Santa Maria

We are very nomadic. The longest we have lived in one apartment/house is about 13 months. Palmdale has been our home since last July. And in accordance with our Christensen family tradition, it's time to move on. We LOVE our house. It's been so nice having the 3200 square feet of space. Although, we have accumulated A LOT of extra things. But, the kids love to just run around the house. But, we're nomads. We have to move. Adam is in the process of getting an offer from a company. They want to solidify the tentative offer they gave him, but there has been a few delays. Like BYU-I not validating that he ever graduated from there. We had this problem last time, too. But, the job will take us to Santa Maria, CA. It's supposed to be really pretty there. It's so close to the beach. But not the warm laying out beach, a colder sort of beach. The temperature there is around 75 all year round. So that will be nice. A LOT colder than we're used to, but we can manage! It's real close to San Luis Obispo. We've never been, but the Hearst Castle is there. Seems pretty cool. There are a lot of cool toursity things around there, too. It should be fun. Disneyland will be a lot longer of a drive, nearly 3 1/2 hours! But, we can manage! On our trip out there on Friday, we found a nice house to rent. We're torn between two, so I guess that's good...we have options! But the good news is, we'll be a lot closer to Target than we are now! But sadly, the Super Target that is only 3 miles from our house now will be open just AFTER we move. Oh well...I can't have everything, I guess! But it should be fun. Another chapter in the Christensen life.

Being sick sucks.

I really don't remember the last day that there wasn't a sick person in our house. With the pregnancy and being totally sick and throwing up everyday, and just being plain sick, and then having the kids have their sicknesses, we've just been a sick house for a while! On our recent trip to Idaho, Macie and Noah both came down with colds. And were coughing and sneezing, had runny noses, Macie a lot more than Noah. And then they got pink eye. Pink eye is not fun. Having to wash their hands every five minutes and keep pestering them not to touch their eyes, and then having to take their toys away that can't easily be sanitized, and then the drops...it's torture for these little kids, and even for their moms! On our last day in Idaho, Macie woke up with her eyes totally sealed shut with a ton of that mucus crap. It was so sad. She didn't cry, though, she just tried to open her eyes, and when she couldn't, she just went back to sleep for a little while. After doing this a few times, she kind of got a little annoyed, but let me wipe away the crusty crap. And then we had to drive home. I wasn't sure if it was totally pink eye at this point...I mean, I was like 90% sure, but I didn't know. But we still washed hands every so often, and used hand sanitizer. It was a LONG trip. I didn't get my medicine for the ride home because I was out of refills and it was stupid, so I had to go without. It was awful. And then the next day was even worse. Not only was I throwing up and nauseous all day long, I was all stuffy from having a cold and having all of that drain down, that wasn't helping at all. And then it just got worse...and worse...and worse! I got the nausea medicine, so that was all good. And the kids got drops for their pink eye, which cleared up in about 2 days, but I got bronchitis, which led to bilateral pneumonia, and then a sinus infection. All at once. Not fun at all. It was, and it is terrible! And all Macie wants to do is nurse. But, if I nurse her, I get so sick. I nearly black out when I stand up after nursing her. I really don't know what to do with her. I try not to nurse her, but then she cries and throws tantrums, and makes herself throw up, it's not a pretty sight! But I don't think I can physically do it anymore! Anyway, I've completely complained about life. I really do like life, just not sick life. I wish it would all just go away and not come back. Being sick sucks.

Lions, Tigers, and Bears...Oh my!

On Saturday we ventured down to LA to go to the zoo with our friends, the Barkers. Noah and Macie loved it. They love animals and making animal noises. On the way there we asked Noah what he was most excited to see, and he told us he wanted to see cows! Luckily, there were much better animals than cows at the zoo! His favorite animal were the tigers. It was so dang hot, however, so none of the animals were really even out. The tiger babies were pretty active and playing around, so Noah got to see them. I think that Noah is the perfect age for the zoo. He doesn't need a stroller anymore, he can just walk, he knows all of the animals, and is just a good boy! It was a little harder with Macie, having to keep putting her in the stroller and taking her out. And half the time she could see the animals anyway, because you had to really search for some of them! But it was fun. Both kids really enjoyed it. We were able to spend time with our friends, too. Which was fun. I was miserably sick, but that's another story! The saddest part of the whole trip was as we were walking toward the exit. Noah had been carrying around his C3PO car he got at Disneyland all day long. He always is really good about holding on to things. He had a bag of grapes that he was done with, and so he was being a good little boy and was going to throw it away, but he bag and the car were in the same hand, and the car ended up in the garbage. It was pretty traumatic for the boy! But he reassured himself that he would get another one. So then he was happy. Oh, boys and their cars!

