It's Almost Time......

We're now in countdown mode for the baby to get here!  We've been busy getting the baby stuff ready, trying to finish house projects, and enjoying our last weeks with only our girls. 

We had our follow-up 32-week ultrasound a month ago, and as expected, everything was normal with the baby's kidney.  All that worrying for nothing, but we were just relieved to hear the good news!  I was tempted to find out the sex, but Steve made sure to let the doc know we didn't want to know, so we're still in suspense!

Looks like baby is head down and ready to go!  Mommy is just as ready!  I'm getting extremely uncomfortable - the baby seems to be sitting low and putting lots of pressure on my pelvis.  Of course it's a whole new game being pregnant while taking care of the 2 girls.   Uggghhh!

We found out at our last appointment the doctor will induce by May 11th, but I'm expecting an earlier delivery anyway.  My guess is April 25th, so we'll see how close I get.  As far as sex, we continually go back and forth what we think.  Hopefully we'll have some new news sooner rather than later.

UNLESS............

A few weeks ago we decided to take both kids to see the Lorax, scared for what we were in for.  The girls actually did great - it's really tough for Chandler to sit through an entire movie, but we were able to make it with only getting up a few times.

As soon as I saw they were making Dr. Seuss' Lorax into a movie, I knew we had to go.  It's one of our favorites, and I always enjoy reading it to the kids as well as my students during our ecology unit.  The movie wasd fabulous - it  closely follows the book but adds some humor elements and a cute story.  The girls loved it as well!  We've also used it as a teaching point, making sure the kids understand the importance of taking care of Mother Earth.  The girls have enjoyed helping us start the garden, recycling, and making sure to pick up their trash as well as others'.

Go see it!

When I heard the book club choice for the month was "Omnivore's Dilemma" by Michael Pollan I was pretty excited.  I've been wanting to read the book for a long time, but I think I was afraid what I'd read.  Would I be able to eat meat or any food for that matter after reading it?  Fortunately, after reading the book, I'm still an omnivore and can go grocery shopping without driving myself crazy, but it has drastically changed the way I look at food and hopefully will change our family's eating habits.



I have always thought of myself as a "healthy eater", but what is truly healthy? Is the low-fat salad dressing with 40 different chemicals in it really healthy for our bodies? And what about the effect on the environment these high-corn processed foods have? I know there's no way (especially with 3 kids on one income) that we'll be able to eat exactly how we should and would like to, but we've made a list (so I make sure to stick to it), of what we'll be doing to help:

1.  Buy local produce - This can be tough in Colorado, but our plan is to go to the farmers' markets in the summer and make sure to buy produce only from North America during the winter.  No more Chile avocados!

2.  Buy meat from local rancher - We'll buy only grass-fed beef, cage-free eggs, and other humanely treated meat

3.  Limit high fructose corn syrup (HCFS) - We'll try to stay away from those processed foods!

4.  Buy more organic produce and dairy - I was sick of our tomatoes tasting like pesticides anyway....yuck!  We're also going back to buying organic dairy for the kids.  A milking cow being fed all those hormones just can't be good!

5.  No more chicken nuggets (especially from McDonald's!)  This was a rare occasion, but we've already warned the girls about this one.  They actually put a poison on them to preserve them!

6.  Continue to garden - We've expanded our variety this year and will work on creating meals around our garden.  Can't wait for those cherry tomatoes, zucchini, and green beans!

Along with these we've been working on having the girls eat healthier.  We've been blessed with really good eaters, who generally will eat healthy, but of course, will choose crackers over raw veggies anyday.  We've tried to empower them (especially Brooklynn) about making good healthy choices.  She's really interested and will always ask about the nutrition of everything she eats.  They've been rocking it - snacking on celery, red peppers, apples, and grapes (and giving up those crackers).  I don't think it's ever too early to teach them how to eat healthy and be responsible for our environment.

As the Lorax says, "UNLESS someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better.  It's not."

Love You Grandpa!

Last week we had to say goodbye to a great man - my grandpa Charlie.  Although it was a shock and a sad time for our family, I feel blessed to have had the time I had with him during his long 91 years.  All of his 10 children were able to be there with him, and I know that was extra special to him.

Even though we always lived far apart, I always felt a closeness with him (and my grandma).  He was a loving father, a supportive husband, and an avid supporter of people with developmental disabilities.  In 2001 we were all lucky enough to celebrate the house dedication from the Rehab Center for my grandparents for all their tireless work.  In May my Grandpa was set to receive another distinguished honor from the Rehab Center, where they would name a warehouse center in his honor.

 I think Uncle Jim described his work ethic best at the funeral. 

"He taught us all many lessons, but perhaps the most important ones were to always help those who were disadvantaged in any way and to never quit because there is always work to be done.  All of us have a remembrance of a lesson we learned from my father.  My lesson was 46 years ago when I was cleaning the meat room at the Model Market in Allegany, I sliced my fingers and had to get three stiches in two different fingers.  He drove me to St. Francis to get sewn up and when we left, a right turn was home and a left turn was back to Allegany.  He turned left and when I asked him where we were going he said, “back to Allegany—you didn’t finish, your work isn't done”.   Well Dad, you’ve finished your chapter, and your work is not done, but it will continue in your memory, and you will be remembered fondly by everyone who knew you and all the lives you have touched."

You were an amazing person who inspired us all to work a little harder and care a lot more!

  My favorite pic - feeding each other cake at their 60th wedding anniversary party (the same year Steve and I got hitched)

 First time Steve met the family

 All of us

 In 2009 we were fortunate enough to have Grandma and Grandpa meet Brooklynn (about 18 months).  I remember Grandpa telling me he thought Brooklynn was so smart, and that meant so much to me.  I always thought he was a good judge of that!