Little One

The time has come to introduce Carlsen baby #3 to the world. We are beyond thrilled to be welcoming another little one into our home.

Currently I am 15 weeks along, and we will be finding out if a little brother or sister is in our future in 2 1/2 weeks. The due date is September 9, 2011.

Ultrasound pictures at 12 weeks. Early ultrasounds aren't common here, but because of Pierce's history our doctor ordered one just to see how this little one is growing, and we were thrilled to have the chance to see this baby.

From about weeks 6-10 I was pretty nauseous in the evenings, in fact after dinner the couch was my best friend until bed time. I never get very sick though and I feel very blessed for that!

We told Allee and Pierce on Valentines day, and Allee was excited, but Pierce really didn't understand. As we have talked about it more and more, and finally told everyone I think he is catching on. Today he was climbing over my legs and leaned into my belly and said, "Hi baby, I am your brother."

We asked both kids if they wanted a brother or a sister, and they both replied brother. Allee's reasoning cracked me up though. She said if it was a brother then the girls would always win when we race to buckle into the car! Love how that little mind works!

Welcome new little Carlsen! We are so excited to meet you!

Another One Gone

Allee had a loose tooth for months. It was really driving her (and me) crazy, but every time I would try to wiggle it, she would complain it hurt and that was then end of our wiggling fun. On March 4th I picked her up from school and she was proudly holding a Ziploc baggie with her tooth inside. She told me how she had complained to her kindergarten teacher, Mrs. Johnson about it hurting and so Mrs. Johnson sent her to the teacher affectionately known as, "The Tooth Fairy". One twist and pull later Allee had that pesky tooth out. She was completely excited.
The next week we bought the book Silverlicious, and she was thrilled to find out that the tooth she lost was the same one Pinkalicious lost. It was a very exciting moment for Allee.
Unfortunately the tooth fairy was busy that Friday night, you know she really has a lot to do! Allee woke up crying because the tooth fairy hadn't taken the tooth out of her special tooth pillow. After some explaining of just how busy the tooth fairy is, and using examples from Silverlicious (if you haven't read it, do! It is so cute) we calmed her down. Sure enough Saturday night the tooth fairy made her appearance and left Allee two whole dollars!

Poor Derek

Today I was lucky enough to get some clothes I had ordered from Old Navy. I love it when I get things in the mail. It doesn't really make any sense because I knew it would be coming, and yet it still puts a smile on my face.

As I was going through the contents with Pierce he was more than happy to model the new summer clothes he had gotten. I also bought Allee a new shirt and one for myself as well. When the bag was empty, Pierce looked at me and asked, "Dad?"

I had to admit that I hadn't even looked for anything for Derek, and that Dad didn't get anything.

Pierce gave me a sad little hug and said, "Poor Derek."

Yes, Poor Derek!

Valentines

Our traditional Valentines dinner had it's up's and down's this year. Poor Pierce was sick all day with a fever and just didn't really feel like doing anything. He laid around and watched Mickey and Curious George, sleeping on and off. His fever reached 105 at a point, and he had me really nervous, but thank heaven for ibuprofen, and hour later his temp was around 100.

Allee had a fantastic day at school and I was able to go and help out with her class Valentine party. We played games with balloons, stacked conversation hearts, made a flower craft, and decorated cupcakes. I love going into her classroom and seeing how she acts and interacts with others. She is such a sweet girl.

My adventure this year was trying to make the kids Valentine shirts. Allee's said LOVE with sequins around the heart shaped O, and Pierce's had a big heart and then said BREAKER. They looked adorable and it was SO easy. Now they may need shirts for St. Patrick's Day.

That evening we had a candle light dinner of spaghetti, salad, garlic bread, and sparkling cider. I thought it was too easy of a dinner, and not nearly fancy enough, but spaghetti is one of those go to meals that I know the kids will always eat, and that makes dinner much more enjoyable for everyone if I am not bugging them to eat!

Every year I love to see their faces light up when we light the candles and turn off the lights, it never gets old. Derek and I gave the kids each some new Valentine books, Pierce got a new Curious George DVD, and Allee got a Mulan barbie.

I love my family so much, and I love having this time of year to not only celebrate the love Derek and I have for each other, but the love we have as a family.

The Blizzard of 2011

Just as I posted about our lack of snow, we really got some!

February 1st it was a true blizzard. It reminded me so much of a nice big snowfall in Cache Valley, and made me REALLY miss having a fireplace!

The wind and snow was crazy, and kept us inside for a good two days. Schreiber canceled work for two days, people couldn't get out of their driveways and the snow plow (aka John Deer tractor) didn't even make it to our subdivision until the day after the storm. Derek always the trooper made it into work both days, he goes stir crazy sitting at home!

When Derek shoveled our walk that night, the snow was well past his knees and the drifts went up to his waist in some places. He worked pretty hard though, he did manage to break our shovel, and there isn't another one to be found anywhere, so the rest of the snow will have to just melt. All in all we guessed we got over 18 inches.

On Feb. 12th as things were starting to warm up, the snow was finally wet enough to make a snowman. The four of us made this towering monster and the kids were so proud.

Unfortunately all this last week the temps have been from the 50's up to 74 degrees, and alas our snowman only lasted about 4 days. Now we just have a pile of rocks on the lawn. The snow was fun while it lasted.