Baby #3

I have been wanting to blog about this for the longest time. But, since I live so far away from my family, and I don't see them everyday, I wanted to wait until I went to Idaho to tell them, and surprise them! But, we are expecting baby number 3! Yeah...three little kids. Can you believe it? I already have a huge belly. I think it's huge anyway! My sister, Alison, is expecting as well, and she doesn't even look pregnant! The first time I went to the doctor they said that I was about 12 weeks. Which I thought was about right, that's what I came up with when I did those due date calculator things. And then they did the ultrasound. The baby was only measuring 5 weeks. I had been sick for a lot longer than 5 weeks. It seemed a little strange to me. And then they said that they thought they could hear two heartbeats, but only saw one baby in the ultrasound. The first ultrasound, the baby really only looks like a peanut, but the 5 week baby looked just like Noah and Macie did when I had their ultrasounds at around 10 weeks. Just a lot smaller. So they wondered if there was another baby in there that we just could see. So I have to go back in in a few weeks and get another ultrasound to see if there are two or just one. It's kind of confusing, I know. But whatever. It would be identical twins if there were two. So we'll just have to wait and find out! I don't know how I could handle 4 kids under the age of 5, however. But people do it, so I guess I can two! I watch that Jon and Kate plus 8 show on TLC, and I feel like a terrible mother! She has eight kids and handles them much better than I can handle my two! We'll see how things play out! But we are very excited for the new addition to our family! We'll be happy with one or two. Whatever is supposed to happen will! We'll keep you posted! Oh, right now my tentative due date it December 11thish, but I think it's amonth before that! We'll see.

Cory is graduating!

 

I can't believe Cory is old enough to graduate! But it's true, he's graduating. The class os 2008. I remember when he was born and thinking that he would graduate in 2008, that seemed like the longest time away! I didn't think it would really ever happen! It makes me feel very old. He's not actually graduating until the 26th, but I'm taking the kids to Idaho, so I probably won't be able to blog about it. I didn't have many pictures, either. Well, I had lots of pictures, but they were all of Disneyland within the past year! I wanted pictures of when he was short, but I didn't have any, except the wedding one. He's such a tall kid these days. He's supposed to stay the little Cory that was so cute and wore "heelings" and made us patte! Oh, Cory...you're still a cute kid! He really is a good kid! My kids love their Uncle Cory. Noah's first word was Cory. He said in a little whisper at first, which makes me wonder if Cory was always whispering it to him to get him to say it! But, Noah ADORES his uncle. There isn't a day that goes by that he doesn't ask about him! He talks about him all of the time. Every time we see Cory he just makes us laugh. All of his random comments and sarcastic remarks. Sometimes I wonder how Mom and Dad can handle him and all of his sarcastic comments, he is probably the most sarcastic person I know! You're old now, Cory! Oh, you're going to college. You're a big boy now! A MAN! Noah says, "Cory is not a boy, he's a STRONG MAN!" You're my favorite brother ever! Thanks for putting up with me and watching my kids, you'll be a great daddy one day! Congratulations on graduating. Go BEES!

Oh the HEAT!

We live in the desert. We moved here last July, in the heat of the summer. The average temperature was 105. But it usually got around 115 during the day. Yeah, it was very hot! We came from a beach town further south, where we had a nice ocean breeze all of the time, and the option of going to the beach. But in the desert, you've got nothing! I had heard horror stories of air conditioning bills being HUGE, so I didn't want to end up in that trap, so I would hold out as long as I could without the AC. We would be sitting in a 90 degree house, with sweat dripping down our faces, before I would turn the AC on. We didn't have terribly huge bills, so it was okay. But this was in July and August, when it's supposed to be hot anyway. It was doable. It was only going to last a few months, and then we'd see some relief. Well, this past week, it has been hot! On Saturday and Sunday it was in the 100s, reaching highs of 106! And then it's been "cooler" with about 95 degree temperatures the other days. I don't know about you, but after 90, that's it...it doesn't matter the actual temperature, it's just too fricken hot! Check your calendars...yeah, it's May! It's not supposed to be this hot! Where is Spring? I guess I'm learning first hand what people meant when they said that California has two seasons, Summer and Fall (or what other people consider fall.) The kids have been funny about the heat. They love to play outside. And about a week ago, I couldn't keep them in the house. They were outside in just diapers a few times. They just love to be outside. But the past few days, they have been so excited to go out, and we get all ready. They walk out and get hit with the wall of heat and soon decide that maybe they want to play inside. It's kind of sad. When they do decide to stay out, they get really rosy cheeks, and drink their entire sippy cup of water in about 2 seconds. One thing that I've learned, it that the mall and Target are good places to hang out in the heat! They were very busy when it was so hot. People want to save money by not running their ACs, but, if they are like me, they'll spend more shopping anyway. But you're not so hot! It's a toss up, I guess! This desert living, is quite interesting! We've had coyotes as neighbors, black bears roaming the city, and unbearable heat. I'm ready for the beach again. I'm a California snob now...I have to have my beach. But now after being in the desert heat, I'll freeze at the beach. I've acclimated to this weather. I'm headed to Idaho next week...I better bring my winter coat, I hear it's going to be in the 70s!

