Well, I decided to write since I am sitting home from church with Emerson and Eliza. Emerson threw up during the night and still wasn't 100% this morning. Maybe he had heat exhaustion from playing outside so much yesterday in the 70 degree weather! I was up most of the night as well having contractions every 6 minutes, but they didn't amount to anything. Addy and I were able to go on a date up to Logan to watch Lauren and Emma perform in the Monster Concert. We had the rare privilege of seeing Professor Amano perform on the piano! Lauren said that in all her years at the university she has never seen him play the piano. It was a treat!
Earlier this week, we celebrated the 100th day of school. The kids have been adding a sticker each day to a chart until reaching 100. It has been a great way to teach Emerson counting skills. We had a fun day of doing dot-to-dots to 100, math games adding up to 100, and learning about what life was like 100 years ago. We are more than halfway through the school year!
Here is another funny pregnancy comment I got this week:
"Are you hanging in there?" Well, not exactly. The baby is sure hanging in there but I'm kind of hanging out. In a big way.
Happy tropical weather! Really, pray for a big storm and then maybe this baby would think about coming.
Sunday, February 8, 2015
Flake Fun
8 February 2015 - This week has been one event after another with 2 very out of the ordinary events.
On Monday I had a meeting in Holbrook so Scott & I had decided to take advantage of being in the same place and have lunch together. I had just finished up some emails and was on my way to Scott's office when Mary, the deputy finance director and emergency management director informed me that "an incident" had just been reported. One of the clerks in the courts had found a white powder substance while opening the mail. That set forth an avalanche of activity. My boss called to say he was on his way. My coworker Bob was called in to assess the situation. I called to inform local emergency rooms that there was a possibility of contamination. For the next 7 hours I was able to see what my job really entails. It was madness. The whole government complex was on lockdown. A state HazMat team was called in and had to come in from Phoenix. The FBI was there to be ready to take over in the case that the powder was really a bioterrorism threat. When we were finally told that we (all employees in the complex) could go home, everyone had to do an observed bleach-water hand-washing and leave their contact information in case of symptom onset. A few hours later we were informed that the substance had been identified (it was sheetrock dust that the clerk had brushed up against) and the building had been cleared to open the next morning for business.
The other out of the ordinary event is summed up in the following pictures:
On Monday I had a meeting in Holbrook so Scott & I had decided to take advantage of being in the same place and have lunch together. I had just finished up some emails and was on my way to Scott's office when Mary, the deputy finance director and emergency management director informed me that "an incident" had just been reported. One of the clerks in the courts had found a white powder substance while opening the mail. That set forth an avalanche of activity. My boss called to say he was on his way. My coworker Bob was called in to assess the situation. I called to inform local emergency rooms that there was a possibility of contamination. For the next 7 hours I was able to see what my job really entails. It was madness. The whole government complex was on lockdown. A state HazMat team was called in and had to come in from Phoenix. The FBI was there to be ready to take over in the case that the powder was really a bioterrorism threat. When we were finally told that we (all employees in the complex) could go home, everyone had to do an observed bleach-water hand-washing and leave their contact information in case of symptom onset. A few hours later we were informed that the substance had been identified (it was sheetrock dust that the clerk had brushed up against) and the building had been cleared to open the next morning for business.
The other out of the ordinary event is summed up in the following pictures:
Can you see that? Any idea what it is?
Yep, another snake in the basement.
The house...yes the house. We were able to get quite a few things done in this weekend. Scott had Friday off (he usually gets one a month or so) and so we worked about 8 hours that day on the house and another 9 or so hours on Saturday. We nearly got the kitchen finished off. The floor in the living room and kitchen still need to be done and we need a second coat of paint in the spare bathroom. The big project that we were working on this weekend was the kitchen countertop. There were places that the laminate had come up so we had to patch that and now we are in the process of refinishing the countertop. Refinishing the spare bathroom vanity was my little project. It is going to be fantastic! I'll upload pics when it is done but here are some "pre" pics for you to see what I started with! Monday, February 2, 2015
Nilsson News-
Well the big news for the week was Eliza's birthday celebration. At this age it seems the celebrating is done more for the enjoyment of the older siblings. Mom and Emma came down early in the day. Emma helped immensely making cupcakes and pizzas. Eliza began to fall asleep during dinner so we thought we'd better open presents. What an ordeal! She was pleased with just one present but wouldn't suffice for the older children. They would plop another present on her lap and "help" her to open it. After that, we went swimming at surf and swim (Ruth did not swim. It is against her personal religion to wear a swimsuit while pregnant). Thomas, Lauren and Nick, and dad joined us and it was so much fun! It is hard to believe that Eliza is now a two year old. If you ask her how old she is she will tell you three, so we are still working on that one.
