Happy? Birthday to me!

Well, yesterday was my birthday and I turned the bit 3-0!!  That's right folks.  I'm 30.  And not a minute sad about it.  However, yesterday wasn't my best day ever.  Let me explain....

Zander came to me probably Monday morning and told me his hands hurt.  He had a few small bumps on them, but I didn't think much about it.  Then they got worse. On Tuesday night at dinner he complained of his throat hurting so much he cried when he tried to eat.  On Wednesday, Michael took him to the doctor, and he has hand-foot-mouth disease.  We just learned about this in my pediatrics class, how could I miss it?!  I feel like a horrible mom and like I'm not on track to be a great PA either.  That same night I noticed Keagan wouldn't eat and looked in his mouth, and sure enough, he has it too.  Keagan doesn't have any sores on his hands or feet, but his mouth is bad.  The last few nights have been horrible.  Zander is getting better, and his sores are all healing, but Keagan is a few days behind.  He wakes up about every hour crying that it hurts.  Yesterday, he cried almost all day long except when he would crash on the floor somewhere.  He won't eat, he won't sleep...Michael and I feel like we're going crazy.  Anyway, I felt bad dumping them on my parents when Keagan was so unhappy, but we needed some sanity time, so we took advantage and went out for my birthday last night.  

We had dinner at Famous Dave's and it was delicious!  After dinner we went to Gardner Village.  We went on a carriage ride and just shopped around.  I've never been there before and it was really fun.  I even got an apple cider to keep me warm as we walked around.  I got a few fun pictures, too.

Here's us in taking our carriage ride. The pictures were taken with my phone, so there's no flash. Sorry they're so dark.

Then here's a couple pictures of the trees with their lights.  That's probably my favorite part of Christmas, the lights.  They are so pretty!

So, what started out to be a rough day ended up to be a great birthday!

Thanks Michael and Mom and Dad!

I got the word...

I've been chastised for not updating my blog lately.  I have nothing new (of note) to report.  I'm so busy with school I don't do much else.  I'm a little overwhelmed with school right now.  We still have tests every week and after Thanksgiving we have two tests the next week, two the week after, then three the next week, which is finals week.  My last test is Dec 18th.  I will breath a sigh of relief when that day comes and goes.  I spend every Saturday and usually Sunday evenings in study groups.  I try to study during the week and usually end up falling asleep at my desk.  Welcome to life as a mother of two, pregnant, graduate student.  =)

I'm 7 months along now.  I feel tired all the time lately (hence the falling asleep in class and at desk at home).  I'm uncomfortable almost all the time, and can't eat much at one sitting because I just don't have room.  Anyone who has seen me pregnant knows I get huge, so I run out of room pretty quickly.

Other than that, not a lot to report.  Michael painted our kitchen area last weekend.  He did behind the table area a red/orange color and the pantry corner forest green.  It all actually looks really good.  The rust color was a mis-tint, our favorite (and cheapest) way to buy paint.  Zander is excelling in school.  His teacher had nothing but rave reviews about his at parent-teacher conference.  He's so smart and well behaved.  We're great parents.  Shall I go on??  Keagan is finally growing and he's also getting smarter.  It amazes me the things I say to him that he understands.  I don't talk to him like a baby and he certainly doesn't ask like one.

So, all in all, things are still moving along at our house.  I take it a day at a time and try not to think too much about the in between.  Here's a little photo we took at home a few weeks ago just before church.  Enjoy.

Busy, busy, busy

Starting three weeks ago and continuing for the rest of the semester, I have a test every Monday morning.  My last three tests have been hard, but not unbearable.  But today was my final in Cardiology/EKG/Cardiovascular Nutrition.  Yeah, three finals (three different classes) in one.  I spent a lot of time over the last week and weekend studying for this test.  After the test was over, I thought I was going to cry.  For all the hours I put in, I felt totally unprepared.  I had made as many educated guesses as I could on the things I wasn't sure about.  I read scriptures on the bus on the way to school today.  As far as I know, that is the only reason I did well.  Turns out, I got an A!  I ended up with 95% on the test! I was so happy! I've been averaging in the high 80's on the last few tests, which is not as well as I could probably do, but with as much as I have going on, good enough. 

Okay, enough about that.  Zander lost his second tooth a week or so ago.  He got another dollar and took them both to the dollar store and bought some toys.  Michael took both the boys and let Keagan get a toy, too.  True to form, they both fought over Keagan's toy, Zander having decided that was better than what he got.  Kids.  Also, Zander has been learning to write better and read in Kindergarten.  He's loving school, reading, and learning in general.  He's such a smart kid.  But I think I need to stop telling him that.  He told me the other day (as he has before) that is the smartest person in the universe.  At least I'll never fail in giving my children good self-esteem, eh?  

Keagan continues to learn new words and become more independent and vocal about his independence.  The time out chair has become his friend (and Zander's too for that matter) as we're learning to listen to mom and dad.  When he's doing something wrong, he says to me, in his sweetest voice, "Hi Mommy".  Then does it again if I'm still mad.  What a manipulator.  But sometimes it's funny to watch.

Michael has been home the last few months, which I've been extremely grateful for.  He's such a help and support to me.  I've gotten used to him traveling, but being 6 months pregnant (and very emotional) makes it a little more challenging for me. He's also taking a writing class at the U for work and really enjoying it.

Well, that's the update on my little family.  I know these are getting far and few between so I thought I better update on the whole gang!

Later!

The unproud new owners...

of a minivan.  That's right, folks.  We have joined the ranks.  We know we will be able to fit three kids and three car seats in the Jeep (it's wider than the Galant), but our nanny has a baby, too.  If we want her to continue to take Zander to karate, or run errands for us (which I do more when Michael is out of town) we need to have a car that holds 4 children....hence, a minivan.  We bought it used, and unfortunately not quite as nice as the picture here (dang).  It's white, with tan leather interior (we were excited about the leather - easier to clean up).  

Anyway, if anyone is looking to buy an awesome Jeep Overland, we are selling ours.  =(  We LOVE this Jeep, but until I'm done with school, we don't want to worry about the payment.  

Well, that's all there is to say about that!

And the verdict is...

Yes, I'm still here, but something is missing...

I know, I know..."I have so much to say before school starts again..."  Well, I never have enough time in a day, whether I'm in school or not, it turns out.  Here is one thing I wanted to write about:  Zander lost his first tooth!  His bottom front tooth fell out while he was eating breakfast on Monday, August 18.  He was very excited!  

He comes to me, with his fist closed, and says, "Mom, I was wondering what a tooth looks like when it falls out.  Does it look like THIS?!?!" And shows me the contents of his hand and starts laughing.  He is such a clever little kid.

Here he is all toothless and happy! 

And here is another one with him and brother, Keagan.  They are so cute together!

Happy Anniversary

So, today we celebrate 9 YEARS of marriage!  I can't believe it either.  Michael, my amazing husband, surprised me with a wonderful gift! (And one for him, too.  He's a great shopper, for the both of us.)

This is my new baby. He said being together 9 years is a journey and deserves the Journey Necklace (with white sapphire stones). He said he was so excited to give it to me he hardly slept last night, like it was Christmas.  This was better than Christmas!  Thanks, Babe!

And, this is what I got (riiight) for Michael.  He got a new set of golf clubs.  He went to buy one club with a gift card he had and the sets of clubs were on sale.  So he got them and called it my gift to him.   I'm such a good wife I even surprise myself sometimes!

I have lots of other things to talk about before school starts on Monday, so visit me here often between now and then!