A dinosaur egg!!

Crystal likes the first ten minutes of the movie Dinosaur, by Disney. During those first ten minutes you follow this baby dinosaur egg that gets tossed around and finally hatches.
Last night she found an avocado I'd left out on the kitchen table and started screaming that there was a dinosaur egg on the table.
I tried to explain that it was a fruit that we eat with chips and tacos here at home, but she wouldn't have any of it. In her heart, she knew she had found her very own dinosaur egg.
She lugged it around with all her toys all day long, and the only way I could get it away from her is when she fell asleep.
On the plus side, she was very gentle with it, which gives me hopes that she'll be good with her little brother when he comes.
I love my little monkey.

Good Times and Great Oldies

Okay, so it's been nearly an entire week, but I've finally gotten around to making this post.
Last Saturday I got together with two of my posse from the old days at UVSC. Paula and Leigh. Paula and I see each other every once in a while, but it had been around seven years since I'd seen Leigh. It was so much fun!

It made me miss some of the fun times, the food, folks, fun, dances, going to all night diners at the crack of dawn, break dancing, thinking we were the coolest people there, and of course, hanging out in the hall of flags and people watching. So here's a toast to the days when we were younger and much more careless:

As silly as we would get when we were together sometimes, our friendship went beyond the weekends, dances, and parties. The fact that we had just as much fun last week as we did back in the year 2000-2001, proves that we're still true pals!
This makes me want to get together with all of our girl clan...Happy, Kathy, and Natalie, I wish you were there! Maybe some time when we're all in town we can have a bigger reunion!

Thanks Leigh and Paula for a great afternoon!


Love these gals:

P.S. Leigh, I do have a picture with the three of us that Todd didn't come in and block. As soon as I can get my scanner working again I'll send it to you and Paula okay?

Call me crazy but...

My sister thinks it's a little mean, but I bought a child harness for Crystal, for the times I take her to the store.

The problem is that as my belly gets bigger, my coordination, agility, and speed are beginning to slow down, whereas the bigger Crystal gets, the more coordination, agility, and speed she has.
Her new favorite game is to take off running in the store whenever I put her down and making me chase her. Granted, it's good exercise, but her little body moves fast and darts all over the place, and I'm terrified of loosing her.
I'm getting too pregnant to carry her for more than five minutes, and she only sits in the shopping cart when she's exhausted...if there even is a shopping cart at the store I'm in. She doesn't like holding hands anymore and always pulls it away. Not to mention the big, and sometimes heavy diaper bag that I also carry everywhere.
She isn't afraid of being lost. I've tried hiding around the corner and watching her by herself, and there is no fear at all there.
The other day I couldn't find her for a mere 10 seconds, but as a mom, and a pregnant, hormonal mom, it was all I could take.
So yesterday we went to target and I let her pick out her own harness...she chose the one with the teddy bear backpack,(there was also a monkey and a puppy) and so far she loves it. She thinks it's a game, and that the furry harness strap is her tail that I hold on to. I'm sure she'll figure it out that she's under restraint, but I'd rather look like one of those crazy moms, than risk loosing my child. I'd rather risk a future tantrum when she realizes that she can't escape.
She actually doesn't throw many tantrums in public at all, and when she does, I carry her for the five minutes that I still can until she calms down. She never really makes it past two minutes of crying anyway.
So now I look like a mean, controlling mom, but I'm hoping that she'll outgrow the running away phase soon enough.

A new craving...

So along with strawberries, I'm also really enjoying Sandwiches with peanut butter, honey, and banana slices. I have one at least every other day if not every day. Today I had one for breakfast...that's right, breakfast.
I'd like to thank Erin Forsloff, for introducing me to this sandwich while we were companions in the mission field. I had no idea that nearly 4 years later I'd crave them when I'd be pregnant with my second child. The blessings from the mission keep on giving and giving...

This is a great sandwich and gives me quick energy.
Don't knock it till you try it!

A dedicatory video...

I met Scott the day before Valentine's day in 2004. Because of this, Valentines day is very special to me.
I was at an institute dance with his friend, David. Our first Valentines day spent together was in a group date the next day, where I was once again with our now mutual friend.
When I first met him the night before, I thought he was kind of cocky because he made a bet that he could get five different girl's phone numbers and a date the next night all at that same dance. He did. I don't know what made it more cocky to me...the fact that he claimed he could do it, or the fact that he actually did do it. OR the fact that the next night when we were all together hanging out again, that his cousin pointed out a random girl in the room for him to hit on, and he went home with her number too.
After many group hangouts, I got to know him much better and realized that not only is he much more humble than he will ever admit to, but that he was very dedicated to the Gospel and we had much more in common than even I knew possible.
I'm so glad I found someone who has the same point of views, same standards, and the same passion for life that I do. After all, he may be a hot blooded Italian, but I'm a hot blooded Latina, and we do great together.
I've never met such a forgiving, dedicated, and noble person. I'm still very much in love with him, and I always will be. I made this video to show how great the last four years have been since that night we first met.

What a man!