A pregnancy update- I'm still pregnant. This little guy is extremely active and is still doing somersaults. He is measuring a week big so maybe he will come early. Very slim chance or rather, very round chance. Lately I have thought about some comments that I find somewhat entertaining that people seem to ask frequently.
"So, how are you feeling?" They never just ask, how are you. What kind of answer are they looking for? Honestly, I'm feeling huge, I'm feeling like a punching bag, I'm feeling like a beached whale, I'm feeling like a walking zombie who can't sleep because her hips go numb. The answer, "Oh, just fine."
"When is your exact due date?" Why do they need to know an exact date? My exact date I will let you know when this baby decides to come. That will be the exact date. Right now, 3ish weeks will have to suffice.
"Wow, you look like you have dropped!" I really haven't come up with a response to this one. It catches me off guard each time.
"I see you're pregnant. What are you having?" Ummm. I'm having a baby.
In response to your saying you don't induce labor, they often say, "My doctor said I had to be induced otherwise I would just stay pregnant." Really? I've never know of anyone that has been eternally pregnant.
Kind of funny what people say.
Well the big news for the week was Eliza's birthday celebration. At this age it seems the celebrating is done more for the enjoyment of the older siblings. Mom and Emma came down early in the day. Emma helped immensely making cupcakes and pizzas. Eliza began to fall asleep during dinner so we thought we'd better open presents. What an ordeal! She was pleased with just one present but wouldn't suffice for the older children. They would plop another present on her lap and "help" her to open it. After that, we went swimming at surf and swim (Ruth did not swim. It is against her personal religion to wear a swimsuit while pregnant). Thomas, Lauren and Nick, and dad joined us and it was so much fun! It is hard to believe that Eliza is now a two year old. If you ask her how old she is she will tell you three, so we are still working on that one.
A pregnancy update- I'm still pregnant. This little guy is extremely active and is still doing somersaults. He is measuring a week big so maybe he will come early. Very slim chance or rather, very round chance. Lately I have thought about some comments that I find somewhat entertaining that people seem to ask frequently.
"So, how are you feeling?" They never just ask, how are you. What kind of answer are they looking for? Honestly, I'm feeling huge, I'm feeling like a punching bag, I'm feeling like a beached whale, I'm feeling like a walking zombie who can't sleep because her hips go numb. The answer, "Oh, just fine."
"When is your exact due date?" Why do they need to know an exact date? My exact date I will let you know when this baby decides to come. That will be the exact date. Right now, 3ish weeks will have to suffice.
"Wow, you look like you have dropped!" I really haven't come up with a response to this one. It catches me off guard each time.
"I see you're pregnant. What are you having?" Ummm. I'm having a baby.
In response to your saying you don't induce labor, they often say, "My doctor said I had to be induced otherwise I would just stay pregnant." Really? I've never know of anyone that has been eternally pregnant.
Kind of funny what people say.
Sunday, February 1, 2015
The Odyssey
After 4 days of being apart, we are back together again! Joe went to California for a few days for a conference and learned lots, but is happy to be back home. Lori spent the time up in Salt Lake and the kids had fun with their cousins.
After a couple months of looking, we finally found a van that should work for our family! It's a 2005 Honda Odyssey with doors that open automatically (a required feature). Hopefully it will last through all the many trips we plan on taking...to the grocery store and back.
Joe got a new calling as the Elder's Quorum first counselor. It is sad to leave the young men's program but it's probably time for him to start growing up.
