July/August

Well, we finally got a new camera- just a cheapy one, and I am still getting used to the settings and finding the best ones for each situation. That is why you will find a few blurry and funny colored pictures in this post......

To start off our month, it was Andy's birthday- his 26th!! Man he is getting old! But still young at heart :) He wanted a strawberry cake with strawberry frosting so I tried to make it look a little more masculine with some chocolate piping on the top. I am not good at piping so it turned out looking a little bit...sloppy. Still yummy though.

Jesse is CRAZY about birthdays and any opportunity that he can sing happy birthday to someone he does- including himself on random occasions. Here he is enjoying some cake!

A silly face (suppose to be a smile).

One day I became ambitious (and was feeling the nesting vibe big time) and decided to make some pretzels! They were wheat and quite tasty but Andy didn't LOVE them so the next batch was made with half wheat and half regular flour. I am LOVING them and have made them several times since. A good snack!

Toppings were: sesame seeds, cinnamon and sugar, and kosher salt (for the second time I made them).

We grew tomatoes this year and they went a little crazy- there are two planted in a pot on our balcony and I am amazed they both survived. It is the 11th of August and we have eaten two red ones so far with many more to come!

In our spare time, Andy and I have taken up cribbage quite seriously. There was a time when he beat me over and over (seriously like 20 times in a row) but now the beginners luck has worn off for him and we compete evenly. It is a fun way to enjoy some quite time and do something together.

Jesse building some blocks.

The family reunion we have once every two years came up with year and we headed to the beach (Barview) to camp and attend the festivities. It was just Jesse and I camping with my sister Anne, Bro-in-law Matt, Paul and his gf Kayla, and a bit later Kristin. It was fun, but tiring. Lets just say and I am NOT going camping again during this pregnancy without Andy. Jesse was good but keeping an eye on him was busy- this was his 2nd camping trip EVER!
We went to one of our favorite beaches Cape Mear. I locked my keys in the car and my cousin, Brent, helped me fix the problem. Thanks Brent!!!
Of course we had to have a bonfire and roast hot dogs. This particular hot dog was dropped in the sand because Jesse insisted that he hold it- but then I wiped it off and insisted that he eat it. Ha..thats what you get you little stink! :)
Anne and Matt brought up their kyack and let Jesse go for his first ride! He seemed to love it, although he sat very stiffly the entire time! I didn't get a chance to go but I wasn't all the broken up because water isn't my favorite thing- especially when I am prego.

Off they go (Uncle Matt, Jesse, and cousin Than)

During the reunion they had a sawdust coin hunt and Jesse (with a little help from Auntie Kristin and Mom) found a nice little pile! It was dusty but fun. :)
It has been a while since we visited Tillamook so we made a quick stop at the cheese factory and did the traditional things: take a cow picture,

hug (and kiss) the cows,

spy on the workers,

and of course eat some ice cream. This particular variety was sticky bun. YUM!

This was the last morning of camping and I had given up trying to keep Jesse clean. He rolled around, sat in, and kick the dirt.
This was his favorite spot because you could see the neighbors next door. They were Asian and had some cute little girls that talked to Jesse.
Andy and I laughed when we saw what Jesse made the other day. Jesse LOVES to watch this music video by Ben Folds (and practically has all the songs memorized). He usually plays his piano, but this day his bright little mind made up this microphone to sing into as well out of his pipes. It is now a common occurrence.
Well, that is all for now, but I am sure more pictures are to come! I am 7 and 3/4 months along and it is going quickly! I recently changed OB's and am hoping this new one is a little more....understanding. The next couple of weeks are filled with more camping trips and spending time together as a family awaiting our new arrival!

The 25th was my Mom's birthday and Jesse and I drove down to celebrate with her. We decided to stay the night and spend the next day quite busy and having lots of fun!

We went to a park that had a few water toys, and Jesse loved it- after he figured out the water wouldn't hurt him.

Here he is figuring out how to push the buttons.

I had more pictures of put on from the water park but my computer won't let me for some reason....Here he is enjoying a "special drink" as he calls them.

When Papa came home we went to a park where he again had a blast!

He had lots of attention and Grandma and Papa both spent time doing things with him-

Papa took a few minutes to hit some golf balls and each ball he would hit Jesse would say "Whoa!! Good Job Papa!"

Then we ended the day by eating ice cream.

He loves to share everything!

What a fun day we had!