Scott has been hired at his first job since graduating! Hurray! He's been hired by a privately owned CPA firm in Murray. Details as to weather we want to move further up north or not are still being decided.
We've been praying for someone to take a chance on a college grad with no outside experience for the last month and a half. We were worried, because out here in this state there are at least 10 colleges, so most people around here are looking for experience rather than a college grad that they can grab any time they want. Even more, we were hoping that we could find a job that will support us and our two children.
Our prayers were answered as we found a job that not only will support our family, but also give Scott the exact experience he needs when he eventually takes over his father's CPA firm in Philly. The job requirements are require exactly the same expertise that he needs to develop to feel confident taking over his fathers business. Our prayers have been answered, and we're thankful to our family members who were also remembering us in their prayers.

I am so proud of my husband! He has worked so hard for this opportunity. He was working full time in the day, and going to school full time at night, and coming home stressed out and exhausted. He has been dealing with the stresses of home, with the needs of his now pregnant wife, and needy toddler who also want his time and attention. He takes time to cook the meals at home when I've been feeling sick and queasy from the pregnancy. He takes the garbage out. He helps change diapers and clean. He has come with me to every prenatal appointment of mine, and every pediatric appointment for Crystal. He took three days off work when I came down with the flu a couple of weeks ago, and couldn't get out of bed, just to help me out. He tells me he loves me every day, several times a day. He never makes a decision without checking on how I feel about the situation. When I'm tired and worn out, he still has the energy to play games with our daughter and make her laugh. He makes sacrifices every day, and learns to deal with my pregnant raging hormones as they change by the moment. The list goes on and on of what my poor husband has gone through, and continues to go through on a daily basis to give us a better life. I love and appreciate him. For Valentines day this week, he has more than made my dreams come true with a beautiful family and a happy and productive life. He is a wonderful example to our little girl. He has always been my hero and continues to be there to take care of me.

Lisa's random stuff

Okay Cathy, you requested 7 random facts, so for Cathy and those who care here you go:

1. I'm really really happy that the Giants won the superbowl. The patriots get too much hype, and they're snub and cocky. I'm not even going to go into my opinions on spygate and they're cheating ways because it would take too long. I was glad that they were taught a lesson in humility...not to mention the fact that I like the Manning brothers and I think it's cool that they both won a superbowl. I also truly detest Bill Belichick, and think that he showed his true colors by not being man enough to stick around for the last second of the game and take his loss with dignity. It was a great game and I was happy to see the humble Giants get what they deserve. Sorry to all you Patriots fans...we're still friends, right?
Disclaimer: Just so we're clear, if it was a choice between the Giants and the Eagles, Scott and I would obviously be on the Eagle's side. GO EAGLES!



2.During my first trimester I couldn't stop craving fast food...mostly burger king, Taco bell, and Arby's. Now that I'm in the second trimester all I want/crave are fresh foods: Salads, fruits, veggies, sandwiches, etc. This pregnancy is so much weirder than the last one. Even the smell of junk food makes me feel ill now. I swear to you people, I can actually smell the chemicals in fast food and it makes me sick.
I have a special love for strawberries lately...I can't get enough of them. I've never had food preferences change so dramatically from one trimester to the other.


3. I want to take up sewing. I like having creative projects to keep myself busy as a housewife. I got really into doing nails with the acrylics and everything, mostly because I discovered it was much cheaper to do do it myself than paying someone else. I've backed off on the nail thing since I got pregnant though due to the fumes/chemicals. So now I'm going nuts trying to find new ways to fill my time, and for right now I've decided that sewing little dresses for my daughter might do the trick.



4. My only body hair is on my head, eyebrows and eyelashes. I am compulsive at making sure that there is no hair anywhere else. This is pretty ironic since I married a hairy Italian. Body hair is fine on other people...just not me.


5.I've known what I was going to have both times I've been pregnant. With Crystal I was already buying girl things and picking girl colors as soon as I found out I was pregnant. With my soon to be Son, I told people I didn't know, but I did and was just afraid that I would be wrong and look stupid...but I always referred to him as a him when talking to people, and I told my husband that I was pretty sure it was a boy this time. Even before I ever married I told people I was going to have a girl and two boys, in that order. We'll see in a few years (maybe more) if the third one is a boy too and I'm actually three for three. If I am, even I will be amazed.




6. I can't physically fall asleep in my bed unless I check on my daughter and make sure she's sleeping soundly and comfortably. Sometimes I do this more than once. I need the visual image of her actually sleeping before I can relax in my bed. If she's not sleeping yet, I check a few hours later, just so I can get that visual image. Sometimes this results with me going in there at three in the morning if I've forgotten somehow to check on her earlier. I spend all day every day with her, and I feel weird when we're separated, even if it's just for a few hours. As clingy as she can be, I honestly think I need her more than she needs me. She's my little sidekick, even though we fight sometimes. lol.