Grant is doing a good job of potty training, but we still have some work to do. Grace has been super helpful and reads him books while he sits on the potty so he doesn't get off to quickly.
Lori started teaching voice lessons again but just to a couple of students for now.
Quotes of the week: "Grace just close your eyes and take a bite of dinner." "It's not my eyes that don't like it!"
"I liked to play with cars when I was a kid." -Grant
After a couple months of looking, we finally found a van that should work for our family! It's a 2005 Honda Odyssey with doors that open automatically (a required feature). Hopefully it will last through all the many trips we plan on taking...to the grocery store and back.
Joe got a new calling as the Elder's Quorum first counselor. It is sad to leave the young men's program but it's probably time for him to start growing up.
Grant is doing a good job of potty training, but we still have some work to do. Grace has been super helpful and reads him books while he sits on the potty so he doesn't get off to quickly.
Lori started teaching voice lessons again but just to a couple of students for now.
Quotes of the week: "Grace just close your eyes and take a bite of dinner." "It's not my eyes that don't like it!"
"I liked to play with cars when I was a kid." -Grant
Much the Same in Hyde Park
Classes, work, homework, church work... Just lots of work. But good work. Thomas got his major changed to Exercise Science, dropped his crazy anatomy class (taught by Andy Anderson) and is doing an internship as a personal trainer at the Sport's Academy. That was last week's new, but I forgot to mention it.
Everyone else's schedules are about the same. No painting here. No potty training here. We are doing what we have been doing. Even going to the dentist again. I went and had my cracked tooth cemented. The cement fell out. Went and had my cracked tooth cemented, again. Dad went to the dentist and had a cavity filled. Now he has a terrible toothache that keeps him up at night. Back to the dentist he'll go.
Emma has become very interested in Biology and made a hundred flashcards to help her learn all of the names of the kingdoms, phyla, etc. and which organisms go in which categories. She sounds quite scientific.
We don't see Lauren much. She is getting ready for the Monster Concert this coming week. She will be conducting several songs with many students playing on many pianos. It's always a fun event.
So, the highlight of the week was attending Eliza's 2nd birthday party. She was so excited for everyone to come - especially Thomas and Nick! Although she nearly fell asleep during dinner, when she opened her presents, she perked right up. We all enjoyed going to the surf and swim pool near Ruth's house and watching the swimmers ride the waves! The Nilssons and Thomas and Emma had a great time paddling around. I really have a hard time believing Eliza's already two!
Well, I did my first IV this week. Not fun. I really would rather not poke people. I guess it's great when you need to, but this is part of my training I could do without. However, I have to do many more blood draws and IV placements and need some volunteers. Anyone willing?
Everyone else's schedules are about the same. No painting here. No potty training here. We are doing what we have been doing. Even going to the dentist again. I went and had my cracked tooth cemented. The cement fell out. Went and had my cracked tooth cemented, again. Dad went to the dentist and had a cavity filled. Now he has a terrible toothache that keeps him up at night. Back to the dentist he'll go.
Emma has become very interested in Biology and made a hundred flashcards to help her learn all of the names of the kingdoms, phyla, etc. and which organisms go in which categories. She sounds quite scientific.
We don't see Lauren much. She is getting ready for the Monster Concert this coming week. She will be conducting several songs with many students playing on many pianos. It's always a fun event.
So, the highlight of the week was attending Eliza's 2nd birthday party. She was so excited for everyone to come - especially Thomas and Nick! Although she nearly fell asleep during dinner, when she opened her presents, she perked right up. We all enjoyed going to the surf and swim pool near Ruth's house and watching the swimmers ride the waves! The Nilssons and Thomas and Emma had a great time paddling around. I really have a hard time believing Eliza's already two!
Well, I did my first IV this week. Not fun. I really would rather not poke people. I guess it's great when you need to, but this is part of my training I could do without. However, I have to do many more blood draws and IV placements and need some volunteers. Anyone willing?
Hart Happenings Jan 26-February 01, 2015
Peter is potty trained! He is a rock star and totally nailed it!never my favorite phase of child-rearing but I can't complain because the boys have gone pretty easy on me. The only better option I gues would be what my friend arranged. She would have her mother in law come up and potty train her kids for her!