It is nice living so close to my parents and seeing them a couple times a month. We are looking forward to the next couple of months because we have some camping trips coming up! Jesse has only been camping once and it will be interesting to see how the copes, especially since I will probably be on my own for one of them (without Andy that is).

July!

We have had a full month of July! My month started off with visits to the hospital for pre-term labor. After various visits for about three days in a row, I was deemed "normal" and they sent me home with medicine and advice to "take it easy." I am still having braxton hicks contractions about 4-5 an hour, but I guess that is normal?

This picture is of the tie Jesse and I made for Andy for Father's Day. Cheesy, yes, but fun and a good memory nonetheless. Jesse got a bunch of ties from his Auntie Katie and he had to wear one to fit in. :)

Lately we have been slowly working on the idea of potty training with Jesse. He didn't like the underwear at first but he has gotten used to it and will now wear it around for a little bit. His favorite things to do in the bathroom are wash his hands...

and read books on the pot.

Around the same time I was in the hospital, my brothers-in-law came to visit from Utah, Robert and Brent. It was a nice visit although we had a couple of 90+ degree weather days that were a little miserable. One day we visited this little air museum in Vancouver. It is the oldest operating air strip in the U.S.!

Jesse was thrilled with all the planes and he even got to ride in this little plane that is normally a flight simulator. There were also several other displays where you felt like you were actually flying planes! What a fun day!

Here was a cute little airplane that Jesse "flew" and you could actually move the rudders! Cool!

When Robert and Brent left, we drove behind the airport from a recommendation from my Dad and found that you can park right next to the landing strip to the PDX and see all the big jets come in! Jesse sat on my lap and we watched about 10 big and little planes come in and take off! Jesse LOVED it and keeps asking to go back.

Here is just a picture of a little mom and son time. He has a hard time sitting him in my lap anymore because he elbows and jabs in all the wrong places. So here is our solution: he uses my belly as a pillow and it is the right size right now :).

This week we took a trip to Mt. St. Helens. It has been years since I have been there and it was fun to take Andy where he hadn't been before. We drove to the visitor's center and then up the road to get a better view of the mountain. (Sorry this trip wasn't well documented).

Our trip ended at some Bluffs where we could see into this beautiful valley and eat our lunch. The mountain was a little bit clouded over but it was still pretty and very interesting to become more acquainted with its history. One the way home there was a cute little restaurant in the middle of no where and they served cobbler so we had to stop and get some. Cherry apple cobbler and strawberry rhubarb cobbler- what a treat!

Here is Jesse "trying" to be good at the little table waiting for our treats.

While at the bluffs we saw this helicopter take off and Jesse was thrilled! It was right in front of us and we saw the entire thing! They now have helicopter rides that can take you to see the crater inside the mountain. How neat that would have been to see that!

This picture is from the visitors center where there was a cute little trail to walk to Silver Lake. I decided to snap a picture of Andy being goofy and Jesse, as always, imitating him. What I am going to do with these two?!?

The next month will be busy and I am glad of it! I have girls camp coming up (I am the assistant camp director for the ward), the Mills Family Reunion in August, more camping in August and my prenatal appointments are now closer together now. I am currently 27 weeks along and time is flying! The next months will go quickly and we are excited for what they bring!

Happy Father's Day!

Here is a shout out to my great hubby! We just celebrated 4 years together last month. I am very happily married to someone who has become my best friend. He is funny and is always making me smile or laugh and I always enjoy just sitting around and talking with him.

But that is not what the holiday is about right? He is a great father too always taking time to play or rough-house with Jesse. Jesse clearly loves his daddy and I think is going to grow up with a lot of his good qualities. We celebrated in a few short hours between Andy waking up and going to work. I made him some grilled pork chops that were YUMMY! I am including the recipe because I think everyone should try it!

1/4 c honey

3 T soy sauce

4 cloves of garlic (minced)

Mix, dip pork chops, and grill. While grilling

continue to add the glaze so the chops can soak it up.

YUM!!

Now on to me. :) I reached 24 weeks this Sunday

and everything is on schedule and going well. I feel

good. I have been working out for the last month and
it has given me more energy to play with Jesse and just

do what I want to do. Plus I just feel good all around.
I am actually going to take me doctor seriously this time

because I don't want to end up with another almost 9 lb baby.

