Valentines Memories

Since I have nothing special for Mike this Valentines (other than delivering our BABY!) I thought I'd find an old video of us that was shot Valentines weekend 6 years ago.  I was booked for a "modeling/acting gig" for a time share development, but they were struggling to find a male partner to shoot with me in the video.  I recommended Mike, and a few days later our tickets were booked and we were off to South Padre Island.  We had such a blast shooting this together (though I think Mike was a little camera shy), and to top off the job... Mike Proposed To Me!   I thought some of you might get a kick out of this video...especially those who know Mike well.  (we don't appear till 30 seconds in)

Happy Valentines!

Over It!

I had a strange feeling this pregnancy wouldn't be like the others.  I have officially been pregnant 40 weeks, 2-3 weeks longer than I went with Cy and Madison.  I feel awful, stressed out (for reasons I may explain later) and am swollen with these 50 extra lbs.  I'm over it and am hoping my doctor will "help out" with that tomorrow.  To be continued...

Goodbye 2010...the year of travel

As I was searching through my iPhoto library I was astounded how much traveling we did in 2010...much more than I ever did on The Amazing Race.  We had so many fortunate opportunities through work/play/circumstances/etc. that allowed us to do so much from our home base in New York.  I don't anticipate we will ever visit 7 countries in one year again, but we'll be keeping our eyes open for every chance.  I find travel is one of the only ways I am truly changed or shaped politically and religiously by all the exposure and insight you only get from hands on experience.  Here's to a fun filled 2010 and a diaper filled 2011!

This New Years Mike and I took it easy since I'm not in party mode late at night (only a few weeks left!).  We had a few friends over for snacks, mingling, and watching the countdown on our new 65" screen.  Luckily Aunt Shawnie was in town from Berkeley CA to hang out and party with Madison.  They attended "Eve" downtown and even managed to get themselves on the news!

Birthday Bash

 Historically we haven't celebrated Cy's birthday because we usually travel over the holidays.  This year I decided to have a little cousin get together at a local indoor amusement park.  The boys had so much fun being brave and trying all the scary rides.  It was nice to see these little cousins play and bond together...something Cy's never been a part of being in the East Coast.

Cy makes this face everytime he feels "powerful"

Christmas Vacation

This Christmas vacation has been wonderful for a number of reasons; we didn't have to deal with the chaos and costly expense of getting to and from JFK airport to fly and visit family in Utah, both our families were no more than 40 minutes away from our house, I don't have to drive to and from downtown SLC to ballet for 2 whole weeks, Mike bought himself a "man tv" to match his "man couch" which means I have a lovely tv in my room now (just in time for the new baby), Cy turned 3, and baby #3 is just weeks away!  Here are some highlights from the week so far.

Cy's new house

Regressing with a shavy (pacifier) in preparation for baby sister

Taking advantage of Aunt Shawnie who will play or dance anytime

Loving Shawnie

Pretty Madi

 Getting smashed by Uncle Scott

Birthday presents from Grandma Coleman

So happy with his new "mouse"

My Mom and sisters preparing for a Danish Christmas Eve

The big kids playing games

Cy and Sam

Messing around

Dinner Time!

The Jensen Kids...Cy refused to wear his matching pj's properly

Dad, Mom and their girls

Dancing and singing carols around the Danish Tree

Presents!

Enjoying Grandpa Coleman's famous spaghetti sauce

A little friendly mother daughter competition

The kids in playroom heaven

Baby Shower

Once my sisters realized I had virtually no baby girl items and was in the last few weeks of my pregnancy, they decided to throw a baby shower for me while visiting over Christmas.  It was so fun to enjoy the evening with 20+ family and friends, many whom I haven't seen in years and many who have played such a big role at different times in my life.  Thank you to everyone who came and helped share this special time with me.

The Nutcracker

Madison has been performing in The Nutcracker this week with Ballet West.  Though her role doesn't require much dancing (I prefer to call her eye candy), it has been a great opportunity to watch and mingle with the pros.  Madi has been working so hard at the Ballet West Academy practicing 6 days a week - which shakes out to 15 hours every week on top of school and church obligations.  I don't know of many high school athletes who practice that much in any sport and I've found myself feeling a lot more admiration for ballet dancers.  They are the true athletes.

This performance was extra special because Papa Lee is recovering from major cancer surgery.  We are so glad he had the strength to sit through the show!

At about 32 weeks pregnant, not much is fitting me anymore so be forewarned, you may see this outfit in several upcoming entries because I can't bear to buy maternity clothes that I'll only wear for another 6-7 weeks!

Thanksgiving

This Thanksgiving is the first in 5 years we were able to spend with family.  We've either been alone or with friends/adoptive family in New York.  It was so great to see the kids play with their cousins and connect.  Now that I'm 8 months pregnant it was certainly nice to have a break from cooking as well.

Thanksgiving Dinner at Grandma Pia's 

The Big Cousins

One snowy night this week, Cy asked if he could "rock me".  I thought he wanted to be rocked and very quickly he told me "NO! I rock you!"  So I did my best to sit on him without crushing the little guy with my 8 month pregnant weight.  He then put his hand on my stomach and started singing "La La Lu", which some of you know as the lulluby from Lady and the Tramp.  These are the days I want to marry that boy.

A much needed (and rare) snuggle for sister

Friends & family watching the BYU/Utah football game

Madi's in the Nutcracker!

Ballet West’s annual presentation of The Nutcracker in SLC.

We are Delighted to Announce Special Casting by our daughter Madison

as A Lady In Waiting

Get your tickets at www.balletwest.org.

See you there!

The Accident

Last week I was picking up some books at the library while Madison babysat Cy and one of his older (and taller) friends.  I thought the house was fairly childproof and that all dangerous objects were too high for him to reach, but I failed to think about an older child.  In the 10 minutes I was gone, they became curious and grabbed an old mace can I got over 7 years ago.  Cy's friend managed to unlock it and spray it directly into his face...mouth, neck, ears, eyes and all.  After Madi heard Cy screaming and found him running into walls yelling "cloth, cloth, cloth" she called me.  By the time I got home he was in the shower getting rinsed off with soap and water, while his poor buddy was probably mortified as I'm sure he assumed the spray can was filled with water.  

After a thorough wash of his face, I looked online to see what one should do in the event of being drenched in mace, and found there was no reason to go to a hospital unless there is a respiratory reaction.  The best thing to do was rinse his eyes and entire face with milk then sit and wait.  So we did, over and over and over....for 3 hours on his little tomato face.   I'm sure he thought we were torturing him as he doesn't even like to wash his hair in the shower.  

A few hours later he was finally able to open his eyes, and most of the redness was gone.  That night in his prayers he thanked Heavenly Father for his friend (the one who sprayed him), and my heart was filled with so much gratitude that I have a little 2 year old who despite a horrific accident still loves and appreciates his buddies.  My poor little Cy.  He's still a little traumatized and rehashes the story every day, but he always ends with "I feel better now".

3 hours after "The Accident"...still a little swollen and red, but 100x better

Sufjan Stevens Concert

I ventured out with Mike to one of my favorite artists concerts, Sufjan Stevens, though it was a bit uncomfortable now that I'm 7 months pregnant.  It's getting tricky to sit for long periods of time, I have a hard time sleeping, and I look like a fool trying to tie my shoes.  I forgot how ungraceful the 3rd trimester is, but have never been happier to be pregnant so bring it on.  In the meantime, I'll be fighting it every step of the way...off to another concert tonight!

Playing one of his most popular songs "Chicago"