's getting pretty good at counting coins. Then she keeps her receipts in her purse for weeks.

Maddie got a ball shooting gun-

And Garen picked a monster truck that jumps-

And for you girls that asked for the cake recipe, you are not going to believe how easy it is!

-Just use a cake mix (white or yellow) to make two 9 inch round cakes.

-put vanilla pudding and defrosted frozen strawberries or fresh strawberries between the two cakes.

-cover the whole thing with cool whip

-Then put fresh cut up strawberries on top and all around

-you can also drizzle some strawberry sauce from the frozen strawberries on top.

And that is it!!! Easy and delicious.

Planting Grass and Early Birthday Party

Andy's parents came this weekend and Andy and his dad were able to till up the the back yard and plant some grass seed. So we are hoping next Spring we will have a backyard filled with green grass. It was so nice for Boyd to bring his tiller and help Andy all Saturday get the work done! We really appreciate it! And Jann probably played 30 games with Maddie, which she absolutly loved!
Andy working hard tilling up the yard-

Spreading grass seed-

And done! No, we didn't plant hay, it's just there to keep the seed down and help it grow-

Then to top it off Andy's parents took us to dinner at Applebese to celebrate Andy's birthday. Andy turns 29 next Sunday, but his family won't be here and he will be working all weekend, so we celebrated a little early.
After dinner I made a strawberry shortcake with pudding in the middle (one of Andy's favorites).


Then after the kids were in bed Andy's parents watched a movie with us. We got the movie 21, I'd never heard of it before, but it was pretty entertaining.

Minnesota Trip

Saturday
My sisters, their boys, my dad, and I headed out in the afternoon for our long drive to Minneapolis. We took a break at Martin's Cove (a place the pioneers tried to take cover from the cold and several died) and saw Devil's gate. It was a neat place and gave us a chance to stretch our legs and let the boys run around.

The rest of the trip we only stopped for gas and bathrooms and for some breakfast in the morning. We arrived at my grandparents house at 12:00 on Sunday (20 hours after we left). The trip went really well considering the 2 pregnant people and the 2 toddlers. Luckily my dad is amazing and can drive for hours with no sleep!
Devil's gate-

Colton and Joren-


In the Martin's cove visitor center-

Sisters-


Sunday
My sisters and I went with my mom and aunts to dress my grandmother's body. This is the first time I saw her so it was incredibly hard for me, but I'm glad I went and got to have that quiet spiritual time with her.

I really don't know how people that lack the knowledge of life after death can get through times like these. Although I felt such sadness and emptiness with her absence I felt an overwhelming peace and even happiness in it's place because I know without a doubt that she is perfect and happy and I will see her again in a short season.

Sunday night several of my cousins and aunts and uncles were over late with us at grandpa's house and we enjoyed our time talking together since we don't see each other very often.

Monday
This day was just filled with family and my amazing mom coordinating every aspect of the funeral arrangements.

In the evening was the viewing. I was glad to see so many people come and everyone smiling and sharing memories.

Afterwards, I went out for awhile with some of the cousins and again we had a bunch of family over at grandpas' up late talking. My grandpa would walk around the house and point out grandma's shoes or what they would have been doing just then. He is such a sweet man and he will be incredibly lonely without his wife of 62 years.
Grandpa and some of the grand kids-

My grandma loves pink-

Tuesday
This morning there was another viewing followed by the family prayer and the closing of the casket. It was so hard to say goodbye one more time and to watch my mom, her siblings, and my grandpa say their goodbyes.

The funeral was beautiful! There were some amazing things said about grandma's accomplishments, her humor, and her life. The closing song was a recording of my grandmother singing and playing amazing grace-it was nice to hear her voice and incredibly touching.
The Funeral program-




Next we went to the cemetery where my dad did a wonderful job dedicating the grave.
Then there was a luncheon at the church that the ward relief society did a fabulous job with. It looked beautiful and the food was great.




Grandpa Mel and I-

Grandpa and his grand kids-


my family-

We went back to grandpa's house and I soaked in all the memories of grandma and that house before we had to leave. I got to take with me a few pieces of grandma's jewelry collection which I will cherish.
The days went by to quickly and I was sad to say goodbye to my cousins, the house, and especially my grandpa. We left about 7pm for the long ride home.
Cousins oldest to youngest (John, Dan, Danette, Sadie, Mandy, Denise, Nikki, Sara, Emily, Ben, Darianne)-

Grandpa and his kids-

Wednesday

We stopped at Independence rock (one of the main landmarks for the Oregon Trail, Martin Handcart co. and other pioneers) for a little while on our way home so the boys could run around a bit. And we ended up getting to my house at about 2pm (about 18 hours from when we left). It felt good to be home and the past few days are kind of a daze that seem like faded memories or a dream.
I'm so glad my dad made it possible for us girls to go! He was an incredibly patient man to drive almost the whole time, have no sleep, stop way to often for me to use the bathroom, and to listen to little boy whining. Thanks Dad!
And I'm so glad Jann (Andy's mom) took such great care of my kids while I was gone.

My brothers John and Dan-and family- stopped in at my house later in the night for a break from their travels and some food. It was fun to see them for a little while longer. While I was making the food and Maddie was waiting for her cousins she went and got Grandma Vonnie's CD and listened to her favorite yodeling songs. It was cute to hear Maddie trying to sing along with grandma. And also hard for me to make dinner with wet eyes.
Colton and my dad at Independence rock-

Joren climbing the rock-

Grandma Vonnie passed away on Saturday, September 20th at 12:40AM surrounded by her children and family. My sisters and I will make it out there for the funeral.

My Dear Grandma Vonnie

My grandmother has been battling bone cancer for a few years now and things have been positive. But the last couple months have taken a turn for the worst and my sweet, and wonderfully funny grandma has become extremely weak.

She is still hanging on, but is now non responsive and she has not had anything to eat or drink for 6 days. So it looks like her job well done is over very soon here on Earth. She will be sorely missed, but I know she will finally feel comfortable again soon.

I will miss her dancing in her bathrobe in the kitchen and listening to her play the guitar and singing her old country songs!

I leave tomorrow morning with my two sisters and my dad (my mom is already out there) to Minnesota. I am very thankful to Andy's mom for jumping in and helping with the kids so I can make this trip.

The Office

Okay, so neither Andy or I have ever seen a full episode of The Office before. We just never got into it or maybe it was on at a bad time or something. But the last couple of weeks, Andy's friend from work let us borrow Season 1-4. Now every night after the kids are in bed or when Andy gets home from work we watch 2 or 3 episodes. We are loving it!!!! It is so hilarious!

It's something I've come to look forward to every night with Andy. I will be sad when we finish watching the episodes from season 4. But I think Season 5 will be starting on TV here soon.

Many of you have probably figured out the greatest of this show before now. I'm glad we came across it to give us our nightly laughs!