Here is my 5 almost 6 month pic:

Here are a few pictures of the little man doing

what he loves to do:

Throwing rocks in water

making silly faces while eating his favorite treats (brownies)

Play with cars down his "slide" (part of a set of blinds)

and reading books to himself. I am convinced he is going to love reading. Today I caught him several times laying in his bed reading a book to himself. He is getting good at quote books that we read often and I love to listen to his version of the story.

That's all for now! Happy summer!

Ridgeway Heights

I have no pictures to post today because I am still without a camera. My mom, on the other hand, is very excellent at capturing every moment we are with them, which as been often in the last couple of weeks. If you want to see some pictures of our family outings, just view my mom's blog "Ridgeway Heights" and scroll down through the last couple of posts. These posts include: a day at bush park, hiking at sherwood falls and many more of our adventures. I will get better about taking pictures of my phone I guess until I have a sufficient camera. Thanks!

And then there were four....

Tiffany came to visit us for a week and we had a lot of fun! While she was here we went to Multnomah falls, the beach, boneville dam, and a few other misc places. It was so nice to see her, and this would be our last time for about 18 months! She left for the MTC on May 5th (two days after she got home from Oregon). Here are a few pics of our adventures:

These are Jesse's new sandals which he was anxious to show off (Old Navy $2.50)

Latrell Falls (I think) had a nice little hike to the base and
it was beautiful to see up close!

At the actual Mutlnomah Falls, and Jesse loved riding on Tiff's shoulders.

About a week later Andy's parents came down to visit as well! We have had an eventful month!

We also went to Multnomah Falls with them but did a few more hikes than I had done before. This particular falls is Bridal Veil falls and was well worth the steep hike!

A cute pictures of Jesse looking up at me

We visited the park where Jesse learned how to go down (and climb up) the slide all by himself. As you can tell he is pretty pleased with himself.

Sorry about all the nude pictures- but this one was funny. He found some snow boots recently that he hasn't been able to part with. I let him run around without clothes on in hopes that he would tell me if he had to go to the bathroom (didn't happen ps) and he winded up with the boots on, watering my plants for me on our porch! Our neighbors probably think we are crazy or neglectful parents :). Anyway it was too good to pass up a picture.

When we went to the beach with Andy's parents it was a wonderful day and both Dad and son had some fun in the sand.

Jesse was so funny when we went to this particular beach (Nesquin)! He let us bury him and then wouldn't get out of the sand. He looked so warm and comfortable and kept on saying "blanket" and "Jesse sleepin." He was a mess to clean up, but he enjoyed it.

Visiting Mo's for lunch.

Here is a current pictures of me pregnant. Not a flattering one by far, but I just thought I would post something. Jesse just chose that exact moment to need to be held. I am getting to where i can't pick him up too easily anymore. My back has gotten more sensitive to large loads like Jesse (35 lbs!).

Here is an ultrasound taken of our little one. Our little girl- that's right, we are having a GIRL! We are pretty excited and have already bought an outfit. I am going to have a problem with girl clothes because there are SOOOOO many cute ones out there!!! (IF you can't tell this is profile pictures of the side of her face, and her knees are pointed towards her nose, pretty cute little position).

Jesse was entertained for hours this morning playing with his little toys on the table. He is such a good boy!

Jesse updates: he loves Pizza! We don't have it that often, but he seems to think so many other things are pizza-like spaghetti. :) He is a very good helper and loves to water my plants (as seen in the previous picture). He understands a little of what is going on and the new addition to our family, but it will take a while getting used to. I was in the garage getting out different things to clean up (going through some nesting) and Jesse insisted that they were his toys and he wanted me to take them upstairs so HE could play with him. I got out the swing and he was pushing a leaf in it, and a little too vigorously at that.....We'll be talking to him about the baby lots and lots over the next couple of months so he doesn't do the same to her in the swing. A couple of stories: When we were in the ultrasound he looked at the baby that we were pointing out to him (not that he knew what was going on) and said "I love you baby." It was pretty darn cute. Also when we went to the beach after he was buried in the sand, we headed home so I took off all his clothes to get him in a new diaper and feeling a little cleaner. I set him down next to the car (naked mind you) and the next thing I knew he was half way accross a public parking lot streaking!! It was pretty funny and I am not sure how he was able to run barefoot on the pavement because it hurt my feet! But he was laughing and thought he was a big shot....We'll have to not have him be naked so much or something :). Anway, that is all for now! I am halfway through my pregnancy and loving feeling the little baby move around! Until Later!
Oh and Andy and I are celebrating our 4 year anniversary today! Its been a wonderful four years! Love you Andy!