Things up here have been cold! But the weather is supposed to get into the high 40s this week which is wierd for February. Because of the cold, we have been laying pretty low, playing a lot of board games. Jack learned chess and is already a formidable opponent.
The boys are having a blast learning about the solar system in their homeschool and we are reading The Secret Garden together which is delightful.
We've been trading sickness back and forth here and I'm so done with it. The other morning Peter woke up coughing and I asked him, "where did that cough come from"? He replied, "from my mouth." Oh. Of course. Silly me.
Funny that we're all caught up in house projects. I wonder if it's because we've now been confined to our houses for a few months and the improvements that need to be made are constantly before us. But it's fun to see what everyone is up to!
Things up here have been cold! But the weather is supposed to get into the high 40s this week which is wierd for February. Because of the cold, we have been laying pretty low, playing a lot of board games. Jack learned chess and is already a formidable opponent.
The boys are having a blast learning about the solar system in their homeschool and we are reading The Secret Garden together which is delightful.
We've been trading sickness back and forth here and I'm so done with it. The other morning Peter woke up coughing and I asked him, "where did that cough come from"? He replied, "from my mouth." Oh. Of course. Silly me.
Funny that we're all caught up in house projects. I wonder if it's because we've now been confined to our houses for a few months and the improvements that need to be made are constantly before us. But it's fun to see what everyone is up to!
Flake Fun
1 February 2015 - This week was full of new stuff. Scott was tasked with completing 1099's for the county and had to work late this past Thursday to make sure that they were all done and ready to be mailed out. A tiring reminder that tax season is here! I, on the other hand, had a 3 day course on Incident Command Systems. It was really interesting. Basically, what is the command structure that occurs (or should occur) when an incident (anything: fire, crash, crisis, etc.) happens. It was a lot of information but I passed the final exam which was good. I was also informed that sometime in the near future my program will be audited...Don't know how I feel about that.
The most exciting part of the week was Wednesday night. We were sitting on the couch when I heard some bird ruckus outside. We have a lot of doves that fly around so at first I thought it was doves but when I really started listening it hit me that it was an owl conversation! It was really pretty dark outside so I didn't think we would be able to see anything but when I opened the front door, there was a huge owl sitting on the power pole! And he seemed to be conversing with an owl sitting near our neighbor's house! It was really neat. It was too dark to get a picture though.
Work still goes forward on the house. We did get a lot done yesterday and we are starting to think that there might be a glimmer at the end of the tunnel. What do you think?
Hopefully the next round of pictures will show some visible progress! Hope that everyone has a good week! We'll check in next week!
Also wanted to share some fun pictures that we took at Christmas time.
The most exciting part of the week was Wednesday night. We were sitting on the couch when I heard some bird ruckus outside. We have a lot of doves that fly around so at first I thought it was doves but when I really started listening it hit me that it was an owl conversation! It was really pretty dark outside so I didn't think we would be able to see anything but when I opened the front door, there was a huge owl sitting on the power pole! And he seemed to be conversing with an owl sitting near our neighbor's house! It was really neat. It was too dark to get a picture though.
Work still goes forward on the house. We did get a lot done yesterday and we are starting to think that there might be a glimmer at the end of the tunnel. What do you think?
This is the new light switch in the dining room
Bathroom Tub Surround
Our makeshift brace...it worked quite well!
This is a snapshot of what the whole house looks like! Partially done but covered in dust and junk.
The "finished" surround
We took off the "redneck chic" wainscoting and had to re-texture a bit of the wall.
Painted the kitchen
Hopefully the next round of pictures will show some visible progress! Hope that everyone has a good week! We'll check in next week!
Also wanted to share some fun pictures that we took at Christmas time.
New racquet ball gloves!
It's a hard knock life!
Yay for automatic tea kettles!
A fun new toy
What a handsome boy!
Uncle Thomas!
Baby Jesus!
Grandma's Gift Circle
Happy Birthday Thomas - did anyone hear what Grant said right after this? I have a video that won't upload but after Thomas blew out the candles Grant clapped and shouted, "I did it!"
What is all this craziness?
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