Happy Mother's Day, Mom!

I know, I know, I'm a little late, but that's just the story of my life! It's the thought that counts, right? I just wanted to tell my mom Happy belated Mother's Day! I did call her and I did send a card AND a present, so don't think I'm a terrible daughter! I just didn't get to blog about it! My mom is great! I have grown to appreciate her so much just by having kids and moving away from her. She has done so much for me that I am grateful for. Too many to even list! She gave birth to me...in August! Having gone through pregnancy and labor twice, I know how awful the August heat is! I don't want to give birth in that heat! And I was 2 weeks late! For that, Mom, I thank you! She helped me through school. Seriously, I probably wouldn't have passed a few classes my Senior year to graduate had it not been for my mother's help! Thank goodness for graduation! She has always been there for me. Who else would have helped me decorate my first Christmas tree? She's pretty good at decorating trees! She helped me with the transition into motherhood. She was there when Noah was born. And watched Noah while Macie was born! I was so blessed to have my family living so clsoe to me while we were in Rexburg...and then I moved to California. It was quite the change for me. But I still talk to my mom at least twice a day, sometimes more. She never seems to care when I call, which is good. Sometimes I just have random questions about cooking or I need her opinion as to what dress I should get for Macie! It's like she shops with me...thank you cell phones! She probably gets sick of it, but I appreciate it! I don't know what I would do without you, Mom. Thank you for everything that you have taught me, everything that you have helped me with, and just everything you do. I appreciate everything. We can't wait to come to Idaho and spend time with you guys...only like a week and a half! YAY! I hope that you had a great mother's Day! I love you.

 

Mario Kart

For Mother's Day, Adam got me the most romantic present ever...her got me Mario Kart for the Wii. I know what you're thinking, how could that possibly be romantic? Well, when you have a husband who teaches early morning seminary and leave the house at 5:45AM, and then goes to his jobby job and is gone until 7, when he returns home to eat a quick dinner and spend 2 hours on his lesson for the next day, and then goes to bed, anything that helps us spend time together is romantic! I actually wanted the game, so it was all good! But, he did take time to play with me. It's pretty fun! It's a lot better on the Wii than on any other system! Noah loves it as well. He's always wanting to play "Momma's game" He always has to be the "mustache guy", or Mario. He doesn't even really play, he just holds the steering wheel, and loves it! He thinks he's playing, so it's great fun! I know it's bad, but it's been our family activity for a few days! But whatever works, right? So if you have the Wii and you have Mario Kart, we should play...I'm not very good, but it's still fun! Yay for the Wii!

Potty Update

So, if you were wondering about Noah's potty training, still wonder. It's non existent these days. Occasionally I'll hear him say he needs to go potty, but clearly he has already gone. I've tried potty charts with stickers and cars as rewards, but he's fine with the cars he has. He told me he doesn't need anymore. My friend Natalie gave me an idea to have him put his hand in a cup with warm water and quarters and have him transfer the quarters to another cup...no dice. We've tried having him aim. He doesn't get it. He loses interest very quick. We've even tried potty books. Do you think he cares? Nope. He likes to sit in wet diapers. I don't know why. It's a struggle to get him to lay down so I can change him. He cries almost every time! So, I've come to the conclusion that my son will be in diapers when he goes to college. I don't know who's going to be changing them. But he just doesn't care, he's too busy to care and worry about the potty. That kid.

Discovery Center

We decided to get out of the desert and head down south to visit some friends in the OC. Thinking that we would go to the beach or something, it seemed like a pretty good plan. We didn't go to the beach, it was still a little too cold. But we did go to the Discovery Center in Santa Ana. Noah loved it...LOVED it! Not only was is cool and full of sciency things, it was sponsored by Taco Bell...he loves his Taco Bell. Clifford was their big exhibit, so the kid stuff was all Clifford themed. Both Macie and Noah loved the restaurant. They had menues and money and food. They would serve the people sitting at the window. They didn't know them, they were the other kids parents, but they didn't seem to mind. Both my kids love to be in the spotlight. They definitely get that from their father! Macie gets shy at first, but you know she loves it! We go to see dinosaurs, sit in a wind tunnel, and even sit in an earthquake simulator. That was enough for me...no earthquakes, please. It was pretty fun, we even enjoyed it. And the best part, we got a military discount with Adam's Edwards Air Force Base ID. Not really the best part, but it made it that much more worthwhile! Noah did not want to leave, there was just so many things to see and do. If you ever have the opportunity to go to a Discovery Center, you should totally go.