7. As a child growing up, I've had all kinds of pets. I've had five different dogs, a cat, ducks, a rooster, hermit crabs, frogs, a snake, lizards, literally over a hundred rabbits, several guinea pigs, turtles, hamsters, gerbils, an aquarium full of all kinds of fish and salamanders, chinchillas, parrots, love birds, insects and a pot belly pig. Even though I like animals, I refuse to keep any in my home as an adult. I think all the poop and animal care traumatized me, not to mention the heartbreak when an animal would die or have to be given away. If I ever got a pet, it would probably be a dog, and he would have to be extremely well trained...but my husband doesn't like dogs because of all the yucky dogs in his mission, so that will never happen, and I'm not heartbroken over it since I don't think I could handle animal hair in my home. No more pets for me.

Okay, that's all. Have a nice day!

Ultrasound

Well we finally had our 20 week ultrasound today!




We're so excited! Now we have one of each!

Potty Training Crystal

Well, today started the first day of potty training for Crystal. It is probably going to be a long process, but we decided to start now, so we don't have to be changing two sets of diapers when the new baby comes in 4 months. So the goal is to have Crystal completely potty trained in 4 months. We will see how it goes.
Well our game plan is to put her on the toilet as often as we can, then have her sit on the toilet until she goes pee, or poo. When she goes, she is rewarded by getting a treat. (She prefers gummy worms.) So we started early today, having her sit on the potty after her breakfast. (The video clip below is of this try.)
As you can see, she put up a struggle at first, but then about 20 minutes later she finally went pee in the potty. It was a big success for her, since it was her first real try. After that, we put on her big girl underwear, and sure enough she had an accident an hour later. So we put on a pull up after that.
So for the rest of the day, she continued to struggle, and go in her pull up but we did get her to go in the toilet another 2 times. So she went pee pee in the potty 3 times on her first day!! Unfortunately (or fortunately) she was constipated today so she didn't have any success or accident with that particular substance. So we will see how it goes from here.
Crystal potty training from Lisa on Vimeo.

Clip of Lisa's birthday

The camera wasn't available yet, so here's a one minute clip of Lisa opening her 3 favorite presents. She's kind of calm on camera because she's 5 months pregnant and doesn't particularly enjoy to be on film while pregnant. It's good to keep a record of these events no matter what though, so she agreed to have it posted.

Lisa turns 28 from Lisa on Vimeo.

Clip of Crystal's birthday

Well I had some problems with my video camera and some software on the computer, but I've finally been able to upload a one minute clip of Crystal blowing out the candles and reacting to her presents for her second birthday. It's almost a month late, but better late than never.

Crystal turns two from Lisa on Vimeo.

Playing with the features on my new camera

It's such a relief to be taking pictures again. Crystal loves be followed around during her adventures. I got pics of her trying on Uncle Matts boxing gloves, finding new places to hide and playing with blankets and stuffed animals. the only time I tried to make her pose was when she's holding the rose so I could play with the color features. Granted, you can do all the same stuff on photoshop, but it's pretty cool to have a camera that can do it for you and load onto the computer exactly like you want it to. I'm no photographer, (like the talented Liz) but it's pretty fun and addicting to play with all the fun things to do on this camera.

Good birthday

Yesterday was Lisa's birthday and as a very generous surprise, Scott bought her a new digital camera (since she was so upset about loosing her old one). Not only did he get her a new one, but it was a Canon powershot s5is, which is much nicer than the older one she originally had in the first place. Where he came up with the money out of nowhere remains a secret, but the universe is back in order now that Lisa has her camera back! What a nice husband!

We also went out to eat, and had went to the in laws house to sing happy birthday. The cake was Strawberry short cake, which is Lisa's favorite. So it was a good day.

Note to self: DO NOT eat black bean soup while pregnant

Walmart sells a couple of organic soups in their soup section. One of them is an organic black bean soup, which I was craving. It seemed delicious down to the last bite.
About 30 minutes later I experienced some of the worst pain I've ever felt during any pregnancy...or any anything for that matter.
No amount of Rolaids or Gas-x could cure it...all my organs wanted to explode and there was nothing I could do but curl up in a ball on my bed and suffer.
I had no idea a stupid can of black bean soup would almost kill me.

On the plus side, I have learned a valuable lesson about giving in to every craving while pregnant. On the down side, I've been traumatized for the rest of my life...I will never eat black beans again.
You may think I'm exaggerating...I'm not. I'll leave the details to your imagination...though no amount of imagination can really compare. It was pure suffering and torture. I should call the FBI and suggest it as a means of making people talk.

MY CAMERA!

Aargh! I left one of my purses under the sacrament bench at church last week and when I went back for it, it was gone. It's been over a week and I've checked with the lost and found, the bishops office, and the clerks office and nobody's seen it. There were some diapers and wet wipes, my brush, some somewhat pricey makeup and MY DIGITAL CAMERA!! I really hope it will turn up, but it could be lost for good. I really really hope someone wasn't so pathetic as to steal from the sacrament room at church. I'd like to give it the benefit of the doubt and hope for the best. Well...it looks like you'll be getting video clips instead of pictures on my blog for a while. I'm distraught over this.